Dear readers, the weekend is in sight! Today we look back on a year of Reform at the helm in Nottinghamshire, have a statement from council leader John Clark following the tragic death of a man after a car collided with pedestrians in Arnold. A warning has been issued by a train operator ahead of a boost to services from the borough to Skegness and we have more reaction to plans for a solar farm near Burton Joyce.

Thanks for reading. See you Monday

David Bratton - Editor

FEATURE: One year of Reform in Nottinghamshire

It has been a little more than a year since Reform UK took control of 10 councils in 2025’s local elections. In Nottinghamshire, the group’s first term has seen ups and downs.

Reform stormed Nottinghamshire County Council last May, ending up with 41 out of 66 seats, ousting the Conservatives after nearly a decade in power.

Its momentum has continued locally since then, with former Conservative County Council leader Ben Bradley defecting to Nigel Farage’s party in December 2025, followed by former Tory Newark MP Robert Jenrick’s defection in January 2026 and Bassetlaw district councillor Simon Richardson’s defection in February.

The party also managed to nab 14 more councils in the wider May 2026 local elections, gaining an additional 1,453 seats.

With the Reform wave still going strong, how has one of its early councils performed in its first year?

Its budget is £880 million for this year, which is an overall increase of £212 million in spending compared to the year before.

Shortly after winning the 2025 election, council leader Mick Barton, his cabinet, and the council’s officers began their own efficiency review to find cost savings amid continued budget pressures.

The group’s first budget included the ambitious plans to find and save £44.2 million of ‘efficiencies’ over the next three financial years, aiming to find £18 million of savings this year, £15 million the year after and another £10 million the year after that.

In terms of where the savings will come from, £21.3 million will come from the adult social care department over the three-year period, whilst £17 million will come from the children and families department, and £1 million will come from its contract with Via.

The authority already announced it saved around £1.6 million in agency staff reductions earlier this year.

Conservative opposition leader Councillor Sam Smith previously said the savings plan was “built on sand”, and that the authority had given away little detail on how it would achieve the plan or whether any of it had started to come to fruition.

In March, the authority’s leader Mick Barton maintained no “cost-cutting” was involved in the savings goal, saying his council had already identified a £2.3 million saving in post-16 school transport, £170,000 in cutting post-16 Catholic school transport and £208,000 in pre-16 school transport changes.

If Reform wishes to avoid hiking council tax up by the maximum in the coming years, it will be influenced by how successful this cash-saving plan is.

Thousands of pounds spent on new Union Flag banners – and little interest in sponsoring them

One of Nottinghamshire Reform’s more controversial decisions was its £75,000 spend on erecting 164 Union Flag banners across the county.

The announcement was made back in October 2025 and the total cost includes the banners, money for brackets, traffic management and cherry pickers.

Opposition members have called the venture a waste of taxpayer money, but council leader Mick Barton has maintained it is a “long-term” investment and has the chance to bring in money for the authority.

Reform’s aim is for some of the banners to be sponsored by businesses, who can use them to advertise their services, which could bring in a return for the authority.

So far, no sponsorships have been confirmed for the banners, with the council responding to an FOI submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service in April that it had a “small number of enquiries” from organisations.

A ‘record level’ of investment into the county’s deteriorating roads

Nottinghamshire Reform was clear leading up to the 2025 local elections that fixing the county’s crumbling, deteriorating roads was one of its top priorities.

It cemented this stance in early 2026 when it announced in March it would be pumping in a “game-changing” £122.5 million investment into fixing its highway network.

The following month, this pot climbed to £181.25 million for 2026/27, with an extra £58 million as part of its ‘second phase’ of investment – the most money the authority has ever invested into Nottinghamshire roads in a single year.

Both of these cash pots came after the council announced in February its £2 million emergency spend on fixing the county’s most dire roads.

At the end of April, the authority unveiled two of the JCB Pothole Pro machines that it was leasing in its plight to mend roads.

They are designed to carry out 200 to 250 metres worth of work each day and the machines have been trialled by neighbouring Reform-run authorities in Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, typically costing between £150,000 and £200,000.

Residents can expect to see the new machines on Nottinghamshire roads this May and, if feedback is strong, the authority will consider permanently buying two vehicles and possibly even more.

The lowest council tax rise in a decade – but not a freeze as promised

Around the beginning of each year, residents anticipate what council tax hike their local authority will serve them with – and Nottinghamshire’s Reform took a modest approach when setting its first budget for 2026/27.

In February, the Reform-led Nottinghamshire County Council approved one of the lowest council tax rises at the authority in the last decade at 3.99 per cent – lower than the Tories’ approved 4.84 per cent increase the year before.

The rise appeared respectable amongst other authorities led by the party, with neighbouring Derbyshire’s increase of 4.9 per cent, Kent’s increase by the same, Lincolnshire’s rise of 2.9 per cent and Worcestershire’s dramatic hike of nearly 9 per cent.

But the increase was met with criticism at the time from the Conservative opposition, who called it ‘broken promises’ on the back of previous Reform campaign leaflets promising a council tax freeze.

Finding millions in savings – but some say the plans are ‘built on sand’

Along with its approved council tax rise, Reform also passed its first budget at the authority for the 2026/27 financial year.

Gedling leader issues statement following tragic death of Tyler Fairman

Council leader John Clarke MBE has issued a statement to residents following the tragic death of 26-year-old, Tyler Fairman, who sustained life-threatening injuries when a car collided with pedestrians in Arnold town centre.

A 40-year-old man, Duane Anthony, of Marton Road, Chilwell, has now been charged with multiple offences, including five counts of attempted murder, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, and driving without valid insurance. 

Anthony appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on May 11. 

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, MBE, John Clarke, said: “This is devastating news, and my thoughts are with the family, friends and loved ones of the man who has sadly lost his life, as well as everyone affected by this shocking incident. 

"Leaders of Gedling Borough Council were at the scene on Saturday morning to receive updates from partner agencies and to offer support as the response continues. 

"I want to reassure residents that Nottinghamshire Police remain firmly in charge of the investigation and have confirmed there is no wider threat to the community.

"The council continues to work closely with our partners to support residents during this difficult time.” 

"Nottinghamshire Police continue to lead the investigation and have asked that people do not speculate, either online or elsewhere, as this could impede the judicial process. "

Gedling MP Michael Payne also reacted to the news.

Mr Payne said "I am devastated to hear 26-year-old Tyler Fairman has passed away following the horrific incident in Arnold town centre at at the weekend.

"My deepest sympathy to Tyler Fairman’s family and friends. This is such a heartbreaking loss.

"I know everyone in our community will be sending all their love, thoughts and prayers to Tyler’s loved ones.

"I will do all I can to support Tyler’s family, loved ones and our community."

'Plan ahead' advice issued to passengers travelling to Skegness on train this summer

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is urging passengers in the borough to book to guarantee their space for trips to Skegness this summer, as the operator prepares for another busy seaside season.

EMR will introduce additional capacity on its Nottingham to Skegness route from May 2026, providing thousands more seats each week to help meet demand. However, passengers who do not book ahead may not be able to board their preferred service. 

Across the summer timetable, four out of five services will operate with four-car trains, with the remaining services running as three-car trains on key days. This will deliver an increase of more than 13,000 extra seats per week between Nottingham and Skegness.

Despite the additional capacity, passengers are being strongly advised to book in advance - particularly for travel on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays - to guarantee their space to the seaside.

Reservations will be mandatory on the busiest days to ensure customers have a confirmed place before travelling.

Customers are also being reminded to travel light where possible. Space for luggage on trains is limited. EMR recommends bringing only one bag per person to ensure it can be safely stowed on board.

Smaller bags can be stowed in the luggage racks above their head (maximum size 55cm(h) x 40cm(w) x 20cm).

Holdalls can be stored between the sets of seats. Larger bags will need to be placed into designated luggage areas. Staff will be on hand to help load luggage at Nottingham and Skegness on key days.

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at East Midlands Railway, said: "We know how popular Skegness is during the summer months, and we’re pleased to be able to offer more seats for customers this year.

“However, trains are still expected to be very busy - especially at weekends- so it’s essential that customers plan ahead and book in advance to guarantee their journey.

“By reserving a space and choosing quieter services where possible, customers can enjoy a smoother and more comfortable trip to the seaside. 

"Likewise, we strongly advise to only bring what you need and pack light."

Customers can book tickets and reserve seats via the EMR website or app.

More reaction after plans revealed for major new solar farm planned off Burton Joyce bypass

Residents have reacted to news over plans for a vast new solar farm next to Burton Joyce bypass.

Renewable energy company Perigus Energy is preparing to submit formal plans for a new solar scheme on farmland next to Gedling Woods and the Colliery Way bypass, on the edge of Burton Joyce.

The project has been named Barrons Solar Farm and, while nothing is set in stone at this stage, around 220 acres of land could end up being used to house a new solar plant designed to power around 16,000 homes each year.

Before the firm submits its final proposals to Gedling Borough Council, officials want to hear the thoughts and opinions of village residents, with a public consultation currently running until Monday, June 8, to gather responses.

Some village residents have welcomed the potential plans, saying it is a step towards more ‘energy security’ for the country following the price hikes of fuel in the wake of the Iran war.

One villager, who has lived in Burton Joyce and asked not to be named, said: “If anything, the last couple of months have reminded us of how dependent we are of getting energy elsewhere on the planet and have less control over our economy.

“If someone’s got land, and not doing something about it, I’d rather a solar farm than more houses.

“It’s not got the same environmental footprint as fossil fuels and the more energy generated at home, the better.”

Julie Smith, 71, who has lived nearby the fields for 10 years, called a new solar farm a “logical step”.

She said: “I don’t see how it could impact us in anyway – if it made electricity cheaper that’d be good.

“Out of [housing or a solar farm] we’d sooner have a solar farm – even the people that would back onto it, if they plant trees in the right way they won’t see it.”

Professor Clive Thomas, 85, who has lived in the village for about 25 years, said the scheme was an ‘excellent idea’.

He said: “We’ve got to have electric – we can’t remain with oil – it’s better than fields of rapeseed.

“It’s a very beautiful village, the people are very friendly. It doesn’t make any difference – nobody goes up there, it’s just a farmer.”

However, one resident, who asked not to be named, said those living next to the land “would be against it”.

He said: “People don’t want that. We’re all [living here] because we pay good money to be here.

“We’ve all come here because of the peace and quiet and where there is no affect on us whatsoever – it makes the house prices go down.”

Perigus Energy’s plans outline the site would generate up to 49.9 megawatts of clean renewable electricity and would reduce the reliance on imported energy.

The energy company says because the land has gentle slopes, is near the woods and has established field boundaries, then the project could be integrated ‘senstively’.

It says existing hedges and boundaries would be kept where possible and enhanced, reducing the visual impact of the development and helping local wildlife.

Gedling Borough and Nottinghamshire County Councillor, Mike Adams (Con), who represents the area, said he was “encouraging residents to get involved in the consultation”.

He said: “It needs to go up to public consultation and the residents need to give their views – that’s got to be key.

“If the residents want it, have voiced their opinion and are happy with it, then as a representative of their council I will back it.”

As part of the consultation, the company is running an in-person exhibition at Burton Joyce and Bulcote Village Hall on Saturday, May 16 – between 10am and 2pm – to show residents the plans and speak directly with them.

Details about of the proposals, along with an online feedback form, are available at www.barronssolar.co.uk.

By Lauren Monaghan (Local Democracy Reporter)

What's on at The Bonington

 Tickets have now gone on sale for the following events at our local theatre and cinema...

Event Cinema: National Theatre Live: The Playboy of the Western World (12A)

Thursday, May 28 - Thursday, June 4

Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) joins Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) in John Millington Synge’s riveting play of youth and self-discovery.

National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (15)
Thursday 25 + Friday 26 June

New events on sale...

Comedy Hotspot
Friday 5 June at 8pm

Riverdance - 25th Anniversary Show (U)
Sunday 14 + Wednesday 17 June at 1.30pm

Word-Up 80s
Friday 23 October at 7.30pm

A Night at the Musicals
Friday 19 February at 7.30pm

Attention All Shipping: A Celebration of the Shipping Forecast
Wednesday 3 March at 7.30pm

Legends of Motown
Wednesday 24 + Thursday 25 March at 7.30pm

Tickets are available HERE

🌦️ Weather Update

There will be early showers gradually fading to leave a largely dry and bright day, with sunny spells. Chance of a few light and well scattered showers breaking out during the afternoon. Slightly milder than recent days. Any daytime showers will soon fade this evening to leave a dry night, with some lengthy clear spells. Turning chilly, with patchy frost and light winds.

WEEKEND: It will be largely dry and bright on Saturday, after a chilly start. However, cloud will increase during the afternoon, which will bring some outbreaks of rain by evening. Early rain will clear to give largely dry and bright conditions on Sunday. Temperatures near average.