Lots going on this month in ECC and I’m also able to give you an update on the reorganisation plans and Devolution. At the time of writing, the Deputy Leader, Cllr McKinley, launches her business event in Westminster, showing how we work with partners to ensure there are skills and jobs for young people in the future – the event is called Essex: County of Growth and Opportunity.
Following on from the two previous initiatives, the Essex ‘Year of Opportunity’ is launched which follows the hugely successful ‘Year of Reading’ and ‘Year of Numbers’, the idea being that it highlights what people can achieve.
Another piece of good news is that we have had our ‘Outstanding’ ranking for Childrens’ Services reaffirmed.
Devolution is moving at a pace and while there are some differences on the make up of the proposed Unitary Authorities and numbers, all the Council leaders have agreed the draft proposal, and the resultant work will be led by evidence and data rather than emotion. It is never easy to get 15 different Councils of all political makeups to agree, but we believe this has been done and a draft document will be presented to Cabinet on 18th March prior to being submitted to the Government on 21st March. All other Councils will be having similar meetings to agree it also.
The work on a Mayor for Essex is a separate issue although linked to the reorganisation, and there is a cross party partnership group making up a Steering Group to work towards a Mayoral election in May next year. More news on these two topics next month.
Highways issues still dominate the enquiries I receive and if there is a particular pothole or other defect that needs sorting, do please email me and I will see what I can get done as a priority – I can’t promise to do everything but I will certainly try my best. The crucial thing is to ensure it is reported on the Essex Highways website as the reference number you receive is helpful to me to be able to chase up the repair.
Within the City area, the Local Plan Review consultation continues and this runs until 4pm on Tuesday 18th March 2025. This is the final draft of the Plan before it is submitted for examination by a Planning Inspector. Please take the time to respond – even if you responded to the last consultation, please do so again as your previous comments will not be carried over. Details are on the website and these include FAQ’s, a newsletter, a PDF of the exhibition boards and details of face-to-face and staffed exhibitions. The web page is www.chelmsford.gov.uk/lp-review
Remember also that if you would like to continue receiving collections of garden waste (brown bins) after 4th March 2025 you need to subscribe to the service now which will cost £60 per annum for one bin and £30 per annum for a second one. Subscribe at www.chelmsford.gov.uk under the tab ‘garden waste collections’.
In the meantime, if any resident has an issue they would like me to look into, please either email me on cllr.sue.dobson@essex.gov.uk for ECC enquiries or sue.dobson@chelmsford.gov.uk for Chelmsford City enquiries – or if you’re not sure, select one and I’ll pick it up anyway!
Cllr Sue Dobson
