Happy New Year and welcome to 2024 from Leader of RBC Cllr Neil Clarke
Last updated: 12/1/2024
Happy New Year to all Rushcliffe residents, I hope you are enjoying a happy and healthy festive season.
Another year has passed but we’re determined as ever to do all we can to help everyone with the battle of the cost of living, and tackle the challenges Councils are facing, whilst still investing in our communities.
The financial climate at local authorities everywhere is currently sharply in focus. Rest assured our financial picture is currently stable with no debt and more investment planned this year.
There’s £4.1m of improvements at Keyworth and Cotgrave leisure centres to help both remain financially and environmentally sustainable, over £60,000 at Boundary Road play area in West Bridgford, adding to the £80,000 refurbishment at Adbolton Lane in Lady Bay last year and others will follow.
We’re very aware of the significant challenges to you as a household or business too, particularly with inflation still high but we are still committed to providing you with excellent services, and as has been the case for many years, the lowest Council Tax in Nottinghamshire.
Assistance and information for anyone struggling with bills can be found on our website at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/costofliving
In addition we have distributed over £400,000 UK Shared Prosperity Funding in recent times, part of UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda, providing funding for local investment.
2023 was great for accolades, not least Green Flag Awards with Sharphill Wood gaining its first, and Rushcliffe Country Park boasting its 17th.
The Country Park also earned the title best budget and family-friendly picnic spot in the country and our joint Green Rewards platform with fellow Notts Councils, that rewards you for greener choices, also scooped a national Association for Public Sector Excellence service award – visit https://notts.greenrewards.co.uk/ for more information.
We will now celebrate our Golden Anniversary this year as we acknowledge 50 years of RBC. The Borough's existing brilliant events programme for 2024 will contain a Golden 50th Anniversary theme at Proms in the Park, Lark in the Park, the Taste of Rushcliffe Food Festival and the Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards.
A Rushcliffe Arena atrium-based display at our Civic headquarters will also provide a historical timeline of the key events since 1974 aided by archive film footage and ephemera to make an interactive experience charting the history of the Borough. Look out for more soon!
We wish you a happy 12 months ahead.
Leader of the Council
Cllr Neil Clarke MBE