ABI

The Area Based Initiative in Netherfield is two years old. This project aims to improve the quality of life for people living in Netherfield. The fourth public meeting took place on 24th September 2008 at the St Georges Centre. The project is now looking at health, education and housing issues.

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Cllr O'Riordan and Cllr Miller with local residents celebrating two years of the Netherfield Quality of life project

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Local residents and officers from Notts County Council, Gedling Borough, Notts Childrens Services and the health service met at the recent public meeting to discuss the key issues affecting the people of Netherfield.

.....NETHERFIELD AREA BASED INITIATIVE (ABI)......

On 24th September 2008, a fourth public meeting was held to celebrate the 2nd birthday and the success of the ABI. It was well attended by sixty residents and many sennior officers from some of the 48 groups who had pledged support to make Netherfield a happier, healthier and safer place for everyone who lives and works there.

The residents were welcomed by the chairman Cllr James O’Riordan, who explained that the ABI’s key issue two years ago was crime and disorder, this had now been reduced by 29% enabling the ABI to move on, dealing with other issues such as Education, Health and Housing. The meeting was then given 5 presentations, followed by questions from the floor.

The first presentation came from Andy Bowers (NCC Leisure) who stated that after some more consultations it was perceived that Jackie Bells playing field would be finished by next Easter and a sum of £300,000 was available for the development.

Trevor Bean, head of improvement for schools in Nottingham gave what at first view appeared to be a worrying situation for our infants and juniors; they were well below the average for both the Local Authority and Gedling Borough areas. The good news is that this dip corresponded with the building of the new Netherfield Primary school and combining it with Ashwell Street School. It was stated that Netherfield Primary school had now received 5 Gold Accreditations and all areas were showing a marked improvement.

Nottinghamshire PCT health improvement practitioner Leanne Elsworthy, gave a talk on health issues in Netherfield based on the results of the survey. Residents concerns were about diet and nutrition, stress, smoking, sport and activity. Leanne explained that Colwick and Netherfield had the highest areas of depravation in the borough and that the issues raised in the survey were being directly targeted. Cllr O’Riordan explained that by tackling health, education and housing it was hoped to raise living standards and eradicate depravation.

GBC’s Public Protection Manager, Andy Callingham explained that his department had now taken on the role of dealing with Private sector housing. Assistance would be available for the repair and improvement to those properties. Grants were available for disabled facilities, renovation and energy; some grants had certain restrictions regarding age, or are means tested. Andy stated his department would advise people who fell into this category where to go for any help they needed. The Public Protection Service can be contacted on 9013687 and the first contact for over 60’s 0845 330 4216.

Jackie Beacroft, Area Housing Manger for GBC, briefly explained that as from the 3rd November Gedling Borough Council would be transferring all of its housing stock to Gedling Homes, this affects some 360 homes in Netherfield. However, because they are in the middle of transition she would come back at a later date to explain the exact implications. The move is to better the standards for all tenants.

At the end of this final presentation some questions were taken from the audience. The issue of odours from Chettles was brought up and the item is to be deal with at the ABI’s next meeting. The audience was reassured by David Jayne (GBC) and Andy Callingham that the CCTV has never stopped working since installation and it records 24/7. People may have the wrong idea because work was being carried out on the poles which house the CCTV, this work is to install a new radio system for shop and pub watch and did not interrupt the CCTV. PC Mark Hind also reassured the audience that several prosecutions had taken place using evidence from the CCTV.

Cllr O’Riordan brought the meeting to a close and invited everyone to join in the cutting of the birthday cake and to help themselves to refreshments. Many members of the audience commented on the success of both the evening and the work of the ABI.