Rochford Council & Grants

Each year Rochford District Council gives grants to voluntary organisations either within the District or which help residents in the District.

This year Cllr Michael Hoy has been very critical of the cut in Grants overall, by 37%, to these organisations as a whole for the 2011-12 year.  At the last Council meeting he asked how these cuts squared with the aims of the council in directing people to these services, in greater numbers during this recession, whilst cutting the money these organisations need to provide an adequate service.

In answer to the questions put Michael was asked onto the panel which decides where next years grant money goes.

The process will be broadly as follows.

• On the 13th December the Full Council will decide the total grant pot (last year £90,000) hopefully it will be increased from last year, this is what the green members are pushing for.
• The panel then decide on who gets what on the following day, the 14th December.
• The panel consists mainly of Tory members but with Cllr Chris Black of the Lib Dems & Cllr Michael Hoy of the Greens, to share the blame.  They will then put forward the recommendations of where the money should go.  There is potential for this recommendation to be overturned but this is unlikely.

The paperwork on this is quite extensive as there seems to be applications in for more than double last years grant pot.

Parish Council meeting

Hullbridge parish Council will be holding its monthly meeting on Monday 12th December at the Hullbridge Centre in Windermere Avenue Hullbridge.  The start time is 7.30pm and it is open to the public so everyone is welcome and will be given the opportunity to speak, if they wish to.

The agenda is quite long but some of the more important issues will be

Tyndale House
This property is a sheltered scheme for the over 50′s (I will check the age) and is managed by Rochford Housing Association which is part of the Sanctuary Group.  Sanctuary want to redevelop and modernise Tyndale House but this will mean extensive work and the “temporary” moving of residents while the work is done.  Cllr Michael Hoy has concerns that the “temporary” may become permanent and some people at least may not be able to return.  A report will be heard and further action taken to help the residents.

Budget for 2012-13
Discussions will be had on the budget and whether to increase or decrease spending in certain areas.  The Council will then agree the budget and also the precept (Parish element of the Council Tax) for next year, 2012-13.

Co-opt a new member
As Mr Eddie Hall resigned notices have been put up for people to come forward who want to become a Parish Councillor.  Outside of election time it is possible for councillors to Co-opt people onto the Parish Council without an election.  We understand that two people have put their names forward so Councillors will have to vote on the night.

Rochford District Budget Survey

At the moment the Council is looking at the budget for next year.  Councillors have already met twice on this and will have a further meeting in January where the detail will be decided.

The meetings are open to all Councillors, regardless of party affiliation and as opposition Councillors your Green Party representatives can get their viewpoint heard and sometimes taken on board.

The Council also has a budget survey page where residents can give their views.  We do have concerns how valid such a survey can be as areas are described in too broad terms for proper judgments to be made and the take up has been very low so far, too low for much account to be taken of the response.  However if you would like to give it a go the survey can be found here.

Rayleigh’s new market starts on Wednesday

The market in Rayleigh is moving after Rayleigh Town Council’s take over of it earlier this year.

The Town Council have decided to move the market from its position in the car park at the top end of the car park to the taxi rank island in the middle of the Town.

The first market is on Wednesday 7th December and will then be monthly, details of the market can be found here.

Councillor Advice Surgery

Cllr Michael Hoy will be holding his monthly advice surgery on Saturday 10th December at Hullbridge Library, in Ferry Road Hullbridge.  He will be there between 10.30am and 12.30pm to answer and help residents with council queries or problems.

Hullbridge Community Association

The Community Association which runs the Community Centre in Pooles Lane, Hullbridge is holding its AGM this Friday (9th December) at the Community Centre itself.

There will be two meetings on the night and all members should attend and are entitled to vote at both meetings.

The first meeting will be of the Hullbridge Community Association (the H.C.A.) itself, which is the Charity that runs the building, that houses and runs the Pre-School and the Main Hall.

The second meeting is that of the Hullbridge Community Association Social Club, this is a separate body which runs the members bar at the rear of the building.  All members of the H.C.A. are automatically members of the Social Club.

At both meetings members will have to approve the accounts and vote for members of the two committees, or even stand for the committees.

The current composition of the H.C.A. can be seen here as well as details of past years Accounts etc.