EVERY trust in England will be ranked quarterly against clear, consistent standards – from urgent and emergency care to elective operations and mental health services. Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust in Harlow has been ranked 120th out of 134 in the country. This will not doubt…

HARLOW MP Chris Vince rose on the floor of the House of Commons to speak on the subject of special educational needs. He said: “Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. You are still a national treasure to me. I thank the Minister for his important statement, which will make…

IN response to recent concerns regarding inappropriate conduct by a member of the Council, Basildon Council implemented restrictions last week limiting access to staff-only areas of the Basildon Centre. These measures were introduced to prioritise staff safety and maintain a secure and respectful working environment.…

POLITICAL, community and faith leaders are set to come together as an act of solidarity and support for the whole community. Recent reports of racial abuse; divisions and hatred aimed at some members of our communities have prompted Rev’d Jokey Poyntz and Cllr James Griggs…

THE signatories to this letter agree that the right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy. The residents of Epping have experienced unprecedented levels of anxiety and disruption. People are hurt and dismayed. Since July, the lives of Epping residents have also been upended…

HARLOW Foodbank are getting ready for this year’s Harvest campaign… we badly need more food to get through this winter.  Do you have any contacts at local schools, groups like the Scouts, Guudes or sports clubs you might encourage to make a good collection for…

ESSEX County Council is set to spend almost £3 million to improve its struggling special needs department, where the majority of children are not getting their needs assessed within the statutory time period reports the Local Democracy Reporter. In March 2024, 99 per cent of…

LONDON Underground staff have continued a five-day walkout over pay and conditions. reports the BBC. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are carrying out rolling action over pay and “fatigue management”, and have asked for a 32-hour week. There will be limited service…

LANDOWNERS are being reminded that trees, hedges, ditches and other vegetation close to highways needs to be maintained with summer drawing to a close. Overgrown vegetation can prevent roads and paths from being safe when wetter weather and shorter days draw near, blocking paths and…

A FORMER Brentwood councillor turned Talk TV host has set out his ambitions to return to politics as both the first Reform UK member on the borough council and the first Essex mayor reports the Local Democracy Reporter. Russell Quirk has decided to stand as…

HARLOW Council has delivered a dramatic turnaround, transforming its housing repairs service and cutting the longest standard repair waiting times from 270 working days to just 25. At its Cabinet meeting on Thursday 11 September 2025, Cabinet will consider the new Housing Repairs Policy, which…

A MAN remains in custody on suspicion of assault after incidents of anti-social behaviour and harassment in Epping yesterday evening (Friday 5 September). Officers attended the Bell Hotel after a number of people were reportedly throwing projectiles including flares and firecrackers and carrying out harassment…

VOLUNTARY and community sector leaders across Essex have said the forthcoming reorganisation of local government is a rare opportunity to unlock the full potential of communities if the voluntary and community sector (VCS) is included as a strategic partner from the outset. Sixteen infrastructure organisations,…

AN investigation has concluded that prison and probation staff did all they could to prevent an offender’s fatal drug overdose reports the Local Democracy Reporter. Jason Patmore had an extensive history of criminal convictions, which were predominantly of a violent nature, a report from the…