Author Archives: jamescourtenay

Further to my previous blog post Administration in crisis the ‘debate’ and vote was taken again at Thursday’s (23rd April) meeting of the full council, on the Corporate Performance Management – 2015/6 (basically the targets that the council sets itself … Continue reading →

At tonight’s People’s Scrutiny Committee we debated the Corporate Priorities and targets for 2015/16. For background, once a year the Administration has to set it’s priorities and targets for the forthcoming year. They basically say what they are prioritising and … Continue reading →

There are five candidates in the forthcoming local election in Blenheim Park. Three of us (Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem)  have already been active and delivered election literature. I have also been out knocking on doors speaking to residents and … Continue reading →

Back in December 2014 I presented a petition to the full council of 277 parents, carers and staff of Darlinghurst Primary School, requesting that the Council enforced the school keep clear markings and provide a School Crossing Patrol Officer at … Continue reading →

Attached is the latest Thorpe missive from Council Leader Ron Woodley. Woodley spin page 1 Woodley spin page 2 He has decreased borrowing by £10m? Errum, no he hasn’t, the council finance team has delayed borrowing money for a little … Continue reading →

Following on from the Independent, Labour and Liberal Administration’s change of heart, under significant Conservative pressure, with toilets (see my earlier post Loodicrous proposals scrapped), there are still a fair few things that need to be sorted out with this … Continue reading →

“Car parking charges are too high and affecting small businesses.” Well it is a fact that car parking income makes up a considerable park of the Council’s income. Therefore it can’t just be cut without having an impact upon services. … Continue reading →

The Administration’s proposals to save £40,000 by closing a number of toilets in multiple locations across the town (Shoebury, Southchurch and Westcliff) with the exception of Thorpe Bay where, perhaps unsurprisingly, the Leader of the Council Ron Woodley and the … Continue reading →

Last night was the first opportunity I had to question Cllr Ron Woodley on his claim that he was reducing borrowing by £38m, thereby saving £2m a year in outgoings. I pointed out to him, that his draft budget papers … Continue reading →