Message from the CEO Jonathan Stephenson

Good afternoon,

Firstly, sorry about this delayed newsletter from last week. It got too late on Friday and I decided that rather than filling email boxes on a Friday afternoon, it would be better to send Monday afternoon.

Both last week and this week are exciting weeks for both our councils with important regeneration decisions made last week in Brentwood to invest over £25million into the Baytree Centre and Childerditch Business Park following purchasing them last year. It's great to see the plans moving forward with these two strategic purchases assisting the council in delivering on its place shaping agenda with the creation of new opportunities through their regeneration journey that will create a better environment, increase job opportunities, stimulate business and assist with inward investment within the borough. All of these were key objectives when purchasing these sites. Now we move into the planning stages with applications already submitted for Childerditch and the Baytree going in later this month.

In Rochford this week the Executive will consider two reports one a Regeneration Strategy 2022-2040 and the second one the Community Investment Plan and Objectives. Both of these reports will assist the council on a journey to start to look into further opportunities to shape the Rochford District to create opportunities, stimulate inward investment and to assist communities through investment in community assets.

Our councils' deliver lots of services to residents and businesses, but an important role is our place shaping and influencing role. The councils having regeneration strategies and directly delivering opportunities provides confidence within areas and stimulates inward investment by others. Both councils have strong plans that together support growth and opportunities within south Essex for our residents and businesses. I will ensure moving forward I communicate to you all at key milestones and provide regular updates at our regular all-staff briefings.

With regards to all staff briefings my intention in December is to hold two briefings physically in Brentwood and Rochford. Later this week I will look to share the dates and times. It will be a great opportunity to meet up between now and Christmas with a few Christmas surprises at these sessions.

Brentwood has a long and proud tradition of honouring our Armed Forces of past, present and future as the crowds that line the High Street for the Remembrance Sunday parade show us every year.

On Sunday 13 November, the parade will start from the Town Hall at 10:35am and march down Middleton Hall Lane towards the war memorial at the junction with Shenfield Road, where the laying of wreaths will take place and two minutes of silence will be observed. The parade will then continue along Shenfield Road in the High Street and will finish with a service at St.Thomas' church.

The salute will be taken by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Graham Clegg accompanied by other dignitaries including the Mayor of Brentwood Councillor Olivia Francois and the President of Brentwood Royal British Legion, Brian Kitchener.

The parade will contain contingents from all major uniformed services; 124 Transport Squadron, Cadet Forces, District Scouts and Guides and relevant local charitable organisations. The parade will be headed by the Brentwood Imperial Youth band.

If you would like to help support the parade and volunteer, just email zoey.foakes@brentwood.gov.uk

Your local NHS is asking people for their comments about proposals to offer fairer access to six healthcare services in mid and south Essex.

In July 2022, a change in the law created a new organisation, NHS Mid and South Essex, to take over local healthcare planning from the five former clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) serving the area.

These five organisations had been responsible for planning, buying and monitoring most local health services. While the majority of their policies were similar, six services had marked differences:

• Weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery)
• Correction for uneven breasts (breast asymmetry)
• Breast reduction
• Female sterilisation
• Vasectomy (male sterilisation)
• Special fertility services (intrauterine insemination or IUI for short, sperm and egg donation, and in-vitro fertilisation, usually called IVF)

Clinical experts in our area have looked at the latest evidence and practice for all six of these services, both nationally and locally, to ensure the local offer is high quality and safe. NHS Mid and South Essex has also already met members of the groups most impacted by the proposals to seek advice on how best to shape the proposals.

This week sees the launch of a public consultation to collect wider views and feedback from local residents and staff to inform final decision making. 

To find out more information and have your say, please visit this webpage.

The consultation runs until 19 December 2022.

Tea and coffee is to be supplied free of charge from now on in the main kitchen of the Town Hall, the depot kitchen and the MSCP kitchen.  An option will also be available for the operational staff canteen and greenkeepers depot.

The decision has been taken so that staff do not have to keep bringing in separate jars and plastic bags of tea bags. Obviously staff can still bring in anything they want to specifically drink. It also means staff can provide hot drinks to visitors who come in for meetings.

World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Judd Trump, John Higgins, Kyren Wilson, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, Mark Williams and defending champion Neil Robertson are among the star names who will compete on the opening day of the BetVictor English Open on Monday 12 December in Brentwood.

The tournament will be held at the Brentwood Centre for the first time, giving fans in the area the chance to see many of snooker’s all-time greats competing for a world ranking title.

Tickets are on sale now and start at just £10 but fans must book quickly as the schedule has been announced. You can get your tickets here.

This follows the success of the World Cup of Pool that was held at the Brentwood Centre earlier this year and was broadcast to sports fans around the globe. For the council, working with Matchroom Sport and Everyone Active to bring these sporting events to the Brentwood Centre has been fantastic.

Channel 5 have started showing Christmas films - it's OK to mention Christmas!

Join us for our first #OneTeam Christmas do. All Brentwood and Rochford staff are welcome.

📅 Friday 9 December

⌛ 7pm - 11.45pm

👛£27.50 which includes canapes, 2 welcome drinks and a disco 🥳

📌Downham Hall, Castledon Road, Downham, Essex, CM11 1LG

To secure your place, just follow the payment instructions on the invite by the end of today: OneTeam Christmas Party.pdf

A chance to honour and remember our Armed Forces at Brentwood's Remembrance Day parade

Enjoy the fireworks safely this season

Residents practice their new DIY skills at free workshop

First Bus launches an additional X30 Bus Service in Essex

2022 English Open makes its debut at the Brentwood Centre next month

Brentwood Borough Council hosts its third High Streets Conference event