Councillor details for Stan Heptinstall, MBE
- End of era - two Stapleford schools
- Hope in the park
- Parking enforcement
- Road maintenance programme
- Road closures on the A52 at the Sherwin Island
- Recent funding contributions
- Community Celebration event
- New website and kiosk at Broxtowe Borough Council
- New contact number for the County Council
- Green Flag status retained for Bramcote Hills Park
- Jubilee House Christian School
- Handrail for Toton Lane
- Sandy Lane bridleway
- Stapleford health centre
- Hemlock happening
- Portfolio holder report
- The County Council at work
- Broxtowe south crime report
- Bramcote tower project
- Consultants Report on Sustainable Urban Extensions
The end of the summer term saw the end of an era for two schools in Stapleford. As from the start of the autumn term the
Frederick Harrison Infant School and the
Stevenson Junior School
Stevenson Junior School
will combine to become the Wadsworth Fields Primary School. I was delighted to be invited to attend a special ceremony to mark the closure of the Stevenson School on the next-to-last day of term and, as during previous visits to the school, I was very impressed with everyone I met – teachers, parents and children. I am sure that you will join with me in wishing them all the very best for the future.
I have been asked to advertise two “Hope in the Park” events on 30th and 31st August in Dovecote Lane Park, Beeston. I look forward to seeing you there. Hope in the Park [PDF 46KB] 
As you know, parking enforcement was transferred to the local councils recently and this is now operating much more effectively than previously. Illegal parking has been reduced, our roads are now easier to access, pedestrians are able to cross the roads more easily and spaces for disabled drivers have been freed up for their intended use.
However, some of us are still unhappy. I am one of them – I got a ticket for illegal parking in Broxtowe Borough council’s own car park on Devonshire Avenue! I had forgotten to display my parking pass and a traffic warden, quite rightly, left a penalty notice. It cost me £35. Others are unhappy because they disagree with some of the traffic regulation orders (TROs - double yellow lines and the like) that are currently in force. They question whether they are all in the right place. So, on their behalf, I have written to Cllr Stella Smedley, the cabinet member who is responsible for TROs, as follows:
"Dear Stella. We are now well into the operation of Civil Parking Enforcement and in many cases this has brought welcome enforcement of much-needed parking restrictions. In some areas, however, the newly enforced restrictions have highlighted some anomalies and concerns, Indeed, I have heard of several cases where residents are very unhappy about the new enforcement regime. As you know, we do not currently have a process for reassessing the adequacy of existing TROs or for looking at the possibilities for new ones. I would urge you to give this renewed attention now that Civil Parking Enforcement is underway. Thanks. Stan"
The following areas in Bramcote and Stapleford will be subject to the specified actions during 2008/09:
- Sandy Lane, Bramcote: Bridleway stone surfacing
- East side of Toton Lane, Stapleford: Handrail
- Bramcote Park School, Bramcote: Footway construction
- Jubilee House School, Stapleford: School zone improvements
- Alderman White School, Bramcote: Pilot 20mph school zone
- B5010 Derby Road. Stapleford, Church Street to Broad Oak Drive: road works
- B6003 Pasture Road, Stapleford, B5010 Derby Road to Pinfold Lane: road works
- Borlace Crescent, Stapleford, From Rossel Drive to end: reconstruction of road
- William Road, Stapleford, Albert Avenue to Derby Road: reconstruction of road
- Central Avenue, Stapleford, West Avenue to Ewe Lamb Lane: patching of road
- Burnside Drive area, Bramcote: lighting column replacement
- Sandy Lane area, Bramcote: lighting column replacement
- Bradden Avenue area, Stapleford, main footpath: lighting column replacement
- Pinfold Lane, Stapleford: lighting column replacement
The footbridge at the Bramcote (Sherwin) Traffic Island is to be cleaned, repaired and re-painted by the Highways Agency. Work starts on 14th July and there will be partial lane closures on most evenings for three weeks from that date. Unfortunately the work will also require full closure of the westbound carriageway of the A52 between 8pm and 6am from Friday 1st August to Friday 8th August.
I am delighted that in recent weeks I have been able to make funding contributions to:
- the Frederick Harrison and Stevenson schools in Stapleford towards the cost of the school uniform for the new combined school to be known as Wadsworth Fields Primary School
- to the Tower project in Bramcote towards the cost of installing a newly created stained glass window
- to the Bramcote Hills Community Association Summer Playscheme, towards the costs of a mural to be created at the DIG-IN allotment project in Stapleford
- to the Children and Carers Support Group that meets in Beeston and to
- Barncroft Day Services to help fund their summer activities.
What a fantastic time was had by all who attended the Community Celebration Event held at the Roundhill School in Beeston on Saturday 5th July! A wealth of performances, have-a-go activities and information stalls combined to make the day a great day out for all who attended. It was great to be involved in a small way as compere for the performances in the main hall.
New means of obtaining information, reporting concerns and paying bills have just been provided by Broxtowe Borough Council, either through the new website at www.broxtowe.gov.uk or via a self-service kiosk at the council offices on Foster Avenue, Beeston. Fast-link sections include: Report It (for fly tipping, street lighting, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, road/pavement defects, street cleansing and flyposting); Apply For It (jobs, planning requests, council tax online accounts, business rates online accounts, benefits on-line accounts); Find It (council services, leisure centres, your local councillor, car parks, housing advice, business advice) and Pay It (council tax, housing rents, business rates, garage rents).
One number is all you need to contact Nottinghamshire County council from now on. It is 08449-808080. The launch links directly to the call centre from where your call will be answered promptly and efficiently. The launch of the new number coincides with the publication and distribution of a new A-Z booklet which details all the council’s services.
I am delighted to let you know that Green Flag status has been retained for Bramcote Hills Park following a recent inspection. At the same time, a new Green Flag award was obtained for Colliers Wood in the north of Broxtowe. This is really good news for all who use these beautiful parts of the borough.
Jubilee House School has been included in the Safer Routes to School programme for 2008/09. A school awareness zone will be installed outside the school, including appropriate signage, carriageway markings and zig-zags. These changes followed representations from the school to the Stapleford Traffic and Transport Group.
At the request of the Stapleford Traffic and Transport Group, funding has now been found for a handrail on the outside of the footpath on the steep part of Toton Lane. Hopefully this will be installed before the winter so that pedestrians can obtain full benefit from it.
This bridleway that links Bramcote and Wollaton is to be re-designed and detailed plans are currently being assessed. A new surface will be laid and appropriate drainage put in place.
The low metal ‘hoops’ outside the Stapleford Health Centre have been removed and the area has been re-surfaced, and further improvements are due to made adjacent to the pedestrian crossing on Church Street. This has been part-funded by both of your local county councillors via their Initiatives Fund.
The 7th Hemlock happening held in June of this year is deemed to have been the best ever. It is estimated that well over 10,000 people attended throughout the day and enjoyed the various performances, exhibitions and activities. Many thanks to all those who helped make the day such a success. It is greatly appreciated.
In my capacity as cabinet member for Technical and Works Services at Broxtowe Borough Council I produce a report for the other councillors. View my most recent report [PDF 50KB]
Here is a unique picture of county councillors in debate at a recent meeting. It was taken from the public gallery at the Annual General Meeting held in May and has been widely circulated via County News.
There is a worrying increase in the number of burglaries in the south Broxtowe area. Other types of crime are down in number. View the latest police newsletter [PDF 88KB] ]
]A message from Peter Hillier, Chairman of the Bramcote Tower Project:
"Dear Stan, Just thought you might like to know that the Old Tower project was successful in gaining £1000 in the Evening Post/Barclays Bank Community Chest Awards. We were the only project nominated in Broxtowe and we came second in the overall polling figures (I believe over 900 votes were received). There is a presentation on 17 July at Barclays in West Bridgford at 4.30pm -6.00pm. It really is excellent news and so many people must be thanked for their committed lobbying and encouragement in achieving such support! Peter."
What fantastic news. Well done everybody.
This consultants report identifies sites across Greater Nottingham for housing:
Within the Bramcote and Stapleford area, the major points are:
- The land between Bramcote, Chilwell and Stapleford is NOT included in the areas that are proposed. The amenity value of this land is deemed to be very high. Also the land serves a useful green belt function. I am delighted with this outcome.
- There is an area of land west of Stapleford Lane in Toton that is INCLUDED in the areas that are proposed for further investigation.
- Land at Toton sidings is also INCLUDED in the areas that are proposed for further investigation.
- Perhaps one of the most controversial areas is the land that is referred to as “North of Stapleford” which is also INCLUDED in the areas that are proposed for further investigation. This is a large area that extends north from Coventry Lane as far as Strelley and includes Field Farm and part of the Nottingham canal. It lies firmly within the green belt, and we suspect that many people will be unhappy with this allocation.
I hope this information is of interest to you.
Broxtowe Liberal Democrats have issued a press release [PDF 20KB] which provides our views on overall impact on the Broxtowe area.
which provides our views on overall impact on the Broxtowe area.