Gedling leader 'disappointed' by council shake up decision but vows remain focussed on serving communities
Plus Abbey roof repair, memorial stone success and borough beat surgeries
Last week the government announced that Nottinghamshire's existing councils will be replaced by two unitary councils from April 1, 2028 as part of its plans for local government reorganisation (LGR).
Plans revealed that Gedling borough will be split in two, with some areas joining the city and others becoming part of a new county council.
Council boss Cllr John Clarke yesterday released his official statement to residents following the decision...
He said: “The Government's announcement on Local Government Reorganisation marks a significant moment for local government across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
"Subject to parliamentary approval, the current nine councils serving Nottinghamshire and Nottingham City will be replaced by two new unitary authorities from April 2028. Under the Government's proposals, Gedling Borough will be divided between the two new councils.
"Despite being personally disappointed by the decision, I fully recognise the need to work constructively with Government and our local authority partners to ensure the best possible outcome for our residents, businesses and communities."
The leader says the council will remain focussed on serving our communities.
While this is a major change to the structure of local government, I want to reassure residents, businesses and our employees that there are no immediate changes to the services we provide" he said.
"Gedling Borough Council will continue to deliver services as normal and remain focused on supporting our communities.
"We recognise that residents and staff will have questions about what this decision means for the future. We will now take time to consider the detail of the Government's announcement and work constructively with neighbouring councils, partners and Government to ensure a smooth and effective transition.
"Throughout this process, our priority will be to represent and protect the interests of Gedling's communities, ensuring that local voices continue to be heard and that residents receive the high-quality services they expect."
"We are committed to keeping residents, businesses and employees informed as further information becomes available and as plans for implementation develop over the coming months.
"As the reorganisation programme progresses, we will issue regular updates through our website and official communications channels.
"Information will be shared as soon as it becomes available, and we would encourage residents, businesses, employees and the media to rely on these sources for accurate and up-to-date information throughout the transition."
Calverton firm steps up to challenge of replacing historic pet memorial in park
A four-year search for a suitable stonemason to restore a unique historical pet memorial in Woodthorpe Grange Hall is over after a Calverton firm stepped up to the challenge.
The original gravestone of Faithful Old Tim—the beloved family pet of the third owners of the Grange and the Woodthorpe Estate before the land became a public park in 1922—was vandalised, efforts began to find a stonemason capable of replacing it.
Following a four‑year search for someone who could both replicate and inscribe a new gravestone, a suitable stonemason was finally found. On Thursday, 9 July 2026, a newly crafted gravestone faithfully replicating the original was installed.
This replacement was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Jason Barret of Natural Cut Stone Ltd, Calverton, who supplied an off‑cut of York Stone, and from James Whitbread of Whitbread Restoration, who donated his time and expertise to shape and inscribe the new memorial to Faithful Old Tim.
A spokesman for the Friends of Woodthorpe Grange Park said: "On behalf of the Friends of Woodthorpe Grange Park, we extend our sincere thanks to Jason Barret of Natural Cut Stone Ltd and to James Whitbread and his colleagues at Whitbread Restoration for their generosity, craftsmanship, and for installing the new gravestone."
‘It’s giving the building a future’: Plans lodged for urgent roof repairs at Notts landmark
Vital works to repair a “rapidly deteriorating” borough landmark have taken a key step forward.
Nottingham City Council has lodged its plans to Gedling Borough Council for the re-roofing, roof repairs, stone work repairs, ceiling repairs and other works to the Grade I-listed Newstead Abbey, in Ravenshead.
The historic structure is set in 300 acres of parkland and is steeped in more than 800 years of history. It acted originally as a monastic Abbey from the 12th century and was also the former home of the romantic poet Lord Byron in the early 1800s.
But the City Council has said the building is “rapidly deteriorating” due to water getting through its fabric from “continued heavy down pours” and set out a five-phase repair programme in October 2025.
These initial plans put forward to Gedling’s council relate to phase one, which includes replacing the lead and copper roofs, removing the cast-iron water tank, repairing the Sussex Tower, and other works to enable re-roofing.
They come after the City Council accepted around £1.5 million of government funding back in October to help protect the fabric of the building.
At the time, the council said the total cost of a five-phase repair programme would be around £8.5 million.
If plans are approved by Gedling Borough Council, the copper roof coverings to the Salon, Library, Cloister, Byron’s Stair and Byron’s dressing room will be replaced with new copper coverings and the Sussex Tower roof will be replaced with new lead, along with associated works.
Ian Wells, of the Nottingham Civic Society, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the proposals are about “giving the building a future”.
He said: “It’s very welcome, provided it’s done tastefully and with respect to the original building… people seem to think the place was a bit of a liability.
“[Buildings] can become dilapidated so easily. The strange weather we have now, it’s either torrential rain or no rain at all and the living fabric gets pulled either way.”
Local historian, Bob Massey, from Arnold, told the LDRS: “It does need work, it’s been known for years and it’s important it’s done as soon as possible.
“It’s important it’s dealt with at an early stage so it doesn’t end up being a multi-million-pound project… there’s a tendency to leave buildings because it becomes expensive, but then it becomes more expensive [to fix].
“The interior of the building is important as well… the damage [bad weather] could do, it could be millions. The stuff in there is irreplaceable, you don’t want the weather getting in there at all – this sort of thing could be disastrous.
“It’s important the building is retained for the next generation and the next generations after that – too many important buildings have gone for all sorts of reasons, because the cost of repairing them [is high] and then they had to be demolished.”
Planning documents say the majority of the works will be “like-for-like” repairs, which should have “no impact” on the basic design of the existing building, and the proposed changes to the roof of the lower Sussex Tower area will have “no visual impact”.
Planning documents say: “The preservation and repair of the fabric of the building is a key aim, but also the protection of the Byron collection, lace and textiles that are held and cared-for on site.”
Phase one, two and three relate to the replacement of “life expired” lead, copper and slate roofs across the site, along with upgrading security and fire alarm systems, removal of the water tank and repairs to the Sussex Tower.
Phase four would be the replacement of the heating and electrics to make the building safe and environmentally sustainable and phase five includes alterations and improvements to facilities such as the toilets, café and visitor route.
Newstead Abbey has been on the Heritage At Risk Register since 2004 due to its poor condition.
The works for phase one sit around £1.7 million, with £1.48 million coming from Arts Council England and around £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Newstead Abbey Partnership have pledged to raise money to support the City Council in their Raise the Roof funding campaign
The Raise the Roof Appeal campaign, running from 2025 until 2028, is currently raising money to help the City Council with funding for the urgent roof repairs.
By Lauren Monaghan (Local Democracy Reporter)
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IN BRIEF
BEAT SURGERIES: The Beat Manager and PCSO for Newstead Village is holding a Beat Surgery at Newstead Village Centre in Tilford Road on Wednesday the 29th of July 29 from 6 - 7pm. This is an opportunity to directly discuss any concerns or local issues with your Neighbourhood Policing Team and to find out what we are doing to tackle the problems in your area, or if you just want to pop by and say hello, everybody is welcome.
A Beat Surgery is also being held at Carlton Library on Thursday, August 13 from 5pm. Residents can come and meet the team and raise concerns they may have.
📸 Photo of the Day...
🌤️ Weather update
Your borough weather forecast for the next few days...
TODAY: ☀️ It will be fine and largely sunny, with any overnight cloud soon clearing. Sunshine could be hazy at times, or interrupted by some high cloud, however it will be another very warm day with light winds. Tonight will be dry with clear skies for many. A band of thicker cloud will spread after midnight, but likely staying dry.
SATURDAY: 🌤️ A sunny start but then some cloud through the afternoon. Likely dry, but very isolated showers possible later. Very warm again, but breezier.
SUNDAY: 🌧️ Cooler with sunny spells and showers on Sunday, these perhaps heavy at times.
