Councillor Dan Henderson - Retford East

Hit a pothole on my drive home from work today, causing a flat tyre.

I often hear from residents about the poor state of our roads. A taxi driver of 30+ years recently told me he had never seen the roads in such poor condition during his career.

As a district councillor I report potholes when I see them but responsibility for highway maintenance lies with the Nottinghamshire County Council.

The current government has slashed funding for councils over the last 14 years, and spending on local road maintenance has halved. Is it any wonder our roads are crumbling?

The only way this will change is if we elect a government that will properly invest in local services, including road maintenance, once again.

Have you had similar experiences?

⚠️ Weather warning in place

There is currently a yellow weather warning for heavy rain in place until 9pm tonight across . There are things you can do to help us and the emergency services:

✅ Keeping an eye on weather forecasts, flood alerts and warnings https://orlo.uk/CheckFlooding_8NzG5
⛔ NEVER ignore road closure signs.
✅Make sure you’re prepared in case you do have to evacuate https://orlo.uk/BeingPrepared_2QKAK
🚙If you're driving, remember to drive to the conditions and check out our driving advice https://orlo.uk/WinterDriving_Qnj2s
⚠️ Stay away from swollen rivers and flood water.

If we have closed a road due to flooding, it is for your own safety, so please NEVER ignore closure signs and don't drive through flood water.
❌ You don’t know how deep flood water is
❌Just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car
❌There can be hidden dangers underneath flood water

Merry Christmas from all of us at Bassetlaw District Council. 🎅🥳🎄

Our offices will remain closed until Wednesday, 27th December. We will be open on the 27th, 28th and 29th of December before closing for the New Year until Tuesday, 2nd January 2024.

Emergency contacts are as follows:
Bassetlaw District Council Housing - 0800 590 542
Bassetlaw District Council - 01909 534 999
Adult Social Care, Children and Young People Services - 0300 456 4546
Automated Telephone Payments - 0207 000 2215

You can check the changes to bin collections over the festive period at: www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/xmasbins.

Please note that our social media messages will not be monitored during periods of closure.

Member of Youth Parliament Elections 2024

If you like to become the next Member of Youth Parliament for Bassetlaw, please contact [email protected] to request a candidate pack.

The closing date for manifestos will be 20th December 2023, and the election period will take place between 19th - 24th February 2024.

Find out more at: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/education/youth-services/youth-voice-and-youth-parliament

Our Warm Space is open Mondays & Fridays from 9am for anyone who is struggling to stay warm this winter.
Pop down to our office for a hot drink in a nice warm room ☕

For more information call 01777 709650 or email: [email protected]

RETFORD MARKET PROPOSALS

There is an ongoing consultation about changes to Retford Market and I have read and heard the views and concerns of residents and I thank all those who have taken the time to get in touch with me. My priority as a Retford councillor is always what is best for Retford and that includes protecting our ancient market by ensuring that it continues to be the lifeblood of our small market town.

It is vitally important that the council listens to the views of market traders, and the wider general public. I will be writing to the council as part of the consultation to express my views on the proposed changes.

I want to reassure residents who have contacted me that I have heard their views and I will be relaying them to Bassetlaw District Council as part of the ongoing consultation. I encourage residents to respond to the consultation individually so that their voices are heard.

Run done and medal received. Brilliant fun. Thank you to the Rotary club for a fantastic event.

FLOODING UPDATE

Cold and blustery evening but thankfully the rain is subsiding for now. I have visited areas of concern this evening and chatted with Environment Agency officials.

Environment Agency are continuing works on Grove Street and Blackstope Lane and are doing a sterling job.

The level of water on Bracken Lane (Retford Beck) appears to have reduced from yesterday which is good news but we still need to remain vigilant as a flood alert remains in place.

I will keep residents updated if the situation changes. Please also look out for alerts on the EA website.

FLOODING UPDATE

Although there is a period of heavy rain bursts forecast for Retford tomorrow, our worst fears regarding flooding have not materialised and the Environment Agency have briefed Bassetlaw DC that the River Idle is no longer a concern for them at this stage.

Whilst the outlook is currently positive, residents in areas prone to flooding should remain vigilant as a FLOOD ALERT remains in place, however it is not expected that this will be upgraded to a FLOOD WARNING at this stage.

I have been made aware of issues with the administration of flood relief grants (for flooding which occurred in October) which I will take up with the Council and report back to residents.

Proud to support the White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women alongside colleagues at Bassetlaw District Council.

🗑🎄 CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR BIN COLLECTIONS IN RETFORD

Monday 25 Dec ➡️ Wednesday 27 Dec
Monday 1 Jan ➡️ Thursday 4 Jan
Monday 8 Jan ➡️ Wednesday 10 Jan
Monday 15 Jan ➡️ Tuesday 16 Jan

Normal collections will resume on Monday 22nd January.

Full list:

Christmas bin collections Christmas bin collections | Details of the changes to your bins during the Christmas period | Bassetlaw District Council

It is a worrying time for residents as a flood alert is once again put in place for parts of Retford East ward.

It is good to see that proactive action is being taken by the Environment Agency, who have installed pumps on Blackstope Lane, and local councillors who have secured sandbags.

Cllr Sue Shaw - East Retford East has been supporting residents today and I will assist where I can.

Some useful contacts

Environment Agency Floodline 0345 988 1188 if water is coming from a river or reservoir.

Notts County Highways 0300 500 8080

Santa is visiting Retford 🎄🎅

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST SLEIGH VISITS 2023

This year some visits will be stationary, stopped in one place for a period (static)
Others will be the traditional approach of door to door moving bit by bit.
The online tracker is an essential tool to provide the exact live location and view movement. www.lionstracksanta.com

Bassetlaw District Council has launched its Severe Weather Emergency Provision, making accommodation available so that no-one has to sleep rough on the streets during the winter months.

Working in partnership with Hope Community Services, our cold weather accommodation runs until 31 March 2024. The Council and our partners aims to provide a full package of support from agencies such as the Street Outreach Team, CGL, health professionals and others so our winter provision is not a quick fix, drop-in system, but a plan to support people in changing their lifestyle and move away from rough sleeping permanently.

Cllr Jonathan Slater - Retford North, Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council said:

“Our cold weather provision is now open and running through the winter months. We understand that in the past some rough sleepers have found drop in shared facilities stressful and this has been a barrier to them accessing services. Our approach is to support people whilst they access the cold weather provision and make this their first step towards moving away from rough sleeping permanently.”

If you are concerned that somebody is homeless or rough sleeping, then please get in touch via one of the following ways:

Contact our Housing Needs Team – 01909 533533 (out of hours service – 0800 590 542)
Use Streetlink – www.streetlink.org.uk
Contact the Nottinghamshire Street Outreach Team – 0800 066 5356
If the person is in immediate danger, needs medical assistance, or is under 18 please call 999

https://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/media-centre/news/latest-news/severe-weather-emergency-provision-swep-accommodation-for-rough-sleepers/

Lovely visit to St. Swithun's Church to see the Christmas Tree Festival. Over 80 trees this year!

I also met with the Tapestry Project team, which provides support to people in our community who are struggling with addiction issues. I spoke with two young men who have made successful recoveries and are now living productive and fulfilled lives, and now are offering support to those who need help and guidance. What a fantastic community service.

Great to have Retford’s Mayor Councillor Dan Henderson - Retford East at our Christmas Tree Festival this afternoon. Good chats with our vicar and The Drop In team 😊

With Bassetlaw District Council Deputy Leader Jo White for Bassetlaw, Councillor Malachi Carroll - Retford West and Vice-Chair of BDC Cllr Gill Freeman at the Retford Christmas Lights Switch-On.

Picking out the name of Santa's Little Helper, who was able to switch on the Christmas Lights with Santa!

Always a pleasure to visit Honey And Fig Retford for lunch.

Friendly service, top notch food, what more could you ask for! Highly recommended.

Poundland Retford is now open!

Visited with BDC Deputy Leader Jo White for Bassetlaw at the invitation of the manager.

Fantastic to see many of the Wilko’s staff have been re-employed by Poundland.

The council is now seeking the views of local residents, market traders and local business about plans to invest in £400,000 in Retford Market.

There are two proposals:

1. To install bespoke, semi-permanent, multi-purpose market stalls on the Market Square in Retford Town Centre.

2. Repurpose the Buttermarket to provide an additional indoor trading space.

Please respond by 2nd January 2024.

Read more here:

Council seeks to invest in Retford Market Proposals to invest more than £400,000 in Retford’s market are being put forward by Bassetlaw District Council as it seeks to modernise its approach, ...

It was my great pleasure to provide use of Retford Town Hall to the Rotary Club of Retford for the Remembrance Festival.

A big, big thank you to all those involved in organising this event event including the Rotary Club, Teresa Critchley, Royal British Legion, and Garry Clarkson.

Regarding recent concerns about the future of Retford Market, Bassetlaw District Council has issued a press release today which confirms:

- There is no proposal to decrease the number of market days
- There is no proposal to reduce the size of stalls
- There is no plan to reduce the number of stallholdings to 20.

Some comments have suggested that councillors wish to see the market reduced or undermined in some way. This is certainly not my view and I would oppose any plan to do this. I believe all other Retford councillors would too. The market is the lifeblood of our small market town.

There is additional investment coming for Retford Market and there will be a full public consultation in the coming weeks about how this will work. All residents are encouraged to take part in the consultation.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them."

I was deeply honoured to attend the Remembrance Sunday service in the Market Square as Mayor of Retford today. This concludes a weekend of Remembrance which included the Armistice Day service and the Festival of Remembrance in Retford Town Hall yesterday.

We are thankful to the people of Retford for respectfully joining together in these Acts of Remembrance.

A big thank you to all those involved in organising, or taking part in these events, including Royal British Legion - Retford & District Branch, The Rotary Club of Retford, 1403 Retford Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets, our veterans, and many others. You have done our town proud.