New Residents in Collier Row

I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of 24 new homes in Bushey Close on the old Gobions School Site in Havering Road this week.

The houses were built by Family Mosaic, a Registered Social Landlord and total 14 x 3 bed houses and 10 x 4 bed houses. They form part of the 6 acre former school, the rest of the site has houses and flats for sale on the open market and total over 160 new properties in total

Cllr Mann said “I have been involved with the development on the Gobions site from the very beginning, meeting with residents, planning officers and the developers, Taylor Woodrow, it is nice as a Councillor to see something that is completed, from drawings on a piece of paper, to houses in the ground and people living in them”

Although over 40 houses now have people living in them, the rest of the area is still a building site and will not be completed in full until March next year, 2008, adding almost 300 new residents to Collier Row.

Cllr Mann went on, “I would like to welcome everyone living in Bushey Close to Collier Row, it’s a great area of the Borough and im sure they will all fit in with the surroundings just fine”

Martin and Alex off to Oz

Two of Havering’s former Councillors are set for a new life down under, after emigrating to Perth, Western Australia this week. Martin and Alexandra Smith were Councillors for Mawneys Ward in Collier Row for four years between 2002 and 2006.

They stood for Election with the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association this May, in one of the closest and hardest election battles North Romford has ever seen, they narrowly missed out on being re-elected after four recounts, a record at Havering.

Martin and Alex had planned to leave for Oz in 2010, but Martin was offered an early retirement opportunity and with being unsuccessful at this years election, took the chance three years earlier than planned.

Both Martin and Alex have worked tirelessly for the ward over the years, both of them have been School Governors, over the last eight years at some time at Crownfield, Mawneys and St Patricks Schools.

Martin and Alex were also heavily involved with the Havering Twinning Association, a relationship that they started whilst Martin was Deputy Mayor (2002 – 2003), a job he undertook after stepping into the breach at the last moment.

On recalling how he was asked to be Mayor, Martin said “I was traveling on the train on the way home on the night of annual Council in May 2002, when I received a phone call to ask if Alexandra and I would be the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress for the year, on repeating the question out loud on the train, the man sitting opposite me instantly stood up and shook my hand, shouting well done, this man is going to be the Deputy Mayor of Havering to everyone on the train”

He went on “Both Alexandra and myself would like to thank all of the residents that have supported us over the years, it has been a great privilege and honour to serve this Borough, we will both miss the friends and residents that have been part of our lives for so many years”

Chairman of the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association, Cllr Andrew Mann said, “Both Martin and Alex have worked for the community of Collier Row and Mawneys Ward for many years, not just whilst elected but both before and after, their commitment can not be faulted and will be greatly missed”

Members of the Collier Row and Mawneys Residents Association presented Martin and Alex with a signed photo of their time as Councillors.

Police Crackdown on illegal bikes in Havering Park

I was pleased to be able to join and The Havering Park Safer Neighbourhood Team on an operation last Sunday in the ward. (Pictured above with Sgt Andy Barnes, left and PCSO Hitesh Kamboj, on right) The team were out and about in Bedford’s and Havering Country parks in an operation designed to crack down on the illegal use of motorbikes in the parks.

The team were backed up with a colleague from the Mawneys team and one of Havering Councils mobile patrols, and of course me, well for a couple of hours at least anyway. The idea was for a high visibility patrol of the parks and surrounding areas to show both residents and those intent on tearing around the park that the Police will take action.

One of my biggest complaints at the moment is illegal bikes in and around the parks, it is dangerous to residents and the horse community that use them, and believe it or not, to the people actually using the bikes, but they do not seem that bothered.

The team kicked off at 11.00 last Sunday and spent the whole day until darkness fell across North Romford, out and about in the Ward. Although no arrests were made, a number of people were stopped and spoken to. The main objective was to stop the bikes and the high profile presence of the team done just that, maybe the bikers stayed away this week.

But, if you are a motor bike rider reading this, don’t worry, the team will be coming back soon, but maybe next time they will not be so high profile. My advice to you is simple, if you plan to use you bike illegally in one of our parks, DON’T, because you will be caught and I for one will be pressing for the maximum penalty in the Courts.

Wedding of the Year

I should have posted this two weeks ago, but somehow it did not get done. However, I had the pleasure of attending the Residents Association wedding of the year, Leader of the R.A's Cllr Barbara Reith married retired Policeman Terry Mathews at Langtons earlier this month.

A wonderful day was had by all who attended, friends and family of Barbara and Terry along with a sprinkling of Councillors (June Alexandra, Ray Morgon and Steve Whittiker) and the odd Chief Executive of Havering.

Barbara has now changed her name and is to be know as Cllr barbara Mathews, and we all look forward to her being back in the Town Hall this week after a well earned two week honeymoon in the sun. Best wishes to both of you, Andy

Transport cash is a joke

Just before Christmas, the Mayor of London, slipped out the news of his annual transport allocation, known as the LIP, which replaces the old name for the allocation, the BSP, get it so far !

The Borough Spending Plan allocates money for road safety and environmental improvements, across all 33 London Boroughs. This year Havering’s allocation has now slipped to the lowest allocation in London receiving only £2.9 million.

I personally think the allocation from the Mayor of London is pathetic, if you consider we pay the Mayor of London over £25 million each year for the GLA, what do we get back from him, why is it that Waltham Forest that is half the size of Havering should get almost £6 million, I would like to know what the Mayors problem is with Havering, he has only been here once in six years, he treats our residents with contempt.

I am also disappointed with Havering Cabinet Member for Transport, Cllr Mike Armstrong, I can not believe that the Cabinet Member is happy with this allocation”, in a press statement on the 21st Dec he said “we are especially pleased at the range of projects for which funds have been awarded. It means we will be able to continue work on a number of important transport issues” Does he mean the £400k for bus lanes and £200k for cycle lanes, the Cabinet member should be condemning the poor settlement from the Mayor, not saying how wonderful it is.

Don’t forget it is out money in the first place that the Mayor is just re-distributing; he is like a modern day Robin Hood.

Comments can now be made again

Following a bad case of comments being added to the blog site last year, I had to remove that service as the words used were pushing the boudaries of decency.

It is a shame that one or two indiviuals had to spoil the site. I have now had to set up the new comments page for those that log in with an e-mail address and or a log in to blogspot.com.

All comments then have to be moderated and approved before they can be uploaded. I hope it does not stop people leaving comments, as long as they are not rude, they will all be published. Andy

Residents win CCTV for Collier Row

North Romford residents and the Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association are celebrating after Havering Council has finally listened to the local residents of North Romford in bringing forward plans for CCTV for our Town Centre.

Following a campaign launched last October, by the CRM Residents Association over 1000 local residents and shop keepers signed a petition calling on Havering Council to install CCTV in Collier Row town centre. Cllr Andrew Mann presented the first part to the Mayor of Havering at a Council meeting last year. Now the Council has been forced into bringing a report forward to next weeks Cabinet meeting (17th Jan 2007) outlining the plans.

Three cameras are proposed at yet to be determined locations in and around the shopping centre at a cost of approx £85k; Cllr Mann said “this is a small price to pay for the provision of cameras in North Romford, our residents have felt vulnerable for to long, this will go some way to make people feel safer”

During the local elections last May, the CRM Residents Association made the provision of CCTV for Collier Row one of its main priorities. With Romford Town Centre fully covered with cameras, Collier Row has gone without, to the detriment of its residents and shopkeepers.

Cllr Mann said “For to long, Collier Row has gone without, we have spent a lot of money on improving our Town Centre and we need to protect that asset, with the Police no longer issuing dispersal orders, those intent on causing trouble know that they can do so, without being caught”

He went on “Things have to change, it is wrong to demonise all youngsters, as only a small minority are intend on causing trouble, but we need better protection for our residents and shop keepers, Collier Row is a vibrant busy place, but a lot of people, in particular the elderly, do not like to go out in the dark”

During October and November last year, members of the CRM Residents Association spent Saturday mornings in Collier Row talking with residents and collecting signatures. Hundreds of people supported the petition, along with shopkeepers displaying posters and placing copies of the petition in their shops.

Now sit back and wait for the Tory spin, about how they were always going to install CCTV in Collier Row, just ask yourself one question, were have they ever said it, it was not in their manifesto for Collier Row at the last election.

I would like to just add a big thank you to all those residents that wrote to me and signed the petition, without your support we would not have been able to achieve this. Andy Mann

Happy New Year

Well, its a bit late but i have finally got round to updating the old blog site and wishing you all a Happy New Year, i was going to do so sooner, but im afraid the dreaded lurgy got me over Christmas and its taken a few weeks to get up to speed.

I have made a few New Year resolutions, the first to get back down to the gym as soon as possible and the second, to promise to update my blog site more often, so watch out this week for the first news postings of what i have been up to in the Town Hall recently.

Happy New Year to you all.

Andy

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.