Author Archives: jamescourtenay

Tonight at 6:30pm the council will sit down to discuss the proposed budget for 2013/14. This will not be a nice experience, as although I think we (the Conservative Administration) are proposing the best value for money and “least worst” … Continue reading →

Further to my blog post here I, and three of my fellow Southend West councillors (who also cover part of the Leigh Town Council area) have written to all the Leigh Town Councillors as promise:

Today Cabinet met to recommend the final draft budget to Full Council on 28th February. From April 2009 to April 2013 (assuming the budget is passed at the end of the month) we will have raised council tax by 4.75% … Continue reading →

Before popping along to watch the blood test debate last night, I was pleased to attend the Youth Council meeting, where the Mayor announced the winner of the Youth Mayor elections. Voting took place in all secondary schools across the … Continue reading →

Southend has, according to the DfE come out in the top third of all Local Authorities in the very important statistic of number of GCSE students getting 5 A*-C grades (including English and Maths). We are 41st out of 151 … Continue reading →

Cllr Ware-Lane makes some points in a recent blog post that I feel must be answered: The incoming children from Essex to our grammar schools do not take places from our children – all Southend children who achieve the basic pass … Continue reading →

I don’t normally report planning applications that are in Blenheim Park, but this one sounds like really good news to me! I’ve asked for a copy of the report and before I have seen it I can’t say what my … Continue reading →

Southend Council has three scrutiny committees. These are Economic and Environmental; Community Services and Culture; and Children and Lifelong Learning (C&LL). Each Executive Councillor (a member of the cabinet) for the relevant portfolio is required to appear before the scrutiny … Continue reading →

I think most people know I am not the sort of politician that jumps on every passing bandwagon. However I think moving the analysis of the blood taking for testing by GPs and doctors at our local hospital to Bedford, … Continue reading →

Only one in three of your Blenheim Park Councillors voted to open up democracy and broadcast council meetings at last night’s meeting of the full council. I, along with several of my cabinet colleagues, were happy to join Cllr Longley … Continue reading →