CANVEY town council’s new chairman can’t wait to disprove accusations the council is little more than a talking shop.

As councils go, Canvey’s is a relative newcomer. Nick Harvey takes over in the chair as it prepares to celebrate its second anniversary.

And Mr Harvey, 57, of Westcliff Gardens, Canvey, accepts the honeymoon is over. He says: “I can imagine the public will be asking, ‘what has been done?’ “A lot of work has been done behind the scenes and in the background, but now we need to deliver results.”

He labels the long-discussed changes to Canvey Lake as top priority, in terms of translating words into actions.

The Government-funded £800,000 scheme for the lake will create a children’s play area, extra seating and better paths, so visitors can walk all the way around the lake. Half the cash will be spent dredging the lake. Mr Harvey says: “It’s going to look absolutely fantastic when it is finished, but we need to get the ball rolling, so the public can begin to see the wonderful changes being planned.”

Until that happens, critics of the town council and its £267,000 budget are still likely to brand it an expensive talking shop.

But Chairman Nick can’t wait to set the record straight. He explains: “We’re all locals. We all live on Canvey and all the funds go to Canvey projects.”

“Nothing will be spent off the island. All the money raised by Canvey taxpayers will be spent here.”

And he wants islanders to get more involved in the council’s work. He says: “It would be nice for the public to come to us with some suggestions."However, the chairman’s first task has been to cool tempers in the council office itself.

Last week, an argument broke over plans for an Armed Forces Day in June.

Former chairman Dave Blackwell and others argued the council should support the event.

Town clerk Julie Abel suggested the council couldn’t afford it.

Following a meeting with Castle Point MP and chief organiser, MP Bob Spink, the council is now backing the day and Mr Harvey is confident the issue has been laid to rest. He said: “I have had a long chat with Julie and I’m confident all that is behind us now.”

Away from politics, Mr Harvey runs a firm which trains lorry drivers, based on Charfleets Industrial Estate.

And his enthusiasm for all things motorised runs deeper still.

A keen rally fan, he loves nothing more than competing in his Subaru Impreza.

He says: “They’re beautiful cars. I sometimes take it to Brands Hatch in the summer and just let it go.”

At least he should be used to a bumpy ride...