Shirebrook Crematorium[edited]
The residents of Shirebrook were again surprised by the transparency with which local government operates.
This time, we were blind-sided by the Labour-led Bolsover District Council and their decision to build a crematorium at Shirebrook cemetery. This multimillion investment was so “widely anticipated” that neither “The Post” nor “InTouch” reported on it. EDIT: few hours after publishing this article, one of the readers of S247 pointed to me that “InTouch” indeed mentioned the building of the crematorium in Shirebrook. On page 5. In literally 6 words containing 40 characters, I quote: “(…)building a new crematorium in Shirebrook.” That’s was all. I think I have more than that for my readers…
BIG MONEY COMING TO SHIREBROOK
Some time ago, at one of the STC meetings, some councillor mentioned it. In few words, he revealed that this investment would be a fantastic opportunity for our town and it will cost several million pounds. I don’t remember the exact amount mentioned by this councillor (I will add an edit when I found out the exact cost). As you will see below- it looks like this councillor broke the Local Government Act by talking about the details of the exempt item from the BDC Executive Committee meeting. Typical socialist “rule for thee, but not for me”? In fact, it was a digression from some other topic, and I did not attach much importance to it because, from what I concluded then – they were just plans. This councillor also mentioned that STC would provide land. Capital will come entirely from BDC, and both authorities will share income. Allegedly.
NO NEED FOR YOU TO KNOW ANYTHING (Labour Party motto?)
I tried to learn more about this crematorium, but as usual- only the “Labour Party” family and insiders knows the details. They are not keen to share this knowledge with residents or me (apart of a councillor who broke the BDC “exempt” clause at the STC meeting). Normal STC/BDC modus operandi. At this point in my councillor “career”, I know that if I ask any questions- the Labour councillors won’t reply to my e-mail. They ignore them all. So I tried to research this issue on my own.
The first thing I found was “Shirebrook Crematorium. Report of the Portfolio Holder – Economic Development”, published on 27th July 2020. What did I learn from this document? The first and most important thing that stands out for me was the statement that (quote)there is no need for a wider public consultation (end quote). Who cares, right? It’s only taxpayer money, used to build something on taxpayer land. We, the plebs, are here to pay for Labour initiatives, not to be involved in decision-making or even the scrutiny process.
What else have I learned? The proposed site for the crematorium would be on land owned by Shirebrook Town Council adjacent to the existing cemetery.
Document mention as well that in our area there is significant demand for this kind of service. Usually, the nearest provider of this type of service should be no further than a 30-minute drive away. As far as I remember- the closest crematorium is in Mansfield and Chesterfield. Significant distance to those towns from most parts of Bolsover District creates a “business” opportunity and a big chance that the scheme will be economically viable. Apart from these few interesting facts, the document is the usual bureaucratic blah blah blah. If you are a hardcore fan of local government document reading, you can read this document here: https://committees.bolsover.gov.uk/documents/s7049/Shirebrook%20Crematorium%20report.pdf
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NOT NEED TO KNOW
I was not satisfied with my research. So I started to comb horrible BDC website. Let me tell you: if you have a nice life and for some reason, you want to feel miserable for a moment- try to find something on the BDC website. This website reminds me 2021 Labour Party conference- a complete shit show. I know that usually S247 focus on our local issues, but I will publish a separate article about the last Labour Party conference. I think Labour voters should know what is going on in the party they vote for. Ah, those trans “women” calling everybody transphobes; vice-Chair telling “white man” to shut up; those 20 something-year-old activists shouting that we need to destroy UK energy-generating capabilities “for the Earth and workers”; those super important, kitchen table issues like who can have a cervix and how much transphobic is to say that man can’t have a cervix, or wide discussion how much training Labour activist must undertake to learn that Jew-hating is bad…
Anyway- after some time, I came across something that made me excited: “Crematorium – Feasibility Report and Design Proposals.” Uuuu- I thought to myself- design proposal. I would love to show that to my readers. I clicked link aaaaand:
Anticipated restriction: Fully exempt (fancy, bureaucratic word for secret)
To paraphrase the globalist motto: “You will know nothing, and you will be happy about it”. If you want to see it for yourself, brace for the impact of the most horrible website in the world here: https://committees.bolsover.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=7820&Opt=0
DECISION WAS MADE
At last, I found a page with details of the decision. Not many details but… something. It was decided at the Executive Committee meeting on 06/09/2021, so not long ago. What was the decision?
Decision status: Approved
You can read all details here: https://committees.bolsover.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=393
So Labour Party councillors sat on this for almost a month. Then, somehow, someone on Facebook found out about it and started to ask questions. I think someone posted some article screenshot, but I can’t find it now (EDIT: as I edited above: it was in InTouch). I honestly admit that I felt stupid. People that I represent know more than I do. As a councillor, I should know all about it. I should be able to explain all the misconceptions, but… reading the conversation of the residents, I realised that once again, Labor had hidden something from us. Efficiently. I also put a fair share of blame on STC and BDC staff- we, councillors, should be informed about that decision soon after it was made. It’s good news for God sake- why not advertise it?!
Unfortunately, I cannot explain anything more than what I found on the internet and showed you above. I know you are expecting more from me, but this time, unfortunately, I was unable to sniff out the matter before it became public. I’m still learning, and since my focus is entirely on STC- they went under my radar at the BDC level. Maybe I should try harder to get into BDC?
IT’S A GOOD NEWS, BUT…
Don’t get me wrong- it’s a piece of good news for Shirebrook. A crematorium is a non-invasive investment, and it’s far away from residential areas. It should bring few extra jobs, some income and visitors to the town. Yet, we should again criticise Labour for their lack of communication skills and low investment so far. Since I have lived here, BDC has not spent a pound in Shirebrook, and residents have slowly started to see the town is being treated as a “cash cow”. Shirebrook residents hold 3 of the eight seats on the Executive Committee. The BDC leader is also a resident of our town. Until now, these people have used their power to increase the political influence of the Labour Party outside our town. Instead of focusing on our town, they used Shirebrook money and political power to further the Labour Party’s interest. We have effects of that in highest crime, highest council wages spending, highest council costs, and highest taxes in District. Today, for the first time in years, they did something for their town. Why?
WHY NOW?
Well – I very much hope that my actions have made them realise that you cannot continually betray your cradle and expect people to forgive you just because you are Labour. For the first time in Shirebrook’s council history, residents elected a Conservative Party representative. This was a wake-up call for Labour Party. They realised they went too far in betraying their town, and they needed to do something to get voters back. Unfortunately, since real work on spending and crime is too complicated for them- they will try to “buy” votes in the next election with taxpayer investment. That’s why I suspect the opening of the new crematorium will coincide with the next local election (few months before just to give them time to milk it, make nice photos, report first earnings etc.)
Labour tried to bribe the residents of Clowne by funding their swimming pool and covering the entire running costs of their Leisure Centre. Will, the people of Shirebrook let themselves be bought by the Crematorium?
We will see in 2023.
Sylwester Zwierzynski info@shirebrooknews.com
Lead picture: Neil Chappell from Pixabay.com
