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Much respect is due, by me, to maltbyblogger, for helping me to get going with rothpol, in the first place. Never dull and frequently provocative, maltbyblogger is always worth a read. To read this blog, please click on the image … Continue reading
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There was one contested by-election yesterday in Maltby, click on image to download a .pdf of the full declaration: Congratulations to the victors and a huge lot of gratitude to everyone who made this exercise in democracy possible. A win … Continue reading
Maltby by-election: TUSC’s final push
It’s the final weekend before the election to the North ward of Maltby Town Council, and TUSC are making a last big push before polling day on Thursday. A new leaflet is being distributed to residents through the week and another stall was done today (Saturday) on the High Street, which, as with previous stalls, was popular with the general public.
In the new leaflet there is a Q&A in response to questions received on the campaign, addressing questions about TUSC’s stance, agenda and Joe Robinson, their candidate. A new addition has been added to the ‘local issues’ section, about the state of Maltby’s High Street. To quote: “I propose that MTC seeks additional funding for a second street cleaner/community warden… as well as look into measures to stimulate local shops rather than more take-aways/throw-aways!”
MALTBY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – FRIDAY 22ND FEBRUARY
During a Town Council meeting last Friday the council discussed issues such as the proposed play area on the New Estate. Whilst having a large unused budget councillors offered to fund a measly 10% towards the project. Councillor Christine Beaumont mentioned the sale of the former Tarran estate (Newland Avenue) for private development, despite the fact it was meant to be replaced with social housing – a TUSC campaigner plus a member of the public backed up this, while Beaumont insisted “there is not enough money for full social housing,” and “a mix of private and social housing is better”.
When a member of the public brought up issues to the town council, such as corruption, unspent money and failure to maintain notice boards, they were quickly shouted down and looked at with contempt. When discussing the failure to maintain and update many notice boards in Maltby, Cllr Beaumont’s response was – “they are the responsibility of Rotherham borough, not Maltby Town council” (despite being Maltby’s responsibility). For asking a few simple questions in a polite manner, a rude response filled with false information was given back; in true MTC style.
This is a press release from the TUSC campaign:
On Sunday the campaign began for TUSC in Maltby, where Joe Robinson is standing in the North ward for Maltby Town Council. The ward was leafleted on Sunday, outlining who Joe is, his policies and some information about TUSC in Rotherham.
On Monday a stall was set up in the morning near Tesco, where leaflets were handed out to voters about the election, and also a petition on NHS cuts in Rotherham which was quite well received, pictured below.
After the stall a larger portion of the ward was leafleted – many households in the ward should now have received a leaflet, with further campaigning planned at the weekend. Policies outlined include the saving of the bowling greens and tennis courts in Maltby and improving the conditions of parks and greenspaces in the town. Joe has given support to a community group aimed at a new play area for children around the New Estate. Greater transparency and accountability between MTC and the residents of Maltby is also called for and pledged in the leaflet.
The public seem to be quite pleased, being part of the campaign myself I’ve spoke to a few people who like what Joe is standing for and are glad there is a Labour alternative standing in Maltby. No sign of the other candidate, Jeanette Mallinder, yet – whether she’ll be campaigning or not is unknown, for now.
As the House of Commons debates the phone hacking scandal and the conduct of newspapers, July’s issue of MaltbyNews is in circulation. (I hesitate to say “delivered to every house in Maltby as it proclaims, as it’s rather a hit and miss affair).
Amidst the national discussion on the reliability of the press and the infringement of liberties of the public, Maltby News’ editor Kevin Hall has chosen again to disregard his so called policy of giving the”right to reply’. Rather than respond in his ‘newspaper’ to the libellous comments and untruths that he has previously published he has produced an issue with neither “Letters to the Editor”, an editorial comment nor the name(s) of the journalists’ who have written the copy.
The ‘Events Calendar’ notes the Local Development Framework Public Consultation dates for Bramley and Wickersley but omits Maltby. Two Maltby Town Council News Pages (at a cost of £300) have a competition entry form with last year’s date on. If it wasn’t for the advertising by local businesses (at whatever the charge) and the ‘wrap around’ by Maltby Academy (ditto the charge) then a more cynical person than myself might conclude that Kevin Hall prints in www.maltbynews.co.uk what is in HIS interest and not that of the Maltby community.
Dear Kevin Hall : Editor Maltby News,
I am sure that you will not print this letter in the Maltby News paper as you have made it clear that you do not give your readers the right to reply unless their views fit in with your own and those of a ‘chosen few’.
In fact it appears from the June edition of the paper that you do not print readers’ letters at all. In place of letters or even an editorial comment you have printed a further ‘report’ by Alice Rodgers again castigating Maltby Town Council and ‘reporting’ from Maltby Forum. As you know Maltby Forum is the group that has repeatedly refused to provide details of it’s membership and it’s constitution. The only ‘information’ that they have provided has numerous irregularities and is out of date, yet Maltby News continues to publish pieces from someone who purports to be an official.
Any member of the public reading these things in Maltby News will naturally, assume that what is written is factual, credible and honest.
Much of what is written is none of these.
Over the past 18 months there have been many instances of defamation and libel against me and my friend on the letters pages of the Maltby News paper. One of those responsible continues to send malicious and libellous emails, cc’ing numerous people into them including you, Gareth Dennison and Doug Melloy of The Advertiser,The Worksop and Dinnington Guardian, Maltby Town Council and a selection of MPs and councillors.
There has been much in the media recently of injunctions and privacy laws. The Prime Minister has said the law should be reviewed to “catch up with how people consume media today” and that it is unfair that newspapers could not name individuals whose identity was being widely circulated on the internet. But I know from personal experience that views and perspectives that the public take from the media are not always the full story. Newspaper reports are often taken as ‘gospel’ and our local newspapers in particular have a duty to represent all views and rectify false accusations. Once something is written it becomes fact for some people and no amount of further evidence will change their views.
You suggested to me by telephone Kevin Hall, that I should report you to the Press Complaints Commission. Again, as you well know, the majority of UK publications fall under their jurisdiction but Maltby News is not one of them as it does not belong to any of the five publishers’ associations
So there is no course of action that can be taken apart from a civil one, which obviously is beyond the financial means of the general public and myself. The Police are however, investigating the matter and I trust that a positive outcome will be the result of this.
Despite you ignoring my last five letters to you I am not deterred in ensuring that everyone who this situation effects is informed. I am advised to write to yet again to ask for my previous letters to be printed in order to show the public of Maltby that your paper is a reputable source of news and correct information.
It is only by honesty and openness of everyone, including the media that ordinary folk like me can have the truth told.
(Copies of the offending paper can be found at www.maltbynews.co.uk)
The results are in and Christine Beaumont (Labour) has been duly elected for Maltby with 1881 votes.
Michaek Burke (BNP) 388 votes, John Kirk (Ind) 370, Derek Johnson (Con) 322 and Michael Conlon 215 votes.
A turnout of only 35.7% speaks for itself at the interest/apathy coming from Maltby. Interesting that BNP have more votes than Con or Ind. This shows either that the BNP have more supporters who want to see their policies implemented, or that those who have little faith in the current majority want something “different”. I tend to think it’s the latter.
Maltby Town Councillor Jenny Andrews(Labour) has been elected as RMBC councillor for Hellaby. Mrs Andrews has previously been Chair of MTC. She has also previously classed herself as Labour, then Independent, now apparently Labour again. A bit better turnout out at Hellaby with 42.67%.
Results of the election to Maltby Town Council on a further post.
Today’s Rotherham Advertiser comments :
“A Town council dogged by a four-year battle of costly conflicts is hoping for a smoother future after last week’s election results. Maltby was won back by Labour after being outnumbered by Independent members before the local election.
The well documented problems led to last year’s mediation report – paid for by Rotherham taxpayers – which said that unrest would continue until there was a change of personnel.
Current Chairman of Maltby Town Council John Kirk, one of four independent councillors said “It was an interesting outcome. I have mixed feelings about how the next four years will be. I hope I’m wrong but it looks like the council was eight years ago when we had four years of inertia and led to the independents coming in 2007. It’s a difficult situation, with so many Labour, four from the same family, and I hope that the dogma does not come through.”
Labour member Carol Stringer said, “We’re hoping for more stability and to achieve more for the people of Maltby than was possible in the last four years.” ”
Maltby Town Councillor Jenny Andrews, has narrowly taken Hellaby ward as borough councillor. She says that she has had a “magnificent response” to the campaign which was run jointly with Maltby.
Christine Beaumont, elected to RMBC and MTC said, “We knew we were going to win, it was just a question of by how much. It’s been enjoyable and now I look forward to meeting more people, trying to meet their needs and just being more fair.”
It’s a very interesting situation for Maltby, with both the borough and town council results. John Kirk, the current chair of MTC , defeated by Labour in his bid for RMBC is already talking about the dynamics of MTC with regard to Labour members. I am sure that the majority of people want to move forward to better management and better community relations. But the “us and them” mentality seems difficult to break through, whether from councillors or the general public.
The new Maltby Town Council holds it’s first meeting and Annual Meeting on Thursday 19th May. Hopefully, the councillors will show that they want a new start and have a clear purpose in carrying out their roles as representatives of the public.
http://www.rotherhamparishcouncils.gov.uk/Home/Maltby/maltbyHome.aspx
Rotherham Politics 