THE FUTURE facing Ashfield District Council — and the impact it will have on Hucknall residents — has been set out in an annual report to be sent to every household.

The document is divided into various sections, from council services to the economy, environment and communities.

It states that the biggest challenge facing the council is balancing its budgets in the face of cuts to funding from central government.

As previously reported in the Dispatch, the council intends to save £5 million in the next five years while protecting services.

The report reveals that in 2010/11, Ashfield received £10 million in a grant from the government. That has been slashed by the maximum 23% to £7.7 million for the financial year to March 2013.

The report explains that an ‘efficiency programme’ has been launched and all services are being scrutinised.

The leader of Ashfield Council, Coun John Knight (Lab), who formerly represented Hucknall, states: “The last year has seen many changes at the council as we continue to face a number of challenges.

“We have embarked on a substantial journey of improvement, putting in place significant and far-reaching changes to improve our performance and service delivery.”

He adds: “The economic climate continues to be tough for everyone and you will see from our statement of accounts that Ashfield has more than its share of financial challenges.

“Despite this, the council is determined that the positive trends we have started to see continue and we provide the best-quality services we can.”

The report highlights successes in the district — from environmental Green Flags for five local parks, including Titchfield Park in Hucknall, to supporting community groups, bringing empty houses back into use and improving council houses.

Part of the document is devoted to a residents’ survey asking how the council’s £17 million budget should be spent in 2012/13.

It also asks what level of increase there should be in the district’s council tax.

Coun John Wilmott (Lab), of Hucknall, who is deputy leader of Ashfield Council, said: “Although we’re in a position where we have to make huge savings, the report shows we are on top of it and without having to decimate services.”

THE GO-ahead has been given to a scheme aimed at winning the battle against booze-fuelled anti-social behaviour in Hucknall and the rest of Ashfield.

Ashfield District Council’s licensing committee has rubberstamped the creation and expansion of designated public places orders (DPPOs).

The orders will allow the police and council-employed community protection officers (CPOs) to confiscate alcohol from troublemakers on the street.

Under the plan, virtually the whole of Hucknall would be subject to DPPOs.

A consultation involving the public, police and pubs has been running since late last year. It is now hoped the DPPOs can take effect from Sunday April 1.

It has been made clear that the new orders do not ban drinking on the streets but give enforcement officers another weapon in dealing with anti-social behaviour.

Coun John Wilmott (Lab), of Hucknall, who is deputy leader of Ashfield Council, said: “This is an excellent project that the council and police have worked on together.

“I am hoping there won’t be any problems and we don’t have to use the DPPOs but they are there as an extra weapon to make sure people behave themselves and bad behaviour doesn’t impact on residents’ lives.”

More than 400 streets and areas in Hucknall are included in the DPPOs. These include Titchfield Park, the Nabbs Lane and Albert Street recreation grounds and Hucknall Cemetery on Broomhill Road.

COMMUNITY spirit will be the cornerstone of an event designed to bring Hucknall’s most caring groups and organisations together with the town’s wannabe volunteers.

Hucknall’s Conservative MP, Mark Spencer, has come up with the idea of a ‘Heart Of Hucknall Showcase’.

The aim is to link groups, ranging from sports clubs to St John Ambulance, with locals who are willing to give up their time for the benefit of the town and its residents.

The idea springs from a previous incarnation of the Heart Of Hucknall initiative, launched by Mr Spencer to promote and praise the town’s small businesses.

He believes the scheme fits in with the notion of the ‘Big Society’ promoted by Prime Minister David Cameron.

The centrepiece of the ‘Heart Of Hucknall Showcase’ will be a day-long event at the John Godber Centre on Ogle Street. Groups will be invited along on Saturday March 17 to set up a stand promoting the services they offer.

In turn, those who are interested in volunteering will be urged to take part.

Mr Spencer said: “We talk about the ‘Big Society’, but how do you get involved with organisations if you want to?

“Often people can be turned off from getting involved and giving their time because it is difficult to put yourself forward.

“But you are taking major steps if you can link up those who want to volunteer with those who need volunteers. It sounds like such a simple step, but it’s a step that many struggle to take.

“This is not a political thing. It is about bringing people together for the good of the community.”

Organisations already committed to the ‘Heart Of Hucknall Showcase’ include Hucknall Tourism and Regeneration Group, tenants and residents groups, the Boys Brigade, Scout groups and Brownie packs.

To register an interest, call Mr Spencer’s office on 0115 9681186 or contact him by e-mail at mark.spencer.mp@parliament.uk.

AN EMPHATIC thumbs-up has been given to the services run on Hucknall, Bulwell and Newstead’s Robin Hood train line.

The latest passenger-survey on the Worksop-to-Nottingham route (pictured), which is run by East Midlands Trains, has disclosed that 87% of those who took part are satisfied with the service.

Satisfaction was up across 24 different categories, with notable success in the area of quality of stations, where an investment programme of £40 million is ongoing.

The highest increases in passenger satisfaction are with East Midlands Trains’ fleet. Satisfaction with the upkeep and repair of the trains has increased to 85%, representing a nine per cent year-on-year improvement.

Ratings for categories including on-board toilets and the comfort of seats have also improved, with the year-on-year scores increasing by five per cent and four per cent respectively.

The cleanliness of stations and trains both received the thumbs-up from passengers. Satisfaction with the cleanliness of stations has increased by six per cent to 82%.

Other areas that have scored highly are the availability of station staff and ticket-buying options.

David Horne, managing director for East Midlands Trains, said:

“We’re really pleased with the latest set of satisfaction scores, which are a clear demonstration that our investment to improve our stations and trains is continuing to make a difference to passengers.

“However we remain focused on delivering further improvements to the service we offer to ensure that satisfaction among our passengers continues to grow.”

East Midlands Trains also continues to be one of the most punctual train-operators in the whole country, according to the latest performance figures issued by Network Rail.

The figures, which cover the four-week period ending Saturday January 7, show that 92.5% trains operated by the company were on time.