Digest-May 2025
“Digest” – May 2025
Our Committee is complete:
Jill Allen-King was elected as our President and Jean Howes was elected as our Chair at our Committee Meeting on Wednesday last. Issy Isaacs elected as Vice-Chair.
Last month’s Meeting:
Our Speaker was Jean Broadbent from Healthwatch which is funded by the government. Jean gave an interesting talk on the work that they do locally, and the data they gain is passed on to their head office.
Jean was not enthusiastic about PAL’s who are struggling to deal with complaints, and have been merged with their colleagues in Brentwood. Patient Participation Groups are few in number, with only 4 out of 24 surgeries hosting them in Southend. Jean did recommend South East Essex Advocacy for more complex issues that Healthwatch couldn’t deal with quickly. Jean was very helpful in advising our Members during the tea-break.
In Committee:
We completed our elections of Officers, and spent some time discussing the detailed arrangements for our 40th. Anniversary.
Bob Howes read out a list of our Fixed Assets with value, and those without value. We shall label them and decide which items to keep and where. We agreed to hold a “Member’s Forum” in August as last year’s one was so useful. Bob has now agreed to issue receipts for subscriptions as they come in from now on, not for those paid at the AGM as previously reported. Jean updated the Committee on her dealings with SAVS and Co-Production in the City.
Marketing SDPC:
If you know of any local charity or voluntary organisation who may host an indoor community networking event or an open day, please let us know. We would be keen to attend to advertise our Campaign and meet other campaigning groups in the area.
Campaigning:
During our last Meeting, New Member, Paul Coleman suggested we campaign to improve our pavements and highway. This is a complex area, as we have existing legislation, any
local byelaws and any other Southend Council guidance to consider.
The Leader of the Council deals with Highways issues. £6 million is to be spent on a Highways Improvement Programme, which runs to 2029. The programme includes proposed pavement and road resurfacing, and the roads scheduled for work. If you come across any problems, please report on My Southend form on line, as your account will keep details of the complaint and action taken. If you are unable to do that, then talk to Sue or Jean who can do it on your behalf, but please keep SDPC informed!
40th Anniversary Meeting, 15th October 2025 This special celebration will run from 12 noon till 5pm. We shall invite our speakers and some local organisations to attend and use tables to promote their work. We hope to cater for about 50 to 60 people with a buffet-lunch, and obtain quotes to cover the cost. We shall invite the two MP’s, the Southend Mayor, and suspend most of our normal Agenda.
NPC Report: Issy Isaacs reportedthat the NPC London Region Council are continuing to campaign on cuts to benefits, threats to our pensions from employment, and the cuts to Winter Fuel Payments. Their next Meeting is on Thursday, 26th June, and Issy Isaacs, Bob Howes and Jim Folwell should be there. We will have a good Speaker who is Neil Duncan-Jordan MP.
Dinner plus Jazz band:
This event has reverted back to Thursday, 23rd. October. Please speak to Margaret Haydon to book. 07814 714 937.
SAVS and local College Students.
Jean Howes recently had a meeting with Jamie of SAVS, in order to write a brief for students to manage an IT project. This will raise Southend District Pensioners Campaign on -line presence, increase awareness and membership in the local area. SDPC which was established 40 years ago still has limited membership. The students will carry out research into potential members and why older people are not engaging with us. The students will explore what the barriers are to people joining.
LIFT Project: Jean Howes has been asked to participate, and Margaret attended their inaugural Meeting. The purpose is to share group’s experiences, generate ideas and take part in strategic thinking to enable collaborative working.
Dates for your Diary:
Jazz Centre UK. Live concerts on most Saturday afternoons. 2pm till 4pm. Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Avenue, Southend. SS2. Tickets £10-£15.
Southend Central Museum. Victoria Avenue, Southend. The Princely Burial. A permanent exhibition.
Southend Council Concert Series. Monthly serious music concerts continue, but the venues now alternate. Friday evenings. From 8pm.Book by phone 01702. 215011
Wednesday, 4th. June, 12.30pm SDPC Friendship Lunch. At Harvester, Shorehouse, Ness Rd. Southend SS3 9HQ Contact Margaret Haydon to book. Tel: 07814 714 937.
Saturday, June, 7th. 6.45pm. Southend Symphony Orchestra. Summer Concert- preceded by a talk. At Salvation Army Temple, Hadleigh.
Wednesday, 18th. June, 2pm. -4pm. SDPC Meeting. Silvertime Legal Balmoral Community Centre, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff.
Please send any items for publication in your “Digest” To Bob Howes (Editor), Email: howes 01702@outlook.com or to 91, Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 9EG.