BOLSOVER CONSERVATIVES WINS OF 2022
As a heads-up to readers of Shirebrook247, this isn’t a Shirebrook post. Instead, this is a post to show the good work being done by Conservative councillors and our MP across the Bolsover District, with the main focus on work done by our MP on Junction 28 at M1.
MP CALLS FOR JUNCTION 28 UPGRADES
As a driver by day, I know how bad Junction 28 of the M1 can be. It’s not fit for purpose in its current state (although it must be stressed that, at its inception, it was a magnificent feat of engineering). Following on from a survey in South Normanton and Pinxton, where only 9% of residents said they thought the junction was safe, MP Mark Fletcher called for a debate in Parliament.
The debate put forward the case to Richard Holden MP (Minister for roads and transport) and was attended by several MPs, including MPs for Ashfield, Amber Valley, and Shadow Minister for Transport. This shows that our MP understands our area and will work hard to ensure that this constituency benefits from projects that improve road safety, reduced congestion and emissions, and better economic development. You can watch the debate here:
In his speeches at the beginning and end of the debate, our MP showed what he is known for to people who work closely with him. Always prepared, brilliant, articulate, but at the same time professional and focused on what is essential. If you have the time, compare his speech with the Shadow Minister for Transport speech. She spent almost 90% of her time discussing things unrelated to the subject of the debate! At one point, the chairwoman even had to remind her topic of the debate. So cringe!
Our MP can also throw a joke to relieve tension. It helps him win people over and leave a good impression. So it’s hard not to sympathise with him when the chairwoman used his joke (from the beginning of the debate) to end the debate.
J28- A REAL HORROR SHOW
I drive through J28 almost daily, and all the MPs mentioned in the debate are a very mild description of the situation I see there. For example, they mentioned the “near miss” in the debate. I had a few of them there, and each could have ended tragically, so I know there is no exaggeration in any of their statements.
I know people in Shirebrook are more interested in the link road to the M1, but in terms of safety and impact on the region, J28 has to be prioritised. My situation could support the arguments cited by the MP in the debate: one of the reasons I quit my job at one of the companies located near J28 was precisely the unpredictable road conditions in this area. Coming to work, I never knew what I would find there, whether I would be late again or stuck for good waiting for the cleaning services after the accident. The stress of getting there meant that the profit and loss calculation tilted to the side of the company located north of J29.
I don’t know when the redevelopment of J28 will start, but I’m sure MP Mark Fletcher won’t let it go and will see it through. As always, with work carried out by government structures – it just takes goodwill and time. However, I would also like to write a few words about other regional achievements.
NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR TIBSHELF
The County Councillor for Tibshelf, James Barron, has been stressing the need for a new school in Tibshelf since he was elected in 2021. This has recently been through the cabinet of Derbyshire County Council and was approved (subject to budget). I managed to ask Cllr Barron about this, and he said: ‘A new primary school has been one of my major priorities for the Tibshelf division. To have it at this stage, when it has been years since I began campaigning for it is.’ ‘My thanks go to my Conservative colleagues at Derbyshire County Council, as well as the to the district councillors in Tibshelf for their support.’
CALL FOR CUT IN COUNCILLORS ALLOWANCES
I wrote it some time ago. According to Taxpayer Alliance- Bolsover District councillors have the highest allowances in a ‘rural’ type council in the whole of the UK. Conservative Party councillors tried to do something about it- yes, you read it right: COnservatives tried to cut allowances of politicians, and I can promise you: we will try again after May 2023 elections.
I even wanted to interview Councillor David Dixon, who spearheaded the reduction proposal but since I promised one reader that I would first interview some local Labour Party politician- David Dixon interview is still to be conducted. To date, I have not been able to find even one Labour Party politician who would have the courage to answer a few questions from S247. I will make another attempt before the next STC meeting. If local Labour Party politicians refuse, it will mean that they have nothing to tell the residents, and I can move on to people who actually do something and have something to say.
It is also worth mentioning that Conservative Party councillors in Barlborough have allocated part of their allowance to the purchase of defibrillators for their village.
CCTV IN PINXTON
If you watched the debate I gave a link to above, you probably heard the name of the Conservative Party councillor from Pinxton and South Normanton- Julian Siddle. As well as his involvement in this multi-million-pound infrastructure project, he has been doing many smaller things in his ward. Among those small things was the CCTV project. By comparison: 16 Labour Party councillors have been ‘working’ on CCTV in Shirebrook since 2016. To this day, the system is still not working as intended. Cllr Julian Siddle was elected in 2021, and the South Normanton football grounds CCTV system was launched… last year. What else is there to write?
CRIME IN SHIREBROOK IS GOING DOWN
As you may know, I am a big fan of our Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, Angelique Foster. Not only has she made the time to visit Shirebrook (twice), but she has also listened to our concerns. Whether that be an increased budget for 101; providing Shirebrook with a grant to improve our CCTV, or adopting her strategy on anti-social behaviour and new rural crime strategy. We can see that the stance that she has taken has been successful, with a crime rate in Shirebrook showing a consistent downward trend. Of course, there is still more to do! That’s why I am still calling on Shirebrook Town Council to have a strategy of its own to prevent crime (dissolve Leisure Committee and spend more time and resources on crime prevention- how many years do I have to plead for that?!).
I will publish more data on crime as soon as www.police.uk update website with data for December 2022. A little spoiler: the crime rate in Shirebrook went down significantly (about 23% y2y).
OVERALL
Improvements have been made to the whole constituency by Conservative politicians. All who have proven that they have vision, integrity and the hard-working attitude to keep our area on the rise. And with the local elections taking place in May, it is definitely worth taking a chance on your local Conservative candidates! Fun fact- you can be one of them! You can champion some projects and change your area for the better. All you have to do is… want to.
CORONATION STREET IS MORE INTERESTING THAN YOUR OWN, REAL STREET???
This is where I need to plead to you: if you read these words and you care about Shirebrook, please, join me. For the last two years, I have worked in “overtime mode” to inspire residents to build a team of active, honest, hard-working people who care about Shirebrook and want to transform it into the best place to live in Bolsover District. Those hours spent on writing articles paid back!
There is no place for “yes-man” on our team- every team member has unique skills, experiences and ideas on how to improve our town.
IM NOT ALONE!
I can proudly say that I’m not alone anymore. Team “better Shirebrook” is growing each day, but our team still has unseated places. Be bold! Be brave! Join us! More is merrier. More means better results and more hands on deck to turn around our ship. Do you want to spend your time watching “Coronation Street”, or maybe you want to put your name in the history of Shirebrook?
Those who care about a better future for our town must finally start fighting for it! Nobody is going to do it for you! YOU NEED TO VOTE or join me in the STC chamber- this is the only way to change STC’s attitude to taxes, spending, crime, and management of people and resources. All of it is political, and it looks like you are afraid of politics. Are you? Are you scared? Are you afraid? I refuse to believe that.
YOU HAVE MORE POWER INSIDE YOU THAN YOU THINK – YOU JUST NEED TO LET IT OUT
Yes- I challenge you. I’m not interested in the Labour Party fielding a “yes-man” and paper candidates from the “Steve Fritchley and Chris Kane team”. Instead, I’m interested in how many brave people with Conservative beliefs will have the courage to fight for a better tomorrow in Shirebrook. So are you ready for the adventure of your life? Or are you ready for another episode of ‘Coronation Street’ or “Dancing with the (so-called) stars”?
I can promise you: it will be hard, challenging, stressful, yet insanely satisfying. Believe me, if you have never been involved in an election campaign, IT WILL BE AN ADVENTURE OF YOUR LIFE. If you win, this adventure will change into a profound mission. You will change too- as I did: for the better. You will know more, feel more, and want more. You will take an active role in improving your own town, your own street.
Because it could be worse – believe me: I know a lot more than I describe on the blog, and I’m really worried about the town’s direction. We need to stand up to those who are satisfied with the current state of Shirebrook.
Sylwester Zwierzynski info@shirebrook247.com
