A lot has been happening across south Essex this week, here's a few news items that might have passed you by. 

1. THE next Southend University Hospital public meeting takes place on Thursday, March 12, from 1pm until 3pm in the main sports hall at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, in Somnes Avenue, Canvey.

You can influence the healthcare service by taking part in round table discussions with hospital governors and executives.

If you are interested in attending, email foundation. members@southend.nhs.uk or call 0800 018 5202.

2. RAYLEIGH Town Council has frozen its council tax precept. 

The council takes a percentage of every resident’s council tax, but its figure for the forthcoming financial year has not gone up from this year’s £386,663.

Due to the increase in properties categorised as the benchmark Band D, this actually means a two per cent decrease in the total per house in this band, down to £30.38.

3. A TEENAGER is alleged to have had a sword in a public place.

China-blue Flemming, 18, of Lundy Close, Southend, allegedly had the weapon in Rochford Road, Southend, on September 19 last year. On the same day, Paul Fleming, 51, of the same address and Billy Jeyes, of North Avenue, Southend, Keith Pepperdine, 20, of Prospect Close, Southend, allegedly used or threatened violence in the town. 

Southend magistrates released all on conditional bail until a future trial in Basildon.

4. THE Co-operative supermarket in Leigh is holding a cake sale in aid of Tracy Ralph.

Mum-of-two Tracy had both her legs amputated, after falling ill over Christmas, and her family are raising money for her rehabilitation.

The Co-op in Leigh Road is holding the cake sale on Thursday, March 12, from 8am to 2pm.

5. A NEW farm shop selling food and equestrian equipment could open in an old cattle shed if plans are approved.

Farmer David Keeling has applied to Basildon Council for permission to change the use of the empty building at Woolshots Farm, Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, which is used to store machinery into retail.

A statement with the application said it would also sell hay, straw, and there had been a feed shop for horses there about 15 years ago.

6. A EUROPEAN MP has denied earning a lot from a second job.

Transparency International has accused Richard Howitt of having “high earnings” outside his work as Labour MEP for the east of England.

Mr Howitt denied he had any outside earnings at all, saying he acts as a volunteer patron of a local HIV/Aids charity, a drug and alcohol charity and a community choir.

He claimed other east of England MEPs had earnings ignored by the Berlin-based non-governmental organisation.

7. A COMMUNITY room is available to groups free of charge.

The room, which can accommodate up to 20 people includes tea and coffee facilities and a toilet, is in Tesco on the Mayflower Retail Park, Basildon.

Today, an open day for interested groups is being held between 11am and 3pm.

For more information, email jadekeaney2727@outlook.com or call 07910 002366.

8. MEMBERS of Laindon Community Archive are hard at work organising their annual photographic display.

The exhibition at the Manor Mission Church, in Church Road, Laindon, will include images of old pubs, old forms of transport and historic farm houses.

Photographs from the First World War and Second World War will also be on display between 11am and 2.30pm on Saturday, March 21.

9. A MAN has been charged with holding a woman hostage. 

James Green, 39, of Prospect Close, Southend, will appear in court for allegedly assaulting, unlawfully imprisoning and threatening to kill a woman in Southend on January 26.

He is also charged with stalking a woman in Southend between September 7 and October 2 last year.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Basildon Crown Court on May 1.

10. THE Southend branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society, in association with the South Essex Area of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, will host an audio-visual presentation on Tuesday, March 10, at 8pm.

David Short, engineering director and chief engineer will give a talk on the F-35 Lightning II.

This lecture will give an overview of the engineering effort required to design and operate the most advanced fighter jet in the world.

The meeting will take place at the Forum library, Elmer Square, Southend. For more information, call 01702 230788.