THE WAR of words between Belhus councillors and residents appears to have taken a nasty turn when a 78-year-old military veteran was manhandled at a residents meeting.
Peter Perrin, 78, Broxburn Drive, South Ockendon had attended a special meeting of South Ockendon Residents Association (Sora) last Wednesday to address a number of complaints.
The Chair of SORA, Cllr Sue Gray was present along with fellow Belhus Cllr Wendy Curtis.
Mr Perrin said: “I was invited to the meeting to address a number of issues. Once I got there I felt an uncomfortable atmosphere. The meeting turned into something akin to a “Kangaroo Court””.
As tempers frayed I was referring to evidence I had on a printed out e-mail. As I held it, a woman tried to grab it. I held onto it and jerked forward as she tried to yank it again”.
The meeting was being minuted by Ngage representative, Jacqui Payne.
Mrs Payne said:” It became quickly apparent that there was unrest between those people present which led to heated debates. Despite only being there to record the minutes, I felt it necessary to stop the meeting as I could see no resolution would be reached.
Others at the meeting were shocked by the intimidating atmosphere at the meeting.
Deirdre Lodge, Stifford Road said: “There was a horrible atmosphere there. There was a little 78-year-old man being subjected to what was like a show trial.
“When the woman tried to grab the papers, I thought that Peter was going to fall over.”
YourThurrock asked Mr Perrin if he felt frightenned. He said: “No, I have been through a lot in 78 years. This incident was unpleasant.”
YourThurrock has spoken to Cllr Sue Gray but she has refused to issue a statement pending legal advice. Other individuals present have been given an opportunity to respond but to date have not done so.
Mrs Payne added: “Once the meeting had been bought to a close, I recommended and have since offered training and an opportunity to bring two of the individuals concerned together to try and resolve the issues and find a better way of working together for the benefit of their local community.”
Earlier this month, a rift was reported over the Howard Tenens Lorry Park in Stifford Road. The councillors objected to planning permission while 400 residents supported it.
Hello Michael
I have read your article regarding the Peter Perrin Saga and the closed meeting held by our SORA Chairperson, of which I am a little disappointed in the way you have reported it!
First of all I must put emphasis on SORA being a non political party. I have noticed that you refer to Sue Gray as Cllr Sue Gray and Wendy Curtis as Cllr Wendy Curtis, on these issues! These issues are not Thurrock Council Issues, they are Issues of the South Ockendon Residents Association, therefore the positions held are Sue Gray (Chairperson) and Wendy Curtis (Secretary) of SORA!
Both of these people are residents of South Ockendon, who are entitled to be members of SORA and were elected to the Committee by democratic vote!
They are not allowed to influence issues of SORA as Councillors because we, as a residents association are Non Political, but if need be, they can stand down from their position in order to make any responses if an answer is requested from them as Councilors at meetings! Other than that, they have no politcal influences in SORA.
This must be recognised by all those that report about SORA!
I was not at this meeting however, I know Peter Perrin was summoned to answer various issues to which he had been a party of and had been very personal towards members of the Committee including myself!
In my opinion, Peter Perrin is not the frail old man that you and other people portray as are led to believe! he is a very clever man and good at manipulating situations in order to get his own way!
I am told that Peter is Chairperson of the Labour Group and he is quite stearn at keeping them in order, yet he will not allow SORA to do the same! Perhaps he should look at his own political motivations before accusing others!
Some time ago Mr Perrin was asked not to interrupt by speaking out of turn at a SORA meeting, held at St Nicholas Hall! Peter took humberance to that and consequently left the building!
He has never forgotten this and has attempted to disrupt meetings ever since and has been disrespectful to those members on the committee, even to the point of questioning my ability to chair my first meeting and also question my democratic election where members voted me onto the committee as Deputy Chair!
Comments in an email sent by Peter Perrin to Sue Gray regarding my position on SORA, assinated my charactor and were disrespectful towards me and I subsequently made a complaint and stood down! I was elected to the Deputy Chair, but only agreed to carry the position out on a tempory basis until the AGM where a New Deputy would be voted!
Peter Perrin has long been for himself and I believe he is now jumping on peoples bandwagons to feed his own means to gain a foothold and divide the SORA Group.
As for the Howard Tennans Issue, SORA was aproached by residents from the area of the old Marley Tiles depot and Dee asked for support for their campaign to stop the trucks in her area. At no time was it mentioned that they had struck a deal with the company to support their planning application to move the entrance, which would have meant destroying part of that environment, now being a sad time when we find that they did not have any planning permission and still they continued to fell trees and lay more concrete! This was an illegal move on their part to do that without planning permission. This is why SORA could not support their petition and due to the fact that it would have conflicted with the same issues we have reported regarding other companies in Ockendon operating without planning permission! What is good for the goose is good for the gander, you cannot let one get away with it and then prosecute all the others!
We at SORA have been hoodwinked before, by others carrying out unlawful actions and have suspended support to protect the good name of SORA. This situation is no different and there is some distortion as to what you have been told by Peter Perrin!
I have sympathy with Dee and the other 399 signatures regarding the Traffic of HGV’S, I know it is a nightmare! But I have no sympathy for the Company as they broke the Law and have to be dealt with! Green Belt land is sacred!
I just hope those Companies in Arisdale Avenue are going to be dealt with in the same way!
The Golden Rule was broken by Peter Perrin and Dee and that was by involving Politics in SORA!
I hope this clarifies the situation somewhat Michael and I ask you politely, to be fair on your reporting!
Thank you
Regards
Chris Savill
I urge the Groups and the Residents of South Ockendon including Belhus, to remain united within SORA and not let internal Personal diferences and bickering destroy the reputation of this goup!
Our Councillors do listen to us and try to make things better, but like us at SORA, they will not contravine the Laws of this Land by putting themselves out to the wolves!
Hello Chris with regards to your comment’s re the SORA meeting on Wednesday night. I attended the meeting as an observer, Mr Perrin asked the SORA Commitee questions which were merited, but due to his questions the meeting became hostile from the SORA Committee. Not only were threats made toward Mr Perrin he was also subjected to insults as was my wife.
Does this not show that a conflict of interest has arisen due to holding the post as Councillor and chair of SORA.
Could you explain how my wife Dee involved politics re SORA and what deal she has supposed to have made with Howard Tennens? Howard Tennens approached the RESIDENTS several years ago asking them what they wanted.
Once again the question arises, how another councillor can work for the council and a trust that are opposing what the residents want.
Simon Lodge
No is my answer to the conflict of interest between our Chairperson and her role as Councillor! This has come from Peter Perrin as long prior to you and your wife attending a SORA meeting!
This man has personal grieviences against the Chairperson and also with me. Your issues came along just in time for him to jump on the bandwagon so he can continue to disrespect members of the group!
Your wife also had shown disrespect towards me in her comments via email and calling me a selfish person! This was unnacceptable as I work hard for the residents and expect nothing in return! Your wife is not the only one with illness as I explained to her that night at the meeting!
What was not said by you and your wife, was that the residents on that petition supported the planning application to get the entrance moved! This will not stop the Lorries coming up and down stifford road. Howard Tennens SHOULD BE KICKED OFF SITE for what they have done!
As for the meeting and it’s contents, I cannot comment on this as I was not in attendance.
As far as I knew, Peter Perin was summoned to a meeting to explain his actions on various issues! I was not aware that he was there to ask his questions! I was also led to believe that this was a closed meeting, so I do not know why you and your wife were attending as observers, given that you both were newcomers to SORA! Peter Perrin would have had an ulteria motive when attending this meeting as he has an agenda regarding SORA!
Knowing Sue Gray as I do, I would be very surprised at the aledged actions without any Goading and unprofessional conduct from Peter Perrin!
As you say you were there as observers, then I fail to see how your wife became further involved without making comments!
Our Councillors are caring Councillors and who work hard for the people of Belhus and South Ockendon. Had you stuck to the original plan to get this Company stopped parking their HGV’s and moved and prosecuted for what they did , then that would have shown your support to us all! Your issue and Peter Perrin dragged polotics into SORA, not our Chairperson because she happens to be a Councillor!
SORA Does not condone actions against it’s Residents and neither actions to bring SORA into disrepute by internal bickering Your wifes approach to me at that meeting was innapropriate, however I agreed to do a poster design and then she verbally attacked me via email to Sue Gray soon after!
Not all residents want what you want, some have said that and there is a comment on here to that effect!
I will defend all of our Councillors, I will defend all of our Green Belt Along Side of them and will defend my Chairperson, Secretary and SORA’S good name. I will not defend any disrespect shown to SORA!
I think enough has been said on these pages for you to read and to understand how your wife and Peter Perrins actions have marred SORA and put this issue into the political arena!
I trust my point has been made
Chris Savill
I must write and say how i have enjoyed your wining comments, I have not laughed so much for a long while. What I find even more hilarious is your communication, it seems to lack any intelligence. Do you honestly think you can be taken seriously? What was your real reasons for fighting the Lorries on South Road? was it for the Ockendon Residents or was it to clear South Road from Brandon Groves so the Belhus Councillors found it easier to avoid the Lorries. No wonder you got their support.
I have just read your comments with regards to SORA, you state that it is non political . Explaine why we have two councillors on the commitee? This now puts SORA into question, who has their loyalty, the Residents or the Council?
But we already know the answer. As far as I am aware you do not live in Belhus and have voiced your opinion of the Belhus Residents loud and clear at the Residents meeting, ie you are not interested in our fight. So why have you got so much to say.
As for your comments regarding my wife speaking to you at the Residents meeting, what did you find innapropriate? was it that she offered support to you or was it that she admired your posters? Maybe you should speak to Sue Gray, it was she who suggested my wife speak to you, so do us all a favour get your facts right. After your outburst at the residents meeting regarding the Belhus Residents, my wife’s comments that you are a selfish man seem very polite compared to your DISGUSTING lanuage you have used. To encourage you to take up the position as vice chair of SORA was a mistake as it was your and the Commitee’s actions that has now brought SORA under question.
Simon Lodge
Reply to Chris Saville
No you were not there at the meeting regarding SORA and Peter Perrin so why open your mouth at all, it seems I now have to waste my time putting the FACTS straight because all you are doing is causing Sue Gray and Wendy Curtis more embarrasment by your erratic statements.
FACT Mr Perrin was not summond to a SORA meeting, he infact asked for the meeting to discuss why the SORA minutes had not been truly documented.
FACT Mr Perrin I believe is in his rights to have as many Observers as he so wishes, and if you can read the consitution you would be aware of this.
FACT I am at a loss as to why you say my petition was never seen? My petition was given to Sue Gray for Cllr’s Charlie and Wendy Curtis to look over, it seems in a discussion with Cllr Wendy Curtis that Cllr Sue Gray did not bother to show the two Councillors my petition and proceeded to alter the complete petition for her own benifit which she handed to me at the SORA meeting in August. I am left wondering which hat Sue Gray was wearing at the time Councillor or Sora Chair member? Due to you highlighting to all that my petition was never seen, I have no option but to ask that the tampering of my petition by Cllr Sue Gray be investigated.
Deirdre Lodge
Reply to all concerned.
Howard Tenans Group,have already completly destroyed Hangmans Woods,by felling ancient Oak trees,filling in fishing lakes,and erecting large steel fencing with a large exit and entrance doors,onto a old dirt footpath which leads to Stifford Road.this footpath was going to be the new exit and entrance to and from the yard,this would have meant that all lorries,would not have been seen or heard, and the local residents could have returned to a normal life free from lorries on a 24/7 system.the question that should be asked is.Isnt it to late now to stop the destruction of green belt land by Howard Tenans.
Isnt it to late now to stop the destruction of Hangmans Woods,when its already been destroyed,not only by Howard Tenans but by Woodland management by the previous owners of the woodlands,ie Marley Tiles Group.
Please stop having arguments between yourselfs about whos right and wrong,and get together what ever political party you support,and help afew tired and very weary residents who you say you support,show your support and rid of these lorries,by allowing the new entrance and exit from that eye sore in Stifford Road,South Ockendon.