It was great news that Southend United achieved a draw against Chelsea this week. Plus our Southend fans continued their good reputation, receiving further praise for their high standard of behaviour. Makes you feel proud to be a Southender. :0)

Season's Greetings

Last week I attended the Christmas Concert at Cluny Square. It was a lovely evening. We were blessed with good weather, and lots of people turned up and enjoyed the event. There were Christmas carols and songs provided by the choir from Temple Sutton School, and festive music provided by a local band. There were also roasted chestnuts provided, plus mulled wine and mince pies that brought many a smile to many a face. It was lovely meeting up with old friends and seeing so many people enjoying the 'Christmas spirit.'

It was a real credit to those who has put in so much work to make this event happen and there was a lovely community atmosphere. I would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to readers of this blog and also to wish a Happy Chanukah to those who celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights.

I would like to wish one and all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.

This blogspot will aim to give a snapshot view of some of my councillor activities.

It is not a daily record or comprehensive list of what I do, but will hopefully give an insight into some of the things I do in my capacity as a ward councillor.

In recent weeks I have attended the Labour councillors' surgery and met with local constituents.

Some of the various Council-related meetings I have attended in recent weeks have included the local Neighbourhood Action Panel, Southend Airport Public Consultation Committee, Development Control Committee, and the Management Committee of St Edmunds Hall.

I met with the Executive member for Culture at the Council and the chief council officer for culture, and had an in-depth discussion on swimming pool provision across the borough. A boroughwide pool review is currently in progress, and I am continuing to voice my deep concern that a quality public pool should be retained in the town centre in addition to other pools provided elsewhere in the town.

I have met with Council officers to further discuss the planned street improvement schemes to the Central, South and North Avenue area, and the Stornoway Road area.

I am pleased that following the residents' petition to improve parking in the Central Avenue area, that I submitted to Council earlier in the year with the request for a review of existing double-yellow lines, the scheme has now been to public consultation and is planned to be implemented in the New Year. This should result in many new parking spaces being provided.

The Stornoway Road area scheme will also bring benefits, especially in relation to improving road safety regarding reducing speeding. I have voiced my dismay to the Council that the scheme appears to do little to improve parking, and I feel a scheme is needed that will help to ease the parking stress in the Stornoway Road area.

Residents in the Bournemouth Park Road area are currently being consulted on a road improvement scheme. My Labour councillor colleagues in Victoria ward and I have been urging the Council to make this road safer and to improve parking for residents, and I urge residents to take part in the public consultation.

I am continuing to urge the Council to improve road safety and parking in Royston Avenue too.

Residents have been responding to the Community Speedwatch request for volunteers.

A recent addition to St Lukes ward is a new branch of the Southend Credit Union. I attended the launch of the new branch in the council ward last month. Credit unions encourage people to save from an early age, and can provide loans too.

At the last meeting of the Full Council I expressed my deep concern that Southend Council had appeared to do little to progress my request that a statue of an RAF airman should be erected at Southend Airport in tribute to the aircrews that were based there and defended our country during the First and Second World Wars. The Council has agreed to look for ways to fund this project, and to my request that a report on this be brought to the next meeting of the Cabinet.

I am continuing to support various community projects, such as the community cafe for Cluny Square, city farm and garden for the disabled.

Contact details: E-mail cllrroyston@southend.gov.uk Tel 01702 347472.

Profile

My deep roots and strong links with St Lukes Ward stem from my childhood when I grew up in this part of town and attended Hamstel Road School. I still proudly regard myself as a 'Southchurch boy.'

As a long-serving elected member of Southend Council, I have represented the residents of St Lukes since 1997.

I have served on numerous council committees including as an executive member of the initial Cabinet when Southend became a Unitary authority.

The Council work I enjoy best is when I am working alongside residents throughout the year, helping individuals and as part of the various resident and community groups in the area.

As a frequent bus user and someone who enjoys swimming and cycling, I personally experience and truly value the importance of these things in the local community.

I have successfully campaigned for improvements for bus users and cyclists and continue to spearhead the campaign for improved swimming facilities in the town.

Improved highways safety and parking also remain high on my agenda, as these issues can have a profound effect on residents' quality of life.

I am an avid suppporter St Edmunds Community Hall and projects that improve the environment and quality of life for individuals and create stonger, caring communities.

Some of the schemes I am currently involved in include improving local health facilities, street improvements, a community cafe, garden for the disabled, Community Speedwatch and a City Farm project.