Southend News
| JOIN THE DEBATE | |  | | | | | NEWS | | | | | | WEST HAM | | | | SOUTHEND UNITED | | |
|
|
|
Pier will be new council's priority
 |
| Tory leader Nigel Holdcroft wants to see progress on developing the landmark |
SOUTHEND'S council leader has announced his top priorities for the coming year - increasing recycling, improving street cleaning and finally getting the redevelopment of Southend Pier under way.
Tory Nigel Holdcroft spoke after naming his new cabinet in the wake of last week's elections, when two high-profile Tories lost their seats.
The party now has a majority of just three, following the defeat of Sally Carr, who was in charge of schools and David Garston, who was responsible for culture.
Mr Holdcroft said he was determined to see real progress on the pier work, but declined to be more specific.
He explained: "It is one of the most important issues in the town. People want to see we are doing something about it.
"I also want to see real and obvious improvements to the street scene and to continue to build on our successes in tackling crime levels and graffiti.
"The new waste disposal contract is coming in and it is important we encourage more people to come on board with recycling."
He added: "The new contract will also show a substantial improvement in street cleaning, an issue where there have been criticisms in the past."
| It is one of the most important issues in the town. People want to see we are doing something about it. | | Tory council leader Nigel Holdcroft |
|
Mr Holdcroft said there would be challenges ahead in schools, education and regeneration. He elaborated: "We have the redevelopment of Belfairs High School, Leigh, and the new school to replace Hinguar primary in Shoebury."
Mr Holdcroft said the credit crunch and economic downturn would make town centre and High Street regeneration harder to take forward.
"However, again, the foundations are there with the investment Bill Harkness has put into the Victoria Shopping Centre and other improvements," he suggested.
"Obviously, this is going to be one of the greatest challenges in the coming year."
Speaking of his new cabinet, Mr Holdcroft said; "It is obviously difficult when you lose two such established and experienced colleagues as David Garston and Sally Carr.
"However, it does give an opportunity to introduce new faces and fresh thinking into the organisation. We have a well-balanced team which I think will perform well.
"We are well placed to build on the foundations which have already been laid and I expect to see some real achievements in the next year."
10:19am Friday 9th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: David, Southend-on-Sea on 10:50am Fri 9 May 08
I quote “Pier will be new council's priority”.
You have to laugh at this guy. He and the Conservatives will never learn. There are so many problems in Southend that need addressing yet our so-called leader wants to put the pier at the top of a list of priorities. He really does not have a clue nor do all the people who vote for his party blindly each and every time. Hopefully, one day the electorate will learn.
He needs to look at the parking problems and the high cost of charging which is driving people away, he needs to look at the infrastructure and stop the building of more flats, he needs to look at the problems in the high street and Victoria Avenue, he needs to stop people parking their cars on pavements and encourage a better bus service for Southend and sort out the mess at Southend Hospital.
Stop living in the past with the pier – look to the future.
I quote “Pier will be new council's priority”.
You have to laugh at this guy. He and the Conservatives will never learn. There are so many problems in Southend that need addressing yet our so-called leader wants to put the pier at the top of a list of priorities. He really does not have a clue nor do all the people who vote for his party blindly each and every time. Hopefully, one day the electorate will learn.
He needs to look at the parking problems and the high cost of charging which is driving people away, he needs to look at the infrastructure and stop the building of more flats, he needs to look at the problems in the high street and Victoria Avenue, he needs to stop people parking their cars on pavements and encourage a better bus service for Southend and sort out the mess at Southend Hospital.
Stop living in the past with the pier – look to the future.
Posted by: Dan, North Leigh on 12:09pm Fri 9 May 08
About time the pier is sorted out - let Tony Garner have his way with it!
And yeah, lower the parking charges...
About time the pier is sorted out - let Tony Garner have his way with it!
And yeah, lower the parking charges...
Posted by: Peter Pantsless, Southend-on-Sea on 12:53pm Fri 9 May 08
I dont know if anyone's heard of it, but there used to be an unelected quango called 'Renaissance Southend'
I wonder if they could get involved somehow?
Apparently they've got a fantastic track record!
You know the sort of thing i mean;
Project seen through right from concept to completion,
Delivered on time,
under budget,
minimum amount of consultancy, etc.
It's been said that they have a very good working relationship with the towns top tory boys, lots of hand-shaking and stuff because of friendships going way back, etc.
Do you think they could/should get involved with this one?
Surely it could only be good news if they did!
I dont know if anyone's heard of it, but there used to be an unelected quango called 'Renaissance Southend'
I wonder if they could get involved somehow?
Apparently they've got a fantastic track record!
You know the sort of thing i mean;
Project seen through right from concept to completion,
Delivered on time,
under budget,
minimum amount of consultancy, etc.
It's been said that they have a very good working relationship with the towns top tory boys, lots of hand-shaking and stuff because of friendships going way back, etc.
Do you think they could/should get involved with this one?
Surely it could only be good news if they did!
Posted by: Ive Got A Lovely, Bunch Of Coconuts on 1:25pm Fri 9 May 08
I can just imagine the consultants are already printing off the expensive glossy brochures as we speak!
I can just imagine the consultants are already printing off the expensive glossy brochures as we speak!
Posted by: guy, Leigh-On-Sea on 2:08pm Fri 9 May 08
There has been so much talk about developing the pier over the years, I'll believe it [bold]when[/bold]I see it.
There has been so much talk about developing the pier over the years, I'll believe it
whenI see it.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
