Independents for Southwell

10/07/2023

For those of you not aware, there are at least 16 traveller caravans on one of the pitches at the Rugby Club. They have already broken into the leisure centre, which has now employed security, as well as three containers at the Rugby club, one containing fuel. NSDC protection officers have visited the site.

NSDC have been and completed a welfare check this morning.

The Clerk at STC has been in contact with NSDC and our County Councillor Roger Jackson. STC has also been in contact with the Clerk at South Muskham, where they came from.

The quickest way to evict them is to go via the route of civil law, but this is for the Rugby club to decide. They are obviously concerned about the cost, as the cost for South Muskham was £6900.

The other way to evict them is via the courts which can take up to 2 weeks.

We need to support the Rugby Club in any way we can to resolve this issue.

25/06/2023

It was brilliant to see so many people, including lots of families, enjoying themselves at today's Community Garden Party, organised so well by the office and outdoor teams at Southwell Town Council. Special mention must go to Abi Brackenbury, who masterminded the whole event.

Over 35 organisations, ranging from pre-schools, local charities and NSDC to community groups and entertainers had stalls offering an amazing array of information, free gifts, games, raffles and fun, supported by a fun fair, live music, a maypole and a wide range of catering. Even the weather played its bit, with the rain that was still being forecast early this morning, never materialising.

Just five Councillors turned up to support the event and the Council staff (Cllrs Rainbow, Berridge, Roberts, Barron and Brooker).

02/06/2023

Wednesday night's Town Meeting was a low key event, with only six members of the public turning up - and only five town councillors! The members of the public represented several local organisations, including the Scouts, Tennis Club, Squash Club, Flood Forum and Friends of Southwell Parks. They all gave very interesting and useful short talks on their organisations and how they would like to work with the council and each other on groups such as the Sports Forum and, if it were to be established, a forum for users of the Memorial Park. Much good for the community could come out of that conversation.

Council vice-chair Malcolm Brock gave well-deserved praise and thanks to the Clerk and her team. Without them, the town council would truly be unable to function and their contribution to the town is enormous.

It was a shame more residents didn't attend as it was a perfect opportunity to question councillors on issues that concern them - including potholes, even though it is Nottingham County Council that is responsible of maintenance of our roads. Mind you, with the absence of virtually all town councillors who have been responsible for decisions relating to areas STC is responsible for over the last four years (at least five of whom were re-elected in May but not at the meeting), some answers may not have been forthcoming.

26/05/2023

The Library car park has eight EV charge points. Half the parking spaces in front of the charge points are available for anyone to park in while the other half are reserved for people to charge their car. Even if the reserved spaces are all empty, that is not an excuse to park in one of them. As electric cars become more popular and chargers are more in demand, if people keep parking non-EVs in charging spaces, tempers will start to fray and arguments ensue.

18/05/2023

First meeting of Southwell Town Council last night. Already, one unelected LibDem has dropped out, leaving two vacancies - so, if anyone feels they would like to give their time and experience to the town, they can put themselves forward for co-option on to the Council. Just contact the Clerk.

The meeting was mostly procedural, choosing the Chair, vice-chair, committees and Council representatives on town groups. Useful update on Ash Spinney, which will, hopefully, be communicated more widely.

06/05/2023

A huge 'thank you' to everyone in North ward who voted for me in yesterday's election for Southwell Town Council. I am very grateful for your support and will do my best to justify it over the next four years.

I'd also like to thank those who helped my campaign by delivering leaflets on my behalf. It can be quite lonely being an Independent!

Finally, I would like to congratulate the other new faces who will be joining the Town Council - Phil Barron, Jamie Bostock, Sally Ann Lewis and Jeremy Berridge (especially those who had to fight an election to get there). I look forward to working with you and the old faces in the coming years.

03/11/2021

Sticking together when one of their own misbehaves happens at all levels of government, from national to the smallest of local. That's why we shouldn't have political parties at town council level.

BBC News - Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up

The opposition cries "shame" as Conservatives vote through plans to overhaul the way MPs' behaviour is policed.

03/11/2021

Hope to see lots of people out on Saturday's march.
https://www.facebook.com/849345875273924/posts/1855950997946735/

07/10/2021

Husband and wife Lib Dem Southwell Town Councillors Lyn and Peter Harris appear to be going out of their way to damage the excellent library we have in Southwell. What is the purpose of their so-called 'community' library? What can it offer that the existing library doesn't? Southwell's library is an excellent, well run resource for the town, it's free to use, it has an excellent range of books for children, it's a safe environment and it's has extensive opening hours (far more than anything that STC runs will be able to manage). At a time when many libraries have already been closed or are facing drastic cuts to hours and resources, why are the Lib Dems so intent on destroying the excellent library in our town? Or do they know something that they aren't telling us?

Plans for a community library have been supported despite concerns it would hinder a town’s council-owned one.

25/08/2021

Ample evidence that many responsible dog owners clean up after their dogs and use the bins provided. Unfortunately, the number NSDC gives to report full bins in unmanned and is full so you can't report when a bin is full. Luckily, the Town Council is on the case.

11/08/2021

Electric charging points finally fitted in library car park. 8 in total. But only 7Kwh, which take hours to fill with a decent charge. And it's BP Pulse app only - no visitors with debit card. Totally daft, considering we want visitors to Southwell to use them. Oh, and no power yet. Still waiting for electricity supplier to connect. Apparently, they've already rescheduled four times.