By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Delivering on Levelling Up projects, building more houses and supporting leisure are among the priorities of local councils across Nottinghamshire for the next year.
Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire County Council will focus on repairing the roads, improving social care and moving its headquarters.
To mark the start of the political year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked each local council in the area to name their goals for the next 12 months.
Nottingham City Council was unable to respond due to a transition in leadership, with Councillor Neghat Khan (Lab) being elected on Monday.
Newark & Sherwood District Council and Bassetlaw District Council did not respond to the question.
Levelling Up Nottinghamshire
Delivering projects financed by the government’s Levelling Up and Towns Fund schemes are a big aspiration for several councils.
Ashfield will be “transformed by dozens of projects”, leader Councillor Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind) says, including the Science Discovery Centre and Planetarium Project at Sherwood Observatory, and a new boathouse and restaurant at Kings Mill Reservoir.
Mansfield will see the continued regeneration of the town centre under the £20m Long Term Plan for Towns, while work continues on the Warsop Health Hub, Berry Hill Park and a Future Tech and Skills Hub.
A separate £20m Levelling Up fund will bring the Mansfield Connect public centre closer this year.
Gedling Borough Council highlights one of its priorities as unlocking investment in Arnold town centre through the masterplan and appointing an independent chair to the £20 million Carlton Town Fund.
Housing
With long waiting lists for council homes, several authorities named building more houses and improving their current stock as one of their top goals.
Executive Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams says the council will start work on a £17.7m project to build 77 affordable homes on Centenary Road, and continue social housing and regeneration schemes in Bellamy estate.
Ashfield District Council says new council homes is “a huge priority”, with a target to build 200 new properties in the future, and continuing investment in its current homes.
Broxtowe Borough Council also says it aims to deliver good quality homes for everyone.
Leisure and events
While many councils are facing difficult financial choices, continuing to provide leisure facilities and events for residents was a common theme.
Rushcliffe Borough Council leader Neil Clarke (Con) says improving residents’ quality of life was an ongoing priority.
“Rushcliffe remains a great place to live and work with great leisure facilities, highlighted by the opening of Bingham Arena last year and the ongoing investment in Council assets, over £24m over the next five years, such as improving Keyworth and Cotgrave leisure centres,” he said.
Ashfield District Council says it continues to invest in parks and leisure facilities, with more announcements in the coming months.
Mansfield District Council says it will also plan “another year of cultural-rich events”.
Gedling Borough Council plans to hold a strategic review of leisure provision across the borough.
Roads, savings and social care
Nottinghamshire County Council is responsible for maintaining the county’s roads, which have been frequently criticised by political opponents, and says it will be delivering a £33m improvement plan this year.
Council leader Ben Bradley (Con) also pointed to the council’s decision to move its headquarters out of County Hall in West Bridgford and to the under-construction Oak House at Top Wighay, Hucknall, which he says will save the taxpayer millions of pounds in running costs that can be invested in looking after elderly and vulnerable people.
