Anston Parish Council, the end?

On another of Rotherham’s blogs, Anston Parish Council Watch, we find this interesting story about the ultimate future of APC: End of the line for Anston Parish Council? Posted on March 30, 2015 There is a report in the ‘Advertiser’ and … Continue reading →

APC – The Pantomime

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Grateful to Rothpol’s snailmail contributor for this piece of satire, hope readers enjoy it too:

Madame Overall’s Acorn Antiques – 16 July 2012 – A Tale of Two Cities

ACORN ANTIQUES OF ANSTON – 16 JULY 2012
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

A Tale of Two Cities
(Well –  Anston Nord et Sud)

Après La Fete National   (Bastille Day 14 July)
Aujourd’hui   –  We are mopping up (today)
Lots of blood and gore ici

FOUNTAIN:
A member of the public asked:
Why is this fountain, in the cemetery, not operational.
It is disintegrating and why is this.
Cllr Dalton (Labour) accepted that this fountain has not worked since installation and became full of green algae because  of this.

Q What expenditure has there been on this fountain
A Purchase of solar panel £700 – Installation cost approximately £2,000 plus various ongoing
maintenance costs  – Total – Well over £3,000 and counting
Q How long has this been going on
A c 2yrs, maybe more
Q Why was it leaking in the first installation process
A Non-waterproof cement used!!
Q Why is it now disintegrating
A  As Cllr Dalton admitted – The chemical they purchased to stop the algae was the wrong
sort and this is what is causing the disintegration!
Q SO – What are they going to do now
A The latest suggestion is – Ditch all that, fill it with soil and make it a flower bed!
Q So what are they going to do with the solar panel they purchased
A Computer says Don’t Knooooooooooooooow
More cost –  Compost – Plants & ongoing maintenance
WHAT A BUGGERS MUDDLE  –  AGAIN
ANSTON TAXPAYERS LOSE OUT YET AGAIN
Madame was pushed up the steps-made to kneel, the crowd boos and the knitters cackle – will she lose her head!

ANOTHER COMPLAINT AGAINST THE CHAIRMAN – Cllr Beck (Labour) – Le Tricoteur  – (Male Knitter)
Cllr Jepson (Independent) complained about the behaviour and inappropriate comments of the chairman Cllr Beck.
Q What happened, do tell
A At a previous meeting the Chairman shouted out disgraceful, disgraceful, disgraceful when Cllr Jepson abstained on a proposal.
Q Surely fellow councillors and members of the public considered his comments most
Inappropriate
A Yes most certainly
Cllr Thornton (Independent) said “The word disgraceful was used 3 times and I think that was highly inappropriate.  Round this table we are subject to a Code of Conduct, there were insults traded and other comments made.  We have one councillor laughing and shouting across the table to other councillors and if it is coming from the Chairman I suggest he needs to apologise.”
Q What happened then
A Cllr Beck said – It was a wrong thing to do
Cllr Thornton  said Thank you for the apology
Cllr Beck – IT WAS NOT AN APOLOGY

SO – The Chairman fails to apologise – There is most definitely one rule for faux aristocrats and one rule for citizens.
Lead him up the steps – OFF WITH HIS HEAD

LITTER:
John Ireland brought up the subject of litter between North (Nord) Anston Post Office and Narrow Lane.
Q WHAT – did he venture into enemy territory –
A Probably disorientated!

Cue  –  Cllr Dalton  jumps straight in to promote community litter pick:
“It is very much on each agenda at the moment.  It is very useful for people to let us know where they see litter.  We are on a programme of encouraging young people, schools and older people to do community litter picks.”

Q Isn’t this a question of Cllr Dalton self promoting her RMBC’s projects.
A  Of course, mix and mismatch RMBC and Parish Council business at every opportunity.

Cllr Thornton (Independent) pointed out that Cllr Dalton and other Labour RMBC councillors on the parish council voted for the cuts to Street Pride’s litter picking budget.

Q SO – Are we now employing children as slave labour due to budget cuts.
A Would seem so even though RMBC councillors take themselves off to expensive meals (at Aston Hall) at the taxpayer’s expense.

WHAT A BUGGERS MUDDLE – AGAIN
ANSTON TAXPAYERS LOSE OUT YET AGAIN
DROP THE BLADE – CHOP OFF THE HEAD – CLUNK INTO BASKET

The finest heckler Citizen Lewis –
“Are we now sending little lads up chimneys”
Q What was he referring to
A Oh the campaign to get schoolchildren to pick the litter of Anston
Q Were  the children from Greenlands school involved
A Yes – That is where Cllr Dalton is a governor
Q Don’t we pay rates for litter picking
A Yes – Mr Lewis that finest of hecklers has a very good point

Q Did Mr Lewis complain of RMBC’s profligacy
A Yes and of the rise in council house rents and the highest rates in the borough.
Q What happened then
A See below please
VIVRE  LA REVOLUTION –

And from another page of history
Q Did a lady from the Anston Nord give a history lesson to the councillors
A Oh Yes – She pointed out why the rates of Anston were so high.
Q Why are they
A Because Anston Parish Council raised money on the precept to fight the lady’s vehicular right to her cottage.
After the lady’s vehicular rights were confirmed by the court Anston Parish Council failed to take
the precept back down to the previous level.
Q How much was this
A  Around £80,000 we believe
Q You mean that has been kept on the precept
A Yes and most years they have applied a 5 or 10% increase on the precept
Q Goodness me  – What was behind this
A  A resident causing obstruction and damage by parking cars and dustbins on the village green
Q Was this parking legal
A NO
Q Why did Anston Parish Council allow this
A Well you would have to ask them
Q Has the lady spoken about this before at Anston Parish Council
A Most definitely
Q Did she say she had been threatened with closure of her access
A She most certainly did
Q Who had done so
A Robin Stonebridge threatened to close the access to the green a number of times and the clerk threatened to  close her access
Q And she has spoken of this before
A Oh yes and written to the parish council about how shameful it is that this money has not been given back to the public
Q And what was the response
A No answer was the firm reply!

Boy Wonder, Le Tricoteur – Trying to keep the lid on things refusing to let her continue

Q Didn’t Anston Parish Council go back to court to challenge the judge on his decision on costs
A They did – wasting more ratepayers money
Q What was the outcome of that
A The judge fined them on a time related indemnity basis
Q Does the lady have evidence
A Bien sur –  In spades.
Q Is that the whole story
A Watch this space

Q What happened whilst the member of the public was speaking
A John Thomas Ireland, the hopeless and hapless ex chairman, got up and started wandering about Iain St.John got up and started wandering about along with several others.

Poison Ivy aka Joyce Brindley grinning not paying attention to her knitting.
Dropped a stitch, dropped her demeanour dropped her credbility
Not bothered about the excessively high rates in Anston?
Not bothered about Madame la Guillotine
Just bothered about there being enought sweeties in the communal council sweetie bag

Q Had the meeting closed
A NO  – Councillors wandering about everywhere, chatting amongst themselves, taking sweeties from the bag – totally disrespecting members of the public.
Disgraceful and Shameful conduct by councillors
Chairman Beck – Le Tricoteur, had  lost complete control,

Tumbrels have rolled, the Bastille has been stormed – the citizens are free (but not in Anston) North & South –

Remember – le  pretend aristocrat – Darren Hughes – Jumped “out of the tumbrel” But still got the chop.
Liberte        (but not to speak ere mate)
Egalite,       (certainly not ere mate)
Fraternite, (only of the red sock frere’s mate)

– – It’s Anston Parish Council

Bonne nuit!
Madame Overall

Mrs Overall’s Acorn Antiques – Parish Council Meeting 18th June 2012 – Olympic Edition!

ACORN  ANTIQUES

Parish Council Meeting  –  18 June 2012

.

In the run up to the Olympics

Make sure you have your go faster stripes on
Get ready – On your marks, get set, Goooooooooooooooooooooo
And they are off – Little discussion – Just reading through the agenda
Are they practicing for the Olympics , must be they have  broken the 100metre dash.

Q Didn’t Beck say last time he was not going to have discussion, to save time
A Yes – But – Just let us wait and see
Q Reminiscent of old times with yesterday’s men?
A Ooooh yes   –   And look what happened to them

Pistol fired – Pistol fired again – Another false start – Offenders back to the blocks
Race restarted  – they are off again –
Late entrant coming up on the inside

A Member of the Public – ex Parish Councillor (Labour)
“I was a bit surprised to learn that the grass cutting contract had been awarded to Cllr Baker,  I am not suggesting he had prior knowledge (we think you are) certainly he could have had more favourable access in his application for the contract.  I wonder why the grass cutting is not being done in-house?”

Q Does the Parish Council have the equipment for maintaining large grassed areas or the space to store such equipment.
A NO
Q Are the parish workers fully employed
A Of course they are
Q Doesn’t she know RMBC have cut the grass cutting budget throughout the Borough
A Well wouldn’t you think she would!  Being a  Labour supporter, she most likely supports the policy.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm – Not a well thought out question – Is she still a magistrate?  Hope she thinks her decisions out more clearly.

The Chairman, Booming Beck (Labour):-  Discussions and any possible implications had taken place

Cllr Thornton (Independent)   “ Can I assure you everything was above board, he was not present in any of the discussions.

The member of the public:  “I take on board what you say and I think it was a very unwise thing to do.”
Q Was it all  above board
A  Well it most certainly seems so.

Whoops – stepped out of lane – immediate disqualification
Independents coming up strongly

No 29 Bus Service

This service has been withdrawn and understandably members of the public are upset and concerned.

Cllr Burton implied the cuts were due to privatisation and harked back to a time when the services were much better.
Q Is she wearing rose tinted glasses
A Must be – the services always left a lot to be desired prior to privatisation

Contestant stumbles and cheats by catching the bus!
Another disqualfication

Gardeners Question Time – Part 1

Weeds are Growing says Cllr Brindley
Q Oh deary dear, well they do don’t they and where is this tragedy happening
A In the gulleys and gutters of South Anston
Q Well aren’t they growing everywhere
A Yeah they are
Speed up, revving like Billy Ho – and like a flash – in comes Cllr Dalton I will take that up with RMBC
Q Now just a minute, Was this a set up so that Cllr Dalton could yet again wrest parish matters and take them to the Borough
A Well they are bezzy mates

Oh Ho Ho Ho Cllr Jepson (Independent) quick out of the blocks and over the hurdle – He had already enquired about this problem and the use of the street cleaning vehicles and GUESS WHAT FOLKES – There are the 3 vehicles for use in the Borough – Soon to be reduced to 2  –  Oh dear what a disaster  –

First out of the blocks takes the trophy.

Gardeners Question Time – Part 2

Oh Dear Another Tragedy – Cllr Brindley – Grass is growing on the grassed areas at the cross roads
Booming Beck – That’s RMBC Land

Oh deary deary deary – That is 2 questions about RMBC issues  – I do wonder why!!
Surely we are there to discuss parish council issues – Surely time wasted on RMBC issues prevents the parish issues being discussed.

Disqualified from the race for two false starts

Code of Conduct

Councillors were asked to accept RMBC’s Code of Conduct at the last Finance Meeting.
The full council was asked to ratify this at the Parish Council Meeting

Q Was it pointed out that the Standards Committee does not exist at present
A Yes
Q Was it pointed out that nobody knows what the make up or constitution is going to be
A Yes
Q Was it pointed out that no rules are finalised
A Yes
Q Was it pointed out the pecuniary interest rules have not been published
A Yes

So what did the vote produce:-
Acceptance of a non-existing committee!!
Acceptance of a non-existing committee membership!!
Acceptance of non-existing rules!!
Acceptance of non-existing pecuniary interests!!
Ain’t this another = Buggers Muddle
Well it is Anston Parish Council ain’t it!!

All competitors wearing red socks disqualified

Independents – On the home stretch and chests out for the white tape

CROSSED THE LINE BREACHED THE TAPE
AND THE WINNER IS ——– Certainly not the people of Anston!

All puffed out – Gasping for air – Can’t get my breath!

Goodnight All

Mrs Overall

Mrs Overall’s Acorn Antiques – 18 June 2012 Finance Committee

Mrs Overall’s Acorn Antiques

18 June 2012 Finance Committee
.

Welcome to Martin Crowther – New Chair – At last! Someone who understands finance.

No Agendas available for the public
Q Why on earth not
A The clerk was asked
Q What did he say
A Well he mumbled a couple. of times (totally inaudible)
Then shouted to the public it is an omission. Can you hear me now
Wow clear and loud – so the mumbling is deliberate?

Cllr Martin Crowther the Chair
Q Wasn’t he absent when he was voted as Chair
A Yes
Q Thought you had to be present
A Well yu know – It is Anston Parish Council
Q How did he do
A A bit nervous and a bit rushing
Q Think he will improve
A Sure

Previous Minutes:

Cllr Thornton (Independent) asked that the minutes be changed by resolution.
They were not a true record of events AGAIN.  The final two lines of the minute were proposed to be deleted.
The Labour party plus Independent Labour voted against the proposal thus leaving the inaccurate recording in the minutes.

Q Why did councillors vote to retain minutes that were untrue
A Come off it – yu know it’s Anston Parish Council –
Q Is this a new thing
A Oh goodness no – integrity – forget it – this is the umpteenth time they have voted to
keep untrue recordings in the minutes. They don’t record what happened but what they would like to have happened.

INTEGRITY!      INTEGRITY!       INTEGRITY!   Get a dictionary and understand the definition councillors

Booming Booming Beck  – Why was he shouting “Move we accept the Minutes”
Waaaaait a minute –
Q   Wasn’t he chairing the previously meeting
A   Most definitely
Q   Wouldn’t he know the minutes were untrue
A   Most definitely

SO – Our newly elected Chair of the Parish Council is willing to condone the false recording of minutes. Shouting “Move we accept the Minutes” To cover his mistakes!

INTEGRITY!   INTEGRITY!   INTEGRITY!  Get a dictionary and understand the definition Chairman

Awards Evening aka  The Parish Council Bun Fight

When the question of the costs of this freebie for councillors came up guess what Cllr Judy Dalton said “I do not eat anything at this and I try very hard not to listen to the music”

No sarcasm then Cllr Dalton!   oink oink

Booming Beck “I would ask Clive (Jepson, Independent) not to mutter under his breath when I am speaking”

Q Was this bun fight, the one the good socialists voted for us, the ratepayer, to pay for them and
their partners
A Yes
Q How much do taxpayers have to cough up for their bun fight each year
A £1,000
Q Have they increased charges to children’s groups this year
A Oooooooh Yes
Q Have they reduced the bun fight budget
A Ooooooooh no  –    snouts in trough oink oink

INTEGRITY!   INTEGRITY!   INTEGRITY!   Get a dictionary and you know the rest

On the recorded vote when Cllr Jepson (Independent) abstained
Q Why did Booming Beck insult him saying “Councillor Jepson is a disgrace”
A  And this from someone who’se integrity has been questioned, see above,
Q Is it acceptable for the Chairman to comment on peoples voting method –
A NO –  Trying to influence councillors decisions in this manner is bullying.
Q Is the Chairman getting too big for his boots
A You Bet – should listen to more experience councillors

INTEGRITY!   INTEGRITY!   INTEGRITY!   Get a dictionary and look up bullying

Quiz Night:

Q Is this another freebie
A Yes
Q Is it open to all taxpayers
A NO – just the same old lot
Q What does it cost us the taxpayer
A  Around £300
Q Is a private club profiting
A You Bet
Q How
A Bar Sales
Q Was it proposed to send letters out to all Anston public houses asking if they wanted to
participate
A Yes to make it more fair this year, finally!

Well councillors the new Standards Regime starts on the 1 July 2012 –  Aint that gonna be interesting!

INTEGRITY!   INTEGRITY!   INTEGRITY!

Goodnight All, with Probity, Honesty etc.,
Mrs Overall

Mrs Overall’s Acorn Antiques – 6th June 2012

ACORN  ANTIQUES – 6 June 2012
It’s Jubilee
Don’t wave your flags – there is nothing to celebrate about the majority of this lot

Finance Meeting
Election of New Chairman of the Finance Committee
Q   Is it normal practice for the outgoing Chairperson to open the first meeting of the new session.
A   Yes
Q   SO  – Why did Judith Dalton NOT do it
A   Done deal
Q   When Cllr Beck asked for nominations for the new Chair, why did Cllr Dalton immediately look at Cllr Brindley,  aka  Poison Ivy.  (Independent? Labour!)
A   Don’t think you need to tell us, but go on, for the sake of completeness
Q   So what happened next
A   Ah!  Poison Ivy immediately came in and nominated Martin Crowther
Q   Was he present
A   No
Q   Done deal?
A   Must have been – Elected in his absence and apparently accepted in his absence

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK GOOD PEOPLE  –  Done Deal?

Vice Chair – Cllr Beck Elected – SO now he is Chair of the Parish, Chair of the Charity,          Vice Chair of the Finance Committee.

Not bad for someone who has attended no more than 12 Parish Council Meetings!!!!!
And is only 19 years old!

Declarations of Interest
Cllrs Bridges & Dalton both declared a non-pecuniary interest in a planning application for Greenlands School.
NOW STEADY ON GIRLS  – Don’t get ahead of yourselves the new declarations of interest,
Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary, have not been established yet.
REMEMBER – You are both governors of Greenlands School, in positions of control therefore you should have left the room WHEN REMINDED TO DO SO – YOU IGNORED THE ADVICE – NAUGHTY, very NAUGHTY.  Not setting a good example to the children. YOU MUST PAY MORE ATTENTION TO YOUR LESSONS.

Old Library
Q   Why does Cllr Dalton – and others in the Labour Party press so hard to keep this drain on parish finances?
A    You tell us. It’s costing taxpayers thousands of £’s per year to keep this empty building.
Q   Will they put a realistic plan forward
A   They have already rejected one submitted by an Independent Councillor!
Q    WHO’S INTEREST ARE THIS LOT WORKING IN
A     Not those of the parish that’s for sure

Skate Park Working Group
Tra Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa  Roll of Thunder  –  Enter Stage Left  –  Iain St.John who rejected Skate Park Observation Report submitted by Working Party Chairman, Stuart Thornton.
Q   Was Iain St.John complaining
A   Yes and bitterly.
Q   Why
A    Wanting different dates for the Skate Park W Group meeting.
Q    Was it Cllr St.John who requested the group to inspect the equipment
A    Yes
Q    Did he partake in discussions on the equipment
A    OH NO – He stood at the other side of the Skate Park on his own. (Billy No Mates?)
Q    Why does he want alternate dates for meetings
A    ‘Cos he goes to the operatics on this night
Q    Why should parish matters be arranged around Iain St John’s social life?
A    Of course they should not
Independent Councillor told him – MAKE THE CHOICE – OPERATICS OR THE PEOPLE OF ANSTON

Grass Verges outside, Azalea Close,  Allotment Gates
Poison Ivy is upset because grass has spilled on to the footpath around the gate.
Oh!  How sad.
Q  Who owns the land
A  RMBC
Q  Has she been in touch with Rotherham
A  No idea – Why bother us with it, it’s not Parish Council land.
Q  Where does she live
A  Oh on Azalea Close
Q  Is that Self Interest – Or What
A   As you say Another waste of parish council time

Anston Cemetery
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh  –  It’s a secret – If you make a complaint i.e. about grass cutting and the non working fountain (which has cost the taxpayer over £3,000) –
They don’t want you to know – They put it into secret session. Ssssssssssssssssh
Q   Why, what is secret about grass cutting
A    Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurthing

Anston Village Green
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh  –  It’s another secret – Another complaint about grass cutting – They don’t want you to know – They put it into secret session. Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssh
Q   Why what is so secret about this grass cutting (again)
A    Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuthing

Q   Why were Iain St.John, Judy Dalton and The Chairman (Dominic Beck) SO ADAMANT this was to be shuffled into secret session (Smacks of the East German Stasi)
A   Nothing secret about grass cutting – It was all about the two personalities making the complaints.  Plotting against parishioners?

Winter snow clearance
It seems RMBC want the parish council to store 20kg bags of chemicals to distribute around the village in winter.
Q   Where did they decide to store this
A   Computer says –  They Don’t Knooooooooooow
Q   Did some bright spark suggest  –  At The Top of Crowgate
A   YES – Until it was pointed out this was at the top of a hill!!!!!!!!!! duuuuuur
Q   Who is going to distribute this
A   Computer says – They Don’t Knooooooooooooooooow
Q   How much is it going to cost
A   Computer says – They Don’t Knooooooooooooooooow
Q   Did the Labour Party think it to be a very good idea
A   It would appear they did
Q   Are they going to go round snow shovelling
A   Oh yeeeeeeeeer   –   Well what do you think

Code of Conduct
NALC  National Association of Local Councils
Tra  La Larrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr  Roll of Thunder – Enter Stage Left – Iain St.John
“I move  we accept this Code of Conduct”
Q   Has he read it
A   Just wait and see dear reader
Chairman Beck begins to talk about Rotherham Standards Committee.  Nothing to do with NALC you understand.

Independent councillor, Stuart Thornton, explaining, in depth that RMBC had not finalised the Standards Committee nor the Rules
Q   Had he been to a meeting at the Town Hall re this topic
A   Oh yes
Q   SO  Why did they not listen to him
A   Because Chairman Cllr Dominic Beck had his own agenda
Q   What was that
A   Just to accept RMBC’s Standards Committee
Q  Did he explain to those present that the format for the Standards Committee has not been formalised nor the rules on interests
A  NO Of course not his agenda took pride of place!
Q  Weren’t there two proposals on the Table
A  Yes
Q  What happened then
A  Well he ignored both of them and introduced his own proposal and put it to the vote
Q  Was it carried
A   Yes Red Socks and their friend Independent Labour!

What a Buggers Muddle – Passed a resolution to accept RMBC’s standards and they have not even been written yet!!  Done Deal  –  Oh another!  But this one is a bit previous.
Take note dear reader – Iain St.John (the dinosaur) making no effort to understand the matter just let’s vote – saves having to bother to read and inwardly digest and if we don’t get our way – Well just bawl and shout

Standards Committee Parish Representative
Two Nominations before the P Council
One who upholds standards, the other who has consistently failed to declare Prejudicial Interests –
Q  SO  Who do you think they voted for
A  DO you need to ask.  It was John Thomas Ireland, the hapless and hopeless ex PC Chairman – Well the Red Socks wouldn’t want anyone with competence or integrity to represent Anston Parish Council would they.  Would show most of them up.

Tweet tweet –  Little birdie says– The new Parish Council Chairman, Dominic Beck, stated quite categorically after the meeting, that in future councillors will not be able to discuss items at length.
Democracy – Don’t be daft – It’s Anston Parish (Stasi) Council

(Loads more to report shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh   Stasi state secret.)

Goodnight All
Mrs Overall

Mrs Overall’s Acorn Antiques 19 March 2012

ACORN ANTIQUES 19 MARCH 2012  
JOTTINGS FROM A “QUALITY” PARISH COUNCIL
WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS – IT REALLY WAS

THIS IS A DARK AND X RATED PRODUCTION
Little comedy  – just gloom
Read and despair

Finance Meeting
Last Meeting of the Financial Year:

Councillor Thornton asked if the budget was over or underspent
Computer says aka (The Clerk, Michael Gazur) Don’t Noooooooooooooooooooo

Joyce Brindley also known to us as Poison Ivy-  Asking whose turn it was to do the audit checks
Q   Was this a loaded question
A    Of course
Q   Why
A   Because Councillor Thornton refuses to do the audit check, having asked on numerous
occasions for a breakdown of transfer of monies, between the Charity and the Parish
Council.
Q   Did she trip up
A   Oh yes, she ensnared the “illustrious” chairman who never does an audit check!
MEETING ADJOURNED by Cllr Dalton
Q   Was a vote taken to adjourn the meeting
A    Don’t be ridiculous
Q   Did she declare the items for which this meeting was adjourned
A   Don’t be silly
Q   Was a vote taken to put items into secret session
A   Don’t be so very silly

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Chairman Ireland opens the meeting with more obfuscation e.g.
Regarding the guest speaker from Groundwork who had been invited to talk about litter picks (child labour!)  A councillor asked who invited this lady.
The chairman replied “We invited her at the last Parish Council Meeting”
WHAT A WHOPPER! – Councillor Dalton invited the lady unbeknown to the clerk or the chairman or indeed councillors.
THE LADY WAS NOT INVITED AT THE LAST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Q   Does the chairman know which end of him is up?
A   No but he knows where the Trooper is!

Skate Park
In Attendance – School boys of the local area who are users of the Skate Park.
They attended to bring their observations to the attention of the Parish Council of the poor and unsafe condition of the Skate Park.

An eloquent young skate boarder pointed out that rivets were sticking out of the ramps and this was dangerous.  Also the mud on the tarmac was a danger.
After all the normal excuses the Chairman invited the boys to attend the inspection of the Skate Park on a week day i.e. school day!
Q   Is it the Chairman’s policy or that of the Parish Council to encourage truancy?
A   Looks like it

Mrs Wallhead – Who has been campaigning for this Skate Park for many years and is now campaigning for it’s safety, asked:
Q  Have any of the councillors been to look at other skate parks
A  In jumps Iain St.John “Yes is the short answer,
I was cabinet member for skate parks etc., The major problem with skate parks maybe     the day to day use.  What you are wanting is something like Clifton Park we think or   Maltby.”

The eloquent young skate boarder replied:  “The point is we have got other skate parks round the area.  We are not asking for these amazing skate parks  “WE JUST WANT THIS TO BE SAFE.  IT IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR US TO USE.”
At this point the whole of the public applauded this eloquent and perfectly controlled young man and called Hear Hear
If Iain St.John  was Cabinet Member and Parish Council Member – HOW COME WE END UP WITH CAST OFF EQUIPMENT AND END UP WITH THE WORST UNSAFE SKATE PARK IN THE BOROUGH?

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting 20 February 2012
Untrue recording of above Minutes:
Now for the truth (a foreign land to many Anston Parish Councillors)
Q   Was Councillor Thornton evicted from the previous parish council meeting 20 February
A   Yes
Q   Did the Minutes record the events truthfully
A    No
Q   Did the Chairman take a vote to evict Cllr Thornton
A   Yes TWICE!
Q   Why twice
A   Because the Chairman made a Bugger’s Muddle of this
Q   Was he complying with Standing Orders
A   NO

A proposal was made to amend the Minutes to record the true events
This was put to the vote
RESULT  –  7 Abstentions    1 For    6 Against

NOTE:  The 6 Against  – These had been present at the 20 February meeting and therefore knew that the events recorded in the minutes were untrue!
Q   Is it acceptable for councillors to cover up and lie
A   NO certainly not

However untrue recording of minutes amounts, at Anston Parish Council to:
Record not what took place but what you would have liked to have taken place.

Hey here comes Boy Wonder giving us his wisdom – convoluted though it is!

The Chesterfield Canal Trust

Q   Why did Staveley Town Council  write to request Anston Parish Council to grant monies
to The Chesterfield Canal Trust?
A   Surely the Chesterfield Canal Trust should write on their own behalf?
Q   Why did Boy Wonder press so hard for this grant
A   Surely not to impress the Chairman of the Chesterfield Canal Trust (Robin Stonebridge)
Q   Did Boy Wonder speak against donating to our own stretch of canal
A   Yes – it is a linked up project  (Clang – medal struck for stating the b……g obvious)
Q  Later did he report that 3 areas, including Rotherham had donated to their own stretch of the Canal
A   Yes he did – Well let’s have it straight Boy Wonder  (Clang – another medal struck)

10i  Agenda Item -To discuss bullying of Councillors

Q   At the previous month’s meeting, did Cllr St.John accuse another councillor of bullying
him.
A   Yes
Q   Did Cllr St.John make a complaint about bullying to the Standards Committee
A   No
Q   Did Cllr St.John make this accusation for effect
A   Of course – He can’t resist being on a stage
Q   Did the accused councillor read out a statement in order to prevent himself being
evicted once more
A   Yes
Q   Why were Poison Ivy and Boy Wonder sitting smirking with each other
A   Obviously they think bullying is funny but then Poison Ivy does have a certain record

10ii Agenda Item – To discuss Councillor Thornton being evicted from the previous council meeting

Q   Why did the chairman strike this item off the agenda
A    Too near the knuckle
Q   Did the chairman allow any discussion
A   None whatsoever
Q   What powers was he acting under
A   Maybe he will let us know – when he finds out!
Q   Did Cllr Thornton stand to make a point of order
A   Yes
Q  Why was Boy Wonder jabbing his finger at Cllr Thornton saying “You need to state the
rules, You need to state the rules”
A   Because he is infantile
Q   Why did Poison Ivy stand to show a copy of Councils Direct regarding bullying
A   Who knows why, this from a councillor who has assaulted another member 3 times
At this point Robin Stonebridge said to Cllr Thornton this is a platform for your paranoid fantasies – the tone of which can be imagined.

10iii Agenda Item To discuss the position of RMBC Members in relation to their role as Anston Parish Council Members.

This item was withdrawn due to the councillor not being given a fair chance to speak
At this point Cllr Stonebridge came in again and said “YOU ARE A WASTE OF LIFE”
The reaction from the public was one of understandable horror.

The meeting then descended into chaos with Poison Ivy shouting Shut UP to Cllr Thornton. Poison Ivy then turned her spleen on a member of the public and said in a threatening manner “I will see you later”
Outside in the playground –
YES
Behind the bike shed –
I am not that childish   –
Well you could have fooled us all, firstly she is striking councillors, then making untrue remarks, in a meeting, re a member of the public’s personal life and now issuing threats to a member of the public.
No wonder the meeting was in uproar
AND WHAT DID THE HAPLESS AND HOPELESS JOHN THOMAS IRELAND DO – BUGGER ALL!

The young skate boarding spokesman knew how to handle himself with maturity beyond his years –
He and his friends must certainly have been appalled at what they observed from certain councillors.

This Parish Council has plumbed the depths – it is an utter farce – is not fit for purpose – spends our money wantonly and should be disbanded immediately.

This type of base behaviour is not acceptable in any way to the people of Anston.

A DARK NIGHT INDEED – A VERY DARK NIGHT

Goodnight All
Mrs Overall

Anston Parish Council – Incredible scenes!

Early reports of last nights Meeting of Anston Parish Council indicate that the performers well and truly brought themselves and the Parish Council into disrepute.

Proceedings were pretty much as could be predicted and contained these particularly outrageous examples, brought to you by ‘Truth Seeker’, to whom we are very grateful.

Robin Stonebridge to fellow parish councillor Stuart Thornton:

“It is a platform for your paranoid fantasies,” and “You are a waste of life.”

Joyce Brindley to a member of the public in a threatening manner:

“I’ll see you outside”

Michael Gazur, the Clerk to the parish council also got into the act by having a go at a member of the public. Disgraceful, outrageous and thoroughly unprofessional conduct?

These three most egregious examples amongst those on show last night, clearly demonstrate the many problems caused by those in control of the parish council who resent the local people holding them to account!

Further reports later.

To aid interpretation see: Anston Parish Council – Membership analysed

Mrs Overalls latest play – The Farce which is Anston parish council

ACORN ANTIQUES

JOTTINGS FROM “A QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL!!”

Tell the children that the pantomime season is now well and truly over.

Our theatrical performers have now moved into a new genre. THE FARCE.

THE FARCE – which is – Anston Parish Council

Scene 1. Act 1

Question: Why did Cllr.Liz O’Brian do a cover up job for Iain St.John?
Answer: Maybe she practising to be a magician!

Question: Did she blush beetroot red whilst telling her very elaborate story – That Iain St.John did leave the room after he declared “An Interest!?”
Answer: YES – BRIGHT RED

Question: Did she turn round 180 degrees to see him leave the room?
Answer: NO: she had her back to the door.

Question: Did Iain St.John leave the room?
Answer: NO NO NO – Members of the public emphatically state – He walked over and stood looking at the map which is by the door but in the meeting room.

See Pantomime post of December 2011.

Lying, covering up, dissembling? – All part of the tatty tapestry that is Anston Parish Council.

Scene 1. Act 2

TOO MUCH INTEREST Councillor Joyce Brindley

Question: When did it become acceptable for a parish councillor to comment, in a meeting, about the private life of a member of the public, who was present?
Answer: Never – Cllr Joyce Brindley’s behaviour has in the past, been less than professional and she continues her spleen venting, this time on a member of the public.

Question: Should Cllr Joyce Brindley avail herself of some standards?
Answer: Yes she should – and that goes for the majority of this less than trustworthy lot.

She has been buying into false information – She should ask for a refund!

Scene 1. Act 3

Anston Village Green:

Question: Did a member of the public ask when the track on the south side was going to be repaired?
Answer: Yes

Queston: Did The Clerk, say it had been repaired?
Answer: Yes he did

Question: Was this contested?
Answer: Vehemently

Question: Did Anston Parish Council allow this track to be deliberately damaged & destroyed?
Answer: Oh yes, despite being advised, repeatedly.

Question: In the past did Robin Stonebridge say that he personally would not do any repairs on the village green until hell froze over?
Answer: Absolutely he did – discrimination again.

Question: Has not the Clerk, said in the past, the council have no obligation to repair this track?
Answer: Oh yes he has.

Question: Does Anston Parish Council have a duty to protect & maintain the Village Green which is vested in them?
Answer: Most certainly they do

Question: Then why did they allow a resident of Anston Village Green to systematically destroy the area?
Answer: Good question.

Watch this space good people and learn much more.

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.

.

.

.

.

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This is Anston Parish Council’s repair!

End of Scene 1.

Scramble to the bar. We need a drink to fortify ourselves for what is to come.

Lights down, Curtain up.

Scene 2. Act.1

Litter:

Question: Did The Clerk say the Green had been litter picked that day?
Answer: Yes he did

Question: Then why is there still a substantial amount of litter on the perimeter that has been there for a very long time?
Answer: Because we are waiting for the wind of change! This then will blow it away!

Question: Did Chairman John Ireland say to the effect “There’s more to Anston than the Village Green. Would that be the Loyal Trooper public house by any chance?
Answer: Make up your own mind audience.

Scene 2. Act.2

Boy Wonder – Booming Beck

Question: Who is this young person trying to impress by booming out unimpressively loudly and aggressively?
Answer: Probably Iain St.John, It does appear he has donned his mantle, shame it’s not the cloak of invisibility.

Question: Does this boy not realise he is emulating Yesterday’s Men?
Answer: Does not care?

Question: Is it appropriate for Booming Beck and Judy Dalton (Vice Chair) to sit sniggering in a pathetic congratulatory way when Booming Beck has delivered one of his tirades?
Answer: NO – but then who cares about decorum – it is Anston Parish Council!

Scene 2. Act.3

The Hapless & Hopeless Chairman Ireland

Question: What on earth or moreover what planet, any planet, is he on?
Answer: Who knows – the only hope for Anston is that he will be sucked into a black hole!

Questions: Did he remain in his seat as Chair during a complaint against him?
Did a member of the public point out his error?
Did the Chairman refuse to take note of correct procedure?
Did he fail to ask for a seconder before evicting Cllr Thornton?
Did he say he didn’t need to?
Did he then realise he should have done so?
Did he then say he already had – and it was Joyce Brindley!!!?
Did he then over look Joyce Brindley “co-operating” with Iain St.John to say she had?
Did he then………………

Oh well – you get the picture

Answers: YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES & YES

Question: Who had planned the ambush?
Answer: Surely not Iain St.John!

Question: Did Joyce Brindley just happen to have her Standing Orders before her and open at Section 50?
Answer: Oh yes – You bet she did

And why – Because Cllr.Thornton was, yet again, pointing out the errors under which Anston Parish Council was operating.

To quote Corporal Jones – “They don’t like it up em sir.” Should that be cur?

SO HERE WE GO AGAIN – YES WE DO – YET AGAIN – yawn – and again

Voting to evict Cllr.Thornton from the meeting.

Question: Did Iain St.John turn in his chair to face Cllr Thornton as he was leaving?
Answer: Yes

Question: Was he grinning and gloating?
Answer: As a child might after a playground spat.

Question: Did Cllr St.John then become very full of himself and start showing off in the meeting?
Answer: Well what do you think

Question: Do we need to know he has been out on his bike?
Answer: Don’t give a twopenny toss – Not relevant to the meeting, like so much of what comes out of his mouth.

(Fado would have had endless material from this lot of “under” performers!)

HOW VERSATILE THIS LOT ARE! Now from Farce to Tragedy

THE TRAGEDY

That Anston has this majority of under performers, playing to and for benefit of The Master Puppeteer.

Question: Has Chairman Ireland admitted to being Ian St.John’s puppet?
Answer: Oh yes, on a number of occasions.

Well we will see how Anston Parish Council is themed at it’s next performance. Come, come and see, if you can stand it. Why should we suffer alone? A good night out! Entrance free.

Lights up – curtain down – NO THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE AND PLEEEEZE NO ENCORE

To paraphrase Rogerson:

If drama were a person (St.John)
He would be a stern and noble fellow (Not)
If it was a comedy (St.John)
He would be a jovial chap (Not)
But if it were a tragedy (Most definitely)
He would be like a solemn girl. (Sure thing)

If drama were a tree (St.John)
He would be a grand old oak. (What a joke)
If it were a comedy (St.John)
He would be the merry beech (Nut)
But if it were tragedy (Most definitely)
He would be a weeping willow. (Surely Twisted Willow!)

Goodnight All

Mrs Overall

The Players:
Michael Gazur – clerk
Martin Crowther
Joyce Brindley
Liz Bridges
Liz O Brien
Clive Jepson
John Ireland
Judy Dalton
Dominic Beck
Steve Baker
Gordon Jarvis
Stuart Thornton
Iain St John

Supporting Cast:
Mr D Smith and his Professional Heckler Mr Brian Lewis – Dave Smith did not speak.
Bill Brindley husband of Joyce Brindley. At odds/verbally aggressive/confrontational with Brian Lewis.
The Chairman allowed Bill Brindley to speak at will, despite not being a parish councillor, his status at the meeting was that of a member of the public. He certainly should not have had a go at Stuart Thornton.
The Chairman – Ireland, as you might expect, did bugger all about it!

Representatives of The Brethren were there!! But did not speak!