Hello again,

Just two items this week.

The first is the latest on the brewery site in Kimberley and the second about the vote in Parliament this week on yet more Post Office closures. The local Labour MP campaigned against the closure of three Post Offices in Broxtowe last year. But when Parliament voted this week on the subject he refused to vote in favour of a motion that would have halted the closure plans. I’m afraid he put party interest before the interests of his constituency and indeed his own views. It strikes me that your Labour MP is good at saying one thing here in Broxtowe but doing the total opposite in Westminster. I should add that 19 Labour MP’s did do the right thing; they ignored the whips and along with MP’s of all parties supported the Conservative motion.  Anyway, I welcome your views favourable or otherwise.

Thank you for all your e-mails and comments and keep them coming.

Kimberley Brewery Site
 
I went to Monday (March 17th) evenings meeting of SOBS (Save our Brewery Site) in Kimberley.
We are still waiting for a decision from English Heritage on the listing of the buildings, though it was anticipated a few weeks ago.

The Local Area Commander, Inspector John Lees attended the meeting following concerns about security on the site. Insp. Lees is having difficulty arranging a meeting with Greene King who own the site to raise residents concerns about the lack of security, continuing vandalism and other criminal activity on the site. Kimberley’s Beat Manager, Paul Toon has written to 100 people who live near the site urging them to report any incidents and assuring them that the police are concerned about criminal activity on and around the former brewery. It really is important to report anything suspicious to the police; I know it can take an age to get through but if they can, they will attend and in any event it keeps Inspector Lees fully informed of what’s going on.

Anyway it does appear that at last the police and fire brigade are now fully involved with efforts to improve security on the site and are working with the on-site security men.

Broxtowe Borough Council’s Planning Department has served a “28 day Urgent Works Notice” on Greene King to repair some of the damage to the buildings. There is very real concern about roof tiles which are dislodged and in danger of falling onto public pavements and foot paths and therefore in danger of injuring members of the public. I say concern, perhaps more accurately some people are thoroughly fed up with complaining about this and still no-one sorts it out!

Yet another letter is to be sent to the Council’s planning department urging them to do all they can to ensure Greene King maintain the buildings. The Borough Councillor responsible for planning is a member of SOBS and I very much hope he will take control of the situation.

In the meantime everyone awaits the decision on listing and fingers crossed it will be the right one.

Post Office Vote

Broxtowes Labour MP voted against plans to stop more Post Offices from closing despite opposing  Post Office closures in his constituency. On March 19th 19 Labour MP’s had the courage of their convictions and supported a Conservative motion calling on the Government to suspend proposals to close another 2,500 Post Offices but Nick Palmer obeyed the Labour party whip. MP’s from all parties joined supported the Conservative motion which I’ve cut and pasted in full from Hansard.
 
If you read the motion you may agree with me that it is hard to understand why Dr Palmer opposed it other than a total dedication to Gordon Brown. It “regrets” the closure of a further 2,500 Post Offices; recognises how unpopular the closure plan is – which is presumably why your Labour MP campaigned to keep 3 Post Offices in Broxtowe open. It expresses “concern” about the assessment criteria which includes local geography and the availability of public transport. When I was trying to keep open the Bramcote Hills Post Office we urged everyone to seize on the fact that the “alternative” Post Offices were very difficult to get to either on foot or by bus or even by car. Based on the criteria I believe Bramcote Hills should not have closed but despite our objections the counter closed.
The motion ends on a positive note accepting Post Offices must move with the times, be allowed to develop as businesses and explore working with local councils.