Conservative Party Councillor for -
Great
Notley & Braintree West
Roles
Attend majority of full Council Meetings as Cabinet Member
for Environment and Sustainability. Braintree Local
Committee Meetings. All Cabinet meetings and Leadership Group.
Participated in Street Scene Best Value to help us get a Good
report. Participated in Environment and Waste Policy Group.
-
Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability.
-
Essex County Councillor for Braintree
West
- Member of those Committees/Groups listed on the
right
Constituency Work
During the year I attended Parish Meetings have had several site
meetings with residents particularly on Highway issues. Because of
also being the County Councillor for the Division I can give a
joined up service. I have solved maintenance problems, cars for
sale problems, parking problems and even had a street light changed
that was shinning in the bedroom of an older couple and spoiling
their rest at night.
I facilitated a meeting with Countryside, Highways, the Parish
Council and Braintree District to resolve the problem of delivering
a sound standard of maintenance for the Garden Village. This
resulted in the setting up of a dedicated team working out of the
Disco Centre that is delivering visible benefits.
I have also met with residents about noise from the new A120 and
am continuing to work on a solution to reduce through traffic in
London Road. Also met with residents about the youth shelter.
I have introduced partnership working with Trading Standards at
County to reduce under age drinking and deal with vehicles that
over 7.5T using London Road.
Involvement with Organisations within Braintree District and
Elsewhere
Attended the Waste Management Board and the West Area Waste
Project Board that is working on the solution to develop a non
Incineration solution to the disposal of household waste within
Essex. As a Trustee of the Museum I have been party to the creation
of the Warner Archive that brings a major textile collection back
to Braintree. Attended the Town Centre strategy meetings. Have
Chaired a group to look at delivering better facilities and greater
usage of the Discovery Centre. Have worked to deliver the
re-surfacing of the Braintree part of the Flitch Way. Attend the
Braintree Police Consultative Committee to make sure Braintree
District gets value for money from the police. Helped to deliver
lease solutions PARC. Attended Parish Council Evening and Chaired
Waste and recycling information meetings for Members. Responsible
with Officers for delivering a 30% recycling rate for Braintree.
The second best District Council performance in Essex.
Training and Development Undertaken
Attended training on Risk Management Housing options, the new
licensing laws. Spoke at the County Waste Conference. Attended the
Institute of Waste Management Conference.
Attended seminars on PFI funding. (private finance initiatives)
Visited Waste Plants, Anaerobic Digesters and Composting plants to
learn more about waste disposal.
Have attended seminars at Cambridge and the APU on new planning
policies and good environmental building practices.
Also attended a Cabinet training day.
Key Personal Highlights/Contributions During The
Year
Rolled out high diversion waste collection that has delivered 30%
recycling. Improved Trade Waste service and introduced
recycling. Reviewed our street cleaning processes and delivered men
and machinery that have delivered a visible improvement in street
cleanliness. Re-opened the fountain.
Improved visibility of our street scene services by a policy of
maximum publicity for the service.
Reviewed efficiency of recycling sorting facility and improved
performance on missed bins. Delivered excellent efficiency savings
and better refuse and recycling performance, but this could not
have been delivered if Braintree did not have some of the best
staff of any District Council.