Community leaders, active in the heart of your area for many years 

Independently recognised, in June 2009, as the top-placed public sector body in Essex for service and value for money to its residents 

Independently recognised, in June 2009, as one of the best run councils in the country 

Maintained one of the lowest ratios of public sector employee levels 

Enjoyed excellent staff and union relationships 

Supported across-the-board reduction of councillor allowances 

In 2009, led campaign for 12 ¼% reduction in leading councillor allowances 

Took TDC from near-bankruptcy in 2000 to a very strong financial position in 2009 

Saved £790,000 in first year – deficit reversed, £1 million added to reserves - all without loss of service or a council tax rise. 

In 2008, highest (4) rating for financial stability, financial management and value for money (other Essex Districts and Boroughs struggled with a 2 rating or lower) 

Consistently ensured “the Council used its resources wisely, improved its services well and kept taxes low” (Audit Commission 2009) 

For many years, maintained the lowest council tax (including parish precepts) in Essex 

Recent average council tax increases kept at or below inflation 

Total three year increase in TDC’s share of council tax (2007 - 2010) = 22 pence a week 

Ensured faster and more efficient council tax collection from late payers 

Encouraged healthier lifestyles through investment in top-class leisure facilities in places where people want them. 

Worked together with NHS North East to achieve a comprehensive provision of residents’ health needs 

Helped pioneer range of health and fitness programmes, such as ‘Active for Life’ for all residents 

Promoted the expansion of the ‘Action Zone’ programme for our youngsters 

Full committed to the Government’s free swimming programme for Over-60’s 

Full committed to the Government’s free swimming programme for Under-16’s 

Overhaul of the Clacton Leisure Centre to provide top-quality services to all users 

“Parasports” introduced at Clacton Leisure Centre, providing a wide range of activities for people with disabilities. 

Proposed upgrade of the Frinton and Walton Swimming Pool 

Proposed upgrade of the Harwich Sports Centre 

Proposed upgrade of the Dovercourt Leisure Centre 

Saved the closure of the Manningtree Sports Centre 

Saved the closure of the Brightlingsea Sports Centre 

Saved the closure of the Harwich Sports Centre 

Supported the sourcing of external grants for sports clubs and sports developments 

Introduced One Leisure Card (now around 43,500 members - 30% of the population) 

Increased Lifestyles Fitness membership by over 300% within 18 months 

Ongoing commitment to keeping our public gardens and open spaces to a high standard 

A fully-financed programme to upgrade all play areas across Tendring within four years 

Building of multi-use games areas 

Creation of Skate parks 

Upgraded Jubilee Park play area in Walton 

Upgraded Eastcliff play area in Clacton 

Upgraded Cliff Park play area in Dovercourt 

Upgraded Vista Road Play area in Clacton 

Upgraded Old Road Play area in Clacton 

Upgraded Knox Road Play Area 

Upgraded Great Oakley play area 

Created the provision of a 17.5 acre country park in Clacton 

Carried out large scale work protecting our coastline 

Created 50% of free parking spaces within 5 minutes walk of Clacton Town Centre 

Promoted 550 new on-street parking spaces between Clacton Hospital and the town centre, 

Provided 30 rural businesses with a share in a £60,000 rate bill reduction over 2 years 

Ensured the Council paid invoices much quicker 

Ensured that the Council passed on the VAT reduction without delay 

Reintroduced and provided ongoing support for the Walton Market 

Introduced the Clacton Air Show 

Introduced the Tour de Tendring Cycle Race 

Financed a long-term programme of upgrading public toilets across the District 

Founded the Haven Gateway Partnership, a sub-regional economic partnership that has brought money and jobs to our area 

Fought for the proposed new dock at Bathside Bay, Harwich 

Committed to playing a central role in regenerating the run-down areas in Harwich, Jaywick and other areas, whilst helping to create better living conditions across Tendring 

Regenerated of Clacton Town centre, leading to new businesses opening and high occupancy rates 

Introduced Clacton Master Plan 

Introduced Walton Master Plan 

Gave long term support for the Naze Crag Walk scheme and provided the ‘Golden Key’ to unlock the project 

Introduced Harwich Master Plan 

Co-founded the Jaywick Strategic Partnership Group 

Funded the continual refurbishment of seafront shelters 

Helping to reduce crime and disorder, and making our area safer for all 

Worked closely with the Police to reduce crime and help people feel safer in our area 

Introduced the first CCTV cameras to our town centres 

Pioneered the adoption of Police Community Support Officers in our towns and parishes 

Spearheaded the Crime Prevention Partnership which coordinates all agencies in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour 

Led and coordinated neighbourhood policing initiatives which have proved so successful 

Five TDC car parks and Clacton Town Centre awarded Police “Secured by Design” award. 

Introduced and supported "20 is Plenty" speed signs around our schools 

Fought with residents’ groups to protect traffic flow at Kirby Bridge 

Campaigned for new pedestrian crossings, such as in Thorpe Road 

Gave strong financial support over many years to many organizations in the Voluntary Sector 

Gave strong financial support to the Citizens Advice Bureau 

Gave strong support for the Westcliff Theatre 

Revamped and increased TDC’s Small Schemes Fund to benefit hundreds of small voluntary organisations 

Ensured, over many years, that Tendring keeps its weekly waste and recycling collections 

Increased the number of people authorised to issue litter and dog-fouling fines 

Introduced Dog Wardens 

Ensured removal of over 83% of abandoned vehicles within 24 hours 

Ensured removal of “fly tipped” waste from public land within 1.35 working days 

Oversaw the removal of 11 tons of detritus daily from Tendring’s streets 

Oversaw the cleaning of Clacton Town Centre up to six times a day in the summer months 

Reduced the amount of waste collected for landfill in Tendring to the lowest in Essex and the 16th lowest in the country 

Added over 10 more recycling banks, with over 80 across the district 

Ensured that 47 out of 48 schools have a recycling collection service 

Introduced Waste Crusader hotline service to keep our country roads and lanes clear of litter 

Launched a web- based planning service including applications and progress checks on line 

Secured £millions from planning agreements for investment in improvements across the district 

Approved several successful high profile planning enforcement cases 

Introduced Conservation Area Management Plans for Frinton, Walton, Kirby and Great Holland, Mistley and Manningtree 

Fought to retain the open spaces within our District, prevent unnecessary and unwanted road-building and development 

Protected our community assets, such as Kirby Backwaters seawall footpath 

Ensured that Concessionary Bus Travel started at 9.00 a.m. (from 9.30 a.m.) 

Supported Disabled Go, a web-based guide for residents and visitors with disabilities 

Introduced 39 new disabled parking spaces in Clacton Town Centre 

Ensured the educational attainment of our children is raised by working in partnership with our local schools. 

Supported the creation of opportunities for our young families to have a home that is affordable 

Promoted vocational training and apprenticeship schemes 

Managed one of the quickest processing rates of council tax benefits in the country 

Achieved 100% “Decent Homes” standards for Council properties 

Introduced benefits surgeries, critical in times of recession 

Instrumental in triggering of £1.7m worth of “Warm Front” grants for poorly insulated properties 

Achieved tenant satisfaction ratings of 88% in TDC properties 

Coordinated housing capital improvements programme of some £3 million a year 

Introduced a grant scheme for sports clubs and voluntary groups in council buildings - 23 groups assisted at a cost of £18,000 

Fully supported Interaction Partnership in delivering real benefits to residents in Pier and Golf Green Wards