The Ashfield Independents tried to join Reform months ago. I gave them a two-word response.

This week the Ashfield Independents on Ashfield District Council completely imploded. However they try to dress this up, they are all a disgrace.

We have seen a plethora of resignations from Ashfield Independent councillors this week.

During the chaos, the Ashfield Independents gave a statement to the press publicising an incident relating to a former senior member that has caused public outrage.

They gave this statement in response to that member leaving their party.

I am referring to Councillor Matthew Relf, who was until this week a senior Ashfield Independent councillor, and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

This revelation involved the Automated Distribution & Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) project that is currently being built opposite Sutton Parkway train station.

Earlier this year an independent report found that Ashfield District Council had broken several rules in relation to this project.

The report revealed that £5 million worth of work was carried out by Lindum Group despite there being no contract for the building works in place, which was in breach of contract procurement and governance rules, and the project was halted as a result.

Well, it has now been reported that a company called Dovetail Technology was told almost a year ago they had been given the separate contract to operate the ADMC site once built.

The sole director of this company is former senior Ashfield Independent Councillor and Cabinet Member Matthew Relf.

I think this raises genuine questions regarding Ashfield District Council's contract procurement process.

Because of Councillor Relf's Regeneration Portfolio on Ashfield District Council, it was once literally his job to oversee the delivery of the ADMC project - and then later his own company was told it was given the contract to run it, according to the report.

Thankfully, because the Council's rule-breaking came to light, the whole tendering process had to be restarted.

However, I think this raises genuine questions regarding Ashfield District Council's contract procurement process.

Who assessed the tenders? What criteria were used? How many companies submitted bids? Who ultimately authorised the award? What independent scrutiny was undertaken given the obvious potential conflict of interest?

Ashfield residents deserve transparency.

In other news, the ex-Ashfield Independent councillors that left their former party this week contacted our Reform UK councillors at Ashfield District Council trying to do a deal.

However, this is not the first time they have approached us at Reform UK.

A few months ago, I received a call saying that the entire Ashfield Independents group, including Councillor Jason Zadrozny, wanted to join Reform UK.

I replied with a two-word response, the second word was 'off'.

Let me be absolutely clear, there will be no deals.

The Ashfield Independents all stood by for years and propped up a corrupt Council Leader. They said nothing whilst claiming allowances from the Ashfield taxpayers.

They are all a disgrace and a dark stain on our community.

We look forward seeing them all sacked at the ballot box next May.

Meanwhile, major concerns have been raised in relation to the Planning application for the development of 84 dwellings off Wild Hill, Teversal.

This is something that I have been working with Reform UK Councillor Cathy Mason with.

Ashfield District Council's Planning notice admits that, if permitted, this development would affect the setting of nearby Grade 1 listed Hardwick Hall.

This application, reference V/2026/0594, was submitted by Norcroft Asset Group, directed by Katy Hollis, but also lists her brother, serial criminal Councillor Tom Hollis of the Ashfield Independents, as a person with significant control of the company.

These concerns have been raised following last week's appointment of criminal fraudster Councillor Jason Zadrozny to the authority's Planning Committee.

I would urge everyone to object to this application by emailing Ashfield District Council at info@ashfield.gov.uk, referencing the above Planning reference.

You do not have to live in Wild Hill, Teversal or Ashfield to speak up. Our national heritage belongs to us all.

Everyone who visits Hardwick Hall has a stake in protecting our history.