Nottingham Arrow - December 2011

December 2011

The 60 metre high ride in the Old Market Square’s

Winter Wonderland

Win!

Marks and Spencer vouchers worth ÂŁ50 Tickets to Strictly Come Dancing Live at the Capital FM Arena

Welcome to the Winter issue of the Arrow, the City Council’s magazine for residents.

Leader’s Column Firstly, I’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

news

School holidays

We know times are tough and the Council is facing increasing difficulties as we put together next year’s budget. Government spending cuts are making up a large part of the £20m we must cut next year, on top of £60m last year. Despite the difficult decisions, we want to make this budget fair, open and protect the services that matter to you.

We now know that this May, Nottingham, along with ten other Cities, will have to hold a referendum on whether to introduce an elected 2nd Mayor. The City Council decided in July that it was opposed to the plans, particularly on the grounds of the costs that the referendum, election and expenses for a 2nd Mayor would bring. We believe that the cost of introducing a mayor and then maintaining one indefinitely, without any local powers to abolish the post, does not represent value for money, particularly in the current financial climate.

Whatever you think it’s important you have your voice heard in the referendum this May. Councillor Jon Collins Nottingham City Council Leader

Over the summer, more than 4,800 people gave us their views on the changes that we were proposing to make to school holiday times and we listened carefully to what everyone told us.

58 per cent of parents and carers that responded to the consultation are in favour of the change but we also heard concerns about the difficulties that could be caused by having schools in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire on different holiday patterns. As a result, the change to school holidays in the city won’t come into effect until

Visit www.mynottingham.gov.uk/terms for details Councillor Jon Collins is the Leader of Nottingham City Council. He can be contacted by writing to Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG; by telephone on 876 4256 or email jon.collins@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

The Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council is Jane Todd. She can be contacted by writing to Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG; by telephone on 876 3302 or email chief.executive@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Nottingham Arrow Communications and Marketing Nottingham City Council Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG Arrow enquiries: 876 3313 General Council enquiries: 876 5555 email: communications@nottinghamcity.gov.uk visit: www.mynottingham.gov.uk/arrow

Nottingham arrow | December 2011 | 3

www.mynottingham.gov.uk/news

are changing August 2013 which will enable the County to consult on changes to their school holidays times. We hope that that we can introduce the changes at the same time.

Traditionally schools have a six week holiday in the summer, two weeks off at Christmas and Easter, and a week off at half term three times a year. From August 2013, children will have the same amount of time off in total, but the holidays will be spread more evenly throughout the year.

What the new school year will look like: The summer holiday will be shortened from six weeks to around four weeks.

Schools will have five terms instead of three and there will be a two week holiday between each term.

Why we’re making the change: Achievement in both secondary and primary schools has been steadily improving but in order to make a further improvement we are taking this bold step which will make sure that the structure of the school year supports children’s learning and boosts their chances of achieving their full potential at school.

Providing regular two week holidays throughout the year gives pupils regular significant ‘down times’ and some additional chances for family holidays at different times of the year which should improve attendance.

of holiday dates for 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Arrow online December 2011

The 60 metre high ride in the Old Market Square’s

Winter Wonderland

Win!

Marks and Spencer worth £50 vouchers Strictly Come Dancing Live Tickets to at the Capital FM Arena

If you’d rather read the A Arrow online, visit www. m mynottingham.gov.uk/ a and complete arrowonline the t short form.

We’ll W then send you an email with a web link to the next issue when it’s i published and/or arrange for you y to stop receiving it by post.

Council to get back Icelandic bank money The City Council is to get back almost all of the £41.6m it had invested in Iceland at the time of the shock collapse of the country’s banking system in 2008.

At least £39.3m is expected be returned but the Council could get back the full amount following a decision last month by Iceland’s Supreme Court which ruled that all public bodies in the UK which had invested in the country’s banks will be given priority creditor status.

This means the Council is at the front of the queue to be paid back and will see between 90% and 100% of its money returned. The Local Government Association took the successful legal action on behalf of UK councils.

So far, over £10m has been returned, with £11m more - all of the money deposited in one of the banks which failed in 2008 - expected this month.

Nottingham City Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Graham Chapman said: “We are delighted the Icelandic Supreme Court found in favour of UK councils.

The judgment means that we expect to get most if not all of the money back, as we maintained throughout the process.”

The money was earning interest until it was needed for specific projects so the fact it is now being returned simply means we don’t have to find some other way of plugging this funding gap. This unfortunately means it does not affect the level of cuts needed in the Council’s budget for the current and future years.

Playgrounds and school gates go smoke free With the help of local pupils, Nottingham has become one of the first councils in the country to launch a smoke free policy in playgrounds and at school gates to protect children from the harmful effects of smoking and stop more young people taking up the habit.

Research shows young people are up to 80% more likely to take up smoking if they live with smokers and/or are exposed to smoking on a regular basis.

Smoke free signs with drawings designed by pupils as part of a public health awareness campaign are now displayed in all City Council playgrounds and city primary schools are being encouraged to display them at their school gates.

Government spending reductions impact on Council budget This year’s Nottingham City Council budget will once again be a huge challenge due to a second year of Government reductions in our funding.

Last year saw a real-term reduction in the Council’s budget of around £60million.

We need to make further savings of £20 million due to increased demand for services and the Government reducing our funding.

We have already had to make some tough decisions to balance our budget through things like continuing to cut “back office” activities and joint working with other Councils.

And over the last few years we have saved around £37 million through a range of ways to make the council more efficient.

We are trying hard to protect front-line services but that’s getting more and more difficult 4

as the sheer scale and speed of the reductions in our funding start to have a real impact.

In the last issue of the Arrow we asked for your views on which council services are important to you and where you thought savings could be made.

Well over a thousand people have responded to the “Your City Your Services” consultation as well as attending events across the city. Early indications are that your priorities are broadly similar to those you told us about last year - support for vulnerable people, child protection and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

In the coming weeks, we will be producing our draft budget and there will be the chance for you to have your say on these proposals.

While smoke free playgrounds are not enforceable by law, Community Protection Officers (CPOs) regularly patrol the city’s parks and anyone caught dropping cigarette butts could face a fixed penalty notice of £75.

As places where people come to play, exercise and relax, Nottingham’s parks and open spaces are vital to the health and well-being of the city. Help us to keep these areas clean, safe and healthy for everyone to enjoy.

Did you know?

More than 45 playgrounds have undergone refurbishment since 2007 For every £1 invested in parks by the City Council £7.30 have been funded by external partners Cigarette butts are not bio degradable and they are a choking hazard.

Explore Nottingham’s

inter Wonderland py Christmas Hap

This Christmas the city will come alive with a wonderful selection of entertainment, food and drink, markets and much more!

Visit the Old Market Square this festive e

season and enjoy…

The Christmas Craft and Gift Market

Choirs, Traditional Music and Street Entertainers

With unique handmade gifts and even more stalls than ever before.

Festive Indoor and Outdoor Bar Areas Featuring a snow covered outdoor section and an indoor 'Narnia snug' - entered through a wardrobe! The bar serves themed drinks, including mulled wine and local ales.

Children’s Rides including a traditional carousel and reindeer ride.

The Christmas Wonderland is delivered in partnership between Nottingham City Council and the Mellors Group and has been brought to Nottingham at virtually no cost to the taxpayer. The craft and gift market is supplied by the Market Square Group.

Plus – don’t miss...

Creating a festive atmosphere during late night shopping on Wednesdays.

The Grand Christmas Tree The Square just wouldn’t be complete without it!

Fine Food Market 16 - 20 December Buy your Christmas food and drink from across the East Midlands.

...the North Star A 60m high swing ride that will provide a stunning centre-piece to the Winter Wonderland.

Fully illuminated , the ride will shine out across Nottingham’s skyline becoming a landmark this Christmas.

For full details of what’s on this Christmas go to

www.mynottingham.gov.uk/christmas or scan the QR code with your smartphone.

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Festive cheer!

There will be further entertainment to enjoy thanks to We Are Nottingham at Bridlesmith Gate and Hockley.

On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout December there will be a festive mix of street entertainment, roasted chestnut sellers, choirs and children’s entertainment creating a magical atmosphere while you enjoy your Christmas shopping.

A rickshaw will also be available to take people up to the shops on Derby Road every Saturday in December – catch a ride from St Peter’s Church!

For further details visit www.itsinnottingham.co.uk

Pantos in Nottingham

Get your skates on!

For the first time ever throughout December the NIC is transforming its ice into a Winter Wonderland.

The NIC isn’t running an outdoor ice rink in the Old Market Square this year but the ice pad, with hundreds of twinkling lights, huge hanging snowflakes and all your favourite seasonal tunes playing, will provide the ultimate Christmas skating experience.

As well as providing the ice, the NIC will be making it snow too at selected sessions with its new snow machines!

Christmas skating sessions will be running almost every day from 1st December 2011 to 3rd January 2012. You can also learn to skate at the NIC on a three day Winter Intensive Skate UK Course between 21st and 23rd December so you can glide round the rink with confidence and style.

For more information on dates, times, prices and sessions, check out www.national-ice-centre.com or call 0843 373 3000 Sleeping Beauty

Cinderella

Theatre Royal

Nottingham Playhouse

Runs until Sunday 15 January 2012

Until Saturday 14 January 2012

Travel offers To help make your Christmas budget go even further, we’re running some great public transport offers over the festive season.

Nottingham City Transport is offering its usual £4 Group Rider offer during the Christmas school holidays which allows up to 5 people (max 2 adults) to make unlimited journeys for the day on NCT buses - normally £8.

NCT buses will be running until 3.15am on New Year’s Eve/Day morning for people celebrating the New Year at the normal price of £3 for a single journey or no extra cost with a Easyrider card.

In addition there will be a Sunday service on the City Council’s Linkbus Citylink 1 service for Christmas shopping on December 4, 11 and 18.

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Two great competitions

Win!

...a family pass for the National Ice Centre*

Just answer the following question: What’s the name of the Square in front of the National Ice Centre main entrance? * Maximum 4 people - for use by January 31st 2012.

Win!

Two tickets for Strictly Come Dancing Live

See Jason Donovan, Nancy Dell’Olio, Harry Judd, Anita Dobson and Robbie Savage at the Capital FM Arena on 24 January 2012.

Just answer the following question: Who won the 2010 Strictly Come Dancing TV show?

Send your answers to the questions above – along with your name, address and a contact telephone – to the Arrow address on page 2.

Mark your entry ‘Family pass competition’ or ‘Strictly competition’.

Competition deadline: January 4th 2012

Fun family events at our heritage sites

Christmas at your local library Clifton Library

Christmas Library Quiz Saturday 3 December

FREE entry, drop in anytime

Christmas Card Making Wednesday 7 December, 11am – 4pm

FREE, drop in anytime

Clifton’s Santa Trail Saturday 10 December FREE

Special Christmas Totstime Wollaton Hall & Deer Park

Green's Windmill

Traditional Christmas Market

Sneinton Artists' Winter Showcase

3 - 4 December, 10 - 11 December 11am - 4pm

3 - 4 December, 11am - 4pm, FREE

FREE entry (car parking charges apply)

Felt-Making Workshop, Christmas Table Runner 10 December, 10am - 12.30pm £20 (includes materials)

For 16+ years. Booking essential – call 0115 958 9203

Christmas Decorations 11 December, 2pm - 4pm, £2

For 3+ years (children must be accompanied by an adult)

Christmas Carols in the Mill Yard 17 December, 4.30 - 5pm, FREE

Newstead Abbey

Christmas Fair 4 December, 11am – 3pm

FREE admission to fair and park.

Abbey Christmas 10 - 11 December and 17 - 18 December, 12noon - 3pm £10 for adults, £8 concessions.

Booking advisable, call 01623 455913

The Museum of Nottingham Life

Partnership Council Christmas Celebration 3 December, 11am - 3.30pm

Normal admission applies

Refreshments available from 3.30pm (small charge)

Arboretum Park

Christmas in the Arboretum Sunday 18 December, 4 - 6pm

Come and enjoy the festive fun at the Arboretum with the Top Brass ensemble, carol singers from St Andrews Church, children’s activities and more. Plus the trees around the bandstand will be lit up to create a magical feel.

Free non-alcoholic mulled wine and mince pies will be served by the Friends of Nottingham Arboretum (first come, first served). There may even be a special appearance from Santa too!

Tuesday 20 December, 10 – 10.30am & 10.45 – 11.15am

FREE. For under 5s. Booking advisable, contact the library on 0115 915 2945.

Bilborough Library

Christmas Nottingham in Bloom Tuesday 13 December, 10am – 12.30pm

FREE. Booking essential, contact the library on 0115 915 5795.

Sherwood Library

Christmas Carols Tuesday 13 December, 10.30am – 12pm FREE

Christmas Carols Thursday 15 December, 10 – 11am FREE

Strelley Road Library

Christmas Table Decorations – Adult Craft Session Wednesday 14 December, 10.00 – 12.30 FREE

Christmas Crafts and Music Special Saturday 17 December, 10am – 1pm FREE.

Christmas crafts with Johnny and the Raindrops 7

Light Night returns Light Night - a fantastic event which transforms the city centre after dark with fantastic light installations, artist commissions and street performers returns on Friday 10 February 2012.

Anish Kapoor | White Sand, Red Millet, Many Flowers 1982 Mixed media and pigment Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London.

Lowry at the Lakeside

Kapoor at the Castle A major exhibition of work by Anish Kapoor, one of the leading artists working in Britain today, is on show at Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery until 11 March 2012.

An exhibition of work by L S Lowry, one of the most popular and instantly recognisable artists of the 20th century, is currently showing at Lakeside - the University of Nottingham’s arts centre at Highfields Park.

Kapoor, a former winner of the prestigious Turner prize, has shown his work in exhibitions and public spaces all over the world and has produced major pieces of public sculpture including Nottingham’s ‘Sky Mirror’ (2001) outside Nottingham Playhouse.

The free exhibition, which runs until 5 February 2012, focuses on Lowry’s work from the beginning of the 1920s to the immediate post-war period.

The exhibition has been selected by Kapoor to complement the elegant architecture of Nottingham Castle’s Long Gallery. It uses dramatic colour, organic shapes and abstract forms, often with optical effects, to create sensual and beguiling sculptures.

The admission fee to Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery includes entry to this exhibition.

Open: Tues - Sun, 10am - 4pm

For further details visit www. mynottingham.gov.uk/flashback

Coming from the Mill 1930 Oil on canvas The Lowry Collection, Salford ©The Lowry Collection, Salford

Visit www.mynottingham. gov.uk/lightnight for more information or call 0115 876 5583 to get involved.

Opening hours: Mon - Sat, 11am - 5pm Sun/Bank Holidays, 12pm - 4pm

More information is available at www.lakesidearts.org.uk

Looking for a beautiful and unique Christmas gift for someone special?

You can now order from the high quality prints collection from Nottingham Castle, Wollaton Hall or Newstead Abbey.

Choose your favourite and either order at the museum or alternatively view the collection online and have the prints delivered to your door. International delivery options are available.

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www.nottinghamprints.co.uk

Nottingham’s Markets – perfect for Christmas shopping!

Looking for the perfect gifts for friends and family this Christmas? Want great value, super fresh, local produce for the festive period? Nottingham’s markets offer an amazing range of foods, crafts, clothing, jewellery and much, much more!

Bilborough Market

Hyson Green Market

Open every Thursday on Bracebridge Drive.

From 9am until 1pm

Open every Wednesday (9am until 2.30pm) and Saturday (9am until 3.30pm) on Radford Road

Sells a wide range of goods, including clothing and footwear, fresh food produce, plants, books and many household items.

Sells beautiful fabrics unique to Nottingham and a huge variety of fresh produce.

Bulwell Market Open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday on the Market Place. From 9am to 4pm. Flea Market every Wednesday. Extra retail market on Thursday 22 December

Sells books, crafts, fashion items and a wide range of fresh food.

Clifton Market Open every Friday and Saturday on Southchurch Drive. From 9am until 4.30pm

Sells a wide assortment of goods, including fresh produce, crafts, clothing, and everyday essentials.

St Ann’s Market Open every Tuesday on Robin Hood Chase. From 9am until 2.30pm. The Market will be closed on Tuesday 27 December

Sells fresh produce, meat and eggs; and mens and ladies clothing

Victoria Centre Market

Nottingham Car Boot Sale Open every Sunday at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Road – from 8.35am until 1pm

The Car Boot sale will be closed on Sunday 25 December 2011 and 1 January 2012; reopening on Sunday 8 January 2012.

Open Monday to Saturday from 9am until 5pm on the upper level of the Victoria Centre. Extra market days on Sundays 10 and 17 December, 10.30am to 4.30pm.

The Market sells a wide range of products including beauty products and treatments, computers, crafts and fabrics, flowers and plants, jewellery and fashion clothing and has a reputation for the high quality of its fresh produce. Also take a break from shopping at one of the five restaurants and cafes.

The Market will close at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve, reopening on Tuesday 27 December, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. It will also be closed on New Year’s Eve, reopening on Monday 2 January from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

9

It’s time to apply for your child’s school place If your child is due to start at infant or primary school in September 2012, or they are currently in year 2 at an infant school and will be transferring to junior school, you will need to apply for a school place by 15 January 2012.

The quickest, easiest and safest way to apply is to go online. There are simple step by step instructions to guide you through and you can make changes to your online application right up to midnight on 15th January 2012. You’ll get an email to say that we’ve received your application and another with the decision on the offer day which is quicker than waiting for your letter to arrive in the post.

If your child is registered at a nursery, or with us and lives in Nottingham, you’ll receive a letter with your child’s details including a unique security identity number. Use this unique number to register and apply online at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/e-admissions Internet access is available at most city libraries and e-learning centres and you may also be able to use the computers at your local school or at children’s centres to apply.

A paper form to fill in yourself is available on request.

It’s important that you apply before or no later than 15 January 2011.

Late applications will reduce your chances of getting a place at your preferred school, particularly if it’s popular.

Everything you need to know about applying for a school place can be found in the Going to School in Nottingham 2012/13 booklet which is available at www.mynottingham.gov.uk/schooladmissions For more information please call 0115 841 5568 or email admissions.exclusion@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Do you have a child aged 2-16? Will they be starting or changing school in 2013?

Nottingham City Council is consulting on the admission arrangements for pupils who will be starting school for the first time in September 2013, or changing from one school to another between September 2013 and July 2014.

For the 2013/14 school year we are proposing to change the admissions arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools as follows: UÊ ÜiÊ«À « ÃiÊÌ ÊÀi`ÕViÊÌ iÊ«iÀ `Ê vÊÌ iÊ>Ê«Õ« ÊV> ÊÃÌ>ÞÊ Ê the waiting list to 30 school days to avoid unnecessary school transfers which may result in children being less likely to achieve educationally.

UÊ Ü iÀiÊÜiÊV> ½ÌÊ vviÀÊ>Ê pupil a place at any of the schools their parent/ carer has applied for, we propose to make a mandatory offer of a place at a different school, where it is possible to do so.

10

Find out more and have your say: If you live in Nottingham City and are the parent or carer of a child between the ages of 2 and 16 years, please let us know if you have any comments on these admission arrangements. email: admissions.exclusion@nottinghamcity.gov.uk * i>ÃiÊÜÀ ÌiʼV ÃÕ Ì>Ì ÊÓä£ÎÉ£{½Ê ÊÌ iÊÃÕL iVÌÊ i° write to: School admission arrangements consultation 2013/14 Admissions and Exclusion Team, Children & Families, LH Box 14, Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG You can view the full admission arrangements on our website www.mynottingham.gov.uk/ schooladmissions; or at schools and Children’s Centres in Nottingham City (including Loxley House in Station Street and the Customer Contact Centre at the Central Library).

The deadline for responses is Friday 30 December 2011.

Tell us what you think...

Nottingham City Council is always working to try and improve the way we deliver services to you. We want to make sure that when you contact us, for whatever reason, we can deal with your enquiry as quickly and effectively as possible.

We’re currently working on new ways in which we can do this and your feedback would be extremely valuable to us.

So please take the time to answer the questions over the page about contacting the Council and the Arrow magazine and return the survey to us via the freepost address on the back page for your chance to win £50 of Marks and Spencer vouchers!

WIN £50 of Marks and Spencer vouchers!

ns, and e to answer our questio Please take some tim £50 of r your chance to WIN fo us to s ge pa e es th return ank you for your help.

Th . rs he uc vo r ce en Marks and Sp

1. Have you contacted Nottingham City Council for any reason within the past 12 months?

4. How would you rate each of the following in terms of your last contact with the Council?

TICK ONE BOX FOR EACH

Yess Ye Very good

No - I have never contacted the Council (Go to Q7) No - I have not contacted the Council within the past 12 months (Go to Q7)

Speed of answering the phone

Don’tt know/can’t Don’ know/can’t remember

Speed of answering your email

2. What was the main reason for your last contact with the Council? TICK ONE BOX ONLY To find information about a council service or facility

Good

Poor

Very poor

Don’tt Don’ know or N/A

Speed of answering your letter Getting through through to the right person Friendliness of staff staff

to make a complaint to request a service e.g. car badge, wheelie bin, benefits

Knowledge of staff staff

to use a service e.g. library, library, leisure centre

Efficiency of staff staff

to pay a bill

Staff doing what they Staff say they will do

to search or apply for a job to compliment the council or make a comment

Speed of handling your query/enquiry

5. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the way the Council handled your last enquiry?

Other, Other, please specify

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

Neither

6. Please tell us why you were ‘satisfied’ or dissatisfied’ with how the City Council handled your last enquiry.

3. Which method(s) did you use in your last contact with the Council? TICK ALL THAT APPLY in writing by letter in writing by email online form (www.mynottingham.gov (www .mynottingham.gov.uk) .uk) by telephone through switchboard 9155555

by telephone - service direct

7. What do you think are the top 3 things the City Council should focus on in terms of customer care?

in person other methods

1.

2.

Don’tt know/can’t Don’ know/can’t remember

3.

8. How do you prefer to get information about the City Council?

ABOUT YOU 16. Are you?

The Arrow delivered to your door

Male

Female

17. Which age group do you belong to?

The City Council’s Council’s website Buying a copy of your local newspaper

Under 16

25 - 34

45 - 59

Leaflets on specific services and issues

16 - 24

35 - 44

60 - 64

TV,, radio TV

By W Word ord of mouth

News online

9. How well do you think the Council keeps you informed?

Neutral

Not well at all

Well

Not well

Don’tt know/not sure Don’

10. Do you like having the Arrow posted directly to you?

Sometimes

Yes

2

3

Never

4

2 - 7 days

14. Do you find the format attractive and easy to read?

Longer than a week

No

Black

Asian

Mixed

Chinese

To be entered into the FREE PRIZE DRAW for your chance to WIN £50 OF MARKS AND SPENCER VOUCHERS please complete the following 20. What is your FULL postcode? .......................... (e.g. NG3 3NG)

22. Telephone number ............................................

23. What is your email address? ......................................................................................

Yes

No

15. Does the Arrow tell you what you need to know about the services the Council provides?

Yes

White

21. Name ....................................................................

5+

13. How long do you usually hold on to copies for?

A day or less

19. To which of these ethnic groups do you consider you belong? Tick one box only

No

12. How many people in your household regularly read the Arrow?

1

No

Other ethnic group, please specify

11. When the Arrow arrives through your door, how often would you say you read any of it?

Always

65+

18. Do you have a long standing illness, disability or infirmity?

Yes

Very well

65+

If you would rather complete this survey online, go to www.mynottingham.gov.uk/ contactsurvey or scan the QR code with your smartphone.

If no, what else would you like to know Please tick the box if you do not want to be contacted by the council by email with information about services and events.

THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS SURVEY

Where I live…

You can now find out all you need to you know about your property, your local area and your local amenities by using the new postcode search tool on the Council’s website. Simply enter your postcode into the search box and you can find:

U U U U

Information specific to your property like your council tax band or bin day your local schools, library, leisure centre, bus stop or community centre local GP, park, shopping centre, market or post office plus your local gritting routes, local planning applications and much more.

So visit: www.mynottingham.gov.uk/myproperty It’s the go-to place for information about your property and where you live.

Returning your completed survey: Pull out the four pages then fold in half so the address below is uppermost, fasten with adhesive tape and post. It’s freepost so you don’t need a stamp.

All completed surveys returned by 31 January 2012 will be entered into a free prize draw to win £50 of Marks and Spencer vouchers.

Freepost RSKR-JYGH-YYAK Communications and Marketing (Contact Survey) Nottingham City Council Loxley House Station Street Nottingham NG2 3NG

Art, exhibitions and food tasting Orchard is a public art commission by Neville Gabie, as part of the Sneinton Market redevelopment.

Discussion event Friday 9 December, Nottingham Contemporary, 10am - 4pm A day of discussions at Nottingham Contemporary

Sneinton Market Square opening Friday 9 - Sunday 11 December Sneinton Market Square opens to the public for the first time since its multi-million pound redevelopment. To celebrate this, a weekend of FREE activities for all the family will take place.

Exhibition Friday 9 December - Thursday 22 December, Surface Gallery.

Tuesday - Friday 12noon - 6pm, Saturday 11am - 6pm, Sunday 12noon - 5pm Exhibition at the Surface Gallery with Rebecca Beinart, Oliver Dalby, Mathew Trivett and Wayne Burrows.

Feast & bonfire Sunday 11 December, Stonebridge City Farm, 4pm - 8pm Keep warm next to a festive bonfire and enjoy delicious food.

Market & Christmas lights switch-on Saturday 10 December, Sneinton Market, 10am - 4pm Stalls and events in the new market place with Sneinton Market Traders, arts and craft market, Sowing Sneinton, Shrug Ladies, Nottingham Visual Arts and night-time projections by Neville Gabie with Trampoline.

Christmas lights switch-on - 5pm Mark the start of the festive season and watch the new Market Square and Christmas tree come alight. Enjoy food and hot drinks. www.mynottingham.gov.uk/sneintonsquare

Apple Tree Adoption Network Celebrating the square’s unique history as a wholesale market, apple trees have been planted as part of the redevelopment. The trees will one day produce fruit for all to enjoy.

To encourage local people to care for and nurture these trees, 100 different varieties of apple tree saplings have been given to residents in Sneinton and St Ann’s for adoption and will be planted throughout the community in gardens, parks, schools and allotments.

To find out more about the full programme of events visit www.orchardsneinton.co.uk

Coming soon...

Opening of Victoria Leisure Centre - for more information please visit www.mynottingham.gov.uk/victorialc

We’re ready for the winter – are you?

With Wi h more stocks k off road d salt l than ever before, we’re ready for even the worst of winters.

Ice and snow may look festive but it brings real problems for road users and pedestrians which is why the City Council works hard every year to keep roads and pavements safe. We keep a close eye on the forecasts so we’re always ready to grit the main roads and footpaths, reducing the risk of accidents and slips.

Grit facts

Please be a good neighbour and look out for any elderly or vulnerable people during winter weather.

We have a stock of 3,100 tonnes of road salt, that’s 24% more than last year, and can call on another 14,000 tonnes if needed

With 720 kilometres of roads in the city, it’s impossible to grit them all in one night so we prioritise gritting for the roads with heaviest traffic and where experience shows us that really hazardous conditions are likely to occur.

We have 1,000 tonnes of bagged salt for neighbourhood use

As well as gritting roads we will grit the busiest pavements such as those around bus stops, local shopping centres and paths to schools.

And we will be making sure that the 180 local grit bins around the city are filled before the start of the bad weather so they’re ready when you need them.

Up to seven gritters will hit the road from 6pm on days when the temperature falls below 0 degrees and more than150 workers are available for hand gritting in emergency situations Teams are ready to work 24 hour a day, seven days a week if necessary Nottingham even has snow ploughs should the weather become really bad!

Schools The Cit Th City C Councilil works k closely l l with schools to ensure that they stay open however wintry the weather but unfortunately, sometimes circumstances are such that some do have to close.

You can find out about any school closures by tuning in first thing in the morning to local radio stations.

Alternatively, you can follow the City Council on Twitter @mynottingham for all the latest school closure info or go to the My Nottingham Facebook page.

For full information about our winter services visit www.mynottingham.gov.uk/snow Or join us on Twitter @nottcitygrit to receive the most up-to-date tweets on gritting in the city.

You can also follow us on Facebook for the latest updates – www.facebook/mynottingham 16

Council services over Christmas Bin and bulky waste collections Christmas bin days Most people won’t be affected by bin day changes over Christmas and New Year.

But there are changes to both green and recycling bin collections on these Mondays only:

Monday 26 December: Collections will be made on Saturday 24 December Monday 2 January: Collections will be on Saturday 31 December Normal collections will take place on Tuesday 27 December

Leisure centres All leisure and sport centres will close at the normal time on the 23 December for Christmas and re-open as usual on 28 December.

Centres will close at 4pm on 31 December, reopening on 2 January.

Libraries All libraries (except Basford) will be open as usual on Friday 23 December.

Parks

On 24 December, Aspley, Central, Hyson Green, Southglade Park and Sherwood will close at 1pm; all others will open as normal.

All libraries will be closed 25, 26 and 27 December, and 1 - 2 January.

Most major Parks will be open throughout the Christmas period

Heritage Parks Wollaton Hall and Park

To check your bin day visit www.mynottingham.gov.uk/bins or call 0115 915 2000.

The park will be open throughout the Christmas period The Hall and café/ toilets will be closed on 24, 25, and 26 December and 1 Jan.

Christmas tree recycling

The Castle

You can leave your Christmas tree next to your grey-lidded recycling bin on your recycling collection day from 9– 21 January, 2012 and we’ll collect it free of charge.

Please don’t put your tree in a plastic bag.

Closed on 24, 25, 26 December and 1 Jan.

Museums and galleries Nottingham’s museums will close between 24 and 27 December, New Year’s Day and 2 January.

Nottingham Contemporary will be closed on 25-26 December and on New Year’s Day.

For all the latest service updates this winter: Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/mynottingham Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/mynottingham

Log on to www.mynottingham.gov.uk

Cemetery and Cremation Service Cemetery gates will be open throughout the Christmas and New Year period including Christmas Day. The Administration office will be closed on the 25, 26 and 27 December and on the 1 and 2 January.

City Council offices Offices will be closed from 25 - 27 December inclusive and on January 2.

Offices will be open on 24 December and 31 December.

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Encouraging response to Workplace Parking Levy Over 75% of employers in the city with workplace parking registered for a licence by the 1st October deadline.

As the WPL is the first scheme of its type in the UK, there may be some issues with employers unintentionally not complying with the workplace parking rules, so the WPL team is going to be working with employers over the next few months to resolve any difficulties or uncertainty that they may have. Council officers are now visiting unlicensed employers to check that they do not provide any workplace parking.

Those employers who are liable for a charge (because they provide 11 or more places) won’t have to pay anything until 1st April 2012, when charging starts.

The WPL will raise money for the two new tram lines (NET Phase Two), the redevelopment of Nottingham Railway Station (the Hub Project) and the popular subsidised Link Bus network, while encouraging a reduction in workplace parking to tackle congestion.

Employers who need more information about the WPL should phone the WPL hotline on (0115) 876 5050 or email wpl@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

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Your new look leisure centres – coming soon!

The transformation of Clifton Leisure Centre and Victoria Leisure Centre will soon be complete – with state-of-theart facilities for you to enjoy in the New Year!

Fantastic facilities will soon be coming to Clifton Leisure Centre as part of the City Council’s £32m Leisure Centre Transformation Programme which aims to provide fewer, better quality leisure facilities and has delivered improvements at many of the Council’s leisure centres since 2004. £1 million has been invested in the centre to provide an extended 60 station gym and a health suite featuring new sauna, steam room and spa pool.

Opening in January 2012, the centre will also offer new and exciting classes with a brand new fitness class programme.

Victoria Leisure Centre in Sneinton is also being rebuilt and will open in Spring 2012. The new £9 million centre boasts a 25m six-lane swimming pool with separate teaching pool and a children’s fun splash play area, a 70 station gym, fitness studio and a health suite including sauna and steam rooms.

The new centre is being delivered by Nottingham’s award-winning Local Education Partnership (LEP), a public private partnership between Nottingham City Council and inspiredspaces.

For more information about Clifton Leisure Centre, Southchurch Drive, call 0115 91 52333 or visit www. mynottingham.gov.uk/cliftonleisurecentre For more information about Victoria Leisure Centre call 0115 87 62167 or visit www.mynottingham.gov.uk/victorialc

19

Together for Christmas at Albany House For Frank and Jessie Thomas, the idea of being apart at Christmas wasn’t worth thinking about.

Jessie, 78, had to move into residential care because she could no longer cope with the steps at her home. This forced her and her husband to live apart for the first time during 58 years of marriage. But thanks to Albany House, a new £9m complex of 71 affordable, lift accessible self-contained flats with 24 hour on-call facility, community café and hairdressers, as well as a communal lounge and activity rooms, Jessie and Frank can spend Christmas together.

Funded by the Department of Health, the Homes and Communities Agency, Nottingham City Council and LHA-ASRA Group, Albany House in St Ann’s offers extra-care accommodation for residents over 55 years old.

Frank says: “Albany House has thrown us a real lifeline. Jessie can get the extra care that she needs and we can live together with the peace of mind that help is at hand, 24 hours a day, should we need it.”

Over 50 flats are now occupied but there are still vacancies. If you know of someone who wants to maintain their independence but needs the security of knowing that help is on hand, Albany House could be for them.

For more information please contact the Scheme Manager on 0116 257 6888, the Care & Support team on 0116 257 6868, or Nottingham HomeLink on 0115 915 7167

Do you think YOU can teach?

School Centred Initial Teacher TRAINING The Nottingham City Primary School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) is a teacher training course based in inner city Nottingham and offers distinctive and high quality postgraduate training.

primary age range and curriculum which leads to Qualified Teacher Status. This accreditation enables you to teach in state maintained schools in England and Wales.

Course lecturers and providers come straight out of the classroom - and know what they are talking about!

They deliver material that they know to be relevant and successful and disseminate strategies and practice which they know to be effective.

The training is a mixture of school experience, lectures and block teaching practice giving experience across the

The minimum qualification entry requirements to enter Initial Teacher Training (ITT) are a GCSE grade C (or above) in English Language, mathematics and a science subject plus a UK degree. We accept equivalent qualifications with supporting evidence.

Nottingham City Primary SCITT particularly welcome applicants from groups that are currently under represented in primary schools, such as ethnic minorities and men.

If you are interested in further details contact: Nottingham City Primary SCITT C/o Nottingham Wildcats Arena, Greenwood Road, Bakersfield, Nottingham N63 7EB Tel: 0115 9155633 email: info@teachnottingham.co.uk

Applications are made directly to NCPS, please contact us on the email address or telephone number above or download an application form from the website.

20

www.teachnottingham.co.uk

In partnership with

Bin days have changed Many households will have been given a new bin collection day last month. That’s because we’ve altered the rounds to make them quicker and more efficient.

If these changes affect you, you should’ve received a letter in November letting you know about your new bin day or your new collection cycle. If you have an alternate weekly collection, you’ll have also received a calendar with your bin days marked on it until the end of 2012. This includes your Christmas and New Year collection days.

If you don’t have your calendar, you can also use the postcode bin day finder on the Council’s My Nottingham website.

Simply type in your postcode and we’ll give you all your bin collection dates for the year ahead, including Christmas and Bank Holidays. You can find this at www. mynottingham.gov.uk/bins

Remember that the time of day when your bin is emptied may well have changed, too. Don’t report it as a missed bin before 4pm on its collection day. Missed bins will be collected within 24 hours.

See page 17 for details of bin collections over Christmas/New Year.

www.mynottingham.gov.uk/bins

Struggling to find an NHS dentist?

We e can help - Highbury Dental Practice is taking on new NHS patients, with FREE NHS DENTISTRY DENTISTRY for eligible patients.

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News in brief Nominate a GEM The Council is looking for nominations through its GEM colleague award scheme for individuals, teams or services that have made a positive difference to you or your local area, going the extra mile to provide services for you.

Nominating is easy, simply log on to www. mynottingham.gov.uk/gemaward or call the GEM team on 876 3319.

job opportunities with Nottingham City Council Various job opportunities exist in both the Cleaning and Schools Catering sections of Nottingham City Council.

Posts are part-time, are at various locations across City Council sites, and incorporate both morning and afternoon starting times.

All Schools Catering posts are term-time only.

Clean it up!

The problem of dog fouling is being tackled on the streets of Aspley, Bilborough, Strelley and Bells Lane using plain clothes officers.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Rosey Cox on 0115 915 2184 or Caroline Savage on 0115 915 2058 for an application pack and details of where the posts are currently available.

In the last few weeks, the officers have issued three people with £75 Fixed Penalty Notices for failing to clean up their dog’s mess.

Dog fouling is not only offensive, it can be a serious health risk.

Supporting vulnerable adults Your views are being sought by the City Council and the NHS locally on a new plan for supporting adults who are vulnerable.

There are many causes of vulnerability, including old age, physical disability, illness and infirmity, learning disability, mental health and social issues like drugs, alcohol and homelessness. Often people experience a combination of issues, while carers, family and friends of vulnerable adults can also become vulnerable themselves.

The plan aims to ensure vulnerable adults are safer, healthier, happier and live longer lives; have support, advice and information and can achieve their full potential as active partners in their own support. What you tell us will help shape the final plan and how it is put into action.

You can respond online at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/vap, email vap@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or call 0115 8764817 for more information.

22

Nottingham ottingham Plan making good progress Good progress is being made on achieving the vision for the city in 2020 set out in the Nottingham Plan, according to an annual report published by local partnership One Nottingham.

Despite the difficult economic climate and reduced investment in public services, the report shows that: Strong investment in Nottingham is taking place including £567m to transform Nottingham’s Railway Station into The Hub and build lines 2 and 3 of the tram People’s satisfaction with their local area has increased to 81% (from 78% in 2009) Education levels are improving with the city’s best ever A Level and GCSE results in 2011 Effective support for vulnerable families is being provided through award winning Early Intervention projects Nottingham is cleaner, safer and greener, with crime down by 39% since 2006/7, Nottingham being judged as the cleanest big city and having lowest total carbon emissions of all Core Cities.

* & $ ' if you are pregnant, over 65 or have certain long-term health conditions. * &" '# )"'$ ! ! & in time for Christmas. * $ $ $ # & #$ % $ #& "!% in good time before the bank holidays.

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)"' ! # Pharmacy Your local pharmacist can offer help and advice plus a range of over-the-counter medicines.

GP Practice Make an appointment with your GP; many surgeries offer extended opening hours. If the surgery is closed your call will be directed to the out-of-hours GP service.

Your local NHS will be busy this winter.

Choosing the right service, first time will help us all feel better.

Telephone Call NHS 111 (if you live in the City) or NHS Direct 0845 46 47 (if you live in the County) for urgent health advice 24/7.

Walk-in services For minor injuries and illnesses you can go to any of these places, without an appointment, seven days a week: ; 155+0)*#/ !#.- +0 '053' 10&10 1#& 155+0)*#/ 7am to 9pm ; '#.5* '053' # 22'3 #3.+#/'05 53''5 155+0)*#/ 8am to 8pm ; '8#3- 142+5#. /+013 +0,63+'4 60+5 160&#3: 1#& '8#3- 24 hours