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Joe Locker

@joelocker96.bsky.social

194 followers 92 following 47 posts

Local Democracy Reporter at Notts TV.

Posts Replies Media

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Tomorrow, we'll be joining Nottinghamshire Live, which now holds the LDRS contract. I hope you'll stick around for the next chapter of our journey, during which we'll strive to keep bringing you impactful journalism that matters to you. X

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

💙 Today was our last day at Notts TV 💙 Notts TV, and the wonderful humans behind it, are a credit to the world of journalism. It fostered an environment of growth, individuality & family that allowed the LDRS to flourish. It'll forever hold a place in my heart. #LDReporter

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Nottingham councillor AJ Matsiko has quit the Labour Party to sit as an independent – saying the group leadership had abandoned its ‘core principles’. He becomes the third to quit Labour in the city since 2023. nottstv.com/nottingham-c...

Nottingham councillor resigns from Labour Party over ‘abandonment of core principles’ – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

NEW: Government housing agency Homes England has agreed to purchase the former Broadmarsh shopping centre site. Full story below 👇 #LDReporter nottstv.com/government-h...

Government housing agency Homes England agrees to buy former Broadmarsh site – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

💰More than £18m was spent on temporary agency workers to fill gaps in Nottingham City Council's workforce last year. 🎓Opposition cllr Andrew Rule suggested better working with the 2 universities to fill gaps w/graduates. Thoughts? #LDReporter nottstv.com/nottingham-c...

Nottingham City Council spent £18m on agency staff to fill gaps in workforce – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

The Labour Party has sent in an improvement team to oversee Nottingham City Council's ruling Labour Group. It comes amid continued unease over the appointment of commissioners and how the council's leadership was chosen. nottstv.com/labour-party...

Labour Party sends ‘improvement team’ in to monitor Nottingham council’s ruling group – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

The Government has promised reform in the sector to tackle these issues. Reform includes giving Ofsted extra powers to issue private providers, including unregistered homes, with civil fines to “deter unscrupulous behaviour”.

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

I've been told by the council the number of children placed in these settings has been reduced from 15 in July last year to under five as of recently.

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Children in care and care leavers campaigner Terry Galloway tells me: "These children are some of the most vulnerable in society. The only way this will change is if we get the right people in the room to problem solve the sufficiency issues councils like Nottingham experience."

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Unregistered children's homes are illegal, but councils are using them more than ever amid a shortage of placements. I submitted an FOI to find out how much Nottm City Council spends on these homes: £15 million in 3 years. nottstv.com/nottingham-c...

Nottingham City Council spending millions placing vulnerable children in unregistered homes – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

🏗NEW: New documents show the continued demolition of the former Broadmarsh Centre will cost almost £30m in total - and is expected to begin in July this year. #LDReporter

Demolition of Broadmarsh will cost almost £30m and expected to begin in July – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Nottingham hospitals trust’s £1.6m fine will never bring back the babies who died after failings in maternity care – but means their voices have been "firmly heard", a family has said. #LDReporter

Nottingham hospital trust’s £1.6m fine ‘doesn’t bring back’ babies who died after failings in maternity care – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

'We will never forgive any of you' Parents told a court today their lives feel empty and their families incomplete after babies died because of “serious and systemic” failures in maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals. #LDReporter

‘We will never forgive any of you’: Families speak as NHS trust pleads guilty in baby deaths case – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis has stepped down from his role on Nottingham City Council's cabinet, as lead for adult social care & health. He tells me 'the time was right to explore other opportunities outside the council'. nottstv.com/nottingham-c...

Nottingham councillor quits as health lead after nine months – Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

It's open now. Not sure what's happening next following the trial

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

NEW: A new taxi rank location is being trialled in Carrington Street from February. You may recall taxi drivers saying they wanted to return to Carrington Street when EMR temporarily closed the footbridge. Thoughts? #LDReporter

Reposted by Joe Locker

Notts TV @nottstv.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Cash to demolish the remaining sections will be released in March.

New Broadmarsh plans to be unveiled by March as commitment made against student accommodation | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Nottingham's council tax will rise by 4.99% from April. I've worked out Band A properties will pay roughly £84 more than current £1,686.46, Band B will pay ~£98 more than current £1,967.54 & Band D will pay ~£126 more than last year's £2,529.69. #LDReporter

Council tax for Nottingham residents will rise by five per cent from April | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

A regulator has found "serious failings" in the quality & management of Nottingham's council homes. I went out to speak to tenants in Clifton, who have been left to live in flats plagued with rot and mould. They want action. #LDReporter

Tenants describe living in ‘neglected’ council homes after serious failings found by regulator | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Nottingham City Council is continuing to use unregistered children's homes due to a shortage of foster carers & residential vacancies. I'm told the council has reduced children in them from 15 to below 5. Cllr Georgia Power said: “It is a small number, but the impact on their life is huge."

Nottingham City Council still using unregistered children’s homes amid shortage of suitable care | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Cheers for sharing, Ben.

Reposted by Joe Locker

Ben Gray @cllxben.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Great article from @joelocker96.bsky.social bringing some light onto the devolution plans for Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe and the county council still seem very tight lipped on the proposals, perhaps keeping their powder dry for the county council elections westbridgfordwire.com/devolution-b...

westbridgfordwire.com

Devolution: Boundary changes could merge Rushcliffe with Nottingham city in 'key opportunity' | West Bridgford Wire

The Labour Government’s English Devolution White Paper, published in December, outlines a plan to create new, bigger, combined councils, instead of ‘two-tier’

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Council has again made an application for Exceptional Financial Support (permission to use asset sales to pay for day-to-day costs). £25m for 25/26, and £10m in 26/27, with expectation council will set balanced budget by 27/28. More to follow. #LDReporter

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

🚨NEW: Vastly improved budget position for Nottingham City Council, according to new documents. Budget gap for 25/26 down from £69m to £23.4m after savings applied. Cumulative gap down from £172m to £56.8m up to 28/29. Cont...

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Reposted by Joe Locker

Notts TV @nottstv.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Both councils said they’d already made changes following widespread controversy this week.

Nottinghamshire recommendations from child sexual abuse inquiry have already been enacted, city and county councils say | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

NEW: Visitors to Wollaton Hall and its Natural History Museum are to be charged an entrance fee under new plans. The grounds will remain free to enter. #LDReporter

Visitors to be charged to enter Wollaton Hall and museum | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Last night's spectacle. The Moon ft. Venus.

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Reposted by Joe Locker

Notts TV @nottstv.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

“The average man on the street doesn’t know about Games Workshop. But those who do, love it and spend a lot of money on it.” How a #Nottingham company quietly stormed into FTSE 100.

‘Nottingham is the Silicon Valley for war games’: How successful but secretive Games Workshop spawned a powerful industry | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Yes! nottstv.com/twenty-counc...

Twenty councillors resign from Labour over claims party has ‘betrayed’ working class people | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

✍️Twenty Broxtowe councillors quit Labour today in protest over the party's direction under Starmer. They're now the 'Broxtowe Independents' - but the name has upset 5 other councillors who - days ago - launched their own 'Broxtowe Independent Group'. Big ripples indeed. #LDReporter

Twenty councillors resign from Labour over claims party has ‘betrayed’ working class people | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

🚨BREAKING: 20 Broxtowe Borough councillors, including leader Cllr Milan Radulovic, have resigned from the Labour Party to stand as independents under the Broxtowe Independents group due to unhappiness w/ national and regional party. #LDReporter

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

NEW: Homelessness charity Framework may need to cut 25 jobs, inc specialist social workers for rough sleepers and clinical psychologists, after the Labour Govt's budget added £1.8m to its annual running costs. #LDReporter Read more ⬇️

Homelessness charity expecting to cut jobs and support as Government budget adds £1.8m to costs | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Reposted by Joe Locker

Notts TV @nottstv.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Nottingham City Council could sell its Loxley House headquarters as part of the authority’s plans to cut down its ‘flabbergasting’ costs.

City Council could sell Loxley House HQ over ‘flabbergasting’ utility bills | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

FYI: Public consultation over Nottingham City Council's proposed budget savings/cuts launched yesterday. Still a £4m black hole this year to fill, and £69m next year. Waiting to see how the Govt settlement tomorrow impacts this. #LDReporter

Nottingham City Council starts public consultation over £16m in cuts | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Indeed. Spoken with DfE but they've been silent ever since. Will press this week

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

🚨 A truly sobering first report from Nottingham City Council's commissioners The council would have to hike tax by 46% - or get a 70% boost in govt funding - to carry on operating as is. #LDReporter

Nottingham City Council would need to raise tax by almost 50 per cent to carry on operating as it is, commissioners say | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Nottingham City Council has announced it has bid for £3.4m in funding from the East Midlands Combined County Authority to help pay for further demolition of the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre. A formal decision will be made next Monday at an EMCCA meeting. #LDReporter

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

🚨NEW: Nottingham City Council has proposed raft of savings totalling £17.9m for 2025/26: 💰 "Streamlining" staffing 💰 Running museums service, inc castle, under charitable trust 💰 Reviewing all adult social care packages nottstv.com/millions-of-... #LDReporter

Millions of pounds in savings planned by Nottingham City Council in bid to balance budget | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Nottingham City Council is planning to slash all subsidies to community centres by £600,000 by April next year. The plans led to significant unrest at a council meeting yday, as some community leaders fear they will be left with huge costs. #LDReporter

Unrest at Nottingham council meeting amid planned cuts to community centre funding | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

We're *very* packed-out here at Loxley House for today's scrutiny committee meeting. No decisions are being made, but cllrs will be discussing the libraries consultation and community centre proposals. More to follow. #LDReporter

Reposted by Joe Locker

West Bridgford Wire News @westbridgfordwire.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

westbridgfordwire.com/former-sheri... “I intend to continue to work with campaigners, fellow councillors, and others to save what public services we can.”

westbridgfordwire.com

Former Sheriff of Nottingham quits Labour Party | West Bridgford Wire

A former Sheriff of Nottingham has resigned from the Labour Party after being sanctioned earlier this year for voting against what she describes as

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

🚨BREAKING: Former Sheriff of Nottingham Cllr Shuguftah Quddoos has resigned from the Labour Party. "If I cannot speak up without being sanctioned, I cannot remain," she says, resigning shortly before Nottingham City Council's next budget round. #LDReporter

‘If I cannot speak up without being sanctioned, I cannot remain’: Former Sheriff of Nottingham quits Labour Party | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Interesting discussion this!

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Rushcliffe Borough Council decided to hike fees for #NFFC after it hosted the Take That gig in May - because event planning "cost the council money." But how much, exactly? I've now found out it was £3k. Good value? #LDReporter

Council backs £3,000 spend on preparations for Take That concert at City Ground | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

"This has been a dream for some of our members for getting on 50 years" Fantastic day having a look inside the new Planetarium & Science Centre at @sherwoodobs.bsky.social. It is now open to the public ⬇️

‘It has been a dream for 50 years’: Old Victorian reservoir opens as new £6.8m planetarium | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

No, he won't! Cllr Smith has got it

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

NEW: Can confirm Cllr Sam Smith has been chosen by the Nottinghamshire Conservative Group to sit as leader of the County Council. More to come. #LDReporter

Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Three cabinet members have now tabled their leadership bids for Nottinghamshire County Council. Story via BBC News ⬇️ #LDReporter

Nottinghamshire: Candidates confirmed for council leader role

Two cabinet members say they want to replace Ben Bradley when he steps down.

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Joe Locker @joelocker96.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Thanks for sharing!

Reposted by Joe Locker

adampickering.bsky.social @adampickering.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

A great report for Notts TV on this too by @joelocker96.bsky.social... nottstv.com/nottingham-c...

Nottingham City Council ‘standing by’ carbon neutral 2028 goal | Notts TV News | The heart of Nottingham news coverage for Notts TV