Hucknall residents share burning issues in online video session with MP

Councillor Phil Rostance, Ashfield District Council representative for Hucknall West, sent out a social media appeal to discover the issues weighing on people’s minds in the town.

The councillor then took these concerns directly to Sherwood MP Mark Spencer via a video conference.

A wide variety of different matters were addressed, including concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, the new development on the Top Wighay, TV licences and potholes.

The first question asked was why doctors’ surgeries in Hucknall are not currently offering the Covid vaccination?

Mr Spencer responded: “There are 11 centres set up close to us. The doctors surgeries in Hucknall are concentrating on doing home visits for those who are unable to visit those centres.

"The good news is we’re actually making really good progress and there is every reason to be optimistic about the future now."

The MP was then asked why people with learning difficulties and unpaid carers are not higher up on the vaccination priority list.

He said: “In the next group of people, those with learning difficulties are highlighted and we’re not far away from starting on that next group.

"I understand the concern but we are getting there and you will be called for your jabs very, very soon.”

Residents also wanted to know whether the MP would be putting pressure on the BBC to scrap TV licence fee for pensioners, with many struggling during the pandemic.

He responded: “I’m really disappointed in the way the BBC has approached this. But there is a new director general and I hope they will be listening to these concerns.

"And of course, I will continue to make sure Government puts the maximum pressure to reward those people who should be entitled to free TV licences when they get to their later years.”

In a matter closer to home, Hucknall residents wanted to know the MP’s reasonings behind the sanctioning of the new development on the Top Wighay site.

Residents are concerned that the housing estate will put more pressure on the schools and doctors’ surgeries in Ashfield.

The MP said: “I’ve never sanctioned the development, I’ve been campaigning against it. I think it’s an outrage that Gedling Borough Council basically put the majority of its housing allocation right on the extremity of Gedling borough but those people will use the facilities in Ashfield.

"Hucknall finds itself in a particularly difficult place and I think has had a pretty raw deal from its local councils in terms of housing allocation.

"But once it has been decided, you then have to embrace and try and mitigate the impact.”

Lastly, the MP was asked about plans to improve highways in light of a number of potholes appearing in Hucknall.

He said: “I agree there are some shockers about. We’ve made two and a half billion quid available to local councils to try and tackle the pothole menace. If you know of a pothole, please report it and the council should come out and do a temporary fix while the weather improves.”