Sutton Bonington
PHOTO ID REMINDER. Electors in Sutton Bonington are being reminded by Rushcliffe Borough Council s to make sure they are registered to vote and, this year for the first time, have an accepted form of photo ID ready to show if voting in person at a polling station in this year’s local elections on May 4.
The UK Government has introduced the requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station. The new legislation does not apply for residents who vote by post or proxy, with both forms of these voting methods verified in other ways.
Forms of acceptable photo ID which can be used to vote with include Passport, Driving licence (including provisional license), Blue badge, certain concessionary travel cards, Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme), Biometric Immigration document, Defence identity card and certain national identity cards
Further information on which forms of photo ID will be accepted, is available on the Electoral Commission website at electoralcommission.org.uk/ voterID or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.
. If individuals don’t have any accepted form of photo ID, they can apply for a free voter ID document known as a Voter Authority Certificate, and to get such a Certificate residents can complete an online form at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-idtoor, complete a paper application form and send to Rushcliffe Borough Council’s electoral services team.
The authority is now offering free in person support at their Customer Services sites across the Borough to assist residents in applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.
The Customer Service Centre on Gordon Road in West Bridgford is available during opening hours of Mondays and Thursdays 8.30am to 5pm and Fridays 8.30am to 4.30pm to help guide residents through the process, and appointments are also available to complete the process in person at the Council’s Customer Service contact point East Leake.
Residents need to have their date of birth and national insurance number to hand and already be registered to vote before they arrive at any site.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Returning Officer for the elections Katherine Marriott said: “We want to ensure all residents are aware of the new regulations for photo ID the UK Government has introduced.
“We urge everyone to be prepared and ensure they have a form of photo ID ready to bring with them if voting in person at a polling station at the upcoming local elections on Thursday May 4.
“It’s absolutely vital that you bring photo ID with you otherwise, you won’t be able to vote.
“If anyone is concerned they don’t have any voter ID, please get in touch with us and we can help you get a free Voter Authority Certificate.
SB ORCHESTRA. A reminder has been given that the popular and much praised SB symphony Orchestra is an unauditioned ensemble with the aims of musicmaking, encouraging performance and most importantly, having fun!, based at the village campus of Nottingham University,.
“Our orchestra is not just for students: staff, family, friends and members of the community are all welcome. We play a varied repertoire, trying to find something for everyone.
Based alongside the Orchestra is The Sutton Bonington Singers who have has increased in number rapidly over recent years, growing from an ensemble of six vocalists to over sixty, including undergrads, post-grads, staff, and our affectionately named ‘ Village-People’.
The choir has a very social atmosphere, rehearsals are relaxed and fun and social events are frequent.
PARISH RATE INCREASE.
The parish rate increase amounting to over 16 per cent on last years figure has been agreed by the parish council at Sutton Bonington. It is likely it will be one of the largest increases imposed by parishes in Rushcliffe, with the parish council at nearby East Leake having already confirmed their parish rate for 2023-2024 will in fact go down by over three per cent on the figure for the current financial year.
The Sutton Bonington council have approved an expenditure budget of £45,092 for 2023 – 2024 and an income figure of £4,580. The precept for the current year was £38,500
At the meeting when members discussed the figures for the coming year, chairman Coun. Julie McMullen-Kerr commented that the council had continued to eat into the reserves and it has been agreed by the finance group to build the reserves back up.
Coun. Simpson commented that compared to other parish councils Sutton Bonington had lagged behind in putting the precept up although it was confirmed the figure in each of the last years had been increased by ten per cent..
Cllr S Collings reported that the recommendation from the finance group is to submit a precept request of £45,000, which is a 16.9% increase..
Cllr Bembridge commented that when one looked at the headline figure it does seem a lot so if councillors are in agreement the could will need to ensure that they have a narrative to go with the statement.
Cllr Hood proposed that the 2023/2024 budget be approved, this was seconded by Cllr D Collings and all councillors were in agreement. • Cllr Burgess
proposed that the precept request of £45,000 be approved, this was seconded by Cllr Betts and all councillors were in agreement.
HOTEL PLANS OPPOSED. Plans for a Kegworth Hotel to be used for become home for up to 250 Asylum seekers have brought a strong protest from the village parish council.
Chairman Coun. Ray Sutton, in a prepared statement, says trecently became aware, through the North West Leicestershire District Council of a plan, via a Serco contract, to house up to 250 asylum seekers at the Yew Lodge Hotel, in Kegworth.
The chairman said: “The Parish Council is challenging this decision at the highest levels in support of residents who have serious concerns about the impact of housing such a huge number of asylum seekers in a rural, village location with a population of just over 4000 people, where there is insufficient infrastructure to support need, and there has been a lack of consultation and planning approval undertaken for the change.”
The chairman said specific concerns highlighted by the Council included the ratio of asylum seekers to residents will be 1:17., which they say is unacceptable and asks if Is this the worst ratio so far in any UK location.
His statement went on to say the Orchard GP Surgery in Kegworth have stated that the “asylum seeker relocation process is a reckless move that compromises the healthcare of the local population” and following the Gotham doctors surgery destruction by fire two weeks ago “puts at risk the healthcare of nearly 9000 local residents” from more than one village.
The council say the lack of openness, transparency and consultation to the extent that due process has not been followed in spirit, whether or not the letter of the law, is tested.
“The local-owned hotel may not feel bound in the same way as Serco, the Asylum Accommodation Support provider but, as a very locally owned business they ought: “When working with Local Authorities, the Provider shall, as a minimum: liaise and consult with Local Authorities regarding the location of Accommodation for Service Users, and the appropriate information to be shared with Local Authorities to support their planning and activities, in accordance with Paragraph 2.4, Paragraph 4.1.6 and Annex A of this Schedule 2;”
Coun. Sutton says [in Kegworth’s case, the Parish Council is he is suggesting ‘the local authority’, albeit third tier.
The parish council statement went on: “There are comparisons and apparent inconsistency with Quorn and a plan to use Quorn hotel (January) as asylum seeker refuge paused by Home Office, and
Earl Shilton (February) Asylum seekers moved from hotel after MP questions Home Office’s handling of the case.
The parish council say according to a spokesman from the Home Office the number of people arriving in the UK require accommodation has reached record levels and has put the asylum system under incredible strain
. ” We engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation and work to ensure arrangements are safe for hotel residents and local people.”
It is understood there is a question about whether Planning Permission / Change of Use is required, is as yet unresolved.
PARISH MEETING. “Do come, it’s your parish” is the appeal being out by Kegworth Parish Council as its draws attention to all residents that the 2023 parish meeting is taking place on Monday March 13.
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place at 7:30 pm in the Parish Office.
The meeting is facilitated by the Parish Council, but it is not a Council meeting. The meeting this year will include reports from local organisations, district and county councillors and the Police. Refreshments will be available for those attending.
LITTER PICK. Group have organised a community litter pick for Long Lane on Saturday March from 2pm - 4pm
The message from the organisers to would-be supporters for the event is collect your picking kit from the village hall - bring your own gloves and wear sturdy shoes. Hope to see you there!
LIVE AND LOCAL. Live and Local shows return to Kegworth… Kegworth Plan Group will be presenting “George Egg: Set Menu” at
Kegworth Village Hall on Saturday March 11 at 7.30pm
A unique performance, brilliantly funny - a great start to Live and Local shows being back on in the village
More information at liveandlocal.org.uk - bringing professional touring theatre to rural settings.
Tickets all £12 from Lovage Homes, call Karen on 07745 643293 or pay on the door (cash or cheque only please) those attending are invited to take their own drink and glasses.