PETS FOR TENANTS

 Long Eaton charity continues fight for tenants to have pets 

One of the most important pieces of legislation for the private rental sector in 30 years, the Renters Reform Bill, has been abandoned due to Parliament being dissolved for the General Election. “ We are bitterly disappointed that the proposed legislation, which would have given people living in rented accommodation the legal right to request pets and challenge a negative response will now not become law,” commented Jennifer Berezai, co-founder of Long Eaton-based pets charity AdvoCATS. Our sensible proposal, to amend the Tenant Fees Act’s List of Permitted Payments to give landlords the right to stipulate pet damage insurance be held would have seen a big increase in the number of pet friendly rentals, easing the pressure on already overstretched rescues. "The organisation has been tirelessly campaigning for four years for the Government to change the law to prevent landlords having a blanket ban on pets. Its campaign gained support from more than 40 businesses involved in the property sector and animal welfare organisations, including the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), Propertymark, Property Redress Scheme, National Office for Animal Health (NOAH), International Cat Care, Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) and Focus on Animal Law (FOAL). 

AdvoCATS also gained cross-party parliamentary supporters and provided compelling research to the Department for Levelling Up Housing & Communities (DLUHC) on the devastating impact of landlord’s “no pets” clauses. In addition, Jennifer Berezai gave oral evidence to the House of Commons Committee considering amendments to the Renters Reform Bill while it was going through the parliamentary process. The AdvoCATS representative addressed concerns about landlords letting to pet owners, the availability of pet damage insurance, and the risk of discrimination against pet owners. While the failure of the Bill to become law is a setback for the charity it is determined to continue fighting for tenants to have pets and not be forced to place them in animal shelters or have them put down. 

“The fight goes on! The Conservative party would presumably pick up where they left off, and the Labour party has in the past promised to introduce “similar” legislation. We believe we have enough existing supporters who should retain their seats and would therefore be  likely to help us put together a fresh cross-party political support base to lobby the new government,” said Jen Berezai. The current shadow housing minister Matthew Pennycook, was on the Bill committee that AdvoCATS gave evidence to, and so is very much aware of why renting with pets needs to be made easier, so we have good reason to be optimistic about there ultimately being a change in the law to give renters and their pets a better deal,” added the tenacious pets activist. 

AdvoCATS is a voluntary non-profit organisation based in Long Eaton, Derbyshire that offers free support and advice to landlords and tenants, assisting pet owners who have difficulty finding rental accommodation.

CHURCH WILNE ROTARY CLUB

 Church Wilne Rotary Club Speaker Evening – John Hollingworth Farm Visit 

The twins Val and Vault

Dee Hollingworth received a thank you
Bouquet of flowers

Rtn John Hollingworth & his wife Dee, recently welcomed Rotarian’s, family and friends to Bartlewood Farm Ockbrook, for a tour and BBQ. What a wonderful experience we all had, John took us through the cow sheds, into the fields and gave us a brief insight into the life of a working farm. My goodness they do work hard, keeping food on our tables. For the “Townies” amongst us, it was quite an experience, to grow a crop such as Barley takes at least 7 different stages, involving tractors (and other things) over many months. We were introduced to Tia, 14 months old and posing for the camera. The twins Val and Vault were soaking up the last rays of sunlight. President Nigel Roberts and Rtn Martin Dowey were dab hands on the BBQ. Desert was baked by Dee & Rtn Susie Collins. The selection of cakes & shortbreads was delicious. It was very generous of John and his family to welcome us to the farm for the event, they are so supportive of Rotary and the Community, opening up their land to facilitate the Annual Charity Horse Ride. The 17th one, will be held on the 15th September 2024 https://www.horse-events.co.uk/horse-events/church-wilne-rotary-sponsored-charity-horseride-20240915-1/ 

Further details about Church Wilne Rotary may be found on our website here: https://www.churchwilnerotary.org.uk Or you may contact the Secretary at rccw1220@gmail.com 

Rotarian Dr John A Cook. 

MUSEUM HALF TERM EVENTS

Three days of children’s activities have been lined up at Erewash’s museum as half-term looms – including the chance for them to learn about World War Two in the run-up to the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Youngsters will get to hear about a local mum whose brave husband was taken prisoner in the Far East. Families across the nation were left so desperate by scant news of captured loved ones that when she made her own anguish public they ended up writing 5,000 letters to her. Hope Robinson’s husband Paul was a Major who was seized by Japanese forces. She knew little about his fate in a PoW camp but urged other wives and mothers to copy her by staying strong. The museum in Ilkeston has 2,000 of the poignant letters she received at her home in the town. The chance for children to learn about her is on Friday 31st May – when they themselves will be invited to write letters home.

Pictured: Ilkeston mum Hope Robinson and her husband Paul, who was serving as a World War Two Major in the Far East when he was taken prisoner

The museum’s half-term activities kick off with crafts and prize trails on Wednesday 29th May.  A blacksmith will be demonstrating his skills on Thursday 30th May – when help will be sought from youngsters by a maid working in the Victorian kitchen and scullery. Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Becca Everett, who is the Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “Erewash Museum is free to visit and is a superb venue for children to spend time during half term. It is also a great place for adults – with a brand-new café.”  

The museum near Ilkeston’s Market Place is open during half-term from Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 4pm. 

COUNCIL BUY CINEMA

A quest to rid an Erewash town of a major eyesore has taken a giant leap forward – with an announcement by the borough council that it has bought Long Eaton’s derelict Galaxy cinema. The news – which follows painstaking negotiations – avoids a long drawn-out compulsory purchase as the authority drives forward levelling-up investment of £25million in the town. The council revealed it has also acquired the former Stage One nightclub – clearing the way for a wholesale regeneration of what is known as Galaxy Row. Both buildings are poised to be bulldozed as part of Long Eaton’s “Town Deal” – which is cash that Erewash Borough Council helped secure from the government. The demolitions will see smart new homes and commercial units built on the prominent Derby Road site. The plan is for three business premises plus 16 flats and four townhouses. There will be 28 parking spaces, which will be accessed from Oxford Street at the rear of the development. The council is currently actively seeking a development partner for the scheme. The decrepit cinema has blighted Long Eaton since closing more than a decade ago. Planners said: “No proposals for re-use have come forward in ten years. It does not lend itself to a conversion to an alternative use. Given the apparent lack of developer interest and limitations of the former cinema for its reuse and the poor current appearance of the building, the loss of the building is considered acceptable.”

 A massive £10million refurbishment of the High Street is looming. Richard Ledger, who is chairman of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, welcomed the purchase of the cinema and nightclub. The local businessman, who studied physics with Stephen Hawking at Cambridge, said: “Long Eaton will be reinvigorated under the Town Deal – becoming an increasingly vibrant place to live and work. I would like to thank not only the council but also the people of Long Eaton who along with local businesses have been backing the campaign to unleash the town’s potential.” 

Erewash councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said of the authority’s acquisitions: 

“This is a vital step toward finally getting spades in the ground on one of our most important levelling-up projects. Once completed, the new Galaxy Row development will provide new and modern commercial space for local businesses, and much needed, high-quality new homes. With this and proposals for the £10million High Street upgrade now well underway, we are ambitious for the future of Long Eaton town centre. This proves it.” 

GRANT BOOST

 Community groups can get £1.5k boost 

A fresh boost to community groups and voluntary organisations across Erewash has been launched by the borough council – which is offering to help them out with fast funding grants of up to £1,500. The authority is keen to recognise the vital role of people who give up their time to make life better for others. Total funding of £40,000 has been made available for the year ahead. Groups eligible to share in the pot include registered charities, social enterprises and other volunteer organisations. They simply need to show that a group’s work benefits Erewash residents and that the grants will lead to more people accessing the project or event, and that more volunteer time will be generated by the funding. Details of how to apply are on the Erewash Borough Council website here: Community Grants (erewash.gov.uk)  

The grants are available now – and come from government money that the council has been awarded from what is called the Shared Prosperity Fund. Groups have until March 2025 to apply. In the past year the council awarded a total of £36,611 to 27 organisations. These included an “art on the park” project in Long Eaton, the Stanley Common-based Wednesday Club for older people, and The Hive – which promotes community beekeeping and gardening. The 21st Ilkeston Scout Group also benefitted, as did Long Eaton Sea Cadets, who got to buy mannequins for live-saving first aid training. Projects that help tackle the cost-of-living crisis or that improve mental and physical health are especially sought. The figure of £1,500 is the maximum that can be applied for – and there is no minimum. 

Erewash’s Deputy Leader Cllr Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “We are grateful to the many local organisations that support the work the council is doing and recognise that they often rely on volunteers. These kinds of groups are the heartbeat of the community – which is why they deserve all the help we can give them. We encourage groups who think they might be eligible for grants to contact our Community Engagement Officer to discuss the process.”