On Thursday 24th June, the Government Office of the South East "called in" the planning decision to expand the runway at Lydd Airport, also known as London Ashford Airport, stating that there will now be a public enquiry.
Over the past two weeks there has been little to report from Council meetings. But in case it is thought that all a councilor does is attend meetings at the Town Hall I can assure readers there is plenty of what we call casework to get on with. My two ward colleagues Cllr Susette Palmer and Cllr Monroe Palmer and I have been inundated with issues from residents.
The new Sure-Start Centre Nursery called Caterpillars in Chart Road (behind Morehall School) invited me to make the opening speech on the official opening day. It is even more of a delight to be invited to do such a thing when it is for the people in Ward where I serve as Councillor!
Brentwood West's Cllr Karen Chilvers is leading residents in a campaign against further development at the already over-crowded Rollason Way/St James Road area after receiving news that another 71 flats in St James Road after 53 were agreed by the Conservative administration just last month, in addition to the 350 already there or being built.
In these incredibly difficult economic times, residents rightly expect the Council to do all it can to keep Council tax bills down while protecting front line services. That has been my key priority since being elected as Mayor in October last year, and this week Finance Portfolio Holder Michael Headley announced our aim to freeze Council tax next year. This will be an extremely tough task, but after years of inflation-busting tax rises and poor services under the Conservative County Council, local residents deserve better.
Following campaigning from Liberal Democrats, Wolverhampton City Council has agreed to start weekly food waste collections across the city.
