Councilbust

By Rachel Charman

Peter Welch

Liberal Democrat PPC for Southend West Peter Welch has welcomed the call for MPs to pay back any profits they made on second homes following statements from Sir Ian Kennedy.

Sir Ian, the chairman on the Independent Parliamentary Standards Committee, said in an interview in the Times:

”Gains made in that way [on second homes] should not be retained.

“The mechanism for doing it is the only question we have to decide.”

Sir Ian went on to explain that he was unsure as to whether this would be retrospective or start when the new expenses system comes into effect after the next election.

He also said that if HM Revenue and Customs lacked the power to retrieve the money, Parliament has a duty to give HMRC that authority.

He concluded: ”The position we take is that gains – an increase in the equity value of the property – should be surrendered to the state in one way or another.”

Peter Welch, who will contest Conservative MP David Amess’s Southend West seat at the next election, said:

“MPs are essentially getting the same sort of deal as people who take up low-cost, shared ownership housing schemes, but MPs get to keep all the profits.

“People on shared ownership schemes only keep the profit on the money that they put in.

“I want to see this scheme introduced now and I believe it should be made retrospective.

“At the very least, MPs should give up the profits they have made since the last General Election.”

Rochford and Southend East Conservative MP James Duddridge received some criticism over using his expenses for mortgage repayments and refurbishments for both his homes when the expenses scandal broke in May 2009.

Southend West Conservative MP David Amess was also criticised by constituents for claiming the maximum every month for food allowances and for keeping vague records of what he had used his expenses for.

By Rachel Charman

Mayor Brian Smith will honour Southend’s foster carers at a special ceremony tonight at the Park View Suite, Chalkwell.

Mayor Smith will present 24 foster carers with certificates and tokens to recognise and reward their dedication to local children in need of care.

Cllr Roger Hadley, who is responsible for Children and Learning, said: “We are very proud indeed of our tremendous group of foster carers in Southend who work incredibly hard to help our looked after children develop and flourish.

“We really appreciate the magnificent efforts they and their families continually make throughout the year, sharing their hearts and their homes to help transform the youngsters’ lives.

“Between them, these particular 24 foster carers have given an awe- inspiring 114 years of service to looked after children.

“We are always looking for more people to take on the rewarding and exceptionally worthwhile role of being a foster carer.”

Currently, Southend Borough Council’s Children and Learning department is responsible for 300 looked after children, 240 of whom are in foster placements.

The council has 100 foster carers but is calling for more, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, or who can offer a home to groups of siblings, children with disabilities and teenagers.

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, go to www.southend.gov.uk/fostering, contact fostering@southend.gov.uk or 01702 354366.

By Rachel Charman

As development work at Victoria Circus roundabout goes ahead, the deeping entrance will be permanently closed from Monday 15th February.

The developments are part of Southend Borough Council’s £25 million investment programme to reduce congestion. £7 million is being invested to replace the roundabout with a signal-controlled junction and create a new green public space linking Southend Victoria station with the town centre.

Southend Borough Council claims that the current 50 year old roundabout “can no longer handle peak-time traffic” and that “the new design will bring improvements for public transport users, cyclists and pedestrians.”

Some Southend residents are unhappy at the development of the area. The Saxon King In Priory Park (SKIPP) committee has voiced its concerns over the plans.

SKIPP claims that the Council arranged to meet the committee to discuss the tree replacement policy in the full knowledge that the meeting would take place after trees on the Victoria Circus site had been cut down.

An artist's impression of the new Victoria Gateway

Cllr Anna Waite, who is responsible for planning and transport, dubbed SKIPP’s approach as “ridiculous” and said that 80% of respondents to public consultation about the developments were in favour of the plans.

By Rachel Charman

Leader of the Conservative group Cllr Nigel Holdcroft has responded to claims by Southend West Labour PPC Tom Flynn that the Conservatives will “lose control” in the town.

Mr Flynn claimed earlier today that the resignation of Cllr Jason Luty from the Conservatives to run as an Independent councillor at the next election leaves the Conservatives in a weakened position.

Cllr Holdcroft refutes this view. He told Councilbust.com:

“As a result of the tragic death of Ann Robertson, and Cllr Luty’s resignation from the party, the current balance is 25 conservatives, 24 members of the other 3 groups and Cllr Luty being the only ‘independent’ independent.

“This will have no effect on proportionality before the elections in May so the balance on scrutiny committees etc will not change and Cllr Luty has indicated that he will continue to support the policies of the Administration.

“This is no surprise in that he has not left because of any rift with us or disagreement on policy, but simply due to his desire to fight the Independent Party in Westborough where he lives.

“On 17th May seats will be up for election as usual and clearly control of the council will depend on the outcome.

“This is no different from the situation in any of our regular election years where there is the potential of a swing of up to 17 seats.

“Based on the progress which the town has made over recent years, and bearing in mind the need for clear and capable leadership over the next few years when we will face reducing public funding irrelevant of the colour of the next government, I am confident that the Conservatives will emerge from the elections with an increased overall majority.

“If we do not then the town will face the uncertainty of no overall control.

“With our range of opposition parties this means that residents can have no indication as to which parties will be in control or the policies which they will seek to pursue.”

The Councilbust.com team is proud to announce the release of its first podcast!

Click here to go to the podcast page.

Join editor Rachel Charman and news reporter Shane Croucher as they explore the rise of the Southend BNP, the redevelopment of Victoria Circus and York Road Market, and the row between Cllr Jason Luty and the Residents Association of Westborough.

Simply click on the player to Councilbust’s Podomatic page and press play.

Last week, Liberal Democrat candidate for Southend West Peter Welch sent David Amess a letter asking him to explain various points in his expenses paperwork.

This included requests to explain why Mr Amess claimed for more travel expenditure than other MPs from the same area, and what he employed “Westminster Consultancy” for, as this was unclear from the invoice provided.

Yesterday, Mr Welch received a response from Mr Amess’ office.

The letter, from Mr Amess’ political secretary, said that “Mr Amess does not respond to letters sent to the media,” but that “the various points [Welch] raised in the letter about claims for allowances are being addressed and responses provided.”

Mr Welch maintains his view that Mr Amess should step down as MP for Southend West immediately.