Rochford Headlines

Rochford Council’s Airport Meeting Cancelled

The Extraordinary Full Council Meeting to be held in Rochford on 16 July has been cancelled. It is understood that residents intended to attend the meeting to hear what their councillors thought about the JAAP Plans for Southend Airport. Residents in both Southend and Rochford have expressed concerns... Read the story »

How do you dispose of a defunct toaster in Rochford District?

Or anything else that is not listed under Recyclable or Non Recyclable on RDC’s web site !! An old toaster is not listed so what do you do with it now?  You can’t put it in any of the three bins.  Answers on a post card would be appreciated. Or rather please enter a message under Comments. One... Read the story »

Hawkwell Bus Gloom - there could be hope !!

The Local Transport Act 2008 became law in November 2008 and I have been keenly awaiting the Guidance on Quality Partnership Schemes (QPS) which came into force on 6 April 2009. There are now  far more effective set of options and powers to improve bus services. The bus in public transport provision... Read the story »

Queues cut by providing blood tests clinics near to where you live

As of Monday 23rd March 2009 you can make blood test appointments at the following extended venues: Rayleigh Clinic, Eastwood Road Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9.00am to 12 noon, Thursday and Friday, 9.00am to 4.00pm. Hockley Clinic, Spa Road Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm, Wednesday... Read the story »

Rochford Housing Policy - What happens next?

So the public consultation on the Rochford Core Strategy - Preferred Options closed at 5.00 pm on 17 December 2008. So what happens next? Rochford District Council has shared with the public the outcome of the consultation. But they have yet to say what they intend to do about the objections. In the... Read the story »

Hockley Regeneration Plan - How could this affect Hawkwell?

 But how could this affect Hawkwell?  Apart from the obvious that many, many people from Hawkwell regard Hockley Village as a place for public resources and shopping - one of the Options (2.1) involves building up to 200 houses/apartments on the Eldon Way Industrial Estate.  Is this the best Option... Read the story »

Hawkwell Headlines

How we might get a chunk of the budget for something important in Hawkwell

The new concept is ‘localism’  - local budgets for Highway improvements The County Council will agree annually a budget for highway works in Rochford District and it will then be the responsibility of the Area Committees to advise on their preferred schemes/works, with the Portfolio Holder for Planning... Read the story »

Please Protest about no Bus

The campaign to get our evening bus back for Hawkwell has hit an iceberg in the form of the Review Committee for Rochford District Council. This committee is headed up by Rayleigh Lib Dem, June Lumley and it was asked by Transport Councillor Boss, Keith Hudson to examine all the bus issues that were... Read the story »

Spin, Dirty Tricks and Expenses

One of the characteristics of an independent councillor is the ability to speak out without political reprisal.  True or Untrue? I’ll let you be the judge. You have a right to know directly from me all about the issues that are affecting your local councillor who is trying to do a good job representing... Read the story »

Proposed Large Housing Development in Hawkwell - Update

What is going on with the proposal to build 330 houses in Hawkwell?   Something that hundreds of residents of Hawkwell wrote to Rochford District Council about last November and to say “No”.  As it happens The Hawkwell Action Group and I are just about ready to deliver a new “Newsletter”. ... Read the story »

Extra NHS Dentist Surgery

The Hockley Residents’ Association has informed the “Independent” that The White Hart Lane Dental Surgery, Hockley has been given increased NHS capacity and are opening an additional treatment room with effect from 6th May.   It will be open 4 days a week and will allow many more... Read the story »

Essex Headlines

Essex has £6.5 Billion Shortfall on Infrastructure

From a paper submitted to the Cabinet of Rochford District Council.  The full paper, Strategic Countywide Economic and Housing Issues, can be downloaded here. “Essex has traditionally taken a significant proportion of economic and housing growth without benefitting from the necessary infrastructure... Read the story »

What were the recent elections like for you?

Did the County Council Elections prove to be the best place for important questions of policy to be answered by the existing political administration and its political challengers? Did you get the chance to even ask? Did any of the candidates ask them for you? Faced with promises from David Cameron that... Read the story »

Council Tax Freeze?

David Cameron says in a leaflet, specifically and personally addressed to you and popped through your door during these elections, that “We’ve got plans to help people through this recession - like a council tax freeze.” See Leaflet here http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1063718/davidcameron.pdf In... Read the story »