A Vision for Barkingside

Officers in the Council's Planning and Regeneration Service have been working with consultants to develop an Improvement Plan for Barkingside Town Centre. The consultants will soon be in a position to report on the issues arising through the consultation, and to produce a draft action plan. This will be reported to the Council's Cabinet for final agreement in the New Year.

However before then, the Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee will consider the consultation process, the issues arising and proposals at its next meeting. This Scrutiny Committee meeting provides an opportunity for local people to hear about what is being proposed, and to question the consultants and officers.

A display highlighting some of the issues and proposals will be available for viewing from 5.45pm.

Come and see the proposals for your town centre!

at the next meeting of the Council's Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee

Thursday 10 December from 6.30pm

Ilford County High School, Fremantle Rd, Barkingside

For more information on this meeting – 020 8708 2554 or email.

Members of RedBAC launch the scheme

Members of RedBAC launch the scheme
CRIME-busting radios equipping traders with the tools to stop troublemakers in their tracks have been rolled out.

The radios let shopkeepers communicate with fellow traders, on-duty police officers and the CCTV control centre in Ley Street, Ilford, at just the press of a button.

The introduction of the handsets last week in High Street, Barkingside, is an extension of the Redbridge Business Against Crime (RedBAC) scheme, which has been a roaring success in Ilford Town Centre.

RedBAC partnership coordinator Reg Woda said: "It's the piece of glue that brings them (the traders) all together for a common problem: to protect customers and staff."

Twelve High Street shopkeepers have already signed up to the scheme, which has been part-funded by area committee three.

The scheme also allows traders to share pictures, statistics and other reports allowing them to spot known criminals and work out times when their shops are most vulnerable.

Sgt Chris Chandler, of Fairlop Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "By joining RedBAC and the Town Link radio scheme, these businesses are making a significant contribution to making Barkingside an even safer place to shop.

 

NOW THIS IS WHAT ALL COUNCILS MUST DO AND THE

 GOVERNMENT.

Now this is really interesting and the most cheering news I've read

this year - someone prepared to fight back.

A maverick mayor elected after promising to slash council spending,

clear the streets of yobs and ditch politically correct services is the torchbearer for how towns should be run.

On his first morning as Mayor of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, Peter  Davies cut his salary from £73,000 to £30,000 then closed the council's

newspaper for "peddling politics on the rates".

Now three weeks into his job, Mr Davies is pressing ahead with plans  that he hopes will see the number of town councillors cut from 63 to

just 21, saving taxpayers £800,000. Mr Davies said: "If 100 senators

can run the United States of America, I can't see how 63 councillors are

needed to run Doncaster".

He has withdrawn Doncaster from the Local Government Association and

the Local Government Information Unit, saving another £200,000.
Mr  Davies said, "They are just talking shops".

Next Doncaster is in for some serious un-twinning. He said, "We are  twinned with probably nine other cities and twinning is just an excuse  for people to fly off and have a binge at the ratepayers expense".
Also, the mayor's chauffeur-driven car has also been axed by Mr Davies  and the driver given another job.

Mr Davies, born and bred in Doncaster, swept to power in the May

election with 24,244 votes as a candidate for the English Democrats,

a party that proposes tight immigration curbs, an English Parliament

and a law forcing every public building to fly the flag of St. George.

He has promised to end council funding for Doncaster's

International Women's Day, Black History Month and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month. He said, "Politicians have got

completely out of touch with what people want. We need to cut costs. I want to  pass on some of savings I make in reduced taxes and use the rest for  things we really need, like improved children's services".

Mr Davies has received messages from well wishers across the country

and abroad as news of his no-nonsense approach spreads.

 

---

Internet Explorer 8 - accelerate your Hotmail. Download Internet Explorer 8

Poundland buys 12 Woolworths stores

Budget retail chain scoops a dozen former Woolworths sites along with more than 100 ex-employees as part of its expansion plans.

Poundland has secured 12 stores from Woolworth's store portfolio and taken on more than 100 of the failed high street chain's former employees.

The all-for-£1 retailer, which said it plans to become 'Britain's next Woolies' has aggressive expansion plans, aiming to open nearly 40 stores in the coming year and creating more than 1,000 new jobs.

Poundland revealed it experienced record sales last year as the recession draws new customers to its stores. The company's executive, Jim McCarthy said he is pleased that Poundland has filled the gap left by Woolworths and proud to have been able to employ 'so many ex-Woolworths staff'.