Agenda item

Free or discount tram travel

 

Councillor Steel asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation:

 

What discussions, negotiations and agreements have been made with Tramlink regarding free or discounted travel for people affected by tram works?

 

Councillor Urquhart replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor and thank you Councillor Steel for your question. In previous Council meetings I know that some on our benches have sometimes indicated that we think that Conservative questions come perhaps from the Nottingham Post – something is a headline one week then a question the next. Now, of course in the case of this question that pattern is followed again, but with a bit of a twist and that twist of course is that it was the Labour candidate in the Clifton bi-election who has pledged to campaign for concessions to be offered to people affected tram works.

 

It was the current Labour councillor, our Sheriff, Councillor Ian Malcolm who, at the tram briefing in late January made clear that he was already taking practical steps to try and secure such concessions. These things were picked up by the Nottingham Post who reported the candidate, Pat Ferguson’s pledge and reported on that meeting so it is really good to see that the Conservatives are catching up, following where positive Labour politics has led. It is a very sensible pledge to make to people not only in Clifton but in other areas affected by tram works, to campaign, to do our best and to secure something for those people in terms of their use of the tram once it is built.

 

That is why I support the idea and why Councillor Malcolm, standing up for his residents and taking practical steps in suggesting that he might use some of his ward budget to match with any offers from Tramlink, is a person who is making real progress here. That is an example of a councillor working positively in his ward and being willing to use his ward budget to achieve something very worthwhile. In Councillor Malcolm, I know I have a staunch supporter of the whole tram project.

 

Councillor Steel was also at the tram briefing in January and will recall Councillor Malcolm’s question about offers for local people and the very positive response which was given by Tramlink at that meeting and that response of course, is the one that is important, because, and again I’m sure that Councillor Steel is aware of this, the NET contract passes operational risk to Tramlink who are responsible for setting of fares and marketing the tram system. Tramlink of course, will be keen to ensure that people in areas served by the new lines and have experienced disruption while the works have been taking place will be able to recognise the benefits the tram will bring to their area and I’m sure Tramlink will want to incentivise them to use this new high quality transport system in their area.

 

It is fully anticipated that Tramlink will undertake a wide variety of marketing initiatives and introductory offers and we are discussing those with Tramlink as we move towards the exciting operational phase of the tram. Of course, there would be no tram offers for Clifton if the Conservatives had their way because there would be tram. There would not be those 1,200 people employed on the project and working now in our city. There would not be the £20 million of contracts for our local firms. There would not be the young people undertaking apprenticeships on the scheme, however, it is always pleasing to welcome converts to the cause and I know that despite city Conservatives opposition that has never really gone away, you are still happy to use the tram and of course, your Government is a keen supporter so perhaps their views are filtering through at last.

 

As Councillor Steel will be aware significant progress is being made on all sections of the new tram lines to Clifton, Beeston and Chilwell. Over 90% of utility diversions are now complete and construction of the track is well under way with 5 kilometres now laid. The main structures at the Station, Queen’s Medical Centre, the University, across the Trent at Wilford and at Fairham Brook are complete and 8 new trams are being delivered. Testing and commissioning of new lines is expected to start shortly and in fact, the first trams for testing purposes are expected to travel over the station and into the Meadows and Councillor Steel’s ward at Wilford in the early summer. With this level of progress, this level of investment and this level of employment created I am proud that we are building the tram.

 

I am of course, at the same time aware of the disturbance that construction causes to people living and working, not only Clifton, Wilford, the Meadows, parts of Dunkirk and Lenton and Beeston and Chilwell, I will also continue to apologise for that disturbance that is caused. As we move towards the operational phase of the new lines I will also continue to work with tramlink to enable as many people as possible affected by the new tram lines to really feel its benefits and to use it from day one. Those conversations have begun and I know that myself and Councillor Malcolm are willing to take practical action to make those positive offers a reality and I know that the Labour candidate in Clifton North will, if elected, work hard on this too.

 

It might be harder for the Conservatives to secure such benefits though because they would first have to find the money to carry on building the tram because they have continued to say that they would get rid of the Workplace Parking Levy, which would leave a very big whole in their finances and would cost all of those people in the whole of the city, those affected by the tram works and those not affected, approximately £150 each in additional Council tax.

 

So, yes there are discussions ongoing, yes, I support the idea of special tram travel offers being made to those that have experienced at close hand the disruption of the construction phase and yes, I will work hard to achieve that with positive dialogue with Tramlink whose responsibility it will be to set fares and make ticketing arrangements. I will do that from a standpoint of whole-hearted support for the tram project, the economic and employment boost it gives out city and because it is the right thing to do. I am glad that the Conservatives are catching up with Labour policies, that they are reading our material and even the post for their inspiration.

 

Nottingham Greener Housing Scheme

 

Councillor W Smith asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Energy and Sustainability:

 

British Gas recently pulled out of the Nottingham Greener Housing Scheme, to provide cladding for up to 5000 homes in Clifton. Other areas, including my own ward of Bilborough, were hoping to benefit from this scheme, which helps to reduce energy bills as well as improving the outward appearance of our homes. Can the Portfolio Holder for Energy and Sustainability give us any hope that this worthwhile and much needed scheme will continue?

 

Councillor Clark responded as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor and I thank Cllr Smith for her question. Unfortunately at this stage we can not say with any certainty that the scheme will continue. The proposed change in Energy Company Obligation (ECO) has left doubts over many schemes for which we had or were about to secure ECO funding.  This is particularly the case for Solid Wall Insulation.

 

The Government changes in December have opened up the ability to fund cheaper carbon measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation and this guarantees a drop in solid wall insulations.We had confidence in the previous Government scheme that Clifton would be the first phase in a citywide project on a street by street basis and we had shared the outline of our approach with Government. This was all outlined in the Executive Board report last July.

 

Our case for the street by street approach was that, you could have a stable price in each scheme with similar property types, that different specialist contractors are needed in each area and that localised projects give an area a lift in a way that we have not seen since the Housing Action Areas and General Improvement Areas of the early 1980s.

 

I would like to stress that we are doing all we can to look at alternative solutions for delivery, we currently have a £9.92 million Community Green Deal bid being considered by DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change), if we were to be successful this would allow us to insulate a further 2,370 properties, which would include Bilborough. DECC are also looking to promote a £4000 Green Deal cashback, the detail around this offer is still to be confirmed, but it will provide some financial assistance towards solid wall insulation, but not where ECO money has been used.

 

On a final note, I would also like to add that we are in continuous discussion with a number of utilities about ECO funding and we are hopeful that Nottingham with our track record in area based delivery programmes will be successful in securing ECO on future schemes.

Portland Leisure Centre

 

Councillor Neal asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture:

 

Could the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture give Council the latest on the handover of Portland Leisure Centre to community organisations, and remind Council of the financial savings this will have for Council?

 

Councillor Trimble replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor and can I start by thanking Councillor Neal for his question.

 

Exactly two years ago as part of the budget process we took the difficult decision to seek to transfer Portland Leisure Centre to a third party organisation. As a result, we took an expression of interest process with two very clear Council objectives. Firstly, to ensure the long term sustainability of sport and leisure provision for the Meadows community in the Portland building and secondly, to release the Council from future financing and continued subsidy. Much easier said than done.

 

So, I am delighted to say that just last month after considerable efforts and energy by both Council officers and the Notts County Football in the Community trust we were able to confirm a transfer agreement and the papers were signed.

 

In fact, I can confirm that today, Notts County Football in the Community along with their partner, The Lenton Centre will take over the operations at the centre in a shadowing arrangement with Council staff. We will relocate the Council staff to other leisure centre at the end of this month and the new operators will take sole control. A new Portland website has gone live and we are confident that we have planned the smoothest possible transfers we can to ensure minimal disruption to existing users.

 

This is great news, but it has taken nearly 2 years of intensive work to develop a plan that allows both organisations a real chance to develop a new offer for the site and with a sustainable business plan for future operations. We have worked very closely with the Notts County in the Community in order to help attract significant external funding. Over £1.1 million has been secured with grant awards coming from the Premier League Facility Fund, Sport England as well as BIFFA and this investment will help support the exciting plans that the trust have for the centre in the coming years.

 

In the near future, this finance will be used for refurbishment of the site including significant energy efficiency measures in order to make it sustainable. Returning to the original objectives that we set for the transfer process, I can therefore confirm that as a result of this successful agreement the Council will be able to deliver its financial saving of £207,000 a year and we also believe that it will also deliver a long term sport and leisure offer to the local community for the future. Lord Mayor, I would like to put my thanks on record, an asset transfer of this size was a pretty tough task indeed especially as it was to charitable and community organisations. I would also like to thank both organisations for their commitment to the Meadows community and their commitment to delivering affordable sport in this city. Thank you.

 

Events in Nottingham

 

Councillor Piper asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture:

 

Would the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture update Council on the wide breadth of recent events in Nottingham, including securing two world class tennis tournaments?

 

Councillor Trimble replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor and can I thank Councillor Piper for her question. Nottingham has a strong history of attracting and hosting major sporting and cultural events but they are becoming ever more difficult as budgets tighten. Nevertheless, over the next couple of years we have got some mouth watering events for the city residents and visitors to both watch and participate in.

 

Looking back we have had the Torch Relay and the Queens visit brought massive crowds to Old Market Square which is exactly what it was designed for, large events. Last year, we hosted the National Armed Forces Day and the eyes of the world were on Nottingham for the Ashes Test Match at Trent Bridge. This year we are delighted again to be hosting the Milk Race around the city centre on 24/25 May and we helped last year to bring the event back after a 20 years when it didn’t happen at all. This event will have an elite men’s and women’s race on the same day alongside a full festival of cycling for all the family to enjoy with races for different age groups going around the exact same route that the professionals will ride down later on. Last year 70,000 spectators saw Olympic Gold Medallist Dani King win the women’s event and Felix English the men’s race.

 

We again have international cricket coming in July with Trent Bridge the first Test Match against India who will then return at the end of August to complete in a One Day International. Just nine days ago, the Leader and I went to the English National Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park, held there for the first time. It was an amazing sight to see over 10,000 athletes and spectators enjoy the fabulous park and with 10 races. Seeing over 1,700 runners which is the most we have ever had, breaking records galore.

 

If you haven’t yet seen the exhibition at Nottingham Castle by Jeremy Deller, a Turner Prize winner, she is on until 10 April, then do get down to see it, I think it is a great exhibition. On Friday night we had Light Night which was fantastic value for money with over 30 music, dancing and community groups giving their time commitment and passion, completely free of charge.  

What is really fantastic though is the exciting calendar of international events that are being developed for 2015 and 2016. Last month I was able to announce that we will be hosting the Men’s ATP 250 tournament and the Women’s WTA international tournament at the Nottingham Tennis Centre. Two highly prestigious grass court tournaments in which the Lawn Tennis Association will invest somewhere around £2 million into Nottingham. I would like to personally thank Paul Hutchins, the ex-Davis Cup captain for his support in delivering this to Nottingham.

 

Players from the world’s top 50 men and women tennis players will compete between the French Open and Wimbledon here in in Nottingham in order to get grass court practice. The $250.000 prize money for the Women’s competition will attract some of the world’s very best players. These are world class events that will provide an international profile for Nottingham, they will also provide a fantastic spectating opportunity for local people and we will work closely with the LTA and other partners to develop a significant ‘Festival of Tennis’ programme where we can take hundreds of Nottingham young people in Nottingham through to play tennis and actually go and see the tournaments themselves.

 

The Ashes and the Aussies will return again in 2015 and having staged the National Archery Championships in 2013 we have been successful in our bid to host the 2016 World Archery Europe Outdoor Target Championship. We are planning to have the heats out at Highfields and for the final we are planning on putting an amphitheatre straight down in the middle of Old Market Square with seats along the side, which will prove a fantastic spectacle. I have no doubt that our own Robin Hood will have a part to play there as well.

 

Finally, whilst it is premature to announce anything further at this stage, I can confirm that we are actively in negotiations for a number of additional organisers of additional world class events that will ensure that Nottingham maintains it’s reputation as a great city for events and sport.