Motion 1
To consider a notice of motion proposed by Councillor Jason Zadrozny and seconded by Councillor David Martin, as follows:-
“This Council notes that the United Kingdom is the oldest and most profitable union in history. The UK. now in this post Brexit era should be a position to make its own laws and decisions but this is not yet the case.
The pandemic that we are living through has highlighted just how dependent the United Kingdom still is on other countries, for example the reliance on Personal Protective Equipment from abroad. Our Country has all the skills to have provided that much needed PPE, especially here in Ashfield where there is an abundance of garment making skills.
This Council believes that if our businesses are to compete on a worldwide stage it is crucial to have support at home. If we don’t like, or don’t want to be dependent on other Countries we must put our own house in order by purchasing UK. goods. Our UK. companies need to provide alternatives to foreign commodities as UK. competiveness is critical, if as a country we want to be able to stand alone in the world. With support from UK. residents and organisations buying goods from our own Country, jobs and more investment will follow. The history and capabilities of our Country proves that the UK. can succeed on the world stage, for example, Great Britain led the world in developing the Covid-19 vaccine.
Ashfield Independents want this Council to take a lead in buying UK. goods and set a positive example to our residents, other local authorities and nationally by supporting UK. companies wherever possible. This however, is very difficult as the Government has failed to change laws surrounding procurement post Brexit. A raft of laws have simply been carried over unchanged from the EU.
This Council, unfortunately is still forced into advertising large contracts in Europe so therefore the UK. and this Council is not in a position to make its own decisions. On this matter Ashfield needs Parliamentary representation which is sadly lacking.
This Council therefore supports the Leader of the Council lobbies by letter, the Members of Parliament for the District. Calling on them to take forward these concerns and by so doing save and keep jobs, and encourage new and old UK. based companies and businesses to invest in this country.
To be clear, it is the firm will of this administration, that as soon as the restraints are lifted from the authority, that as many purchases as possible will come from UK. based organisations, and further that we will support as local trades and companies as is possible.”
Motion 2
To consider a notice of motion proposed by Councillor Samantha Deakin and seconded by Councillor Dave Shaw, as follows:-
“This Council wants to put on record its thanks to all the staff of Ashfield District Council for all of their extra hard work, particularly since the start the pandemic.
Ashfield District Council is the only Council in Nottinghamshire to keep refuse collections fully operational through not only the first wave of the pandemic but also the second wave too. Our teams of refuse collectors have gone even further, they have pulled out all the stops by collecting 180 tonnes of extra waste just after Christmas across the District. Not forgetting the 249 addition tonnes collected during the Big Spring Clean and then the Skip into Summer and bag it campaigns. This Council is so proud that despite massive pressures on the team they have stepped up and are soon to be delivering another Big Spring Clean event later this month. We are the only Council in the Country to actually increase waste services.
The Councils Revenues and Benefits Team have had to absorb an enormous increase in workload. Revenues have dealt with 1,700 businesses and paid out well over 20 million pounds in grants after completing the very complex work involved with each application. After which, Government audits and fraud checks are completed. Benefits have dealt with 700 applications from isolating people which is very complex work, ensuring that these applicants are entitled to the grant. With each lockdown and each change of tier come different sets of regulations making the job extraordinarily complex and this Councils teams have risen to that challenge each time.
Our housing teams have stepped up to the plate by getting the Ashfield homeless community into accommodations and are working with them to keep them off the streets and into permanent homes. The Council used an additional 10 units from its housing stock to accommodate rough sleepers. Often this is a complex task but our teams are up to that task and continue to work with the homeless to enhance their quality of life throughout the pandemic and particularly through the winter months.
The housing repairs team have also risen to the challenges the pandemic has caused. During the first lockdown the law meant they could only deal with emergency repairs, so the team helped with cemetery duties and litter picking. Further to this, the team converted properties to accommodate homeless people, thereby assisting some of the most vulnerable people in Ashfield. Since the first lockdown and through all the various tiers the team has continually worked and worked though some very difficult times including when there were serious shortages in building supplies. The team has also kept up to date with gas boiler servicing, this again has not been easy due to some tenants isolating and others not wanting people outside of their bubble in their homes – proudly our teams prevailed.
The Councils I.T. team has enabled more employees to work from home than ever before. They have done this by introducing technology that allows better communication between officers and overcoming the dangers of security for distant working. The law states that public meetings must be live streamed, our IT team has mastered the wizardry of live streaming all the public meetings which have always looked professional to our residents. They enabled Ashfield to be the first District Council in the whole Country to hold its Annual General Meeting, remotely.
Our employees in every department of the council have been extraordinary throughout this pandemic, stood up to all the challenges thrown at them and most of all have worked hard for all the people of Ashfield. This motion, though lengthy does not begin to cover the work of the hundreds of staff and managers in the Ashfield family who deserve our sincere thanks and commendations.
This Council therefore resolves:
That it is formally recorded, on behalf of elected members and the residents of Ashfield District - that our staff teams are thanked and that that thanks is communicated to each team.
Ashfields staff are amazing people who have acted selflessly through what has been some of the most difficult months in our Country’s history they are local heroes and have earnt, our sincere thanks and deepest respect.”
Motion 3
To consider a notice of motion proposed by Councillor David Martin and seconded by Councillor Andy Gascoyne/Arnie Hankin (?), as follows:-
“This Council notes with dismay that five years ago the then Labour administration of closed the Selston Golf Course against the wishes of local people. The building has fallen into a near state of dereliction and this costs the tax payer £6k every year.
This Council further recognises that the residents in Selston Parish expects this Council to treat Selston Country Park on a par with other park facilities across the District such as The Lawns in Sutton and Tichfield Park in Hucknall. To do this will need investment, an investment that is only fair for Selston residents.
This Council notes that the Country Park is owned wholly by Nottinghamshire County Council, and regrets that the current administration there have, with political malice, prohibited the progression of plans to reopen the café on the park
However, thanks to the passion and tenacious work of the Ashfield Independent Councillors who represent the rural wards some improvement work has commenced on the park. Namely with Phase One - the building of a memorial park. This should be completed in the near future and will see three new flag poles and raised flower beds, as well as disabled friendly benches installed to compliment the Commemorative benches previously installed.
The administration are as keen as the local public to make Selston Country Park a destination park, where events can be held for all members of the community. Where it is possible that farmer’s markets can be held and big screen films staged.
Therefore this Council resolves that:-
Officers of the Council work up costed plans, without delay, to create a new Café hub at Selston Country Park. This will be a multipurpose extension to the current building, allowing it to be run full time for local people to use, in the same way other park cafes in the District are. This will be Phase Two of the Country Park Plans.
Officers note and record the medium term plans to work up Phase Three for the park, to provide more things of interest to do at the site. Future 106 contributions from the Parish should be then allocated to this plan. The plan could include but is not limited to, formalising path and cycle routes, creating nature trails, extending the car park and installing a variety of play equipment.
Officers to commence work on the long term lease options of the site with Nottinghamshire County Council and confirm our intention to extend the current lease. Officers present any future plans to Cabinet for further approval.
Officers to develop a business case for consideration by Cabinet and to present to Council for approval, subject to the business case being financially viable. The business case will be developed within the first quarter of 2021/22.”
Minutes:
The Council received a notice of motion moved by Councillor Jason Zadrozny
and seconded by Councillor David Martin as follows:-
“This Council notes that the United Kingdom is the oldest and most profitable union in history. The UK. now in this post Brexit era should be a position to make its own laws and decisions but this is not yet the case.
The pandemic that we are living through has highlighted just how dependent the United Kingdom still is on other countries, for example the reliance on Personal Protective Equipment from abroad. Our Country has all the skills to have provided that much needed PPE, especially here in Ashfield where there is an abundance of garment making skills.
This Council believes that if our businesses are to compete on a worldwide stage it is crucial to have support at home. If we don’t like, or don’t want to be dependent on other Countries we must put our own house in order by purchasing UK. goods. Our UK. companies need to provide alternatives to foreign commodities as UK. competiveness is critical, if as a country we want to be able to stand alone in the world. With support from UK. residents and organisations buying goods from our own Country, jobs and more investment will follow. The history and capabilities of our Country proves that the UK. can succeed on the world stage, for example, Great Britain led the world in developing the Covid-19 vaccine.
Ashfield Independents want this Council to take a lead in buying UK. goods and set a positive example to our residents, other local authorities and nationally by supporting UK. companies wherever possible. This however, is very difficult as the Government has failed to change laws surrounding procurement post Brexit. A raft of laws have simply been carried over unchanged from the EU. This Council, unfortunately is still forced into advertising large contracts in Europe so therefore the UK. and this Council is not in a position to make its own decisions. On this matter Ashfield needs Parliamentary representation which is sadly lacking.
This Council therefore supports the Leader of the Council lobbies by letter, the Members of Parliament for the District. Calling on them to take forward these concerns and by so doing save and keep jobs, and encourage new and old UK. based companies and businesses to invest in this country.
To be clear, it is the firm will of this administration, that as soon as the restraints are lifted from the authority, that as many purchases as possible will come from UK. based organisations, and further that we will support as local trades and companies as is possible.”
Having been fully considered, the motion was put to the vote and it was
RESOLVED that
a) this Council supports the Leader of the Council to lobby Members of Parliament for the District by letter, calling on them to take forward thee concerns and by so doing save and keep jobs and encourage new and old UK based companies and businesses to invest in this country;
b) in addition, it be noted that it is the firm will of the Ashfield Independent Group administration, that as soon as the restraints are lifted from the Authority, as many purchases as possible will come from UK based organisations and further support will be given to as many local trades and companies as is possible.