Yesterday (10th September) I attended the opening of the Mendip wildlife garden off Dunster Avenue. It was officially opened by the Mayor, with members of the Mendip and Treecot Residents’ Association (who project managed the garden), Cory Environmental Trust (who donated funds) as well as South Essex Homes who worked hard with everyone to ensure that the garden actually happened.
Great work by all involved!
Took today out of politics (after running monthly surgery yesterday) to complete, for the second year in a row, the Southend Bikeathon (http://www.southendbikeathon.co.uk/)with colleagues and friends from my day job to raise money for charity.
No photos – I was too knackered to take one afterwards, but this is my team’s fundraising website: http://www.justgiving.com/bikermice2011
Back to politics tomorrow!
Last week, just prior to it opening, I went and inspected the new Road “St Laurence Way”. This road goes from the Avro centre (Eastwoodbury Lane) to the new roundabout on Nestuda Way (just before Tesco).
I attended the carnival last weekend (20th August). It was very well attended as usual.
Here is a picture of the winner of the “MP’s Choice” chosen by James Duddridge and David Amess:
Mark Flewitt (Councillor in St Laurence Ward) and I have been working together to ensure the work that has been started before I was elected continues to be progressed. Campaigning was started a few years ago by the Mendip and Treecot Residents Association as well as others.
We will continue to keep the pressure on to ensure the best result for our residents whilst bearing in mind the costs to the town in these difficult times:
Leaflet put out in Madeira Avenue yesterday… I want the views of all local residents before I decide whether to support the call for a one way street.
On Wednesday (17th August) I sat on the committee that decides major
planning applications. This was a very interesting meeting, where party lines
are thrown out of the window and most of the time common sense prevails with
Liberals, Labour and Conservatives quite often agreeing!
Being the sort of person that I am(!) I disagreed with a few of the
proposals and my colleagues standing up for the individual’s right for privacy
and also spoke out about the proposed big display screen just off Southend High
Street, saying that I thought it was a great idea as long as the necessary
protection was in place for local residents. – I’d love to watch England in a
World Cup Final just off the High Street (well okay, I’d love to watch England
in a World Cup Final whilst almost anywhere – and I’m not even that into football!)
Next week I am sitting on the special Development Control meeting to decide
about Tesco at the old B&Q site (near Southend Victoria). I’d love to hear
what residents of Blenheim and elsewhere in the town think about it? I haven’t
made my mind up yet having only just received the papers and can’t make any
comments on it for fear of preventing myself from being able to vote (odd
system that applies all over the country!).
Please add a comment here or email me: cllrcourtenay@southend.gov.uk
if you’d like to let me know your thoughts.
Background information is available here: http://planning.southend.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LDS09LPA04S00
This week so far I have attended both the Mendip and Treecot Residents’ Association, where issues such as the A127 crossing (at Kent Elms), inconsiderate parking and mini motos were discussed and the NAP where speeding, cycling on the pavement and position of no ball signs amongst other things were discussed.
Quick responses have been given where possible and work is on going with regards to the other issues. Look forward to updating both meetings with what I have done for them and local residents next time!
Last weekend I attended the cricket – Essex vs Somerset. Essex go on a tour every summer and I believe they have played in Southend since 1906.
It wasn’t a great day for Essex cricket, but our mascot did manage to meet Marcus Trescothick which made him a very happy young man indeed!
This weekend involved my regular monthly surgery at the West Area Housing Office (Mendip Crescent) 10am-12noon the first Saturday of every month and newsletter deliveries to a large part of the ward.
I attended the very well organised Southend tie-in event yesterday in Southchurch Park, where I was pleased to meet up with some Blenheim residents and see the good work that was being put on by many different groups and organisations.
South Essex Homes were present with a number of stalls dealing with various issues and encouraging residents to step forward and tell them what issues they have in their block/street.
I understand that whilst the event was supported/sponsored by Southend Council and South Essex Homes (amongst others) the actual organisation and running of the event was by volunteers from various residents and tenants across the town – it was well run and organised and by all accounts even better than previous years! I look forward to hearing more about future events.
