The latest Councilbust.com podcast is now available for download or to listen to online.
In this week’s podcast, Councilbust.com editor Rachel Charman talks to Transport Secretary Lord Andrew Adonis about Labour’s transport plans and Southend Airport.
By Andrew Harrison
Southend Council has launched a consultation on the way it consults with the public.
This is particularly relevant in the light of the recent furore over Southend Airport and Priory Park consultations.
The new consultation has been received by a number of pressure groups in the area such as the Saxon King in Priory Park Committee (SKIPP).
SKIPP member Mark Sharp told Councilbust.com that he believes the current consultation process to be akin to a “box ticking exercise” and that it is “cynical in every way.”
Mr Sharp also wants to see all residents in Southend being given notice of a consultation, full public records of what the public’s replies are and neutrally-worded questions.
The council is hoping to streamline the consultation process so that the amount of paperwork does not prevent members of the public becoming involved.
Leader of the council Nigel Holdcroft said: “This strategy aims to connect decision-making between the partners in Southend Together and our communities via proactive engagement.”
In order to take part in the consultation, visit either www.southendtogether.co.uk or www.southend.gov.uk. The process runs until the 7th March.
By Rachel Charman
Leader of the Conservative group Cllr Nigel Holdcroft has responded to claims by Southend West Labour PPC Tom Flynn that the Conservatives will “lose control” in the town.
Mr Flynn claimed earlier today that the resignation of Cllr Jason Luty from the Conservatives to run as an Independent councillor at the next election leaves the Conservatives in a weakened position.
Cllr Holdcroft refutes this view. He told Councilbust.com:
“As a result of the tragic death of Ann Robertson, and Cllr Luty’s resignation from the party, the current balance is 25 conservatives, 24 members of the other 3 groups and Cllr Luty being the only ‘independent’ independent.
“This will have no effect on proportionality before the elections in May so the balance on scrutiny committees etc will not change and Cllr Luty has indicated that he will continue to support the policies of the Administration.
“This is no surprise in that he has not left because of any rift with us or disagreement on policy, but simply due to his desire to fight the Independent Party in Westborough where he lives.
“On 17th May seats will be up for election as usual and clearly control of the council will depend on the outcome.
“This is no different from the situation in any of our regular election years where there is the potential of a swing of up to 17 seats.
“Based on the progress which the town has made over recent years, and bearing in mind the need for clear and capable leadership over the next few years when we will face reducing public funding irrelevant of the colour of the next government, I am confident that the Conservatives will emerge from the elections with an increased overall majority.
“If we do not then the town will face the uncertainty of no overall control.
“With our range of opposition parties this means that residents can have no indication as to which parties will be in control or the policies which they will seek to pursue.”
By Rachel Charman
Members of Southend’s Labour Party have claimed that the actions of Cllr Jason Luty have left the Conservatives weakened.
Cllr Luty announced a fortnight ago that he intends to stand as an Independent councillor in Westborough at the next election, instead of in his current ward, Eastwood Park, where he is a Conservative councillor.
This will leave 25 Conservative councillors and 25 councillors from other political parties and independents.
Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Southend West Tom Flynn claims that this puts the Conservatives at risk of “losing control” at the next election.
Mr Flynn told Councilbust.com:
“This is a huge blow to the Conservatives in Southend.
“They would have us believe that they’re heading for government, but in fact they can’t even command the loyalty of their own councillors.
“The Conservatives have let down Southend and they’re paying the price.
“It’s time for a new direction for Southend, and I shall be working with the Labour group of councillors to offer local people a real alternative.”
By Rachel Charman
Construction work on the City Beach project was started yesterday by Carillion Civil Engineering on behalf of Southend Borough Council.
Contractors will reconstruct the carriageway on Marine Parade over the next six months, resurfacing the road and block paving the new pavement.
Works are expected to be complete at the end of August, and will mostly be carried out between 7.30am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 7.30am to 1.30pm on Saturdays.
Works will not be carried out on Bank Holidays or Sundays in an effort to protect seafront trade, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The Council has apologised in advance for any inconvenience caused, and assures residents every effort will be made to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
By Shane Croucher
A meeting to discuss Southend airport’s expansion has been postponed following the government’s intervention.
The Joint Area Action Plan meeting was due to take place on February 2nd, but John Denham, the Secretary of State, issued an Article 14 directive to see if he wants a public inquiry into the proposals.
If Mr Denham calls for an inquiry, the expansion, which includes a runway extension and would create 7,300 jobs for the area, could be held up by a year.
Councillor Keith Hudson, Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation, said the JAAP meeting postponement had been “necessary” following the Article 14 direction.
He said: “It is extremely important we get an early decision from the Secretary of State, as to my mind it would be a crying shame to miss this golden opportunity to kick start the local economy, in order to capitalise on the potential provided by the Olympics.
“It is hoped that any delay will be kept to a minimum, especially in light of the many redundancies recently announced by some of our local companies.”
John Lamb, Deputy Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “The review of the Airport planning application by the Secretary of State has clear implications for the Joint Area Action Plan.
“If the Secretary of State were to call in the application and make it the subject of a Public Inquiry the implications for other developments proposed by the JAAP would be serious.”
By Rachel Charman
David Amess, Conservative MP for Southend West, asked a number of written questions yesterday regarding the development of Southend Airport.
Mr Amess addressed his questions to the the Minister of State, Department of Transport Lord Andrew Adonis.
Mr Amess wrote: “To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent representations he has received on the expansion of Southend Airport.
Paul Clark, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Transport, responded:
“Between late 2008 and January this year my Department received five representations on Southend airport from the Member for Southend, West and one from the Member for Rochford and Southend, East, as well as 13 letters and e-mails from members of the public.”
Mr Amess continued with his second question:
“To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the effect on the level of greenhouse gas emissions of (a) passenger and (b) cargo aircraft using Southend Airport in the last 12 months; what representations he has received on this matter since January 2009; and if he will make a statement.”
Mr Clark replied: The Department for Transport’s latest assessment of carbon dioxide emissions from passenger and freight aircraft using the UK’s main airports is published in Annex G of ‘UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts 2009.’
“This is available at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/atf/co2forecasts09/.
“However airport-level assessments are only produced for the UK’s 31 largest airports and therefore no assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from passenger and freight aircraft using Southend Airport is available.
“We have not received any representations on the issue since January 2009.”
Mr Amess’ final question was: “To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent representations he has received on aircraft noise at Southend Airport; what response he gave; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Clark replied: “No recent representations have been received.
“However in compliance with EU requirements, Southend airport -in common with other major airports-is preparing a noise action plan in consultation with local communities.
“The development of the action plans provides a key opportunity for local consultation on noise issues.
“The airport is currently conducting a public consultation on the draft plan.
“This consultation closes on 9 February.
“The airport will then consider consultation responses before submitting a final draft plan to the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for consideration for formal adoption.”
By Rachel Charman
Southend Borough Council is participating in a free business support event on Tuesday 2nd February.
Representatives of firms throughout the borough are invited to the event at Saxon Hall, Aviation Way.
The event is sponsored by the Organisation for Responsible Businesses, and will demonstrates a business case for sustainable enterprise.
100 local business owners have signed up to attend the event, but there is still space for more.
Organisations such as Envirowise, Renewables East, Carbon Trust, National Industrial Symbiosis Programme, Advisory and Conciliation Service, Health and Safety Executive, Mindful Employer, Essex Federation of Small Businesses, Job Centre Plus, Networking-on-Sea and Essex Chambers of Commerce will also be exhibiting information.
The event marks the launch of the Organisation for Responsible Businesses (ORB). Jill Poet from ORB said:
“The event will be an excellent opportunity for Southend companies to find out about the many central and local government schemes available to support businesses.
“In addition, the programme manager for the ERDF Thames Gateway Low Carbon Project will be introducing the new assistance available for cost and carbon reduction in South Essex.
“Places can be booked on the web via the Essex Federation of Small Businesses FSB Events section: www.fsb.org.uk/essex/events or telephone me on 01702 468387.”
The Council’s Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Regeneration, Councillor John Lamb said:
“This is a great chance for local businesses to find out about a whole range of free support available to them to help them survive and thrive.
“There will be advice about ways to help firms perform more efficiently, develop long-term sustainability, and reach new levels of success.”
By Rachel Charman
Cllr Jason Luty, currently a Conservative councillor for Eastwood Park, has announced that he will run as an independent candidate in Westborough in the May elections.
Cllr Luty claims that this is a direct challenge to current Independent councillor for the ward Martin Terry, with whom he has a long-running feud.
Cllr Luty also said that he will use the May elections as a “dry run” for 2011, when Cllr Terry, Independent group leader, will be up for election.
Cllr Luty told the Evening Echo: “Ultimately because of the general election I expect (Conservative) Mel Day to win.
“Tania Painton is the current councillor for Westborough. Her term comes to an end this year and whether she will stand, we don’t know yet.”
In a Councilbust.com news item in 2009, which explored the row between Cllr Luty and the Residents Association of Westborough (RAW), Cllr Luty stated that he would be standing as an independent in the ward, although no more details had emerged until now.
Cllr Martin Terry, a current independent for the ward, said that Cllr Luty’s campaign is an attempt to split the independent vote to the advantage of the Conservatives.
He told Councilbust.com: “It is a challenge I am more than happy to take on.
“The question in many people’s minds is: why is [Cllr Luty] doing this?
“He has publicly stated that he intends to remove me; he has also stated that he has an issue with me and that it is personal.
“So therefore is he standing to improve Westborough and the town or is there another reason?
“If he was a genuine Independent why would he seek to stand against another?
“This is out-and-out Conservative Party dirty tricks, because we are the biggest threat to their domination of politics in Southend. The last 4 seats we have won have all been in very safe Tory seats.
“[Cllr Luty] has not made one positive statement about what he intends to do, he has simply attacked me and the residents association, who he mistakenly believes are backing me.
“The residents think it is an absolute joke.
“The Tory party have turned a blind eye to numerous detailed complaints from many residents regarding his antics over the last 2 years.
“The residents are fully aware of his manipulative approach and they are also aware that he has a personal vendetta against the residents association.”
Rochford and Southend East Conservative MP James Duddridge yesterday asked the Secretary of State for claification over the Southend Airport Article 14 Directive.
John Denham, Secretary of State, issued an article 14 directive last week.
This means that although Southend Borough Council’s Development Control Committee approved plans to expand Southend Airport, those plans cannot go ahead without Mr Denham’s authorisation.
If Mr Denham decides not to allow the development to go ahead, a public inquiry into the matter will be launched.
There is no time limit by which Mr Denham must make his decision.
In Parliament yesterday, Mr Duddridge said to Mr Denham:
“The Secretary of State has put forward an article 14 directive in relation to London Southend airport.
“It would be helpful to the local community if he could tell us roughly when he will make a decision on that matter, and whether there will be a need for a public inquiry.
“The sooner the better.”
Mr Denham refused to give an answer to Mr Duddridge’s request.
He said: “I understand the hon. Gentleman’s comments, but he will understand why I cannot reply to his question this afternoon.”
