Hazel Brand BDC

12/06/2026

CAREERS EVENT ON APPRENTICE OPPORTUNITIES
Bassetlaw District Council is hosting a regional careers event showcasing apprenticeship opportunities next month, bringing together local employers, training providers and aspiring learners. The ‘Bridge into Apprenticeships’ event, delivered by the Bridge Skills Hub in Worksop has been commissioned by the East Midlands County Combined Authority (EMCCA) and marks the first Apprenticeship and Technical Education (ATE) event of its kind to be delivered in the north of the district. It aims to highlight the wide range of pathways available to those looking to start or progress their careers through apprenticeships. Continue reading on the latest news section of our website: www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/media-centre/news/latest-news/careers-event-showcasing-apprenticeship-opportunities/

10/06/2026

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE: JUNE 2026
Here's my report to Misterton and West Stockwith Parish Councils this month.

RESIDENTS INVITED TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF TRENT VALLEY
Residents living in the Trent Valley area are getting the chance to make sure their voice is heard on the future of the region.

‘Know Your Place Trent Valley’ aims to give people living in the area the chance to say what matters most to them both now and in the future, as plans for redevelopment and related projects move forward at the former power stations at West Burton, Cottam, and High Marnham.

It is a joint project led by Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) covering communities either side of the River Trent, including eastern Bassetlaw and parts of West Lindsey, Newark and Sherwood, and North Kesteven. People are invited to share their priorities, concerns and ideas about their local area throughout the engagement period, which runs until 31 August 2026. In Misterton, the Know Your Place team will be at Misterton Gala.

For those unable to get to the Gala (or other engagement events throughout the summer), there is an online response form. The project is being delivered by BDC on behalf of the Trent Supercluster Partnership, funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), which has identified the Trent Valley as a key component of its spatial and economic development strategies. To find out more about the Know Your Place Trent Valley, share your views, or when events are taking place visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/kyptv/

SWIMMING POOL – PRIMARY SCHOOL
Misterton Primary School bears the cost of running and maintaining the swimming pool, even though it was originally funded three ways by Bassetlaw District Council, Notts County Council, and local fund-raising some 50 years ago. A sub-group of school governors and myself, as District Councillor, are meeting to find a way forward to secure the long-term future of the pool. There is a plan to engage with key stakeholders, including the County Councillor.

NEW POLICE STATION IN WORKSOP
Plans for a new Police Station on Worksop’s main shopping street could soon be a reality. It follows long-running discussions between Notts Police & Crime Commissioner, Notts Police, and Bassetlaw District Council to secure a front counter service in the heart of the community and enhance the town's visible policing presence.

Bassetlaw District Council’s Cabinet agreed in principle to transfer ownership of the town centre property at 73 Bridge Street to the PCC, who is responsible for Nottinghamshire Police's estate. The decision will now be considered by the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee as part of a confidential report on Tuesday 16 June.

COUNCIL BACKS BIOSPHERE RESERVE PLANS
Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) has formally backed plans to create a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covering the Humberhead Levels in the northern part of Bassetlaw. It would be the first in the north of England and the first non-coastal location in the UK. The Humberhead Levels is a vast, flat, low-lying area, rich in peatlands and wetlands, spanning Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire.

UNESCO Biosphere reserves are internationally recognised as learning places for sustainability and aim to find local ways to help manage climate change and other global challenges. The proposed Biosphere would focus on the Humberhead Levels, which support flood management, biodiversity recovery, and carbon storage. It is home to some of the most important natural habitats in the country, including peatlands, which need protecting and improving.

It could help co-ordinate peatland restoration and flood management, support farmers’ and landowners’ access to funding, and improve nature recovery across the area, while strengthening the Humberhead Levels distinctive identity.
BDC will continue to develop partnerships, including with neighbouring councils, wildlife trusts, and Natural England to ensure that a biosphere can work for everyone. A formal nomination for reserve status is expected to take place in September 2026.

SURGERIES
The next District Council surgeries are on Friday 26 June from 9.00-9.45am in the Village Hall, West Stockwith, and from 10.00-11.00am in The Misterton Centre. Appointments must be made for each surgery via The Misterton Centre (tel: 01427 890646). Residents can also contact me in one of the following ways:

• phone (01427 891376)
• e-mail ([email protected])
• via my page (Hazel Brand BDC)
• through the Council Members’ Support Unit (01909 533 116).

01/04/2026

GLASS COLLECTION - BLACK BINS
As part of the Simpler Recycling scheme, Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) has provide a separated black bins for glass recycling collection every six weeks. Residents will receive a letter in the next few days with information on what days their bin will be collected.

UPDATES ON OTHER BIN COLLECTIONS
Unfortunately, BDC has been unable to complete some bin collections in some areas for the past few weeks. If this happens, please leave the bin out and crews will return to collect them the following day. Please do not report this to us as a missed bin.

The reason for the missed collections is due to the increased distances lorries are travelling to empty loads at waste transfer stations in Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire. In August 2025, the waste transfer station in Worksop, owned and operated by Veolia, suffered a severe fire and has not been operational since.

So BDC's crews are now travelling to alternative waste transfer stations in Sheffield, Mansfield, and Newark to empty their vehicles, which creates additional travelling and waiting times of between two and three hours each day, which is having an impact on collections.

Once again, BDC apologises and thanks residents for their patience. The crews are working over and above their contracted hours to maintain a normal service during this challenging period.

01/04/2026

NEW POWERS TO TACKLE ASB VEHICLES
Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) is implementing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to target drivers causing anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the district.

It is introducing Nuisance Vehicle Public Spaces Protection Orders from 1 April 2026, which will tackle anti-social behavior, including the sounding of horns, loud music from vehicles, performing stunts, and attending gatherings which cause a public nuisance. It follows consultation, which looked at the impact vehicle anti-social behaviour was having on residents, with positive support for the plans.

A breach of the Nuisance Vehicle PSPO order will be a criminal offence and would allow the Police or Council to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100, or if taken to court following a successful conviction, magistrates would have the power to order the offender to pay a fine of up to £1000 and BDC can also consider if it is appropriate to apply for a court Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

Robert Harrison, Neighbourhood Inspector at Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We know how disruptive vehicle nuisance crime can be for our residents and we have heard these concerns and acted. We want to do everything we can to make Bassetlaw a safer place to live and work. This order gives police more powers to deal with this kind of behaviour and give residents more peace of mind. We will act when this is reported to our teams. This is a warning to anyone taking part in this behaviour – we will not tolerate it and you will be fined, and even taken to court.”

To find out more about the Nuisance Vehicle PSPO visit

01/04/2026

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE: MARCH 2026
Here's the report I delivered to Misterton and West Stockwith parish councils last month.

HOUSING LAND SUPPLY
The National Planning Policy Framework requires planning authorities to provide an annual statement setting out a 5-year supply of deliverable housing sites, known as the 5-year housing land supply.

The latest 5-year housing land supply statement covers the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030 (published March 2026). The District Council has undertaken a thorough assessment of the District’s housing land supply in accordance with the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF) (December 2024) and Housing Supply & Delivery Policy Planning Guidance (PPG). This involved using development assumptions based on historical delivery data. The 5-year housing land supply position, based on the Local Plan housing requirement at 1 April 2025, adjusted to reflect a 5% buffer for choice and competition in the market for housing, the District Council can demonstrate a housing land supply of 5.31 years for the 2025-2030 five-year period.

The full document can be found at
www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/bassetlaw-local-plan-2020-2038/monitoring-and-housing-supply/housing-land-supply/

BUDGET SET FOR 2026/27
Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) set a balanced budget for the year ahead, agreed at the Council meeting on 26 February, outlining the Council’s commitment to Bassetlaw’s future and to essential services: from bin collections and recycling to parks, open spaces, planning, and licensing.

This budget was shaped by responses to the Budget Conversation with residents. The Council adapted its plans and identified efficiency savings, not by cutting frontline services or undermining staff, but by working smarter, transforming how services are delivered, and applying disciplined financial management. As part of this approach, Council Tax will increase. But for nearly half of households in the District, those living in a Band A property, this represents around 8p a week. Of the total Council Tax collected, BDC receives only 8%, with the increase the lowest among the major preceptors. The Council Tax Reduction Scheme offers up to 95% support, alongside the 25% single-person discount. To find out more, visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/council-tax-reduction-scheme

BDC also approved a Housing Capital Programme that will invest more than £94m in tenants’ homes over the next five years. This includes £40m to meet the Decent Homes Standard, delivering new kitchens and bathrooms, upgraded windows and doors, and real improvements to quality of life for thousands of residents, alongside a further £11.4m investment in estates.

● A grant of £6k was again made to contribute to the support for District Council services at The Misterton Centre. And district councillors again each have £1000 to make grants to local organisations. Applications are invited from 1 April (using a new application form, available from The Misterton Centre). But, with Local Government Reorganisation on the horizon, there is uncertainty as to whether these two grants will continue under unification.

COUNCIL MARKS COMMONWEALTH DAY
Bassetlaw District Council joined communities across 56 Commonwealth nations to mark Commonwealth Day (Monday 9 March) as part of the annual international celebration. This year’s theme, “Unlocking opportunities together for a prosperous

Commonwealth”, highlighted the importance of creating fair and high impact opportunities for people across the Commonwealth, from small rural communities to major cities. Bassetlaw hosted two flag raising ceremonies at Retford Market Square and Worksop Old Market Square.

SURGERIES
The next District Council surgeries are on Friday 27 March from 9.00-9.45am in the Village Hall, West Stockwith, and from 10.00-11.00am in The Misterton Centre. Appointments must be made for each surgery via The Misterton Centre (tel: 01427 890646). Residents can also contact me in one of the following ways:

• phone (01427 891376)
• e-mail ([email protected])
• via my page (Hazel Brand BDC)
• through the Council Members’ Support Unit (01909 533 116).

01/04/2026

BASSETLAW FOOD BANK NEEDS YOU!
Bassetlaw Food Bank (BFB) in Worksop is looking for people who want to get involved supporting their community!

Can you:
- spare a couple of hours a week to help in the community cafe?
- help at events in the cafe, like half term crafts or our popular afternoon teas?
- join BFB at fundraising events throughout the year (including weekends)?

If you would like to join a friendly team and know you time is well spent giving back to people in Bassetlaw, then please get in touch at [email protected] or call: 01909 473078.

By the way, donations to the Food Bank from Misterton and surrounding churches, schools, and individuals have now reached 6661 since starting to support this charity!

17/02/2026

COUNCIL GRANTS DEADLINE LOOMS!
My BDC grant fund has to be spent by the end of February (applications in by that date). So if you’re wanting to make an application, get it in quick! I have £200 left of this year's allocation and hate not spending it all, supporting local organisations. Get an application form from The Misterton Centre.

11/02/2026

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2026
Here's the report delivered to Misterton Parish Council at its meeting on 10 February. West Stockwith Parish Council doesn't have a meeting this month so the report will be e-mailed to the Parish Clerk for distribution to members.

CONSULTATION LAUNCHED ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION The Government has launched its statutory consultation on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The survey is aimed at partners, other public authorities, and other stakeholders and is not a repeat of the resident engagement that took place last year but all stakeholders, including councillors and residents, can still complete this.

It’s open for seven weeks from Thursday 5 February and can also be completed at local libraries soon.

This consultation is for the Government to gather views before ministers decide on a preferred option in the summer. As part of this, Government is seeking views on the three submissions they received last November. Full versions can be viewed at www.lgrnotts.org and summary versions will also be available on the site soon.

A formal assessment against the criteria has not taken place at this stage but will be completed alongside this consultation so that all relevant evidence can be considered. In due course the Government will outline this position further, together with their planned use of AI as part of the process.

The decision has also been taken to not group Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire for the consultation. Separate consultations are now running for each invitation area.

A press release from all nine Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Councils will be going out to local media over the next day or so, so there may be some articles in the local press.

Full details of the Governments consultation process can be found by following the link below:
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-nottinghamshire-and-nottingham

COUNCIL REFRESHES ITS VISION
Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) has refreshed its Council plan and overarching Vision 2040 outlining how it will deliver bold, inclusive, and sustainable improvements for everyone in the district. It has been built around a clear mission to support people, neighbourhoods, and the economy through transformation, while laying the foundations for a clean, green, high-tech future. It also focuses on financial stability and resilience to ensure a smooth transition to a future unitary authority.

The updated Vision 2040 builds on key areas: identity, skills, business, environment, facilities for all, and a healthy district, where significant progress has been made. This includes taking the lead on supporting the STEP Fusion project as a flagship development, providing a wide variety of voluntary groups and organisations with over £400k of Government-shared prosperity grant funding, and investing £207k to improve the district's green spaces.

In addition, the Council is also embracing innovation, driving regeneration, and supporting inclusive growth through transformation while focusing on getting the basics right. To find out more about Vision 2040, visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/bassetlaw-vision-2040

FINAL BUDGET-SETTING COUNCIL MEETING
Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) Cabinet members have approved recommendations for its budget for 2026/27, ahead of a final budget setting meeting on 26 February.

There is a commitment to transformation and efficiency, and the Council is proposing a balanced budget for the year ahead with a total spend of £25.4mn, which will help provide vital services in the district such as Waste & Recycling collection, Planning, Environmental Health and enforcement, Parks, Cemeteries, Economic Development, and Community Safety.

The Council’s budget is funded by a combination of Government grants, income from services it charges for, and other small sources with the balance of around £22m provided through the Local Government Finance Settlement, Council Tax, local business rates, and other Government funding.

The Council is continuing to transform the way it works so it can operate more efficiently and manage its budget responsibly. This reflects the responses the Council received from its recent Budget Conversation and includes modernising systems, improving processes, and reducing back-office costs wherever possible.
It is focusing on transformation and becoming more efficient rather than reducing front line services, to protect the staff and support residents rely on, with the changes
making it leaner, more responsive, and better able to meet the needs of communities.

As part of this work Cabinet members approved an asset management plan for 2026/27, which includes decarbonisation work planned at Retford and Worksop Leisure Centres. This work is projected to generate annual efficiency savings of approx £80k, alongside measures to reduce costs of running buildings, including greater investment in climate change and energy efficiency measures.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for the coming five years, in which it reflects strong governance arrangements, financial sustainability, and increased financial resilience. These reports will now be presented at the Annual Budget Council meeting on 26 February for final approval.

COUNCIL RENTS RISE BUT £94m INVESTMENT IN COUNCIL HOMES
Bassetlaw District Council (BDC) is investing more than £94m in its tenants’ homes over the next five years to make sure they are well maintained, safe, and energy efficient.

Councillors approved a five-year plan for the Housing Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2030/31 at a Cabinet meeting (Thursday 5 February 2026). The report will now also be considered by full Council (26 February) for approval. The budget will improve the wider estate and independent living centres, purchasing new or existing family homes to increase the number of council homes available to help meet the demand for this type of accommodation.

Under the plan, £40.8m will be invested in tenant homes to provide improvements such as new kitchens, bathrooms, and windows, alongside boiler replacements and renewable heating to target damp and condensation.

£6.1m pounds is also planned for refurbishment works, including improving the Council’s independent living centres, including Swallow Court in Misterton, over the next two years.

Meanwhile there is a commitment to improve estates with £11.4m over the next five years for work to the estates, such as roads, parking, and garage sites.

To help meet a growing demand for disability adaptations, £3m has been allocated over the next five years while a further £1.12m will support the warden call upgrade.

FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE & CURIOSITY
The Nottinghamshire Festival of Science & Curiosity will be back during the February half-term. As part of the county-wide festival, Bassetlaw District Council will be hosting activities that seek to inspire young minds, spark curiosity, and encourage an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) through hands-on learning.

This year’s festival features a mix of drop in and bookable sessions across the district that will give young people the chance to create their own lava lamps, magnetic slime, and mini rockets, play augmented reality dodge-ball, as well as see the ever popular ‘Stories in the Stars’ show in the inflatable planetarium. Events will be taking place from Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February across locations including The Bridge Skills Hub in Worksop, Bassetlaw Museum in Retford, and Harworth and Bircotes Town Hall.

SURGERIES
The next District Council surgeries are on Friday 27 February from 9.00-9.45am in the Village Hall, West Stockwith, and from 10.00-11.00am in The Misterton Centre. Appointments must be made for each surgery via The Misterton Centre (tel: 01427 890646). Residents can also contact me in one of the following ways:

• phone (01427 891376)
• e-mail ([email protected])
• via my page (Hazel Brand BDC)
• through the Council Members’ Support Unit (01909 533 116).

05/02/2026

GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION LAUNCHED ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION (LGR)
The Government has launched its statutory consultation on LGR in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The survey is aimed at partners, other public authorities, and other stakeholders and is not a repeat of the resident engagement that took place last year but all stakeholders, including councillors and residents, can still complete this.

It’s open for seven weeks from today (Thursday 5 February) and can also be completed at local libraries soon.

This consultation is for the Government to gather views before ministers decide on a preferred option in the summer. As part of this, Government is seeking views on the three submissions they received last November. Full versions can be viewed at www.lgrnotts.org and summary versions will also be available on the site soon.

A formal assessment against the criteria has not taken place at this stage but will be completed alongside this consultation so that all relevant evidence can be considered. In due course the Government will outline this position further, together with their planned use of AI as part of the process.

The decision has also been taken to not group Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire for the consultation. Separate consultations are now running for each invitation area.

A press release from all nine Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Councils will be going out to local media over the next day or so, so there may be some articles in the local press.

Full details of the Governments consultation process can be found by following the link below:
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-nottinghamshire-and-nottingham

This consultation seeks views on the local government reorganisation proposals we have received from councils in Nottinghamshire and Nottingham.​

27/01/2026

GET CURIOUS ABOUT SCIENCE AT FREE FESTIVAL EVENTS!
The Nottinghamshire Festival of Science & Curiosity will be back again this February half-term with plenty of fun-filled and free events for all the family.

As part of the county-wide festival, Bassetlaw District Council will be hosting activities that seek to inspire young minds, spark curiosity, and encourage an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) through hands-on learning.

This year’s festival features a mix of drop-in and bookable sessions across the district that will give young people the chance to create their own lava lamps, magnetic slime, and mini rockets, play augmented reality dodge-ball, as well as see the ever popular ‘Stories in the Stars’ show in the inflatable planetarium.

Events will be taking place from Monday 16 to Friday 20 February across locations, including The Bridge Skills Hub in Worksop, Bassetlaw Museum in Retford, and Harworth & Bircotes Town Hall.

Bassetlaw District Council has been supported by UKAEA, Laing O’Rourke, Trelleborg, Veolia, GXO Logistics, South Yorkshire Police, Amazelabs, RNN Group, North Notts College, Active Communities, and the Universities of Sheffield and Nottingham, as well as Sheffield Hallam University and Nottingham Trent University.