Travellers

At the Cabinet meeting held on January 9^th it was decided that my motion on the Traveller Community would be partially accepted.

The minutes include:

Resolved:-

1, That parts 1-4 of the motion be supported.

2, That ins respect of part 5 of the motion it be noted that the most recent “Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment” found that there is no current or future need and therefore no action is required.

My motion can be read here - https://awordfromwier.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/motion-on-travellers.html

Whilst I am pleased that some of my motion has been accepted, the excuse for not accepting it all is pure nonsense. Does the ruling administration and its officer-advisors seriously expect me to believe that we have seen the last of the traveller community visiting Southend? When our next lot of visitors arrive I will be interested to see what the reaction from the Lamb administration is; I expect the usual intolerant and bigoted approach. Rejected, expelled, with no attempt at finding some suitable temporary accommodation for them – which will undoubtedly be what they want in spite of the excuse given above (“… there is no current or future need ….”).

Again, the Council shows its ugly, intolerant face.

The latest planning application for The Esplanade

I have serious concerns about the appropriateness of this development in this location - this part of the seafront does not have any buildings of such size. This is in a conservation area (does it conform to conservation rules?), and a largely green area that has thus far defeated developers and remained unspoilt.

APPLN. NO: 17/02266/FULM

Officer: Charlotte Galforg

Date Valid. 17 January 2018

DEMOLISH EXISTING BUILDINGS, ERECT FIVE STOREY BUILDING COMPRISING 49 SELF-CONTAINED FLATS WITH GROUND FLOOR RESTAURANTS, BASEMENT PARKING, REFUSE AND CYCLE STORAGE AND LANDSCAPING, PLANT AND STORAGE ROOMS, FORM NEW VEHICULAR ACCESS ONTO THE WESTERN ESPLANADE (AMENDED PROPOSAL)

THE ESPLANADE WESTERN ESPLANADE SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

A blow for animal welfare in Southend-on-Sea

The Cabinet’s decision to deny my motion on freeing the Chalkwell Park Four (peafowl) is not just a disappointment to me; it is a bitter blow for all who champion animal rights in Southend-on-Sea. If they could but express an opinion I have no doubt that the peafowl would also express disgust with their continued incarceration.

The ruling Conservative administration justify their decision on the grounds that the peafowl have been bred in captivity; and yet I have not called for their release into the wild, only for a more suitable (and humane) home.

Further, the administration claim “they are regularly fed and watered, breeding and show no signs of distress and are in good health”. This is at variance with the reality of dead chick last summer, and obvious signs of neglect. Also, these magnificent birds are subject to torment by visitors and their pets. Being in such a small enclosure they are unable to avoid the attention of those who whether by accident or design find themselves teasing these birds.

It is a bad day for animal welfare in Southend-on-Sea. I cannot give up on this because cruelty will not just go away, it must be forced out. Attitudes must change in the Council chamber, and I hope that those who value animal welfare will consider very carefully when voting in May’s local elections.