About Joyce
Joyce is one of the County Councillors for the Mansfield North division. She is currently the Deputy Leader of the Labour Group and is also the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny. She also sits on the Corporate Parenting panel.
Latest News
Spring 2011
At the Nottinghamshire
County Council Budget Meeting on 24th February 2011 I joined my Labour
colleagues in voting against the Budget proposals.
While we welcomed the extra
spending being made by the County Council on child protection and services for
vulnerable adults, we did not agree with the proposals to reduce funding to
other areas such as the Libraries service, Supporting People programme and
grant aid to voluntary groups.
We asked the majority group
to consider a more detailed consultation with the public and partner
organisations in order to allow a longer term approach to making efficiencies,
with a view to many possibly not being needed as the economic situation
improved.
However, our proposals were
not accepted, and the Budget was eventually passed with a majority of five
votes.
27th October 2010
"At the Council Meeting on 21st October, along with my colleagues in the Labour group, I voted against the proposals being made by the County Council to make spending cuts of £150m over the next four years.
The Labour group made it completely clear that we welcome the extra spending in Children’s and Adult’s services but we also stated that we felt it inappropriate to withdraw funding from other vital areas such as Surestart and Supporting People, and that the Council was moving too fast with its cuts and not taking full cognisance of the impact on the most vulnerable.
The Labour group presented a longer-term alternative which would’ve seen the £50m from reserves currently earmarked for redundancies instead being reinvested into vital services, and enabling the County Council to retain skilled staff who wished to remain, while allowing others to leave through natural staff turnover.
We believe that our longer-term approach would minimise the impact on external partners, minimise the need for redundancy payments, retain valuable staff and achieve the necessary financial goals.
Our proposals were, however, dismissed, and the administration instead voted to implement their original plans to make immediate service cuts."
Local Issues
Hotel & golf course development in Mansfield Woodhouse
The hotel and golf course development on the A60 is causing major concern. After speaking with local residents, I have registered opposition to the development on the basis it could cause increased traffic and more congestion. However, after further examination of the planning application, which is being supported & promoted by the Mayor of Mansfield and others, we discovered that the landscaping would cause 100,000 lorry loads of Earth to be delivered. I feel that this is just a bit excessive for a golf course!
Residents have suggested that it might be a route for a landfill site; if so, it would generate about £4m to the land owners.
A similar ‘golf course’ development was tried in Northamptonshire and the landfill was rejected by the County Council and the golf course never went ahead.
A letter asking for detailed clarification has been sent to Mansfield District Council; I await their response. I will call a public meeting if necessary, and Alan Meale MP has been informed.
Planning Issues
Have you noticed the congestion in Mansfield Woodhouse? Hot spots are not only on the A60 but also Debdale Lane, New Mill Lane & the centre of the village. The impact of large & small residential developments need to be considered by planners. Development in Forest Town also impacts on Mansfield Woodhouse.
I am asking that a more strategic approach is taken to these matters. Sadly planning is the responsibility of Mansfield District Council, but I will be seeking to address these issues with the support of my Labour colleagues on Mansfield District Council.
New Build Projects in Forest Town & Woodhouse
A meeting is being arranged to consider all of the new build projects in Forest Town & Mansfield Woodhouse with officers of Mansfield District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, local members and public spokespeople. Please contact me if you would like to help out or attend.
Worcester Avenue Gating Order
A review of the Worcester Avenue Gating Order (the first in Nottinghamshire) is now complete. All of those who have lived with the constant nuisance, anti-social behaviour & criminal damage can breathe a sigh of relief, as the gate is going to stay. I am currently looking at the possibility a smaller gate order close to St Edmunds School in order to deal with problematic behaviour there.
Councillor's Divisional Fund
The Electoral Division Initiative that we introduced a few years ago is now called the Councillor's Divisional Fund. However, the principle remains the same:
Each councillor receives £10,000 to help fund local organisations, causes, individuals and schemes, who would not normally have access to financial support for their smaller projects
Please contact Joyce if you would like to apply for some CDF funding. Here are just a few examples of the useful funding which was provided by Joyce in 2009/2010:
