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Post by rosegriffin on Jan 17, 2015 12:31:30 GMT
Stephen Metcalfe our MP visited our flood areas earlier in the week.
Our residents seem to get pushed from pillar to post when trying to report a flood because there are so many different agency involved and it is difficult trying to find out which one is responsible or which one will accept responsibility.
Several residents have written to Stephen Metcalfe asking for help.
The Residents Association as well as attending the multi-agency meeting at Rawreth has also written to all the various agencies asking for advice and for a simplified leaflet explaining where/how to report floods. We have offered to deliver the leaflet with our newsletter.
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Post by rosegriffin on Nov 27, 2014 9:25:35 GMT
I realise our earlier communication was not clear enough. Please see letter to the editor of the Echo below which I believe clarifies the current flood recording project.
"Amazingly, despite warnings and closures by the police and reports on Essex Radio, the Environment Agency has said that it has been unaware of any flooding in Pound Lane and Burnt Mills Road, until reported at the Flood Risk Action Group (FRAG). The Bowers Gifford & North Benfleet Residents Association are members of the FRAG set up by neighbouring Rawreth and attended by groups from surrounding areas. A fortnight ago the group attended a meeting arranged by the Flood Forum, a national charity, which was attended by local authorities within the areas forming the FRAG, plus Anglian Water and the Environment Agency. The only absentee was Essex Highways. The good news is that although communication between the various agencies has not been as good as it should have been in the past we are now moving forward on a positive note.. FRAG members will be given one specific location to which to report our local flooding issues. If you have reported a flood in the Bowers Gifford or North Benfleet area in the past or need to do so in the future please copy the details to ChairResidentsAssociation@outlook.com or phone 0780 804 1825. Please take photographs and email them to us. This procedure does not promise any short term action, and should not deter residents reporting flooding issues to the agencies to whom they would normally report them. However, it will enable a database to be set up and provide proof of the date that a flood has been reported and to whom. We will be following up reported issues with the agencies to ascertain what long term action is being considered."
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Post by rosegriffin on Nov 20, 2014 14:36:29 GMT
Sheelagh Pegg and I, as members of the Flood Risk Action Group set up by Rawreth and neighbouring areas, attended a meeting with public sector bodies including Basildon Council, Essex County Council, Anglian Water, Castlepoint Council, Rochford Council and the Environment Agency.
We have put together an action plan to try to resolve the flooding issues over a period of time. We wish to move forward in a positive manner. However, one of the things which became apparent during the meeting is that past communication between the various authorities and the councils has not been good. For example, Sheelagh and I were surprised that the Environment Agency were totally unaware of any floods in the Burnt Mills Road/Pound Lane/Harrow Road area.
Although - the police have often put up flood warning signs at the junction of these roads and on occasion closed the road that no one has ever informed the environment agency; - the Residents Association has included fear of flooding in this area within our submission to the Landscape Partnership which fed the Draft Core Strategy; and - The Residents Association has raised concerns with the Highways Agency that the floods have worsened since the A130 and Sadlers Farm 'improvements'; - Essex Radio has put out many flood warnings asking drivers to avoid this area.
the Environment Agency has never been made aware.
We are now collating information and photos to send to Essex County Council. If you have any photos please would you send then to us and also let us know if you have reported flooding in this area and to whom. Email ChairResidentsAssociation@outlook.com Regrettably we can only accept photos sent by email.
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Post by rosegriffin on Nov 14, 2014 17:14:53 GMT
Following a request by a green action group in South Benfleet we have applied, as a neighbouring community, to Castlepoint Council for Jotmans Farm to be given Asset of Community Value Status.
Our application stated that:
"Jotmans Farm used to fall within Bowers Gifford (prior to A130 being built). It is a main horse riding and stabling venue in the area and has long been established as grazing land. Visually the land provides open green space from the A130, Church Road, Bowers Gifford and the RSPB, Bowers Marshes. It helps to provide a wildlife corridor to the Bowers Gifford Marshes and Canvey Marshes. Via the public byway, it is a highly valued as an open space for various forms of recreation e.g. horse riding, dog walking, cycling and walking.”
Building in this area could also cause further chaos on Sadlers Farm as currently the only vehicle exit route is into a narrow lane which comes out at Cemetery Corner in Benfleet's High Road. The logical new exit point, should development take place, would be via Remembrance Avenue on the A130 leading up to Sadlers Farm. Recently the byway, which runs alongside Jotmans, was altered and improved and there is now a wide pathway, which runs under the A130 linking South Benfleet to Church Road, Bowers Gifford (between St. Margaret's Church and the RSPB site.)
We also have concerns about a knock-on effect to flooding should development take place.
We will watch very carefully to see if any potential planning application includes an outlet into Church Road, Bowers Gifford.
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Post by rosegriffin on Nov 14, 2014 17:01:43 GMT
Following several complaints from residents about former kennels being converted for residential purposes we followed up with Basildon Council and ward councillors. Please note we do not normally get involved in non-environmental issues but in this case residents were concerned that more land was being cleared for residential purposes.
A response from the council read:
"This has been investigated by colleagues in the enforcement section and found that there are approximately 4-5 converted buildings being put to residential use.
It is possible that the length of time they have been used for such, may mean that they are immune from enforcement action, (in continued occupation for more than 4 years) and further evidence is being collected in this regard. Potentially we may receive applications for Lawful Development Certificates. This type of application does not assess the merits of the development, just whether the use has carried on for the period stated. Consultation is not normally carried out in applications of type, except where it may be to corroborate the evidence submitted. The onus is on the applicant/owner of the site to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the use has continued for the period claimed."
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Post by rosegriffin on Nov 14, 2014 16:54:07 GMT
Following several complaints from residents about the land behind Bowers Court Drive we followed up with Basildon Council and our ward councillors.
We have been advised by a Basildon Council Officer that:
"In respect of the hardstanding that you refer to, I understand this is the land that was used as part of the works compound when the Saddlers Roundabout and A13/A130 improvement works were carried out. As such the use did not need an application for planning permission, as it was deemed to be 'permitted development' for the duration of the works. You are correct that we did subsequently have an application for the use as a HGV training centre, which was refused permission primarily due to its green belt location.
The requirements of it being 'permitted development' are such that after the temporary period it is meant to be reinstated to its former condition and it is evident this is not the case. I understand that the contractors for the project have since handed it back to the owners of the land and it is these we are now dealing with..
I can advise that it is subject to active enforcement investigation. Colleagues are fully aware of this and will take appropriate action as soon as they are able. The protection of the green belt is a high priority and I will endeavour to keep you updated as the situation changes."
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Post by rosegriffin on Nov 3, 2014 10:24:33 GMT
A resident emailed me today to say that she has been badly caught by a person canvassing for roofing work.
The person did some outside work for her. She happened to mention that she wanted a new bathroom and the person offered to do the work at a really good price. However, he and the people he brought with him wanted to be paid cash on a daily basis and also cash for the supplies they needed to order (and it appears that not all the supplies paid for in advance were actually ordered)
A month later and over budget the work has not been completed. The builder is not returning calls. Quotes from other builders to complete the work are in the region of £2000. The resident has already paid out more than the first roofer/builder's original quote.
This sounds a lot like the scams occurring in Pitsea that Emma Spurr, our community police officer, was telling us about at the AGM.
The resident in the case above is a single parent family. The people who Emma told us about in Pitsea were all vulnerable elderly people.
Please see the recent thread about the scam we think we confronted in Westlake Avenue - were these three men knocking on doors to find out who were vulnerable people they could prey upon - e.g. people living on their own or elderly people?
If you are aware of any potential scams or scammers please warn us about it by registering for the forum and creating your own thread. I will of course create a thread if you do not wish to or I will come along to your house and show you how to register.
Rose
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Post by rosegriffin on Oct 29, 2014 18:27:36 GMT
A couple of residents raised the issue of Fly Tipping at the AGM. There was some concern over the dumping of combustible materials in the Church Road underpass - if a fire/explosion were to occur it could a devastating effect on neighbouring properties and the A13.
To report Fly Tipping phone the council on 01268 533333 and press option 1 (in an emergency out of hours situation phone 01268 286622).
You can also report by text on 07717 694135. Prefix your text with SC (for street scene)e.g. SC Dumped rubbish in Church Road, Bowers Gifford, underpass. Texts are charged at the standard rate.
If you see fly tipping taking place then please take the vehicle registration number involved. If possible surreptitiously take a photo e.g. with your mobile phone. However, NEVER PUT YOURSELF AT RISK.
Fly Tipping is a crime. If you know who has dumped the rubbish or if you have a vehicle registration number you can dial 101 to report the crime to our local police. Alternatively you can report the crime anonymously through Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555 111
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Post by rosegriffin on Oct 29, 2014 10:32:42 GMT
Westlake Avenue residents have suffered a few sheds being broken into recently and another resident in William Road a near break-in just a few months ago.
At the Residents Association meeting last week a resident advised that three men, two white and one black, were noticed going in and out of driveways and knocking on doors in Westlake Avenue. One man asked a resident if she wanted to sell her car. Another asked a home-owner if she was interested in solar heating.
These men may have been trying to establish who was in and who was out during the day - or even how many elderly or vulnerable residents lived in the locality.
Please stay alert and be careful if you have strangers knocking on your door offering services.
Community Police Officer Emma Spurr advised that there had been a spate of door-knocking on the other side of Pitsea by people offering to repair roofs. Several elderly people had had unnecessary work carried out.
One resident suggested that if anything suspicious were seen that a photograph be taken of the people knocking on doors. This could be done surreptitiously through a window or via a mobile rather than confronting people who might become violent. NEVER PUT YOURELF AT RISK.
Always report your suspicions to the local police by dialling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555 111
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Post by rosegriffin on Oct 29, 2014 10:19:16 GMT
Last week the Bowers Gifford Local History Group visited the Essex Fire Museum in Grays. While we were there one of the firemen suggested that we let people know about the free home safety visits which they carry out.
The fire brigade recommends that each floor of your house has a working smoke alarm fitted. These should be tested on a weekly basis and,if necessary, the batteries replaced at regular intervals.
For a free home fire safety visit by one of the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service personnel ring 0300 303 0088
We were given a number of free Fire Safety in the Home booklets which were given out at U3A and our AGM. We still have a few copies left. Please contact Rose by email ChairResidentsAssociation@outlook.com if you would like a copy.
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Post by rosegriffin on Oct 18, 2014 11:54:39 GMT
Santus Circus - the eighth generation of their family circus is here at the Boot Fair Site at Sadlers Farm from Wednesday 15th October to Sunday 2nd November. Each year, a new all human production of their circus takes to the road and pays a visit to Bowers Gifford. Ernest and Roger Santus are members of some of France's most illustrious circus families. Taking on almost every sort of skill and presentation, from hand-balancing and trapeze to unicycling, juggling and acrobatics. They've performed across Europe and in Asia, and they've won top prizes at the prestigious Monte Carlo Circus Festival. This is traditional circus with a French flavour. Titled TRAPEZE, the 2014 production includes top-quality international artistes from Colombia, Mongolia, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, and of course Britain and France. Performances run around 2 hours, and feature flying trapeze, high wire, knife throwing, juggling, plate-spinning, whip cracking, and gentle friendly clowning. Santus Circus performs under a colourful, comfy, warm Big Top. Prices start from £9 (but look out for discount vouchers to get money off!). A Family Ticket for two adults and two children costs just £40. Every Wednesday, all seats are priced at just £7, first come first served. For further information please phone 07843 884787 or 07952 418847 Book on-line of check show times at www.santuscircus.co.ukSantus has kindly donated two family tickets to the Residents Association which we will auction at our AGM on 22nd October.
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Post by rosegriffin on Sept 26, 2014 8:17:38 GMT
Many thanks to Basildon Council's Chief Enforcement Officer for writing to the vendor's solicitor clearly stating that there is a blanket Tree Protection Order over Page Woods. Basildon Council's communication is included in the legal pack made available to would-be buyers. Hopefully this will put off any would-be developers and industrialists.
The Residents Association will also write to the vendor and auctioneer stating that we would strenuously resist any moves to spoil this lovely bit of woodland. Page Woods is a wild life haven.
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Post by rosegriffin on Sept 19, 2014 10:32:25 GMT
These are the following speakers at Bowers Gifford & District U3A Meetings. Guests are welcome to come along for up to 3 visits per year at a charge of £2 including refreshments. All meetings are at the Benbow Club, Pound Lane, 2.00 p.m.
September 24th - Nursing in the RAF in Afghanistan- Dawn McDonald
October 22nd - Talking Newspapers - Mike Ballinger
November 26th - the History of Bata Shoes - speaker from the Bata Shoes History Group
If you would like to know a bit more about U3A and the other groups then please contact Christine Lockwood 01268 458268
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Post by rosegriffin on Sept 19, 2014 10:24:36 GMT
Please see message below from the group at Glebelands & Sadlers Farm fighting the proposed building on the land on the A130 opposite North Benfleet Hall Farm. Please note much of Eric Pickles and the Planning Inspectors decision not to build on Little Chalvedon Hall Farm was based on the Glebelnads decision.
The above is on the agenda for the Castle Point Development Control meeting on Sept 23. Documents can be viewed online.
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Post by rosegriffin on Sept 12, 2014 10:56:14 GMT
Does anyone have an unwanted chess board they are willing to donate to St. Margaret's School, please? The school Breakfast Club has been given some chess pieces but need a board. they are also looking for a few more board games.
If anyone has a chess board or any board games which they are willing to give away then please leave your donations at the school reception or give to Rose
Thanks.
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