About the Council ...

You know, if you've been following me for a while, you'll probably realise that Brentwood Council can be a bit ...

Well …

Strange, sometimes.

Or, at least, mildly contradictory.

And you've possibly also realised I've been keeping my eyes open, just around the corner, oin the plans for the development in Saint James Road.

Now, I'll happily admit to leaving comments on the website, over the past few months.

And ALSO mildly disappointed that my objections haven't also been made public.

Just the comments, I should add: if Brentwood Council made my address and phone number known, I doubt I'd be pleased.

But the comments, themselves ... ?

I'm happy to see them published, especially in this day and age of booming social networks.

So I wrote and asked Brentwood council why the comments hadn't been published: here's what I said.

Dear sir/madam

I’m writing after trying — roughly three times, now — to leave a public comment on a local planning application, near me: your Ref 11/01195/FUL.

As I’ve said I have tried to leave a public comment about this application for some time, and, as yet, have not seen ANY of them, go live on the site.

And would like to know why this is.

I have to admit, my thinking at the moment … ?

 Is that this looks very suspicious.

And here's the reply …

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding your application comments for 11/01195/FUL – Brunel House, St JamesRoad.

I can confirm that the Council has received comments from yourself regarding the above application site (Dated: 30/12/11, 3/1/12, 9/1/12, 18/1/12 and 7/2/12) and the Planning Officer will take any comments received into account when writing the report.

Please note that it is the Council’s current policy not show representations on line, however you may view any representations received at the Council’s Planning Reception.

Any representations made on line via Public Access will receive an automated acknowledgement e-mail in return if an e-mail address is supplied and any representations received via any other format are currently not acknowledged.

I hope that this answers any questions you had with regard to receipt of your comments and not being able to view comments on line.

Regards

Carole Vint

See what I mean about contradictory?

I — and everyone else — can't read my objections online.

But CAN wander up to the office and read them there.

SENSIBLE!

Oh, now that’s a Shame …

Seriously, that’s DEFINITELY a shame.

It seems that Councillor Chilvers is now former Councillor Chilvers.

Having been voted out of office by a narrow margin of 10 votes.

Personally … ?

I’m disappointed, I really am.

Brentwood West’s lost a very capable councillor, there.

And frankly … ?

Given that her replacement is a Conservative — and going on Joan Holmes example — I’m not expecting to see hide or hair of him, until the next set of elections.

Frankly … ?

As far as I’m concerned, he may be a councillor …

But he’s not my councillor.

»»•««

Hmmm …

Now, I’ll be frank, here, as well, but — if I were in Ms Chilvers shoes — what to be doing next.

I’ll confess, I don’t know: I suspect she may well be catching up with some sleep.

I know, however, that — from where I’m sitting — I’d be very annoyed at Nick Clegg.

I personally believe that losing such a capable councillor seems to be in line with the Liberal Democrats bad results, overnight.

And personally feel that’s a result of several things.

Which I feel has the fact of the national coalition at its heart.

I also believe that, as things stand at the moment … ?

I feel the ‘Yes To AV’ campaign may be on the brink of losing.

Something that I also think is a shame.

Hmmm …

I’ve got to ask …

If the ‘Yes To AV’ campaign does go under … ?

Will the Deputy Prime Minister be falling on his proverbial sword … ?

Adventures in Local Elections: Oh, and an Email …

You know, I’ll be honest …

I’ll be glad when this local election’s over.

One way or the other … !

But possibly no gladder than Councillor Chilvers: after all, it’s her turn for re-election, this year.

But the reason I say that … ?

Is comparatively simple.

It means that, once the counting’s done, over the weekend, we’ll know one way or the other, whether we’re stuck with the First-Past-The-Post system we’ve had for the past few hundred years.

Or end up with the Alternative Vote system that the Lib-Dems insisted on, as part of the coalition government deal, after last year’s general election.

Hmmm …

Now, I’ll be honest, you’ve probably already guessed I’ve not liked the fact the party I’ve voted for has entered a national coalition, at Westminster.

But, locally, and as I’ve said before … ?

I’m quite happy: Councillor Chilvers has at least knocked on my door, a few times.

Unlike Councillor Holmes, who hasn’t.

And unlike the Labour candidate for Brentwood West.

Whose name, I’ve still not caught.

At any rate, I’ll happily share a secret with you: I’ve voted for Karen. Like I say …

»»•««

But that’s not quite all I meant to tell you …

I’ve been mailing the Gazette, again … !

I’d don’t know if you remember, but a couple of weeks ago, Brentwood’s only Labour councillor, Mike LeSurf, had his photo taken outside Brentwood Town Hall, complete with Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, making a big noise about saving the Town Hall from demolition.

Which is funny …

As, when he vote about it was held, he voted with the Tories, to allow the plans to demolish all or part of it.

I know we expert politicians to be bend the truth a bit, but that’s a bit bendier than usual. wouldn’t you say … ?

I know, Councillor Chilvers sent in a critical letter, only to get an equally critical one from Councillor LeSurf, this week.

Pointing out the year’s of campaigning they’d done.

Well …

One photoshoot with Ed Balls, for the Gazette, and turning up at the High Street with Harriet Harman … ?

Yeah …

At any rate, I sent this in to the Gazette: here’s hoping … !

Dear Sir,

I’ve GOT to admit, I read Councillor Le-Surf’s letter, this week, and damn near fell of my chair, with laughter.

And a certain amount of annoyance, as well.

Now, I’ve followed Brentwood’s council politics for some time.

And I’m as critical as any of the Liberal democrats, nationally, as anyone: and have made my feelings clear to the local Lib-dems whenever they’ve come a-calling. Karen Chilvers will be able to confirm that: we’ve talked about it in person, when she checks her ward.

That, I should add, seems to be year round, rather than just at election time.

The local tories are a lot worse: I’ve never seen on the beat, but at least take time to answer email.

I’m extremely critical of the local Tories for not knocking my door: Councillor Homes will be able to tell you that, as we’ve we’ve discussed it be email.

But anyone who watched the discussion on the Town Hall’s future — as I have — on the council’s own website will tell you one thing.

Councillor LeSurf voted with Conservatives to demolish the Town Hall.

For him to then dig up Ed Balls, in efforts to save the Town Hall … ?

Well …

There’s a term or two that’ll get me sued if I use them of Brentwood’s only Labour councillor.

So lets just say I think he’s a pot calling the kettle black, if he’s accusing someone else of gutter politics …

»»•««

At any rate, another thing, while we’re being political … ?

I’ll ALSO confess that I voted Yes to AV …

Yes, I know I’ve had my doubt’s about that: chief of which was anger at Nick Clegg for going into the Coalition government in the first place.

But …

I didn’t know if you knew it, but Britain’s First-Past-The-Post system means that Brentwood and Ongar MP, Eric Pickles, didn’t actually get elected by a majority of Brentwood and Ongar’s voters.

No.

He’s just the chap who got more votes than anyone else.

The AV system that’s proposed in this referendum means that whoever gets elected has to get at least fifty percent of the vote.

Which is the point that appealed to me … !

An MP has to WORK at it, come election time … !

As did one other point.

David Cameron, Britain’s Prime Minister has made it plain he’ll be voting No to AV.

A couple of his reason’s sort of grabbed me.

One was that he argued that First-Past-The-Post was simpler to understand.

Hmmm …

I’ve not been convinced by that.

After all, for us end-users, it amount’s to put a 1 — or 1, 2, 3 — on a ballot paper, instead of an X.

The other was expense. I’m personally thinking that’ll correct it self, after a few years of using it: it strikes me the initial set-up’s the costly bit.

The third bit … ?

Is that David Cameron’s said, quite a few times over the past few weeks, that he think’s AV isn’t in the nation’s interest.

Which is presumably why his party used it — or a version of it — to elect him, as party leader.

Obviously the UK’s average voter isn’t bright enough to join the Conservatives …

»»•««

Ahem … !

Now …

What else …

Oh, yeah … !

I was also going to tell you about Archie … Remember Archie … ?

Archie’s the Dell C800 sitting behind me as I speak.

I’ve got to admit, I’ve now update him to Xubuntu 11•04, Natty Narwhal, hence the screen shot.

If I make any major changes — or manage to persuade anyone else to try it, beyond Dr Kevin — I’ll let you know …

Fairer Voting …

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, Adrian, bless him, has a very good point that’s occurred to me to ask about.

One I’m fairly certain’s going to be argued about, by ALL shades of politician.

And one I’m not sure will boost voter turn-out, either, but that’s possibly a whole other issue.

Actually, that possibly is: I’m sure you — as I — have seen or heard all sorts of stories in the news about low voter turn-out at elections, voter apathy, and how shows like Big Brother, Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor regularly get better turn-outs.

And I’m sure you’re also aware that last years General Election saw such a huge number of people wanting to vote, that polling stations couldn’t cope.

God, there’s probably all sorts of answers, there.

But maybe insisting that Polling stations open for half an hour longer would help, there.

And maybe having more of them is another: I know there’s plenty of times I’ve simply not bothered, purely on the basis that the station concerned was out of my way.

««•»»

But, at any rate, the one thing I know Adrian’s always mentioned — half-jokingly, but in the tone of voice that suggested there’s a serious point to think about* — is something the pair of us first saw on the film, Brewster’s Millions.

A ‘None Of The Above’ option.

Seriously, nobody campaigning for or against AV, on May 5th, has mentioned it.

I can’t see why, instead of politicians complaining about voter turn-out, we have the option of formally abstaining.

After all, when you think about it, politicians are applying — to us, their bosses — for a job.

We can either let one politician per ward or constituency have have it.

Or, with a None Of The Above option … ?

Force a re-run, with a fresh set of candidates, if we don’t like the ones standing.

Fairer votes, anyone … ?

»»•««

Just as a quick thought … ?

I actually went ask used Facebook’s Question feature: I asked “Should Britain have a ‘None Of The Above’ option, whichever voting system it chooses on May 5th?”.

So far … ?

Of the 10 people who’ve answered the question — six of whom aren’t known to me — 8 have gone for ‘Yes’.

They’d go for it, in other words.

Nice to know.

* Which is possibly the point of a good joke: that there’s a serious point to consider, sneaked into your thoughts, along with the punchline …

The Gazette … And synchronicity …

Oh …

Now that’s …

Well …

Strange … ?

Weird … ?

Asymptomatic of deep-seated spiritual problems in the modern chicken-farmer … ?

Actually, I think we can ignore that last bit, unless you’re a chicken-farmer.

You see, I’ve just had a bit of a coincidence happen to me: something I think Jüng would’ve called a synchronicity: a meaningful coincidence, in other words.

You see, I’d bought a copy of the Brentwood Gazette, this morning.

And was drafting an email about the Town Hall: seemingly, Brentwood Council decided, after a rather noisier meeting than usual, to demolish it.

Here’s what I sent them …

Dear Sir,

I’ve got to admit, I read the article in this week’s Gazette about the Council’s heated discussion about Brentwood’s Town Hall.

And find myself having a certain amount of mixed feelings.

On the one hand … ?

On the one hand, I’m sympathetic to the idea of cutting the operating costs.

On the other, I’m thinking that the Council’s seeming incompetence at running the local economy means that the Town hall gets shut.

Definitely a disappointment, I’m thinking.

I’m one of Brentwood’s many socially housed tenants.

For me, and for many others, Brentwood’s Town hall is an important part of our lives: for those of us who pay rent — and Council Tax — to Brentwood Council, claim benefits for either, and many other thing’s, it is a first port-of-call.

Now, granted, the two options presented leave something as a focal point for residents.

But I — for one — couldn’t help notice that any options for renting out out the unused floors … seemingly hadn’t been costed: or presented at the meeting.

Given we know Brentwood Council can be a touch lax about these things … ?

I can’t help but wonder if Tory members had bothered.

Purely to make sure the options they wanted were mostly likely to go through.

The weird bit … ?

Or strange/odd/chicken-farmer-spiritual-crisisy, however you want to put it … ?

Was just as I was getting the draft copied over from the open Pages window and into an email to send to them … ?

I gat a call from Gazette Journalist, Paul Ainsworth!

See what I mean … ?

And about a subject I know I’d heard nothing about for a while.

The parking, here on Rollason Way …

Seems a few have been complaining about plastic barriers at the other end of Rollason Way.

I told him what I could, although I don’t know if I was any help: beyond giving Paul a certain amount of ‘insight’.

Which makes me sound like some sort of wizened ol’ hermit, on a mountain top, dispensing the odd bit of wisdom, as and when asked …

Oh, well.

If nothing else, it sounds like I’m going to get a mention in next week’s Gazette, whatever happens … !

Either way … ?

Enjoy the light-cycle race …

A Round Up …

Wowsa … !!

I’ve got to admit, I’m in the Gazette, again … !

Which is nice, obviously.

Or it is, if you’re a complete attention hog, like me … !!

But, at any rate, that’s not the END of the story.

In theory, anyway: we STILL don’t know if the cinema will be built.

Either way, we know more than we did a fortnight ago.

And that I owe the Gazette a big ’Thank You’

At any rate, I’ll happily admit to sending ANOTHER email.

But more on that, in a tick …

‹‹‹•›››

At any rate, with the council meeting about the St James’s road development due at the start of December, I couldn’t help but notice that Councillor Chilvers — on top of highlighting the same sign I’d seen, telling us that Taylor Wimpey had put in an application to extend their plans for the area — also had something of a call about that.

But I’ll let you read about what happened, here … …

‹‹‹•›››

But let’s move on, again, shall we … ?

Yes, let’s … !!

Do you remember, about a month ago, I told you about Kelly’s problem’s with a rather dead rat scented phone call … ?

You don’t … ?

Well it’s handy, in that case, that Piers Meyler of the Gazette ran a little story about a chap in Hook End — called Jason Lovell — had also had a call.

From the same scammers …

You know, this sort of thing can get monotonous, can’t it … ?

But here’s the email I almost immediately fired off.

Dear Sir,

I’ve GOT to admit, I read your article about computer fraudsters with a certain amount of amusement.

Because the software engineer, Jason Lovell, has inadvertently highlighted something that’s been close to my heart.

I’ve got to confess, I had a friend of mine get a call from the same scammers, a company called Comantra, a month ago. She — bright woman that she is — immediately smelled a rat, and told the caller that she’d happily give them a call back if she needed to. And that her PC hadn’t actually used any Microsoft products, for the past six months.

Including, I should add, the version of Windows XP it came with.

Now, Mr Lovell is right in encouraging people to make sure to get their machine checked out, if they think something’s wrong with it.

And following basic security procedures is always a good idea.

But I think I’m going to raise an old issue I’m fond of talking about.

Did you know that much of the malicious software doing the rounds is aimed at Windows, in one way or another: as are many scams, like the one we’ve mentioned. One of the simplest ways to make sure our machines aren’t affected by Windows viruses? Simply make sure we’re either using a Mac, or a user-friendly version of Linux — like Ubuntu — for example.

Instead of the best known — and most hackable — operating system around … ?

Yours,

Yes, I know, this is kind of thing is a bugaboo.

But …

Welll …

A boy’s got to do what a boy’s got to do.

But I do know a couple of things.

Firstly, I owe the Gazette a big thank you for mentioning not only the blog — by name — but also giving the address.

And that also it was kind of handy to know what the key combos the scammers mentioned to Kelly were supposed to do … !

‹‹‹•›››

Oh, and while I’m at it … !!

Bless ’er, Lisa — a regular reader of Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar — happened to mention to me, the other day, that she, too was having trouble with her operating system on her PC.

My response … ?

Was to mail her a copy of Ubuntu 10•04 Lucid Lynx.

If all goes well, I’m hoping she’ll manage that ok, and be able to let us know what happens.

Here’s hoping … !

I’m Emailing The Paper, again …

Ooh, I’ve been at it, again … !

Emailing the Gazette, before you ask … !!

I’ll be honest, I was lurking around on Facebook, this afternoon, and happened to notice that Councillor Chilvers had posted up something from her blog.

Which, obviously, got me looking at the Gazette for something other than jobs, or stuff about Rollason Way.

For once …

Basically, it seems Brentwood Council are reporting on the £12, 000 consultation of plans for Brentwood High Street.

Hmmm …

Well, I think I made my views, clear, with this …

Dear Sir,

Hang on, £12, 000 on a ‘consultation’ … ?




Now, I’ve GOT to confess, I read your article about the £12, 000 consultation for Brentwood’s High Street — in the SAME issue as the report on how much council tax payers money is spent on temporary council workers and the closure of three community halls — and I’m starting to wonder exactly what our local council — both councillors and council executives — are doing with our money?




I’m mean, I’ve got to ask if, instead of wasting that money on more consultants fees, they thought of maybe putting a few new paving slabs down along Warley Hill. Or maybe — just maybe — keeping the Old House, Keys Hall and Merrymeade House open a year or two longer?




Or maybe spending a bit more, so the benefits of Brentwood High Street are highlighted for everyone, and not just a wealthy few?




I’ve really only got one conclusion, at the moment: and that is that the various new developments of flats that are causing so much protest — from me, and many others — are the only way the Council has, to raise more council tax money to waste.




After all, it‘s not like they’re spending what they’ve on anything useful, now is it … ?




Paul Downie.




Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.

Here’s hoping they print it … !!

‹‹‹~›››

The Great Parking Saga and The Letter To The Gazette!

Phew!!

They DID publish!!

Wowsa!!

I’ll confess, I sent in a letter to the Brentwood Gazette, last week, and they’ve published it!

Yes, I know, I really should be a bit more blasé about this sort of thing, by now, but it is nice to see my name in lights.

And not just me.

They’ve actually printed the name of this here blog, as well!

Which is nice!!

I just hope I get a few more people looking me up!!

‹‹‹•›››

At any rate, that’s not quite what I wanted to post up here …

At least, it wasn’t the first thing on my mind …

AHEM!!

This was meant to be a fairly simple quick and dirty post to let you know that Councillor Chilvers has got an OFFICIAL petition together about the plans I’d told you about, the other day.

The ones about the proposed new flats in Saint James Road … ?

Yeah, those flats!

Oh, and I thought I’d ALSO let you know that’s I’ve ALSO emailed Councillor Holmes to ask her exactly how we, as residents, are supposed to object to this at the planning stage.

Here’s hoping that helps!

‹‹‹•›››