SINCE her election in June, we have invited Bush Fair councillor, Kay Morrison to send us a monthly blog. Here is her contribution for August.

THE telecommunications masts were refused, so jubilation reigns. A celebratory party is planned in at least one area. Photos next month! 

I’ve been a Harlow councillor for a whole six weeks and most of those weeks have been spent in positive activity, working with residents to tackle individual challenges and with groups to resolve shared issues. Waterhouse Moor Residents Association, Fountain Farm bingo, surgeries…… 

Trees are wonderful living things, helping to keep our planet alive. However, exuberant growth can alarm residents, especially if they’re very close to property. Locally, we’ve been working to achieve a compromise which results in trees being protected and fences cleared of extraneous ivy/other vegetation. Another concern is fire and the possibility of fire, given tinder-dry grass. Remediation strategies are helping, advice given.  

Today, though, I can’t push two bits of info out of my head, thanks to invaluable YourHarlow without whose supply of reliable news we’d be poorly-informed. I’ve seen that the new hospital promised by Westminster won’t be delivered until 2028 and that the cost has increased by £250m. What’s gone wrong? Building materials have increased in cost including steel which is 20% more expensive. The more our hospital is postponed, the more exorbitant the cost to the public purse. 

For some time I’ve been asking about crime figures which should be directly available to all councillors and community groups. Essex Police statistics have recently been shared though, showing that rapes, burglaries, hate crime and domestic abuse have all increased while the percentage solved has dropped. 121 rapes and not one conviction. Not one. This is compounded by the backlog in court proceedings.

During the last 12 years police service funding has been slashed, with the concomitant, unacceptable, decrease in police personnel numbers. That may not be the entire explanation but it’s certainly the key.  

Last week I attended my first full Harlow Council meeting which can be viewed on YouTube. Well, what can I say? Very few of you seldom do? 

Till next time!