Brentwood could link up with Basildon and Thurrock?

Local Conservative councillors support a proposal that could see Brentwood link up with Basildon, Thurrock, and three other Councils to form a new "South Essex Combined Authority" with a Directly elected Mayor.

At last night's Brentwood Borough Council's Extraordinary Council meeting (22/7) Brentwood's Conservative Leader announced that the Council was supporting a proposal being put to the Government for a new South Essex Combined Authority and a Directly elected Mayor. His position was also supported by the leader of the Labour Group.

Hands Off Brentwood

Do Brentwood residents want to be run by Basildon or Thurrock? We think not. We would become the junior partner in an organisations that dominates us.

The entire structure of Local Government is under review. Recently the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced the publication of a white paper on devolution of power across the country. Linked to this review is a proposal that South Essex Councils (including Brentwood) breakaway and form a combined authority.

In 2018 I was successful in making Brentwood a 'no tolerance borough' as far as parking in disabled spaces was concerned. No ifs, no buts... if you were parked in a disabled bay without a valid blue badge you got a ticket. It was one of the highlights of my lengthy council career as this was agreed cross-party, unanimously and the result met with a round of applause - unusual for an opposition member! Having been rendered disabled by an accident in 2015, it meant a lot to me as I understood first-hand how vital these accessible and convenient spaces are.

There is much speculation in the media that the Conservative Government will make moves to change the current system around Planning Permissions. The clear inference drawn from rumours, noting that nothing official has yet been forthcoming, is that getting planning consent will become an easier and quicker process tied in with drive to get Britain building again. Bringing forward key large-scale developments and infrastructure works to operate as driving force in the post Covid 19 economic recovery.

Your local Liberal Democrat Councillors have received many calls and emails from residents in Brentwood North regarding the anti-social behaviour that is taking place during the evenings in the area of William Hunter Way car park. The Council has dealt with these issues in the past, many times, with varying degrees of success.

Should more free parking be available in our town centres?

Car parking charges are always a major issue. The provision of free parking in town centres works on the basis that it would give much needed support to our towns, encouraging a greater level of footfall and help provide a much-needed boost for our beleaguered high streets.

Are we doing enough to adapt to climate change?

No. The Liberal Democrats have a 7-point plan that needs to be acted on as soon as possible.

1) Significantly reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045
Tackling the climate crisis needs significant structural change. Change how we travel, build, and produce goods and services. We need to cut today's emissions in half by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 at the latest. This is an achievable target; giving time for the country to mobilise and industry to adapt.

A very concerned group of residents recently contacted Cllr Barry Aspinell regarding diggers and other ground work machinery accessing a field off of a close in Shenfield Place and subsequently leaving the site open and unprotected. At this time of year many people have concerns over potential traveller incursions and other developments that would affect them locally. Barry immediately contacted Andy Fryd, our local councillor in Shenfield and asked him to visit the residents and take a photograph of the area concerned. This he did, but he also went further. He ascertained the name of the company carrying out the work and contacted them. After a lengthy conversation with the Manager, Cllr Andy Fryd was assured that the land was being worked to facilitate a much needed drainage system and a new fence and pedestrian gate would be going back up. In the meantime, a temporary fence would be put in place the following morning. Andy assured the gentleman that he would be back to ensure that this was happening. The very next day Andy did return and was pleased to see the temporary fence had been erected. However, we are not taking it at face value, and along with local residents will be keeping a close watch on the situation to ensure that the promised permanent fence does happen.

Following on from other ward updates we move over to Warley .......

Councillors Jay Laplain and Nigel Clarke, both covering the Warley Ward, reported that irresponsible people were discarding PPE gloves onto public footpaths after leaving a care home in this ward. Cllr Laplain took photographic evidence and action has been taken, with enforcement of responsibilities being impressed on the care home as to the actions of people leaving the building. We can only hope that commonsense and courtesy prevail in this instance.