RESULTS – BUDGET POLL – AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
January 17, 2018 by Editor · Leave a Comment

Rilsonav / Pixabay
All Polls ‹ The Rochford Independent — WordPress
Use the link above to see the FULL results.
134 residents (thank you) completed our Budget Poll.
What have residents said that the Council should listen to?
That residents are tired of add on “top up” taxes like special charges for green bins, car parking charges or even an extra charge for street lighting.
Whilst a majority did not want to see a Council Tax increase, which is understandable, those who preferred a Council Tax increase, rather than top up charges, were only just behind the No’s.
NEW THREATS TO THE GREEN BELT OF ROCHFORD DISTRICT
July 8, 2016 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Rochford District Council is holding a number of community engagement workshops this summer to give local people a say on planning matters. These will be interactive events and a chance for residents, businesses and the local parish council to feed information into the Local Plan process. The new Local Plan is a document which will set the strategy for future development of the District beyond 2025 (which is when the current plan finishes).The workshops will include a ‘walkabout’ in the villages in order to identify the needs of the community, local issues and opportunities for growth and development.
The Battle for Rochford District is on 5 May !!
May 4, 2016 by Editor · Leave a Comment
an important document on future housing numbers not been published
May 3, 2016 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Why has an important document on future housing numbers not been published even though the target date was December 2015? No explanation has been given to Members of the Rochford District Council who have asked via the Review Committee.
I think that you might know the answer…………Elections??
Basildon Council has been forced to do so because it is in a public consultation on its Core Strategy.
Castle Point is also in consultations but it has not been published (and CP is in charge of the project for all of our local councils).
this is what we will do if elected…………
May 3, 2016 by Editor · Leave a Comment
In less than 250 words this is what we will do if elected…………
This is the “common ground” between all of our independent candidates.
Rochford District Residents is a voice of 8 candidates calling for open, transparent, representative local government.
The Cabinet System which has cost over £500,000 will be abolished.
We have a long-term commitment to a sustainable community with necessary infrastructure improvements put in place before construction developments. Rochford District needs an Infrastructure Champion.
Rochford District Residents Candidates 2016
April 27, 2016 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Our Rochford District Residents Candidates are standing in the following Wards;
Downhall and Rawreth – John Chaffin
Sweyne Park and Grange – Toby Mountain
Lodge – Richard Lambourne
Hockley – Adrian Eves and Irena Cassar
Hawkwell East – Elliot Mason
Hawkwell West – Christine Mason and John Mason
Please Vote for them on 5 May !!
Results may not be in until mid morning 6 May.
THE LOCAL ELECTION BATTLEGROUND IN ROCHFORD DISTRICT
April 26, 2016 by Editor · Leave a Comment
There are 39 Conservative Candidates for the District Local Elections on 5 May. This is an ALL OUT Election and the Conservatives could lose control of Rochford District Council.
But this is not news for our local papers who have failed to tell readers that there even IS an Election.
How could control be lost? With just 20 non Conservatives being elected.
21 Labour candidates
9 Liberal Democrats candidates
8 UKIP candidates
8 Rochford District Residents candidates
4 Green Party candidates
2 Independent candidates
There are 52 non Conservative Candidates.
NHS Breast Screening Unit Gets parking charges
May 5, 2015 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Hells Bells !! Rochford District Council even charges the NHS Breast Screening Unit parking charges !!
WOULD YOU STILL THINK OF VOTING CONSERVATIVE IF YOU THINK THAT THIS IS WRONG?
AND PLEASE SHARE THIS FOR ALL TO SEE. “Exploiting the NHS is NOT Saving the NHS”
Look at the photo. The Unit is not even in any parking space so this is additional revenue over and above the additional charges from patients visiting the unit for screening.
How much? An Officer’s report says that it used to be “by calculating a fee based on the pro-rata price of an annual parking permit (£800.00)”.
Local Elections : How to Decide Who to Vote For
May 4, 2015 by Editor · Leave a Comment
If you are still undecided who to vote for in The Local Elections for Rochford District Council our local paper, The Echo, decided to ask each Group Leader what their candidates planned to do if elected.
You can put the leaflets down at last and compare each party to the others based on just 100 words.
The whole page is carried at the link above.
If you have any questions about Rochford District Residents do ask on the new FB Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/rochfordandrayleigh/?fref=nf
Would Ukip represent you locally when it matters?
January 27, 2015 by Editor · Leave a Comment
In the Echo today “Ukip suspends four councillors” – Ukip has suspended four of its Southend councillors because they disowned the party’s parliamentary candidate.
In Rochford District we ask would Ukip represent you locally when it matters?
The Leader of Ukip on Rochford District Council, Councillor John Hayter, writes “Normally I should have been only too pleased to serve, but at present I am heavily committed to the General Election as the UKIP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Rayleigh and Wickford, and am not in a position to do justice to the position.”
Another 37 New Houses in Hawkwell !!
January 27, 2015 by Editor · Leave a Comment
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 Locationhttp://goo.gl/Q4yWcz)
Google Map here
Extracts from Letter to your District Councillors (http://goo.gl/jyzef2)
“Strutt & Parker are acting as planning consultants on behalf of Marden Homes Ltd with regards to the above site. It is planned that the current uses on the site are to relocate and this brownfield site will therefore become available for redevelopment. We have been instructed by Marden Homes to prepare a planning application for residential redevelopment.”
Rochford District Residents now 7 Councillors with Greens
January 26, 2015 by Editor · Leave a Comment
The Green and Rochford District Residents Group on Rochford District Council grows today to 7 Members of The Council.
Originally the Group had 4 Members; John & Christine Mason (Hawkwell West) and Michael and Diane Hoy (Hullbridge) yet the Group was still the largest Opposition Group on the Council.
They are now joined by 3 more Independents; Councillor Toby Mountain (Sweyne Park, Rayleigh), Councillor Phil Capon (Hawkwell South) and Councillor Tracy Capon (Ashingdon and Canewdon).
The Group Leader in Council will continue to be John Mason and the Deputy Group Leader will continue to be Michael Hoy.
Rochford District Council Budget 2015/16 – Have your Say !!
September 2, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Rochford District Council Budget 2015/16 – Have your Say !!
WE NEED YOUR HELP !!
Council Members have been invited to an All Party But PRIVATE Away Day at the Freight House on 4 October to discuss the ideas that the Conservative Cabinet Member for Finance has on next year’s Budget.
Whilst the Public will be asked by the Council later for their views on the DRAFT Budget we wondered if residents would like to make their ideas known right now on what should be cut and what should be increased.
Holding Decision Makers Accountable
July 3, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Why hasn’t Rochford District Council made Press Releases or given prominent publicity on its Web Site or in Rochford District Matters to “Holding Decision Makers Accountable”?
We are going to run a series of posts over the year to tell you how the powerful Review Committee will be holding Council decision makers accountable. It is led this year by the Green and Rochford District Residents Group i.e. US!
Could YOU represent your Community? Do YOU like to be involved in local issues?
June 18, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Could YOU represent your Community? Do YOU like to be involved in local issues? Can YOU assist your neighbours to find the right route to resolve a problem? If so Rochford District Residents needs YOU.
Rochford District Residents is a local political party that has its roots in Residents Associations. Run and administered by John and Christine Mason who represent their Ward – Hawkwell West – on Rochford District Council the aims are simple: To achieve the best possible results for the residents they represent in local matters.
Rochford District Council Subsidises Gala Dinner
May 9, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment
The confusion over the Rochford District Council Annual Civic Dinner persists, but we seem to finally be getting a truer picture of the event.
According to latest information from The Chief Executive it would appear that;
- 47 guests paid for their tickets at £40.00,
- Also 16 guests, including three RDC Councillors, received ‘free’ tickets
- And 11 ‘chauffeurs’ dinners were provided;
- 7 at the reduced price of £10
- the other 4 free for RDC Operational Staff.
(Not quite sure what the difference between the chauffeurs’ dinner is other than price.)
Local News from Hawkwell, Hockley and Rochford District
April 4, 2014 by Editor · Leave a Comment

VOLUNTEERS WANTED TO HELP WITH FLOOD PREVENTION IN RECTORY ROAD
October 27, 2013 by Editor · Leave a Comment
1st December: 10 am
Meet at junction of Windsor Gardens & Rectory Road
The Problem: In August our area suffered flooding when the Hawkwell Brook overflowed as a result of the heavy rain and high tide. Many of those worse affected were frail or elderly and have become fearful of a repeat situation.
The Situation: Generally, the owners of the land adjoining a watercourse are responsible for keeping the passage clear. In the past the Water Authority cleared this on occasion but in recent years they have left this to the adjoining landowners. Unfortunately, many landowners are unaware of their responsibility or are unable to deal with the debris and growth.
What does the Census 2011 tell us about our future housing needs?
The recently published Census 2011 data suggests to us that we did not need 175 new houses in Hawkwell for our children and grandchildren as the Council suggested to residents when they protested.
Nor perhaps the housing estate developments proposed in the rest of Rochford District.
With the age group 0 to 18 having increased across the whole District by only 186 over 10 years we leave it to you to decide about that.
Even if the birth rate in Rochford District shoots up from 2012 onwards as predicted these youngest children will not need new houses until earliest 2031 which is almost outside of the house building plan period.
Love thy Neighbour
August 24, 2013 by Editor · Leave a Comment
Despite our concerns about the new Barratts/David Wilson Homes development when an invitation to their new Show Homes launch arrived in the post unexpectedly we decided to be open minded and as a family member is house hunting for such a property Saturday morning saw us at the Sales Office (still no permission for the copious advertising and lighting but that is another story).
It was pouring with rain but the car park was full, including of all things an ice cream trolley and some tables, indeed the only umbrella on site appeared to be the one protecting the ice cream container!