Please remember for all the latest on our services visit rushcliffe.gov.uk
Please encourage residents to keep testing
 We're continuing to remind residents to take a COVID-19 regular lateral flow test at home or at one of our Community Testing sites until further notice.
Remember if anyone has symptoms they should book a test.
Signage at our Council sites informs Councillors, staff, residents and visitors to 'please wear a face covering should you wish to'.
For any questions, please email media@rushcliffe.gov.uk.
Meanwhile at Nottingham University Hospitals including QMC and City Hospital, those attending the sites still need wear a face mask, use hand gel and socially distance two metres until further notice to help keep vulnerable patients and staff safe.
Those who are 16 and over can now Grab A Jab at selected sites
 A reminder anyone aged 16 or 17 can walk in for their COVID-19 vaccination at selected sites without needing to book an appointment. Locally to Rushcliffe the closest are at Forest Recreation Ground and Queen’s Medical Centre.
Other sites are not able to offer the service to 16 and 17 year olds due to the additional training and safety requirements for vaccinating those under 18.
Those aged 18 and over can still receive a vaccination by walking into any vaccination site in Nottinghamshire, including at Gamston, for a jab until the site closes on October 17.
Those eligible can also get a vaccine without an appointment and those who have had their first dose 56 days ago (eight weeks) can walk in for their second dose.
For all enquiries on Vaccination appointments please visit Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s CCG website.
Colleagues and friends past and present join to celebrate the life of Dave Mitchell
 Over 100 colleagues and friends past and present attended a heartfelt tribute and celebration of our sorely missed friend and colleague Dave Mitchell at Rushcliffe Arena on September 1.
It was the first time as an organisation we have had the chance following COVID restrictions to come together to remember him with his family and wife Elaine, Mum Jean, son Matt and daughter Becky and the impact he had on so many of us and his work here at RBC.
Our Leader Cllr Simon Robinson opened the event focusing on Dave being at the heart of our national awards in recent years and his experience and sense of humour that made such a difference, not least when celebrating awards on the dance floor!
This was followed by a video tribute to Dave where Kath and our Executive Management team and many present and former team members and some of Dave's closest colleagues reminisced on their many happy memories of his time here.
The event concluded with wonderful words in a response from Elaine where she highlighted how much Dave would have loved the event and reminded everyone to always tell their loved ones how much they mean to them.
Afghanistan Resettlement Programme
 We are working collaboratively with Government Office and other key partners to assist newly arriving Afghanistan citizens who qualify for assistance under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.
Nottinghamshire has been one of the first areas to create a countywide offer and in the first instance our commitment is to assist the programme with two property pledges for approximately eight people which has been matched by similar offers from the other Nottinghamshire Districts.
We are working closely with key partners, including Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing and using existing networks via Nottingham City Council and Notts Refuge Forum to provide information and support to ensure successful integration into the community.
For those wishing to offer accommodation, follow the information on the government’s web pages.
Locally, residents can make donations such as clothing toys etc via Care4Calais, The Refuge Council and the British Red Cross who are appealing for donations and supporting many newly arrived families from Afghanistan. More locally, Host Nottingham are accepting donations for asylum seekers or refugees which may include assistance for Afghanistan citizens.
The list of donations being sought is:
Women's items:
- Tops
- Leggings
- Sportswear
(All sizes 6-18 nothing larger)
Men's Items:
- T shirts
- Jeans
- Joggers
- Jackets
- Trainers (sizes 8,9,10 and half sizes)
- Sportswear
(Medium and Large)
Underwear and socks for men and women (brand new in packets)
(Men’s pants Medium and Large - Women’s size 10 – 16)
Toiletries for men and women (unopened)
Shower gels, deodorants and body sprays
Extra items
Phones - unlocked, wiped and working and rucksacks and wheeled suitcases.
For more information and to arrange delivery, please email hostaccompanying@gmail.com or call07735 551 362 or 07986 012 013.
East Midlands Freeport reaches important milestone
 Plans for the UK’s only inland freeport have taken a major step forward after an outline business case was submitted to the Government.
The East Midlands Freeport would take in three key sites: East Midlands Airport and the industrial sites around it, the Ratcliffe on Soar power station site here in Rushcliffe, which is a due to be redeveloped after closing in 2025 and the 5.2 million sq ft East Midlands Intermodal Park near the Toyota plant in Derbyshire.
The document is part of the process that Government has designed to make all of the planned freeports in England operational as soon as possible and builds on the success of the initial East Midlands Freeport bid earlier this year.
The technical information contained in the document includes analysis that demonstrates how the freeport will contribute around £8.4 billion to the East Midlands economy over the next 30 years alongside its potential to support and create around 55,000 jobs.
The blueprint centres on the East Midlands Freeport’s unique strengths as the UK’s best-connected freeport, located at the heart of the nation’s advanced manufacturing and logistics economy, with plans to boost skills and accelerate the region’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions.
The next stage of the development process will see further plans submitted in December with the ambition to make the freeport fully open for business by March next year.
A wide range partners are behind the bid which is founded on strong public and private sector collaboration.
Freeports are designed to attract major domestic and international investment - they allow places to carry out business inside a country’s land border but different customs rules apply.
At a freeport, imports can enter with simplified customs documentation and without paying tariffs. Businesses operating inside designated areas in and around the port can manufacture goods using the imports and add value before exporting again, without ever facing the full tariffs or procedures.
If the goods move out of the freeport into another part of the country, however, they have to go through the full import process, including paying any tariffs.
The outline business case contains commercially sensitive information so remains confidential – but more information about the East Midlands Freeport can be found on its new website: www.emfreeport.com
Go Green for September!
The Go Green for September challenge continues into National Recycle Week from September 20 to 26 as we all aim to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
The challenge runs until September 30 and offers Notts residents the opportunity to sign up and join the fight against climate change.
The Go Green campaign asks all to take small actions that will make big differences. Those who take part in the campaign will receive a daily dose of green goodness along with a challenges direct to their inbox.
Residents can sign up to receive daily tips and challenges. The challenges which are based around reducing, reusing and recycling, are small everyday swaps, but if everyone does them, they will help make a really big difference.
For more information about Notts Recycles Go Green for September and to sign up for the challenge, please visit www.veolia.co.uk/nottinghamshire/gogreenforseptember
Rushcliffe Country Park users asked how and when they visit
 Those of us that enjoy a visit to Rushcliffe Country Park are being asked to give their views in a bitesize survey, designed to help shape the park’s features and gauge further how they travel to and when they use the site.
The short survey, which can be completed at https://bit.ly/3t20tVF until September 30, will help identify more how visitors use the park.
It will also assist our continued application for annual Green Flag accreditation for the site that regularly requests views and feedback from park users.
Surveys are also available to pick up and complete in person at the park’s office, during opening hours from 8am to 4pm each day.
Responses could also help develop subsequent new visitor attractions, features and car parking to inform a wider consultation next year.
Whether visitors use the park more than once a week or just once a year, all views are being sought to help shape wider assessments and ongoing improvements in future years.
The park’s education centre and separate toilet block and tool store will also soon undergo a wider refurbishment to make use of its green spaces including installation of solar panels to generate over 80% of the energy requirements of the site.
This is due to start later this year and will include enhanced toilet facilities and a takeaway café.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s car parks to return to normal charges
 Our free parking promotion across its car parks, Free After 3, is set to expire on September 30.
The authority has supported retail and hospitality in locations across the Borough when it brought in the initiative in April to support local business as they were recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
With many businesses now trading full time again on high streets in West Bridgford, Bingham and Keyworth and locally larger sporting events again taking place, the Council is returning to pre-COVID parking operations at its sites.
This is to assist further turnover of spaces at the popular facilities in line with its Off Street Car Parking Strategy.
It will continue to review its car parking policy and charges in line with any central Government changes as a result of the pandemic and has decided to make the change to assist with providing a continued sustainable service.
Charges at Rushcliffe car parks are re-invested back into facilities that ensure they are safe and attractive with maintenance on lighting, resurfacing, ticket machines and improvements such as the highly popular RingGo service and electric vehicle charging points.
Free bike repair and security marking session in Keyworth on September 21
 Cyclists can get minor repairs on their bikes fixed for free courtesy of Cycling UK and securely marked and registered as part of a safety in Keyworth on Tuesday September 21.
Our Community Safety team in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police will host the session at the Rectory Field adjacent to Nottingham Road in the village at NG12 5FD from 5pm to 7pm.
Funded by Cycling UK as part of The Big Bike Revival programme, cyclists can drop-in for basic bicycle repairs and safety checks from a qualified bike mechanic and receive the BikeRegister security marking as a permanent way to mark a bike’s property and ensure it is returned to the rightful owner if it is stolen.
Bike users attending the event will receive advice on how to further protect their cycles from thieves with the use of stronger ‘D’ locks.
They can also hear advice on how bikes should always be locked up in a public and well-lit area, on further crime prevention items and free D locks will be available whilst stocks last.
Barns feature as part of heritage open day
 It is a year since Keyworth Conservation Area Advisory Group (CAAG) took on the tenancy of our Home Farm barn on Main Street in the village and overseeing the neighbouring George Martyn’s barn.
Now the group are opening day this Saturday, September 18 from 2pm to 5pm as part of the national 2021 Heritage Open Days Festival.
It will showcase the work of the group consisting of residents Chair Linda Abbey, Keith Barton, Sheila Barton, Daphne Butler, Dave Clarke and Sue McCabe.
Attendees are asked to not attend should they or a member of their household feel unwell, to wear a face covering on entry, use the sanitising gel provided and complete the visitor’s book.
The location is number 17 and 31 respectively on Main Street at NG12 5AA.
Charities and groups encouraged to apply for Police and Crime Commissioner’s Make Notts Safe Fund
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry has launched her landmark Make Notts Safe Fund to provide funding directly to charities and organisations working within communities to make Nottinghamshire safer.
From an initial funding pot of £100,000, not for profit organisations and charities across the county can bid for up to £10,000 to fund projects focused on preventing crime, responding to issues of greatest concern in communities, and delivering victim and community support services.
The Commissioner said: “Earlier this year, I committed to making more money available for areas across Nottinghamshire. This is why I am proud to be launching our new Makes Notts Safe Fund. I am determined that every penny we spend starts to be seen in towns across our county – this fund will ensure that.”
“This fund puts the power back in the hands of organisations on the ground to help us deliver real change by funding projects that have a tangible impact on making residents feel safer. I would encourage all organisations across the county to apply so we can work together to Make Notts Safe.”
Successful applications from organisations across the county will help deliver on the Commissioner’s priorities, which include preventing crime, responding to community needs, and supporting victims, survivors, and communities to be safe and feel safe.
This launch is part of the Commissioner’s wider plans to assist the work carried out by organisations within communities to improve safety across the county. She is planning on making available a further Make Notts Safe funding round in 2022/23, subject to future funding confirmation.
Applications are now open for organisations to apply via the Commissioner’s website.
Proms in the Park takes place this Saturday
 Our Proms in the Park event celebrating Armed Forces Day was rescheduled following changes in the government COVID-19 road map in June and will now take place this week on Saturday September 18!
We are looking forward to welcoming audiences back to Bridgford Park from 2pm to 8pm for a busy and eclectic programme of live music including youth steel pan band Pure Steel, carnival favourites ZCC Brass Band and fantastic operatic soloist Faith Tucker.
The highlight of the afternoon will be our evening concert with The New West End Jerseys at 6.30pm and on this occasion there will not be a traditional proms style ending to the evening. Admission is free and no tickets are required.
We are delighted that a number of our usual Armed Forces Day supporters will continue to join us at the event to highlight the important work of the British armed forces and to promote the support we and our community partners provide through schemes such as the Armed Forces Community Covenant.
Free outdoor Sunday cinema in Bridgford Park on September 26
 West Bridgford’s Bridgford Park will transform into a free outdoor Sunday cinema on Sunday September 26 showing some film favourites, courtesy of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Guests can enjoy family favourites through to blockbuster classics during the events we are hosting that require no tickets or pre-booking.
Families and individuals are invited to bring picnic chairs and blankets to each showing, with plenty of cinema treats available including Pick and Mix, ice cream, popcorn, hot food and anticipated, a licenced bar from 1pm on the day.
They can sit back and relax to enjoy one of the following films:
Sunday September 26:
2pm - Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (PG)
6pm - The Italian Job (PG) – the original 1969 film
Read more on our website.
Encourage residents to have their say in the Big Notts Survey!
 The Big Notts Survey was recently launched, through which the County Council are seeking feedback from residents and stakeholders to help shape the vision and priorities for their next Council Plan.
They are asking residents to share their experiences of the pandemic, what they see as the challenges and opportunities for recovery, and their longer-term aspirations for themselves, their community, and Nottinghamshire as a whole.
Please encourage residents in your area to take part by completing the online survey at nottinghamshire.gov.uk/bignottssurvey by this Sunday, September 19.
Help to Grow funding available from Central Government
 The government’s new Help to Grow: Management programme can help business owners learn new skills, reach more customers and boost their profits.
The programme costs £750 and is 90% subsidised by the government as part of their Plan for Jobs.
It is a practical management training programme with one-to-one mentorship, aimed at senior leaders of small and medium businesses and delivered across the UK by leading business schools accredited by the Small Business Charter.
Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, the 12-week programme offers a wide range of modules, including financial management, strategies for growth and innovation, leading high-performance teams, and approaches to digital adoption.
Business owners can learn more by visiting https://helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk/.
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