I’ve heard on the news today that Liverpool Street station is shut.  Thankfully, I’ve got the day off today but I am sure many of you are affected.

I know only too well the sinking feeling that you get when you get within a few feet of the station and there are hundreds of people milling about, not knowing what to do.  it’s happened twice this year, after New Year and Easter, with over-running engineering work.  What are your options: get a lift to Upminster, work from home, take a day off?  It’s inconvenient and annoying.

I’m on the committee of the Brentwood Bus and Rail Users Association, a non-political campaigning body that works with the people of Brentwood to improve the bus and rail services in the town.  If you want to add your voice to the group, why not join?  It’s only £5 per year (link on the left!)

It’s been announced today that many residents’ direct debits have been taken from their accounts early - 28th May rather than 1st June.

Obviously, if you get paid on 1st of each month then that could be a problem.  If you are affected and have received bank charges as a result, please call Mrs Jones on 01277 312866 and you will be reimbursed.

I’m still not terribly happy with the delay in setting up the direct debits for this year - those who requested to go on to the direct debit scheme for 2008/9 (including me) were told that their payments would be taken in 8 installments from June to February and, I feel, could lead to some residents falling behind when unable to meet larger payments - so you can rest assured that I will ask questions on how this could happen.

Let me know if you are affected.

The most frustrating thing about being on the planning committee, although I thoroughly enjoy it, is not being able to let residents know my views on a planning application prior to the meeting.  If I do this, I lose my vote.

However, this doesn’t stop me being able to guide you through the planning process as your ward councillor and it was great last night to be able to assist a family in their quest to extend their property to house their young family.  The Liberal Democrats, when they were running the council, introduced a facility whereby applicants and objectors have a chance to address the committee on a planning application.  For a residential applicants, this means you are able to put your own personal views across.  Last night’s application in Crescent Road was unanimously approved once the resident had spoken and I supported him through talking about the area in which his property was sited.  It’s great to be able to help!

We were also able to approve another Brentwood West application in Westway after a lengthy discussion about a shed!

In addition to this, some fairly significant applications went through.  Cllr Carter asked for refusal to operate an MOT testing centre in the Wates Way Industrial estate, fearing noise and traffic issues but, unfortunately, this one was approved when everyone voted against this motion.  But we were all pleased to be able to vote for the refurbishment of Merrymeade House (a beautiful building that will be brought back to former glories) and for an assembly hall for the Ursuline in Warley which will give the pupils the opportunity to take their assemblies together and free up a wonderful room for other activities.

It seems incredible that a whole year has passed since I was elected, but here we are swearing in a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

More exciting for us, however, is that the Liberal Democrat group welcomes a new councillor, Ross Carter, in the neighbouring ward of Brentwood North and we’re all delighted too that our leader, Cllr David Kendall, is back with a whopping majority of 382 in Pilgrims Hatch!  We’re disappointed, of course, that Brentwood West’s popular candidate Nigel Clarke missed out on being elected this time and so didn’t join us in the council chamber.  But don’t worry, our Nigel remains a firm fixture in the Brentwood West team and he’ll be back at the next borough council elections!  Despite still being a team of six, I’m sure we’ll not go unnoticed as we fight your corner and speak up for residents at the Town Hall.

In a mainly good natured meeting (every year starts like that….!) we presented a petition about the Sandpit Lane/Ongar Road junction that had been signed by over 200 residents.  This will be dealt with at the Highways Panel in June alongside some improvements to junctions in Brentwood West.

Tonight, Cllr Kendall and I attended the Young Person of the Year awards.  We were so impressed with the calibre of the young people who won awards.  I constantly hear about the bad things that young people get up to and I think we can sometimes forget that there are some great kids out there doing fantastic things. Winners this year were: 

Young Carer - Ian Slade

Young Volunteer - Robyn Sach

Young Achiever - April Goulding

Young Hero - Chloe Mansell 

The overall award went to Ian - the primary carer for both his parents who also keeps up with all his school work and other commitments. This award ceremony was a humbling experience and I spent most of the evening trying not to blub!  Children seem to have the capacity to just get on with things, no matter what life throws at them and we can all learn from them. 

I was lucky to have great company for the evening, including two people who nominated youngsters and also Domino Pizza’s John Roberts and his family, who, in a very community-spirited way, sponsored the event.

I’d also like to thank Rosie, a resident of Brentwood West, who entertained us with song and violin playing!

I just wanted to thank the kind lady who not only handed in my credit card when I dropped it in Tesco a few days ago, but then came back in when she saw me rummaging in my bag for it!

Everyone knows how time consuming it can be to sort such things out so I really appreciated it!

Hello and welcome to my “my councillor” website.  This is a new function which we are building at the moment, so visit again as I’ll be adding more content over the next few weeks.

However, you can use this site to report a problem in Brentwood West to me by clicking on the link on the left hand side.