Friday, 17 May, 2013
At Wednesday’s first Full Council following the elections the new Labour administration pushed through two important agenda items; one that paid Cabinet members more money for less work and used money from the Local Government Pension Scheme to pay the chairman and vice-chairman of that committee. They then followed this with the biggest change to the constitution seen in decades, taking away the right of backbench councillors to ask questions of Cabinet members on decisions the council makes.

Labour has changed the levels of responsibility for Cabinet Members by having fewer of them, just five but spreading the workload to two new deputy roles per portfolio. Previously there was a cabinet support role but the level of responsibility was restricted to specific tasks. The new roles make it clear that there will be a shared workload reducing the overall responsibility on the lead Cabinet member role for which they will pay themselves an additional 10% per annum. Overall, they have raised the cost to the taxpayer of the members allowance scheme by 5% or £17,550 to a total of £345,000.

In parallel they then took away the right for elected members to ask questions of Cabinet members on decisions taken – an important right long enshrined in the constitution. These massive changes were only printed and circulated to councillors two hours before the start of the meeting, giving little to no time for councillors to absorb them.

Cllr Andrew Lewer, Leader of the opposition Conservative group stated:

“It is remarkable, they have in their first meeting since being elected just over a week ago managed to dismantle the constitution to give their cabinet members an easier ride and pay them more money. A fundamental aspect of the questions to Cabinet members was that it kept them on top of their game and ensured they knew and understood their portfolios and responsibilities. It is even more remarkable that within hours they broke their first pledge in which they stated ‘we will make the County Council more open and transparent.”

Anne Western and her gang make a mockery of democracy by removing the right of elected members to speak at council meetings. Margaret Thatcher believed in free speech regardless of how unpopular she made herself. Paranoia in  a political leader is a very dangerous character trait. 

Oh! and the ‘slimmed down’ cabinet has also resulted in lots of deputy posts being created…

Ready Egg Products is planning to create 50 jobs by opening a 34,700 sq. ft factory on Derbyshire County Council flagship employment site at Markham Vale.

The firm is a leading egg processor that supplies UK and Irish food manufacturers. It now sees opportunities to sell to continental Europe, but says transport costs from its current location put it at a commercial disadvantage.

Coun Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said: “More and more companies are making Markham Vale their home because of its location in the centre of England and excellent transport links afforded by its purpose-built junction.

Ready Egg’s plans bring the number of new jobs created at Markham Vale to 260 in the last eight months.

Markham vale is being jointly developed by Derbyshire County Council and Sheffield construction group Henry Boot.

First impressions really count, Derbyshire County Council need to get their head around the following:

1. Broken missing road signs as you enter the Markham Vale site. 

2. The general signage of the area – the businesses that are there have fly posted directions to their business on every lamp post.

3. Graffiti should be cleaned off the signs and street furniture.

4. Weeds and grass growing through the pavement and in the gutters particularly around the recycling facility.

All of the above coupled with the private property keep off signs and swath of security company monitoring signs create a very negative impression of the area. With a little bit of thought it could be more welcoming and an attractive proposition for more companies. At the moment it shouts ‘trouble’.

The Derby Telegraph are puzzled by it all as you can see by reading here. There is a great deal of “not allowed to speak for legal reasons” along with quotes from the poor unfortunate like “It’s a fantastic place that has been built on honesty and trust.” and “We’ve done some brilliant things. I do feel very emotional. I’ve been here for 38 years, it feels like my place. All this has happened very quickly.” The inference being that it was built on trust and good things have been done, but no more.

As keen followers of the political scene no doubt you will be aware of the controversy surrounding the question of gagging those that have been wronged. The basic idea is that they pay for silence, i.e. “we will give you more than we need to as long as you promise not to tell on us.” Nick has spent 38 years at the council he’s seen a lot and would be a great dinner guest unless of course he is gagged can’t speak for legal reasons.

By the way you would have to ask how long any of this would last anyway,“Eric Pickles warns councils over ‘gagging orders’ legal reasons“

Anderson Tree Care director Bob Anderson and operations manager Dave Robinson, third and fourth from the left, with other members of the team and their Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor certification

Tree care company secures the industry’s top accolade Published 21 May Sheffield Star

A Chesterfield company is celebrating reaching the top of the tree with the Arboricultural Association. Barlborough–based Anderson Tree Care has been named one of the association’s Approved Contractors.

Operations manager, David Robinson, fourth from the left, next to director Bob Anderson, who holds the company’s approval certificate, said: “Achievement of these awards demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the delivery of high quality, professional tree care. “It also gives our existing and potential customers the peace of mind that their trees are in the hands of competent, qualified arborists, who meet and exceed industry standards”

No one knows where the Resource Centre is, even after 11 years. To cause further confusion they just keep renaming it, it is now the Heritage Centre. Clearly not expecting many people to turn up if it is being held there.

They are set to approve the minutes from April’s meeting. What they should be approving are the minutes from the 2012 AGM. But oh! they can’t do that because they didn’t have one. In fact, they haven’t had one since 2007. Tut, tut, spending shed loads of public money without holding proper meetings…

For those who would like to attend, but don’t know where the Resource Heritage Centre is, it is at the end of Ward Lane. Next building along from the school.

If you are interested in just having a look you have from Friday 17th May until Friday 14th June 2013 to view the accounts. Just contact Kim Moran – Parish Clerk at  clerk.bpc@btconnect.com to arrange an appointment.

Anyone with information should call Derbyshire police on 101.

• Cllr Anne Western, leader, strategic policy and budget

* Cllr Kevin Gillott, deputy leader, children and young people

* Cllr Joan Dixon, cabinet member, economy, jobs and transport

* Cllr Dave Allen, cabinet member, health and communities

* Cllr Clare Neill, cabinet member, adult social care

* Cllr Brian Ridgway, cabinet member, council services

Published on 07/05/2013 17:12 Derbyshire Times