Are we getting a cinema or not? Apollo Cinema the designated company were surprisingly vague when I spoke to them this week. They clearly did not want to speak to me. Henry Boot claim it will be built this year, but then it is they who are suggesting problems with the site.

On enquiring of the Environment Agency, who some seek to blame, I find that they have no objections to the cinema and that between 2002 and 2008 there were no issues raised with them.

Only at the beginning of 2008 were some small issues raised about surface water discharge, which is a normal every day issue on sites of this size. There is nothing to suggest that there are any big problems. So why the secret council get out clause for Henry Boot?

Did the  Council check with the  Environment  Agency before stating to councillors that Henry Boot were claiming problems with them? Did Henry Boot put these issues in writing to the  Council? Freedom of Information requests should reveal all, but it certainly makes the Council look incompetent. Perhaps the lure of £10 million for a badly sited cinema proved too much.

I was shocked and very disappointed to see that Bassetlaw Council never even bothered to submit their views to the Pitt enquiry into last year’s floods. Why not?    My major argument, in my submission, is at the top of the recommendations and will be agreed with government: the Environment Agency to have overall flood risk responsibility. A second proposal of mine is also there: stop all housing developments on flood plains- and about time too.

Pitt also recommends that every local authority carry out a full survey of all dykes and watercourses. Surely Bassetlaw Council can no longer dither on this major issue. I call on them to act now.

Whilst they sit on their hands, I have pressed the  Environment Agency to do a full flood risk assessment for Worksop and this is progressing on schedule. My brief to them was to precisely prove what caused the flooding and provide costed options for remedies. Their timescale for completion of this detailed mapping work is later this year.

I have intervened on behalf of builders and to arm twist insurers. I have also demanded that council tax be waived for all flood victims as is encouraged by government. Bassetlaw council of course refuse.

Today is Veterans Day and we honour our veterans at Hodsock Priory. The event is ticket only, but if any veterans have missed out then ring my office on 01909 506200 this morning and I will see what we can do. Every veteran living in Bassetlaw is welcome.

I have organised a tour of Parliament on Friday 11th July for Bassetlaw residents.  There are some spaces left on the coach, please call my office on 01909 506200 if you would like to come on this fascinating trip.