Happy New Year

I would like to wish all the readers of this blog and the residents of West Shoebury a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Pot and Kettle

Reported in today's Echo was the distribution of a leaflet by Thorpe Bay Independent Party councillor Ron Woodley just before Christmas intending to mislead the reader into believing that it is a Conservative publication.

The leaflet in question has been circulated in various parts of the town including here in West Shoebury.



The irony is that the Independent Party are the first to claim that the major political parties are nasty and operate a whip system yet send out this type of negative literature, have a group leader and vote en bloc more than any other group on the Council.

Dressing up literature to mock political opponents is nothing new but it always has been clear that the origin of the leaflet is from the Conservatives.

I have to say that it is a bit rich of Cllr Woodley to complain about financial mismanagement when he and his Thrope party colleagues signed a memorandum of understanding supporting a Conservative budget and spending plans. Come to think of it, neither Cllr Woodley or any of the Independent Party have ever opposed a scheme which has been funded from borrowing.



The simple truth is that Cllr Woodley and the majority of the Independent Party believe that they can do and say what they like without ever being exposed. When they are exposed by the likes of this blog they throw bigger strops than my four year old daughter and cry foul play.

How Times Have Changed

Just how times have changed for SKIPP St Lukes Independent Party councillor Brian Ayling:

Just fancy that!

Merry Christmas

As Christmas will soon be upon us, this blog will be taking a well earned rest for a few days. I would like to wish all readers and residents of West Shoebury a Merry Christmas.

Reporting Back - December Edition

The Shoebury Common Squat Fallout

On the day of the infamous SKIPP/Friends of Shoebury Common/Independent Party squat at Shoebury Common protesting against any sea defences at Shoebury Common a video had been produced.

There was an interesting snippet from the Friends of Shoebury Common 'Leader' and Beach Hut owner Peter Lovett, where he confirmed that the Friends of Shoebury Common do not believe that Shoebury Common will flood. So much for supposedly caring about residents 

A Grand Coalition

A feature appeared in yesterday's Echo on the Independent Party forming a coalition with UKIP at the next elections:

This is nothing new of course as there was an election pact in 2011and in 2012 James Moyies was producing literature with support from the Indpendent Party 'Leadership Team' of Cllr Martin Terry and Cllr Ron Woodley.

All very interesting and entertaining especially when earlier this year James Moyies was trying to persuade Christine Hills a former Independent Party candidate in Milton to join UKIP claiming that the Independents in Southend were 'done'.

I wonder if he told Cllr Terry and Cllr Woodley in their discussions?

Newsletter Mis-Print

It has been brought to my attention that our latest West Shoebury newsletter contains a mis-print on the back page. The newsletter states that Delaware Road will become one way when the newsletter should have read that Delaware Crescent will become one way. We apologise for any confusion.

Joining Forces With SKIPP?

Back in September, Mark Sharp, one of the committee members of SKIPP announced that he would be standing an an Independent candidate in Milton at next May's local elections.

It has long been wondered if this announcement would mean that Mark Sharp would be a true Independent candidate or one of Cllr Martin Terry's Independent Party. Following the announcement, one inquisitive commenter posed  the same question:

It may be that the answer lies in a response by Cllr Brian Ayling, the Independent Party councillor for SKIPP St Lukes.

Apart from heaping praise on one of his camp buddies he didn't actually deny that Mark Sharp wouldn't be standing as an Independent Party candidate. Could it be that the two Independent Party councillors who visited Camp Cuckoo at Shoebury Common last Sunday were lending support to one of their comrades? 

The UKIP Seal

I noticed tucked away amongst the SKIPP/Friends of Shoebury campaign group in the public gallery at Thursday's Full Council meeting was  my old West Shoebury UKIP foe James Moyies.  

It came as no surprise to see James with such company, especially as back in May of this year he confirmed in a comment on Cllr Ware-Lane's blog that he supports the do nothing option at Shoebury Common, putting people's lives, homes and livelihoods at risk by claiming that sea defences would spoil the area, be useless and surrender our beach. This view is firmly in the SKIPP/Friends of Shoebury Common school of thought.

After the meeting, one councillor commented that he could not help but notice James clapping like a hyperactive seal every time one of the Independent Party councillors shared the same viewpoint.

Thursday must have been like a school reunion for James, considering that in March 2010 he congratulated the SKIPP protesters at Camp Cuckoo on a 'well made protest' when he visited the illegal encampment protesting at the new road improvements to Cuckoo Corner.

Did You Know?

One question I have repeatedly been asked by SKIPP/Friends of Shoebury Common is for evidence where an embankment costal flood defence scheme has been used elsewhere in the town. Some may be unaware that costal flood defences in Chalkwell, between the Grosvenor Road junction and Chalkwell Station were constructed as a set back embankment through the existing public gardens in the early 1980's.

Three Down, Two To Go

The Loo of the year awards wasn't the only piece of good news for the town yesterday. I was delighted to hear that the Council was successful in receiving £3.2 Million in Government funding to make improvements to the Tesco roundabout junction.

This administration gave the commitment to reduce congestion at the junctions on the A127 following the improvements at both Cuckoo Corner and Progress Road. I believe that improving the Tesco roundabout junction will not only ease congestion and improve traffic flow but will also offer a major boost to encouraging economic growth at the proposed Airport Business Park.

Whilst I am naturally delighted with the funding for this particular junction, we are also actively making the case for further improvement to Kent Elms and the Bell junctions. The improvements at the Tesco roundabout is an important further step towards completing all five junctions.

Flushed With Success

Following a mammoth Full Council meeting starting at 18:30 Thursday evening and finishing at 01:45 Friday morning I managed to have a few hours kip before the alarm clock woke me at 06:00 for a live BBC Essex broadcast at Bell Wharf toilets after they won a Platinum Award in the 2013 Loo of the Year Awards.

Public toilets have been judged all across the country in the Loo of the Year Awards since 1987. Every winning toilet received an unannounced visit and is apparently judged by over 100 different criteria. People who listened to BBC Essex yesterday morning said the broadcast was a hoot.

Not only did Bell Wharf loos win a Platinum Award but seven other public toilets across the borough also won the Gold Award. According to the Loo of the Year Awards, the number of gongs put Southend into the 'Premier League' of public toilets, probably the only time we will see Southend in the Premier League (Sorry Southend United Supporters).

The joking aside, whether it is cleanliness of our streets or our public toilets, Southend is a clean and attractive place to live, work or visit.

Where's The Independent Party Councillors?

Earlier this week, I exposed the links between SKIPP and the Friend's of Common and their opposition to any improved flood defences at Shoebury Common.

Despite the uncertainty within the Friends of Shoebury Common ranks as to whether I was invited to attend the SKIPP/Friends of Shoebury Common Camp Squat last weekend, I am grateful to the Friends of Shoebury Common for sending me a photo of the gathering.

As we are approaching Christmas, I though I would do a twist on the festive favourite Where's Wally and play Where's the Independent Party Councillors at Camp Squat:

Now we know that SKIPP/Friends of Shoebury Common are opposed to any improvements to flood defences at Shoebury Common, it did appear odd that two Independent Party Councillors who were in attendance actually proposed alternative flood defence schemes. Surely it is time for them to come clean on their real beliefs.

Unfortunately there was a third Independent Party Councillor who backs putting peoples lives, homes and livelihoods at risk. Step forward Cllr Brian Ayling, Independent Party Councillor for SKIPP St Lukes. Although not present at Camp Squat, Cllr Ayling took to to the SKIPP facebook page to congratulate SKIPP's actions.

It is the word again, which intrigues me the most. I wonder which other protests it could be that he offers his congratulations? Could it be the camp that SKIPP set up on a graveyard  in Victoria Avenue? Or could it be the obstruction of the Highway when protesting about City Beach?

I don't think it could be the protest to the 'save the trees' at Cuckoo Corner considering that he was happy for the removal of two perfectly good trees for a crossing at the end of his road so residents could shop at Aldi. He wouldn't be a hypocrite now, would he?

The Labour Group Leader and Parliamentary Candidate Updates His Twitter Page In Full Council

Not that confirmation was needed, but you know when social media is a powerful weapon in a politicians arsenal when a debate appears on a local politics blog if it is acceptable for a Councillor to use social media during a meeting of Full Council.

As an avid user of social media, I personally would not tweet during a meeting but that is an individual choice. Earlier today, Cllr Ware-Lane on his blog highlighted a couple of my cabinet colleagues updating their facebook pages during Full Council yesterday evening.

To help the local political blogsphere decide whether Councillors using social media during Full Council is a slap in the face for local democracy, I noticed that during the last meeting of Full Council on the 17th October, that Cllr Ian Gilbert, the Labour Group Leader and Parliamentary candidate for Rochford & Southend East, decided to tweet on proceedings.

  

Correcting Inaccuracies

For those of you who are avid readers of the Echo letters pages you may have come across a readers letter from Peter Lovett, one of the self imposed North Korea style 'leaders' of Friends of Shoebury Common.

It has been evidently clear for some time that I have been the target for Dear Leader Peter. One can only assume that I am of that rare breed who has the balls to question his 'facts'.

On Friday evening, I was made aware of another of the infamous SKIPP squats, sorry, camp at Shoebury Common in protest at the improvements to flood defences at Shoebury Common. From a SKIPP press release after Cabinet on the 5th November, where the decision was taken to agree the Council's preferred option for an embankment behind the back of the Beach Huts, it is clear that SKIPP do not want any flood defences - including the Friends of Shoebury Common proposal.

If you were to take the readers letter from Dear Leader Peter as gospel then the Friends of Shoebury Common played no part in the actions of SKIPP. Well, not quite, as a facebook message posted by SKIPP on Sunday after they ended their occupation confirmed that the Friends of Shoebury Common were aiding their weekend of action.

Now as per Dear Leader Peter's letter I was never invited to attend camp squat. However, my lack of invite clearly had not reached the rest of the Friends of Shoebury Common Politburo as Comrade Peter Grubb took great delight in an email that I received on Sunday for not turning up and talking to concerned residents.

If Dear Leader Peter wishes to quote from an email of mine regarding residents 'seething at their actions' then he would be wise to either understand the whole email chain or try not to deceive. Following Comrade Grubb's original email I replied as follows:

In the garbled rant of a response by Comrade Grubb, was this little snippet:

Oh dear, clearly Comrade Grubb was either unaware of the SKIPP press release from the 5th November or was trying to deceive. I responded as follows:

Interestingly, I am still awaiting the response to my question at the end. Next, the question of me refusing to attend the SKIPP/Friends of Shoebury Common debate because of the 'questions' and 'facts' presented to me. On the 12th November I received the following invite:

I then responded as follows:

 Dear Peter received the following response from Council officers:

As point 2 of my original response had not been met I was true to my word and confirmed that I would not be attending.

As Dear Peter claimed that I refused to attend due to his 'questions' and 'facts' was this a bare faced lie? I will let you, the readers, be judge of that. What this weekend really showed was the true colours of the Friends of Shoebury Common. I now offer them the challenge to come clean on their real motives for Shoebury Common in that they are not really interested in protecting peoples lives, homes and livelihoods.

Christmas and New Year Waste Collection Schedule

As the Christmas and New Year period approach us, there are some changes to the Christmas waste collection service that West Shoebury residents need to be aware of. The Friday 27th December collection will be on Monday 30th December. The  Friday 3rd January collection will be on Monday 6th January and the Monday 10th January collection will be on Saturday 11th January.

All other collections in December and January will be on Friday's as usual.

Black Sacks - The Echo Big Debate

In Thursday's Echo Cllr Ware-Lane and I went head to head in the Echo big debate on black sacks. Yesterday on his blog Cllr Ware-Lane published his comments. For those of you who do not purchase the Echo my comments are below:

We need to recycle more as landfill costs are going through the roof. With the tax escalator on landfill costs it's going to cost us more and more as an authority to pay for landfill. Effectively, we may just as well put £3 Million in a hole.

As we can recycle 98% of household items in blue bins, white sacks, pink sacks and through garden waste there is hardly anything that needs to go into black sacks. It is only items like used nappies, pet litter and polystyrene that are unsuitable for recycling.

It seems absurd that if we are trying to encourage recycling, why would we give people black sacks to just put money into a hole in the ground?

Some opposition members claim that there are issues in recycling which are down to black sacks. If recycling rates were falling I might be inclined to agree, but recycling rates have continued to rise.

There may be some issues with people putting general waste in recycling bags but there were already hotspots in pink sack cross-contamination before black sacks were removed.

I find opposition comments quite disingenuous when they only proposed saving 45,000 rolls of black sacks for one year. What would they do in subsequent years? With an estimated 80,000 properties in Southend who would receive black sacks? Would people be means tested?

The main thing is that if residents still want to create black sack waste, we still provide a mechanism to collect it on a weekly basis.

West Shoebury In Touch - Winter 2013/14

Small Business Saturday

Saturday 7th December will play host to the first Small Business Saturday. This is a national campaign to encourage everyone to back their neighbourhood’s small businesses.

Businesses across the borough are already taking part by staging events or promoting the day in other ways. These include a Victorian Christmas in Hamlet Court Road from 2pm, special offers being launched in 25 businesses in Leigh, on-the-day discounts at Boutique 69 in Southend High Street, and a free pot of tea with any slice of cake at Gleneagles Guest House, Southend.

My portfolio will be playing its part to boost Small Business Saturday by offering all day free car parking on Saturday 7th December in the following car parks which border local shopping areas:

Ilfracombe Avenue

North Road

Hamlet Court Road

Elm Road

North Street

Ceylon Road

Thorpe Bay Broadway

Over the past few years I have supported local shops in my own ward and Small Business Saturday is a key event, so with this free parking opportunity, hopefully it attract even more people to enjoy all the perks and proximity of our local firms and continue to shop local.

The Co-operative Bank: The Serious Questions That Balls and Miliband Must Answer

1. Will Labour co-operate with the inquiry into the Co-op and Paul Flowers’ role?

2. Paul Flowers describes Ed Balls as his “political friend”. Did Balls’ office mislead by claiming he had never met him formally or informally?

3. Why is Ed Balls refusing to return the £50,000 donation from the Co-op Group in 2012 and why did Ed Balls say it was ‘untrue’ to say Paul Flowers approved it when the Co-op’s 2012 Annual Report shows that he did?

4. Did Ed Miliband discuss the Co-op’s loan to Labour at his formal meeting with Paul Flowers in March this year?

5. Can Ed Balls confirm whether the Labour Party had any knowledge whatsoever about Paul Flowers’ misconduct as a councillor once it came to light internally?

Christmas Car Parking Extended

In a move to attract more Christmas shoppers into the borough, I have managed to get the free parking concession extended to all car parks run by Southend Council.

Parking charges are being waived from 4pm on Thursdays and all day on Sundays throughout December and drivers will now be able to park free of charge at all council managed car parks in Southend, rather than just those in the town centre.

Christmas shoppers and people visiting Southend during the festive season can spend more time enjoying what our town has to offer without worrying about car park charges. I hope retailers will reap the benefit of the extended free parking arrangements, especially so in light of the large turnout at last weekend’s Christmas lights switch-on.

"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"

Later this morning I will be attending the service at the Shoeburyness Cenotaph to pay my respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to give us our today.

This is also the opportunity not forget those in our forces who are away from their families on active duty serving our country in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the world.

Odd Behaviour

Over this years, this blog has published the antics of the Independent Party's former Labour Party member Cllr Anne Chalk. So surreal have the comments and actions been at times it has made scripts on Eastenders seem like routine everyday life. This week, Cllr Chalk surpassed herself by deciding to demean Cllr Courtenay's and I's fundraising exploits for Movember.

Whilst once again trying to climb upon the passing bandwagon past her front door in Shoebury High Street, just last week, Anne claimed that the flood risk at Shoebury Common was low.

Yet back in April, so concerned was Anne of the flood risk at Shoebury Common, she proposed building a marina as a flood defence!

In desperation of wanting to try and be popular all principles and moral compass seem to have been abandoned  by Anne at East Beach. Still, I'm sure the residents that Anne supposedly represents in her ward who live in the flood plain will be delighted that she wants to potentially endanger their homes and lives with  her latest comments

Shoebury Common Flood Defences

After the public meetings, the month long exhibition and the pre cabinet scrutiny this afternoon, the time had come for cabinet to make a decision on a scheme for improved flood defences. Doing nothing has never been an option for me and I have publicly said that I would look at all the schemes and form my opinion at the time when Cabinet were required to make a decision.

Below is a transcript of the speech I made at cabinet on this subject:

UKIP Splits Lead To New Party

We have become used to UKIP MEP's and Councillors leaving the party once they discover its true nature but it is interesting to see that the latest divisions in Worcestershire have led to the launch of a new competitor party. The split is so severe in Worcestershire that the local paper has even described UKIP as being “in meltdown”!

Former UKIP West Midlands MEP Mike Nattrass quit the party a couple of months ago after he was not reselected by UKIP for next year’s Euro elections. After allegedly flirting with the English Democrats he has now decided to set up his own party. On his own he would probably not comprise much of a threat but he seems to have retained his popularity with UKIP activists as a number have decided to leave UKIP for the new party. Carl Humphries is a respected activist and former Worcester City Councillor and he has been joined by UKIP’s Worcester Branch Treasurer Jim Holtom and Branch Chairman Doug Ingram.

The new party is to be called “An Independence Party” and its logo will be an EU flag with “Out” emblazoned across it. The new party organisers have pledged that it will be a party run by its members and not dictated from the top down as UKIP is under leader Nigel Farage. It will be interesting to see what impact the new party has on UKIP but if the rumours are to be believed there are a number of other senior UKIP figures who are ready to leave and join Nattrass’s new party.

Movember

Never one to shirk a challenge, my fellow colleague James Courtenay has laid down the gauntlet to join in Movember. To go the full hog, I have decided that not only will I grow a moustache but I will also grow a full beard throughout the whole of November.

I confess to never growing any facial hair except for the odd couple of days without shaving which most men do from time to time. Myself and Cllr Courtenay are not the only ones taking part with my fellow colleague Cllr Flewitt also joining in. Still, it is all in a good cause and the micky taking will be be worth it. Those who wish to sponsor me can do so here.

Essex Police Challenge

Do you have a question about crime or policing in Essex that you want to ask the Chief Constable? If you do, why not attend the Essex Police Challenge and ask the question personally.  

The next Essex Police Challenge meeting will take place tomorrow evening from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Chelmsford City Council Chamber in Duke Street. Full details of the event can be found here.

An Open Letter To Anglian Water

On occasions, it is necessary to put party politics aside and the recent flooding in Shoebury is one of those occasions where councillors from West Shoebury and Shoeburyness have come together for the good of local residents.

I have had real concerns about the state of the River Shoe and its ditches from North Shoebury Corner through Shoeburyness Park and at the back of Jenna Close and in addition the Gate Flap Valve at the end of Barge Pier Road.

All of these areas are the responsibility of Anglian Water which I believe have been the cause of at least two of the three recent flooding events over the past seven weeks. I am not alone in this and councillors from West Shoebury and Shoeburyness have this evening written an open letter to the Chairman of Anglian Water calling for immediate action.

I know councillors from all over the town have concerns about the Anglian water drainage network and we are also calling for a representative of Anglian Water to attend a meeting of councillors so that concerns can be addressed.  

Democracy

Full Council on Thursday evening was all about one word, democracy. This was the first Full Council meeting to be webcast opening up proceedings to those who can not make it to the public gallery.

503 people watched the debate over webcast on the night and 51 people had watched up until noon yesterday. These figures dwarf the 50 plus people in the public gallery on the night. The entire meeting can be viewed here.

Democracy, was the vogue word when 'all up elections' were debated. As I suspected the proposal was defeated but my contribution to the debate can be found here. My views have not changed since an earlier post on this subject but it was noticeable that I was not the only member who thought that the number of councillors should be reduced.

The irony of the debate however did not escape me. There was a comment made that the Conservative group were whipped in the vote at the end. Yes, whilst the majority of the Conservative group voted for the proposal, some voted against it and some opposed it. This is in contrast to the three opposition parties who all voted against it with some being mere lickspittle to their party leaders.

The proposal was to go out to residents to consult them on the change and then have a special meeting whereby a two thirds majority would be required to impose a change. In an earlier debate we had some members criticising that we do not consult the public, yet the same people did not want the public to tell us how they would like to elect us. Just fancy that.      

If You Talk The Talk Then You Must Walk The Walk

Last week it was announced in the Echo that my old foe in elections past, James Moyies, will be standing again in West Shoebury next May. This was announced in a 'big interview' feature as part of the revamped Southend Echo.



A question was asked of James if he felt that UKIP was a party of 'fruit cakes' and closet racists. I do not however agree with David Cameron in that all those who are members of UKIP are closet racists but the answer to the question was revealing.

James was quoted as saying:

"However if we have any closet racists as members they should be warned never to come out of the closet because they will be immediate disciplined and thrown out of the party"

Strong rhetoric, but is this strictly true? Since 2008, UKIP have had a policy whereby membership is not available to anyone who is or have previously been a member of the BNP, National Front, EDL and other like minded organisations.

Last month, Robert Ray, a UKIP councillor in Thurrock, was exposed as having a fascist past after a leaflet emerged showing that Cllr Ray had stood as a National Front candidate in 1977 for a ward in the London Borough of Newham.

It was revealed in the Echo this week that Cllr Ray joined UKIP in 2011.



Are you confused as to why Cllr Ray continues to be a UKIP councillor? Enter the explanation given by James Moyies. UKIP were unable to 'under English Law' to expel members of a political party so new rules were introduced last year so new members have to sign a declaration denying previous membership.

Based on this snippet, I decided to have a look on the UKIP website as to how people join the party. It was quite revealing. Yes, those wanting to join the party have to click to confirm that they have not belonged to BNP, National Front, EDL etc but they also have to abide to the UKIP constitution.

4.2.3 of the constitution states that UKIP can treat renewal of membership as if it was membership for the first time. This surely would have allowed UKIP to deal with Cllr Ray in 2012 and this year? The fact is UKIP didn't want to as Cllr Ray confirms that the UKIP hierarchy have give him the green light to continue.

James Moyies actions are also worth looking at. Whilst he described Cllr Ray's past as 'disappointing' and 'uncomfortable' he could not bring himself to condemn his membership of UKIP. I mean, how could he, as the article revealed, as Eastern Counties Chairman James set up a Thurrock branch last month with Cllr Ray an integral part.

Interestingly, a UKIP member alerted me to a recent conversation on his twitter feed from May this year.    

Now if this is James Moyies committment to eradicating closet racists from within UKIP in Essex when Eastern Counties Chairman it can only be compared to the Captain of the Costa Concordia's committment to passenger safety!

Halloween

Although Halloween may be on the 31st October, calls are made by 'trick or treaters' in the weeks leading up to it. For residents that want to avoid any unwanted calls, they can print off this leaflet and display it in their windows.

For those residents who are unable to print this leaflet and would like one sent, please email me at cllrcox@southend.gov.uk 

Parking At Royal Mail Depot in Short Street

Despite the efforts of my colleague Cllr Hadley and I in getting Royal Mail to reverse their crackpot decision in closing the George Street Delivery Office, Royal Mail were unrepentant and still went ahead and forced Shoebury residents to collect their parcels and signed for Mail from Short Street.

This weekend, for the first time since the new arrangements, I had to visit Short Street to collect a parcel. It was utter chaos. Trying to find one of the four customer parking spaces was impossible as staff we're utilising the spaces and the queue was out of the door. In the end, I used the station car park to park.

Parking was one of my main concerns but Royal Mail were insistent that I was the mad one and that the new arrangements would work swimmingly. I would have loved to have been proved wrong but sadly I haven't. Come on Royal Mail, admit failure and please reinstate the Delivery Office in George Street.

Policing In Shoebury

In the Echo this week there have been a couple of high profile incidents in Shoebury which have made front page news. Whilst these types of incidents are thankfully rare, the Police reported to scrutiny this week that overall crime is up across Southend especially burglary and street robbery.

I have always been of the belief that whilst violent crime is extremely unpleasant, it is low level crime like burglary and street robbery which have more impact on people and local communities. For example, burglary makes people feel that their own private space has been violated, then it is the unpleasant clear up, the fear and then an increase in insurance premiums.

At the last Shoebury Police Neighbourhood Action Panel, the attendance is always an indicator of how the impact of crime us as if there is low attendance then things are generally fine. At this particular meeting, there was standing room only.

One after another, residents were reporting instances of Anti-Social Behaviour all over Shoeburyness, from Bishopsteignton to Shoebury High Street. This post isn't a criticism of the local Shoebury Policing Team as they do a sterling job, but local Policing Teams do not patrol 24/7.

As a result, I took an action to contact Nick Alston the Police & Crime Commissioner to ask if he could raise the issue of Policing and Anti-Social Behaviour with the Chief Constable when they next meet.

I was delighted this week to receive a response back from the Commissioner, who confirmed that he will be taking this issue up when he next meets with the Chief Constable. Hopefully, the Chief Constable will agree that additional Police resources are needed to help the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Shoebury.

Southend Walking Festival

Southend Walking Festival comes to West Shoebury on the 28th October. Full details of the Walking Festival can be found below.

A Message From Southend Police

Following reports in the local media this week of an unknown man in a white van trying snatch young children, I thought I would share an email message sent to me today from Southend Police that was recently sent to all Head Teachers in the borough on this issue:

Dear Head Teacher,

In the light of recent reports involving an unknown man in a white van accosting young children in the Southend area, I feel it is prudent for me to contact every Head Teacher in Southend to provide a personal update.  I am sure we are all very aware of the understandably high levels of coverage this matter has received in the media (social & local) and that parents and children alike are extremely concerned.  To date you will only have received information from well-intended but often misleading comments made on social media sites.  These have been compounded by two successive, very strong and in my opinion misleading front page headlines in the Southend Echo.  As a result I have decided to provide a summary of some of the key facts from the 4 incidents reported to us so far, in order for you to provide advice and reassurance to your staff, parents and pupils.  As such, I actively invite you to share this correspondence with staff, parents and pupils as you see fit.

Our investigations are still on-going and further reports are now being received by the Police across Essex and into London on a daily basis.  Each one is being assessed and proportionately investigated in turn.  The highest priority for the Police will always be to protect people from harm.  Clearly however, harm can come in many different forms and includes suffering from fear.  As such I would like to offer the following words of reassurance based upon the facts as established by the Police –

·         No attempt has been made to physically take hold of a child.

·         Of the 4 initial reports,  2 involve young males describing being offered a lift / asked to get in a van.  The descriptions of the male  and the van vary.  They occurred within 15 - 30 minutes of each other, 6 miles apart during the evening rush hour on Thursday 3^rdOctober. 

·         A further 2 reports involved people aware of this story on Facebook  being understandably concerned when watched by a male in a white van.  One was an adult with two very small children.

·         The descriptions of the males (old / young / bald / short hair / green top / white top) and vans (small white van / Transit / dirty / clean) vary on each occasion.  As such it is unlikely that the four reported incidents are connected.  That said, we cannot conclusively state that they are not connected and therefore continue with an open mind.

·         Despite Facebook comments to the contrary, there is no known registration number for any of the vehicles involved.  We are monitoring Facebook and have made several enquiries in relation to claims made, all of which are incorrect and not linked to the incidents reported.

Moving forward, I would like to make the following points –

·         We will take every report seriously.  This is not just our job, it is our responsibility.

·         Our advice has not changed.  Child abduction is EXTREMELY rare, but that is not to say that it cannot happen.  I am greatly reassured by the way in which the children in our Borough have demonstrated their ‘stranger danger’ awareness.  Clearly this message has been taken on board and I am aware that many teachers have recently re-enforced this message as part of a proportionate response which can only be a good thing.

·         There are hundreds, if not thousands of white vans in Southend alone, with many more visiting on a daily basis.  By the very nature of their use they will often be parked up in highly populated areas as they wait for people in connection with their business.  We have to guard against seeing every white van as a threat and owners / drivers of white vans must recognise the fear local residents may feel in their presence, considering the impact of their actions accordingly.

·         Children must be reminded to report honestly and avoid the temptation to become part of the story.  I make this point knowing the possible reaction it could cause but it must be said.  Whilst typing this message I have taken a call from an officer who has just had a young student confess to fabricating an account after considerable time was spent on the matter by teachers and officers alike.  No further details will be provided as there will be no repercussions from us on this matter due to the fact that the student found the courage to be become honest and considerable extra public alarm was averted as a result.  I must stress that this occurrence will not alter the way in which we approach future reports.

·         I would like to remind everybody that Facebook is a social media site and as such its success is no doubt due to it being superb in that way.  It is not however, a system for accurately recording investigations into serious matters such as this.  I urge everybody therefore to use Facebook in the way it is intended and resist the temptation to believe that it provides an accurate, credible and up to date source of information into serious investigations because it does not.

Lastly I would like to provide further reassurance by stating that I too am a resident in the Borough and have 3 children, all of whom are at school in Southend.  I am in receipt of all the facts and have reassured my children that everything is OK and they are to carry on as normal.  In other words enjoying themselves whilst always being aware of ‘stranger danger.’  I therefore ask that parents are encouraged to do the same.  Should the situation change I will ensure that everybody is made aware, but the facts at present demonstrate that this is not likely.

Yours faithfully

Matt Bennett

All Up Elections

At the next Full Council meeting, all 51 councillors will be making a decision as to whether Southend should elect all it's councillors every four years or continue to elect a third of its councillors, one from each ward, every year with what is known as a fallow year in the forth year.

For there to be a change to the current arrangements it will need the agreement of two thirds of councillors. Whilst I am not necessary sure that the proposal will receive backing, I will be voting for the new proposals.

By electing all councillors once every four years it is estimated that it could save £50,000 every year. Whilst I complete accept the concept that you can not put a price on democracy, we elect MP's and MEP's once every five years and I do not get a sense from the residents that I speak to that this is undemocratic.

The reason why I do not believe that this proposal will get the required two thirds support is that ultimately turkey's do not vote for Christmas. I also suspect that the opposition parties will not support the move is that they would struggle to find 51 candidates. I have no actual proof of this but the fact that the Lib Dems have not been able to field a full slate of candidates for the past two elections would suggest that I might be on safe ground with my assumptions.

I would also go slightly further than the report suggests as I would have reduced the number of councillors. Again, this would never see the light of day as turkey's would not vote Christmas but if America can run with just 100 senators does Southend need 51 councillors? Even the House of Commons was looking to reduce by 50 odd seats until the Lib Dems got cold feet.

Ultimately, if we are asking the public to accept the savings that we are having to make then I think the political classes also need to do their bit and reduce our costs. Saving £50,000 a year without making any cuts to front line services is something that warrants serious consideration.

Victoria Gateway Review

Tomorrow night, the Victoria Gateway Scheme Review will be debated by a cross party group of councillor's who will have the chance to make comments and give suggestions before a final paper is given to cabinet in November for a final decision to be made.

Like the City Beach the Independent report confirms that Victoria Gateway is safe. Let's be clear, if the report suggested that the scheme was unsafe, regardless of costs, I would have suggested tearing it up, but it doesn't and the accident data shows that with even more pedestrian movements since it's introduction there have been less recorded accidents in the area.

What I accept which hasn't worked so well is the pedestrian area which does look barren and needs more to make it a public space rather than just a space that people walk through.

I agree with the report in that continuous delineation of the kerb edge on the 'shared space' area by using a form of tactile paving is required. This is the same recommendation as the City Beach review.

I was also pleased that the report identifies the main part of the Victoria Gateway scheme which for me does not work well - the junction from East going West which has two lanes doing a right down Victoria Avenue and one Lane going towards London Road.

There are a number of vehicles who use that middle lane to go straight across which is prohibited and the proposal to hold the two lanes doing a right down Victoria Avenue whilst the other lane going straight across moves is a welcome proposal.

Whilst the report suggests some minor remedial works, I did pay a recent visit on foot to observe and whilst I accept that there are some who will never like the scheme at Victoria Gateway, what is undeniable is that since the introduction of the new scheme, more people use the area and it provides that link what was previously missing from the High Street to Southend Victoria Station.

Chalking Up More Hypocricy

A somewhat bizarre letter appeared in yesterday's Echo from the Shoeburyness ward Independent Party councillor Anne Chalk on the issue of CCTV Vehicles. I thought I would share with you my letter penned to the Echo in response:

Sir

Often we have to witness Cllr Chalk trying to re-write history to mask the hypocrisy in what she will say to her residents as they differ from her actions in the Civic Centre and sadly her actions on the issue of CCTV Vehicles are typical of her behaviour.

It was interesting to note Cllr Chalk (Echo Letters 02/10/13) wants to see the CCTV Vehicles abolished yet never asked for their removal when a review of the CCTV Vehicles was debated at pre cabinet scrutiny, three times at full council, cabinet and at scrutiny committee.

I also noted that Cllr Chalk again questions the CCTV Vehicles legality, but conveniently forgets that she was exposed by the Echo for wanting the CCTV Vehicles to patrol East Beach to monitor Anti-Social Behaviour which is outside Government guidelines on their use.

In fact the Independent Party have had a somewhat chequered relationship with the CCTV Vehicles. Despite using this as an election issue in 2012, as part of the CCTV Vehicle review, we actually had their leader Cllr Terry propose that the hours that the vehicles are in operation be increased. 

The most shameless actions are arguably from Cllr Stafford, who appeared in a BBC documentary in January of this year as part of an action group campaigning for their withdrawal, yet he and his fellow Independent Party colleagues in Thorpe signed a memorandum of understanding with the Conservative Group in May 2012 where one of the agreed areas were the continued use of the CCTV Vehicles in Southend.

Cllr Chalk's parting shot was suggesting that we should use the CCTV equipment from the vehicles to record proceedings in the Council chamber. I can only assume that Cllr Chalk must have forgotten that this administration voted to introduce webcasting of Full Council meetings. To remind Cllr Chalk, when webcasting of council meetings was discussed, she voted against it.

Your Blue Food Waste Bin Needs You

On Monday evening I chaired a meeting of the Council's Waste Management Working Party. I actually like this quarterly meeting as it gives us councillors a chance to scrutinise our waste collection scheme.

There was one interesting statistic given on the night which I feel deserves wider attention. Back in March, I had to make the difficult and somewhat unpopular decision at the time, to remove black sacks that were given to residents.

With the rising costs of putting waste into landfill, we needed to get people recycling more to avoid rising costs of the £3 Million we spend each year on landfill charges.

In conjunction with removing black sacks, we introduced new blue food waste bins and food waste sacks. Since the introduction of food waste sacks, food waste tonnages have increased significantly, reaching over 400 tonnes in April, May and August of this year.

Compared with ppre-scheme tonnages of 255 tonnes per month on average in the 2012-2013 financial year, it is forecast on current projections that over 4,500 tonnes of food waste will be collected in 2013-2014.

This represents an overall 54% increase in tonnage captured on the previous year. The additional food waste tonnage diverted from landfill from March and April this year saved approximately £13,000 in landfill costs.

So much for the Armageddon of rubbish piled high in our streets as predicted by the opposition parties!

Reporting Back - September/October Edition

Stop Means Stop

The Stop Means Stop campaign stepped up as children and young people returned to school this month. Stop Means Stop is a campaign to help tackle drivers and riders who put lives at risk by ignoring instructions to stop at school crossing patrol sites.

School crossing patrol officers (Lollipop men and women) have the power under the current Road Traffic Act to stop traffic. Any driver or rider who fails to do so, is breaking the law.

Although the majority of drivers and riders respect the work carried out by the patrols, there is still a small but significant number who ignore the law, abuse the service and put the lives of children and the patrols at risk.

Drivers are legally bound by the 1984 Road Traffic Act to stop for School Crossing Patrols, but Patrol Officers regularly have to deal with drivers who fail to stop, use abusive language and threaten patrols with physical violence. School Crossing Patrols do a very important job, helping to provide a safe route to and from school for children and adults.

Campaign posters are on display at bus-stops, sports centres, libraries and other public buildings.

New Kid On The Block

I am always interested when a new political blog arrives so a warm welcome goes to The View from the Pier. This particular blog seems to round up the local political and not, from the naked eye, be affiliated to any particular party.

This blog was also given a mention and was thus described:

Finally, we come to Cllr Cox, who is almost a legend of his own in Southend politics. His blog is the only one which, to my mind, rivals Cllr Ware-Lane’s. Regularly updated, with much about what’s going on in his ward, it’s also brutally tribal. Not that you’d expect anything different from a member of the Tory ruling administration, but Tony does come across as a bit of a bruiser. Whether that’s a good thing or not, I suppose depends on the colour of your rosette, but it’s certainly a good local politician’s blog.

A fair reflection I feel. A link to the blog can be found in the menu bar opposite.

A Return To Socialism

Yesterday, in a Q and A, Ed Miliband was asked when he would “bring back socialism”. He replied: “That’s what we are doing, Sir". Speaking ahead of the Labour conference, Red Ed detailed a series of policies intended to appeal to Labour voters, including:

1. Scrapping the “spare room subsidy”, a policy in the Labour 2010 manifesto
2. A U turn on welfare reform which he previously accepted was necessary to cut the nations welfare bill.
3. Ending zero hours contracts, a policy that his own council in Doncaster uses, as do local authorities up and down the country.
4. Opposing the privatisation of Royal Mail, which was Labour party policy pre 2010 and the only way Royal Mail will survive.

Then we had the Primary School Plans. These I find fascinating and bizarre even by Ed Miliband's standards. For those unaware, Red Ed announced plans under which primary schools would be forced by law to look after pupils from 8am until 6pm. How would this be costed? He said it “doesn’t make sense in this century” that some schools still close in mid afternoon, when both parents more often work.

He promised to “legislate for a primary school guarantee that every school is an 8am to 6pm school”. The primary teachers I know who do a fantastic job would have a word or two to say about that plan. Aside from all these things these are just yet more spending commitments by a man without a clue about balancing the books.

Lib Dem Conference

It is this time of year again when all the major parties hold their annual conference shindig. Last week it was Lib Dems, this weekend we have UKIP committee political suicide, next week it's Labour's turn followed by the Conservatives.

With a lack of quality comedy on television, UKIP are providing the entertainment with only the Benny Hill music appearing to be missing. On Friday, at 13:00 UKIP were holding an event on encouraging more women into politics and by 13:30 they were sluts. You just couldn't make it up.

What was very striking about the Lib Dem conference was how incredibly dull it was. The Lib Dem conference seemed to be focussed around two things this year, firstly, a 5p charge on carrier bags and Vince Cable, the Anti-Business Secretary, making a fuss by coming out as opposed to the Lib Dem leadership and its economic policies. 

The proposed 5p charge for carrier bags is a terrible policy because this industry employs many people and doesn't solve the problem of a cleaner environment as those who throw litter will still be doing soon. 

It also begs the question as to why is this suddenly a Lib Dem flagship policy. It's not a vote winner but yet that was the only policy being talked about. Nobody will say in 2015 "I'm voting Lib Dem because I want to pay 5p for every carrier bag". 

Vince Cable has done bugger all in his job except slap more regulation on business and hike across the Indian Sub continent in a desperate attempt to increase trade despite the EU tariffs. This is not the way to run a department if we are to grow the economy, create jobs and make everyone lives better. Cable's policies are from the dark days of a command economy where everyone was equal, equally poor and abused by the state. It's a wonder he still has a job, please.

The only other mildly interesting thing was the prospect of a by-election after Ed Davey had a near death experience from a falling sign.

Garrison Public Exhibition

The plans for the old Hinguar School site wasn't the only drop-in session in Shoebury this week. On Thursday, I also attended the Garrison public exhibition for the future plans on the old Gunners Park site.

When planning permission was originally granted, this particular site was granted planning permission for light industrial use. Due to the inability to attract industry to the site, Garrison developments are proposing a new mixed housing and employment use for the site.

From the exhibition, Garrison Developments are putting forward new plans for the site for between 170-180 new two, three and four bedroom homes and an employment space of 15,000 square metres comprising of office space and warehouse style units. From my understanding, no flats were being proposed for the site.

The developers are envisaging that the homes will be in the same style as the Gunnery Hill development on the Garrison. It is estimated that a planning application will be submitted to the council later in the year for outline planning permission. I will keep you posted on any developments for this planning application.

Old Hinguar School

After my regular Saturday morning session talking to Shoebury residents, I paid a visit to the drop in session at the old Hinguar School on the future plans for the site.

With the new Hinguar School now established, as part of the permission given for the new school, a financial return is required from the old school site to pay for the new building costs. You may recall that local Conservatives were successful in getting the front facade of the old Victorian School locally listed. When seeing the future plans, I was delighted to see that the retention of whole Victorian building had been included in the plans.

It is proposed that 32 new homes will be built with 9 new flats in the old Victorian building and 23 new three and four bedroom houses on the remainder of the site. If residents were unable to visit the recent drop-in sessions, further sessions are planned for the 11th and 12th of October or alternatively your thoughts and comments can be given here.

West Shoebury Success

It is an often said that it is the little things that have the biggest impact to people's lives and this past week has been no exception.

Last Thursday, I was successful in persuading members of the Traffic & Parking Working Party to agree that officers should go out to statutory consultation with residents to put junction protection, double yellow lines, at all junctions with Church Road, St Andrews Road and Caulfield Road.

I have received many queries from local residents concerned at the difficulty and danger of trying to manoeuvre safely out of local roads which border these junctions, due to vehicles parked flush to the junction. Barring any objections, these will be implemented in the future and will keeper readers updated of progress.

My second success this week was regarding Abbotts Walk and Cornworthy. Before the summer recess, I was delighted to hand into full council a petition from residents in both these roads asking for footpaths, lighting, shrubbery etc to be maintained by the council.

Many residents across the town will be unaware that we have a number of roads and closes which have not been adopted by the council meaning that residents in these areas have the expense of maintaining paths, street lights, pavements, shrubs and grass where they live.

I have a great deal of sympathy especially with Abbotts Walk and Cornworthy as these roads back onto an open public space in which the public can cut through these roads and continue their walk along Bishopsteignton. We also have the situation whereby more members of the public use the footpath and roads than the residents who live there on a daily basis.

This afternoon, the petition was considered by cabinet. Both my fellow ward colleague Cllr Jarvis and I spoke in support of the petition. I am delighted that cabinet have endorsed the recommendation that officers should enter into discussions with the residents management group regarding the council undertaking the maintenance of these areas with a report containing recommendations coming to a future cabinet following these discussions.

To coin a phrase, every little certainly helps.