Refuse Collections Delayed because of Bank Holidays – An Alternative

A resident has made this proposal to the Council.

No doubt because of the public holiday you have suffered a delay to your refuse collection. These delays are bought about by the service doing nothing till after the holiday – they catch up by working on Saturdays after the holiday.

Is it necessary that all the residents of Rochford District suffer these delays after every public holiday? Most holidays occur on a Monday so those households with a Monday collection would expect that there will be some disruption to their refuse collection. Why not collect their refuse on the previous Saturday – Tuesday you return to the normal scheduled collection service.

80% of the Borough would not be affected by the fact that the refuse collection service was not working on Monday. Because those households have not suffered any disruption to their normal refuse collection there is no requirement to pick up additional refuse in bags or boxes placed beside the bin.

With collections programmed in advance of the holiday – even with the longer holidays of Easter and Christmas it is possible to make collections with only a one day difference to that of a normal collection and normal service is restored much quicker. Read more

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Barrier at the end of Hawkwell Park Drive

This was discussed at Hawkwell Parish Council and passed back to John.  With the Police and RDC it has now been decided to resolve the issue with a new barrier and fencing.

While I was out meeting people during the election the feedback I got was that the recent changes had been for the worse because the motor cyclists just roar down the road now and straight onto Clements Hall.

When I contacted RDC they said that this had been at the request of The Hawkwell Residents’ Association residents to let prams through.  

John Mason

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Benchmark Doors Ltd. 90 Main Road. Hawkwell, Essex

Benchmark Doors Ltd. 90 Main Road. Hawkwell, Essex

Environmental Protection Act 1990
Statutory Noise Nuisance from: Dust Extraction Unit

Here is an update with regards to the ongoing noise nuisance investigation.

This has now been resolved but I still need to be satisfied that there are no dangers of pollution.

Street Lights Out in the Vicinity of 258 Rectory Road

Now resolved – if there are any other long standing problems like this please let John know.

From County Councillor Tracey Chapman as the Highways Department is responsible for these street lights.

“The problem is with the electricity provider who are being less than helpful. Highways are on to it and will ask the provider to deal with this as a matter of urgency. As soon as they get a commitment to a time and date will let you know.”

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What goes on in the Local Elections?

So what does go on in the Local Elections that shouldn’t and you don’t get to hear about? Read on to discover the level of activity that was undertaken against myself, an independent candidate in the 2006 Local Government Elections. Read more

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Abolition of The District Councils

John Prescott now longer has the ODPM and David Miliband has moved on. Several senior civil servants are no longer involved.  It is rumoured that the Government does not wish to take on some County and District Councils.  The White Paper will now be published towards the end of October.

Recent election candidates for District Councils might find that the losers have the last laugh almost immediately as their office will most likely abolished with the District Councils as early as 2008 by the Labour Government.

The Labour Government is even thinking of calling off the next District Council elections due in 2007 to make way for early abolition of the District Councils. Read more

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Anti Social Behaviour and Vandalism

I recognised the issue of policing in my election address as a matter of concern not just for Hawkwell but the whole Rochford District. This is not just an issue for Hawkwell or its representives to address alone.

The situation will not be improved across the District unless the whole District Council acts and obtains the level of policing we require from the newly merged Rayleigh and Southend Division. As I said in my election address the Council is still awaiting the Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Folkard to come to a Council Meeting and explain the basis of resourcing we have and challenge that is insufficient.

In the meantime I have advised Essex Police again, and just a few weeks ago, of the concerns of residents about young people coming into Hockley and Hawkwell by train because they have been dispersed by law from Rochford. There have been joint operations between the Transport Police and Essex Police at Hockley Rail Station in the past and I have asked that this operation be renewed. I have also asked Essex Police to increase patrols in Hawkwell. Read more

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MP finds time to spend in Hawkwell !!

Our Conservative MP, Mark Francois, spent the evening of 4 May, in Hawkwell West talking to Conservative voters. It is a pity that he did not, as our MP, spend more time in Hawkwell speaking to a wider cross section of residents and actually working for us all rather than increase the Conservative Turnout and oust me, John Mason, an established “independent” from the District Council.

Why this was a priority for our MP, when the Conservatives have outright control of the District Council I cannot begin to understand. What would have been the benefit of yet another seat? Basically political domination with no other voices, especially independent ones, being heard in debate.

Local Events

Don’t be shy !! Please post information about events, fetes, club meetings, concerts etc., here.

I will add them to the Calendar on the left for you where if users “hover” over a date the events on that day will be revealed.

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