Closing the floodgates on high risk housing development

It’s reported in the news today that developers could be forced to flood proof new homes. This news could force developers to make changes to the way houses are built to ensure they are not devastated if they do flood. Full story below

http://news.sky.com/story/1687760/make-builders-flood-proof-new-homes-govt-told

Lollipop Tastic

At the age of 10/11 children who attend primary schools are asking if they can walk to school on their own. I know at the age of 11 I was walking with my friends across the other side of town to get to school. Besides all the other fears we have as parents for our children, we want to know they will cross the road safely to get to school.

I have to admit, it was quite by accident when we stumbled upon this problem on Little Wheatley Chase. I’ve always tried to avoid this road due to traffic and congestion, knocking on a local residents door, only then did we realise, they didn’t even have a crossing patrol. I thought it was only right that we should take up the challenge to see if something can be done about it.

The story goes like something like this……

Help save Grange Pharmacy

Earlier this week, I told members of the Rayleigh Action Group that the Grange Pharmacy was under threat from government cutbacks. 300 customers have signed their petition against closure, but they still need residents to come forward and sign their petition.

Today’s Echo reports on the story.

Our survey says…

I asked members of local Facebook groups a few questions about local issues and their views on whether local Councillors do a good job at representing them.

Here’s the results – the sample size is 96 people. Any duplicate surveys were removed.

Other issues were speeding, dog fouling, youth facilities, congestion/traffic, over development, infrastructure

  To be fair, it’s probably not that shocking that the result is so poor. The public perception of some Councillors is poor and I really think this needs to be worked on.

Why is the perception so poor? We do have some very good Councillors that work very hard for the local community and have achieved great things.

Is it the few bad apples that drives the public perception down? Is it because the public don’t fully understand what a Councillor can and can’t do or is it a case of  communication is so bad that the relationship between politicians and the electorate has broken down? I liken it to a broken marriage. Many people say successful marriages are built on good communication and trust. So is it time for this council to renew it’s vows with the electorate and work on its marriage?

Local Shops for Local People

Since moving to London Road in 2000, the Grange Parade has shops has always quietly gone about their business day to day. We were luckily enough to be able to send the children along to ‘Harry’s’ aka Grange Stores for the ‘forgotten’ items on the shopping list. The pharmacy provided the essentials when our son was born at home in 2004 (probably one of a few to have place of birth as ‘Rayleigh’ on his birth certificate). Along the parade, all the shops at one time or another have given good service and convenience for many.

They’ve been through a lot together and seem like a tight knit bunch. Tesco’s has ‘rained on this parade’ but they have dug their heels in and still see off the competition with their friendly faces and personal service.

Speaking with the owners today, it just goes to show that we’re not always fully aware of what goes into the running of these small businesses. They’ve had lack of sympathy from the local council on many of the issues they face and it would appear double standards.

I very much support their entrepreneurship and I hope, in the future to be able to support them further grow and develop their businesses for all the community to benefit.

April Showers?

Flooding – is this old news?

I don’t think so! The flooding we saw in Rayleigh, was something that really hit the community hard, especially in the Sweyne Park & Grange ward. Besides the council leaders helpful response “Sandbags are what you need” we’ve had the incarnation of the Flood Forum. I’ve yet to get along to it as its held in the daytime, but I’m keen to hear what and how the council and other agencies are going to help protect residents in this flood zone in the future.

The problem of flooding has not gone away and mother nature can be a nasty beast.

Around Rayleigh

This weekend we’ve been out and about speaking to people in the Sweyne Park & Grange ward. Luckily the weather has been on our side.

It’s been really enlightening to speak to so many people and listening to their views and concerns about our area. One concern that is always mentioned – TRAFFIC! It’s clear that the current Tory council have really not done their job with public consultations. Traffic is a bug bear for everyone and whilst car ownership has increased over time, the roads around Rayleigh have not kept pace. Lack of investment in our infrastructure has certainly shown what can happen to a small town like Rayleigh with almost guaranteed traffic jams at least a daily occurrence – the only thing that changes is the severity!

With the ‘lurking’ of the inevitable ‘mini village’ we need to ensure that we get the investment from the developers for the infrastructure and that the money is utilised in the best interests of the local residents.

I will be fighting to see that our residents are consulted before any infrastructure changes are made and that money is invested in the right areas.

If you’ve not received my leaflet….

You are able to download it from here. Just click the link below

Survey

Take part in our survey to give your views on what are our issues in Rochford District. The survey takes about 2 minutes to complete and you can complete as much or little as you want. Just click the launch me button below to start.

Launch me!

Candidates for Sweyne Park & Grange