Independent councillor 'airbrushed' from his own motion to Central Beds Council

Potton councillor Adam Zerny failed to gain a name check in the official media communication from Central Bedfordshire Council.

But Conservative Sandy councillor and executive member for health and wellbeing and communities Tracey Stock is quoted.

The airbrushed councillor Zerny said: “CBC have put out a press release which seeks to wipe me from the record!

“Laughably they quote councillor Stock who initially declined twice when offered the chance to speak on the motion, on Thursday (September 24) evening.”

She did speak eventually, referring to the £1,000 community grant available to CBC councillors to distribute among organisations which offered support in their wards during the pandemic.

Councillor Zerny’s motion read: “This council wishes to express publicly its deep gratitude to Community Voluntary Service Bedfordshire, Community Action Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, and the dozens of other volunteering organisations and neighbourhood groups around Central Bedfordshire, which made such an incredible effort during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Without the knowledge, determination and sheer hard work of these groups it’s likely many more people would have experienced hardship and severe ill health.”

He told the meeting: “The current pandemic has been a real eye opener. We’ve seen some incredible efforts within our local communities.

“Residents have gone out of their way to make sure friends, neighbours and in many cases people they’ve never met before have the food, resources and the medication they need.

“Without them I don’t know how this council would have coped.”

He paid tribute to the work of community groups in Potton and the surrounding villages.

“I’ve heard hundreds of heart-warming tales of human kindness and general altruism.

“I know councillor Carole Hegley has thanked many of these groups individually.

“I want this motion to act as a formal thank you from this council to all those who’ve carried out such remarkable work during these strange times in which we’re living.”

Conservative Dunstable Central councillor Hegley described it as “an opportunity publicly to thank so many people who’ve supported our communities during this terrible time”.

The local authority’s press release celebrated the unanimous support given by councillors to the “motion of appreciation for volunteers and voluntary organisations across the area”.

It said: “Dozens of neighbourhood groups, as well as more established voluntary and community organisations, have been crucial in helping residents through the challenges of the pandemic and particularly those who are the most vulnerable.”

Councillor Stock was then quoted saying: “One of really great things about Central Bedfordshire is how brilliantly local people get involved in their communities.

“This is not a new thing, but during the pandemic it has been truly spectacular to see how many people have created local support groups, joined existing networks, such as the good neighbour schemes, or simply taken personal action to check with people in their areas and see if they needed help.

“As a council, we’re deeply proud of the efforts that people have made, and enormously grateful to everyone who has been involved. Unanimously, we salute you.”

CBC added it will celebrate volunteering across the whole of the Central Bedfordshire through its annual awards scheme.