Regeneration is probably the most important issue that affects everyone in the District. From this, almost everything else flows, as it is the driver of the local economy. It’s about our town centres and the businesses in them, sports and leisure facilities, our roads, railways and related transport, our beaches and parks, schools and colleges, health facilities – in fact, almost everything you can think of. 

 

Obviously, Tendring District Council does not have responsibility for everything that happens in terms of regeneration, but it plays an important role in providing some of those services and acting as a local community leader in coordinating and leading on all of them. 

 

Here, over time, we shall lay out what has happened in the past, what has been done more recently and how (unfortunately) well researched and laid out plans have gone to waste at a time when our area is in greatest need of regeneration. 

 

 

 

Another topic that has been dominating the newspaper headlines has been the upgrading of our leisure centres, in an attempt to put first class facilities within five miles of every home (not just in the largest urban area). 

 

Clearly, this will not be of concern to everyone, but it is to some 45,000 (over 30%) of our population, covering the entire age range. Sports and Leisure activities have a wider impact on our community than is often realised. For example, giving youngsters more constructive things to do has a positive impact on crime and disorder or getting people involved in health-giving activities will, in the long run, reduce the pressure (and costs) on our health services. Both these have beneficial effects on the wider community, even if they do not participate in these activities themselves. 

 

 

 

The hot topic of 2011 is the impact of the large reductions in Government grants to local councils. As the most significant cost of most businesses is salaries and wages, the implications are obvious, making it a very worrying time for employees of the Council. Yet, the Council has to re-examine the way it provides its services to residents whilst trying to avoid any loss of quality. 

 

The process is taking up a significant amount of the public sector’s time at the moment. The stark truth is that, in Tendring, the process was started in early 2009, but has stalled until recently. It’s sad to record, but some 18 months of time, money and opportunity have been wasted as a result. However, with the correct (and balanced) approach, it is still not too late to get it right. Here, we lay out the facts. 

 

 

Our democratic systems in this country have been evolving over centuries, with the current arrangements in place for around 100 years. What is called adversarial (or tribal) politics is beginning to look out-dated, as the public demands more (and better) from government, whether national or local. 

 

Here, we look at what has been happening recently and demonstrates that politicians, if they have a mind to (and put their communities before self and/or party), can work together very successfully to make life better for their constituents. Once again, we believe that facts, rather than empty spin, provide the evidence. 

 

 

This section is devoted to matters such as parking, but, just like any debate, people need to be informed about the pros and cons first. Within reason, we try to put a balanced case so that we can be guided by our residents, not rigid dogma. Like our other sections, these topics will be developed over time.