Citizens' panel newsletter issue 2

Community Safety Team – Service Improvements Update

The Community Safety Team (CST) has been working hard to improve the services we provide across Ashfield. This summer, we reached out to residents to hear your views on crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities.

We hosted a series of events across the district, asking residents how safe they feel and what issues matter most to them.

Your feedback is helping shape the way we deliver our services.

Some of the feedback we received:

• 82% of respondents said they feel fairly to very safe living in Ashfield.

However, several key concerns were raised, including:

• Dog fouling, fly tipping, littering, and graffiti
• Nuisance caused by motorcycles, cars, and scooters
• Drug use and dealing in public spaces

Many of you also said you’d feel safer if you had more information about local issues and how they’re being addressed.

Data-led patrols

We’ve developed a new data sheet that gives us a clearer picture of our patrols and their purpose. This allows us to carry out more targeted, intelligence-led patrols in the areas that need them most.

Leamington project

Building on the success of our work in Coxmoor, we’re launching a similar initiative in Leamington. We’ve already surveyed residents and brought together key partners—including the Police, Social Care, local schools, and Health and Wellbeing services—to take a joint, targeted approach to tackling local issues.

Pop-up events

We’re continuing to host pop-up events across Ashfield, working with partners to offer advice, support, and a chance for you to share your views directly with us.

Domestic abuse support

We’ve created 2 new Domestic Abuse Officer roles within the team to provide dedicated support to victims. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact us for more information.

Community Safety Chat Bot

Coming soon: our Community Safety Chat Bot will provide 24/7 access to information and advice, making it easier than ever to get support when you need it.

Panel meetings 9 and 10 September

Thank you to all who attended our last Citizen Panel focus groups.

On the 9 and 10 September, we held 4 focus groups split between Sutton and Hucknall, which were set to cover more information regarding the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and changes to recycling.

We used the focus group to provide our residents as much information as possible regarding the forthcoming possible changes through LGR and the timeline Councils in Nottinghamshire are following. Residents attending told us what matters most. The submission of final proposals for Nottinghamshire will be made by end November this year, followed by the governments decision expected by the summer 2026. A release the full LGR resident survey report, will be cross Nottinghamshire and once this is available this will be shared with all panel members.

Our Recycling Advisors gave a presentation on the upcoming changes to bin collection days starting in October as part of the service transformation to improve efficiency whilst supporting national recycling improvements. 

As a reminder of some of the other services which out waste team provide include:

Garden Waste

A subscription for a year for at least 20 collections made fortnightly during the collection season, between March and December.

Bulky waste

Residents can have one free bulky waste collection of up to 3 items, for all residents across the year. The scheme runs from April 2025 and ends March 2026.

Key topics

From our engagement activities across the District, you have told us what you would like more information on, the key topics were:

Keep updated on the Local Government Reorganisation

• Keep updated on recycling
• Anti Social Behaviour
• Sense of community

What’s coming up

We are looking into the future and what's next for the Citizens Panel. Our next meeting/ focus group is set to take place in February 2026 when we are planning to try out our first virtual meeting. There will be more information regarding this meeting coming soon. If you have any topics you would like us to consider:

• email Improvement@ashfield.gov.uk

Thank you all for being part of our Citizens’ Panel. Your participation will help us to strengthen the voices of our communities across Ashfield.

If you have any questions or topics you would like us to consider, please feel free to contact us.

You said we did

You ask ‘more information regarding recycling’:

• We had our recycling advisors to come along to answer your questions and provide information on the changes

You said ‘make ensure engagement is meaningful’:

• As a panel all engagement we complete is meaningful and is passed on and actions by relevant departments.

Contact us

• email: Improvement@ashfield.gov.uk
• telephone: 01623 450000 - quote ‘Citizens Panel’
• post: The Policy and Performance Team Ashfield District Council Urban Road Kirkby in Ashfield Nottingham NG17 8DA