Winter News Letter now being Distributed

The Winter edition of the Collier Row and Mawneys news letter has almost been delived to some 10,000 houses across Havering Park & Mawneys wards in North Romford.

The news letter contains stories about our campaign for CCTV for Coller Row, local information, a safety scheme for Clock House school, planning matters and much more.

If you have not seen a copy, just drop us a line and we will send you a copy, either e-mail us at haveringpark@hotmail.co.uk or phone 768 008 and leave a message with your name and address.

Heating Bill Increase

Elderly residents across Havering have been sent a very unwelcome Christmas present by the Tory Administration – a rise in the cost of their heating & hot water bills by 200%, with increases in some case going from £3.69 a week to a whopping £11.75. The charges are set to rise next year to £13.

Over 1000 Council tenants are affected, many of them elderly and vulnerable, such as those in sheltered housing accommodation and what a time to do it, just a few weeks before Christmas, when all of us are feeling the pinch in buying goods and presents for the festive period.

Nobody doubts that the cost of energy has risen over the last 24 months, my own bills have doubled in this time, however British Gas had the decently to write and tell me every other month or so to say it was going up and adjusted my bill. They did not save it all up to a month before Christmas and hit me with the lot in one go.

Running a Council has often been described like running a big business; after all it turns over almost £1 Billion a year. All I can say, is if this is the way the Tories wish to run Havering Council, I would not trust them to run a bath and a cold one at that as we cant afford the heating bills.

To cape the whole sorry tale, Senior Housing officers sent a briefing note to only the Conservative Councillors on Havering Council and the three Tory M.P.s. This was a shameful act, weather intentional or misguided, the Residents Group on Havering Council feel this was done to suppress the opposition and try and keep the whole thing a secret.

Suits you Madam Mayor

Nobody could see this one coming, as Residents Association Cllr John Mylod handed over the chains of office in May this year. I know much has already been said in the Local and National press concerning the Tory Administration at Havering increasing the Mayors allowance from £13,000 to £27,000. Quite how they can come to this conclusion, nobody knows.

Your Residents Association Councillors called in this decision for scrutiny, during the discussion one of the reasons put forward by the Conservatives was the cost of ladies clothes had increased, our very own Cllr Morgon said he could not believe that.

However, all of the Tories were on a three line whip that night and Cllr Binion (Tory Havering Park) hit back with a classic “Haven’t you ever been out shopping with your wife ?, women’s clothes aren’t cheap”. Well there you have it, no more Matalan for our Mayor and Deputy.

In a strange quirk of the rules at Havering, anything left in the pot after the year is split between the Mayor and Deputy, so if you do very little you are rewarded with more money. If you are a busy Mayor, you get nothing. Now nobody is saying that Mayor, Cllr Wendy Brice Thompson or Deputy, Cllr Georgina Galpin will do nothing, they are actually both nice ladies and I know they are working very hard raising money for the Mayors Charity.

Last year, our Residents Association Mayor, Cllr John Mylod and his wife Pat worked non stop for the whole year, they attended over 500 events and could do no more. At the time of the increase, the Conservative Mayor and Deputy had done no more engagements than John and Pat had, but hey they just got on and done the job without reward.

It’s just a shame that the Tories can not seem to get things right with allowances, and they have to go the whole way and give themselves the biggest budget in London (outer London). Watch this space for more on allowances, im sure it’s not the last we have heard.

RSPB Rainham marshes

I was pleased to be invited by the RSPB to the opening of their centre at Rainham Marshes yesterday, it was opened by Ruth Kelly M.P and Bill Oddy (above). He was a hugely entertining man, with plenty to say about everything. I dont think he is a big fan of politicians.

The site has been transformed from an old MOD shooting range which contained low level nuclear waste (so we were told today) into something quite special.

The building is a credit to all who worked in support of the RSPB, it took many years to fund raise and to get planning approval. It is well worth a visit. It is open every day and you can find it of Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, just of the old A13.

Area Committee Funding

Each Area Committee has been allocated £5,000 for environmental improvements in its area and the chance to bid for a further £5,000 from a central pot of money. Unfortunately, the Administration has been very slow in bringing forward its proposals and now we, the residents of North Romford run the risk of losing that funding.

The money can only be spent on what is called “Environmental Improvements” which includes such things as rubbish bins, seating, dog bins, cycle racks, flower planters, additional park play equipment or any other small scale improvement that would benefit the local area.

As the only Residents Association Councillor in North Romford, I am keen for the local residents to decide where any money should be spent and not just decided upon by Councillors that have no knowledge of North Romford.

I already have a small list of projects that residents have raised with me, but in order to make sure we receive in North Romford all of our money, may I ask that you write to me at the Town Hall (main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD) or e-mail andrew.mann@havering.gov.uk with any suggestions as soon as possible.

20 MPH Zone for Clockhouse School

Following an agreement in principal at the last North Romford Area Committee, a 20 mph zone is to be created around Clockhouse School in a bid to make it safer for the 750 children that attend every day. A series of small road humps, new crossing points, raised junctions and improved parking restrictions are set to be agreed if no objections are received.

If approved, this will also be the first set of road humps installed in North Romford in four years. Cllr Mann said, “In the past we have tried to implement schemes without the need for humps, so I do have some reservations”. Roads affected include, Lynwood Drive, Judith Avenue and Sheila Road. If you live in the consultation area, you will have been asked to comment by way of a consultation letter, so if you do have any issues, please return your forms asap

Im A Councillor, get me out of here !

Well im out, having taken part in Local Democracy Week at Havering for the last 3 years, I managed to pip everyone to the post and won the on line question session called "Im a Councillor, get me out of here" for the second year running.

It was a very close battle, i think i managed 70% share of the vote, which after my last outing in the local elections, only beating Alby Tebbutt by 35 votes, is an improvement. I most thank all of the youngsters that took part. It was a shame that only one Tory Councillor took part in the event, but that just shows the contempt that the Tory Administration hold for the younger people of this community.

What have they planned for next year, well nothing, after a review, the Tories have decided not to run with the event again, i wonder why, IM A COUNCILLOR GET ME OUT OF HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CCTV for Collier Row

Over the last month, we have seen quite a lot of broken windows and damaged walls in Collier Row, it seems a small minority of youngsters are running riot in out Town Cente at 04.00 in the morning, and yes i have wondered as well why they are out at that time of night.

During the recent local elections, the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association made the provision of CCTV a priority for Collier Row, it was not something we dreamed up, we had been campaigning for it for over 2 years.

So we were surprised at the recent outburst from Tory Councillor, Peter Gardner, who accused us of just using this as a photo opportunity, he also reminded everyone in Collier Row that we live in a safe Borough, the 3rd safest in London actually.

Well thats o.k then, as long as Cllr Gardner thinks we are all safe in Collier Row. Seeing as he is such a local chappy himself, he lives in Cranham actually, he should be safe at night when he's tucked up in bed.

This is the sort of comment you expect from someone that lives no where near Collier Row and was one of the masses bussed in by former Councillor, Alby Tebbutt and Co.

Now the Tory Council are saying they were going to provide CCTV for Collier Row all along, well funny that, if they were going to install it, where is it ? They would have done so a long time ago, they have now been shamed into action by the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association.

But if it means we get CCTV in Collier Row, so what. Just remember where you read it first.

Im a Councillor, get me out of here !!

As part of this years Local Democracy week, I will again be taking part in the "Im a Councillor, get me out of here" on line event. This will be the third time I have taken part, having won last year with 80% share of the vote, which is maybe why there is only one Tory taking part this year.

Maybe they are not to keen on losing again, but hey ho, with the Tories having 34 Councillors, its pretty disgusting that they can only muster one person to take part, in my view, it says a lot about their committement to younger people and local democracy.

After the antics of the Tories in the recent local election, after shoving Tebbutt onto the people of North Romford, im not sure they actually know what democracy is ! However the residents know what it was all about and came out in force to have their say. And for that i will ever be thankful.

Anyone for Piri Piri Chicken ?

Whilst in the Townhall this week, I managed to overhear a great conversation. Two of the new Tory Councillors elected this year were huddled in a dark corner (probably plotting who the next leader will be), the older Councillor (who i can not name) took great delight in telling his younger counterpart how hip and trendy he was after just buying a new "Ipod Nando". Classic, you could not make it up, anyone for Piri Piri chicken ?

Tories should get their priorities right

Residents Association Councillor, Andrew Mann has slammed the Tories for spending over £300k on the front of the Town Hall. The cost was contained in a serious of executive and officer decisions, which Cllr Mann has uncovered.

Cllr Mann said “it may be nice to have the front of the Town Hall looking all pretty and nice, with new lamp posts, paving and trees and flowers, but when you consider they have only allocated £500k for new pavements across the whole borough, to spend so much money on the Town Hall is crass”

The work is part funding from the Councils health and Safety budget, but Cllr Mann said “a series of small improvements could have done the job, such as new lights and improved paving” “This scheme has been a pipe dream of the Leader for some time and he was forever being knocked back, now it would seem convenient to do the work after the local elections, rather than before”.

Cllr Mann also slammed the amount of money the leader is spending on his office, a sum of £19 has been set aside for new carpet (£4k) and a refurbishment of the office space (£15k) to turn the Leaders “Office” to the Leaders “Suite”.

Cllr Mann said, “I except that the Leader will entertain important people in his office from time to time, but to spend this amount of money on one persons room is over the top and a waste, I could understand if he done the job full time, but he is only a part time Leader”

Cllr Mann has also condemned the way members support staff (secretaries) are all being herded together in one open plan office so as to accommodate the staff displaced from his own office and after the new Cabinet took over extra office space following the local elections.

The public will also lose parking spaces outside the Town Hall, as the space is being reserved for senior managers, Councillors and disabled and entry will also be restricted to an electric barrier.

The costings first came to light, 2 months ago, when the Residents Group called in an executive decision concerning the front of the town hall and the car park. Cllr Mann said at the time “The new Tory Administration seem to be making it difficult for the very people that we want to encourage into the town hall, by stopping the parking outside, it will make it difficult for residents to park up and come inside for meetings, obtain information or to visit the cash payment office”.

Im Back !!

This is my first post for a while now, having returned from my holiday to Wales, sampling the fine rain that fell all week made it all worth while. No seriously though, what a great place, the weather was bad but it did not stop me and the family seeing the delighs of North Wales.

Now I am back in blighty (or Romford) i can start getting the blog going again, there are lots of good things coming up, such as, "Which Tory is up in court next" or how much is the Leader of Havering Council spending on the front of the Town Hall", or "What is going on with Chelmsford Avenue Play Site".

Come back soon to find out.

Is this the return of the Tebbutt ??

What a surprise we all got this week, when the leader of the Council, Michael White announced that the Chief Executive was to leave at the end of March 2007, he had even managed to keep it a secret from the whole Tory group, including his Cabinet and his Deputy Leader, so much for working as a team.

Now the interesting fact in this story is around the amount of time that a Councillor who loses his seat has to wait until he can seek employment at the same Council, its six months actully.

We have all been waiting for Tebbutt to role on up into a ward near you and stand in a by-election after some poor sod has been persuaded that they should stand down due to a new job at work, or they are not feeling to well, you get the picture.

But maybe, we have all been wrong, maybe the big plan was for Tebbutt to return, not as a Councillor, but as the new Chief Executive !!. We all know that the Leader and Tebbutt are joined at the hip, we all know that the Leader can not make a decission without the big man's say so. It all makes sense now it will be like having Laural and Hardy running the Borough. (again)

You can see it now. "No, no, no, Michael, not like that, you dont want to do it like that, you want to do it like this" he says with his head in his hands.

Now, where did i leave those Boulders ?

North Romford Area Committee

The first North Romford Area Committee was held this week, it was always going to be fun with 5 tories and just little old me as the only Residents Assoicaton Councillor. Anyhow, we got off to a good start, i nominated myself for Chairman, but low and behold, none of the Tories would vote for me, so i thought i would try for the vice chairman spot, but no, they would still not support me, oh how they must hate me sitting at that table with them.

The meeting was o.k, a few complaints from residents about parking on pavements, which i have to say is becoming an increasing problem, as the Council push for issuing more tickets to bring the money in, if anyone gets issued with a dodgy ticket, just drop me a line.

A resident wanted to talk about the flats in Essex Road, but the Chairman would not let her, suggesting that because a report was in front of full Council next week we could not talk about it, i dont actually go along with that, but she is the chair, if she wants to stop the residents of North Romford having their say its up to her, come back soon for a full report into the goings on of ex Cllr Tebbutt and the very dubious decission to approve planning permission.

We talked at length about a traffic calming scheme in Havering Road, it would seem that that the officers report was upside down, as the slowest part of the road was going to receive the speed warning signs and the fastest part was to receive nothing. So after a quick change around and a suggested change by me and i must say supported by my old tory friend Cllr Starns, we changed the oficers report.

At the end of the meeting, i presented the Chairman, Cllr Binion with a petition from some residents in Chelmsford Avenue, concerning the state of the play site, unfortunately she did not seem that interested and went on about how she was going to present it at Council next week.

I seems to have rattled the Torries a bit over this park, they have to be seen to be doing things at all costs, but upto only a month ago, they had no interest in the park, yet your Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association had actually highlighted it in our election material for action if elected as it has been neglected for years, would you beleive that on visiting last year, one of the Councils Parks officers did not even know it was there.

Watch this space for more on the park.

Welcome to my blog, come back soon for updates on what is going on in Collier Row and Havering Council. As your local Councillor i am always on hand to deal with any of your problems.