GUEST COLUMN: District will be safer thanks to order, by Coun Martin Wright

At a recent full council meeting, members accepted unanimously a new policy to make our district safer and a more pleasant place to live.

The Public Spaces Protection Order will authorise council staff to disperse troublesome groups of people, prohibit urinating, spitting and defecating in a public place. Dog walkers must carry a means of picking up dog mess, cycling is prohibited in pedestrianised areas and it will prohibit the sale of psychoactive substances.

A three-month ‘grace’ period will allow everyone to become accustomed to the new rules, after which £100 fixed penalty notices will be handed out. For more information take a look at www.mansfield.gov.uk/pspo.

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It has been a good month for awards at Mansfield District Council. Two local nature reserves, Quarry Lane, Mansfield and The Carrs in Warsop, are among seven parks in Mansfield district which have won prestigious Green Flag Awards. The award recognises the best parks and green spaces nationally and is a sign to the public that the space is maintained to the highest possible standards. Five parks retained their Green Flag status, Yeoman Hill, Titchfield, Carr Bank, King George V and Peafield. Much credit is due to the friends groups and council officers who work tirelessly to maintain and improve our parks and green spaces making the district a better place for all to enjoy.

The Poppy Field extra care housing scheme, developed and designed by Mansfield District Council(MDC) has been shortlisted for Inside Housing’s top 60 development awards 2016 in the category Best Designed Development of the Year, the winner to be announced in October.

Continuing on a housing theme, the first step has been taken to providing another 54 homes for the over 55s, some with extra care needs, at the General Hospital site. This exciting project will be delivered at a cost of £8.4m by the council with a contribution from Nottinghamshire County Council of £0.4m. Housing is a major priority for the Mayor and the Independent Coalition with more projects already being discussed to provide the necessary homes for the Mansfield District.

And finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Mansfield Town a successful season.