OPINION: 'Sticking plaster solutions won't keep current leisure centres open - a new facility is desperatly needed'

Cllr Henry Wheeler is Gedling Borough Council's portfolio holder for Lifestyles, Health & Wellbeing. He has penned this response to recent criticisms from opposition councillors about the new Carlton Active leisure centre project...

There has been a lot said recently by opposition councillors on Gedling Borough Council about Carlton Active. Put simply they criticise without saying what they will do differently themselves to prevent the loss of Gedling's flagship leisure facility in Carlton. 

Carlton Forum Leisure Centre has about 2,300 health and fitness members and 1,900 children's swim school members. It is one of the most frequently used council facilities in the Gedling borough area.  

Are opposition councillors seriously saying that they don’t want residents to have a leisure centre in Carlton?  Because that’s what will happen if Carlton Active does not go ahead. 

Carlton Forum is well over 55 years old and is failing structurally with sewers and drains that are collapsing and creaking at the seams.  No amount of sticking plaster solutions is going to change that.  At least by building a new centre on the former Richard Herrod Site we can combine a leisure offer with acommunity and wellbeing offer and keep the sports hall open at the Carlton Forum site. 

Are opposition councillors who have no plan seriously suggesting that the council does nothing and run the risk of closing a flagship leisure asset on health and safety grounds because of excrement entering the building? That's what will happen as there's the very real risk of sewage leaking into the swimming pool at Carlton Forum and not having a Leisure and Community Hub to replace Carlton Forum would be disastrous.  Also, the knock-on effect would have financial consequences for all the other leisure facilities which Gedling Borough Council operates. 

As it stands, Carlton Forum is under a joint-use agreement with the County Council and the Redhill Academy Trust.  I have this to say to the Conservatives: in all the time they were in office at County Hall they failed to put the significant investment that was needed into the structural integrity of Carlton Forum including the drains and sewers, despite it being part of the Joint Use Agreement with Gedling Borough Council.  They can criticise all they want but if opposition councillors haven't got an alternative plan and cannot admit that they failed to invest in assets they had responsibility for, then it's a pointless exercise in spouting hot air.

It is absolute nonsense to say that we should wait for a new authority to decide on what to do with Carlton Forum. Local Government Reorganisation does not change the fact that Carlton Forum is structurally at end life.  How much longer can the sewage be kept at bay? 

Carlton Active will pay for itself in savings made in far lower energy costs for example, also as a flagship leisure and wellbeing centre there will be no shortage of people visiting and using the new Carlton Active. 

What’s for sure is this: regardless of Local Government Reorganisation whoever takes over Gedling will inherit aging leisure facilities and will be faced with the same challenges that we are currently faced with.  

What we are doing is investing in the future and ensuring Carlton, and indeed Gedling residents, have leisure facilities that are fit for purpose. We are most certainly not lumbering a new council with a white elephant. 

As it stands, we are not closing Carlton Forum until the new Carlton Active is built. To sum up the stance opposition councillors are taking risks leaving Carlton with no leisure facilities at all and that's not a risk we are prepared to take. 

Finally, I won't take any lectures on Indoor Bowls from the Conservatives when a Conservative Council not a million miles away evicted an Indoor Bowls Club in Rushcliffe.  As a Council, our officers have been very diligent in trying to help the Gedling Indoor Bowls Club find an alternative venue.

Awards to shine light on community heroes and organisations

People are being urged to nominate a local hero or organisation for recognition at the borough's annual community awards event.

The Pride of Gedling Awards shine a light on the extraordinary achievements that often go unnoticed. Whether it’s a dedicated volunteer, a compassionate neighbour, a thriving business, or an impactful community project, this is our chance to honour those who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others. Last year, the council received over 320 nominations across six categories, reflecting the generosity and community spirit in Gedling.

If you know a friend, colleague, neighbour, local community group, or business that deserves recognition for their outstanding contributions, you are encouraged to submit a nomination. In addition to the six main categories, one exceptional nominee will be chosen to receive the prestigious Overall Pride of Gedling Award. Last year, this honour was awarded to Tommy Thompson for his vital fundraising efforts and unwavering commitment to supporting communities across Gedling.

The six award categories for 2026 are:

• Community Hero(es) Award
• The Dylan Barker Young Person of the Year Award (sponsored by The Mellors Group)
• Business in the Community Award (sponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council)
• Outstanding Community Project Award (sponsored by Jigsaw Homes)
• Environmental Hero Award
• Inspirational Healthy Lifestyles Award

To nominate your local hero in any of these categories, please visit the dedicated website at www.prideofgedling.co.uk.

Councillor Lynda Pearson, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Place, said:  “The Pride of Gedling Awards are a powerful reminder of the kindness, dedication and community spirit that define our borough. Every day, people go above and beyond to support others, often without recognition. 

"These awards give us the chance to shine a spotlight on those remarkable individuals and groups, and I encourage everyone to put forward a nomination”.

Nominations will be accepted until Sunday, August 23. The awards ceremony will take place at the council’s Civic Centre in Arnold on Friday, October 16, 2026.

🧩 Sudoku

Test your logic skills! Fill every row, column and 3×3 box with the numbers 1-9 without repeating any number. (Solution at the bottom of the newsletter.)

💬 What you're talking about...

REVEALED: Plans for new £30m leisure centre in Carlton submitted by council

Paolo Toonzend wrote: They've done a great job on making a building designed for leisure, health and positivity feel depressing, sombre and austere.Looks more like a prison!

Dawn Spooner said: Carlton Active, except for the pensioners that have enjoyed the bowls for many years.

James Dodds posted: If Gedling Borough actually listened to the people, they'll change this and maybe even install function rooms in this too for events and parties... a little earner for them 

Sally Faux wrote: So, Gedling pay for it and the city land grab it in 2028!?

Len Knight said: Well, Gedling Borough Council can win worst design ever put forward since the Titanic, the worlds most famous unsinkable ship ? Look what happen there

What's on at The Bonington

Tickets for these shows are now on sale at The Bonington, the borough's theatre and cinema venue.

Live Music: Jazz Steps: Hannah Horton Quartet
Thursday 10 September at 7.30pm
This Autumn, Jazz Steps kick-off their season with the Hannah Horton Quartet, a terrific four-piece led by melodic maverick Hannah Horton whose music and performances have heart, soul and groove.

Catch-up Screenings: Toy Story 5 (PG)
Tuesday 25 - Thursday 27 August

The Bonington Players... A Butler Did It!
Wednesday 14 - Saturday 17 October at 7.30pm

The Nottingham Guild of Magicians: An Evening of Magic
Thursday 12 November at 7.30pm

Holmes and Watson and The Curious Case of the Masked Magician
Wednesday 10 February at 7.30pm

Tickets can be bought from the Bonington website HERE

📸 Photo of the Day...

🌤️ Weather update

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

TODAY: 🌤️ Dry and settled to start the new week with light winds. Sunny spells for many, though these may turn hazy at times as areas of cloud drift through. Feeling warm where the sunshine emerges. Some late brightness to end Monday, then clear spells and variable cloud overnight. Staying dry throughout. Rather warm in urban areas but fresher in rural locations.

TOMORROW: 🌤️ Another fine and dry day with plenty of strong sunshine across the region. Slightly breezier than Monday but still warm in the sunshine.

REST OF THE WEEK: ☀️ Heat peaking on Wednesday and Thursday with further strong sunshine. Cloud and patchy outbreaks of rain then erratically arriving to end the week, mainly affecting northern counties

Solution to today's Sudoku