Plans have recently been revealed that a local company wishes to build a £50M waste incinerator and Waste-to-Energy plant in Basildon.

Clearaway Recycling Ltd has submitted plans for a new two-furnace Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant capable of burning 150,000 tonnes of refuse-derived materials each year. The skip company, which already has a waste processing facility on the Burnt Mills Industrial Estate in Basildon, currently handles a quarter of a million tonnes of waste annually. 

Named the Archers Fields Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), this new plant would require up to three 25-tonne HGV deliveries of waste every hour, 24/7 to feed the furnaces, and the company hopes that the facility will generate electricity for 20,000 homes. 

This news comes less than a year after Essex County Council dramatically took Urbaser Balfour Beatty, (the owners of the nearby Tovi Eco Park Waste-to-Energy facility) to court over “obfuscation and half-truths” regarding a fatal design flaw in the plant’s treatment process, which meant that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste were still being sent to landfill. 

Glossy promotional materials boasting the eco-credentials of the proposed Archers Fields site have since been sent to 4000 neighbouring homes and businesses. 

Waste-to-Energy Facilities are not ‘clean energy’.

Incineration has had somewhat of a PR makeover over the last few years.

Proposals for these kinds of WTE schemes have been cropping up all over the country in the last few years with bold claims that it will jointly reduce waste being sent to landfill whilst generating ‘clean energy’ for neighbouring homes and businesses.

The truth is that whilst schemes like this claim to be environmentally-conscious, in operation they almost never are.

Carcinogenic Dioxins 

We’ve known since the 80’s that hormone-altering and cancer-causing Dioxins (chlorinated organic molecules) are generated from the burning of waste in these processes, specifically forming when flue gases from this kind of refuse incineration cool down. These chemicals are part of the “dirty dozen” – a group of dangerous chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants which can cause serious harm to humans and the environment.

Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are all extremely harmful to health, and long-term exposure is linked to impairment of the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system, and reproductive functions. All of these chemicals can be generated as a result of burning waste.

As a result waste incinerator operators have had to retrofit their plants with systems intended at limiting the number of these dioxins that escape via the flue gases. In recent years, some schemes have gone as far as to suggest that their exhaust cleaning systems are perfectly clean, and their incinerators are of no immediate threat to the health of neighbouring towns. 

But recent research has proven that systems installed to clean the dangerous flue gas, can actually inadvertently create the ideal conditions for these incredibly dangerous molecules to form and escape into the air whilst also condensing into the fly ash. This means that despite the plant having preventative systems in place, some of the most dangerous airborne compounds will likely be created as a result of this plant’s operation.

Given that the plant is within short range of Whitmore Primary School, Frypa Hall School, Northlands Park Nursery, Felmore Primary School, Briscoe Primary School & Nursery, and Northlands Park, and the site is adjacent to the clean air zone identified by Essex County Council and Basildon Council; we’d suggest that perhaps greater scrutiny be given to the kinds of airborne pollutants this plant could be exposing our children to. 

Additionally, whilst the promotional graphic illustrated by the company seems to infer that the plant will generate “no landfill” and “no export”, the high dioxin concentration fly ash generated from the plant is indeed waste; waste of the most dangerous kind. Waste that would likely go to a hazardous waste landfill.

The Climate Emergency & Air Pollution

Another stake through the heart of the false ‘Green Energy’ narrative of these schemes is the enormous amounts of CO2 emissions WTE plants generate in operation.

An average figure is something in the realm of 7-14 kg CO2 per tonne of waste, and if this plant plans to process 150,000 tonnes of waste each year, it has the potential to generate a staggering 2.1 Million kgs of emitted CO2 every year.

Not exactly green or clean and exactly the sorts of schemes we need to be stopping if we want to tackle the climate emergency.

Additionally, obtaining low emissions values for Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) requires the use of more electricity in the process, while attaining low emissions of Nitrous Oxides (NOx) usually requires an additional supply of gas. Electricity is not only generated but also consumed in the operation of a WTE plant, in a particular for cranes, fans and air pollution control. It may also be used for flue gas condensation.

This is also before we even start to calculate the carbon footprint and air pollution impact of the 72 HGV trips each day required to feed the site.

At this time of Climate Emergency, it has never been more important to forensically consider the CO2 Pollution and Air Quality impacts of schemes like this.

Peddling these schemes as ‘green’ and ‘clean’ is misleading, and dangerous.

A Green alternative to Incineration

Burning any waste should always be the last resort for any modern municipal waste systems. 

The Green Party has long campaigned against the incineration of waste citing air pollution and carbon emissions concerns, and these WTE facilities are just dressed-up incinerators.

Green Party policy is staunchly against the incineration of waste 
[Green Party Policy: NR416 (VIII)] 
… and instead calls for a radical overhaul of the way we obtain and use materials and the way we deal with subsequent waste. 

The Greens campaign to bring in A Waste Avoidance and Recycling Act, and the creation of A Standards Commission whose joint efforts will be to adopt circular economic principles, reshifting production from the exploitative linear economic model, to that of a new infinitely sustainable model.

If we are to tackle the linked crises of Climate Change and Air Pollution, we should be working against these kinds of polluting industries, and instead, supporting businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.

Sarah Read, your Green Party Candidate for Billericay East said;

“As a local resident, I am very concerned about the increase in air pollution and carbon emissions linked to this proposed WTE plant.

As a mother, I am also deeply worried about the health risks related to the release of carcinogenic dioxins into an area close to many local schools.

Long term exposure to these pollutants is linked to the impairment of the immune system, and as our community recovers from the COVID-19 virus I’m sure we all want to keep our immune systems as strong as possible.”

– Sarah Read, Billericay Basildon & Wickford Green Party

Clearaway Ltd is looking to hear the views of residents, and an open consultation available on their website is open until June 12th 2020.

We strongly advise that residents investigate the huge environmental impact such a plant has, and to respond accordingly.
We encourage residents and Green Party members to participate in the company’s consultation.

https://archersfields-erf.co.uk/

Additionally, please consider signing up to the Green Party’s free mailing list, to be kept up to date with the latest news from your local branch.

Further Reading:

https://www.essexlive.news/news/local-news/plans-revealed-50m-energy-plant-4154088

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-48151665

https://phys.org/news/2014-09-unforeseen-dioxin-formation-incineration.html

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dioxins-and-their-effects-on-human-health

https://waste-management-world.com/a/waste-to-energy-the-carbon-perspective

Green Party Policy on Natural Resources: 
https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/nr.html

The post Greens respond to new WTE Incinerator in Basildon appeared first on South East Essex.

The Green Party has urged residents in Southend to use and dispose of PPE responsibly after recording a dramatic spike in the amount of PPE-related litter cleaned up by its volunteers. 

Since lockdown, many members of the Green Party have been conducting micro-street cleans of their immediate neighbourhood as part of their daily exercise, whilst strictly adhering to the government’s lockdown social distancing advice.

Whilst the amount of usual litter such as takeaway packaging has not noticeably reduced despite the lockdown, volunteers have noted a “staggering increase” of discarded protective equipment on our streets since the Coronavirus pandemic began.

Items such as surgical masks, gloves, and even plastic face shields have been found discarded in parks, streets, and beaches. These items have since been safely collected and disposed of by neighbourhood Green volunteers.

Our activists have also noticed a dramatic increase in the number of antibacterial single-use cloth wet wipes being found littered in bushes and verges, despite Anglian Water launching a campaign last year to encourage residents in the town to dispose of them correctly.

Discarded PPE poses an unnecessary increase in risk and workload for our town’s refuse collectors, street cleaning teams, and the council’s Parks Department, who as often-overlooked essential workers, are already working hard through lockdown to keep our streets and green spaces safe, open, and tidy. 

There is no excuse for discarding used PPE or cleaning wipes on our streets, and doing so could endanger our key workers and result in offenders being issued with fines from £150 to £2500.

You can check online in seconds to see how best to clean, recycle, or dispose of your used PPE correctly and safely, and we highly recommend residents take used PPE home with them to decide what to do with it there.

Items such as gloves and masks pose a significant risk to wildlife, especially in a marine environment where ingestion can cause fatal suffocation to many animals. Additionally, many single-use latex and vinyl gloves are un-recyclable and do not biodegrade, meaning that PPE litter discarded now can pose a threat to wildlife for potentially thousands of years if disposed of incorrectly.

“Many people across Southend are understandably seeking out and using protective gloves and masks in a bid to contain and stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Whilst I’d encourage residents to utilise whatever protection they deem necessary to feel safe, I’d strongly recommend people check online how to dispose of their PPE correctly, and to do so.”

– SEEGP Coordinator, James Vessey-Miller.

Keeping parks and green spaces open to the public during this crisis is essential to maintaining the physical and mental wellbeing of those residents who do not have access to green space at home. Ensuring that these open spaces remain open, but unaffected by visitors should be a top priority for Southend Council.

Despite the increase in litter, closing parks, gardens, and beaches is not the answer and will disproportionately affect those from low-income backgrounds who cannot access the outdoors from the safety of home.

Nationally, The Green Party has urged the government to help local authorities redeploy staff from non-essential roles in order to keep parks and green spaces open.

The Greens are also calling on the government to make park maintenance a statutory duty for local authorities and ensure that funding is provided to reverse the cuts felt across 92% of parks departments.

The post Greens call for responsible PPE use in Southend appeared first on South East Essex.

The Green Party are fielding seven candidates in the upcoming European Elections, and are hoping to build on the amazing work of the Green Party’s existing three MEPs. 

Keith Taylor MEP met with one of the Greens’ regional candidates, Paul Jeater from Brentwood, and representatives of the Southend branch to discuss the upcoming election, and how important it is that Greens are elected to the European Parliament.

Whilst Brexit dominates discussions around these elections, there are many wider issues that affect us all that shouldn’t be overlooked, such as the impending ecological collapse caused by climate change. The Green Party stands firm on a platform of social and environmental justice, and our three Green MEPs have already worked with their Green counterparts in Europe to ensure some of the societal and environmental protections that we all benefit from.

Due to the Proportional Representation electoral system used in EU elections, tactical voting is ineffective and unwise. The Greens came within 1% of winning a seat in the East last time, beating the Lib Dems.

Greens are the leading pro-EU party in the East.

The Green Party has announced that its lead candidate for Eastern Region in the May European elections is Dr Catherine Rowett, a Norwich resident and Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia.  If elected she will represent Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire in the European Parliament.

The Green Party is the East of England’s leading Remain Party, while in the European Parliament the Green Party is the UK’s biggest pro-EU party. The lead Eastern region candidate, Dr Catherine Rowett, is committed to making this a fairer country inside the European Union and says:

“By voting Green you will send a clear message that you want the UK to Remain in the European Union. Green MEPs make a positive difference: for urgent action on the climate emergency and a fairer economy. Vote for a positive future on 23rd May – vote Green.”

Catherine is a long-term Green Party activist and was the Green Party Parliamentary candidate for South Norfolk in 2015 and 2017. She is a keen supporter of collaboration across borders.

If elected to the European Parliament, Catherine looks forward to working with UK Green MEPs, and with Green parties across Europe, to develop EU policies on agriculture, fisheries, taxation, aviation and energy that will tackle the global climate emergency, the rise of nationalism, and its underlying causes, such as inequality.

This time around, the Greens’ chances are even better, as the dithering by the two major parties over Brexit has fractured their vote while fears over the climate crisis have risen far higher in people’s thoughts.

As Green MP Caroline Lucas has pointed out:

“Greens came close in Eastern England last time. We are the region’s strongest pro-Remain party. You can elect a Green MEP for the East this time.”

Read more on the Green Party’s Eastern Region MEP Candidates on the Eastern Region Green Party’s website;

The post Greens launch EU campaign in Southend with Keith Taylor MEP appeared first on South East Essex.

In the same month as the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty published the results of his 12-day tour of the UK, condemning the Government for its failures… 

Southend Council published its Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy detailing how child poverty in the borough has increased from 19% to 29% and how more than 30% of new families are unable to afford the cheapest private-rent, now often spending a third of their monthly income on rent alone. 

MP for Rochford & Southend East, James Duddridge weighed into the conversation commenting in today’s Echo (29.11.18) about how he felt that the very-real struggle felt by families across Southend was ‘relative,’ adding that the report was “offensive and misleading.”

He continued:

“I have seen poverty around the world. A billion people living in the third world living on less than a pound a day. Whole communities that have no jobs and no access to water. I have held babies that are half the size they should be that are prescribed emergency medicine to try to stabilise them. I have seen people on camps little more than a bag of bones.”

“By definition, any measure that is relative will include people that are not within the measure – that is the nature of relative measures. We should be more careful how we use these words.”

It has become very clear that local MP James Duddridge is completely out of touch with the community he so often fails to represent; blindly supporting every cut and poverty-inducing measure introduced by his Conservative government.

His failure to recognise real poverty in Southend is simply down to his lack of understanding of the town’s issues, and what drives them.

We’ve done some Homework for Mr Duddridge, and hopefully, he’ll see this. 

Southend has an average weekly income of £413 per week, £126 below the national average of £539 per week. 
For comparison, Doncaster (with a comparable population) earns £473 per week.

The average monthly rent in Southend is £895, compared to just £517 in Doncaster. 

In Southend, the average house price is £303,493, compared to just £158,887 in Doncaster.

While we’re all considering moving to Doncaster, remember that Doncaster also falls in the bottom 15 of the lowest paid towns in the UK alongside Southend. Doncaster is by no means doing well, yet it’s staggering to see how far behind we truly are.

The issue is not just nationwide, it’s very, very specific.

Call it what you will Mr Duddridge; Southend is being left behind.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation,  the UK’s Poverty charity, defines UK-relative poverty as:

“When a person’s resources (mainly their material resources) are not sufficient to meet their minimum needs (including social participation).”

Based on the above information combined with;

• the very-visible nature of the hardships felt in a town with the highest number of Homeless people in Essex,
• a housing crisis compounded by the fact that fewer than 40 social rent homes have been built by Southend Council in the last 12 months,
• and the food bank statistics suggesting that donations are struggling to keep up with demand, and last-resort community services are crumbling,

I think we can say with some confidence that there are very high levels of poverty in our town, despite what our glorious MP says.

Nobody would argue that poverty is not relative.

To simply dismiss the real crisis many families in our towns and cities face –families having to choose between eating and heating and children suffering malnutrition – purely because you take issue with what to call it, then I’m afraid we’ve got an issue.

If you don’t think poverty exists in Southend, then I’d kindly suggest you walk through the streets of Southend and speak to the poorest families that I speak to every week. 

These statistics are not an invention.

The issues we in our town and across the UK see owe their existence in large part to the ongoing policies of the current Conservative Government;

• Promoting underemployment and low pay,
• Constantly cutting budgets for the NHS and other essential community services,
• Introducing the complete failure that is Universal Credit,
• And furthering the devastating ideological policies of austerity which were never necessary.

It is pretty clear that Mr Duddridge, who has unerringly and consistently voted in favour of every single measure which has resulted in this situation, is fully aware of the way in which the poorest have been forced to pick up the bill for government profligacy.

His pompous indignation should be the final straw for the people of Southend whom he has never lifted a finger in support of.

It is not incumbent on elected public servants to use lies and misrepresentation to push personal ideologies. When presented with FACTS as stark as these I would fully expect a representative to either roll their sleeves up and work for the people to help bring about a solution, or to admit their faults and stand aside.

END STATEMENT

Further Reading:

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/17263907.mp-slams-definition-of-child-poverty-after-report-says-third-of-southend-youngsters-fall-into-that-category/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/22/social-deprivation-its-not-parents-but-poverty

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46236642

The post Greens Respond to James Duddridge MP’s Comments on Poverty appeared first on South East Essex.

The controversial £6BILLION Lower Thames Crossing (also called the third crossing,) is to be the “biggest road project since M25“, consisting of a 23km long three-lane toll road connecting the M2 near Rochester and the M25 in Essex via a 3.8km tunnel between Gravesend and Tilbury.

Meeting in Norwich for the Eastern Region Green Party AGM, representatives from the Colchester & North Essex, Brentwood & Chelmsford, Witham & Braintree, and South East Essex Green Parties joined Essex Councillor James Abbott in condemning the proposals.

The meeting voted unanimously that the Eastern Region Green Party could not support the proposals in its current form due to the following three considerations which it believes are inexcusable:

1. The road would create a considerable increase in additional CO2 emissions from vehicles.

Climate Change is the most important issue of our time.

It is no surprise to anyone that more traffic equals more CO2 emissions.

Some of the world’s leading climate scientists all agree that our carbon-intensive ways and reliance on fossil fuels is leading to soaring global temperatures and more extreme weather events. It is now more than ever that we desperately need to be tackling our deep-rooted obsession with oil and gas, and building new roads is in no way going to help that issue.

Jenny Bates from the environmental group Friends of the Earth said:

“It’s astonishing that in the week the UN is warning of the need for urgent action to avoid catastrophic climate change, the UK government is boasting about building more roads. This road development will only encourage more cars, vans, lorries and traffic, pumping more air pollution and climate-damaging emissions into our environment. Politicians need to take their foot off the accelerator in order to protect the planet.”

As part of our Paris Climate Agreement commitments, the UK has to start taking drastic action with regard to our CO2 emissions if we are to adequately address the existential threat we face.

Building a new road across the Thames does not help that.

2. The road would create additional Nitrous Oxides, Particulates, and other polluting emissions.

A recent study into Air Quality has already named four towns in South Essex as amongst the UK’s worst for Air Pollution, exceeding the World Health Organisation limits;

Thurrock: 14 microgrammes per cubic metre.
Grays: 12 microgrammes per cubic metre.
Southend-On-Sea: 11 microgrammes per cubic metre.
Stanford-le-Hope: 10 microgrammes per cubic metre.

For reference, the World Health Organisation safe Air Pollution Limit is 10 microgrammes per cubic metre.

Beyond that 10 microgrammes per cubic metre limit, people are far more likely to develop long-lasting and pervasive health conditions. An estimated 4.2 million premature deaths globally are linked to Ambient Air Pollution, mainly from heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections in children.

Another congested Thames Crossing would only exacerbate the issue of Air Pollutants in South Essex and could lead to a large increase of pollution-related health issues in neighbouring towns.

3. The Destruction of the Green Belt land, wildlife, and biodiversity.

With such a massive infrastructure project, many environmentalists have pointed to the irreparable damage the scheme would have to wildlife and surrounding natural areas.

The Highways England consultation documents admit that;

“Our proposed scheme would have an impact on local communities as well as cultural heritage and landscape. These include areas of greenbelt, the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and areas of ancient woodland”. They go on to say “All route options would potentially affect areas of ancient woodland and protected species such as water voles, great crested newts and birds.”

The destruction seen in such a project would be inexcusable. The loss of green belt land through five ancient woodlands, protected areas designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the permanent effect it would have on our natural world and its ecosystems and wildlife has not been considered.

There is no offset or impact-reduction measure that the road builders could employ that would stop the felling of large swathes of ancient woodland. 

There is no route change that could possibly stop the complete destruction of thousands of separate ecosystems home to hundreds of species of wildlife.

Who thinks it’s a good idea then?

The Campaign for Better Transport described the scheme as “bad value” and likely to shift Dartford’s congestion and pollution problems downstream, saying that “practical alternatives are available, at a fraction of the financial and environmental cost”.

Leaders of rival political groups on Thurrock Council have united to condemn the plans, with the Council Leader calling it “the worst choice out of a terrible bunch” while opposition leader Cllr John Kent summed up widely-shared views:

“We don’t want our green belt destroyed and we don’t want our homes destroyed. We don’t want an ill-thought through scheme thrust upon us and the country as a whole. And most of all, we don’t want the queues, congestion, and pollution shifted five miles downstream as a new motorway cuts our borough in half.”

The Woodland Trust said the scheme would cause “irreversable damage” to surrounding woodland.

Local Residents’ Action Groups have formed to oppose the plans, and a significant amount of residents do not want to see the proposed crossing happen. 

 

I think it’s safe to say that it’s not a popular proposal.

 

 

“The South East Essex Green Party are pleased to join other Essex Green Parties in securing this motion against the planned Lower Thames Crossing.

In our view the Lower Thames Crossing will cost us more in ecological destruction than could ever be gained elsewhere. The route will not alleviate congestion, rather, it will reroute it shifting the issue onto areas of Essex that did not, and do not ask for it. 

The scheme would be an expensive and destructive blot on our landscape, and would worsen Air Quality and CO2 emissions, threatening the quality of life for most of South Essex’s residents.”

 

The post Green Party Against Lower Thames Crossing appeared first on South East Essex.

The “Essex Future Library Services Strategy” includes plans to permanently close 25 of its Libraries, with a further 19 branches potentially being handed to volunteers to run in future.

The report recommends the closure of Great Wakering and Hullbridge (tier 4) libraries, with Hockley, Hadleigh, and South Benfleet libraries also at risk of future closure (tier 3).

The council claims that conventional Library use has “collapsed” in the past decade and that its e-library service is rapidly-expanding providing a sufficient “21st Century Library Service.”

The Council claims that the 19 ‘tier 3’ Libraries were “in locations where the council considers that it is not necessary to provide library services in order to meet its statutory duty.”

Conservative County Councillor Susan Barker, portfolio holder for Libraries and Community Hubs said:

“We also have to make sure that we continue to offer value for money. That may mean some libraries are not viable. But if that is the case, we want to talk to communities about how they can become involved and run a library service with our support. The consultation is the opportunity to feedback on our plans and make sure that views are heard and considered.”

In a recent community meeting about the future of Great Wakering library attended by the Green Party, concerned residents spoke about how the public transport links were not viable enough to ensure that residents could still access vital traditional Library services easily. 

Many spoke of their concern over the loss of such a community asset, and how the additional services the library offers, such as free WiFi and as a venue for many social and community groups could not be replaced by a 24/7 online resource. 

The three Green Party Councillors in Hulbridge, where one of the many libraries set to close under the proposals is, have organised a petition and released a short statement:

“The Hullbridge Library is an important community Hub and should remain open and fully funded by local government.”

The petition is available online, and physically in various locations across the village.
For more information, please email CllrMichael.Hoy@Rochford.gov.uk

The separate petition to save Great Wakering Library is available here:

There are several petitions running concurrently to save the affected Libraries, many organised by Green Party campaigners across the County.

The South East Essex Green Party and our elected Councillors will be working with other community organisations to help publicise the planned consultation and help stop the closure of the affected libraries.

A 12-week long consultation on the future of Essex libraries will take place between 29th November 2018 and 20th February 2019.

You can view and submit a response to the consultation here:
https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/libraries-consultation

The findings from the consultation will be published and any changes proposed considered in June 2019.

“The South East Essex Green Party recognises that Libraries form a vital community resource that extends beyond traditional book loan. The planned closure of 25 libraries across Essex purely for financial reasons will impact residents in rural communities disproportionally and is therefore unjustifiable.

Poor Public Transport routes mean that for many, the proposed alternative physical Library service recommended by the proposals are beyond the reasonable reach of many, including elderly and disabled people.

Most Libraries provide a much-needed facility for social groups, and the free WiFi service to customers is not something that can be replaced by a cheaper-to-run online resource.

The South East Essex Green Party is opposed to the planned closure of the 25 Libraries across Essex, and we are firmly against the additional threat of 19 further Library closures.

We condemn and refute the suggestion that the sites of planned closure show ‘low evidence of need’ and assert that these last bastions of physical Public amenity need to be safeguarded against plans driven simply by cost-cutting measures.”

Further Reading:

Essex Future Library Sevices Strategy 2019-2024 (PDF)

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/nov/16/third-of-essex-libraries-could-close-under-council-plans

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/25-essex-libraries-earmarked-closure-893966

https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/essex-libraries-libraries-earmarked-close-2219627

The post Essex County Council to close 25 Libraries appeared first on South East Essex.

This week, 14th-21st July 2018, has been a blaze of LGBTIQA+ culture, community, and splendour in Southend.

Returning for the first time in over fifteen years, Southend Pride was back this year thanks to the unwavering dedication of a band of amazing volunteers.

Featuring a packed week of literary, theatrical, faith, musical, comedic, and social events, Southend Pride 2018 has been truly spectacular.

Almost every event was sold out, with events like the Proud Poetry event at Utopia being over-capacity, and the uptake from the LGBTIQA+ community in South Essex has been heartwarming.

Here with a rundown and analysis, our Simon Cross:

PRIDE – Southend Did You Proud.

By Simon Cross

Saturday 14th July

There were two events on Saturday 14th, and right from the get-go, the tone was set by the Transpire social in the afternoon at Twenty One on the seafront.

I arrived half an hour in, and this party was in full swing. Transpire are such an inclusive group of Trans Activists who hold events like this to help people socialise in Safe Spaces where people are invited to talk freely about everything in the most relaxing form of human contact.

The organisers told me that it had been their most successful event to date and I met a complete rainbow of people from every walk of life.

No festival in Southend can ever be complete without the Railway Hotel.

Decked out in the many flags of the community and an amazing rainbow wave, they put on a Disco Night featuring the incredible Sofonda Cox and Electro-Pop high NRG from legendary local duo Marlow. Two floors of the most eclectic and iconic disco and electro which is a mainstay of LGBTIQA+ nightlife. I spent the entire evening drifting from my friends to make lots of new ones and as butterflies do flitting from flower to flower. Saturday night was the proof that this whole week was going to be iconic.

The place was packed and I estimated that over 500 people popped in, with most staying right to the end.

Sunday 15th July

Cinema has always played a part in the evolution and the life of the LGBTIQA+ community, and actors have often become activists fighting for the acceptance and equality of a community which has often given so much to entertainment.

Jake Penny and the amazing Kings Road URC Community Church offered themselves as a venue for a Sunday Cinema where we saw two amazing but contrasting films followed by a lively discussion and some great recommendations of things to see. 

The first film, A Fantastic Woman, is set in Santiago, Chile and centres on a Trans woman who –having had to come to terms with the sudden death of her partner and true love- met with the oppression of a community and family who simply could not fully accept her as his true love. The emotion and the gut shot performance of the central figure was emotional and provoked strong feeling. This film painted a picture of just how difficult Trans life can be at times and how when a person needs support yet so often faces almost universal rejection.

“We must never let anyone be punished for being themselves or for being in love.”

The second film, the Oscar-winning Moonlight, was the story of a young black boy growing up in the shadow of drug culture in Miami and having to cope with his homosexuality and his own coming to terms with and growing into his sexuality in a dark and unaccepting culture. The emotional and sometimes brutal portrayal of how difficult life can be when you have a sexuality which is neither understood or accepted by peers. I had some sense that places I know such as the Yorkshire Mining communities must have been a parallel in this country.

Around 50 attended for one or both films and we discussed the ideal situation where LGBTIQA+ roles should be offered to those from the community which has been at the forefront of entertainment since someone first played a tune or put on the moxy.

Monday 16th July

Independent Coffee House and PRIDE sponsor Utopia held Proud Poetry on the Monday hosted by one of Southend’s finest poets and writers, Cat Howe.

I am a bit of a poet myself so I was not going to miss this.

Utopia and Cat were overwhelmed even before the emotional night started as the people who came to hear LGBTIQA+ poetry had outstripped capacity before a word was spoken in love. I cannot pick any outstanding performances or highlights for two reasons. Firstly the quality was the highest as I have seen in 40 years of visiting poetry events. The second reason is that I, like the host, was crying joyous and supportive tears from the first word until the final chord of a beautiful song by Ren Steadman.

Between 100 and 200 people turned out for a showcase of the most accessible and most personal kind of art participation and I urge the community to get out to more spoken word events. 

Tuesday 17th July 

On Tuesday was the under-18’s Mixer organised by Figuring It Out. 

It was the usual ‘safe space’ inclusive and well-planned event we now expect from Southend Pride and all the reports I had were that this was a fabulous event and one of the real learns for other PRIDE organisers. Inclusionary events for younger people are very much needed as this is a time in life where a lot of Mental Health issues can emerge and just having like-minded and understanding people around can really help stave off some really difficult issues of alienation.

Wednesday 18th July

The Park Inn Palace Hotel were fine hosts for this cavalcade of the finest LGBTIQA+ comedy headlined by none other than the runner-up from Britain’s Got Talent, Robert White. Hosted by Ross McGrane from the Southend Comedy Festival, the packed night featured some seriously impressive local LGBTIQA+ comedic talent and it was an absolute blast.

Thursday 19th July

Another day another venue.

This time yet another event which sends a message to other PRIDE organisers.

Avenue Baptist Church hosted and opened their doors to an Inclusive Church Service. This was a blessing for Southend Pride. I am reliably informed there were seventeen ministers in attendance and 100+ attended to accept the worship which included a truly heartfelt apology for misunderstandings between the church and the LGBTIQA+ community.

This in itself is a real step towards inclusivity.
I would love in future years, to see all the faiths come together and socialise and worship with all the LGBTIQA+ community.

Friday 20th July

Joey Bambino who is such a lively and innovative drag comedian and singer hosted a drag event titled Kings vs. Queens upstairs at the Alex.

Once again, a full house and a reminder that we may need bigger venues next year. What was done here was that unlike certain PRIDE events, the Drag and Transgender part of our community came together to do what (IMHO) nobody does better and provide a pure Burlesque entertainment filled with innuendo, sexuality, humour and unabated fun. Once again those who have not stopped smiling all week left in floods of laughter and good tears.

Saturday 21st July

Three events and what a day!

The venue, Warrior Square Gardens in the heart of the town.

The Southend Pride team were on site from 6 AM preparing for what was to be an astonishing day of community togetherness.

A monumental effort was put in by the crew and all involved, and the festival ground was just about ready for 11.

As we left Warrior Square walked down the High Street and turned into Pier Hill, the success was evident.

From the LGBTIQA+ community, the political groups, and the Unions (these events were largely the result of the unswerving support of UNISON) and the other groups – every section of society was there with banners and tonnes of enthusiasm. 

After a hula hoop warm up and some speeches from the Mayor, Unison, and Pride crew, we set off.

The parade started gently and as we walked the short distance of the High Street, we were joined by more and more beautiful people.
The parade swelled to three times its original number and good humour and song was all that could be seen and heard.

This could be amongst the largest turnouts for a march in Southend ever.

PRIDE Festival.

It took thirty minutes to check the 1,700 marchers into the venue and it was looking like the estimates that 2,500 would attend were becoming a reality.

Wendy Solomons bedecked in the most beautiful rainbow sequin number opened things up from a stage which was set to see an array of choirs, drag performers, lip sync artists, young performers with joyous confidence, chanteurs and chanteuse’ torch singers and more than a little fun and comedy.

“The entertainment flowed for over seven hours and the sun shone on the most wonderful event in Southend history.”

Apart from a bit of sun and beer-related overindulgence, security and police experienced a crowd filled with love where they found themselves participants rather than having to intervene. So many times I saw them helping us litter pick, having photos with kids, or dancing.

In the end, the final number of attendees for the festival was just over 4,500.

All the local businesses who supported the PRIDE had a fantastic day and the Cafe on the corner said it was ‘simply wonderful’ that PRIDE had turned Warrior Square into a venue. I was genuinely overwhelmed and spent much of the day in joyous tears. I expected the litter pick and takedown to take hours but a testament to the respect for the event was that the sad sight of an empty site seemed to take us no time at all.

PRIDE Official Afterparty

People simply did not want it to end!

The Cliff Bar was the venue and I arrived around 10.30 PM to be greeted by a bar so full that as many or more were partying in the zone outside the pub as were inside. In the truest sense of something so good, I intended to leave by midnight but was still with over 250 people when I finally left at 2.30 AM on Sunday.

I spoke to over 500 people and I am going to keep this as short as I can. I asked why this PRIDE had been so successful as so many told me it had been the best they had ever seen. I am a veteran of 30 PRIDE events (some great, some massive and some not so well thought out) but because of 3 things (significance, total inclusivity and perfect timing for the town)

This is the very best PRIDE I have ever attended.

The three main responses from the crowd were:

1. This was not commercial, it was community led, not owned by businesses and the only agenda was to include everyone.
2. At this PRIDE, people felt so much more confident and comfortable about being themselves and the numbers who came out testify to the feeling of such beautiful light touch monitoring made it the safest space some attendees have ever seen.
3. A week. I explain this simply by saying a lot of PRIDE’s are for one day only but Southend made it longer, bigger and more diverse than any they had (and I have) ever seen.

There are many stories about why Southend has a PRIDE to be proud of after 15 years in exile.
Those stories are too many to put into words.

“It was beautiful to see so many in Southend come out and support love and happiness in all forms. Moments like this are what makes our community and shows the better, lighter and more joyful side to people. Truly amazing.”

– Reece Learmouth – Equality & Diversity Co-Officer, South East Essex Green Party.

“It was emotional seeing such unity in the community. Being a part of pride alongside so many other amazing people was truly spectacular.”
– Amy DeCruz – Equality & Diversity Co-Officer, South East Essex Green Party.

The Journey

By James Vessey-Miller

As effortless as it may have looked, Southend Pride took months of tireless work from a band of committed volunteers.

I am incredibly thrilled to say that I was a part of the team that brought Pride back to Southend, and the fact that I got to lead the Pride March was just the icing on the cake.

The organisation of Southend Pride has been one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences of my life. Nine months of dedication and hard work resulted in one of the busiest community events Southend has ever seen.

To see thousands of LGBTIQA+ people and Allies march in solidarity through the town centre, after a week’s worth of stellar cultural events was incredibly emotional. 

The Southend Pride Planning Crew dealt with a lot in the runup to the event. We received barrages of hate and Homophobia on our social media pages, we faced great deals of stress over the financing of the project, and on the day of the march itself, we received the threat of a Protest from the group who gatecrashed London Pride 2018.

These challenges only reinforced our commitment to the cause.

We faced these challenges united, and what better testament to a community working together that a band of individuals from every walk in life came together to bring back such an important event to Southend. All ages, sexualities, genders, disabilities, and backgrounds, we came together, and so did Southend.

The events we have seen in the town last week are only the beginning of a wider movement yet to come.

What was started as a conversation in a Pub one rainy November last year has flourished into the most extraordinary cultural awakening, and there’s no stopping it now.

Southend Pride will be back, and it will be back stronger than ever. 

Watch this space.

The post Greens Attend Southend Pride 2018 appeared first on South East Essex.

Last Friday, 6th July 2018 – just a day after the celebrations of the NHS’s 70th birthday, the five Mid and South Essex CCG’s met with the STP committee led by Mike Bewick to hand down the sentence in public to Orsett Hospital, the Southend University Hospital and the wellbeing of 1.5 million potential users of primary care services.

The premise of this meeting was to inform the public of the decisions made as a result of the recent ‘Consultation’ of the original document proposing the selling off of NHS assets, downgrading Southend Hospital, transporting acutely unwell patients on traffic-laden roads, and replacing Doctors and Nurses with Skype and Apps.

The ‘Consultation’ engaged with just 4,000 people out of an affected population of over 1.4 million people, making it simply a pointless focus group.

Even in this sample of 0.3% of the affected area, nobody supported this wholesale destruction of local health provision. It became quite clear within the process that the evidence to drive these proposed changes was long discredited, outdated or not representative of our population.

There seems to be a total denial of the very real issues which make the patient movements proposed, frankly, dangerous. The plans were simply put together to cut costs and deliver massively-reduced health services with no thought for the inconvenience of long-distance travel for care or the patient deaths this will cause. Not to mention that the proposals were initially predicated on an improved GP service which is now not even being discussed!

The decision makers simply passed the entire STP proposals with no amendments whatsoever and announced the almost immediate closure of Orsett Hospital.

They now plan, as part of the ‘Care Closer to Home’ scheme, to force Orsett patients (if physically capable) to travel in excess of 10 miles for care which was provided on their doorstep but weeks ago. Counterintuitive much! This will make people who have infirmities incapable of accessing their NHS services.

What The STP is Spinning…

This is the full statement from the CCG Committee:

The five clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in mid and south Essex have today <Friday 6 July> given the go-ahead for plans to secure the future of health and care services.

The plans are a result of two years of detailed work undertaken by clinical teams across health and care organisations to improve the services provided to the 1.2 million people living in mid and south Essex and follows the outcome of a 16-week public consultation.

The Joint Committee of the CCGs gave approval to implement proposals, which include:

• Making improvements in A&E at all three hospitals in Southend, Basildon and Chelmsford, with the development of new assessment and treatment centres alongside each A&E. All three A&Es will be led by a consultant, open 24 hours a day and will receive “blue light” ambulances, as well as “walk-in” patients.
• Developing a new specialist stroke unit at Basildon Hospital, which will provide the highest dependency and intensive care for people in the first 72 hours following a stroke. The specialist unit will give rapid access to tests and specialist therapies, 24 hours a day, which will improve the chances of a good recovery. This will be in addition to the local stroke care units at all three hospitals, which will continue to provide rehabilitation and other stroke-related care, as they do now. Patients suspected of having a stroke will go by ambulance initially to the nearest A&E for stabilisation and then transfer to the specialist stroke unit for up to three days if that is what is needed. After that, patients would return home if they have made a good recovery, or go back to a facility closer to home for further rehabilitation.
• Bringing together in one place some specialist inpatient care where there is existing expertise and to allow for extended hours, with seven days a week consultant and specialist cover for these services.
• Separating some planned operations from emergency cases. Some complex orthopaedic operations, such as hip and knee replacements, that need a few days hospital stay will be provided at Southend Hospital for people in south Essex and Braintree Community Hospital for people in mid-Essex. This will avoid cancelled operations and reduce infection risks by separating this type of care from emergency care.
• Moving some services closer to where people live. Services currently provided at Orsett Hospital, including tests and scans, will be provided in four new “integrated medical centres” in Thurrock and new facilities in Basildon and Brentwood. This will eventually lead to the closure of Orsett Hospital, but only when new services are up and running. The Joint Committee agreed that a patient representative group should be involved in further more detailed planning.

These changes are alongside the plans launched last month to build up GP and community services with a £30 million increase in annual funding to extend the range of professionals and services available via GP practices. This will create more appointments and increase care closer to where people live.

The committee was asked to approve 19 recommendations, set out in a decision making a business case.

In particular, this included specific recommendations to address the main concerns raised during the public consultation, regarding the safe transfer of patients and support for carers and relatives to visit loved ones who may be at a different hospital.

The full decision-making business case can be found at http://www.nhsmidandsouthessex.co.uk/decision-making-business-case/

The assertion that there have been any changes to the original proposals is outright deception.

None of the issues raised was ever adequately addressed by the focus groups, and the proposal for cross-county patient transport is not costed, not safe, not properly planned, and the STP is still lying about the numbers around expected use.

The idea that against the backdrop of the 44 STP ‘footprints’ up and down the country being required to close 70% of A&E facilities by 2020, the likelihood of Southend and Chelmsford retaining an A&E is non-existent within the privatisation agenda.

Despite the STP and Conservative claims, the Government is providing NO additional money for GP services and has scrapped both the Primary Care and Social Care ‘5 Year Forward View’ documents having found them totally unworkable.

The £30 million of funding claimed was clearly identified within the STP business case as being purely Capital Funding (buildings and equipment not Human Resource) and would be generated from alternative sources to the NHS budget.

So effectively, this will be PFI money and will cost more than the value it attempts to deliver.

This Decision may be Unlawful. 

The failure of a recent Judicial Review brought by Alysson Pollock, Peter Roderick and the late Stephen Hawking could still offer a lifeline.

Some of the reasons for the Judge ruling against the case, was to force the government to hold a full public consultation regarding ACO’s (Accountable Care Organisations) and to bring forward Primary Parliamentary Legislation and a full vote.

In light of this information, if the STP’s can be shown to be the vehicle for the transformation of the public NHS into US Insurance and Bank controlled ACO’s then the decisions taken by STP’s will also be unlawful!

I cannot personally understand why these people are still blithely selling off our NHS and that the Government has not halted all progress towards this when these actions can (and hopefully will) be considered an illegal act?

This is the statement regarding the Judicial Review:

The post A Dark Day for Southend Healthcare appeared first on South East Essex.

It’s a dirty word – and no-one wants to talk about it.
The mere mention of it sends shudders through the spines of the majority of those reading this.

Election after Election; Empty assurances and broken promises from countless unseen Councillors.
A local and national media that flexes its bias at the slightest suggestion of change.
A cutthroat and spiteful inter-party bickering that cuts people down rather than spawning fresh ideas.

It easy to see why so many people have fallen out of favour with the electoral process.
Politics shouldn’t be a case of survival of the fittest, or “Who’s Loudest Wins” as it often is.

This Local Election was no different.

With low turnout and a general trend of apathy amongst the electorate, many felt that voting was pointless, and that the average person was powerless to enact tangible change.

This manufactured boredom resulted in the predictable return of a Conservative majority Council, with only small gains from opposition parties despite monumental effort.

However, we did see something positive in 2018:

Locally, we saw the successful reelection of Green Party Councillor Stuart Wilson in Hullbridge to Rochford District Council.

We also saw a notable increase in the number of Green Votes across Southend.

Of the eight wards we contested this year, seven wards saw a increase of Green Votes compared to 2016.

In Victoria Ward, we returned a massive 246% increase on 2016’s result, to hold a 14% share of the vote.

Nationally, the Green Party celebrated many significant successes.

Greens have broken through onto an additional 6 councils across England and our new councillors have taken a total of 10 seats from the Tories and 9 from Labour.

In Solihull, the Green Councillor James Burn was reelected with a massive 78% of the vote.

The Greens are now the main opposition on five councils including Lambeth, Norwich, Solihull, Mid-Suffolk and Islington.

The Green Party now has 170 Councillors across the country working hard for their communities.

TEN REASONS TO JOIN THE GREEN PARTY IN SOUTH EAST ESSEX

The South East Essex Green Party is rapidly becoming the radical alternative to the tired politics present locally.
We are already enough of a political threat to have rattled the Conservatives and Labour into action in parts of Southend.
There has never been a better time to join the Green Party in South East Essex – why not join the revolution?

• The South East Essex Green Party is entirely run by dedicated volunteers working hard to hold the council to account on issues like Litter, NHS Services, Parking & Traffic, and the protection of our Green Spaces.
  
  
• We’re normal people! 
  Unlike the two big parties, we’re not career politicians being ferried into safe-seats. We are Students, Carers, Accountants, Factory Workers, and full-time Parents – we are just local people passionate about improving our environment.
  
  
• We work hard in our communities YEAR-ROUND.
  You won’t just see us at election time, we conduct cleanup events, campaigns, and talks all year round – whatever the weather.
  
  
• We’re not told how to Vote.
  Labour and the Conservatives have party “whips” that encourage its MPs and Councillors to vote in line with National Party Policy.
  Our elected officials are free to vote however they want, resulting in a better outcome for residents.
  
  
• We’re not just about getting elected.
  We host and attend regular community cleanup events, charity fundraisers, demonstrations, and cultural festivities.
  We feel that community cohesion is the vehicle for a better society as a whole, and as such, we contribute in whatever ways we can.
  
  
• We work harder than most elected Councillors!
  We attend every Council meeting, read every budget proposal, scrutinise major planning proposals, support grassroots community projects, attend local Business meetings, and much much more.
  
  As exemplified in the Wirral, one Green Councillor has done more casework in a year than all the 39 Labour councillors put together.
  We work really really hard.
  
  
• We’re not just about the Environment.
  The Green Party is a party of social and environmental justice, which supports a radical transformation of society for the benefit of all.
  Locally, we’re proud to regularly put forward a representative selection of candidates from a variety of backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and disabilities.
  All of our members, Officers, Candidates, and Councillors care deeply about the environment and the threats that we as a society must address, but we also believe fundamentally in transforming our communities into a sustainable and responsible society that is fit for the future.
  
  
• We are the only Political Party locally that openly has a Ethics & Accountability Policy, and all of our Councillors and Candidates uphold and embody the Nolan Principles.
  Everything we do is considered and rational, and we always seek a broad and collaborative approach to local Politics.
  
  
• Our Manifesto is considered, rational, and costed.
  We have a long list of radical changes that we believe will transform South East Essex into the pioneering model of the future we know it can be.
  Renewable Energies, Community Gardens, better Public Transport infrastructure, a solution to the Homelessness crisis – we have a plan for it all.
  Our area faces some serious issues that need dealing with now – we will be the change that our towns so desperately need.
  
  
• By joining the Green Party, you can have a direct impact on your local area.
  By joining in with our events, meetings, or even standing as a candidate – you can help shape your community.
  As a member of the Green Party, uniquely for any Westminster Party, you can directly affect the national party’s Policy Process just by becoming a member.

For as little as £5 a year – why not join the fastest-growing political movement in the country.

Join The Green Party Today:

The post Ten Reasons to Join the Green Party in South East Essex appeared first on South East Essex.

The first foray into the 2018 Local Elections has begun, and the South East Essex Green Party are pleased to announce a full list of our 2018 Candidates.

We are pleased to announce we are standing eight dedicated Candidates across Southend in the Upcoming Local Elections.
Our candidates are from a multitude of backgrounds, and we are proud to be standing several LGBTIQA+ and Disabled candidates.

Our message is simple:
Southend residents are tired of the status-quo in Southend Council.
We offer a radically different choice for voters, and we will continue our work to make Southend a Fairer, Safer, and more Responsible town.

Our local Candidates believe strongly in creating a town that is fit for the future, cares for the most disadvantaged in our community, and that fights to safeguard and improve the wellbeing of Southend Residents.

Unlike the Conservatives, we’re not career politicians, and we’re not in this to serve our own interests.

We are dedicated local people who understand the issues our town faces. We know because we live here. 
Our candidates are Care Workers, Students, Accountants, and Teachers; people who understand and are part of our communities.

We are already hard at work in our area, striving to improve the quality of our town, and defend it from Conservative cuts.

We regularly run year-round community cleanup events, and we are often seen on Southend’s beaches litter picking.

We unite communities and work with them to fight the Council’s many damaging projects, and we are the only group locally that truly prioritises our environment.

We don’t receive Thousands of pounds in financial support like the other Political Parties do. All of our work is done by dedicated volunteers happy to give up some free time to make Southend the town we know it can be.

We believe strongly about fixing some of the problems that have plagued Southend for years, and we offer ACTUAL solutions:

• We have several solutions to tackle the Homelessness crisis head-on.
  
• We will Reinvigorate the empty High Street, and support local businesses.
• We will end the Tory-backed construction of Luxury High-Profit homes and will work to provide a sustainable housing policy.
• We will tackle the town’s traffic issues and will fix the congestion on the struggling A127 and A13.
• We will radically improve Public Transport infrastructure and implement new Safe Cycle routes.
• We will not allow any NHS downgrades, and we will fight for ALL of our public services.
• We will improve and create new Leisure Facilities, and we will create new Green Spaces in the town.
• We will create new local renewable energy systems that will ensure our town is ready for the future.

We offer a new, fresh, and exciting vision for Southend and you can see our Manifesto here:

Many residents are already offering huge amounts of support for our campaigns, and many lifelong Conservative and Labour voters have chosen to support our radical vision for Southend after years of damaging council inaction.

Most Southend residents agree with us that Southend Council has failed to take our town forward, instead, pursuing multi-million-pound vanity projects like the Cliffslip Museum, Better Queensway, The Forum 2, and the Seaway CarPark development that only serve to win the Council awards.

We don’t believe that in a time when Southend has one of the worst Social Housing crises in the country, and the UK’s 8th highest number of Homeless people, we should be spending £40MILLION on a geologically-unstable Museum, and building on three of the town’s most-used Car Parks.

For us, Southend Council has prioritised all of the wrong things for too long.

A change is overdue in Southend, and we believe that we are the people to achieve it.

We don’t believe that politics has to be a shouting match.
There is no “winner” or “loser” in Elections, but rather a choice of people offering differing priorities.

Instead of openly attacking other political parties, we show you how we’re different, and what a change we can make with your help.

Will you help us #MakeSouthendGreen?

A full list of our 2018 Green Candidates can be found in the Candidates section of our website.

For all of our news, updates, and information; Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

A full list of every Candidate in all 17 wards in the upcoming Local Elections can be downloaded here:

Statement of Persons Nominated – Local Elections 2018

The post The Campaign to get Green Voices on Southend Borough Council has begun appeared first on South East Essex.