Oracle on-Sea April 2019

Your all-seeing local

February April 2019 2018

OR CLE ORACLE

Leigh, Chalkwell, Thorpe Bay, Southchurch, Westcliff & the Garrison Southend Conservation & Shoeburyness Area

LOCAL ISSUES! Our failing High Street #SAVESOUTHEND Housing and the homeless WIN! £50 voucher at luxury lingerie boutique - Coco Boo

Front Cover image by local photographer Miriam Fleming

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April 2019

ORACLE

WELCOME

Again, this month’s Oracle brings you further unique articles on some of the towns issues written by local businessmen Philip Miller, David Dedman and local resident Tony Wates. I am unable to print all of the articles/letters I am sent each month but you are always welcome to leave your comments directly on Oracle’s website. Please continue to send in your articles/letters and I will do my best to print them as and when I have the space. Your continued support and views for our town is very important and necessary.

Thank you to everyone who took part signing the petition, asking the Council for 2 hours free parking on Southend’s High Street side roads. The petition was greatly supported and exceeded its target and has now been submitted to the Council well before the deadline.

Fingers crossed, Southend High Street will soon have the news that it is waiting for, to help support its trading problems.

Win a £50 voucher in this month’s Oracle competition

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CONTENTS

we are here and we are...

Our Failing High Street

9/10

Local Issues by Philip Miller

Housing and the homeless

16/30

#SaveSouthend article by David Dedman

Breaking Loneliness and Isolation

22

Article by Roger Savage

Spring styles that rock

26

Structural Calculations \ Building Control Applications \ Planning Applications Structural Openings RSJ & Lintel Sizing Structural Frames Extension Design Loft Conversions Foundation Sizing New Structural Roofs Structural Surveys

Salon advice by Craig Smith

Chocolate Easter Cake

34

Recipe by Judy Barden

Brainbox 32 What’s On 36 Useful Number’s 40 Advertiser Directory 42

Structural Design for: New Build Houses & Flats Existing Houses Commercial Buildings

www.structuralworks.co.uk T: 07977 510378 All rights reserved. No part of Oracle Publications UK Ltd may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in part without prior permission of the publisher. Oracle Publications UK Ltd is editorially autonomous and the opinions expressed are not those of the publisher unless expressly stated.

E: hello@structuralworks.co.uk 42 Castleton Road \ Southend on Sea \ Essex \ SS2 4UD

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April 2019

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April 2019

LOCAL ISSUES

Our Failing High Street Emma kindly asked for an update since my October 'Save Southend High Street' article. I was touched by the many supportive emails I received at the time and I thank you for them.

Up to that point, I felt I was a bit of a lone wolf!

I had no inkling to the depth of feeling in the community regarding the demise of our town.

So what has happened in the meantime you may ask?

Not a lot in fact!

- The bedding has gone, the beggars have not!

- Muggers are still mugging!

- Cyclists are still intimidating us!

In fact, sadly we can add murder to the list as well!!

It would be totally unfair to blame the police as individuals, they are tremendous but are stretched beyond the limit. We simply do not have anywhere near enough Bobbies on the beat.

The problem lies with having a Conservative Government, Conservative MPs, Conservative Council and a Conservative Police Commissioner.

I do believe they are all too cosy with each other and too frightened to rattle each other’s cages.

Our strategy

Whilst this has been going on, myself and two friends came up with a cunning plan which we April 2019

thought would be a great way forward, in helping the town back on its feet.

The strategy was presented by SKA Architects headed by the principal Steve Kearney, an award winning local architect in his own right and Richard King a retired big hitter who had many huge, successful regeneration projects on his CV. Who incidentally had his own article expressing his very advanced thinking for Southend's future prosperity, in the March edition of Oracle.

I might say both of these gentleman put their time in gratis, they like us, just want change for the better in Southend.

We arranged the presentation to be held at my restaurant 'Sands by the Sea' on a lovely sunny Southend day! I invited representatives of each political persuasion to come and add their input, including Cllr James Courtenay. I also invited the Town Clerk who incidentally refused my invitation.

It was a well attended event which included the Chamber of Commerce, local professional’s, local press and Emma with many of her Oracle readers in attendance.

Our suggestions

In short, to capture the mood of the meeting; we suggested a few simple things from the powers that be:1 - Free two hours parking on all side roads

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9

adjacent to the High Street, from one end to the other.

- Return car parks to 'pay as you go'.

2 - Removal of all unnecessary double yellow lines.

It just needs strong/inspirational leadership with a bit of business savvy thrown in.

You could then add these spaces to the newly created free two hours, street parking.

Whilst writing this, I couldn't let this opportunity pass without mentioning my favourite story 'Seawaygate' as I now call it!

We estimate if you include all the stub ends on the M&S side of the High Street it might come to around one hundred spots, that’s all.

But what a message it would send to customers and traders, how would M&S feel about free parking bang outside their front door?

3 - The majority, present at the meeting, felt it would be great to reopen sections of the High Street to cars, not all of it, just some. This move would create a flow and maybe extra parking but it would positively ease congestion, reduce pollution and by opening the High Street to traffic would improve peoples safety at night.

Since the meeting another matter is now a contender to be included with the other three priorities.

4 - To return the car parks to pay on exit.

I have spoken with SBC who tell me its vandalism that forced them to change car parks to pay as you go? Must be very picky vandals to leave hourly paid machines alone!

Surely, this could be implemented very quickly?

I won’t bore you with all the arguments doing the rounds that are all still valid, by the way.

You know the one, flogging a ten million pound site for a pound!

Trying to justify their lack of business nous in giving away seven hundred thousand pounds of car park takings for two hundred and eighty two thousand in return, by telling us it is OK as we will be collecting business rates to make up the shortfall!

When the deal was signed six years ago, rates were never part of the equation, on top of which a recent House of Commons select committee is recommending a reduction or replacement in business rates.

Who's responsible for shortfall?

Will the folks at the Council who are responsible make up the shortfall from their own pockets?

However just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse?

These few things are quick and easy fixes that would rejuvenate the High Street from day one.

I need a drum role here and I hope you are seated!

It might also encourage the shops still trading in the High Street in particular M&S and Debenhams to stay.

Reduced business rates

Believe it or not, Southend Council after selling the Seaway car park for one pound have considered buying back the car parking element from the developers, for car parking!

It was also mentioned about reducing business rates on the back streets for start up businesses, which would be great for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Of course they denied it when confronted, however it’s all recorded in Council minutes and reports.

The Council already have powers to enact this, by the way.

Well, elections are next month perhaps you might like to check with the candidates of all parties and see what their 'take' is on the subject?

The ambition is to create a big Leigh.

All simple stuff to do, for starters:- Bit of paint remover for the double yellow lines.

- Two hours free parking at the stroke of a pen.

- The roads are underneath the existing pavement in the High Street, you just need to move/create a few temporary barriers.

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Philip Miller M.B.E (Local Entrepreneur & Business Owner) Oracle welcomes thoughts from all sides as balance is very important. Write your letter in the comment section located under the relevant article on our website. Or contact a member of our team if you would like an article printed. oraclepublications.co.uk #SaveSouthend

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April 2019

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April 2019

ACTION IS NEEDED NOW TO

SAVE SOUTHEND We believe these 4 simple steps would help the town centre out of it’s terrible decline.

OPEN THE

2 HOURS

FREE PARKING

HIGH STREET

TO CARS REMOVE

UNNECESSARY

YELLOW

LINES

RETURN TO PAY-AS-YOU-GO

CAR PARK MACHINES

We want Southend Borough Council to introduce these ‘simple to achieve’ steps to save the town centre and the High Street. It now needs inspirational leadership and a determination to stop the crime, to stop aggressive begging, to stop retail traders leaving and give people confidence to come back to Southend to shop.

Let’s lobby! If you agree with our simple, easy to achieve proposals, email, write, phone (carrier pigeon) your Councillor to get them to push these through. It needs urgent action by the Council before it’s too late.

And don’t forget there’s local elections coming up if your Councillor won’t listen.

And don’t let your Councillor tell you they can’t afford it…

They sell town centre car parks for a £1!

Published by Philip Miller MBE on behalf of the Concerned Southenders Group at Sunken Gardens, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1EE

April 2019

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Housing and the homeless Homelessness is not a new issue. I have been involved with property real estate for 48 years and although the issue is much greater now than it was in the 1970s it has always been a problem.

rail links into London and Docklands. Access to an airport, mixed offering of schooling etc. Vacant sites around the town centre in council ownership. Residential areas with lower costs than nearby.

Furthermore, the problem is not the UKs

The requirements

alone. A recent visit to Munich and

Copenhagen as well as Athens within the last six months reveals the problems are not so dissimilar to our own. City centres throughout the western world are suffering from dispossessed people (mainly men) and nowadays tending to be under the age of 40. There are social issues that have clearly caused the problem as well as the material issues of insufficient housing available to everyone.

It need not be like this. Genuine social housing was provided on mass from 1945 onwards throughout the country and even prior to World War II substantial social housing was provided by organisations like the London County Council to build decent homes for the elderly and young alike.

Southend has benefits that others would envy, the seaside,5 million plus visitors, south facing aspect, conservation area, two 16

This is what is required to remedy the problem, and this can be done within five years.

1. Stop selling council houses at any price and any circumstance.

2. Prevent housing associations from selling their properties in the market place with vacant possession. The London auctions in the last fifteen years have been crammed with housing associations selling its stock to investors, speculators and developers.

3. Reverse recent legislation and prohibit housing associations from selling its stock to occupational tenants again under any circumstances.

4. Build one million new homes now purely for social rent. The definition of social rent in this case will mean broadly a rent of 50% only of annual market rental value.

Continued on page 30...

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April 2019

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Breaking Loneliness and Isolation Southend Association of Voluntary Services and Shoebury Residents Association announce the expansion of the ‘Folk like Us’ project in to Shoebury. The project will provide support and information to lonely isolated and elderly residents living in Shoebury.

The project expansion is possible as SAVS has been successful in securing a grant of £98,869 from the Building Connections Fund. The Fund is thanks to both Her Majesty’s Government and National Lottery players.

The work is funded until 2021.

The Folk like Us Project is delivered through Turning Tides; a project managed by Southend Association of Voluntary Services and has been funded through The National Lottery Community Fund.

The work funded through the Building Connections Fund will enable Turning Tides to reach more residents in Shoebury with the aim to reduce isolation and disadvantage that many older people in Shoebury experience because of a lack of access to and knowledge about social activities and information to improve their quality of life.

We aim to ensure that older people in Southend and Shoebury are able to access information and assistance to attend and participate in social activities with others, because we believe that this will help to reduce isolation. Support for older people to access information is provided, including help with IT and oneto-one advice and support, as we believe that through the provision of information they can improve their quality of life.

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Membership Membership to the service is free for any resident over 65 living in Southend/Shoebury that experience loneliness or isolation.

To find out, join or make a visit to the team please call the Turning Tides Team on 01702 356070 or alternatively email turningtides@savs-southend.co.uk.

Anthony Quinn SAVS Deputy CEO said: “This is fantastic news as we have seen the positive difference our Folk like Us project has had on older people in Southend. This funding allows us to take the project to Shoebury and set up a base in the community. Residents have stated central Southend can be difficult for them to access and this funding will break down that barrier.”

Peter Lovett, Vice Chairman of Shoebury Residents Association member: said: “We are excited to partner SAVS and broaden awareness of our work and name and to promote that there will be somewhere for the isolated and lonely over 65’s to connect in the Shoebury community”.

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April 2019

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Continued from page 16...

These units should be let on secure tenancies on fixed terms of five years but with annual increases in rent to allow purely for inflation. The land can be made available by compulsory purchase of suitable sites.

5. Lastly and by no means least, reintroduce the Rent Act so that private tenants will have security of tenure in perpetuity at an affordable rent which I suggest should be 75% of annual market rent. Simultaneously introduce legislation within the new Rent Act that will prevent mortgage lenders from calling in any buy-to-let the mortgage due to this legislation being introduced.

Reintroduce allowances for mortgage tax relief for buy to let investors and cease reducing capital allowances thus ensuring for those who wish to rent accommodation is available. a) Private landlords will rush to sell off their housing stock as they did post 1965 when the first modern Rent Act was introduced. b) There will be a short impasse following the Rent Act whilst new social housing is being constructed. This is why the Rent Act should not be introduced until at least some of the one million new home to be built are well under way.

The upsides are enormous: i) First it would give the chance for more first-time buyers to be on the housing ladder with buy-to-let investors all but disappearing from the market. We will see improvement in housing stock as owner occupiers will carry out more repairs and decorations to their properties than most buy-to-let investors.

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ii) There will be less tenants in suburban areas therefore the overall standard of repair and decoration will improve. iii) Those requiring subsidised housing will be able to obtain a home courtesy of either a housing association or a local authority rather than being at the mercy of the private sector.

Owner occupation improved not because of the introduction of Assured Shorthold Tenancies in 1979 but because funds were available following the introduction of the Rent Act in 1965 for young people in particular, but others too, to buy a home of their own. It is a curious fact that home ownership improved under a Labour government substantially more than under any Conservative government. Only professional landlords will remain in the market which is no bad thing with many of the reckless, crooked landlords leaving the market rather than being subject to more investigation and prosecution. On this point of course there are sufficient laws on our statute books that make it very easy for local authorities to prosecute rogue landlords, but unfortunately most local authorities refuse to do so.

Overall therefore I consider our environment will be better for us all and our society will become fairer and improve the lot of all of us resulting in far less polarisation of the market place from which we are all suffering.

David Dedman F.R.I.C.S Oracle welcomes thoughts from all sides as balance is very important. Write your letter in the comment section located under the relevant article on our website. oraclepublications.co.uk #SaveSouthend

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April 2019

NEW PRE SEASON EXCLUSIVE GARDEN FURNITURE & GAZEBOS At Highgate all our Gazebos are on display for you to try.

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25 Years’ Experience

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WORD LADDER – Climb the ladder, changing one letter each rung to make a new word.

into the blank spaces so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

CONUNDRUM – Unscramble to solve the clue.

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Clue: Enjoy this as an egg at Easter.

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Last month’s solutions: WORD LADDER –

WARMWARDHARDHERDHEAD CONUNDRUM – BUTTERFLY

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April 2019

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FOOD FOOD

Chocolate Easter Cake

An easy chocolate sponge with 2 buttercreams to go on it. Decorate with Maltesers and flowers or with any Easter decorations you wish. (There are a lot of cake decorations in the supermarkets). The sponge will also freeze if you want to get ahead.

Enjoy!

Ingredients: 175g/6oz + 250g/9oz unsalted butter, softened

Beat together the remaining butter with the icing sugar and vanilla extract, then divide between 2 bowls. Stir most of the melted dark chocolate into one of the bowls (reserving a little for drizzling).

175g/6oz caster sugar 3 large eggs 125g/ 4 ½ oz self-raising flour 50g/2oz cocoa powder 500g/1 lb 2oz icing sugar Few drops vanilla extract 200g/7oz dark chocolate, melted and cooled for 10 minutes Milk and white chocolate Maltesers Sugar flowers to decorate You will need 2x 20cm/8in sandwich tins, greased and lined Heat the oven to 190c/170fan/gas 5.

Beat the 175g of the butter and all the caster sugar together until pale and fluffy. This can be done in a mixer or with an electric hand whisk. Gradually beat in the eggs and fold in the flour and cocoa powder. Pour the mixture into the prepared sandwich tins and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cakes comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Spread the plain buttercream over the top of one cake and sandwich together with the other cake.

Spread the chocolate buttercream on top of the cake, and drizzle with the reserved chocolate.

(Make sure the melted chocolate has cooked right down before drizzling otherwise it will melt the buttercream) Decorate and then it is ready to serve.

by Judy Barden Next month: Ham, Cheese and Chive Muffins

Have you written a WILL? Call Clive for a FREE Will review today today on on 01702 01702 393838 393838 e: info@oracleestateplanning.co.uk www.oracleestateplanning.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON CHARITY CONCERT TIME 19:30 DATE Wednesday 8th May VENUE Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, SS0 7RA A charity concert by The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Collingwood.

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We currently have vacancies in our Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scout sections. For further details, telephone Jean Collins on 01702 259398.

ITALIAN CIRCLE TIME 20:00 - 22:00 DATE 17th April 2019 VENUE Room 7 Leigh Community Centre A friendly informal evening with a chance to hear and speak Italian.

SOUTHEND JAZZ CO-OPERATIVE TIME 15:00 - 17:00 DATE 27th April 2019 VENUE Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS2 6NB All performances are Free to attend. There are some seats provided. Limited parking available. Please note – there is no cover available.

LEIGH-ON-SEA TOWN COUNCIL OVER 60'S SOCIAL CLUB TIME 10:00 - 12:00 DATE 10th April 2019 VENUE Leigh Community Centre, Elm Road, SS9 1SP Arts and Crafts with the Art Ministry. Sessions cost £2 for unlimited refreshments and all activities, everyone is welcome.

Please phone 01702 716288.

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TRINITY CONSORT TIME 19:00 DATE 20th April 2019 VENUE Holy Trinity Church, Southchurch Boulevard, SS2 4XA Trinity Consort will be performing Handel’s “Messiah”. It will include professional soloists performing with the 40 strong choir. The concert will be accompanied by Dr Joseph Fort (organ) and conducted by Holy Trinity’s Director of Music, Roger Humphrey. Tickets are £10.

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