Armed Forces Day

This morning I attended the Armed Forces service on City Beach along with fellow ward councillor Blaine Robin.  It was fantastic to see the space along the promenade, ‘CityBeach’ being used in such a way.  My thoughts were this space has been reclaimed by the residents of Southend. 

 As people strolled past the open air service people stopped to listen, whilst children played in the fountains and the beach got busier from the day trippers, it really was a great atmosphere.

 I believe that the residents need to come first and this area has been regenerated into a vibrant, uplifting area that can now used for so many different things. 

 Councillor Robin and I have spent time at the Civic offices speaking about various safety issues, raising residents questions as we are keen to make sure that this area is used to its full potential.

Parking Consultation

This week I attended a parking consultation at the ‘Kursaal’.  It was fantastic that so many residents turned up to view the plans.  It is the resident’s opportunity to voice their opinions one way or the other about plans which will be affecting where they live.

 I am really pleased that residents will now hopefully have an easier time at finding some where to park.  Residents have to come first.

Is the Archbishop right to speak up on political issues?

 The Archbishop of Canterbury has today spoken out against ‘The Big Society’ and criticised David Cameron on pushing through policies and committing the country to “radical, long-term policies for which no one voted”.  The Archbishop claims that the policies have been pushed through so speedily that the general public have not been able to fully understand, people are ‘baffled’ he says.

In particular, Rowan Williams speaks about ‘The Big Society’ as being ‘painfully stale’.  The Archbishop also launches a sustained attack on the government’s welfare reforms, complaining of a “quiet resurgence of the seductive language of “deserving” and “undeserving” poor.”

This political intervention from the Church of England has not been seen for some years and as such, has been with met with mixture of opinions.  ‘He should stick to running the church’ are just some of the comments seen and heard today.  I personally feel a mixture of feelings.  I do not agree with what the Archbishop has said, and  I think that David Cameron has reacted well by saying that he ‘welcomes the debate’.  I also think that everyone is entitled to an opinion, but arguably how can you criticise politicians who are elected to make decisions on such matters.  The coalition government gained 17 million votes.

All being said,  the comments generate debate and that must be a good thing for democracy.

Parking Consultation

It was useful to view the parking plans for the Pleasant/Hartington Road area and the area around Beresford/Burnaby Road.  The plans involve resident parking permits, which will allow residents to park more easily in their roads. Currently residents have to fight for spaces as they are taken up by people working locally or by tourists.

 These plans come off the back of months of campaigning with offices at the council about the problems residents face.

 Residents will be able to view the plans for themselves on Wednesday 22nd June – 6-8 and Saturday 25th June 10-2 at The Kursaal.  It would be very helpful for residents to comment and get involved in the consultation.

 These schemes are long overdue and hopefully if implemented will make life a lot easier for residents