Major refurbishment at West Bridgford School

Major works at Jesse Gray Primary School in West Bridgford have resulted in improved ventilation, air quality and security.

The school is one of 23 across the county to receive £9.5m funding from Nottinghamshire County Council’s School Building Improvement Programme, which will see school infrastructure improvements carried out over the next two years.

The works at Jesse Gray included replacement doors and windows, double glazing, improved ventilation and air quality flow and improved security.

Flyscreens were also fitted to new windows and doors in the school kitchen to allow the hot kitchen environment to have much welcomed fresh cool air.

The work was designed and delivered by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between the council and SCAPE.

Headteacher at Jesse Gray, Chris Belton said that staff and pupils were delighted with the improvements and were already enjoying the benefits.

Mr Belton said: “Since the work was completed, the noise reduction in the classrooms has been particularly noticeable and we’ve noticed the rooms are warmer, so it’s been beneficial over the winter months.”

He added that it was the first-time the heating had been replaced since the 1960s, resulting in improved energy efficiency and reduced energy bills.”

Councillor Tracey Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said that the programme to improved school buildings was aimed at creating learning environments for pupils that were modern and fit for purpose.

She said: “As a Council, we are delighted that schools across the county will benefit from the programme and I’ve seen schools transformed in recent months, and even though the improvements at Jesse Gray were fixtures and fittings like windows, doors and heating systems, they have made a huge difference to everyday life here.

“I’ve been to schools across the county that have benefited from the programme and the feedback has been overwhelming positive from staff, pupils and parents.”

Councillor Jonathan Wheeler, Deputy Cabinet Member for Personnel, added: “I was delighted to see for myself the improvements at Jesse Gray and on the school tour I saw a lot of happy, smiling faces.

“Investing in our schools is a policy we’re committed to and one that we acknowledge brings benefits for the whole community down the line.”

Dan Maher, Managing Director at Arc

Partnership, said: “Inspiring and supporting children by providing excellent learning environments continues to be our main priority.

“We are proud to be working closely with the council to deliver its ambitious programme and ensure real value is provided on each of the projects."

Problem flat closed by police after drug dealing complaints

A flat that had become a magnet for drug-related crime and antisocial behaviour has been closed by police.

The property, in Priestsic Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was closed on Friday after persistent complaints by neighbours about drug dealing and associated criminality.

The closure order, made under the Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, was initially issued by Nottinghamshire Police and was later confirmed by Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.

The order bans anyone from entering the property for a period of three months.

Anyone who breaches the order - including the previous occupants - will be committing a criminal offence and liable to a fine or imprisonment.

The closure order is one of several secured in recent months in partnership with Ashfield District Council.

As well as offering an immediate reprieve to residents this order will allow the landlord to pursue grounds of mandatory repossession.

Inspector Jon Hewitt, district commander for Ashfield, said: “This property had become a magnet for drug-related criminality and antisocial behaviour.

“Neighbouring residents were left living in fear, and I am delighted that we have now been able to take such decisive action to protect them.

“This latest closure is one of many we have concluded in the Ashfield area, and I can assure residents that it will not be the last.

“We are currently looking to take similar action against other local problem addresses and hope this latest proactive closure serves as a warning to others about the potential consequences of this kind of criminality.

“We won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour and will move swiftly to protect local residents when we become aware of this kind of behaviour.”