Drug Dealing Harry Potter Fan Jailed, Hosepipe Bans, Over 200 Less Councillors & More

Happy Friday readers, the weekend is in sight, and its still hot!

I hope you have something nice planned for the weekend but until then .... grab a brew and a chocolate digestive, and have a read of today's newsletter covering all things Bassetlaw and surrounding areas.

Todays thought for the day ... “It isn’t normal to know what we want. It is a rare and difficult psychological achievement.”
~ Abraham Maslow

Enjoy the read and have a great weekend wherever you are reading this.

Justin Doddy, Editor

P.S. If someone forwarded you this newsletter, click here to sign up to get quality local journalism in your inbox.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE: Names of new councils as number of councillors to be slashed by more than 200 members

The number of councillors across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will be slashed by more than 200 members under the most significant shake-up in local government in 50 years.

In July, the Labour Government announced Nottinghamshire’s nine councils would be scrapped in favour of two new unitary authorities under its Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans.

Nottingham city’s boundaries will expand to absorb parts of Rushcliffe, Gedling and Broxtowe, while the remaining parts of these neighbouring boroughs will merge with Newark and Sherwood, Ashfield, Mansfield and Bassetlaw to form another, separate authority.

Existing councils had proposed three different options between them following often contentious debates, and it was Nottingham City Council’s plan that was chosen by the Government.

In a letter to councils on Thursday, July 30, Beatrice Andrews, the deputy director for LGR, revealed the two new authorities would be called the Greater Nottingham Council and the Nottinghamshire Council.

The letter says:

“Your councils will remain responsible for services in your areas until they are abolished on April 1, 2028, and will be under a duty to co-operate with each other and with the new councils.

“The Order provides the transitional arrangements, with the core of that being elections to ‘shadow’ councils in 2027 and providing them with preparatory functions, including the preparation of budgets and plans, to enable the assumption of local government functions and powers on April 1, 2028.”

Under the plans, the number of councillors across the city, county and the existing boroughs and districts will be reduced from 408 to 198.

The new councils will have 99 councillors each.

Nottinghamshire Council will include Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, plus five wards from Broxtowe, four wards from Gedling and seven wards from Rushcliffe.

The Greater Nottingham Council will feature Nottingham, plus 15 wards from Broxtowe, 15 wards from Gedling and 17 wards from Rushcliffe.

Elections to the new councils are planned for May 2027.

One Implementation Team will be set up, and officers from all predecessor councils will be included, with the leader of the team being the Head of Paid Service of Nottinghamshire County Council, Adrian Smith.

Mr Smith will be supported by two deputy team leaders, each from a council within each new area.

In the Nottinghamshire unitary, the deputy team leader will be agreed locally from a district in the new unitary area, and for the Greater Nottingham unitary the deputy team leader will be from Nottingham City Council.

Tony McArdle, who acted as one of the Government-appointed commissioners overseeing improvements at Nottingham City Council after it declared what was effectively bankruptcy in 2023, has been appointed as sector advisor, working as an “independent critical friend” during the transition.

Nottinghamshire will be receiving a total of £1.8 million from the Government for transition costs – £900,000 per new council.

This money will help fund early arrangements for children’s and adult social care, cyber security and IT equipment.

Councils have also been promised £150,000 extra per new council to help with social care arrangements in the set-up period, but the Government says the distribution of this has not yet been decided.

Some council leaders are looking at a possible legal review of the process, having raised concerns.

County lines drug dealer who used Harry Potter bag and Airbnb jailed

A county lines drug dealer who established a phone network to flood the streets of Newark with high-purity crack cocaine and heroin has been jailed.

Keanu McKoy was on probation from a previous possession with intent to supply drug charge when he first set up the 'Gus' drugs line from Mitcham, in South London, in October 2024.

Analysis of his personal mobile phone showed McKoy travelled from London to Newark on several occasions via train.

His fledgling criminal enterprise came crashing down when police caught McKoy running from an address in West Bridgford with a Harry Potter-branded bag-for-life, which revealed he was engaged in a different kind of potions class.

The 22-year-old recruited Paris Francis, also aged 22, to help run a new 'Gus 2' line, peddling drugs to the most vulnerable, when the line first became active in January 2025.

Together, they would send out hundreds of mass marketing text messages offering crack cocaine and heroin to a contact list of drug users.

As the police investigation progressed, specialist telecommunications officers established that McKoy brought his personal mobile phone with him alongside the drugs line phone, placing it in his possession on several occasions.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how an Airbnb in Haydn Road, Basford, was at one stage used as a base of operations for their drug dealing enterprise.

On 27 January 2025, Francis travelled to Newark via a taxi booked from the holiday let before more bulk text messages were sent out from the 'Gus 2' phone.

When police executed a warrant to raid the property the next day, they found Kai Wilson inside and recovered a stash of heroin, crack cocaine, and the 'Gus 2' drugs line mobile phone.

As the net closed in on McKoy, officers spotted him leaving an address in Boxley Drive, West Bridgford on 6 February 2025.

He was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of crack cocaine.

During a search, officers found a package of crack cocaine in his trouser pocket, worth thousands of pounds in individual street deals.

McKoy also attempted to dispose of a package containing a cutting agent while the search was being conducted.

At the time of his arrest, McKoy was carrying a Harry Potter-branded bag-for-life, inside which was a broken glass measuring jug covered with a white residue, revealing the dark arts of drug dealing.

Shortly after, Francis was also arrested after he left the same address in Boxley Drive and got into a taxi, which was stopped by police.

Keanu McKoy, formerly of Wolseley Road, Mitcham, pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying Class A drugs when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 27 July.

He was jailed for six years and nine months.

Paris Francis, of Vernon Road, Old Basford, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying Class A drugs when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 27 July.

He was jailed for three years.

Kai Wilson, aged 19, of Thornbury Way, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

He has been remanded on conditional bail and will next appear at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on 21 September.

PC Jack Shephard, of Nottinghamshire Police's county lines team, said:

"This was an illicit operation generating large profits through hundreds of text messages sent to vulnerable drug users.

"Through a coordinated investigation, officers carried out warrants, seizing drugs and cash. Weapons were also recovered, reflecting the violence and intimidation often linked to organised drug supply.

"We have worked closely with Operation Orochi throughout this investigation, the Metropolitan Police's dedicated taskforce to shut down illegal drug supply networks.

"Dismantling county lines activity demands considerable investigative work, but it remains a priority due to the serious impact these networks have on our communities."

Wetherspoons Craft Cider Festival returns to the East Midlands this weekend with pints from £2.99

The chain will be serving up 15 different craft ciders from producers around the UK

Cider lovers across the East Midlands can raise a glass this weekend as Wetherspoons brings back its hugely popular Craft Cider Festival, offering a range of speciality ciders at bargain prices.

The annual festival returns on Friday, July 31, running until August 9, with participating Wetherspoons pubs across the region and beyond serving up 15 different craft ciders from producers around the UK.

Customers in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire will have the chance to sample a wide variety of styles, from traditional apple ciders and perries to fruit-infused favourites packed with tropical, berry and citrus flavours.

With prices ranging from £2.99 to £3.49 a pint, the festival offers an affordable way to try drinks that are not usually available in local pubs.

The line-up includes fruity options such as Hunts Mango & Passionfruit, Pulp Razzberry Rush, Sandford Orchards Blackberry and Broadoak Lemon Haze, alongside more traditional offerings including Harry’s Scrummage, Rich’s Sunset Gold and Gwynt y Ddraig Happy Daze.

ABVs range from a session-friendly 3.4% up to a more robust 7%, meaning there is something to suit every taste.

In a statement, Wetherspoons said: “Whether you’re a traditionalist who likes to stick to a classic apple cider or you have a penchant for something a bit fruitier, you are sure to find an option to tickle your taste buds.”

All festival ciders can be ordered through the Wetherspoons app, where customers can also browse detailed tasting notes for each drink before making their selection.

Most Wetherspoons pubs are expected to take part in the promotion, and East Midlands customers can check the app to confirm whether their nearest branch is participating.

Content courtesy of : https://stuckinthemiddle.co.uk/

Our three interesting facts for today ....

Janis Joplin was voted 'the ugliest boy in school'.

Noel Gallagher once broke Liam Gallagher's foot with a cricket bat.

Pop stars aged between 26 and 35 are ten times more likely to die as the rest of us.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund

Apply for up to £1000 to support your waste initiative in Nottinghamshire.

Veolia Nottinghamshire's Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund is supporting projects in Nottinghamshire to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste.

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund offers funding to groups, schools and charities who are committed to helping Nottinghamshire to think differently about waste.

If you are a not-for-profit organisation in Nottinghamshire (excluding the city of Nottingham) requiring funding to support a new or existing project that helps to inspire others to take a more conscious approach to waste, you can apply for a grant of up to £1000.

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund 2026 is now open: https://www.nottinghamshire.veolia.co.uk/community/reduce-reuse-recycling-fund

Applications close on 14th September 2026.

#Bassetlaw #bassetlawtoday #bassetlawnews #bassetlawnewsletter

Severn Trent doesn’t want to issue hosepipe ban

By: Paul Rogers, LDRS

Pictured: Gareth Mead, Severn Trent (LDRS)

Gareth Mead, from Severn Trent, offers water advice after a drought is officially declared. Video: LDRS

Severn Trent says it doesn’t want to be “killjoys” by issuing a hosepipe ban – but is advising people to use water wisely.

A drought has officially been declared in seven areas of England, including the West Midlands. This, the Environment Agency says, has been brought by a combination of very low rainfall and warm temperatures.

The UK is set to have its driest July on record, which follows the warmest June.

Several water companies have issued temporary hosepipe bans, including Thames Water, South East Water, and Southern Water.

However, Severn Trent – which supplies water to over eight million customers from mid-Wales to Rutland, and from the Humber to the Bristol Channel – said it is not in a position to do likewise.

“We’ve not had a hosepipe ban in our area for 30 years,” said Gareth Mead, river rangers manager at Severn Trent.

“We don’t want to have one and be killjoys and be the Grinch of summer.

“It’s a case of use your water wisely and sparingly. There are areas of concern that are trigger levels, and we’re keeping our eye on an area in Staffordshire.

“The big users of water are things like sprinklers and hosepipes, so we’d ask people not to use them as much.

“It’s simple things. Like stack your dishwasher – make sure it’s full. When you have got surplus water, use it from the sink to water your plants.”

Mr Mead was talking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on the banks of the River Severn in Shrewsbury.

He said climate change is concerning many organisations and industries.

“We’re carefully monitoring it and are constantly reviewing our plans,” said Mr Mead.

“This is our third hot weather period. The river is as low as I’ve seen it, and I’ve been looking at it for a few years.”

Carlton in Lindrick Neighbourhood Plan Review Referendum Set for September 2026

Residents of Carlton in Lindrick will have the opportunity to vote in a referendum on the reviewed Carlton in Lindrick Neighbourhood Plan on Thursday 3 September 2026.

Voters will be asked:

“Do you want Bassetlaw District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Carlton in Lindrick to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area?”

The referendum area covers the entire Carlton in Lindrick Neighbourhood Area and will be conducted using procedures similar to local government elections.

✅ To vote, residents must be eligible to vote in local government elections and have a qualifying address within the referendum area as of 17 August 2026.

📄 Residents can review the Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents online via the Bassetlaw District Council website or in person at council offices in Worksop, Retford, and the Carlton in Lindrick Civic Centre.

The referendum will help determine whether the reviewed Neighbourhood Plan should be used by Bassetlaw District Council when making future planning decisions in the area.

📅 Referendum Date: Thursday 3 September 2026
📍 Area: Carlton in Lindrick Neighbourhood Area
🏛️ Organised by: Bassetlaw District Council

Full details are available at https://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections-in-bassetlaw/elections-2026/neighbourhood-plan-referendums-2026/

Thanks so much for reading our local newsletter and for supporting us. We’re committed to providing Bassetlaw with the quality local news service it deserves, but sustaining this work may come with some challenges. Our team is currently discussing how to make Bassetlaw Today financially viable in the long term, and one option we’re considering is introducing a subscription model to help cover our costs.

We want to be open with you about these conversations so you’re aware that a fee may need to be introduced in the future. If that happens, we hope you’ll continue to stand with us and support the publication.

Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.

Justin Doddy, Editor