Message from the CEO Jonathan Stephenson

Good afternoon,

I wanted to take the opportunity to provide you all with an update on the #OneTeam Corporate Leadership Team (CLT).

As you are aware, we have vacant Director roles, Director of People & Governance and Director of Resources. We will continue the recruitment process for the roles in the New Year, but I am pleased that we have two experienced individuals joining us in the interim period.

Andrew Hunkin has joined us as the Director of People and Governance on an interim basis. He will also be the Monitoring Officer for both councils.

Andrew has had a long career in local government. He was at Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils for 25 years, leaving as Joint Strategic Director in 2015 to pursue a career as an interim. His most recent assignments saw him at South Northamptonshire Council as its Executive Director (Resources) where he played a lead role in preparing the council for unitary governance. At the same time he was the democratic services and legal lead for the Northamptonshire local government reorganisation programme.

When not working Andrew enjoys watching rugby having spent 35 years playing; and is a keen musician having played keyboard in several amateur bands.

Upon joining us, Andrew said: “I am delighted to join Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council at this very exciting time in their development and look forward to using my knowledge, skills and experience to help both councils achieve their priorities. I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome and assistance.”

Tim Willis will join us later this month as Interim Director of Resources.

By way of introduction, Tim said “I've worked most of my career in or for local government - for London boroughs, shire districts, and for my own company. Employers have also included the National Union of Students and the States of Guernsey, too. After a year as Chief Finance Officer for Stafford and Cannock (with a shared finance service) I'm looking forward to contributing to Brentwood Borough and Rochford District's ambitious agenda.

"I'm a lifelong West Ham fan and season ticket holder and I like running. Well, perhaps plodding/gasping for air would be more accurate. I am looking forward to working with you all."

With Andrew and Tim joining us, I attach an updated CLT structure to assist with understanding the areas that our Strategic Directors, Emily Yule and Steve Summers are responsible for and also our Directors areas of responsibility.

This Armistice Day, whether you're thinking of a loved one who has served or reflecting on the service and sacrifice of someone you've never met, coming together as a nation to observe the Two Minute Silence recognises the extraordinary contribution of our Armed Forces.

Wherever you are working tomorrow, please take a moment to stop and reflect by joining the Two Minute Silence at 11am (11 November) and ensure the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community will never be forgotten. If you are working at Brentwood Town Hall, Essex Police will be observing the silence outside by the flag poles if you want to join them for a collective moment of remembrance.

The Annual Service of Remembrance and Wreath Laying in Rayleigh will also be held on Remembrance Sunday.

Both Brentwood and Rochford Council’s Housing Options Teams won an award at the Essex Housing Awards 2022 last week for their partnership working on the Mid Essex Rough Sleepers Initiative Outreach service.

Without the partnership working, we would not be able to save people who are living on the streets who may have serious medical conditions. But with help from the Rough Sleepers outreach service, once a rough sleeper is referred to our teams via the StreetLink system, they will visit the person concerned to assess their immediate needs, providing emergency items as required and aid them in being accommodated.

It's always good to be recognised for all the hard work Jeanette's and Marie's brilliant teams have done, congratulations!!

Rochford's Open Space team has successfully completed their ambitious programme of environmental improvements to the lake in Cherry Orchard Country Park late last week.

The works, carried out with the help of Essex Wildlife Trust, will provide a healthy wetland habitat for wildlife and protect the future of the lake as well as improve water quality and increase biodiversity.

A key part of the project was the widening of the Watervole Ditch to allow a higher volume of water entering the lake and increase the lake’s water levels after a very dry summer.

I would like to thank Rochford's Open Spaces team on this project, as part of their 'Parks for Nature' scheme, and I hope our staff and residents enjoy the new wildlife enhancements to the space.

Last call to get your tickets for the #OneTeam Christmas do. All Brentwood and Rochford staff are welcome.

There is the possibility of free transport to and from Downham Hall from Rochford and Brentwood locations on the night.

📅 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: OneTeam Christmas Party.pdf

Bin collections in the Rochford District will never look the same again, as our waste and recycling team have taken delivery of some waste vehicles from our contractor, Norse Group Ltd, following the launch of our partnership earlier this year.

Now out on the streets on bin collection days, the newly branded bin lorries will support a sustainable service, collecting waste and recycling to households across the district. 

It's great to see the district benefit from this state-of-the-art investment, which no doubt will benefit our residents and our teams in regard to performance and efficiency.

Brentwood Borough Council hosts its third High Streets Conference event

Cherry Orchard Lake gets a biodiverse makeover

English Open makes its debut at the Brentwood Centre next month

New and improved play space opens at Hockley Woods

Council unveils new fleet for waste collection