90% tax rise for Leisure Centre in… Creswell
One of the residents of Creswell invited me to their Parish Council meeting because something strange happened there: a 90% increase in taxes just for the Leisure Centre. As an self-described expert on Lesiure Centres corruption and nepotism- I decided to help. I went there to ask a few questions to clarify things a bit.
After all, they bumped taxes by 90%! I was intrigued—is this building golden that it needs such a radical increase in times of inflation and belt-tightening? So I went, and I asked. The reaction of the Chairman of Creswell PC to my questions was…. hard for me to describe, but I will try below.
According to protocol – when you want to ask a question, you should raise your hand and wait your turn. After some time, the Chair gave me the floor. I asked the question. I asked it calmly. I also added a few sentences as to why I was asking the question- to outline the background and to explain what was behind my question to those who did not know certain things that had happened in Shirebrook and how it is related to the Creswell Leisure Centre scandal.
My question- like most of my questions- was pertinent. When I go to a meeting, I like to prepare- hence, my questions are rarely random. When I ask, it means that I want to throw light on something dark. My question was right on target. How do I know that? Because the Chairman didn’t answer. He took evasive action, disgraced himself a little by showing complacency, and tried to provoke me with an ambiguous remark in an attempt to dispose of me. Apparently, I am not from “here”, so I have no right to meddle in matters that are not my own. Labour never changes.
The fact that the Chairman broke the rules of democratic discourse manifested itself in the audience’s immediate reaction. My words had sunk into many ears, and many people were waiting for a response. The room’s reaction to the ‘professionalism’ of the Chair was telling.
Instead of describing it to you, I would prefer you to listen to the situation yourself. Draw your own conclusions. I have included an audio recording of this whole situation below. The recording is very poor quality because I had my phone in my pocket. I was standing very far from the Leader, so I have included a transcript of the conversation below the recording (I have translated it to the best of my ability, but the sound is poor, so I cannot guarantee that every word matches the original utterance). So you can faintly hear the rude remark McGregor used to avoid answering my question, but you can hear the room’s reaction without any problem – it is loud, clear and unambiguous. Followed by a one-word description of the situation from a resident standing near me. The recording started right after I asked the question. I literally fell silent as I waited for the response and answer. The Chairman of Creswell PC- Duncan McGregor spoke up.
Audio:
Transcript:
Chairman Creswell PC Duncan McGregor– Hey, you’re not, you a not of council parish parishioner. All right? I know who you are now… but the point is this. You are not at the Shirebrook Town Council, right, that’s what you should be doing it, not here. These people, it’s their taxes that are paid this. So I don’t want to hear you no more. Right. I can tell you where you are. (?)
REACTION OF PUBLIC: …………………
PERSON STANDING NEAR ME: They’re very childish.
So, what was my question that the Chairman of Creswell PC omitted to answer? Why did he mention Shirebrook? Well, well, well. Sit down, weary traveller- this is where this story gets interesting.
BACKGROUND
I explained that I’m from Shirebrook and am going through a scandal similar to Creswell’s in our Leisure Centre. Then I asked a question that terrifies the Labour Party. You see, the Chairman of the Creswell PC claimed just a few minutes earlier that their LC was built by the Woodhead family company.
That didn’t sit right with me. So, when my time came, I asked who exactly built it: was it Woodhead, or was it a company where a friend of the Chairman of Creswell PC is a director? I asked: was it Dragonfly? A company that, from inception, was directed by Shirebrook’s own Steve Fritchley.
DRAGONFLY IS ON FIRE. AND ITS GOING DOWN. MAYDAY! MAYDAY!
Let me explain Dragonfly to you- it’s gonna be a blast, you’ll see. So, Mr Steve Fritchley, blessed by the Labour Party, took a pile of taxpayer money and created a new company with a private construction company owned by the Woodhead family. They call it Dragonfly. Allegedly, they created it to “build council infrastructure”. As always, with all deals touched by Shirebrook’s “elite”,- the deal went belly up sometime after. Bankruptcy. Done and dusted. Steve Fritchley and his friends rode company right into the ground. Taxpayer money? Who cares!
Then, Steve the Builder took ANOTHER pile of taxpayer money and started a new construction company with precisely the same name- Dragonfly. Just like a phoenix from ashes, Dragonfly once again rose to suck the sweet-sweet tit of the taxpayer. Same as in his first building experiment- Steve the Builder took a directorship role. His first try was so good that he could not resist to try again.
Yet, Duncan McGregor, at this meeting, claimed, on the record, that Woodhead built the new Leisure Building. I strongly suspect that if I check my archives, I will find documents with Dragonfly’s name on them. I was 99% sure of that. So what did I do when I came back home? I did more research. Guess what- Duncan McGregor lied. This is the prof, I found confirmation on BDS website:
https://www.bolsover.gov.uk/latest-news/892-new-heritage-and-wellbeing-centre-opens-in-creswell-2
ONLY THOSE WHO SHOW UP CAN CHANGE THE HISTORY
Duncan McGregor lied to about 30 people. That’s how many residents showed up. Why did I ask about Dragonfly? He claimed that the current 90% tax rise should cover costs and repayment of the loan (that is another question I would like to ask- how are those interest rates?). I think the Chairman of Creswell PC knows that Dragonfly is well known for its low-quality work and used materials. Their buildings fall apart very quickly after builders finish their work. STC has spent more than 20,000 pounds fixing things in Town Hall already, and this is a new building! That’s 20k I know of- I was in STC when they voted on that.
You’d think- since the building is new, you could claim warranty repairs! The problem is- the original Dragonfly went bust. Regardless of piles of taxpayer money, regardless of careful directorship of Steve the Builder. Now, all those repairs in Dragonfly buildings must be done by… new Dragonfly? I don’t know, but I bet the taxpayer pays for it. Not Steve the Builder and his Woodhead bros.
So why did Duncan McGregor lie about the contractor? It’s simple- the whole Dragonfly is closely connected with the Labour Party. Not only through name of Steve Fritchley- there is more. Much more. To see that- you need to look through Firefly documents. But this is a story for some other time…
Aaaaaaanyway. Let’s move on.
WHEN LABOUR SPENDS YOUR MONEY- HOLD ON TO YOUR WALLET
As usual, when the Labour Party has something to hide, it does its best not to talk about it or avoid answering if someone dares to ask them questions again. They use a whole series of tricks to change the subject. They start by interrupting you when you are talking, then try to talk you down or talk about something off topic. If you manage not to lose your “train of thought” and you keep repeating the question, they try other things just to keep you quiet, to keep you from demanding an answer.
For example, the pellet scandal used to heat Shirebrook Leisure Centre. I have been waiting for three years for a response to an FOI Act request. Labour just ignores that law. Some blue-collar gammon asking questions? F him.
I won’t stop asking this question: how does STC justify that a completely empty building used 20-30 tonnes more fuel for heating than when it was fully open? Why does STC refuse to show meter and seal inspection results? Why does STC refuse to send an answer with invoices requested by the FOI Act?
If the basic techniques of avoiding answering questions no longer work then ‘experienced local politicians’ take something from a more aggressive repertoire: they change the subject, raise their voice, and make ambiguous remarks to get you off balance (yes, like Duncan MsGregor insinuating I can’t ask a question on behalf of a resident). In the case of the Leader of STC- sometimes they start using physical violence just to hide corruption and nepotism—anything to keep dark issues in the dark- where socialists feel most comfortable.
The Leader of Creswell PC did not go as far as his Labour Party colleague at the STC. He simply didn’t answer my directly asked question. So what is this whole scandal about?
LEISURE CENTRE- LABOUR ONLY VISIBLE POLICY
In short, it seems that Creswell’s ‘political elite’ decided to plunge the town into massive debt just when the interest rate rises were coming. Why the debt? Well, Labour-led BDC closed down Creswell Leisure Centre, so Labour-led Creswell PC decided to save the day and built a new one, which was almost entirely at the cost of the taxpayer. The result? Over three million in debt, a building no-one uses, rising operating costs and the cherry on top- a 90% tax rise. A tax rise that no one expected.
How much has been invested in crime prevention during this time? How much in “at risk youth” services? How much in elderly programs? I suspect that like Shirebrook- these are negligible sums compared to whot goes into ‘leisure’. Because it’s important to the caviar elites of the Labour Party- Leisure. Not crime, not youth, not cleanliness of streets. Leisure! When I’m listening to Labour right now, I have this weird feeling that they have no idea what they are doing, and all their plans for government is: WE ARE NOT TORIES. That’s it.
There was a pensioner at the meeting who said that he knows other pensioners who lost all pension increases due to the Council tax rise. Central government gave them increase. Local government took it away. All of it. Labour!
SHIREBROOK 101
Exactly the same thing happened a few years ago in Shirebrook. I’ve written about it. Labour closes something, Labour immediately reopens it, riding in seemingly on a white horse. Except that this time, they are doing the same thing they did but with higher costs, dodgy contracts, and rising employment. Everything takes place in gloom and darkness, away from the eyes of the residents. No minutes from meetings are published, no publicised calculations. FOI Act requests are not responded to. Contracts are scrupulously concealed- evil loves darkness. Hence- hardly anyone knew about the 90% increase in Creswell.
The person who invited me noticed articles about the same topic on S247. We exchanged an email. At this point, it is time for me to admit directly what I think about the possibilities for residents.
YOU LOST WITH HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS FROM THE LABOUR PARTY
Creswell residents who have made it all the way here: you will not like what I am about to write for you below. However, I’d rather be honest than polite. Here is the whole truth: you have lost. The time to protest was when Labour was pushing through this crazy project. Your “leader” claims that this 90% is the last increase and will cover the entire cost of servicing the debt and running the Leisure Centre. In my view this is untrue – as usual with such institutions: costs will rise, employment will rise, needs will rise as will ubiquitous nepotism, corruption and waste due to incompetence. Places like the Leisure Centre are ideal for stuffing the families of party activists, the families of other civil servants.
If no one is looking at the hands of politicians and civil servants– in some time (about two years), the signing of strange contracts will start. As in Shirebrook- these agreements will adversely change the operating costs of the project.
In Shirebrook, these are the outrageous terms of a signed pellet contract which dictates that pellets must be burned even when there is no need (what with Labour’s “green agenda”?). The other contract that has “changed in silence and darkness” after two years is the solar panel production facility. This contract is so secret that the electricity bill is enclosed in one line of text-everything else is secret. On top of that you have to add 10 people on LC ‘payroll’ and family connections (nepotism) in Town Hall. This kind of thing happens when democracy dies and nobody believes in it any more….
So, residents of Creswell- you lost that battle. Now new battle is starting. Battle for increased transparency and control over Leisure Centre. They (politicians) will wait, and wait, and wait, and sooner or later, they will think they wore you down. Usually it works. This time it could work too for Labour. Unless…
YOU PLAN AHEAD AND WORK TOGHETHER
This is where Shirebrook failed. When I fought to stop tax increases, to get a grant to build CCTV, to explain who and why “cooked” STC official Finance Report, to hold those involved in the disappearing pellet scandal to account – I was alone. No one was helping me. Shirebrook has given up-it is a town of people resigned to hopelessness. A town of cowards so intimidated and convinced of their own weakness that they don’t even go to the polls. Not to mention participating in them to be a counterweight to the politically corrupt Labour Party’ elite’ in the region.
Shirebrook lost. You still fighting for your town. All I can do is wish you good luck. Or maybe I can do a bit more…
YOU STILL HAVE SOME FIRE IN GUTS, RIGHT?
The community that came together for this meeting does not yet give the impression I get from talking to people in my town. What I saw in Creswell inspired me – I have never seen so many people at any council meeting in Bolsover District (and I have been to many). Among those people were a few leaders, a few people who are not afraid to speak in public, who are prepared, who can keep their cool when talking about emotive things. The question- do these leaders have the balls to stand up and defend their beliefs? Do they have the courage to lead the rest of the community? Or are they the same cowards as the people in Shirebrook- they will complain, talk and that’s about it.
EMERGENCY MEETING
I noticed something else-no one in the audience in the room knows how to use the law they have in hand. I suspect that none of the residents had any political experience. Thats why they don’t know of Standing Orders. The community asked for a community meeting. The Chairman (until I left the room)-had not only not confirmed a date, but had not said whether he was going to call such a meeting at all. Most of the time, the Chairman had no control over the meeting. No one was watching the queue of people coming forward to speak. Of all the questions asked- practically none were answered. From the statements of those present, it appears that the Town Clerk is not responding to FOI Act requests.
You can feel and see the coordinated attempts of the ‘political elite’ to discourage the community from fighting back. Labour is hoping that people will calm down and get used to higher taxes. Maybe in time they will even like the new Leisure Centre. Then they will even fight for it no matter how many more times taxes have to be raised to feed this three million pounds behemoth.
In summary, civil servants and politicians started the process of cooling down the community. If people get bored, they will leave politicians alone. This will be the time to sign “new deals”, hire new people, and increase spending. Only way to stop them- is to change council composition. I have no idea if there was even one councillor who was against that project- all of them sat quietly (excluding Duncan McGregor who loves his own voice so much that he hardly ever not talk). I would like to know that because if there is one- residents can try to convince him to do something. One councillor is better than none. Two councillors- that is sweet spot where you can use “Standing orders” to force positive changes.
WHAT TO DO, OH, WHAT TO DO?
This is my advice.
Firstly, you can organise your own community meeting: you don’t have to beg Labour for it. This first community meeting should be held without the participation of politicians involved in the scandal: they will only work against you. The Chairman of this “non of politicians allowed” meeting should present the current situation and hold a discussion to determine what the community wants and can do about it.
At this meeting, everyone should have the opportunity to ask questions, which should be written down. These questions should be sent to the Council with a call for an answer at a specially convened “emergency council meeting”. The community meeting must allow enough time for the Council to prepare a response and call an emergency meeting in accordance with Standing Orders of Council.
Questions that residents decide to ask must be sent as a joint Freedom of Information Act request. This first meeting should be advertised in the social media and through leaflets delivered to every house in the Council. This meeting should be later than 5 o’clock so that working people have a chance to attend – not everyone is a pensioner with unlimited time on their hands.
SOLUTION
I will say it openly-as I did in my conversation with the resident who invited me. The Creswell community has two ways out of this situation.
The first option: try to sell this property and reduce the taxes to the original level. I give you a 100% guarantee that this building will ALWAYS make a loss. Look at Shirebrook- much bigger town, more people, and LC has never made a profit. The Leisure Centre is the town’s first, biggest and most important expense. Labour makes sure their ‘staple of community’ keeps cosy place for Labour activists and families of “right” people. They will never allow the place to be privatised- they make too much gain from it. Both financial and political.
In my opinion, local government should not touch ‘leisure’ matters. It is not the role of government to provide leisure for residents. Therefore- after almost a year out of the Council I have come to the conclusion that the Leisure Centre should be abolished. Both in Creswell and in Shirebrook.
The second option: swallow the bitter pill and come to terms with the fact that you have a huge debt on your back that will be repaid…. well, exactly. Does anyone know? Because no figures were presented at the meeting. The only thing I could add here- the residents must set a maximum spending limit and forbid politicians from increasing it just like that. If the funding framework for this institution is not defined and policed in advance, its appetite for taxpayers’ money will grow as it eats. Like the Leisure Centre in Shirebrook.
Maybe there is a third way out? I don’t know. I haven’t thought too hard about it, because after all, I am not involved in this matter in any way.
THE END
Sorry for the chaotic article. Sorry for spelling mistakes- I didnt have much time to polish it. I wrote it quickly-just to show the people of Shirebrook that Creswell is fighting while they sleep and are afraid to even go to the polls to vote for someone new. Will Creswell win? I don’t know. I wish them best.
Sylwester Zwierzynski
