I haven’t had a chance to comment on the dangerous dog plan that the Labour government came up with last week, due to being at conference and all.  But today I hear that they have done a U-turn and decided against introducing a law for EVERY dog to be insured for third party damage in case they attack someone.  Chris Huhne, Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary, summed it up by saying:

“Another headline-grabbing Labour announcement has gone to the dogs.

“The law on dangerous dogs does need to be tightened up but not by a canine tax on millions of law-abiding British dog lovers.”

Let’s put this in context.  For those who don’t know my little dog, this is a picture of Quincy.  This gorgeous shih tzu belongs to me and my mum and lives with her in Brentwood West (thereby known as Brentwood West Dog).

He’s at least 14, has a back problem which means he falls over every half a dozen steps, three teeth, is hard of hearing and has one (not very good) eye.  Now, seriously, how likely is he to launch an attack on anyone?

The only way Quincy would cause someone a mischief is if you fell over him!

But we love him!

I was delivering a few leaflets yesterday when I found a key in someone’s front door.  I knocked and a very grateful young lady thanked me for letting her know.  Someone could have taken that key and broken in whilst she was at work.

This isn’t the first time I’ve found a key in a lock or a door open during my rounds, so I thought these hints and tips from www.direct.gov would be helpful.  One of my friends has been burgled this weekend, so please do have a quick skim through these tips.

I was burgled once and it is a very unpleasant experience however, all I cared about was that the animals were safe.  Stuff is stuff, they were most important and they were a little bit scared afterwards.

You can take this quick two minute test to see how safe your property is.

A report in the Gazette today showed that there was support for the Go Kart track planned for Hubert Road.

Whilst I was in Tenerife, I got a series of calls from residents who were concerned about the venture.  This was, ahem, due to a certain journalist winding them a little bit, by suggesting that it was going to be a noisy, outdoor venture that would generate bad behaviour.

After speaking to the residents who had these concerns, from my holiday I might add, we looked at the current situation in Hubert Road, which has been rife with anti-social behaviour, and how this venture could mean that a current empty, neglected and graffiti-covered building could very well be the solution by managing the area and monitoring the problems that have been prevailant there for years.  Also worth saying that the additional worry had been down to some misleading information about which building it actually was.

So, I hope a good result for the area and for the residents that surround it.  I will be keeping an eye on events however.

One point that you might find useful - I try to post all Brentwood West planning applications on this blog each week so log on to see what’s going on in your area.

I’ve just returned from Circle Anglia’s meeting to discuss the parking issues and lovely to see so many residents taking an interest in their environment. 

I’m pleased to see that they are going ahead with the clamping scheme, which the residents voted for.  A year’s contract will be signed, but it will be up for review in 9 month time.  Circle Anglia’s Sara Bartleman is on hand to help you as this scheme is brought into use.

Just to clarify, nothing can be sorted out on the actual road until the road is adopted.  I know there is a petition circulating on this matter, but the road was always on the plan to be adopted anyway?!  Once this has happened, a scheme can be put in. 

Let us know what type of restrictions you would like by completing our survey.

I’ve had an unusual night…I had a call from a concerned resident about 9pm because there was some nasty graffiti on a wall by Holly Trees School.

I’m pleased to say that I got something done about this as quick as possible. By 10pm, the most offensive words had been removed from the illegal and offensive artwork.  The rest will be removed later, but we needed to stop so the good people of Clements Park could get some sleep.

Thanks to the Brentwood Council staff who swung into action so late and so quickly to help residents out!

Full story on the Brentwood Gazette website: http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/brentwood/WARLEY-Outrage-race-hate-graffiti/article-646990-detail/article.html

Residents in London Road and Warley Hill would have noticed that the requested VAS (Vehicle Activated) signs have not yet been installed.  The delay is down to EDF Energy’s failure to, so far, attach the power supply.

We will, of course, keep you posted on this very important issue, aimed at slowing down the traffic.

Frustration continues in St James’ Road where it is dark and dangerous at night since the lamppost was taken out for the construction of Brunel House and not re-installed.

I’ve been working on this since last September and have been contiinually fobbed off by Essex County Council who are still reluctant to confirm a date.  First off, I was told it would be back by the time the clocks went back and the latest confirmed time was “early in the New Year”.  Now, ECC have told us that it is Wimpey Homes’  business but they tell us that they need another meeting with ECC!

This just isn’t good enough.  The road is dark and it needs fixing.  I will continue to pester on your behalf, but thanks to residents Christine, Fiona, Alex and Katrina who have also been working on trying to get a confirmed date out of someone, anyone…..!

See the full story on http://www.brentwood-ongarlibdems.org.uk/news/000127/lib_dems_demand_action_on_missing_lamppost.html

The police have warned that burgularies traditionally increase at this time of year, once the clocks go back.  However, taking sensible precautions may lessen your chance of being a victim.  Some of their advice is below:

- make use of timer switches to have lighting come on within properties if they are going to be empty in the late afternoons and early evenings

- ensure that vehicle keys are never left in view of doors or windows

- make sure that UPVC doors are correctly and fully locked. This means turning the key in the lock as well as lifting the handle in most examples of this type of door. If the handle is lifted and the key not turned, the door may not be fully secure. Having been burgled a few years ago I know what a distressing experience it can be so do what you can to keep yourself safe.

Power to the people!

I’m delighted to report that the Conservatives have had to do a fairly big about-turn and give up on their preference to go to a Cabinet System for Brentwood Council.  This would have seen a small clique of councillors making the decisions.

The Lib Dem team may have highlighted the issue: we ran petitions, we spoke about it in the press via press notices and lettrs, we spoke to you on the door and made the case for keeping the status quo on our websites…but it was you, the residents, who sent, in support of our preferred option 3, the following to the council:

• 468 consultation papers by post
• 104 responses on-line via the Council website
• 21 responses on www.brentwood-ongarlibdems.org.uk
• 32 responses from a door-to-door petition
• 93 responses from a postal petition

A total of 718 responses in favour of Option 3 with only 281 in favour of the Leader and Cabinet System (Option 1).  In addition, it’s still worth watching the recent Citizens’ Panel where 99% of the attendees wanted Option 3!

Well done to everyone who got involved!  The committee system stays and we can continue to speak up for you and put your points across in the chamber and live on the internet!

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/