Progress continues on Phase 1

The second open section of the critical drain after clearing and installation of retaining boards is shown below on the left , the picture on the right shows the same section prior to the work.

A sad first for Gilberdyke Parish Council

At tonights Parish Council meeting one of the subjects for discussion was a chain email being circulated by a resident of the village. Much of the email was inaccurate and consisted of serious personal attacks on our Ward Councillor who has devoted much time and effort on the needs of our area. The originator of the email was present during the proceedings and disrupted the meeting by his behaviour during the discussion.
Consequently I moved a motion that he be excluded under the standing orders of the council. The motion was unanimously supported by the other councillors present. At that point the chairman then asked him to leave which he did.
This is the first time such an exclusion has happened in a Giberdyke Parish Council meeting and I sincerely hope it will not require repeat.

Drainage improvement - an odd development

In connection with the drainage improvement project, apparently one resident is complaining that the footpath alongside the dyke at Coggins Bank has been churned up and fly tipping is going on. Having been to look, the alleged fly tipping is spoil excavated from the drainage works, which has been added to an existing earth bank of soil, well out of the line of the footpath which is along the bank top. The green lane is somewhat rutted and the recent rainfall has made things a bit muddy. Nothing more than the normal agricultural traffic would have made. Drainage Boards are in any case permitted to tip spoil from their drainage works on bank tops or within reach of an excavator boom (approx 30 feet) under the auspices of the 1991 Land Drainage Act.

Drainage improvements start

The long awaited start is finally here! The contractors (L & K Warkup) started work this morning. The lower photograph shows the first levels being set before digging begins. The old dyke and a digger waiting to start work form the background of the photograph.

The upper photograph was taken on the 4th and shows the early improvement (deeper, wider, and retaining boards installed) to the outfall into Far Drain.

The demise of the Standards Board

Gilberdyke Parish Council has suffered the attentions of one individual who has made a number of unjustified complaints regarding a number of councillors. I was one of those targetted but in each case the accusations were unfounded and judged as no further action to be taken. The present system is abused as it is being used as a free way to cause grief to the targetted individual councillors. Thankfully it is on its way out and we should see no more of these time wasting and stressful episodes.

Andrew Stunell said:"The Standards Board regime ended up fuelling petty complaints and malicious vendettas. Nearly every council had investigations hanging over them - most of which would be dismissed but not before reputations were damaged and taxpayer money was wasted. Frivolous allegations undermined local democracy and discouraged people from running for public office.
"That's why we are axing the unpopular and unelected standards board regime. Instead we will legislate to ensure that if a councillor is corrupt and abuses their office for personal gain they will be dealt with in the criminal courts. If a councillor behaves ineffectively or irresponsibly then it's a matter for the electorate not an unelected quango.
"This Government is freeing councillors from central prescription and top down bureaucracy so they can get on with their job. In the future councillors must expect to be judged at the ballot box by an electorate with real access to their accounts and personal interests in a new transparent era."
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles added:"The standards board regime became the problem, not the solution. Unsubstantiated and petty allegations, often a storm in a teacup, damaged the reputation and standing of local government, as well as wasting taxpayers' money.
"But by abolishing the failed standards committees we're not letting councillors off the hook. Failure to register or declare an interest, or deliberately seeking to mislead the public about an interest, will become a criminal offence while a newly empowered Local Government Ombudsman will investigate incompetence on behalf local people."