Looking forward to May 2024

May 2024
Advice session, Meadows Library; 1^st, 10:30 – noon; (and every Wednesday)
Election Day; 2^nd, 7am – 10pm;
Health and Adult Social Care committee, Loxley House; 16^th, 9:30am;
City Council, The Council House; 20^th, 2pm;
(Executive Board, Loxley House; 21^st, 2pm;)

The impact of cuts on The Meadows

to May

Latest progress report
and previous reports

To turn
Britain around.
Secure the highest sustained growth in the G7;
build an NHS fit for the future;
make Britain’s streets safe;
break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage;
make Britain a clean energy superpower.

Meadows ward monthly report 60

In Nottingham – less from the council to publicly report as officers work on what changes are required cos of the budget and re-assessments of the financial situation; and a certain reluctance to be public during an election period.

In The Meadows – campaigning throughout the ward; see ward progress report; and congratulations to BCT on opening the community cafe at QWCC.

In Britain – the Rwanda scheme becomes even more bizarre, and the “boats”; and the public seem ever more disenchanted with the Conservatives; the General Election was confirmed as deferred; more scandal from Conservative MPs with some of their number running distraction initiatives, notably against Angela Raynor; another Conservative MP choosing the last Sunday before the elections to join the Labour party in protest at what has been done to the NHS (particularly the mental health services).

In the United States – Trump in court; Biden doing better in the polls; money found by the USA for Ukraine; Israel ad Iran have exchanged blows; and people continue to starve in Gaza.

Spring: wonderful to see nature, at its most optimistic, again;
Football: and Salop survive, despite scoring the fewest goals in the Football League.

And on a personal level –
– farewell to Richard Rosser;
– congratulations to Jane Jeoffrey; and
– welcome to Amelia-Mae.

TO BE UPDATED, and WITH LINKS AND PHOTOS.

Meadows ward status – April 2024

Further to the previous such report, I have been wanting to write-up a full review, but the scale of door-steeping in this month has impeded such an intention.

There’s also a need to re-write full statements on the current status o the main subjects generally covered.
Time will be taken to reflect post this week’s elections.
So very briefly >>>

Parks and Open Spaces:
– the return of paddling is now confirmed to be constructed for 4th October;

Street Scene etc.:
– still struggling whilst we have 2/3rd of the previous staff;

Street works:
– Streets for People phase 2 to be designed; some potholes patched, following them being reported through the council web-site;

Meeting residents:
– mainly through extensive leafletting, canvassing and walking the ward, which some residents have been kind enough to acknowledge;

Council meetings –
– fewer this year, but with time, I hope to be able to say more about exchanges with Commissioners imposed on the City Council;
– Joint committee on Strategic Planning and Transport – April 2024
– Health and Adult Social Care scrutiny committee  – April 2024

Struggling to keep up with duties.  I am still not keeping up with all policy queries from the public. 

Queens Road and Traffic Street wander

… and the scale of new accommodation being built for opening in September is very clear.
It’s prompted me to update an overall review of developments published in November.
Not sure these developments will be delivered in time, and there is a tendency for such developments to open not fully finished.

Bridge Community Trust start new weekly schedules of targeted help sessions

… at Queens Walk Community Centre.

Waterlogged pitches

Although it’s been generally wet, that 3 Gaelic football matches planned on Meadows Recreation Ground had to be postponed cod of persistent rain overnight was a surprise.
By the afternoon, the grounds had drained enough for the cricket pitches to be used, and well used at that.
But events and some miscommunications, plus some of the distress imposed on nearby residents by some visitors to the City Ground, has been witnessed, some kind of review of the grounds, the pavilions (the football pavilion was awaiting repairs to its boiler) and car parking will be undertaken.

Jane Jeoffrey’s retirement do

Jane Jeoffrey, queen of Queens Walk Community Centre in #TheMeadows at her retirement party with House of Commons present from ⁦@LilianGreenwood and local Councillors
Larger resolution photos available on Facebook.

Lilian Greenwood, Apr 26:
“An absolute legend! Thank you Jane for all your service to Queen’s Walk CC and for everything you continue to do for The Meadows.”

Alex and Lilian campaigning in the New Meadows

Alex Norris MP joining Lilian Greenwood MP and many colleagues to meet residents of the east of The Meadows.
Some of us had met at the Community Cafe first, where they has started 200 degrees coffee.

One street was skipped as Police were running a raid on one of the houses; the latest of a new programme of work with Housing services.
One particular issue arose when residents reported a growing hold under a path in Waldron Close (postscript: the hole was first made safer, and then properly filled up with concrete the next day.)
Also met a family with a first time voter; discussing politics and the importance of voting, and voting Labour.

Meadows as part of a marginal seat

So unusual to be deemed to be fighting an election in The Meadows as a marginal. I suppose the last time would have been the last Police Commissioner elections in 2021.
Grateful to receive support from party members from elsewhere, and to have knocked on the doors of probably one-sixth of the streets in Meadows ward today.