This is because he is attempting to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer. At the end of the month he will shave his head and hopefully raise £1000.
You can donate by
Giving the money to Rose
Text Chip64 to 70070
Donate at www.justgiving.com/Dave the Chippy

Here’s a film we made with Vernon on his retirement in 2009

The portfolio holder for public protection, cllr Anji Gaywood was responding to a question from Blackshots councillor, Joy Redsell, who expressed her concern at parking at schools in her ward.

Cllr Gaywood told the chamber that the car, which they have nicknamed “Pippa” (don’t call it a spy-car), had issued thirty fixed penalty tickets since May 28th. But the fines were restricted to cars parked on the zig-zag lines.

Cllr Gaywood made reference to parking difficulties near to Woodside Academy. Cllr Gaywood said: “We have had some unconfirmed reports that there are drivers putting masking tape over their licence plates.”

The leader would not be drawn as to whether this meant the head teacher, David Garland, would be leaving but did confirm that a new Interim Executive Board had been installed.

Cllr Kent also told the council that Gable Hall school would be involved in assisting the school and that the members of the board had vast experience in working with the schools.

YT understands that parents were invited to a special meeting at the school regarding the changes.

The announcement came following a question from the shadow education spokesperson, cllr James Halden.

The Development Corporation was established in 2005 to drive economic growth in Thurrock, create homes, jobs and opportunities.

Despite spending hundreds of millions of pounds however, it is judged by many to have been a failure and was one of the first casualties when the current Coalition Government came into being and implemented what was popularly dubbed “the bonfire of the quangos.”

Its closure was announced in October 2010 and it was officially shut down on 31 March 2012 when its planning powers and regeneration functions reverted to Thurrock Council.

However, a number of key personnel stayed, including chairman Will McKee (pictured right) and Chief Executive Niall Lindsay. The Board was supposed to have been closed in July 2012 but the Enquirer understands a case was made for some members of staff to stay on after that time and that is the crux of an investigation that has been launched.

Mr McKee’s last reported salary was £48,897 and Mr Lindsay’s between £130,000 and £135,000.

Final pay-offs to most senior managers have yet to be published though in April 2012 Director of Delivery Tom Gardiner received a redundancy payment of £130,200 and pay in lieu of notice of £24,950.

Aside from directors, other members of staff are believed to have been given delayed and substantial redundancy pay-offs.

As part of the winding down of the Corporation, more than £5m was transferred to the newly formed High House Production park company, with Mr McKee and Mr Lindsay appointed trustees, along with Lord Tony Hall and Mr Paul Shadavarian QC. A number of members of staff at the Corporation were given jobs at the Production Park.

Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price, a severe critic of many aspects of the Corporation since being elected in May 2010 and a frequent inquisitor of its finances, quizzed planning minister Bob Neill about the DC’s finances, its relationship with the Production Park operation and its closure programme in April 2012.

Later that year, in October, she again took to the floor of the House of Commons to query what was happening, and asked “the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to lay the final accounts of the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation; and if he will make a statement?”

Junior Minister Brandon Lewis replied: “Work is ongoing to finalise the accounts of the Thurrock Development Corporation, which will be laid in Parliament as soon as possible.”

Now, almost nine months later, it seems the Government is little nearer to fully knowing what has happened to the Corporation’s money and assets. Its accounts have yet to be signed off.

Today the Enquirer can reveal internal auditors from the Department for Communities and Local Government are currently mounting a detailed investigation nto the finances of the Corporation through its closing months, and beyond, and the Enquirer believes some senior members have already been asked to pay back substantial amounts of money.

It is understood the probe may include looking into dispersal of some of the assets of the Development Corporation, for example its extensive photographic library which cost tens of thousands of pounds to assemble over the lifetime of the Corporation. The Enquirer has been told by a former IT manager of the Corporation that the DVD library had been “crushed for data protection purposes and that images could not be used by anyone other than the Corporation” – though some images are currently in use by commercial organisations.

At the same time as the Corporation was being wound down Mr McKee, 70, who was awarded a CBE in 2002, and Mr Lindsay (left), launched a planning consultancy business called Land And Property Asset Realisation (LAPAR) which targets clients in the public and private sectors.

The Enquirer understands the activities of both men are part of the internal auditors’ investigations, with other former senior paid officials at the Corporation under scrutiny.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Mr Pickles gave the Enquirer a brief statement in which he said: “We take allegations of impropriety very seriously. I can confirm officials in my department have asked for an investigation into the events leading to the closure of the Development Corporation by our internal auditors. That investigation is currently ongoing and under the circumstances we are unable to discuss either its findings or its conclusions until its completion.

“Please be assured that on completion of the investigation, we will consult with the relevant authorities. If any evidence of criminal activity is found, this will be referred to the police.”

Ms Doyle-Price remains determined to ensure that truth will out over the Corporation’s performance, which many regard as flawed with botched and delayed land deals and acquisitions of land at inflated prices.

While there have undoubtedly been some successes, such as bringing the Royal Opera House workshop and the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills, as well as piloting the course of the London Gateway Port – there have been many abortive and controversial projects, such as the failed attempt to create a new Community Hospital in Grays which has seen huge relocation costs including the building of a new Royal Mail sorting office and Territorial Army base – which have since proved unnecessary. The Corporation bosses stand accused of ploughing on spending millions assembling a site that would never be used

Many other significant land purchases have taken place in areas of the Borough, particularly Purfleet, which were significantly above the asset value the land now has.

Ms Doyle-Price told the Enquirer: “I asked the Department and the Controller and Auditor-General to investigate the accounts of the Development Corporation after becoming concerned about the process of dissolving the organisation and whether some actions were consistent with achieving value for money for the taxpayer. Those inquiries are ongoing and it would be unhelpful for me to speculate as to the findings at this stage.”

Thurrock Council inherited many of the assets of the Corporation, and its role as the area’s strategic planner. Sources within the authority have told of deep divisions between its senior officers and their counterparts at the Corporation, despite a veneer of cordiality when the two organisations came together.

There was much ‘backslapping’ at a localisation ceremony held at the Production Park. At the time Mr McKee said: “Everyone at the corporation is immensely proud of the organisation’s achievements, in particular its strategic policy framework and the transformational projects we have developed and implemented since becoming fully operational in October 2005.”

Thurrock Council leader John Kent added: “The work of the Development Corporation cannot be understated, its role has not been to build the buildings, but to lay the foundations and create the environment and the conditions for growth and investment.”

Minister Mr Neill said he wanted to pass on congratulations “from the Prime Minister down” for the way the Corporation, the Council and the Government had worked together to reach this point.

Subject to the auditors’ findings, those congratulations may yet turn out to have been premature.

Presented with news of the financial investigation and Mr Pickles’ comments, a Thurrock Council spokesperson said: “This is a matter between CLG and those at the TTGDC responsible for its closure.

“The Council ensured the successful transfer of former DC functions and staff into the Council in April 2012 and we are continuing to make considerable progress across Thurrock’s growth and regeneration agenda, with for example, the construction of the new campus for South Essex College in Grays, new Artists Studios being built at High House Production Park in Purfleet and securing £4.3m for local businesses through the TIGER fund.”

AT the June meeting of the Thurrock Writers Circle, chairman Joy Ridgewell welcomed three new members. Two of whom came to the workshop at the Thurrock Writer’s Festival at the Grays Library last month.

Members that attended, enjoyed a successful day with their anthology on sale.

Following this was the day spent on Bank Holiday Monday at St Margaret’s Church Stanford-le hope fete where the weather was kind and a lot of interest was shown in our book.

Our speaker this month was Bryan Roskams, a very entertaining man, who told the group how he had written down stories and poems all his life; when he decided to try to get his work published it was not easy. He decided to self publish.

Persistence paid off in the end and he now has an agent and has two novels on the market. He also enjoys writing poems and gave a comic rendering of his daughter’s feisty cockerel that defended his harem of hens against a marauding fox. This is to be entered in another book of short stories and poems.

Preparations are being made for a writing weekend in Oxford in September.

After refreshments work was read out and everyone agreed the standard has improved.

Next meeting is at The Hugh Delargy Close Defoe Parade Chadwell St Mary on 26th June 2013: 7-30pm to 9-30pm.

Both ports have complementary assets both in current trade arrangements and geographical positioning and through this MoU, Forth Ports and Port of Zeebrugge have agreed to explore initiatives to develop these current trade links and connections. The agreement will initially focus on enhancing container cargo volumes at Port of Zeebrugge and London Container Terminal (LCT) in Tilbury which is the UK’s 3rd largest container terminal.

Zeebrugge’s container volumes are largely dominated by deepsea Far East volumes, while LCT has a particularly strong position on the South America trades. LCT at Tilbury has a unique geographical position as London’s key port, while Zeebrugge has a unique deep-water location near the seagoing trade lanes. Zeebrugge also has a significant South America cargo base demand while Tilbury is an excellent gateway for Far East cargo for the London consumer markets.

Independent business advisors Maritime & Transport Business Solutions (MTBS) completed the market analysis for LCT which has led to the MoU being agreed by both Ports. MTBS will remain on board to provide further support as the project develops.

Commenting on the MoU, Perry Glading, Chief Operating Officer at Forth Ports (owners of Port of Tilbury and LCT) said: “This is great news and a real opportunity to capitalise on synergies at both Ports. Tilbury has a unique position in the UK at the heart of the London and South East markets. Using a regular feeder service from Zeebrugge we offer an alternative to large deep sea vessels who need only make one call at the Belgium ports for the onward feed service to the UK. We have a significant investment programme underway at LCT and have already installed a new ICT system, purchased 14 new straddle carriers and installed a new single lock gate. We look forward to working with MBZ at Zeebrugge on this important project.”

Mr Coens said: “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is a logical development, since from way back Port of Zeebrugge acts as a bridgehead for the British markets, in particular the London area. By strengthening the ties with Tilbury, we aim at enhancing cargo flows.”

Volunteers will meet, interview and record the living memories of people who served in Essex County Fire and Rescue Service as part of a project to create an oral history of our organisation.

The project has been completely funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The recordings will be used as part of an interactive display in the museum highlighting the work carried out by fire fighters in World War Two, the role of the Auxiliary Fire Service and women in the fire service. We will also explore the social history behind historic landmark events such as The Rose and Crown Public House fire in Saffron Walden 1969, the Southend Pier fires in 1976 and 2005, and the efforts made in search and rescue operations overseas.

As well as featuring in the interactive displays, the recordings will be used to create a virtual museum tour available on line.

Museum Manager Andrea MacAlister said: “We know that there is a wealth of fascinating stories out there waiting to be told by the men and women who protected the County over the years, and who still work for us now. We want to capture those memories for future generations to enjoy.

“Oral histories allow people to tell their own story and explain their own place in history.

“The volunteers who come forward will play a vital role in making sure that these memories are collected and can be shared with a new generation of Essex Fire Museum visitors and wider.”

Volunteers will be equipped with special recording equipment and will receive training from Essex Records Office for how to conduct oral history recordings.

To register an interest in taking part in this scheme please contact Essex Fire Museum Manager andrea.macalister@essex-fire.gov.uk or lisa.hart@essex-fire.gov.uk, ECFRS Volunteer Manager or call 01376 576 214 and leave a message.

Derek Annan, 24, from Chafford Hundred faces 11 charges of fraud by abuse of position relating to a missing £135,000 from 11 separate accounts.

Prosecutors are considering bringing 22 further charges relating to attempts to withdraw £2.6 million.

He was working at branches in Colchester and Chelmsford, Essex, between January and May 2011, when the fraud is alleged to have taken place.

At 2pm schoolchildren and community groups will walk the Thurrock Olympic Heritage Trail. This fascinating glimpse into Grays History will be lead by Thurrock Museums Jonathan Catton who will point out features along the way. The walk from Blackshots will arrive at Grays War Memorial at approximately 3pm where they will be met by the Mayor of Thurrock Cllr Tony Fish.

Accompanied by a steel band and dancers, the arrival of the parade will herald the start of Grays Street Festival when a dozen street entertainers will be in Grays High Street and Grays Shopping Centre causing hilarity and havoc amongst market-goers. Entrance is free to the festival which will run from 3pm to 5.30pm. The street entertainers are all Essex based professionals and will make an interesting spectacle of music, comedy and participation.

At 7.30pm that night you can see Chris (Son of Dave) Brubeck performing at Thurrock Civic Hall. “Jazz meets Classics” features the Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne with guest soloist Chris on the trombone and keyboard. They will be joined by young musicians from Thurrock’s very own Big Band and R.O.H Youth Choir RM19. Tickets from the Thameside Theatre box office 0845 300 5264.

All the events are part of the T.I.C.C. Summer Festival – bringing together many organisers and partners to highlight what a great place Thurrock is to live. You can find more details about T.I.C.C and the events of the summer events on the website www.ticculture.co.uk. You can also log your own cultural events on there.

The Choir, now around 40 strong, was formed in 1938 and has been going strong ever since.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “I was delighted to be able to support the choir at their 75 anniversary celebration. It is a fantastic achievement to reach this milestone and I hope that there will be many more to come in the future!”

The choir gave a special performance at the dinner which is one of many throughout the year. Through their performances over the years the choir have raised over £100,000 for local and national charities.

Mr Metcalfe added: “As well as being dedicated to first rate performances, the choir have shown great dedication in raising money for good causes. I am sure that every charity who has benefited from their superb singing is extremely grateful and I would like to thank the choir for their continued work in this area.”

The choir meet in Grays Methodist Church Hall on Monday evenings at 7:30pm. If you are interested in joining them, go along and see if you would like to become a member. Further information can be found here: http://www.thurrockmalevoicechoir.co.uk

This meeting is open to anyone and we would invite our local residents to join us.

The event – at Redden Court School in Harold Wood – saw awards for service excellence go to Lansdowne Academy, Ormiston Park Academy, and Bulphan Church of England Primary.

The awards were presented by Janet Clark, Thurrock Council’s Strategic Lead Operational, Resources and Libraries Unit.

The Gold Award for Service of Excellence was received by Cindy Athey on behalf of the Lansdowne Academy Team; while Karen Taylor from Bulphan Primary collected the bronze award.

The Silver Award was received by from Elizabeth Hounsome, Amanda Milligan and Elaine Kirby on behalf of the Ormiston Park Academy team.

The awards celebrate the hard work, dedication and efforts of all the catering teams that provide a meal service to primary schools and academies across both boroughs.