Not on agenda!
As usual, the agenda items proposed by me were not on the agenda of the Full STC meeting. Even without them, the meeting lasted two hours and thirty minutes, which once again confirms that the STC should convene meetings more often.
I have included some excerpts from the audio recording to make the article more interesting. Without further ado: the following is a report from the Full STC meeting on day 16.06.2022. The first controversies will arise as soon as the meeting starts.
2022/038 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE.
One councillor was absent.
2022/039 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS.
Interest declared, and councillors left when appropriate.
At this point, I decided to step in.
POINT OF ORDER
Dictionary definition “point of order”: a query in a formal debate or meeting as to whether a correct procedure is being followed.
I believe that the STC does not follow the procedure of registering rejected items proposed for the Agenda. The agenda items I proposed were again not on the Agenda. So I decided to use the STC’s Standing Orders law to see if I could force the STC to reveal why Town Clerk did not include my proposed items. A councillor has the right to intervene in a meeting with the aforementioned “Point of Order” at any time during the meeting if they feel that procedure is not being followed.
The procedure is not followed because the Town Clerk, in accordance with “Section 9 subsection h”, should register rejected proposals in the file and indicate the reason for rejection. I just wanted to know why my proposals to the Agenda were denied for the third time without explaining the reasons. Here is the audio recording and the transcript of the conversation:
Transcript:
Councillor Sylwester Zwierzynski: Section 9 subsection h (of Standing Orders) states that motion rejected should be recorded with an explanation…
Chair of STC, Chris Kane: Got it.
Cllr SZ: and I want to talk…
Chair CK: moving on then to next…
Cllr SZ: no, you have to tell do you refuse…
Chair CK: I not refuse any, you got your Agenda, you know what’s on Agenda, you know what you talking about. It will be discussed.
Cllr SZ: No its not on Agenda. How it will be discussed when my items, I proposed are not on Agenda?
Chair CK: They are on Agenda.
Cllr SZ: No! They are not. I send you e-mail…
Chair CK: Moving on then to the next item, we will discuss any police matters….
END
I proposed three points: I wanted it explained to councillors why someone had signed documents “on behalf of STC” without informing STC councillors; I tried to discuss AMP’s bills for heating STC buildings (mainly, I wanted to ask what the quantity on AMP’s bills was and obtain permission to inspect heating device and note meter readings – more on that in a moment) and I wanted to present my ideas for tackling crime in our town (You can read the exact wording of the points I have proposed in one of the previous articles entitled “Put it on the agenda!”).
Here’s a link to the Agenda for this meeting and a competition with prizes: I’ll pay £1,000 to any reader who finds the points I’ve suggested in this Agenda! Chris Kane claims they are there. Is he right, or is he lying? Check it out!
https://www.shirebrooktowncouncil.gov.uk/uploads/fc-2022-06-15-agenda.pdf
For your convenience, the screenshot below shows what the agenda item proposed at a past meeting by the Labor Party councillor looks like:
Double standards at their best. Labour councillor proposed item for discussion? No problem- it’s there. Conservative councillor proposed item? No way, Toryboy! This is the Labour-led council: we don’t care about law and democratic procedures here!
The Chair not only ignored the Point of Order but also failed to give a reason for rejecting my proposals and failed to allow the relevant record to be on file. What more could I have done? I do not know. I did everything legally, but Labour is so scared to talk about some issues that they are ready to break the Standing Orders to avoid it. There is not much more I can do. If there had been one more Conservative or Independent councillor in the room, we could have called an emergency meeting, and the Chair would not have been able to block the discussion.
So you will not know, dear readers, why someone is signing documents on my behalf without informing me. There will be no new programme on residents’ safety. There will be no answers to the questions in the AMP scandal. For now. I didn’t give up yet.
Let me quote Chair’s favourite words: “Moving on then…”
2022/040 TO DISCUSS ANY POLICE MATTERS AND DECIDE ANY ISSUES FOR REPORT. CRIME FIGURES ARE ATTACHED FOR INFORMATION – (PAGES 1-4).
At this point, the conversation is usually the same at every meeting. This time, however, something new happened. First of all: I went to the “Cuppa with Copper” meeting. I went not to complain to the police but to ask what I, as a councilman, could do to help the Shirebrook police. What could we, as STC councillors, do to help the police?
The policemen did not answer the first question. Instead, one of the police officers took my business card and promised that if he came up with something, he would let me know. It seems to me that I surprised them with this question – so far, the only thing they hear from the STC is constantly complaining that the police are weak and ineffective. A councilman who bothered to ask how to help? I assume it’s unprecedented.
As to the second question, all police officers agreed: improve communication between Town Hall and the police. One police officer stated that he had not received a response to the e-mails he sent to Town Hall.
This is a separate issue I need to mention– during my work, I have noticed with the Town Clerk that sometimes e-mails that I send to enquires@shirebrook.gov.uk do not make it into the Town Hall mailbox. E-mails don’t appear in the mailbox even though they are properly sent, and they don’t return to the sender (me) with a “not delivered” notation. Town Clerk has agreed to a rather unusual solution – whenever she receives an e-mail from me, she will write back something like “I got it” and send the real reply later, at her convenience.
This way – if I don’t receive an “I got it”, I will know that my e-mail did not reach the addressee. The situation with the “ignored” FOI should not happen again (the FOI was not ignored – it just didn’t appear in the “received” box at Town Hall). So I am still waiting for the FOI.
The second point raised about the police: the Sergeant in charge of the Shirebrook police station contacted the Town Clerk directly to renew, improve and discuss communication channels and cooperation, which had noticeably changed for the worse during the pandemic. According to statistics, crime has recently started to fall, but we are still far from an acceptable state.
2022/041 TO PERMIT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD. A PERIOD OF UP TO BUT NO LONGER THAN TEN MINUTES TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS AND OPINIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON ANY MATTER WHICH AFFECTS THE TOWN.
Two residents appeared at the meeting. I will not describe the details of the issues raised by them as I think they are too sensitive and are still ongoing. Yes- they made it public by coming to the public meeting, but I’m not feeling comfortable talking about them. However, I would like to show readers how the Chair and Labour councillors reacted when, after this item of business was concluded, I approached a resident in a discreet, quiet and non-obtrusive way to offer my advice and assistance.
Going to the resident, I took my laptop with me to show the resident where to go to push the issue forward. To avoid disturbing the other councillors, I spoke in a whisper – you can hear it clearly on the recording. How did Labour react when a Conservative Party councillor moved out of his Chair to offer his help to a resident? Let’s hear it (I tried to cut the resident’s voice from the audio recording, but Chris Kane was shouting on like a madman and his voice sometimes overlapped with the resident’s):
The Chair threatened to throw me out of the meeting. For what? For showing actual interest in the resident issue. I helped several residents in my first year as a councillor, and I never write about it- those cases are always sensitive, personal, and delicate. In addition- Labour councillors countless times spoke with residents outside “PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD”, and STC Chair never threatened them and not even paid attention to it. I did it once, and this is how he reacted? Why?
I want to appeal once again to the resident: please, file a complaint. In every organisation, there are black sheep and shortcomings in procedures. Your story is horrifying, and if you give up halfway – evil will win. Be strong, don’t give up. The site I’ve shown you is straightforward to use. If you do what I’ve suggested, you will not only bring your case closer to a satisfactory resolution but maybe help prevent similar situations in the future. Do you think that you giving up will improve the situation in any way? You have come this far with this problem, and you have decided to give up literally at the door of the last instance that could help you. I think this will only encourage those who benefit from your problems.
I gave you my business card. Try me. What do you have to lose?
The story of the second resident was different, but also depressing. I can summarise it the same way- don’t give up and if everything fails- try me. You got my card. Use it.
2022/042 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HAVING BEEN HELD 20TH APRIL 2022 – (PAGES 16-18)
Approved.
2022/043 TO REVIEW AND APPROVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION
a. TO AUTHORISE CASH BOOK ENTRIES SINCE PREVIOUS MEETING
b. TO ADDRESS QUERIES ARISING FROM THE CASH BOOK.
As usual, I had a whole series of questions here. I won’t go into detail about each of them and focus on those most important from my point of view.
Recently, I have noticed a lot of payments into the STC account for allotments. In my opinion, growing your vegetables in times of rising prices can help you save money on food. It is also an awesome hobby. So I asked if there were any free allotments left. The Town Clerk said there were “a few spare” left. I know it’s late to be planting any serious crops. Still, if you are interested in growing your vegetables- you can sow carrots, parsley, radishes, lettuce and many other vegetables through the summer.
Plus- taking an allotment today can give you enough time to prepare your piece of land for a more serious crop next year. Fees for STC allotments are very affordable, and from what the Town Clerk says- there are only a few left, so if you’ve been thinking about it- get moving before it’s too late.
I also asked about the unusual insurance payment. I received an answer. When I tried to move on to another payment of interest to me, one of the councillors interrupted me. Let’s hear it:
Allow me, dear reader, to answer the councillor. Dear Councillor! One of OUR responsibilities is to look at the hands that spend taxpayer’s money. By doing this carefully, I have noticed something wrong with the heating payments. 3000 for heating in July while we paid 2800 in January and February together? On the top-up heating system? Hmmm…
I also asked about another AMP Heating payment. This was to be my point on the Agenda. Chair countered that we would talk about it in a bit. I relented. About that in a moment.
c. TO REVIEW BANK RECONCILIATION/S FOR CASH BOOK PERIOD – (PAGES 27-28)
Approved.
d. TO CONSIDER AND DECIDE APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
i. RHUBARB FARM – SUPPORT FOR THE LANGWITH SHOW.
From what I have understood, Section 137 Grant is usually only given to organisations operating within the authority. Rhubarb Farm is not in the STC. Hence my surprise when I saw their application in the documents. However, I voted in favour of the grant as Rhubarb Farm made it to help pay for the Shirebrook Brass Band to perform at an event they organised. So, the money will stay in Shirebrook anyway. Attached to the meeting documents was the programme for the event – it looked fascinating, and I would urge you to visit their website to find out more. The event is scheduled for 3rd September, so there will be more information on this later.
Unfortunately, at the moment there is much less information on their website than was attached to the Section 137 grant application (there is still a lot of time left before the event, so I guess more information will appear closer to the date). Page here:
https://www.rhubarbfarm.co.uk/latest-news
For more information, download the Show Schedule.
2022/044 TO CONSIDER RESPONSES AS NECESSARY TO LISTED CORRESPONDENCE.
a. BOLSOVER DC – ARRON JOHNSON – DIGITAL SCREENS / ADVERTISING.
Information about a digital screen being installed which will be used to advertise local businesses for free. If you are interested in advertising on it, call 01246 242 323 or e-mail scott.chambers@bolsover.gov.uk
b. BOLSOVER DC – CAROLYN BOWEN – ASB ROADSHOW.
19th July; 10am-1pm on Market Square an ASB Roadshow will be held. Residents will have the opportunity to meet and talk to officers from BDC, Police, Fire Service and other organisations. There is very little time to advertise the event (I am writing this on a Wednesday, the event is on a Sunday, and the article will be published on the Monday after the event).
c. RETHINK – ART AND CAFÉ GROUP AT VILLAGE HALL.
The mental support group invites all with mental health issues and those who feel isolated in Shirebrook for meetings at Village Hall. More details at www.rethink.org
d. ASTCO – CLOTHING BANK.
The Clothing bank wanted to set up a container for the collection of clothes, but I did not sense any enthusiasm for this idea as it would create competition with local charity shops and, in addition, STC has had very unpleasant experiences with this type of installations (fly-tipping, arson, ASB).
e. JEREMY FLINT – APPRECIATION OF TOWN PARK.
A resident expressed his satisfaction with the recent Town Park beautification work.
f. FUTURE AIRSPACE EMA – AIRSPACE MODERNISATION PROGRAMME.
Invitation to virtual meetings on the Midlands Airport development.
g. BOLSOVER DC – PIOTR DANEK – OZBOX UPDATE.
A BDC staff member sent out information with a summary of Ox-Box classes, which will now leave Shirebrook and take place in Bolsover.
2022/045 TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND REVIEW PLANNING DECISIONS – (PAGE 34)
All but one approved. Not approved will need to provide additional information.
Amongst the applications was an application for permission to start building the third phase of Meadow View (270 dwellings). I am not the only one who has received messages that residents of this development would like more than one road out of the development and a better connection to the rest of the town. Councillors discussed this for a while. STC will ask the developer for further information on the development of this area. I will try to prepare an article about it too.
2022/046 TO RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM THE TOWN CLERK.
a. TO RECEIVE INFORMATION RELATING TO THIS YEAR’S TOWN SHOW.
Some residents had been looking forward to this event for a long time. Everything was set to the last detail. The programme for the day was packed with exciting events, most of which were planned outdoors – a great day out for the whole family. There was an unfavourable weather forecast so Town Clerk ask for permission to cancel the event if the weather goes bad.
I still believe that the local government should not be concerned with organising events like that for residents but with the town’s safety, cleanliness and tidiness and creating an environment conducive to investment and business. This is a worldview difference between me and most Labor councillors that we will probably never be able to reconcile.
b. TO RECEIVE INFORMATION RELATING TO SHIREBROOK TLC.
TLC is a group of councillors focused solely on expanding the Leisure capacity of the town. I attended one committee meeting and asked them to “keep me in the loop” but decided not to get further involved in their work for a simple reason – lack of time.
 2022/047 TO RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS.
a. UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING.
This point concealed the first of the points I wanted to discuss. That is, technically, my point, except in a completely different form than I wanted. No mentioning of heating device inspection- looks like Labour really doesn’t want to explain what is going on with those weird heating summer bills. Instead of answering my questions (what is quantity), the Chair attacked me. Let’s listen to it:
Transcript:
Chair of STC Chris Kane: One thing I want to mention is this… AMP… that our “friend” keeps bringing up, which I’m little bit disappointed in him as well because he put it out there on social media: (he start to quote my article) “Scandal is only just started to flare up, as we have first victim- Sandra Peak is no longer the Chair of STC Leisure Committee“.
Ex Chair of STC Leisure Committe Sandra Peake: Hmmm…
Chair of STC CK: I think that’s disgusting how you word it. You try to lead the people up own path. If you gonna tell lies, dont put anything out there”.
Dear Chair! The Chair of STC LC stepped down. That is not a lie. I can speculate on reasons anyway I want. Usually, when politicians step down from their position, it means one thing- they were forced because they failed. Of course, you took this sentence out of context- right after the quote you decided to bring to the attention of STC, I stated clearly that Sandra Peake wears “several hats” and, in my opinion, neglected her duties as Chair of LC due to lack of time. If she had kept a proper eye on things, the heating bill would not look like it does:
Or am I mistaken? Maybe all the blame for this shortcoming falls on Chris Kane? After all, the bill is addressed to Shirebrook Town Hall and not LC. Hmmm… To be honest, I’m deeply disappointed about Chris Kane. He had an opportunity to grant me the right to inspect the heating device, write down meter readings and sort this issue out. Instead, he decided to keep the charade going.
You would think the Chair would bring all the data to the meeting to answer me and dispel my doubts. To prove me wrong. This is how many times in this meeting I had to ask the question, “what is quantity”. A little collage- I have lumped together every single time I have asked about quantity at this meeting. Reminder- I have been asking about inaccuracies on these invoices for a month and a half! I think that is enough time to gather documents and answers.
One note: in the second 22 of this recording, you can hear someone shouting, “SHUT UP!” That is ladies and gentlemen, Steve Fritchley. No comment. For now.
Finally, the Chair showed no documents, no delivery notes, and no bill with the unit of measure “quantity” correctly described. I am entitled to withhold my opinion until I receive proof in the form of a CORRECTLY prepared invoice from AMP (not something that looks like drawn by a six-year-old at a lemonade stand). I still want to inspect the AMP heating device. Until I receive a documentary proof and FOI results from which to assess the true changes in pellet consumption over the years- I will refrain from accepting any explanations of STC. Next article about the AMP scandal (Heatingate?) coming soon.
2022/048 ITEM FROM PREVIOUS AGENDA – TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE SHIREBROOK TOWN COUNCIL’S POSITION IN RELATION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM – LEVELLING UP (DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED).
This item has been omitted again. If there is any town that needs levelling up-it is Shirebrook. But I fear that if HM Government throws money at Labour-governed areas, that money will be wasted on “leisure, parties, crafts and arts” rather than infrastructure development.
Here’s what (in my opinion) Shirebrook really needs: redevelopment of the double T junction near the cemetery to ease traffic in peak hours- especially if we win the Crematorium bid. Link road to M1. New land for industrial estates and residential areas. New, bigger GP surgery because the current is just too small for the population. More police officers at Police Station. Monitored CCTV network to lower ASB and crime. And that is just off the top of my head. There are probably ten more ways we could spend money to improve Shirebrook but those, in my opinion, are key to unlocking the town’s potential.
I can’t comment on anything below. Secret.
2022/049 CONFIDENTIAL ITEM/S – Exclusion of the Press & Public.
To resolve that in view of the confidential nature of the items to be discussed, a formal resolution be passed to exclude the press and public from the meeting, pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 & the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, Part 1, paragraphs 11.
2022/050 CONTRACTUAL/BUSINESS MATTERS.
a. TO REVIEW AND APPROVE UPDATED CCTV QUOTATIONS.
b. TO REVIEW PREVIOUS APPLICATION FOR PCC FUNDING AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE APPLICATION.
c. TO REVIEW TOWN HALL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND SUBSEQUENT FINANCING
ARRANGEMENT.
2022/051 PERSONNEL MATTERS.
2022/052 TO APPROVE THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL.
SET AT 17TH AUGUST 2022 AS PER THE APPROVED MEETING SCHEDULE.
SCHEDULED MEETINGS;
LEISURE COMMITTEE – 29TH JUNE 2022.
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE – 13TH JULY 2022.
END OF AGENDA
I promised my favourite reviewer that I would write shorter articles so as not to bore readers. I promised a maximum of two pages. I failed – this article is seven pages long in an editor. To be accurate I need to write all that happened, but I will try to write shorter articles about other issues. If anyone has reached this point – congratulations and thank you. See you next week!
Lead picture: pexels.com
Sylwester Zwierzynski info@shirebrook247.com
