Confusion reigns as ‘inept’ Government considers extra Tier 3 measures for Nottinghamshire

There was confusion among local council leaders last night when it emerged that more areas of Nottinghamshire could be placed under Tier 3 restrictions following rapidly rising rates in the north of the county.

The Government had been widely expected to announce that Nottingham city, Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe were set to be placed under the harsher rules from Thursday morning at 12.01am. However, there had still been no official announcement last night, leading to one local council deputy leader to brand the Government “inept” after his council published the new guidance on its website – only to be told 20 minutes later to take it down as it was looking at extending the Tier 3 boundary to include Ashfield and Mansfield.

Steve Carr, the deputy leader of Broxtowe Borough Council told the BBC: “I am becoming more and more frustrated at how inept and indecisive our national Government are.

“Many of you will know that the decision was announced on Monday that Nottingham, Broxtowe, Rushcliffe and Gedling were to be placed into Tier 3 from midnight on Wednesday. We were promised that we would be given the go-ahead to advise people of the implications for them by this morning (Tuesday Octobe 27)

“Broxtowe finally got that go-ahead earlier this evening. Broxtowe Council published them on their website at the agreed time of 7.30pm. Twenty minutes later the council was contacted by the Government to advise us that they were having a rethink given the rising infection rates in Ashfield and Mansfield and there is to be a further meeting tomorrow morning.

“This is totally unacceptable to those individuals and businesses in the Borough who are waiting to find out how their lives will be affected.

“These constant delays are putting lives at risk as infection rates in Broxtowe continue to rise.”

The city council and three borough councils who had been in discussion with the Government for a week are thought to have agreed a deal similar to that clinched with Liverpool.

The four councils issued a joint statement last night at 7.30pm, saying: “We appreciate that our communities and businesses are awaiting clarity and certainty about how the Tier 3 measures will impact on them. We await confirmation from government about their progress in drafting the necessary legislation for Nottingham, Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe. At the earliest opportunity, we will publish details of the measures and package of support.”

Meanwhile, local business owners have been reacting to the rapidly changing situation as best they can.

Matt Wheatcroft

Matt Wheatcroft is managing director of marketing agency north Nottingham-based Purpose Media.

He said: “Whilst Purpose Media is based on the border with Nottingham, many of our staff will be travelling from Tier 3 areas. We have made provisions for them to work from home but for some this isn’t possible.

“I’m very disappointed that the Government has no longer term plan. As a marketing agency which advises businesses on their digital and online marketing, we have been one of the few businesses to benefit by helping traditional business fast track plans to sell online, but they still rely on their supply chains so it’s a very precarious situation. It is about time we had better solutions than lockdown to kerb the spread of this virus.”

Marilyn Briggs is a director of Croft Printing which produces self adhesive labels. The company is based in Ruddington which is in Rushcliffe borough.

She said: “Being in Rushcliffe and having a business that works nationally and relies on the supply chain opportunities provided by the various sectors I am getting more and more dismayed and concerned about the timing of communications as last minute announcements limits the ability for businesses to plan properly.”

Eliot Saxton is managing director of Essential Projects, a metal fabrication business that is based in Bulwell. His business relies heavily on the supply chain opportunities arising from retail store fit-outs.

He said: “Being in Broxtowe and having a business that works nationally we rely on the supply chain opportunities provided by the retail sector. Fortunately we have been really busy because retailers are using store closures to carry out refurbishments. However, I am very sympathetic towards businesses and individuals that will be affected by the changes and we will continue to do everything we can to support our customers and our employees. The virus needs to be contained and controlled but a well thought out package of support should come hand in hand with these restrictions.”

If all of Nottinghamshire is to be placed under Tier 3 restriction, the BBC reports that it could further delay the introduction of the rules for the areas which have already agreed a deal with the Government. Latest seven day figures show the rate of new infections in Nottingham city is now only slightly higher than those in the rest of the county.