The Brentwood West resident known to me as “MUM” is standing as our candidate in the Hutton South by-election!  Read all about her bid at: http://www.brentwood-ongarlibdems.org.uk/index.html

I’m so glad that Quincy, Dillon & Daisy (a.k.a. my menagerie!) are all microchipped.  It gives me that peace of mind that if one went missing, the chances of us being quickly re-united are much increased.

I found a lost dog today, wandering along the road, with no name tag and, I found after a visit to the vet’s, no micro-chip.  What a shame, he’s now in kennels for the night and I’m hoping that his family will come and claim him tomorrow.  If he’d have had a chip, I could have taken the little darling straight home!  At least he’ll be safe, warm and fed well at Wallace Kennels, however.

So, please think about having your dog, cat, horse or rabbit chipped - see www.rspca.org.uk or ask your vet for more information (they usually offer it at a good rate!).

Here’s a heart-warming story to convince you that it’s a good idea:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/6943977.stm

Due to high volume of replies, and the fact that these are still coming in at 50 per day, this matter will be discussed at full council on 8th October.

Plenty of time to complete our petition or fill in the consultation document - feel free to contact me if you want a consultation paper!

Many residents responded to my call for a “Friends of Country Parks” group.  I had suggested that this was a non-political and non-partisan group of park users.

Surprise, surprise.  This will contain three tory councillors, one labour councillor and me.  Ten residents will take the remainder of the 15 places.

Another political highjack.  Sorry.  I tried.

I have just returned from tonight’s Policy Panel - furious because two Conservative councillors questioned and ridiculed my involvement in the Save Thorndon Park campaign in 2005/6 and scared because one of them, Cllr Phil Baker, has now gone on record to say that we SHOULD have APPROVED GO APE.

Be warned, this is the man who is likely to get the Leisure, Sport and Culture portfolio if the council goes to a cabinet system.  This decision would then be down to him and him alone.

More soon, once I have calmed down!

I’m pleased to report that the most recent application on this site has been rejected at committee tonight in a unanimous decision by all councillors after I moved for refusal.

This is clearly back garden development and a strong case for refusing this was accepted.  However, I also asked that the site be tidied up as it is certainly an eyesore at present.

We’ve heard tonight that the William Hunter Way planning application will not be heard until late in the year, it’s moved from full council in October to the meeting on 10th December 2008.

Plenty more time for you to tell me your views on the application.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this meeting on Thursday.  Councillors were asked not to attend so that residents could actually have their say without any Tory highjacking!  I was fully in support of this so watched at home.  What an event!

99 per cent of the residents there were totally against the move to go to a cabinet system in Brentwood - a show of hands at the end was 100% against with the one person in favour abstaining from the vote totally!

It’s worth watching: http://www.brentwood.ukcouncil.net/site/

…just a note to thank those residents who have sent me get well messages following my recent accident.  A fall due to a missing kerb stone (not in Brentwood I hasten to add!) seemed so minor but it’s had some serious consequences.

This is just a warning to anyone who has an accident - no matter how minor - make sure you get some quick treatment and prevent things getting worse.

I’m not on this committee, but I do like to attend as I feel the promotion of sport and leisure pursuits is very important.

It was a generally amiable meeting, with a few laughs along the way, and one of the key issues that came up was the consultation that has been going on into King George’s Playing Fields, Hartswood & Little Warley Common.  This consultation ends on 30th September, so make sure you add your voice to the 200+ people who have already responded.  These are your open spaces, so make sure you tell us what you want. There’s a link on the left here.

This also got us onto the subject of the “Friends of…” groups and I was keen to learn that there will be different groups for each different park.  If you are a key user of the country parks, you’ll find a link here too - see left of screen!

I’ve also asked if I can be on the Joint Committtee for Country Parks given my history of protecting them and working with the park users.  I’ll keep you posted!

Both links can be found under “Campaigns” on the left hand side of the screen.