Minutes:
The Chief Executive reported the following:
Nottingham Station Fire
On Friday 12 January, emergency services tackled a significant fire at Nottingham Train Station, which started in the concourse before spreading to the roof. It is a tribute to the tireless work of the emergency services, East Midlands Trains, Network Rail, and our own Council staff that the station was reopened on Saturday morning with services able to resume so quickly. I am proud of the team effort stakeholders in the city displayed over the past week and we will continue to work together to determine the precise level of work needed at the station in the coming months.
Councillor Brian Grocock, Chair of the Fire Authority, also commended the hard work of all parties involved.
Nottingham Heritage Action Zone
Nottingham was chosen as one of the first ‘Heritage Action Zones’ by Historic England earlier this year and is the largest nationally with a programme of 17 projects transforming the historic heart of the city for citizens and visitors, helping to boost tourism and create jobs.
The largest projects are the conservation area grant schemes in Old Market Square, Lace Market and Sneinton Market Conservation Areas, which will invest nearly £2m in the historic environment of the City Centre in a partnership between NCC, Historic England and businesses.
Children’s Care Homes in Nottingham
I am pleased to report that all of our internal Council Children’s Homes, including our short breaks unit, have been judged ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Following the inspections, Ofsted reported that all aspects of safeguarding are very well implemented and as a result, young people in Nottingham are kept safe from potential harm. Resilient and committed staff continue to provide high standards of care for young people in Nottingham, regardless of the challenges they face.
Centenary Cities: 100 Years of Votes for Women
Nottingham City Council, in partnership with local women’s organisations has been granted funding from the Government Equalities Office to commemorate the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which granted the vote to some British women for the first time in national elections.
In collaboration with the Nottingham Women’s History Group, Nottingham Women’s Centre and The Party Somewhere Else, Nottingham City Council submitted a successful bid for some of this funding (£17,850 in total). The money will be used to plan and deliver a series of events and activities throughout the year. Activities will range across the themes of art, community, history and politics and will aim to reach as many of the city’s diverse communities as possible.
Former Councillor Eunice Timson
It is with sadness that I inform you of the death of former councillor Eunice Timson who was elected as a Conservative councillor on 6 May 1976 to represent the Byron Ward, and represented the ward until 1980. Her funeral was held on 28 December at Gedling Crematorium.
Councillor Georgina Culley
Finally, it is with great sadness that I inform Council that Councillor Georgina Culley, leader of the Conservative group, passed away on 25 November. Councillor Culley represented the citizens of Wollaton since she was elected on 2 May 1991. For a while in the 1990s she was the only Conservative councillor in Nottingham. She became leader of the Conservative group in 2004.
Councillors’ Andrew Rule and Chris Gibson spoke in tribute to Councillor Georgina Culley and a minutes’ silence was held.