ON behalf of the Labour group, I wish everyone a peaceful, fun, festive and merry Christmas.  Please take a moment to check in on friends and neighbours who may be alone or vulnerable over this holiday period. Whilst the council offices are closed for the…

HARLOW Council’s Leader, Cllr Dan Swords, has issued a Christmas message to Harlow: “As Harlow glows with festive lights and excitement for the big day fills our streets, I want to wish everyone in our town a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.…

THE leader of the Harlow Green Party has questioned Harlow Council’s commitment to homelessness. Jennifer Steadman asked the following question at full council. Jennifer Steadman to Councillor Dan Swords (Leader of the Council): Now that the government have announced their £3.5 billion investment plan tohalve…

PRISONERS are set to help build new council homes in Essex as part of a new scheme. The initiative in Epping Forest where prisoners develop out of use garages into council homes is set to be the first scheme of its kind in Essex reports…

PASSMORES councillor Jake Shepherd asked a number of questions at full council last week on the subject of Willowfield Tower. Councillor Jake Shepherd to Councillor David Carter (Deputy Leader andPortfolio Holder for Housing): Some residents in Willowfield Tower have expressed concern about theinstallation of CCTV…

SIX councils across Hertfordshire are being asked for their views on the postponement of elections next year, as plans for local government reorganisation in the county progress reports the Local Democracy Reporter. Broxbourne, St Albans, Stevenage, Three Rivers, Watford and Welwyn Hatfield borough and district…

“I WANT to be really clear – there is no excuse for drug driving.” That’s from our Head of Roads Policing as drug driving arrests in December hit 225 and nearly 1,800 for the year. As part of our Christmas anti-drink and drug driving work a total…

A MOTION concerning the future of the Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Harlow Campuswas proposed by Councillor Jake Shepherd and seconded by Councillor Joel Charles at a council meeting on Thursday night. The motion stated: “The Memorial University of Newfoundland’s (MUN) Harlow Campus celebrated its 50th…

ESSEX County Council has allocated funding as part of preparations for winter conditions on the roads. £300,000 will be invested in repairing damage caused by the winter weather on the roads across Essex. Roads are more likely to become damaged over winter due to rain,…

A SENIOR Harlow councillor in charge of public safety has urged residents not approach a group of people who are “patrolling” the streets in self-styled “uniforms” called Essex Spartans. Labour councillor Nancy Watson asked the following question at a council meeting on Thursday night. “Will…

CONSTRUCTION work began yesterday to transform Market Square and the surrounding buildings, including Market House, Adams House, and The Rows, as part of Harlow Council’s major town centre regeneration programme. The redevelopment will create a vibrant destination for leisure, hospitality, retail, and community activity. Contractors…

LABOUR has been accused of “manoeuvring” to cancel next year’s local elections including Harlow and Essex. The accusations came after Local Government minister, Alison McGovern, spoke on the last day of parliament before the Christmas recess. Dozens of councils are set to be abolished or…

THE HARLOW councillor in charge of planning has revealed that the major roadworks scheme in the centre of Harlow is set to go into the end of January. Conservative councillor, Alastair Gunn was responding to a question from a member of the Harlow Residents Alliance,…

OLD Harlow councillor Joel Charles has set out his position on the New Harlow Hospital Programme Strategy. Cllr Charles said: “Harlow needs a new state-of-the-art hospital to meet the growing demand for acute health services. Our local population is ageing and continued population growth is…