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This web site is run by Rochford District Residents (RDR) which is a Registered Political Party in England and Wales. RDR has 9 District Councillors representing Rochford District Residents.
John and Christine Mason – Editors of “The Rochford Independent” (About)
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Featured Story

Who will run or even own Mill Hall in the future?

As you may know Rochford District Council has been holding confidential meetings with public stakeholders about progress with The Expression of Interest (EOI) which is a Decision by RDC as to who will run or even own Mill Hall in the future.
I did ask those people if they could tell me but they could not because it was confidential !!
After much lobbying RDC an Officer has finally provided a P&C presentation to us Councillors.
We cannot share this with the general public but further due diligence is ongoing by Council Officers and Cabinet Members and we are advised that The Cabinet will make a Decision in December.
For our part we are going to make sure that we, and other Parties on The Council, can ask questions at The Overview and Scrutiny Committee in December BEFORE The Cabinet meet to make a Decision several days later.
Rochford Headlines

Who will run or even own Mill Hall in the future?
As you may know Rochford District Council has been holding confidential meetings with public stakeholders about progress with The Expression of Interest (EOI) which is a Decision by RDC as to who will run or even own Mill Hall in the future. I did ask those people if they could tell me but they... Read the story »

Will RDC require any of the Mill Hall refurbishment to be paid?
Will RDC require any of the Mill Hall refurbishment to be paid? From The Echo – “TWO leisure centres have been kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment as part of a £700,000 investment and an extra £300,000 set to be spent in coming months. Operator Fusion Lifestyle has... Read the story »

So The Conservatives have the best vision for the local community?
Cloud Cuckoo Land. What SPIN did we get this week? Formal Questions put to The Conservative Leader by Tory Councillors. Genuine Questions? Why Then? Well at least one led to a Pre-Election article in the Echo about investment at Clements Hall Leisure Centre by its outsourced contractor AND... Read the story »

Warm Spaces Update
Councillor Deborah Squires-Coleman (Rochford District Residents Proposer) and Councillor Arthur Williams (Conservative, Seconder) are putting forward a formal proposal to RDC Full Council on 25 October for total grant funding for organisations of £5000 for individual applications of up to £500 to... Read the story »

WHY ARE COUNCIL DECISIONS NOT BEING TAKEN FORWARD?
As a Member of AUDIT COMMITTEE I was so concerned that I have successfully added the need for a formal internal audit to be undertaken. EXAMPLE – IRONWELL LANE – HAWKWELL WEST TO ROCHFORD TOWN CENTRE – There was an article in the Echo in July 2022. https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20273953.calls-vehicle-ban-along-ironwell-lane-rochford/?fbclid=IwAR1NRtTpS9cxNuHTPb-P0n9SL2ATl6CXAY9w-2KBSIVqsbCd78bTohpeF7g I... Read the story »

Please join us in campaigning to Save the Green Belt in Rochford District
Save the Green Belt in Rochford District Please join us in campaigning. https://www.facebook.com/groups/saverochforddistrict We are campaigning that no more Green Belt should be destroyed to build homes. It is time to become prepared – watch, see and participate in what the Draft Local Plan could include... Read the story »
Hawkwell Headlines

Councillor Toni Carter
Councillor Toni Carter, who was elected to represent Hawkwell West Ward for Rochford District Residents, has informed me this evening (17 October 2022) that, with immediate effect, she will now be representing The Conservative Party. Because there is no resignation of the seat there will be no By... Read the story »

Planning Application for a Apartotel at Ivanhoe Nurseries Ironwell Lane Hawkwell
Application for Prior Approval for the Change of Use of Agricultural Building (North Unit) to Class C1 Apartotel :Ivanhoe Nurseries Ironwell Lane Hawkwell http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/when-is-permission-required/what-are-permitted-development-rights/permitted-development-rights-for-the-change-of-use-of-agricultural-buildings/ If... Read the story »

Another 37 New Houses in Hawkwell !!
Another 37 New Houses in Hawkwell !! No planning application has been received by RDC but the Agents are seeking feedback from the public at this stage through a statement of community involvement to be submitted alongside the planning application. Re-development of land at 90 Main Road, Hawkwell (Site... Read the story »

Nothing can now change the loss of Green Belt
JuergenGER / Pixabay Our Local Conservative Councillors have been telling residents for years that they have to remove Green Belt protection when drawing up their Local Plans, in order to meet [housing] demand. Conservative Government Minister Eric Pickles has now stepped in to say that the Government... Read the story »

Flooding Risk in Rochford District made a political football by former Conservative candidate !!
You can read the Letter published in Friday’s Echo here. Mr. Webb wrongly accuses your two Independent Councillors of not attending a Council Meeting. A Local resident has emailed to say that he has written to the Echo about Mr. Webb’s views that a cross party Flood Committee should now... Read the story »
Essex Headlines

Local Elections 6 May 2021
Rochford District Residents Local Elections 6 May 2021 Essex County Council Seats contested: Rochford North – Adrian Eves Rochford West – Michael Hoy Rochford District Council Seats contested: Hullbridge – Michael Hoy Hullbridge – Tracey Knight Lodge... Read the story »

Part Night Street Lighting
Essex County Council is currently consulting on its proposal to introduce ‘part night’ street lighting in the District from January 2014. The County’s consultation seeks views and particularly suggestions as to those areas which meet the exception criteria, advising of the location of the lights... Read the story »

Dear Tesco, Hours of Gridlock at your Southend Store
Photo by Craig MurphyBy Christine Mason (reflecting on Tesco, Southend, on Sunday 7 July 2013 This was one of the worst, most frustrating waste of times I have yet to experience. The staggering indifference of the staff just added to the horror. We decided to go into store for a few items but…………….the... Read the story »
Headlines At a Glance
WHY ARE COUNCIL DECISIONS NOT BEING TAKEN FORWARD? Who will run or even own Mill Hall in the future? Will RDC require any of the Mill Hall refurbishment to be paid? So The Conservatives have the best vision for the local community? Warm Spaces Update Councillor Toni Carter Please join us in campaigning to Save the Green Belt in Rochford District Local Elections 6 May 2021 RESIDENTS PETITION: VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL Our Green Star for those reducing single use plastic Could this actually happen? New Toilets in Hockley with the Library in the last Cubicle? To Our Subscribers on FeedblitzPlanning News

Tumisu / Pixabay So if it looks that the Council is not listening to residents in the public consultations... Read the story »

The Echo published an Article today headed “Hawkwell homes “out of our reach”. You can... Read the story »

Despite our recent experiences with Planning Conditions on the David Wilson Homes/Barratts planning... Read the story »
Police News

I found this interesting article on Yahoo Cars !! A parish councillor in Gloucestershire was so tired... Read the story »

Echo 22nd December 2009 POLICE are to target gangs of youths who are coming into Hockley from London... Read the story »

VEHICLE CRIME: Overnight 8th July into 9th July there was several thefts from motor vehicles in the Hawkwell... Read the story »

As your representative on the District Council, John Mason met with Chief Inspector Andy Prophet and... Read the story »