Cleaning Up Your Air

You probably won’t be aware in our District about ‘Clean Air Day’ on the 21st June. Our council has been reluctant to promote it and despite me questioning them on their plans I’ve still not received a response. For years in our district (particularly Rayleigh) we have had illegal levels of air pollution. With little action by the Council to try to reduce it. We continue to suffer this invisible killer. If you, like me, want to take matters into your own hands here are some tips for reducing air pollution outside.

Estate Agents on the High St

Anyone that has the misfortune to deal with an Estate Agent will know where I’m coming from with this post. I’m not referencing one particular Estate Agent, but when I visited one in the last 18 months I really felt that this new show draws on some close similarities.

Showtime

It’s now time for me to sit back and watch to see how our new councillor for Sweyne Park & Grange performs over the next 4 years. Watch this space for more information as the new municipal year begins…..

Sweyne Park & Grange Has Fallen

Yesterdays election saw me lose my seat on the district council for Sweyne Park & Grange. A disappointing result for me, after 2 years of a ‘full on’ approach to my role and a huge amount of passion and dedication to the role. However, this is politics and National issues can have an effect on local elections, maybe I am just a ‘victim’ of Brexit? Who knows what happened?

There are lessons to be learned from these elections and once I have taken stock of the situation, will decide on how best to continue to represent residents. I am after all, only 42 years old and have time on my side (by the grace of god) to work my way through this and on to my next challenge.

I have been lucky to have support from my wife, my family, friends & residents who all put their faith in me. I am very grateful to all who helped me get this far, for me the journey has only just begun.

To be continued………

A Load of New Bollards

You might remember my post sometime ago about the ‘load of old bollards‘ outside Tesco’s Express on the London Road. Well after 2 years of ‘chasing’ this issue down the car park has been redesigned, the pavement reinstated and a few bollards replaced. However they seem to have forgotten a few! So I’ve been in touch with the District Council about these works and have now received an email from the Assistant Director in the planning department to inform me that the missing bollards will be installed by 14th May 2018. Full correspondence is below (just in case the Conservatives think they will try and dismiss my work again!!

On 1 May 2018, at 16:49, <[email protected]> <[email protected]> wrote:

Councillor Newport

 

Further to my previous correspondence, Essex Highways have informed me that they have met with the contractor and agreed and marked on site the location for the additional bollards.

 

The contractor has arranged a site revisit on 14/05/18, to complete the unfinished works in line with the approved drawings.

 

Kind regards

 

Matthew

A Little Less Conversation…

…and a little more action! The fencing at the entrance to Sweyne Park has been in a state of disrepair for sometime. We’ve finally managed to get the District Council to get this replaced and the contractors have been busy today installing new fencing. Hopefully that should help kerb some of the anti social behaviour of the bridleway. “A little more bite and a little less bark” is what the Lib Dems are all about!

Annual Town Meeting

Last night I attended the Annual Town Meeting that Rayleigh Town Council holds…..annually, surprisingly.

It’d probably be more aptly named as an awards evening. However, it was good to see local people recognised for their hard work and efforts in our town. I was actually really surprised at some of the winners! Did you know that there is a ‘shower’ type device used by the police to wash victims of acid attacks and the inventor lives right here in Rayleigh?

With a room full of proud parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and other family, there were plenty of smiles, especially for those happy snappers. A very well done to all the winners and good to see what talented residents we have in our local community.

I was intrigued at the level that some of the winners compete at and here’s a video of  the winner of ‘Junior Sports Person’, Danny Crouch in action  in the international junior cup.

Not Quite ‘Cutting’ The Mustard

It’s that time of year again, when you will see the mowers out cutting the grass verges. This service was taken back ‘in house’ by RDC last year following the setting up of the Green Gateway Trading Company and should give the Council and ultimately residents a better service.

I’ve had several complaints from residents already that the recent grass cutting isn’t up to much this year though with the grass looking like it’s been cut in a very patchy manner. I’ve emailed the Assistant Director and Portfolio to inform them of the quality which doesn’t quite cut the mustard with residents!

Important Information!! Public Notice – Grange Parade Shops

In case you missed it…. there is a new notice board opposite the Grange shops which Rayleigh Town Council will post important and community information notices in.

I proposed this as I felt that residents (especially those who are less computer literate) should have easy access to important information that is going on in the community. I also proposed that Rayleigh Town Council’s website was made mobile friendly and this work to redesign and update the site was carried out by a local company.

Check out the new website www.rayleightowncouncil.gov.uk

Exclusive First Look at Crown Hill New Public Toilets

Long time readers on the Rayleigh public toilet saga will know that I’m no superfan of the decisions made around the new toilets for the town centre. I’ve baulked at the cost of the Rochford District Councils £365,000 toilet project along with many residents and the cost shifting to Rayleigh Town Council.

The new toilets for Crown Hill are of a modular nature and have been constructed offsite. Here’s an exclusive first look at what you will see when they are finally installed.

Residents will have to wait though to test out the new facilities as there has been a delay due to an ‘oversight’ that the road will need to be closed for a crane to lift them into place and telephone lines moved….. just a slight oversight!