Government puts plans to scrap smaller councils in Notts on hold

Hi readers,

Well, we certainly weren't expecting that! Plans to scrap smaller councils and replace them with larger unitary authorities have now been put on hold, giving Gedling Borough Council a temporary stay of execution.

It was also confirmed that the 2027 local elections will go ahead under the current council structure, meaning any major changes to local government now appear some way off. Are you pleased to see the plans paused, or do you think reorganisation should still go ahead?

We've got the full story below, along with news of an assault on a 13-year-old boy outside a takeaway in Carlton, the next stage of road resurfacing works and the closure of a popular restaurant in Mapperley.

We hope you enjoy today's edition.

David Bratton
(Editor)

Drivers warned to expect delays as resurfacing works continue on Gedling borough roads

Drivers in Gedling borough are being warned to expect roadworks and temporary disruption as a series of major highway improvement schemes get underway across the borough this month.

Nottinghamshire County Council has unveiled its latest programme of highway works for September, with seven major resurfacing projects scheduled across Gedling as part of a record £181.25 million investment in Nottinghamshire’s roads.

Among the roads set to benefit are sections of the A60 Mansfield Road in both Ravenshead and Arnold.

The resurfacing schemes form part of the council’s wider Highway Capital Maintenance Programme, which aims to improve road conditions, reduce the risk of potholes and keep traffic moving more efficiently across the county.

Alongside the resurfacing work, crews will continue carrying out surface dressing and micro-asphalt treatments on roads throughout Nottinghamshire. These preventative measures help extend the life of road surfaces by sealing cracks, improving grip and preventing water damage that can lead to potholes.

Additional repairs are also planned in Gedling borough. Patching teams using the council’s specialist JCB Pothole Pro machines will carry out repairs on Church Street in Lambley and Wighay Road in Linby.

Highways teams are also scheduled to undertake improvement works on Chesterfield Avenue and Westcliffe Avenue in Gedling, as well as Wheatley Drive and Buntings Lane in Carlton.

The latest programme follows the completion of resurfacing works on Gedling Road in Arnold and Church Road in Burton Joyce. Earlier repairs were also carried out on the A60 Mansfield Road and Nottingham Road between Papplewick and Ravenshead.

Councillor Bert Bingham, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We are continuing to make significant progress in improving roads across Gedling with major resurfacing schemes planned for September alongside a range of additional repairs and preventative maintenance works.

“This year’s record highways investment has enabled us to tackle more roads than ever before. By the end of July, we had completed almost 100 road surface improvement schemes, and many more are planned before the end of the year.”

He added: “I’d like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while these important improvements are carried out.”

The council says its year-round maintenance programme will also continue, including drain and gully cleansing, tree inspections and other road repairs.

Residents can view the latest roadworks schedule and updates via the county council’s highways website. Motorists are advised that planned dates may change depending on weather conditions and operational requirements.

Plans to dramatically reshape Nottinghamshire and expand the city are set to be paused by the Government.

Nottinghamshire had been heading for its largest boundary shake-up in 50 years following the Labour Government’s announcement in December 2024 for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

However that plan is now set to be paused by officials following new legal advice.

LGR had meant that by 2028, places like Nottinghamshire would have their multiple councils re-shaped and merged to create new unitary authorities, abolishing the two-tier local government structure in some areas, which sees council services split between lower and upper-tier authorities.

In July 2026, the government confirmed its decision for Nottinghamshire, where sections of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe would be merged with Nottingham to form one unitary and a second unitary authority would cover the rest of the county.

Labour’s shake-up plans have been shrouded in criticism since they were first announced, with concerns the LGR process was being ‘rushed’ through and for potential service impacts, local representation and the public consultation itself.

Three of Nottinghamshire’s councils have even floated a judicial review attempt on the LGR decision, which involves a judge reviewing the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body. This can only be launched to challenge the way a decision was made, rather than the rights and wrongs of a decision.

Rushcliffe Borough Council, in a joint effort with Broxtowe Borough Council, previously appointed a lawyer to assess whether a judicial review on the decision had a “potential to succeed” – the lawyer ultimately concluded that an application for review was more likely to fail than to succeed.

In late August, the Reform-led Nottinghamshire County Council wrote to the government to seek clarification on the basis for its LGR decision for the county, issuing a ‘Pre-Action Protocol’ letter – this is a procedural step that can iron out any problems before considering further legal proceedings.

However, it appears the wider shake-up of English councils will likely be paused – including for Nottinghamshire – with some areas even having their decisions withdrawn, after new legal advice.

It is understood 14 areas, including Nottinghamshire, will have their decisions paused after legal advice has suggested the decisions be reviewed.

It is also understood the government will say the local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries.

The potential move comes after new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, told parliament last week he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’.

Communities Secretary, Angela Rayner informed Parliament on Monday of its decision to pause the process.

By Joe Locker (Local Democracy Reporter)

Teen, 13, knocked out in violent attack outside Carlton takeaway

A 13-year-old boy was knocked unconscious and left with facial injuries after being attacked in Carlton.

The youngster was assaulted by another teenager and a man near the Chick Chick takeaway on Carlton Hill at around 8.30pm on August 6.

Police said the victim was briefly knocked unconscious during the attack and suffered cuts, bruising, and swelling to his eye and nose.

A 15-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man were later arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Both have since been released on bail while investigations continue.

Officers are now urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have captured footage of it, to come forward.

Police Constable Taya Penny, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Despite the arrests, we want to hear from anyone who witnessed this assault, or has any recorded dashcam, doorbell, CCTV or mobile phone footage which could assist.

“A young boy has suffered some nasty facial injuries so I’d urge anyone who can help to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident 834 of August 6, 2026. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11

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BLAST FROM THE PAST: Rent collector assaulted by Arnold man who said he had insulted his mother

Here's a recent article plucked from our premium nostalgia newsletter BACK IN THE DAY. Every Wednesday and Saturday subscribers receive an email full of old photos, newspaper articles and features covering past lives across Gedling borough for just £3 a month. You can subscribe HERE

'Officials sometimes had unpleasant duties to do and must be protected', remarked a magistrate during the trial of an Arnold man who it was alleged assaulted a rent collector.

The South Notts Echo (April 21, 1934) reported on the case back on April 21, 1934 in which Mr. G. A. Spencer was the presiding magistrate at Shire Hall.

The prosecutor was Mr. T. Gretton, Arnold Council's rating officer. A summons for assault had been issued to William Huskinson JR, 36, Arnot Hill Road, Arnold.

Mr. Gretton said he lived at 10, Nelson Road, Arnold, and on Tuesday, April 3, while on his way to the council offices, he called at 36, Arnot Hill Road, where the Huskinson family occupied a council house, in order to speak about some arrears of rent.

While he was speaking to Mrs. Huskinson her son came forward, doubled up his fists, and pushed him off the doorstep and along the pathway. He did not try to retaliate, for Huskinson might have been a boxer for anything he knew. It was a very unpleasant position to be in. He had to deal with hundreds of tenants and was not accustomed to that sort of treatment.

Giving evidence on his own behalf, Huskinson said he had gone outside to shake a tablecloth, when Mr. Gretton came to the door. His mother asked about repairs to the copper and bricks falling out of the doorway, and Mr. Gretton said if she was not satisfied she could get out of the house.

When he told him he must be careful how he addressed his mother, Mr. Gretton told him to “shut up.” He then told him that nobody would insult his mother while he was about.

Huskinson denied pushing or doing anything except step between his mother and Mr. Gretton.

The clerk: Did you follow him in a threatening attitude?

Huskinson: No. He went out and left the gate open and I went and shut it to keep the dogs out of the garden.

Mrs. Susannah Huskinson said she told Mr. Gretton that if the rent collector had called he would have received the rent. When she spoke about the repairs, he said, “If you are not satisfied you can clear out,” and her son came forward and said, “You are not going to insult my mother.”

Questioned by the clerk with regard to a rent collector's subsequent visit, Mrs. Huskinson replied, “I did not see him, because I had gone out to work. My husband pays the rent. Like a good many more, he has no work.”

After commenting on the necessity to protect officials in the performance of their duties, Mr. Spencer told Huskinson that he would be bound over for six months to keep the peace and must pay the costs of the case.

🌤️ Weather update

Your borough weather forecast for the next few days...

TODAY: 🌦️ Any early rain soon clearing to sunny intervals. Mostly dry in the morning but scattered showers developing in the afternoon, occasionally heavy. Winds freshening, blustery around showers later. It will be partly cloudy through the evening with showers gradually dying out. Becoming largely dry through the early hours with clear spells. Winds easing. Wednesday:

WEDNESDAY 🌦️: Sunny spells and isolated showers to start. Cloud increasing through the day, though showers clearing. Winds falling light. Dry with clear spells overnight. Maximum temperature 18 °C.

💊 Late Night Pharmacies

ASDA Pharmacy Arnold
111-127 Front Street, Arnold, NG5 7ED
Open until 9pm Monday to Saturday

Medina Chemist (closest late-opening option)
89 Victoria Road, Netherfield, NG4 2NN
Open until 9pm Monday to Saturday