Gresham Success!

Residents of Gresham Drive will no doubt, have mixed feeling about the recent roadworks on their road. They will be euphoric that the promised works are taking place, but stressed over the temporary inconvenience I am sure.

This is the start of a 7 month projects to completely overhaul the pavements and roads on Gresham Drive and Reynolds Avenue. It is the first time in decades that such work has taken place and is the result of a long campaign. It will cause a lot of disturbance, however, I would appreciate if residents, showed some patience as the long term benefit will be one of much improved quality of life. Reynolds Avenue works will start at the beginning of August!

Do avoid the area in the next 7 months as I am sure their will be traffic delay!

MP Sleaze

A few people have asked me about the event that occurred at the last Area 5 Committee Meeting. Let me clarify my position at the last meeting, I had brought my daughter with me to the rather drab occasion - she “wanted to be with daddy” and personally, having her with me was rather exhilarating and comforting. I rushed to the meeting as early as possible to ensure I booked myself in to speak at Public Forum. When speaking to the lead officer she referred me to the fact one of my issues was due to be discussed in the "Action Sheet (meaning it would be discussed late at night near the end of the meeting). No mention was made to me that my second point would also be in the Action Sheet. I advised the officer that I would be talking on other issues within the Public Forum, however, as my daughter was getting irritable and nervous - I suggested I could just add these into my presentation at the appointed time. This position seemed to have been agreed? Only when I got to the stage that I would speak did the Chairperson inform me that both items were within the Action sheet. If I had been advised of this earlier, I would have obtained my list and resolved the matter by providing the other issues at the beginning of the meeting. Chairpersons have discretion - the newly elected Labour Chair could have opted to let me speak especially when you consider that many of you were awaiting decisions on the issues to be raised!

Two other Labour Councillor's also pitched in with comments refusing to let me speak?

The whole situation seemed rather contrived and I referred to the apprehension as "Labour sleaze" - it seemed to me that I was being kept from speaking by "hook or by crook". When questioned on what I meant by sleaze I could not help but erupt in a comment regarding the recent MP expenses scandal. The Ilford Recorder chose their own slant on the story and they have every right to, however, they were not privy to all the pertinent facts.

What was strange is that the Chairman later incorrectly stopped me from talking at the Action Sheet item, within the meetings agenda? She had to apologise (claiming she forgot I had registered - even after the previous debacle), when a Council Officer explained that I had every right to speak at that point!

It was a shame my daughter had to see all the shenanigans and the blunt refusal by the Labour and Liberal cronies to let me speak, however she was not frightened and even said to me "Daddy were those people naughty- you really told them off?" I told her they were...I will let you decide for yourselves.....?

Big Brother Is Watching You!

In this wonderful technological age their are so many ways to monitor and research the productivity of electronic message boards such as my blog.

What I have noticed is that we have a feed burn to an address registered to the council -so someone there is gleaning through the pages of my blog? It also transpires that during a recent walk along the streets I bumped into Cllr Staight with the person I assume was his partner. He asked for a copy of the letter I was delivering to residents and I obliged. That night there was an immense amount of activity on my blog. I wonder if it is Cllr Staight who now also uses my blog as a tool to learn what is actually happening in Chadwell Ward....if so welcome to the club!

If it is another Cllr or officer...well done on learning that this blog is the most current news vehicle for the ward...even the Ilford Recorder use it!

Armageddon

The Pavements get greener in Chadwell every week and no matter how much I ask for a weed killing exercise on our roads, the situation seems to deteriorate even more. I am frustrated that our ward is always so overlooked and believe it is much due to the boundary with Dagenham and contractor mis-perception. I will be taking up the matter with the weeding section again on Monday.



Perhaps we should start investing in heavy duty mowers and start to cut back the growth ourselves? It would be a quicker resolution and judging by the size of some of the weeds, it might be too late for effective use of weed killer!

Newham Link

Here are pictures from the recent Local Involvement Network meeting for Newham. LINK is the national programme of patient forums that will provide a "link" between service providers to the NHS, The NHS itself and patients. The idea is that by encouraging wider participation with better representation of all groups a more tailored service provision will develop. I am asking some posing questions in the picture - always sceptical!


At the event I met with Signature the group that came second in "Britains Got Talent 2008". I am trying to encourage them to attend our Redbridge Carnival Event on the 5th and 6th September 2009. Watch this post! In the picture is my best friend Rachael, and My daughter Hannah with me and the boys!

If you would like to join with or learn more about this new Government initiative, that gives local communities the opportunity to influence their health and social care services - follow this "link" ha ha.

In October, RedbridgeCVS officially took on the role of host organisation for the new Redbridge Local Involvement Network (LINk). RedbridgeLINk has been set up to make sure that local people get the health and social services they need and want, and to address health and social care inequalities.

Free or extremly low cost local events to Redbridge!

Summer Gall Walk Saturday 11 July
Venue: Hainault Forest Country ParkMeeting point Visitor Centre
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Event: Take a stroll around the forest looking for Plant Galls. What are galls? Come and find out – they are everywhere. Identification sheet available and opportunity to collect specimens.
Price: Free
Enquiries: For more information call Hainault Forest Country Park

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------St Pauls summer fete Saturday 11 July
Venue: St Pauls Church community centreBarley LaneGoodmayesIG3 8XE (view on map)
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm
Event: Summer fete at St Pauls Church community centre. Lots of fun and activities including:
Afternoon teas, hot dogs, raffles, bric-a-brac, books, hand-knits, plants, cakes and more
Price: Adult/OAP: 40pChildren under 12: Free
Contact: For more information please call Wendy Hill on 020 8590 0517 or email wendyhillsmail@gmail.com.

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Table top car boot sale and coffee morning Saturday 11 July
Venue: Shern Hall Methodist Churchcorner of Shernhall Street and Oliver RoadWalthamstowE17 9HX (view on map)
Time: 11 am to 1pm
Event: Table top sale/Car Boot Sale and coffee morning, featuring lots of stalls which include:
bric-a-brac, jewellery, cards, toys, cakes, books, Fair Trade items & lots more.
A great place to find a bargain, special gift or just pop in for a coffee. ot and cold food and refreshments available. Please come and support the church.
Price: Free admission
Booking and Information: For further information and booking please contact Susie at dotcomsusie@gmail.com.

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Craft and Antique fair Saturday 11 July
Venue: St Michael and All Angels ChurchNorthcote RoadWalthamstowE17 6PQ (view on map)
Time: From 11.30 am to 4.30 pm
Details: Craft and antique fair, buy from stock some unique designs including:
plaques, cards, antiques, home made preserves, cakes.
Refreshments available on the day.
Price: Adult: 50pChild/OAP: Free
Enquiries: For further information please call Viv or Jillian on 07960 019 610 or 07940 414 348 or email vivpryce@btinternet.com.

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Optics day Sunday 12 July
Venue: Ray Park visitor centreoff Snakes Lane East
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Event: Join us to try out a range of binoculars and microscopes available for wildlife watching. Help is on hand to answer all your questions and there will be an opportunity for you to purchase equipment on the day.
Price: Free
Enquiries: For further information call the Nature Conservation Team

Find - Find themselves Flooded!

Families Information Direct (FIND) is currently closed due to flooding in the office on Wednesday 8 July. they are doing everything they can to get the service up and running as soon as possible. You can contact them on the following numbers 020 8514 9897 or 020 8514 9891 (Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 5 pm) or email them at find@redbridge.gov.uk. Alternatively, please click on the link below to be taken to the Family Services Directory (FSD) where you will be able to find lots of information.

FIND Website

For those of you who dont know:

FIND aims to provide information on all services in Redbridge for children, young people and families. The information they have relates to council services as well as those in the private and voluntary sector. They aim to provide a comprehensive guide to local services, as well as introducing you to national sources of advice and guidance.