Digest June 23
Last month’s Meeting.
Nikki Godfrey-Shaw from Essex Police talking about preventing fraud, Kevin Blake talking about Neighbourhood watch schemes and crime prevention.
In Committee.
We agreed that the Southend Transport Centre is not fit for purpose, and Jill will write to the Council Leader Tony Cox listing the various problems that people have there.
On the issue of gaining a Councillor to take on the role of an Older People’s Champion,
Jean has agreed to write a draft for David Norman to sign and send to the Council Leader.
We had heard nothing yet about the bidding process for a Local Community Transport Service. Stop Press: We were surprised and disappointed to hear from SAVS very recently, that no bids were made at all for this desperately needed service. Jean will be speaking to the Board Member who is leading on this subject to find out more detail as to why they made no bid. It is a very complicated process to set-up, and requires substantial funding.
The London School of Economics –Research.
Following the visit from the University team to our AGM, we facilitated a number of interviews which they had with our Members, and we expect to be paid very soon.
They have recently agreed to come and talk to us on Wednesday, 15th. November, when they will deliver feedback from their research.
The Committee agreed that we should use the money from the LSE to subsidise our future hospitality events like the annual AGM lunch and the Christmas tea.
Keep taking the tablets.
I’m grateful to our Member Clyde, who like so many people has had some problems obtaining medicine from pharmacies in the past. There is a system called SPINE which is an electronic system which you can use. If your pharmacy is out of stock, you can ask for your prescription details to be put on SPINE, and it will be seen by other pharmacies that may have the medicine you need.
All you need to provide is your NHS number.
Your “Digest”.
Please do send articles, jokes or poems to me for consideration to publish in your “Digest”. Many thanks. Bob.
Crackdown on rubbish on the highway.
Our Committee Member Alan Grubb wishes to emphasise the importance of placing rubbish bags on the border of your property by 7am on the day of collection. Residents face an £80 fixed penalty notice if they present them too early or too late. Veolia .are now checking the bags to see who is responsible for causing rubbish to be strewn across our highways.
Mid and South Essex NHS plan criticized.
The Chief Officer of Healthwatch Southend, Mr. Owen Richards, has criticized the Forward Plan of the Trust. He claimed that the report lacked assurances on access to GP’s and dentists. The problem is now, and Healthwatch is being contacted daily by people unable to access medical advice and care. Some patients are excluded as they have no digital devices.
Editors Comment.
Issy Isaacs tells me that NPC London are very concerned that they have heard about planned legislation due later this year. Some time ago, we all received a card from the government which we could fill-in and send to our GP, if we wanted our medical information to be kept confidential. Otherwise it could be accessed by third parties. I remember filling -in the card, and posting it to my GP.
Apparently, the government now wishes to scrap this guarantee of privacy. I shall seek further information on this issue, as it would be an outrageous decision.
Dates for your Diary
Jazz Centre UK. Live concerts on most Saturday afternoons. 2pm-4pm. Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Avenue, Southend. £10-£15.
Southend Central Museum. Victoria Avenue, Southend. Free. .A stunning display of recent finds from the “London wreck” is now permanently on show at the Central
Museum. between Wednesday and Sunday from 11am till 5pm.
Music in the Park.
Live music at the Bandstand in Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend will continue until Sunday, 1st. October.
Free from 3pm till 4.30pm every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday. The Council recommends you take a chair and rain wear.
Parking is restricted, so please walk, cycle or use public transport.
Southend Council Concert Series.
Monthlyclassical music concerts continue at Southend Christian Fellowship, Plaza Centre.
600, Southchurch Road, Southend. SS1 2PT.
Thursday, 22nd. –Sunday, 25th. June. Leigh Folk Festival. Old Leigh.
Friday, 23rd. June. Open Air Comedy Gala. Leigh Library Gardens. 6.30pm
Thursday, 29th June. Quiz Night hosted by Ashley Edwards. Twenty One. Southend. 7pm.
Sat/Sun. 1st and 2nd, July. Fairytale Weekend. Adventure Island.
Wednesday 5th July SDPC Lunch 12.30pm. Brewer’s Fayre, Eastern Esplanade.£15 for two courses. Ring Jean to book your place. 01702 341047.
Saturday, 8TH. July. Proms at the Vulcan. 5.30pm.
Wednesday 19th July SDPC Meeting. 2-4pm Michael Holland “ When Constabulary duty’s to be done” Policing in Essex before Essex Police were formed in 1840.
Editor: Robert C. Howes. Tel. 01702 341047. Email howes01702@outlook.com.