Change in Control after Election Results - Bassetlaw District Council

2 www.bassetlaw.gov.ukWelcome…Hello and welcome to my firstBassetlaw News column.Firstly thank you to all ofyou that that voted in early May,changing control of BassetlawDistrict Council.This administration will be as open andhonest as we can, with transparencythe key word. We will we treateverybody with the respect and dignitythey deserve.On the issue of transparency I am wellaware of concerns amongst the publicabout the openness of the planningsystem. It is our intention to urgentlyreview the way in which planningapplications are dealt with so the publiccan see how and when all decisions aretaken irrespective of whether they go tofull planning committee or not. Planningis one of our statutory services and it isvital there is public confidence in the wayBassetlaw operates and that we providea fair and equitable service.The major issue amongst the widerpublic at the moment is the potentialloss of services from Bassetlaw Hospitalto Doncaster. This edition of BassetlawNews gives residents the chance tomake their voices heard. Turn to thecentre pages for more information.My first month as leader has seenus hit the ground running. We weredisappointed not to achieve EnterpriseZone Status for Harworth, but as a Councilwe are committed to bring forwarddevelopment in the Harworth area.Following television and media exposure,we will build on the profile of the site toactively pursue jobs and investment.Finally I was delighted to take part inthe ground breaking for the Cinema inWorksop. Work is now underway andresidents from across Bassetlaw will beable to catch the latest films withouthaving to journey outside the district. Asa Council we want to encourage moredevelopments and interest in the area.We will meet with anybody who hasideas for investing in Bassetlaw. Ourmessage to everybody is clear; Bassetlawis back open for Business.Leader of the CouncilGraham OxbyA message from the EditorThis issue of Bassetlaw Newscontains a pull-out featuring allthe Council members. We hopereaders will find this information auseful ready reference. You will haveto hand the name and contact detailsof the Councillor representing you.There is also the usual array of interestingitems about what is going on in Bassetlaw.There is a report on page 4 on the excitingofficial opening of the new skatepark inthe Canch, designed in consultation withskateboarders and BMXers. The plansof Aurora, the charity that helps peopleaffected by cancer and has been givena long lease on the old Worksop Librarybuilding are covered and there is anupdate on the progress of the cinema.New chairmanDavid and Denise ChallinorThere is a report on the work being doneto greatly reduce the risk of flooding suchas was experienced in 2007.Our grounds maintenance staff arefeatured in the piece about on page5. The Bassetlaw Museum is runningan exciting family event in the summerholidays and there are details of thison page 8, as well as reports on otheractivities showing that the museum is byno means musty, dusty or boring.Probably the most useful item for parentsis the schedule of summer holidayactivities being planned by the Sportsdevelopment team on page 16.Of course, there is plenty more as well, allof it aimed at showing you why Bassetlawis a great place to live.Bassetlaw District Council has a new Chairmanwith Harworth Councillor David Challinorserving until May 2012. Doncaster born David,a former plate welder, spent twenty eightyears working at Harworth Colliery, starting asan indentured colliery apprentice. Followinga two year spell at Corus Steel, he was forcedto retire following a major industrial accidentat Drax Power Station. He was first elected toBassetlaw District Council in 2003 followinga year on Harworth & Bircotes Parish Councilwhere he developed a strong interest in localgovernment and community action. Marriedto Denise, with two grown up children, Davidhas a passion for sport and will be participatingin this year’s Worksop Fun Run. The Chairman’schosen charities are Aurora Cancer Centre, TheBassetlaw Hospice and Sheffield Children’sHospital. This year’s Vice-Chairman is CouncillorIan Campbell. The Chairman, or the Vice-Chairman, will attend most events within theDistrict, time permitting, and can be contactedvia the Chairman’s Officer, Trish Webster,telephone 01909 533 117.Further enhancements to Canch facilitiesPlans are afoot to demolish the oldtimber platform, climbing frames andslide alongside the fountain pool in theCanch, Worksop. It will be replacedwith an array of colourful playgroundequipment designed to be used bytoddlers, as well as older children. Carefullylaid out to integrate with the surroundsof the fountain pool, the items are a boatwith a slide, a look out station, swings, aroundabout and a spring mounted Jet Skiand a three-way seesaw.Here Parks and Open spaces manager,Dave Linley discusses the plans withZoe Murr, Contracts Manager for Parksand Playground Solutions, who willinstall the equipment and Nigel Wray,of Husson UK Ltd, makers of play, sportsand urban furniture.Polling district and polling station reviewEvery four years we are required tocomplete a review of our polling districts,polling places and polling stations.The last review was carried out in 2007and we would like to hear your viewsduring the current review. We wantto make sure we have suitable pollingdistrict boundaries which take intoaccount the increases in populationin certain areas following newdevelopment. We also need to makesure we are offering the best location;suitable premises with good access, andgood transport links.We would also like to try to reduce thenumber of schools that have to close,and to find more permanent buildings sothat we do not have to use mobile unitsas polling stations. We would welcomeany suggestions for alternative buildingsthat may be used as polling stations.The consultation period starts onMonday 18th July 2011 and will finishon Friday 19 th August 2011. Detailsof the current arrangements can beviewed at the Council Offices and on theCouncil’s website www.bassetlaw.gov.ukIf you would like to make any commentson existing arrangements, or have anyquestions, please contact ElectoralServices on elections@bassetlaw.gov.ukor 01909 533464.Any proposals for change will be madeavailable for public consultation fromMonday 5 th September 2011 untilFriday 30 th September 2011 at theCouncil Offices and on the Council’swebsite www.bassetlaw.gov.ukAny changes to polling districtboundaries or polling places will takeeffect from 1st December 2011 whenthe next electoral register is published.David HunterReturning OfficerBassetlaw News is produced by the Communications Unit, Bassetlaw District Council, Queens Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop, Notts. S80 2AH Tel: 01909 533497The next issue will be published on 12th November