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Newsletter # 7 December 2011 |
Association of Westborough Residents |
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Contents Bump in Hamlet
Court Road
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What’s On in
Westborough Ward Add your business
or event just email
me, its FREE
Residents Christmas meeting
December 16th Usual
place Westcliff British Legion Northview Drive The
Councillors have withdrawn their offer to fund the room hire & the
buffet, however
the meeting will go ahead in the main hall, we have a space reserved Please Email me here to
reserve your place
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New trees in
Fleetwood Avenue
Are gates on big
alleys the answer to fly tipping?
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“Councillors
Report at the Councillors Forum; November 18th The
Councillors reported on many items about Westborough Ward and Southend as a
whole. It
has been reported by the local paper that there is anti-social behaviour
regarding drug dealing in roads to the East of the ward. Residents from
the Avenues identified have commented to Councillors that this is
exaggerated, however Residents reported there are hot spots across the Ward
and these will be raised with the Police at the next Neighbourhood meeting on
6 December 2011. Funding has been made available for new Dog
waste bins. Residents were asked for suggested sites. They were
Fairmead Avenue/Westborough Road; Fairfax Drive/St Georges Park Ave.; London
Road close to Westcliff Library; Westborough Road/Glenwood Avenue.
These will be suggested to the Council. The Priory Works site. 22 Houses are
proposed for the old Priory Works site, Fairfax Dive / Springfield
Drive. Whilst new family homes are welcomed, residents were concerned
about the Car Parking issue, if only space per house was allocated. Also the matter
of pressure on local utilities was noted. Westcliff Police Station, which is owned by
the Borough Council, the future for this building is that it may be sold for
development. Hopefully affordable housing will be the result. The Council Budget for 2012/3 was
discussed. It is at an early stage and all Councillors were invited in
initial discussions about the expected £12 million reduction in the Budget
for next year. The final decision on where the reductions will be made will
be decided the Tory administration. The local Conservation Working Party is
under threat by the Tories, who want to place its work under the planning
committee (Development & Control). Cllr Collins stated that
opposition Councillors would object to this threat to local Conservation. Car parking on the grass verges in
Fairmead. Cllr Collins reported that the Council has agreed to erect
the wooden posts in the verges to stop this illegal parking. The Hospital
parking scheme was strongly criticed by residents. There is stress
caused by the scheme on Westborough streets, which is unwelcomed. Residents reported about concerns about
large lorries using Westbourne Grove and in particular on Monday of the
previous week, when a seven axle lorry became stuck in the Road. Reports of vagrancy around the back of
Westcliff Free Church were discussed. The police have been actively moving on
Vagrants from the centre of Southend, so Residents were asked to look out for
a spread of this issue into Westborough as a result. Westcliff Library, the recent court cases
in London that overturned Local Authorities decisions for Library closures
were noted by the Residents. Fairfax Drive issues mentioned, Pavement
being obstructed by Shop Keepers, Bus Stops being obstructed by Parked Cars
(a resident suggested that Bus Shelters are erected to combat this) and poor
quality Shop conversions into flats. The meeting was told about Fix My Street,
which was raised by a resident. It was noted by Residents that Street
Cleaners were sweeping roads one day before the weekly waste collection,
instead of being one day after. Cllr Collins promised to take this
point up with the Council. The local Resident Association was raised
by residents. The Councillors confirmed that an active Resident Association
is vital, as the Localism bill would give more powers to such Community
Groups. Whilst the Councillors have no control over such groups, they would
actively support and give advice to any Community group established in
Westborough Ward. Southend issues discussed; Tesco development will be back in front of
Planning for former B&Q site; Traffic access is the main issue; The Fairhaven’s plans have been submitted
and will be discussed by the Planning Committee in mid December. Sainsbury’s plans for 272 properties,
Superstore and Petrol station are being refined; The pilot register scheme for Landlords in
the certain selected central town areas; Residents expressed their views on these
matters and the Councillors present noted these comments. It is planned to charge £10 for new Blue
Badges from 1 January 2012 by the Council, as a new nationwide system is
introduced. Cllr Collins informed the Forum that he is
particularly interested in the Council’s performance in collecting Penalty
Charge notices, as £630,000 was unpaid at the end of the financial year and
there is a substantial debt building up over the previous years. He
will continue look into this matter and report back at the next Forum. The date of the next Councillors Forum is
not decided, the most likely date would be the third Friday in February,
2012.” |
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Pavements/Lighting/Parking
Problems etc. Just go to FixMyStreet There are some reports from the ward on Fixmystreet keep it up the more we
harass the Council the more action they will take to keep us quiet. If you want to report a problem with any of the services
provided by the Council there is an easy way it is called FixMyStreet It is pretty simple, fill
in the form, add pictures if you want & send it. FixMyStreet will send the complaint
direct to the Council & they act on it. I know I made a complaint at FixMyStreet & the Council
contacted me a day or so later. Log to FixMyStreet & see. Anyone can see the reports from anywhere in the country, or from
your neck of the woods & make comments. A recent local reports http://www.fixmystreet.com/report/216454
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Neighbourhood
Action Panel
UPDATE NAP
is now renamed Neighbourhood Meeting, these meeting are open to the
residents of Westborough ward & all are welcome Date
of next meeting: 7pm
Tuesday 6th December 2011 Venue British
Legion Northview Drive October
minutes Ward:
Westborough Date:
Tuesday 4th
October 2011 Time:
7pm – 8.30pm Location:
St Andrews Church, Westborough
Road. Attendees: Pc Alex Bossom – Neighbourhood Constable Sgt Gary Lane – Neighbourhood Police supervisor PCSO Helen Humphris Rev. Stuart Kimber – St Andrews Church Dave Batter – Resident Alan Grubb – Resident Irene Grubb – Resident Tania Painton - Resident Cllr Martin Terry Cllr Paul Collins Sandra Brett - Resident Mercedes Lancaster – Integrated Youth Support Service
(IYSS) Steve Bright Apologies for absence: Debbie Martin – St Andrews Church youth worker Sylvia Sookias – Resident Lydia Sookias – Resident Brenda Smith – RAW Matthew Wildish – Resident AGENDA: 1.
Review of previously agreed priorities:
a) Drug
activity and antisocial behaviour at a specified location: Pc AB
reported that high visibility patrols had been conducted in the specified
area and in the alleyways adjacent to the London Road and that no suspicious
activity had been seen. Cllr PC enquired as to whether covert patrols may be
more productive and Pc AB informed attendees that the purpose was also one of
public reassurance. Ps GL explained that the use of high visibility patrols
was more effective in the current situation, with officers being deployed
elsewhere. Cllr MT enquired if CCTV may be beneficial and Ps GL explained
that legislation enforces strict controls of the use of CCTV. Pc AB updated
that no new information has been received other than to corroborate that
already known. TP reported that a clear up of rubbish and graffiti at the
rear of the library had proved successful several years ago, by increasing
visibility of the area. 2.
Current problems / Information sharing: a) Cllr
MT reported on recent damage to vehicles in Ronald Park Avenue and to a post
box in Brightwell Avenue. b) Cllr
MT had recently attended a resident’s group meeting where the subject of
these minutes had been raised. It had been mentioned that the recording of
some items may lead to reprisals and that they should not be available to the
wider public, but restricted to those attending. Ps GL informed attendees
that the meetings were open to the general public and as such it is for
individuals to be aware of what is being said. SB reassured those present
that he ‘sanitises’ the discussions to avoid the risk of people being identified
or targeted. c) Cllr
MT had been asked by a Southend Youth Council member if a Police officer
could be stationed outside Westborough School to ensure public safety during
attendance / departing periods. Ps GL stated that he was not able to deploy
an officer in the light of current priorities. d) ML
introduced herself and explained her role within the Integrated Youth Support
Service and that of the street engagement team. Staff had recently been
deployed in Fairfax Park, following reports of young person antisocial
behaviour and were also covering the area of Chase School between 8am – 9am
two days a week for the same reason. ML requested that information concerning
young people antisocial behaviour could be reported direct on 01 702 534300
(01 702 534785 direct line) or via email mercedeslancaster@southend.gov.uk
. e) SandraB
reported that the issue of Chase pupils obtaining cigarettes from Ronald Park
News shop had been raised at a recent school meeting. Pupils had been
reportedly pestering adults outside the shop, in attempts to get them to
purchase cigarettes on their behalf. SandraB enquired if ML could deploy
staff to this location to engage with pupils. Cllr MT reported that the
owners of the shop appeared to be acting in a responsible manner and refusing
/ checking on customers prior to cigarette sales. Ps GL reported that there
have been incidents of damage at the shop, which are suspected to be
reprisals for the responsible action taken by the shop proprietors. f) IG
reported that during the school summer holiday adults had been approached to
purchase cigarettes for under age persons at the Chalkwell News shop on the
London Road. g) AG
distributed information booklets regarding ‘scams’ printed by the Office of
Fair Trading. Additional copies are available by calling 0800 389 3158. h) AG
reported on continuing problems of vehicles being parked and obstructing
junctions, reducing visibility and encroaching on the footpath, citing
Westbourne Grove / Westborough Road as a persistent problem. Cllr PC had
received complaints concerning a vehicle being parked with all 4 wheels on
the footpath overnight next to the bus stop in Fairmead Avenue. DB reported
on similar problems along Fairfax Drive. Cllr MT agreed to liaise with Derek
Kenyon at SBC to arrange for the smart car to patrol the areas mentioned. Ps
GL informed attendees that Police will deal with individual parking offences
on merit when they are reported. Cllr MT made reference to the new parking
controls at Southend Hospital being a contributory factor in displacing
parking problems into the ward. Cllr MT informed attendees that a resident
parking control scheme was being considered for Fairfax Drive area, but that
it required capital investment and would take some time in the current
economic climate. i)
Cllr PC reported that there were a number of
mattresses at the rear of Westcliff Free Church in Ronald Park Avenue with
signs that people may be sleeping rough. The matter had been reported to
Karon Grant at SBC and Cllr PC was awaiting a response regarding clearance of
the mattresses and other rubbish. Ps GL would cause area to be targeted by
patrolling officers. TP enquired if vagrancy was on the increase and Ps GL
responded by saying that it appeared to be increasing within the town, but
not specifically in this ward. There is a Police operation being implemented
over the next couple of weeks to combat vagrancy / begging.
j)
Cllr PC had received reports of noise nuisance
emanating from identified premises in Fairfax Drive. Ps GL reported that
Police were aware and monitoring the situation. Cllr MT reported that SBC
were aware and dealing with the matter by way of planning enforcement. k) SandraB
reported on suspected drug activity witnessed by a friend on a neighbouring
ward and agreed to discuss with Pc AB outside of meeting to facilitate Police
meeting with the original informant. l)
SandraB promoted a discussion regarding Police
attendance at Chase School meetings and involvement of the IYSS in
networking. Ps GL updated that while Essex Police have a dedicated officer
for the school, she has responsibility for the other senior schools in the
western half of the town. There is a Police officer attached to the Youth
Offending Team and he may be better placed to focus on specific issues at the
school. ML agreed to liaise with SandraB to obtain update on current
problems. m) SK
reported that planning for severe weather accommodation was ongoing with a
proposal that St Andrews offer to cover Sunday evenings during November –
March. It was believed that Westcliff Free Church would also be offering one
night. AG referred to the vast quantities of food that is wasted when it
reaches ‘sell by’ dates and wondered if the church could access some of this
produce to assist with the scheme. SK thanked AG for the suggestion and would
include the information in future planning. n) SK
reported that Debbie Martin had started her engagement work with some young
people in the area and was working toward opening the church premises one
night a week to offer a safe meeting place. The proposed room had been
refurbished with a previous grant from SMAART. Debbie is contactable via
email: StAndrewsYouth@mail.com. o) Pc
AB reported that there had been recent antisocial behaviour at the disused
premises situate Fairfax Drive / Springfield Drive, which are boarded up and
awaiting construction work to begin. There had been reports of theft from
motor vehicles and damage and the area was now included in targeted Police
patrols. p) Reminder
for attendees to spread the message regarding reporting problems to the
Police at the time they are happening, to enable the most appropriate Police
response. In situations requiring urgent attendance the 999 system should be
used. For non – emergency situations requiring Police attendance then calls
should be made via the new national non-emergency number 101.
This number was introduced on the 1st July and has replaced the
0300 333 4444 number previously used in Essex. The neighbourhood Police team
were contactable via the mobile no. 07817 968093 for information or
general enquiries. 3.
Set new priorities: 1) Vehicle
obstruction across ward. 4.
Any other business: None 5.
Date of next meeting:
7pm Tuesday 6th December 2011 TBA |
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Get the
jab that could save your life Despite
the unexpected good weather that we enjoyed last week, it is the time of the
year when we see many people suffering from “flu like illness”. Like every
winter the Flu viruses, including Swine Flu virus (H1N1) have begun
circulating amongst us and is attacking people with weak immune system and
those suffering from other long term conditions like asthma and diabetes. Nationally,
during 2009 winter season more people died from influenza and pneumonia than
those who died with breast or prostate cancer. The NHS in south Essex is
today urging people at risk of flu to get protected and have the vaccine. Four
groups have been identified as being most at risk: · Pregnant women · People with long term
conditions and serious illness that make their immune system weak for example
cancer, asthma, diabetes , heart disease and neurological illnesses. · Carers who look after
vulnerable people, and · People over 65 years Margaret
Gray, Head of Public Health for NHS South East Essex, said: “Flu is different
to getting a cold and the effects of seasonal flu are often underestimated.
Some people are more at risk from flu and need the vaccine because they are
not able to fight off flu as easily as others. It can often result in more
serious complications which require hospital treatment - and the figures from
last winter show that sometimes there can be devastating consequences of
death. “This
can be prevented by having the vaccine, which is being provided free to
eligible people at GP surgeries across south Essex for people with long term
conditions, carers, those over 65 and pregnant women." Dr
Arun Patel, associate director of public health at NHS South West Essex,
says: “Flu is a highly infectious illness caused by viruses. We now have a safe
effective vaccine for the viruses that will circulate this winter. It
is important that those at risk protect themselves every year. Getting the
free jab helps protect them and their loved ones." There
are additional ways people can protect themselves and those around them. Good
hand hygiene - the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ technique - reduces the spread
of germs. This means carrying tissues, covering coughs and sneezes with a
tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use, and cleaning hands as soon as
possible with soap and water or an alcohol hand gel. ENDS Notes for editors Posters
and information leaflets designed to bust flu myths and help educate people
on the importance of getting the jab will be available at local GP surgeries,
hospitals and clinics. Last
year, 602 people died with flu. Of the 587 deaths with information on age, 70
per cent of those deaths (415) were in young and middle aged people aged
15-64 years. Those
eligible for the flu jab are: - People 65 years of age or over - Pregnant women in any stage of pregnancy - People living in a residential or nursing home - A main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare
may be at risk if they fall ill - A frontline health or social care worker Or have one of the following conditions: - chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as asthma, COPD
or bronchitis; - chronic heart disease; - chronic kidney disease; - chronic liver disease; - chronic neurological disease, such as stroke, TIA, polio
syndrome; - diabetes - a weakened immune system due to conditions, such as HIV or
AIDs, or treatments that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy For
more information, please contact the communications team on 01702 226630 or
226629. Additional notes to editors NHS
South East Essex is the primary care trust (PCT) that commissions services
for people living in south east Essex. We plan, develop and buy services for
patients registered with a GP in Castle Point, Rochford and Southend. NHS
South West Essex is the PCT that commissions services for people living in
south west Essex. We plan, develop and buy services for patients registered
with a GP in Basildon, Billericay, Brentwood, Wickford and Thurrock. The
two PCTs are working closely together in a ‘cluster’. We share a chief
executive and executive team but continue to be separate organisations. Each
PCT is still responsible for its own budget and expenditure with its own
Chair and a different group of Non-Executive Directors. As
well as being responsible for managing all the functions of the two PCTs, the
cluster organisation is also responsible for managing the transition to
future clinical commissioning arrangements, which will see GPs across the
country given greater control over the NHS budget and commissioning
decisions. Together,
we will deliver a Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP)
programme. Launched by the Department of Health, it asks NHS organisations to
improve the quality of care they deliver while making efficiency savings so
each pound spent is used to bring maximum benefit to patients. Find out more
at www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Qualityandproductivity |
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RAW AGM According to the RAW constitution i) An annual general meeting shall be
held in January each year, the date, time and place to be determined by the
committee. An annual general meeting shall be a closed meeting, that is only
open to paid up members. ii) Each annual general meeting shall be
convened by the Secretary who shall notify all members in writing at least 30
days before the date of that meeting. However there have been no public or members meetings since May
2011, as of 11/12/2011 there have been no meeting dates published, in fact
all have been cancelled
up to the end of the year The general feeling among some residents is that RAW is
finished, even the Councillors report hints at that, but according to the
constitution under dissolution a meeting must be called to deal with this. 11.
DISSOLUTION The Organisation may be dissolved at any
time by means of a resolution agreed by a two thirds majority of those
present and voting at any annual general meeting or special meeting called
for that purpose. Any assets left in the main bank account will be
distributed to all existing members following the satisfaction of all debts
and liabilities. If amounts left over total less than one pound per existing
member, the remaining balance shall be given to a charity chosen by the
Management Committee. According to expelled committee member/s there are considerable
assets held by RAW either monies in bank or tangible items, computer/s,
accounting software recently purchased, laser printers etc. The accounts
should list these items. Some of you may be aware that a Special General Meeting was called
by members for May 2011, the management committee refuse to hold this
meeting, but the scheduled meeting monthly meeting did take place in May
which featured in the local
paper There were letters
too, this one is from the Echo, below is one from another paper, seems to
exactly the same
The penultimate paragraph is of particular interest! There are many rumours going around about the members of RAW who
have been expelled, one of the expelled members was recently arrested for
allegedly having a list of names & addresses, & another was
questioned by Police acting on allegations of assault, as I understand it the
allegations were made by the committee of RAW. I am reliably informed a local
Councillor present at the May meeting was called into the Police station to
make a statement regarding this allegation. I was threatened with disciplinary action & eventually
expelled for failing to hand over photographs I took in my own time on my own
camera. There are currently four committee places vacant, Treasurer
& 3 others, the treasurer resigned after the May meeting & there have
been no meeting since to elect another. There is no provision in the
constitution for a member who resigns to withdraw the resignation. I have had
sight of the resignation email. Email
me or call me on 07779-648737 if you need updates on any of the above Dave Batter |
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AWR Newsletters |
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NAP minutes |
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