We know that there’s a lot of unhappiness about the proposed over-development of Rawreth and Hullbridge at the moment, and in the council chamber that feeling is even spreading from the Lib Dem/ Green Party / Rochford Residents corner into some of the Conservative benches. But not all is gloom and doom, there are at least a couple of bright spots on the horizon.
Firstly, the council’s new long-term grounds maintenance contract kicks in from Monday morning. We have a new contractor for maintaining our open spaces and grass verges. This is a good time of year for a new contractor to take over – it gives them time to settle before plants start growing in the spring. Let’s hope – no, let’s expect an overall improvement!
Secondly, things are improving with planning enforcement. Three years ago we raised the issue in the council chamber about the number of planning enforcement cases waiting to be dealt with – the number was a staggering 466
It got even worse – rising to 542 last year.
Even our Conservative administration were starting to feel embarrassed, and so employed an extra planning enforcement officer. We heard today that the number of outstanding cases is now down to 366. Still too high, but it’s still a rapid improvement.
Every year I put forward the same issues in Down Hall ward. Stinging nettles covering pavement Hullbridge road, over grown area at Norman Crescent, pice of ground outside newsagent at Hambro Parade and added this year tree grids outside Pegotty’s and Barnados Priory Chase. Every year nothing is done unless ther eare constnt emails and phone calls. Lets hope the nes people have the common sense to make a list of annual jobs and do them without being reminded.