issue 6

editor@cradleyenquirer.com
CradleyEnquirer.com
editor@cradleyenquirer.com
Online News & Topics for Cradley,Storridge & Mathon
asking the questions you want asked and seeking the answers you deserve
Issue
6
24th February 2018
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
in this issue
AUTOCRACY OR DEMOCRACY?
QUESTION OF INTEGRITY
COMMUNCATION: BUT ONLY ON
OUR TERMS
OWN GOAL !
LENGTHSMAN: A LOST CAUSE?
QUICKIES
From The Editor
The new format of the Enquirer,
judging from emails of support received,
is a hit from the community point of
view.
It does make reading and archiving of items a
whole lot easier.
Points regarding low contrast between text and
graphics have been taken on board and will be
addressed as we progress the designs.
We will be introducing linking of items and pages
to make navigation a lot easier especially
between issues.
Page 7
CRADLEY VILLAGE HALL
Page 8 USEFUL CONTACTS
So, keep the comments and questions coming in
so we can build the Enquirer to attain it’s Ethos
ETHOS: “the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or
community as manifested in its attitudes and
aspirations”
We note that the draft
minutes of the Feb PC
meeting don’t actually
reflect an accurate
account of that meeting.
We wonder if Councillors
will allow it to be
airbrushed through again
THE ENQUIRER,
A NEW DAWN FOR OPEN COMMUNICATION IN
CRADLEY, STORRIDGE AND MATHON

AUTOCRACY OR DEMOCRACY?
Unfortunately the above question has reared its ugly head in our community
The chaos that mass resignation within our council caused back in October last year should by now
have passed into history and a new vibrant council should be in place serving the community as
needed.
Unfortunately this is sadly not the case!
Whilst a new council was being elected and “sworn in” as it were the remaining councillors had the
burden of works thrust upon them under their elected chair Bruce Herriot. With a relatively
“innocent” bevy of new councillors on board the burden of ensuring that the works of the council
advance whilst educating and supporting new councillors in their inevitable learning curve becomes
that much heavier.
It is no wonder then that in an attempt to balance the ‘spinning plates’ that the views and education
of councillors has slipped somewhat from the agenda in favour of what has become in effect an
autocracy with one person making decisions and the councillors for whatever reason following.
THIS IS NOT WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING IN OUR PARISH COUNCIL
The Chairman who, we hope with the best intentions (and not any personal agenda) has slipped into
the habit of making decisions on behalf of the PC. The Chairman has one job alone:
TO CHAIR MEETINGS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
His opinions carry no more authority than any other councillor in decision making on the part
of the council. All votes are equal. That is democracy.
The Chair of the Parish Council must cease this ‘habit’, however well intentioned, immediately
and get on with his job which does NOT include making unilateral decisions for council.
So, Mr Herriot YOU must stop making or moulding the decisions on behalf of the OTHER councillors
and ensure that they receive ALL of the information and facts they require to enable THEM to debate
and decide on the decisions required for OUR community.

Question of Integrity
Is it a breach of integrity for someone on the council who was involved in the legal matter of
the leaving of the previous Parish Clerk to take up a position on the Employment working
group especially, when they were deeply involved in the case?
Integrity surely would make standing down until legal matters are completely resolved the
only honourable option and in line with the required principles and expectations of someone on our
Council:
1. Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
2. Integrity
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or
organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or
take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their
friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
3. Objectivity
Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best
evidence and without discrimination or bias.
4. Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit
themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
5. Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner.
Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so
doing.
6. Honesty
Holders of public office should be truthful.
7. Leadership
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively
promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it
occurs.
COME ON COUNCILLORS TICK HOW MANY DO YOU UPHOLD?
THE COMMUNITY EXPECT YOU TO SCORE 7/7 EVERY DAY
YOU ARE ON THE COUNCIL

COMMUNICATION: BUT ONLY ON OUR TERMS
It seems that the much quoted openness and transparency policy and obligation of Parish Councils
does not actually apply to their communication policy.
Effectively by announcing their desire to make names addresses and residence within Cradley Parish
(and what next DNA samples?) mandatory to those wishing to communicate with them makes a
mockery of the word communication.
It appears that they will only listen or communicate with those they choose or who’s questions are
critical or point out unacceptable behaviour.
As already pointed out to them, but so far ignored the policy of not accepting anonymous
communications effectively cuts off a considerable number of the community from voicing their
problems or concerns.
!
The money needlessly spent
on solicitors so far (more to
come) this year by the PC
has come to £4100+vat.
That is what a new football
pitch at Chapel lane will
cost!
Happy football kids, the lawyers have had your football pitch

LENGTHSMAN: A LOST CAUSE?
Who has failed to see considerable improvements in the mainanence and upkeep of the Parish over
the last few years? Very few is a sure fire bet Potholes filled. bridges painted brooks cleared, paths and
bridleways cleared, drains unblocked, footpath signs erected the list was ever growing. This was down
to not just the lengthsmans efforts but the superb work carried out on behalf of the council by Geoff
Fielding. His dedication to the lengthman scheme was legendary in Cradley.
Since Geoff resigned in protest from the council nothing has been done to continue to keep the
lengthsman scheme going. Jeremy our lengthsman has stood by awaiting the PC’s pleasure and
instruction.
It now appears that the lengthsman is now to be part of the PC infastructure working group which
now covers lengthsman, recreation areas, pathways, graveyards, environment and anything else that
falls within infrastructure. Hopefully this group will not ending up with the camel which planned as a
racehorse.
Geoff has offered his expertise and experience to support the lengthsman scheme as before and take
on the considerable administrative work that it requires.
Great news you might think ! Not a bit of it. Apparently the Clerk (according to HALC has to do
everything. So any work that needs to be carried out by the lengthsman has to be defined by the clerk,
ordered and scheduled with the lengthsman, materials procured by the clerk and delivered to the
lengthsman then when the work is carried out inspect the job, pass it as acceptable then pay the
lengthsman’s invoice. Well Helen hope you can fit this all in in the 10 hours per week that the PC is
paying you. We also hope you can make quick decisions for changes in weather and conditions on a
week by week basis.
We see the PC is intending to pass all pothole repairs to Balfour-Beatty. The reason the PC took on the
lengthsman was so it could get the small back road potholes fixed that Herefordshire contractors
were NOT doing. Do the PC think that they will now do them?
IF IT ISN’T BUST DON’T FIX IT
Contact your Parish Councillors to object to a reduced Lengthsman scheme

QUICKIES
‘Pegging’ out started on A4103 at Stoney
Cross
Only 14 Councillors listed on the PC site.
Have they sacked someone?
PC not prepared to clean the War Memorial in
Rectory Lane (no reason given)
If it snows knock on a neighbour’s door
and ask if they are ok or need anything
Do you know where your dog is?
Recently, an unaccompanied dog was involved in an attack on
chickens. Bad enough but these were battery rescue chickens
who were being given a better life and not to be terrified by some
lazy irresponsible pet owners dog.
THE FAULT IS WITH THE OWNERS NOT THE DOG
Donations by PC to Parish groups to be
“Means Tested”

CRADLEY VILLAGE HALL
It is surprising that there are still people in Cradley Parish who have never visited or been in Cradley’s
16th Century Village Hall. These are not just people who are new to the Parish but residents who have
lived here for some considerable time.
Why not? Is it because they regard it as some sort of museum exhibit, never had anything to attract
them to it or feel somehow that the term village hall conjures up images of lean-to Nissen huts where
only the Wi meet?
“21st Century facilities in 16th century surroundings”
An admirable motto for our hall and exactly right. Our hall, and we say with some accuracy is in fact
run as a registered charity by a management committee for the people of the Parish. The committee
is made up of trustees and representatives of parish bodies such as the church, Wi, and yes even the
Parish Council.
The Hall houses the Post Office , the Heritage Records and Resource Centre and open twice a week to
all. Full details can be found at cradleyvillagehall.org.uk with full diary of events at
cradleydiary.com
What is probably not realised by many is that there is a full free design and reduced cost printing
service available at the hall for private individuals and businesses to use. There is free WI FI and
computer use and help with problems you may have. Go along and have a chat and see what the Hall
can do for YOU
CRADLEY VILLAGE HALL SWOP LIBRARY
In the entrance hall of Cradley Village Hall is
the free swop library where you are free to
swop your books and paperbacks along with
childrens books and also DVD’s and CD’s
Bring One, Take One
If you don’t have anything to swop all we ask is
a very modest donation to our funds for the
upkeep of our beautiful hall.Pop some coins in
the box it al counts

SOME USEFUL CONTACTS, NUMBERS, EMAILS & WEB SITES
editor@cradleyenquirer.com
cradleyparishcouncil.gov.uk
clerk@cradleyparishcouncil.org.uk
cradleydiary.com
storridgevillagehall.org.uk
cradleyvillagehall.org.uk
Cradley Diary.com
now lets you see all planning applications for Cradley
Storridge and Mathon and includes updates and
decisions unlike the Parish Council web site that just
shows applications
COMMUNITY OPINION COUNTS
EMAIL THE ENQUIRER TODAY