My notes from the STC meeting on 16th June 2021

Since STC has forbidden recording of meetings, and minutes of meetings often do not fully reflect what was going on at the meeting – I will try to publish reports from my point of view. It seems to me that it would be much easier to write such articles if the STC would permit me to make audio recordings. My fault for not thinking of this before. This report is written from memory and notes made at meeting but since I’m trying to actively participate in discussions I don’t always have time to note down everything that is going on.

If you think that these types of articles are boring and not worth reading – you are… right. Most of the time council meetings are nothing to write home about (maybe with some exceptions if you catch my drift). Yet, from time to time, decisions that are made at these meetings have far-reaching consequences that directly affect your life. So if you want to stay informed about our town situation- don’t forget to follow S247 fan page on Facebook- we post a link to each new article on our website.

2021/039 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE

The very first item on the agenda brought a surprise – for the first time since I can remember, all Labour Party councillors turned up at the meeting. I suspect that my articles showing how neglectful some Labour Party councillors have been of their duties over the last two years has been a mobilising factor for them: this is the first evidence of what a good thing an active and effective opposition is in a democracy. Until 6 May 2021 there was NO opposition in STC but now, finally, for the first time in many years, someone will hold Labour Party to account.

2021/040 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

If at a meeting something is discussed in which a councillor has a direct interest – such councillor must declare it at that moment and when the moment of discussing the matter comes: the councillor must leave the room. Also, he/she has no right to vote as long as the matter is resolved by voting.

2021/041 TO DISCUSS ANY POLICE MATTERS AND DECIDE ANY ISSUES FOR REPORT

For a while, there was a discussion about the latest report based on data from the www.police.uk website. This discussion is always sterile and does not change anything, so I will not write about it. After the meeting, I updated my spreadsheet with crime stats. Sadly- we looking at another record-breaking year in crime stats…

After this discussion, it was time for an update on CCTV, and here I have to write a bit more.

Cllr Brian Murray-Carr, who is in charge of the project, tries to push the project at every meeting and while it is often the case that the discussion turns into something that does not progress the topic it looks like Cllr Brian Murray-Carr is nevertheless one step closer to completing the project. What interesting- at some point Cllr Brian Murray-Carr proposed to call STC meeting about CCTV issue only- something similar to my proposition to create Crime Prevention Committee (both proposals has not even been discussed). It seems that some Labour councillors are concerned about crime like me but the majority of councillors prefer to… do nothing about it.

Now a bit of a digression: one of my first meetings as a councillor was with the Chief of Shirebrook Police Station Sgt Mark Church. This meeting was like a bucket of cold water (mainly due to the fact how small their numbers are in comparison to an area they have to take care of). The police support the project of building a CCTV network and if money is found, they will gratefully accept the link to the camera image, but it is known in advance that neither the police nor the STC has the resources to cover the cost of an employee who would sit and constantly watch the images from the cameras. So the cameras will act as a deterrent and can serve as a source of evidence but are likely to have little impact on overall crime in the city. Two cameras without constant supervision are just not enough. But I have to underline that- it’s a start on which we have to build on in future.

Hence my idea: instead of building one CCTV network, maybe we could get along with other councils. Each parish council builds a network of cameras at its own expense, but the images from them go to one room with someone looking into them and reacting live if something happens that the police could stop. These councils could share the operating cost. I presented this idea at the meeting but it was quickly dismissed. I have therefore decided to personally investigate how South Normanton, Clowne and Bolsover councillors feel about the idea. I will try to report on this at the STC meeting, and also on S247.

Back to the topic of crime in Shirebrook. Sadly, the crime rate in Shirebrook continues to rise but in May 2021 the Labor Party’s Police and Crime Commissioner lost the election and Angelique Foster from Conservative Party won this position, giving us hope for changes. The councillors decided to send her a letter inviting her to the STC meeting.

2021/042 TO PERMIT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

In this part of the meeting, residents can ask councillors questions. As no resident showed up, this point was omitted.

2021/043 TO RECEIVE PRESENTATION FROM BOLSOVER DC REPRESENTATIVE RELATING TO THEIR P.A.L.S. PLAN

Bit of shocking stats about people living in Bolsover District Council (us):

• life expectancy for male and female remains below the national average by whopping 5.8 years for males and 4.8 years for male
• self-harm and alcohol harm is higher than the national average
• shocking 70%(!!!) of the population is classed as having excess weight
• average physical activity of Bolsover District resident is about 10% lower than the national average

Someone decided to try to change that situation. Representatives of this project came to the meeting to present it and encourage councillors to advertise it among residents. Below few sentences from the advertising leaflet and then a few words about how I see it.

P.A.L.S. (Physical Activity and Lifestyle Support) bring together different agencies and services to support individuals and families in their households and within their lives. It helps to assess their needs, unpick situations, and provide consistent support in an effort to improve their lifestyle and become more physically active. In other words: different government agencies pulled resources and trying to help people overcome barriers in order to change their lifestyle.

My take: if you lead an unhealthy lifestyle and you want to change it but there is something that stopping you, PALS have people who can help you make that change happened. Are you fat and want to drop your weight but you fail every time you try? PALS have people who can determine and help to eliminate obstacles. Are you depressed, don’t know how to deal with it and there is no one that you feel comfortable talking about it? PALS people know what to do to bring light back to your life. Do you struggle to overcome some obstacles to get fit? PALS can help. In short, PALS can help you be healthier, live longer and be happier.

More information about the programme is available at your local GP surgery.

2021/044 APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HAVING BEEN HELD 24TH MARCH 2021

Minutes were approved.

2021/045 TO REVIEW AND APPROVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Cashbook entries were approved, bank reconciliation reviewed and application for financial assistance considered. I could write a lot details here but since I dont have audio recording- all of this info is gone. I just dont want to write something I can’t confirm.

I received a copy of cash book entries so I have another piece of a very disturbing puzzle- I bet many of my readers would love to see this document. Some of the entries in the cash book are… bonkers. Those who run businesses and know “this and that” about cash flow would have a laugh. The worst part is that there are currently many Covid payments disrupting usual council activities, so the financial picture is very different from what it would be in a normal time. I think I know how to overcome this problem, but I’m going to need more time than I thought to complete an article on the reason for such high town expenses. One thing I am sure of- since the Labour Party reacted with such fury at the mere mention of this problem: there is something in it. I just have to dig deeper.

2021/046 TO CONSIDER RESPONSES AS NECESSARY TO LISTED CORRESPONDENCE

There were two letters from residents to STC. One allotment request and one about football fees (football team paid STC for the right to use football pitch in 2020 but because of pandemic they didn’t use it at all and asked if 2020 payment could be “moved” to 2021- STC voted to do that unanimously).

2021/047 TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND REVIEW PLANNING DECISIONS

For me, this is the weirdest element of being a councillor. How I can decide about some building project without any construction knowledge? I have never been to these sites, I don’t know what neighbours think about it and how it will affect them. This is one of those things in which I would love to receive training. I abstain from all voting but I will try to educate myself more in that subject so in future I can make more informed decisions.

2021/048 TO RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM TOWN CLERK

This is why I want to record meetings. I don’t remember any information. The meeting was couple of days ago and I already don’t remember what was discussed at this point. How I can inform my readers and voters about it if I cant go back to recordings?

2021/049 TO RECEIVE CHAIRMAN COMMUNICATIONS

a/ updates from previous meetings

b/ other items for discussion

As to point A- same as above: don’t remember anything. As to point B: I raised the issue of overgrown hedges at Common Lane and right after that… well… hell broke loose. You can read all about it in the previous article.

2021/050 EXEMPT ITEMS

This part is closed for the public and I’m not allowed to inform anyone about details discussed at this part of the meeting. Fun fact- you can read about discussed topics in the agenda published on the STC website. You won’t know the details but you can know what was discussed.

END OF MEETING

Sylwester Zwierzynski info@shirebrook247.com

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