I thought I would share this story with you for the bank holiday, just to restore your faith in humanity!

Brentwood & Ongar Liberal Democrats on Facebook

Today I had the pleasure of attending the second Homesteads Picnic, organised by the South Hill Residents Association.

 It’s a really lovely opportunity for everyone in the community to get together and have some fun.  I did some baking for everyone to share…I do like to whisk up a cake every now and again.  Our Nigel came along with daughter Livvy and, with inflatables for the kids, a good time was had by all.

This year, we had the added bonus of some songs from “Funky Voices” who were superb!

 Thanks to Bob Brookes and co. for the invite.

 It was lovely to catch up with some friends and it was a lovely afternoon!

This week, the following have appeared on the weekly list:

7 Gerrard Crescent - Two storey side extension & demolish existing garage: Recommended for refusal.

9 Fantastia Court- Installation of 3 x rooflights to 2nd floor to form habitable accomodation: Recommended for refusal

4 Fantastia Court- Installation of 3 x rooflights to 2nd floor bonus room to form habitable saccomodation: Recommended for refusal

2 Fantastia Court- Installation of 3 x rooflights to 2nd floor to form habitable saccomodation: Recommended for refusal

Dental Surgery, 163 High Street - Single storey extension at the side together with internal alterations: Recommended for approval

Dental Surgery, 163 High Street - Single storey extension at the side: Recommended for approval

If you have any issues with the above officer recommendations then please get in touch with me as soon as possible.  I have until midday on 7th September to refer the above items to the Planning Committee for further discussion.

OK, funny headline in the Gazette this week - “Council “stole” my juicy plums” - but this is quite upsetting if you look out your kitchen window to find that your fruit tree has been cut back, without prior knowledge and 12- 15 lbs of Victoria Plums have gone too.

For those who haven’t seen it, overhanging branches were cut back to the boundary fence shared with a council car park and we have no idea what happened to the plums, juicy and ripe for picking.

The fact is, the resident in question should have been informed at the very least and she certainly should, legally, have had the branches and fruit returned to her.  What makes me angry is that this tree was in full fruit and it surely must have occurred to the workers that this was more than just a few straggly branches.

I am taking this issue up with the council with the resident, because things like this just shouldn’t happen.

It’s that time of the week where you get to see where Nigel and I have been shopping this week!  Are we still supporting local trader?  Yes we are!

This week we’d like to say a big hello to Nails at Studio 4 in Roper’s Yard who specialise in making fingers and toes pretty!  Corinne, Claire, Hubbard and the gang will make you welcome and keep you plied with tea!

I’m pleased to report that the Information Centre will now open six days a week, with half days on Wednesday and Saturday and full-day opening on every other day.

Cllr David Kendall originally asked for the Information Centre to be opened on a Saturday back in January which resulted in a trial Saturday opening. The four week trial showed a clear requirement for it to be open on a Saturday and I suggested closure on a weekday.  The trial showed that Wednesday was the quietest day of the week so it will close on Wednesday afternoon and then open on Saturdays until 1pm.

So, it’s open for all those things like picking up recycling sacks and bus route information that we all need!

A very tense Policy Board last night, most of which was held in a closed session due to confidentiality, but I think I can share something with you!

During the debate, Cllr Kendall referred to Cllrs Baker & Quirk as “Batman & Robin” which raised a few laughs!  They seemed to quite like it, but we were reduced to hysterics this morning when we found that on his website Cllr Quirk had, in turn, referred to us as “The Riddler & Catwoman”!

Now, I have no problem with being called Catwoman (described on Wikipedia as a peak athlete, extremely skilled in hand-to-hand combatant, with razor-sharp retractable claws and an empathetic relationship with all kinds of cats) but I’m not quite sure what Cllr Kendall thinks of his alter-ego…….

It is nice to have an occasional laugh with your opponents for a change, now we just need to cast The Joker….any thoughts….?

I was really chuffed this morning to discover that this site has been selected as “My Councillor Site of the Month” by the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors.

When I started this site, I wanted it to be a mixture of local news and issues, general issues to help people, campaigns and a few funnies too (as well as animal stuff!).  It seems to have hit the spot!

I am particularly pleased to have come across as a “human being” and that the ALDC have noted that I care about my ward - which I do!  But the classic line has to be:

“It also has the unique distinction of being the only MyCouncillor site to have pictures of both dogs and meerkats on the front page!”

 Thanks ALDC!

I’ve had a number of concerns raised with me and I am keen to feed them back whilst there’s a chance, with workers still there, we can do something about them.

So, please do comment if you have some thoughts or pop in to Nigel in his shop (31 Crown Street) to make your views known.