A MILESTONE STATEMENT OF CLLR PAUL HARFORD!

I arrived 10 minutes early at the last STC meeting but was turned away, along with a group of residents. Why? Allegedly, the STC Chamber was at capacity. But you know me—I’m relentless. So I waited under the door like a dog and, oh boy, I got my treat. The treat I will share with you today (because I’m a good boy, woof-woof).

I’m starting with a joke because I’m in a good mood. Why? Finally, my investigation into corruption at the Leisure Centre moved a bit forward. It took years, but perseverance ultimately yielded a remarkable dividend. All it took was the camera pointed at the right person and one question. I should do that a long time ago!

DECLARATION OF INTENT
I got a declaration from the Chairman of the STC Leisure Committee confirming that I will receive invoices for pellet deliveries for 2013-2015. ON VIDEO! These are invoices that STC civil servants denied me for years. I got an even juicier treat from Cllr Chris Kane: allegedly, there was an review of the Leisure Centre and “it was all cleared”. I never heard about that. The SOS group must have missed that too. What review? Done by whom? What are conclusions? Did the find out why closed Leisure Centre “used” 50% more pellets than two years earlier? Can’t wait to hear more about it! I’m writing a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for documents from this “review” right after this article. But today, let’s focus on Cllr Paul Harford. We will come back to Chris Kane in next article.

INTRODUCING…
Labour Party Cllr Paul Harford. Current Chairman of the STC Leisure Committee. He voted to raise your taxes every single time I watched a Precept meeting. Now, its time to watch him. This is my encounter with him after the STC meeting:
https://youtu.be/lX7yDA9pzgg?si=XLdHgxkYhpZUnnxG

Lets get some facts straight.

FACT ONE: Clle Paul Harford thinks I got all the documents I requested by FOI. He was informed by someone that I have all invoices. The councillor is wrong, he is the victim of misinformation. Here is a screenshot of my email box with invoices received from STC.


This is the first invoice in that pack:


As you can see, it’s from November 2015. ALL INVOICES WERE UPLOADED INTO AI, and I double-checked them on my sheet. The pellet furnace was installed in 2013. I DID NOT RECEIVE INVOICES FOR 2013, 2014 AND UP TO NOVEMBER 2015. I assume that the Labour Party and STC have nothing to hide and that Cllr Paul Harford is an honourable man who will keep his word. He is the current Chairman of the Leisure Committee—it’s in his best interest to be transparent about this issue. If he obstructs that investigation, that will mean that he is colluding with those whose interests are at risk- criminals. U-turning on his own words will only make tensions rise and confirm- that there is something Labour want to hide.

FACT TWO: it is possible that the Town Clerk made a mistake—she is somewhat well-known for making “mistakes”. She thinks she sent me the rest of the requested documents, which she told the councillors about, but in reality, she didn’t send those documents. It’s possible- I accept that. This can be easily fixed. If the Town Clerk indeed sent me all the invoices, then she must have a copy of this email and all she has to do is press “send” again—maybe this time the email will reach the recipient? I CAN PAY FOR HER TIME! Out of my own pocket—that’s how much I want that data.

She has two jobs—maybe if she focused on one, she would make fewer mistakes. Or maybe we need a new Town Clerk, like residents of Elmton and Creswell.

FACT THREE: When I asked Cllr Paul Harford if he could tell the Town Clerk to provide me with invoices for the years 2013-2015, he replied: “When I get a chance, I will”. For me, that is HUGE. Now- he can’t pretend that he doesn’t know that my FOI wasn’t replied as it should. He kinda promised to talk with the Town Clerk. Is he a man of his word, or will he play politics to hide the truth about pellet usage in the years 2013-2015?

FACT FOUR: if you ask questions as a journalist, the lack of answers is just confirmation that something is wrong and you need to dig deeper. My doggy paws are ready to dig! Cllr Paul Harford! I know for a fact that I did not receive invoices for 2013-2015. I CHECKED IT AGAIN TODAY! I also did not receive the rest of the documents requested in the original FOI, and I still want them.

I did not receive delivery notes for a single delivery. I did not receive copies of the contracts. I did not receive maintenance logs and invoices. All these documents were requested legally, and STC must produce them- THAT IS THE LAW. They cannot just vote not to do so and pretend that there is nothing unusual about this:

The closed-down building burned pellets at a faster pace than a year ago, when it was open for business. In the month of the pandemic lockdown, they ordered THREE deliveries of pellets and burned them at a double rate compared to previous years, even though no one was in the building. Is that why they refuse to publish a report about seals on meters?

The pattern is clear and recognised by state-of-the-art AI: after signing the “new and improved” deal, the usage of pellets exploded. The same building, same fuel, same furnace, same heating needs. Usage? 50% Green Revolution made in Shirebrook.

And I must mention- according to this brilliant contract signed by “our” Labour geniuses- Shirebrook taxpayer PAY PENALTY FINE WHEN WE ARE NOT PRODUCING CO2. It’s reverse ecology. Burn the planet- you are good. Save the energy- pay “penalty fine” to private company. Labour style!

STC IS HIDING SOMETHING—THAT’S FOR SURE
I offered the Labour Party a way to solve this issue amicably. They refused. They voted to block the Town Clerk from ever talking about AMP deal to HIDE SOMETHING. The entire Labour Party voted on that resolution—100% of them. Even those who now magically shows up on SOS meetings and pretends to be opposition. You are not opposition when you are member of establishment party controlling this town for decades. You are a part of corrupted elite.

The question is: WHAT are they trying to hide? Theft? Organized crime? Waste? Misuse of taxpayer resources? Lack of supervision? Destruction of documents? Knowing the rules of STC under the “leadership” of Chris Kane, we can expect that suddenly it will turn out that “someone” “shredded” documents, right? Maybe that’s why STC refuses to release these documents—someone simply destroyed them so there would be no evidence when Johnny Law or a nosy journalist knocks on the door? This was not the first time that people from the Labour Party destroyed documents.

This area is slowly becoming famous for that– destruction of documents and evidence.

MP IS INVOLVED
So, I decided to involve our local MP. Let me quote one sentence from my letter to the MP:
“For me, this situation is identical to the one in Elmton and Creswell, which prompted me and a few other residents to push the matter forward. We can clearly see corruption (in the Leisure Centre) and, after AI analysis of documents, we want to trigger an independent audit of STC (similar to Elmton). I was chosen to contact you and seek your help in this matter.“

I sent that email on 05 February 2025 at 04:25. I received a reply on 12 February 2025 at 15:02. The MP acknowledged my complaint, and the matter is now official with a case number.

WHAT NOW?
I’m sending an email to the Town Clerk, Cllr Paul Harford, and Cllr Chris Kane with a link to this article, a link to the video clip, and my statement about this issue. The investigation into the “Pellet Scandal” continues…

I haven’t exhausted all the paths in this investigation. I still have a few aces up my sleeve that I haven’t played yet, mainly due to lack of time. But 2025 is the year of hope – and hope needs a helping hand. This year, I’ve set a goal: to pursue this case until those responsible face the music. No matter how long it takes – theft and political corruption cannot go unchecked!

I will pursue this matter right up to the next elections, where my key manifesto point will be to initiate an independent STC and LC audit. I will try to meet with SOS group to convince them to this manifesto point and make it joint declaration. An external, independent investigation conducted by a reputable, unimpeachable company in Shirebrook Town Council- same as in Elmton and Creswell (which discovered whole slate of criminal acts).

DIGGING DEEPER
My next week’s video/article will be about… encounter with Chris Kane.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I’m sending e-mail to follow Cllr Paul Harford statement. I need to know who is right- did someone lied to Cllr Paul Harford, or did Town Clerk “made mistake”. Email text below.

I’m also sending an FOI information request about the recently delivered “Tow Council Report 2025.” (Text below) It looks like it was printed by the same company that produces “The Post”—Labour Party propaganda paper. I want to know how much of our money was funnelled to them to produce that one-sided propaganda brochure (since I know in previous years they received up to 1400 pounds from STC).

I’m also sending list of questions I want to ask Chris Kane at next STC Full Council. Simple questions- he should have no problem with answering them. I’m just working class guy. It’s no surprise that champagne socialists hate me and don’t want to answer questions from gammon like me. But we are living in a democracy, not the Soviet Union. Even I have the right to ask questions. Right, that was denied to me at two Council meetings in a row. There will be no third time. I’m securing my queue and my questions now. (questions I want to ask- also below)

BELOW SECTION
Text of e-mail to Chris Kane, Paul Harford and STC:

Dear Sir/madame

Following the recent Full Council meeting of STC, I had a discussion with the Chairman of the Leisure Committee. During this conversation, Mr. Paul Harford indicated his belief that I had received all invoices relating to pellet supplies for the Leisure Centre. However, I need to clarify that this is not accurate – I am still missing invoices covering two years of the pellet heating system’s operation.

It appears there may have been a misunderstanding, as I have only received invoices covering the period from November 2015 to 2021, but not those from 2013 to November 2015. My Freedom of Information request remains active regarding this matter. I suggest we resolve this via email: perhaps Mr. Harford could liaise with the Town Clerk to review the records and provide the outstanding invoices.

Additionally, I must express my concern regarding recent council meeting proceedings. I was not allocated time to raise questions at the December Full Council meeting, and I was prevented from entering the Chamber at the February meeting. These actions, along with the withholding of documents, appear to contradict principles of transparent local governance. I trust Mr. Harford will address these concerns and work toward providing residents with clarity regarding the Leisure Centre’s operations.

I look forward to your response and cooperation in resolving these matters.

I attach youtube recording of Paul Harford confirming his confusion about invoices:

Kind regards,

Kind regards

Sylwester Zwierzynski

www.shirebrook247.com

FOI REQUEST TEXT

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Freedom of Information Request – Town Council Report 2025

I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for information regarding the production and distribution of the “Town Council Report 2025.”

Specifically, I request the following information:

1. A copy of the invoice(s) for printing the “Town Council Report 2025”
2. The name of the printing company that produced the report
3. The total number of copies printed
4. The total cost of distribution
5. Information on whether Council workers were involved in the distribution:
   • If yes, the number of Council workers involved
   • The total number of hours worked on distribution
   • Any associated costs for this work

I would prefer to receive this information by email at info@shirebrook247.com

I understand that under the Freedom of Information Act, you have 20 working days to respond to this request. I also acknowledge that you may charge a fee for providing this information, and I am willing to pay reasonable charges if necessary. Please inform me if any fees will be charged before proceeding with the request.

If you need any clarification or have any questions about this request, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [07710 825 224 or info@shirebrook247.com].

Yours faithfully
Sylwester Zwierzynski

Questions for “residents time” at next full council meeting:

1. Chris Kane has been found guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct by the Monitoring Officer of BDC. Has Chris Kane apologised for the violence at the Chamber of STC, and if not, why is Chris Kane avoiding responsibility, and does he plan to apologise for his vulgar and aggressive behaviour to councillors present at the meeting, residents and his victim?
2. On 12 February 2025, Chris Kane said that an independent investigation was conducted in the Leisure Centre and that it “cleared out all issues.” I want to know who conducted that investigation. Can I receive the conclusion of the investigation and details of the person who conducted it? Do I have to write an FOI request to obtain that investigation report?
3. Can Chris Kane explain to me and the residents how the Leisure Centre, in lockdown, burned 50% more pellets than two years before the pandemic? The closed-down building burned more pellets than the open-for-business building—how and why? Can he tell me who is responsible for controlling pellet usage in the Leisure Centre?
4. Paul Harford claimed on 12 February 2025 that I received all invoices for Pellet deliveries to the Leisure Centre I requested in the FOI request in April 2022. I think there is a misunderstanding- I already sent an e-mail to the Enquires box about that, explaining that I did not receive invoices for 2013 to November 2015. Can the Town Clerk confirm the state of those invoices? Did she send me invoices for 2013 – 2015 or not? If she did- I did not receive them, and I’m asking to resend them. If she did not send them, regardless of two years waiting period- can Chris Kane explain why I did not receive them?
5. In FOI made on 28th of April 2022 I asked for copy of contract with previous supplier of pellets to Leiusure Centre. Labour Party voted to block Town Clerk from releasing documents regarding AMP, but I still waiting for invoices from other company that was NOT BLOCKED by Labour Party. When I will receive them?

TEXT OF FOI ACT REQUEST REGARDING ALLEGED “INVESTIGATION IN LC”:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the independent investigation at the Leisure Centre, as referenced by Councillor Chris Kane in this video clip:
https://youtu.be/zfDglsifs9Q?si=wxc6ZDIqRfesr_s3

Please provide the following information:

1. The identity of the individual(s) or organization that conducted the independent investigation
2. The terms of reference or scope of the investigation
3. A copy of the final investigation report and its conclusions
4. Contact details for the investigator(s), subject to data protection requirements
5. STC document document copy of investigation order

I would prefer to receive this information by email at info@shirebrook247.com
I understand that under the Freedom of Information Act, you have 20 working days to respond to this request. I acknowledge that you may charge a fee for providing this information, and I am willing to pay reasonable charges if necessary. Please inform me of any fees before proceeding with the request.
If you need any clarification or have any questions about this request, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 07710 825 224 or at info@shirebrook247.com

—
Kind regards
Sylwester Zwierzynski

T: 07710 825 224

E: info@shirebrook247.com

W: www.shirebrook247.com