Ashfield & Eastwood Independents

Thank you to everybody who turned up today for the funeral procession of our beloved former Chairman Councillor Anthony Brewer.

We are continuing our huge effort as figures show the district has the highest number of extremely vulnerable people at risk from the coronavirus in Nottinghamshire.
PHOTO TAKEN OCTOBER 2019.
https://www.chad.co.uk/…/ashfield-counc il-continues-effort-…

Arrangements for Cllr Anthony (Tony) Neil Brewer’s Funeral Friday 24th April 2020
The late Chairman of Ashfield District Council, Councillor Anthony (Tony) Neil Brewer’s funeral will take place, tomorrow, Friday 24th April 2020 at 2.15pm at Mansfield Crematorium
... Councillor Brewer will be making his final journey from his home on Wheatfield Way in Skegby at 1.40pm. The Cortege will proceed from Wheatfield Way, down Buttery Lane, turn left onto Mansfield Road, right onto Forest Road, down Dalestorth Street, straight onto Outram Street, right onto High Pavement, up Kirkby Road, across Sutton Road, left onto Chapel Street, down Victoria Road onto Urban Road where the Cortege will pause outside of Ashfield District Council Offices for approximately 5 minutes at 2.00pm. The procession will then proceed through Kirkby Town Centre, up Diamond Avenue, left onto Derby Road to the Crematorium.
Local community groups in Skegby will also be safely paying their respects.
All who wish to pay their respects are asked to make their way to the flower beds behind the flag poles at the front of the building by 1.50pm.
Social distancing guidance of being 2 metres apart MUST be followed. To help you with this we have put small markers on the ground either side and in front of the flower beds. Neil Cotterill and his team will be supporting by ensuring that everyone keeps a safe distance and ensure that the Social Distancing guidance is followed.
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To celebrate St George’s Day ADC Chairman Cllr Andy Meakin & Vice Chairman Cllr Arnie Hankin raised the St George flag to half mast. (Observing social distancing)
The flags outside our Urban Road office remain at half mast in memory of all those who have lost their lives to Coronavirus.

ASHFIELD INDEPENDENTS DELIVER LONG STANDING COMMITTMENT TO CUT COUNCILLOR’S ALLOWANCES!
The Ashfield Independents have today pushed through a long standing promise to cut councillor’s allowances. Voting for the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel – Councillors on Ashfield District Council voted to scrap the £500 bonus that Labour introduced for just turning up at meetings. The savings will save the Council £23,100 per year or £92,400 over the full term of ...the Council. The decision was made at the first ‘virtual’ meeting carried out on ‘Zoom.’
Councillor Jason Zadrozny, the leader of Ashfield District Council said, “I promised to scrap this extra money when I was an opposition council and I forcibly made this point with the Independent Remuneration Panel. The total savings of £92,400 will go straight back into providing frontline services. We never agreed with a windfall for just turning up to do your job. It doesn’t happen anywhere else and should happen here. Councillors are taking a pay cut because it is the right and proper thing to do.”
Other savings that will be generated include a reduction in allowances for Chairs and Vice Chairs of Scrutiny. Councillor Zadrozny said, “Our Councillors work extraordinarily hard – our roles in our communities have never been more important as we reach out to help the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic. It is only right and proper however that we listen to an independent panel. We have done exactly that and I am sure the public will welcome this."
IRP Savings 1. The Performance SRA is discontinued, and the Basic Allowance is reset to £6,717 reduction of £500 per Member per year. Provides savings of £17,500 per year 2. The SRA for the Chairs of Scrutiny Panels A and B is reduced. provides savings of approx. £2000 per year 3. The SRA for the Vice Chairs of Scrutiny Panels A and B is reset to £1,68. provides savings of approx. £600 per year 4. The SRA for the Leader of the Main Opposition Group is reset based on two group sized bandings as follows: 7 or more Members - £7,941 (40% of Leader’s SRA) 2 – 6 Members - £4,963 (25% of Leader’s SRA) Provides savings of approx. £3000 per year 5. The SRA for the Deputy Leader of the Main Opposition Group should be paid only when the Main Opposition Group has seven or more Members.
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STAY SAFE THIS ST GEORGE’S DAY
On behalf of our team - we would like to wish you all a Happy St George’s Day. These are challenging times but we will come through. Let’s stay in today to protect the NHS and saves lives in tribute to our patron saint.
Picture taken during the 2018 World Cup.

How your Chad reported on our call to reopen recycling centres..:
https://www.chad.co.uk/…/ashfield-indep endents-call-recycli…

It’s not clever to flog drugs at 8pm on a Thursday when residents are clapping for the NHS...
https://www.chad.co.uk/…/dealer-caught- selling-drugs-front-…

Do you agree it’s time to re-open our recycling centres? Have your say...
https://www.nottinghampost.com/…/calls- recycling-centres-re…

Sutton Swan thriving following Habitat Damage
The ‘Sutton Swan’ and her eggs are all safe and well at Sutton Lawn Pond. She is 15 days into their hatching process which typically last seven weeks.
... The swan at the pond on Sutton Lawn hit the headlines recently when her breeding habitat was damaged by an arson attack. Luckily, thanks to observant residents – the swan and her eggs were rescued. This led to huge interest from the public with dozens asking for updates. She has now built her own island using the reed bed.
Following the fire, Ashfield District Council took urgent steps to protect them and offer them some peace and quiet by erecting fencing and temporarily closing the footpath close to the nest.
Charles Edwards, Ashfield District Council’s Environment and Cemeteries Manager said: “We're pleased to report the ‘Sutton Swan’ and her eggs are all still safe and well. We believe the eggs are now approximately 15 days into their hatching process which typically lasts around seven weeks. The footpath closure still remains in place as we continue to monitor the situation. We’ve had a lot of good feedback from residents. The hatching period is a long process but with the support of the community we look forward to a happy ending to this distressing story.”
Councillor Samantha Deakin, a District Councillor for Central Sutton and New Cross said: “What started as an awful story is turning out to be a great example of our Council working with residents to protect our beloved swans. I can’t thank our Council enough for the proactive work they have undertaken to protect our swans. Residents have really taken the plight of the famous ‘Sutton Swan’ to their heart. They have been in touch on a daily basis asking for updates.”
https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/…/sutton-sw an-thriving-followi…/
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B&Q told to 'do it yourself' and enforce social distancing after queues at reopened Sutton in Ashfield store.
https://www.nottinghampost.com/…/bq-tol d-do-yourself-enforc…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAPTAIN!
Today would have been the 75th Birthday of Councillor Anthony Brewer. Tony sadly passed away recently from coronavirus. We thought we’d share this video of when Tony found out from Helen-Ann Smith during a Council Meeting that he would be the First Citizen of our District.
We miss you Tony and we hope that all the tributes that have been paid to him over the last 10 days bring comfort to Pat and all his family and friends. x

Council Leader Jason Zadrozny has described the act as ‘despicable’ - the Police are investigating...
https://www.nottinghampost.com/…/ashfie ld-council-worker-cl…

Following lengthy consultation with the Government and after listening to local residents - we’ve successfully made the case to reopen our cemeteries from 9am until 4pm daily.
https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/…/cemeterie s-in-ashfield-to-re…/

This has been described as ‘outrageous’ by Councillor Tom Hollis
https://www.facebook.com/151965718172261/ posts/2914999148535557/?vh=e&d=n

ARE YOU A COUNCIL TENANT?
We currently continue to conduct Property Health & Safety Checks to ensure that our Tenants remain Gas Safe in their homes.
At a time when tenants are spending more time than ever within their homes it is extremely important that we are able to check that gas appliances are working correctly.
... The safety of our residents and staff is paramount and all the necessary PPE and social distancing will be followed.
If you are a tenant that falls into the high risk vulnerable group or you are self isolating due to Coronavirus and have an upcoming Property Health & Safety Check please contact us on 01623 457999.
We thank you for your continued support.
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STATEMENT REGARDING TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CEMETERIES:
Councillor David Martin, Ashfield Portfolio Holder for streets, parks and town centres said,
"We are reluctantly having to close our cemeteries due to explicit instruction from the Government. This is not something we would have chosen to do but the Government are instructing Councils on a daily basis. I'd ask residents to understand that this is happening across the country and our Council Leader Jason Zadrozny is pushin...g as hard as possible to get these these restrictions that are causing great distress lifted as soon as possible."
Due to the ongoing challenges with Coronavirus and updated government guidance, we have been instructed to close all of our cemeteries across the District.
We recognise the importance of our cemeteries as private places of reflection and remembrance but your safety and that of our staff remains our priority. The cemeteries will remain open for funerals and burials only, with limited attendees as advised by government and social distancing maintained during such services.
We are continuously reviewing the updates to the Government’s guidance and plan to open the sites again as soon as we can.
Once again, thank you to everyone for the support you have shown to our front line staff, they are very grateful and really appreciate it.
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A message from Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council.