The Conservative Policy on Housing in Rochford District

The Local Tory Manifesto says ” Housing – Rochford Conservative Councillors will forever be the guardians of our most precious resource; our countryside, our green and pleasant land. At the same time we recognise the needs of our growing population. We will always ensure that we make the best possible use of the land that is available to us for the benefit of our residents and their children.”

Fine words, just that, and only that, unless residents see that the ACTIONS they want are being taken to back this up; not just promises.

Breaking News Feeds for South Essex, Rochford District & Hawkwell

You can keep up to date with breaking News from South Essex, Rochford District & Hawkwell by clicking on the links below and choosing the subject you want to know more about.

[CaRP] XML error: Invalid document end at line 81 –

These news feeds come from a diverse series of sources and we hope that you find it both interesting and informative. 

• News from BBC, Essex
• News from the Evening Echo
• News from Essex Police
• News from Rochford District Council
• News from the Liberal Democrat Party, Rochford District
• News from Rochford District and Hawkwell  

New Youth Centres possible in Rochford District

There appears to be a general consensus both from the general public and youngsters that designated meeting areas, which are supported by all, are preferred to ad hoc gathering points on street corners or other inappropriate venues. Consultation with youths across the District has already confirmed their perception that they have nowhere to go.  It therefore appears that we are all united in recognising the need to identify suitable locations for youngsters to meet up.
 
I was actually referring to some preliminary discussions about re-establishing a youth club at Rocheway, Rochford and in proposals for a new youth club in Eldon Way at Hockley.
 
In summary the police would support buildings and locations that diverted the prospect of anti social behaviour away from more residential areas, but we will do no more that support the general principles.  It is very much in the hands of local residents and councils to determine whether specific locations are deemed appropriate.

Review of Taxi Licence Conditions NOW Underway

I raised this issue with the Leader of the Council on 16 June 2007 by letter.

http://www.girltalk.pcs-net.com/rol/rochford-district-council-executive-board/

There has been no reply, of course.

But the RDC “Taxi Talk” Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 12 that was issued today, 28 June 2007, contains the following;

Page 6

Conditions Update

A full review of Licence Conditions is underway. 

A successful outcome, and although the Conservative Administration is going to suggest it was already happening, clearly it was not without the intervention of an Ordinary Member !!

This work is licenced under a
Creative Commons Licence.

Arriva No 8 Bus – Improvements sought by RDC

Planning Policy & Transportation Committee – 3 April 2007
Review of Bus Services

Resolved
(1) That County Highways be asked to:-
- Explore with the local residents ways in which the transport link between the Dome and Hullbridge could be improved.
Planning Policy & Transportation Committee – 3 April 2007
-Explore ways of improving evening services generally.
-Explore the possibility of reinstating the No. 8 service from Hawkwell to Rayleigh during the week.
-Explore with the local residents ways in which the local bus services could be expanded to cater for people wishing to visit places of recreation from the Rochford District.
(2) That Central Government be lobbied to increase its funding to support subsidisation of the bus services in the county.
(3)  That Arriva be lobbied via Essex County Council to improve the condition of their buses and make them more user friendly.

The Massive (Youth) Project by Janet Snelling of Ark II

In brief we are a registered charity that has already set up Together on Sunday Afternoon – a group for people in the community that would otherwise be on their own on a Sunday.

We meet in the Public Hall, Bullwood Road for two hours and have a free tea and social activities.  This group has been establised for 18 months now and we have recently been trying to initiate something for young people – especially a meeting place.

Rochford District Houses Allocation – Call for Sites

Dear Councillor

Rochford District Allocations DPD – Call for sites

In January, the Council put out a ‘call for sites’ with the aim of gathering information from landowners and developers about land that might be allocated for development in the Allocations Development Plan Document.

For your information, please find enclosed a schedule listing the details of the sites received, together with maps showing their location within the district.

I should stress that the schedule of sites is for information only and no decisions or commitments have been given about the likelihood of any of the sites being eventually included in the Allocations DPD. The information will be reported to a meeting of the LDF Sub-committee later in the year.

Snouts in the Trough

In financial terms 39 Rochford Councillors ate twice as many free sandwiches as over 200 Rochford Council Employees.

In terms of sandwiches that is really 10 times as many.

Here are the figures;

In 2006/07 the records for officer buffets etc show expenditure of £1,825.
 
In 2006/7 the records show we spent £4,065 on buffets for Members.

That means that in a year 39 Councillors devoured 8000 sandwiches paid for by your Council Tax.  And no healthy options with even doughnuts being insisted on by some Members !!

‘Tell us more about local homes plans’

‘Tell us more about local homes plans’

Evening Echo Article

A COUNCILLOR is calling for more information about possible future housing developments in his village to be made public.

John Mason, independent Rochford district councillor for Hawkwell, thinks the district’s present development strategy does not give enough details of the kind of developments on the cards in the future.

Well, Members received that information for the whole of the District on Thursday, 21 June just a week before closure of the Consultation.

But will it be made available to the public?  I have asked Shaun Scrutton, Head of Planning at RDC, for an electronic copy of the maps but I have had no reply.

No surprises there then.  If you want to see the information contact me or your Ward Councillor. 

Read more

This work is licenced under a
Creative Commons Licence.

Disability Essex Opposed

The insanity which is prevalent in the Conservative Party reared its ugly head again last Thursday, 21 June in the Development Control Committee (Planning).  The sane Members only narrowly approved a new education centre for the disabled being provided in Rochford District.

Disability Essex is arguably the leading organisation in its field in the UK.  Not only were they applying for a learning centre but they were proposing to build an eco friendly facility which is the only one in the UK to achieve a gold design standard.

Next Page »