Agenda item - Questions from citizens

Agenda item

Questions from citizens

Minutes:

Broadmarsh Development

IL asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Safety and Communications:

 

What is the situation regarding Intu Broadmarsh, what discussions have been had with Intu, and what options are being considered for the future of the site? Will the City Council consider taking Broadmarsh back from Intu and embarking down a radically different route which would provide a truly innovative and world class southern gateway to the city centre?

 

Councillor David Mellen replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor, and can I thank the member of the public for asking this question which concerns Intu Broadmarsh, the future of the site and embarking on a different route for the future.

 

On 3 July the Intu holding companies associated with the Broadmarsh Centre entered receivership.  As a result, the Official Receiver disclaimed the lease for the Broadmarsh Centre to the Council as owners of the freehold.  This outcome is a hugely significant step for the City.  It means that the Council has control over the whole site as both the freeholder and the leaseholder, which means that the Council now has greater opportunity to start to develop a new sustainable plan for the future of the site.  It also means that the liabilities of the site also rest with the City Council.  To see a major development that had been making good progress stall because of the corona pandemic and Intu’s demise was a major blow.  Sadly, Intu is not the only company across the country that has been in trouble because of the effects of the virus. 

 

The Broadmarsh Centre is an extremely important site right at the heart of the City Centre.  It is vital that we take every opportunity to maximise its potential as part of the wider regeneration taking place in the City: bringing investment, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for local people.  Other developments in the area are ongoing such as the new College building, the car park, the bus station, the space for the new library and the renovation of the Castle and we look forward to both the College and the Castle opening early in 2021. 

 

Withdrawal of Intu from the site presents a financial challenge for the City Council at a time when our budget is under immense pressure.  Nevertheless, this is a great opportunity to look again at the plans for this key site, listening to the variety of ideas that are coming forward as to how the site should be developed.  We won’t be able to do this by ourselves and we will need to work in partnership to take this further forward.  Our initial task is to reopen the public right of way from Collin Street to Lister Gate to re-establish safe pedestrian access to and from the south of the City Centre. 

 

Thank you.

 

 

Racism awareness in schools

VS asked the following question of the Portfolio Holder for Early Years, Education and Employment:

 

Does the Council accept that racism awareness training as part of the National Curriculum would be a good way to work towards the long term goal of eradicating racism in Nottingham?  If so, what initial steps can Nottingham City Council take with Nottinghamshire County Council to make this happen?

 

Councillor Neghat Khan replied as follows:

 

Thank you Lord Mayor and can I thank the citizen for asking this important question.  Nottingham City Council recognises the important role that our schools play in tackling issues such as inequality, diversity and racism.  I also appreciate, and would want to thank the many school leaders, teachers and support staff within those communities for all they have done to role model and teach about justice and the fight against racism in the community.  Nevertheless, there is more to do and the Council will continue to support, encourage and challenge schools, colleges and other settings to take early action to eradicate racism in their daily work.  This can, and should be through aspects of the taught curriculum, through pastoral work with children and young people and through role models in their organisations. 

 

Nottingham City Council has produced, through its Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant and Ideal Services, many good and relevant resources over the years relating to black history and embedded black perspectives into the curriculum.  Such services and conferences were accessible to all schools including the academy sector and county schools.  The Council’s Ideal Services provides consultancy for schools on ethnic minority, black curriculum and teaching, and supports the deployment of six advanced teacher posts working in schools and academies across the City to promote knowledge and skills for teaching black, Asian and minority ethnic pupils.  Through this core offer we provide diversity within the curriculum and cover black and mixed heritage, asylum and refugee achievements. 

 

Notwithstanding this work, I know that more can and must be done and we can never be complacent.  Many of the children and young people of Nottingham are educated in the academy sector and some of the trusts operate across the City and the County.  So we will continue to work with the sector to ensure diverse and appropriate material is taught across the curriculum.  I would also like to see the goal of eradicating racism continue to be the focus of regulation and accountability, from the local governance in schools, multi-academy trusts and through Ofsted inspections.

 

Thank you.

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