Another busy month for Yash

WE OFTEN DIP into the political diary of councillor and deputy mayor, Yash Gupta MBE.

As Yash is seeking re-election, we must remind you that there are a number of other candidates contesting the ward of Grays Thurrock. Full details can be found on the list on the site.

Here is the events Yash attended.

Thurrock Community Chest

As a member of the management committee of this charity, I attended this meeting on the 1st March 2012 from 8.45 to 10.30am. This meeting took place in the Mayors Parlour. There were a number of issues relating to this voluntary charitable organisation:
(a)resignation of the Chair – election of the new Chair;
(b)sale of tickets;
(c)partnership with St Lukes Hospice;
(d)allocation of small grants to small organisations.

Planting of Diamond Jubilee Tree in Grays Town Park

Along with the Mayor, I attended this event at the Grays Town Park at 11am on 1st March when the Mayor planted a tree. Some local residents, two Grays Councillors and a few young children from Quarry Hill School also attended this joyous event.

Thurrock CVS Board Planning Meeting
On 1st March 2012, I also attended this future planning meeting of Thurrock CVS Board members from 1 to 4pm. Some strategic policy decisions were taken to improve the image and performance of this voluntary organisation. An external facilitator helped the progress of this meeting. Ten Board Members participated in this session.

Meeting with the Mayor’s Secretary
I met the Mayor’s Secretary on 2nd March at the Council offices from 2 to 3pm, to discuss the future engagement and collecting some visual aids for a talk to school children. It was a business like meeting.

Grays Councillors Surgery – Thameside Complex
Along with two other Grays Councillors, I attended the surgery session at the Thameside Complex on 3rd March 2012 from 10 to 12noon. We saw a few residents and discussed with them their problems. We also talked about the improvement of Grays Town Centre and supporting the Council’s application for funding.

Walk around the Grays Thurrock Ward
On 3rd March 2012, I walked around two streets; Tennyson Avenue and Rushdon Close and met a few residents who informed me about some of the individual issues facing them. I promised to investigate these issues with the help of the Council officers.

School Assembly – Quarry Hill Primary School
At the invitation of the headteacher, I took school assembly at Quarry Hill school on 5th March 2012 from 8.45 to 9.30. The theme of the Assembly was the election of the Mayor and the role of the Councillors. The whole school listened to me attentively and I was able to answer the children’s questions. It was a pleasing learning experience.

Emergency meeting of the governing body of Quarry Hill Juniors
After the recent inspection of the school, the LEA was keen to improve the performance of the children and the governing body. The LEA was recommending to dismantle the governing body and replace it with a small group as an interim body. The Chair of governors called this emergency meeting on 5th March 2012 from 4.30pm onwards to discuss this issue. I attended this meeting from 4.30 to 5.30pm.

Constitution Working Group Meeting
On 5th March, I attended a meeting at the Council offices from 7 to 8.30pm. A number of amendments were agreed to the Constitution by this group of councillors to help the smooth running of the Council. These amendments are to be presented to the full Council on 21st March 2012.

Ward Walkabout
With Cllr Mike Stone, we both walked around Elm Road and Doug Siddons Older People’s Complex on 6th March 2012 from 3 to 4.30pm and met a few local residents and listened to their complaints. Brown bins have not been emptied for the last two weeks – contacted the Environmental Services Manager on this issue.

Ward Walkabout
On 7th March 2012, Cllr Mike Stone and myself went around Orchard Drive and Airey Neave older people’s complex and spent nearly 1½ hours with residents discussing their problems. Our attention was drawn to the bad state of the road. We are contacting the Highways Department making a request for re-surfacing this road. The older residents in the Airey Neave Complex spoke very highly of their Sheltered Housing Officer. We will pass these comments on to the Grays Housing Manager.

Thurrock Localism Ceremony
On 8th March 2012, I represented the Mayor on this ceremony which took place at the High House Production Park, Purfleet from 3 to 5pm. This event celebrated the achievements of the Development Corporation and announced the formal handover to Thurrock Council, I had an opportunity to welcome Bob Neil, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State who attended this function and made a speech. It was a well attended event.

Fire Service Awards Ceremony
On behalf of the Mayor, I attended this Ceremony at the Orsett Hall on 8th March 2012 from 7 to 9.30pm. Twenty firemen from all over Essex received long term Awards & Certificates. These firemen brought their partners, children and in some cases their parents as well. The High Sherriff of Essex presented these long service awards. It was an enjoyable, happy evening.

Celebration of Golden Wedding Anniversary
On Sunday 11th March, 2012 my wife Pushpa and myself celebrated 50 years of our marriage with fifty relatives and very close friends at a local restaurant. We renewed our marriage vows and sought the blessings of all those people who participated in this memorable event. Thanks to everyone who attended this event.

Ward Walkaround
With another Ward Councillor (Cllr Cathy Kent), I went to see the residents in the Piggs Corner Older People’s complex on 12th March 2012 from 11 to 12.30pm where we met Sheltered Housing Officer and also a number of local residents. A few residents raised the issue of limited parking spaces which we took up with the Senior Estates Officer. It was a good useful visit.

Thurrock Interfaith Group Meeting
On Monday, 12th March 2012, I attended this Thurrock Interfaith Group Meeting at the Fruitful Land Church at Tilbury as a representative of the Thurrock Hindu Community from 10 to 10.45am. Rev. Darren Barlow, Chair of the group gave some information about his meetings with the Chair of Hindu Sai Baba Group and the Imam of the local Muslim mosque. We also discussed future plans for capacity building and use of £25,000 grant from the Council.

Residents Meetings – Attlee Court Older People’s Complex
I attended this meeting on 13th March 2012 from 9.45 to 11am at Attlee Court, Grays. Thirteen residents attended this meeting along with the SHO and the Senior Estates Officer. Some individual issues were taken up along with a few local issues such as 200 bus service; problems with new boilers; broken fence; dampness in a flat. It was a good meeting in which some positive actions were agreed.

Meeting with 30 children and teachers from Quarry Hill School
Thirty members of the school council along with their headteacher and two teachers from Quarry Hill School visited the Mayor’s Parlour on 13th March from 2 to 3pm. On behalf of the Mayor, I took them around the Council, Mayor’s Parlour and the Council Chamber. Some fact sheets were given to children about the Councillors, their role and the role of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor. The children asked some very interesting questions. I thanked the children and their teachers for this visit to the Council.

Grays Central Forum Meeting
As a Ward Councillor, I go to these meetings regularly. This meeting was held on 13th March 2012 from 7.30 to 9pm at the Grays Baptist Church Hall in Grays. Eight local residents including myself were in attendance. Some local issues relating to Highways were discussed. The forum still holds nearly £4,000 in balance and looks for applications to support small community projects.

Visit to the Disabled Riding School – Chadwell St Mary
At the invitation of the group organiser of the Sugarloaf Riding for the Disabled Association School in Chadwell St Mary, I made a visit on 14th March 2012 from 9.45 to 10.45. I met all the volunteers and some of the disabled riders from Thurrock and also from other parts of Essex. It is a well used leisure facility which is used by nearly 40 disabled people. The commitment of the volunteers was appreciated.

Special Governing Body Meeting – Quarry Hill School
To discuss the recent Inspector’s Report about the Quarry Hill School a special meeting of the governing body was held on 14th March 2012 from 5 to 6.45pm at the school.
The inspection has resulted in bringing about some radical changes in the leadership. The Local Authority is planning to abolish the governing body to be replaced with the Interim Executive Board (IEB). The governing body agreed to this proposal for improving the performance of children.

Future of Library Service in Thurrock
I joined the local residents group in Grays library on 15th March 2012 at 10am where the Director of Community Services came and discussed the future of Library Services in Grays. Eight local residents including myself participated in this face to face consultation exercise. She explained the principle of this community consultation – how to develop efficient library services in the face of reducing budgets?

Launch of Thurrock Transition Support Group
On behalf of the Mayor, I attended this event on 15th March 2012 from 1.30 to 3.30pm at the Treetops school. It was a launching ceremony of this group of partner volunteers who have been getting together for the last six months. The event was very well attended by parents, young people, teachers and other professionals from Social Care and Health. I appreciated the voluntary work done by this group and wished them well in the future.

Ward Walk – Dexter Close Complex, Grays
I spent more than one hour during my visit to this older people’s complex in Grays on 16th March 2012 from 11 to 12 noon. It was a cold day so most of the residents were inside their flats. I met a few of them and discussed their problems. A number of residents expressed their satisfaction with the life in this complex and were appreciative of the positive attitude of the Sheltered Housing Officer.

Grays Councillor’s Surgery
On 17th March 2012, along with two other Grays Councillors I attended our surgery at the St Thomas Church Hall from 10 to 12 noon. Not very many residents turned up, however we had a good discussion about the Council’s proposal for revamping Grays Town Centre. The Council is putting in an application to the Central Government for a grant of £100,000 for bringing significant improvements to the Grays Town Centre. This proposal is supported by all six Grays Councillors.

Ward Walk – Grays Thurrock Ward
With another councillor colleague, we walked around a few streets on 19th March from 11am to 12.30pm – Lenthall Avenue; Thurloe Walk; Ludlow Place & Duke Avenue where we met a few local residents and discussed with them some local issues; improving footways; parking, congestion etc.

Mayor’s Briefing for the Full Council Meeting
On 19th March from 2 to 3 o’clock, I joined with the Mayor; The CEO; Monitoring Officer; Democratic Services Manager and the Leaders of the two parties where we went through the agenda for the full council on 21st March 2012.

Visit to Lakeside Extension Exhibition
At the invitation of the Lakeside Management, I went to see Lakeside Extension Proposals which were displayed for the public near the Debenham Stores on 20th March 2012 from 3 to 4pm. Three of the development officers were explaining these proposals to the general public. I had a special session with one of the development officer who explained in detail the advantages to the local communities for the implementation of this plan – £180million investment; creation of 2600 jobs £14.5million for improving infrastructure – a new hotel leisure facilities. An impressive plan!

Meeting of Patients Representatives
Thurrock & Basildon Clinical Commissioning Group of GP’s arranged a meeting of patients representatives from various surgeries on 21st March 2012 at the Premier Lode Hotel from 1 to 3pm. On behalf of the patients registered with the Balfour Medical Centre Grays, I attended this meeting along with 10 other representatives. Three office holders of the Clinical Commissioning Group – Chair, Clinical Lead and the Secretary explained the purpose of this meeting. The new legislation puts an obligation on the Commissioning Group to have regular dialogue with the patients representatives for improving the services. It was a good meeting where some proposals were discussed to strengthen this group.

Thurrock CAB Management Committee Meeting
Being a member of the management committee, I attended this meeting on 21st March 2012 from 4.30 to 6.00pm at the Thurrock CAB office at Beehive Community Centre Grays. The committee members listened to the manager and the Chair on various issues relating to the staffing and budgeting. Because of the reduction in income this year, two people have to become redundant. New management structure is adopted to meet the efficiency of delivering services to local residents. It was felt that we should increase the number of trustees as well.

Full Council Meeting
On 21st March 2012, I attended the full council meeting as Deputy Mayor from 6.45 to 9.45pm. Two Cabinet Members presented their written reports which led to questions and answers session. The council approved Financial Strategy for the next three years. There was a good discussion on four motions put forward by a number councillors. It was the last meeting of the municipal year which created a lot of excitement amongst members of two main groups.

Ward Walk – Grays Thurrock Ward
On 22nd March 2012, I went around a few streets in my ward – Crest Avenue, College Close, Langthorne Crescent, St Georges Avenue and met a few residents with whom I exchanged views about the Council services – cleaning and greening; bus services, footpaths, cleaning of back streets, etc.

Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee Meeting
As one of the members of this Committee, I attended this meeting with two other Councillors on 22nd March 2012. A number of council officers were in attendance to explain the corporate performance indicators. In a majority of indicators the Council is showing improved performance. The Councillors asked some searching questions to the officers.

Ward Walk – College Avenue; Ward Avenue
On 23rd March 2012, I walked around the ward and met some residents in College Avenue; Ward Avenue, Woodward Close & Woodward Heights. It was a nice sunny day.

Trade School Presentations
I represented the Mayor at this function which took place in the Council Chamber on 24th March 2012 from 10.45 to 12.30pm. Thirty young people received certificates after completing their course successfully. I met these young people who seemed to have enjoyed their 6 weeks work experience on various trades; carpentry; brick laying; electricians and plumbing. I also met a number of parents and grand parents. It was a happy family occasion.

Thurrock Music Services – Ensembles Concert
At the invitation of the Head of Thurrock Music Services, I attended this Ensembles Concert on 26th March 2012 from 7 to 9pm. Fifty young people displayed their musical talents to nearly 100 parents, grand parents and their friends. The Thurrock Youth Orchestra Hassenbrook, Guitar Ensemble; Ockendon Brass; Beginners/Intermediate Wood Wind; Solo Cello performance. Saxophone Ensemble; senior strings ensemble – All these groups performed wonderfully well.

Visit to a Bereaved Family
A young student from Grays school died suddenly last week. His family was totally devastated by this tragedy. As a ward councillor, I made a visit to the family with two colleagues from the TRUST on 27th March 2012. I assured my support to the family which they appreciated.

Ward Walk Around
On 28th March 2012, I went around a few streets in the Grays Thurrock Ward from 11 to 1pm. The streets visited were: Allenby Crescent; Bridge Road; Orchard Drive; Airey Neave Court and Hogg Lane. I met a few residents and discussed with them some local issues.

Meeting of the Audit Committee
Along with other members of the Audit Committee, I attended this meeting at 7pm on 28th March 2012. The final external audit report was presented by the external auditors. The Director of Finance and his senior staff outlined the improvements made to the next years audit. It was the last meeting of this Committee for this municipal year. We said goodbye to the Chair as she is resigning from the Council.

Ward Walkabouts
With another ward councillor, we went around a few streets in the Grays Thurrock Ward on 29th March 2012. The streets which we visited were Lodge Lane and Hathaway Road, Grays where we met a number of local residents and discussed with them some local issues relating to parking on grass verges and cleaning of Hathaway Road Park. A few individuals raised their personal issues which we promised to raise with Council officers.

Standards Committee Meeting
On 29th March 2012, I attended this meeting at the Council offices from 7 to 9pm. This was the last meeting of this Committee. We discussed a few Council policies; whistle blowing; Anti-Fraud Strategy and Regulation of Investigatory Power Act 2000. The Standards Provision in the Localism Act was the main issue for information & discussion.

Citizen Ceremony
On behalf of the Mayor. I attended this ceremony on Saturday 31st March 2012 from 9.45 to 11.30am at the Thameside Complex – Registrar’s office. Twenty local residents were awarded British Citizenship status. It was a very happy occasion for these newly made British Citizens and their families.