Drive to revitalise Warsop gets off the ground

A Mayoral Commission for Warsop Parish, bringing together community leaders and agency representatives, was announced in March.

Now the General Election is out of the way, the Commission will meet for the first time on Thursday, July 20 “to talk about all things Warsop”.

The idea is the brainchild of the Mayor of Mansfield, Coun Kate Allsopp, who is determined to oversee the regeneration of Warsop, a parish with a population of about 12,000.

She wants the Commission to discuss topics such as housing, roads, leisure, health, bus services and economic growth, and she hopes the Commission can prove a catalyst for new homes, jobs, shops and community facilities in the area.

It will be chaired by the Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Robin Wilson, who has connections to the Warsop area. And Coun Allsopp has sent out invitations to Mansfield’s newly-elected MP, Ben Bradley, as well as councillors, church and education leaders and representatives from the police, health service and fire service.

“I want the Commission to be independent and unfettered by historical baggage, with a fresh and out-of-the-box approach,” said the Mayor.

“Members of the Commission will need to leave poltical interests outside of the meetings so we can concentrate on the local issues.

“I invite everyone in Warsop to put forward suggestions for the Commission to consider.”

The opening meeting will take place at Meden Sports Centre, where terms of reference will be agreed for the Commission’s work. Further meetings will be held each month, and the aim is to produce a report at the end of the year to inform and influence decision-makers in authority.