Social Media Silence
Rochford DIstrict Council has decided that it's time the Social Media Policy for Members gets an update. What does this mean for us Councillors? Well, if you don't use social media then probably, not a lot. For those of us that are more 'connected' the amended policy raises all sorts of problems. The first of those being that you are not allowed to criticise the council - wtf???
How are we expected to be opposition if we are not allowed to criticise decisions? Now we have another evolving problem.... Rayleigh Town Council in their ( perhaps lack of) wisdom have decided to recommend to adopt the, as yet unadopted, new version of the District Councils social media policy. Phew it's all a bit much but you would think these two councils were 'joined at the hip' with their policies and decision making processes. If they get any closer I'm sure they will morph into one council!! Perhaps the issue is as one Councillor regularly comments on, that half of the Town Council (myself included) are also District Councillors and the lines are just too blurred?
The 'media' have picked up on this and today opposition Councillors John Mason & Neil Hookway were invited on to BBC Essex to discuss the 'little problem' - I'm sure there's going to be a antidote for this disease that is spreading through Councils across the country which is trying to hinder democracy and May can't come soon enough!
Grumpy Christmas & Rayleigh Lights Switch On
Hello, Grumpy Christmas here! Yes, your resident District & Town Council has been out today with lot’s of other volunteers preparing for the ‘Rayleigh Lights Switch On!’
Chilly, isn’t the word for it, with a flurry of snow and temperatures of 3 degrees and falling, lot’s of volunteers prepared to make the night special for the families with little ones.
As my ‘little ones’ are not so little now, it takes more than a twinkle of lights to entertain them so this year we decided to stay at home with our Horlicks for the big switch on.
I won’t mention the lack of an ice rink (as Scrooge put a stop to that!) other activities that may have tempted them out into the cold and I’m sure everyone with children of primary school age children will have a lovely time waving their glowy, flashy stick things around as they stand around trying to keep warm. I’m afraid though for Grumpy Christmas he’s seen the light and unfortunately has been unable to deliver a Christmas wish for the supporters of this petition.
Public Toilets – Pt II
The public toilets issue continues with the Echo Newspaper picking up the story today.
Thanks to Echo reporter, Hsin-yi who did a wonderful job of pulling the article together from our information. As you can see from the Echo News website, the piece has gained a lot of attention from readers, who are equally as disgusted by the actions of the councils. As we remain in times of austerity and the daunting mishandled Brexit process, now is not the right time to be spending huge sums of money without proper financial justification.
This is my opinion of course, but alternatives were put forward and simply dismissed out of hand.
A Few Words from the Managing Director
A number of us local councillors run blogs in our spare time, as an aim to keep the wider public informed of our actions, intentions and views. So it is interesting to see that the MD of Rochford District Council has now decided to write a blog.
One of his first blog posts is about homelessness. A worthy topic of a blog post, however, I’m sceptical of how this will pan out and there may have been second thoughts since there have been no updates to the blog since August. As many blog writers know readership falls heavily if there are large gaps in new content.
I have mused if the move is an unusual one and how, as Managing Director, if he will be able to maintain an apolitical view on the workings & decisions of the council.
If the blog continues it will be an interesting read, and one that will be heavily scrutinised by ALL parties I’m sure.
Autumn 2017 e-FOCUS is out!
Our team has been out busy delivering our Focus leaflets in the Sweyne Park & Grange Ward and Down Hall & Rawerth. However, since we are a progressive party….. you can read our e-Focus (our online edition) which is available here for Sweyne Park & Grange.
Meeting the needs of our residents with affordable housing
There must be more that we can do to meet the needs of residents with affordable housing right? Well today on my journey home from London, I read this article.
If you want to skip to the interesting part - the article discusses Community Land Trusts. Is this the way forward for to help people get their foot on to the property ladder at realistic prices?
More information on Community Land Trusts here - http://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/
Toilet Petition Now Live!
Not being one to give up so easily, there is a petition now live on the council's website. You can find the petition by clicking the button below.
With over 300 signatures already added we need a further 1200 to get a debate in full council, where Councillors will be forced to explain the logic (if there is any!) and the costs of £330k that the taxpayer will foot.
Do you know a friend, relative or neighbour who doesn't have internet access? No bother! Some of our local businesses are holding paper petitions for people to sign. Full details below.
Hickey's DIY, 9 London Rd ,Rayleigh SS6 9AX
Ashley Knotts Barbershop, 221 London Rd, Rayleigh SS6 9DN, UK
Save Southend 1 – NHS Success Regime 0
Save Southend A&E have scored an epic victory over the NHS Success Regime, with a U turn on the downgrade of Southend A&E, it is a victory for this campaign group that should be admired. Undoubtedly without this well organised group, the plans would have slipped through and we’d be none the wiser until the deal had been done.
I like to think that some of us Councillors at Rochford District Council played a small part in this U turn. A group of opposition Councillors (including myself) put forward a motion to have the NHS give a presentation to full council on the future plans. This was led by an Independent Councillor, John Mason and I can only hope that this helped Save Southend by giving Dr Howard a platform to give her strong views against the proposals.
Politically it was quite amusing in some ways to watch the Conservative group in shock of what they were being told when it was their masters forcing further cuts to the NHS that brought forward these plans. When will they learn that austerity has gone too far?
Now we watch and wait for further plans for cost saving measures. We will continue to support Save Southend A&E group and keep our residents informed of future developments.
VIVA Save Southend A&E !!
Want to know more about the campaign? Then click here to be taken to ALL the information you would ever need about this disastrous proposal
Fed Up Motorists Get Nailed Again
As my brother often reminds me when I mention the cost of running a car, that it’s “the joy of motoring”, however Rayleigh residents have had no joy recently with the damage to a lot of residents tyres caused by nails left on one particular cut through. On numerous occasions, Station Cresent has had nails left in the road to purposely damage drivers tyres.
Image Courtesy of Google
It seemed the police were slow to react and the culprit has yet to be caught, however, whether the Echo’s report of it being ‘yobs’ is accurate remains unknown.
It seemed the police were slow to react and the culprit has yet to be caught, however, whether the Echo’s report of it being ‘yobs’ is accurate remains unknown.
Reported in the Echo
Could a Youth Market Come to Rayleigh?
This week whilst working I came across this innovative idea from Basildon Council. A youth market for aspiring entrepreneurs for people aged 13 to 25. What an awesome idea to find our next generation of shop keepers and small business owners. It’s a really exciting idea that this could give the younger generation a platform to showcase their ideas and talents. I’ve already been in touch with our town clerk to see if we too, could accommodate this idea in Rayleigh. I for one would love to see this happen in Rayleigh. I know there are youngsters out there just waiting to be given the chance to show their entrepreneurial side!