Just one this week at 11 Firsgrove Crescent for a porch and extension.

Its recommended for approval.

I apologise for the brevity of this post,  it my laptop is in computer hospital and I’m working of my iPad.

the deadline for referral of this will be midday on 24th June

Please note these are NOT yet decisions – I am able to refer to planning committee now.

25 LONDON ROAD - SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION, SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION AND CANOPY TO FRONT (app no 13/00378/FUL). Recommended for approval.

15 FIRSGROVE CRESCENT - TWO STOREY REAR EXTENSION AND ALTERATION WORKS TO FORM WINDOW TO SIDE ELEVATION (app no 13/00404/FUL). Recommended for approval.

If you have any issues with the above officer recommendation then please get in touch with me as soon as possible. The deadline for referral is midday on Monday 17th June 2013 to refer the above item to the Planning Committee for further discussion. For more information on the planning process, please see my advice here.

Yep, during last night’s discussion on the Hutton Community Centre, Cllr Chris Hossack said (well, shouted) that £14,000 is “peanuts”.

I then asked him to throw a few “peanuts” my way……

Recently, I had a year’s break from being a councillor.  It wasn’t planned (!!!) but it did give me time to reflect.

I did realise that I had become too entrenched in the Town Hall shenanigans and the “politics of politics” (which can happen so easily) and when I returned last May, I vowed to give more time to making things happen in Brentwood West.

It’s not easy, it seems that there’s a lot of No Through Roads (and I am not just talking about Ashford Avenue, Deans Road, Elm Way, Fairfield Road, Fantastia Court, Firsgrove Crescent, Halfhides, Hanover Place, Hive Close, Lark Close, Manor Way, Milton Road, Pennyfields, Rollason Way, Sir Francis Way, Spital Lane, St Peters Road, Sussex Road, Talbrook, The Chase, The Terlings, Weald Close, Westway and Wharf Road…..!) in getting things done.  But nothing worth doing was ever easy!  I am proud of getting the Warley Country Park re-surfaced but I had to do a lot of stamping about to get it done!

So, I am asking for your wish list – no promises – but is there something you would like to see in Brentwood West?

Just email me and give me your thoughts on what would make a difference to your environment and I will try to progress a few things.

Recently, I was alerted to a situation where a group playing sports had cordoned off most of the field and were preventing people from using it.

I asked then, but have just chased up for a response, as I don’t actually know what is going on here.  Obviously, we want everyone to enjoy the field in harmony so I will work to ensure that that is what happens.

I will keep you posted but if you know more, please get in touch.

I was very pleased to be appointed as Brentwood Council’s representative for Brentwood Mind this year.

Brentwood Mind have been helping people in the community for 40 years through its drop in and bridge building services.  My mother’s late partner was a part of that as the centre’s manager for some of those years and so representing the council on this organisation and promoting Mind to the wider community is something that I am proud to do.  I am also determined to get as many people supporting this charity as possible!

Brentwood Mind aims to

• Challenge stigma against mental health and those affected by poor mental health
• Be fully involved with the community
• Champion the needs and aspirations of those who have suffered from poor mental health
• Provide services to enable those who have suffered to rebuild their lives, gain as much independence as possible and become fully participating and valued members of the community

Mental Health issues can affect any of us at any time in our lives and so I urge you to support the charity.

And there is a practical way you can do that.

In 1999, an allotment plot in King George’s Park was purchased and over some months Terry Murray, the then manager, spent months making it into a vegetable and flower garden and a place to relax and unwind.  Sadly, Terry never saw its formal opening as he passed away the morning it was due to open.  It opened a few months later as the “Terry Murray Memorial Garden”.

Unfortunately, it has become unused and overgrown over the last few years but, tomorrow, a team is off down there to start a tidy up project with a view to re-launching it some time soon.

The importance of somewhere to sit, relax and unwind for someone with mental health issues cannot be underestimated so I appeal for some help!

- CAN YOU SPARE AN HOUR OR TWO A WEEK FOR DIGGING AND WEEDING?

- HAVE YOU ANY GARDEN SUPPLIES OR PLANTS TO SPARE?

If you have, please get in touch with me or the centre direct.

Thanks to Colin, Tony, Bob and team who made me very welcome and gave me a tour this morning, showing just the warm welcome that awaits anyone who attends the centre.

If you are having a tough time – maybe you’re depressed, then this is a good place to seek advice and I commend their services to you.

READ MORE HERE ON THE MIND WEBSITE

Remember I asked Royal Mail to see if we could get an extra postbox to cover Rollason Way and the hundreds of new properties.

A flat NO was the answer – no discussion – just no.

I went back to them and asked them to explain the decision but have heard nothing yet.  However, I had to laugh when I went to Billericay last week to see that they had two postboxes there – about 20 shops apart!

Further proof that the world makes little sense to those with some common noddle!

Please note these are NOT yet decisions – I am able to refer to planning committee now.

- 51 WESTWOOD AVENUE – SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO REAR & INTERNAL ALTERATIONS (app no 13/00411/FUL). Recommended for approval.

If you have any issues with the above officer recommendation then please get in touch with me as soon as possible. The deadline for referral is midday on Monday 10th June 2013 to refer the above item to the Planning Committee for further discussion. For more information on the planning process, please see my advice here.

Recently, we have learnt that Crossrail are looking to compulsory purchase a car park in Shenfield.  You might think this doesn’t affect you but, for those living near Brentwood station, then it certainly does.

If parking is pushed away from Shenfield station then the next best option is probably parking at Brentwood – in the already busy streets and car parks.

So, let’s show Crossrail what we think by signing this petition.

Now Annual Council has been held, I can announce that I have been appointed as the Chair of Brentwood Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

This is the committee that, as the name suggests, scrutinises what the council does.  Last year it was chaired by Cllr Barry Aspinell, now Lib Dem leader.

Scrutinise I will, that’s for sure.  However, I won’t be speaking too much about it on this blog which is, primarily, for Brentwood West ward matters.  I will link to any posts on www.brentwood-ongarlibdems.org.uk and will be tweeting as ^KC on @LibDemsBwd.

Other changes this year are that Cllr David Kendall has stepped down as Lib Dem Leader, allowing him to spend more time on being a County Councillor for Brentwood West, with Cllr Barry Aspinell stepping up as Leader and Shenfield’s Cllr Graeme Clark as Deputy Leader now.

All details of Brentwood’s Lib Dem councillors are here, as well as details of the allowances we get.  I will say that I do get an additional allowance of £3,510 for being O&S chair but the fact is that I am self-employed and not independently wealthy so, to do this role, I have to give up working time and I still have to pay my mortgage and bills.  Allowances are there so that anyone is able to be a councillor, not just retired folk or rich people.

I like to think that I earn my allowance – I cost every voter £1.13 in Brentwood West and, as chair of a committee on behalf of the borough 5p per person.  If you don’t think you are getting value for money – try me and see if I can help.