The Sidcup & Bexley Chronicle September 2008

During June and July the London Borough of Bexley’s Enviro Crime Team prosecuted four people at Bexley Magistrates’ Court for offences relating to dumping household refuse, abandoning a vehicle and failure to pick up after a dog had fouled. Kerry Commane, 28, of Erith Road, Bexleyheath, was prosecuted in her absence on 21 July, for two offences of leaving household refuse in Martens Avenue, Bexleyheath. She was fined £300 for each offence and ordered to pay the Council costs of £125 for each offence totalling £850. On 7 July, Glen Lawrence, 35, of Reddy Road, Erith, was fined £100 and ordered to pay the Council £100 costs after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice issued after he failed to pick up after his dog had fouled in the grounds of Hall Place, Bexley. He had pleaded guilty by post. Also on 7 July, Joanne Unwin of Exeter Road, Welling, was fined £200 and ordered to pay the Council £200 costs in her absence, after magistrates heard that she had failed to pay a fixed penalty notice for not picking up after her dog had fouled in Olyffe Avenue, Welling. Mrs Patricia Everts of Louise Road, London E15, was fined £750 and ordered to pay the Council £200 costs after failing to provide information following abandoning a vehicle. The case was heard in her absence on 9 June. Cllr Gareth Bacon, Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “The London Borough of Bexley is proud of its environment and aims to keep it attractive and pleasant for residents, workers and visitors alike. We treat enviro crime offences seriously. The diligent actions of our officers and the success of these prosecutions not only reassures local people that we are actively tackling these matters, but sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate enviro crimes in our borough. ” The London Borough of Bexley makes strenuous efforts to make it as easy as possible for people to dispose of waste properly. This includes the provision of more than 200 designated dog waste bins borough wide, the free local collection of unwanted vehicles (vehicle must be registered to a local resident) as well as large reuse and recycling centres at Maidstone Road, Foots Cray and Thames Road, Crayford. When the services offered are not used and the law flouted, Bexley will prosecute to protect its environment. Further information on the free vehicle collection service is available on freephone 0800 7834173. The Council also offers a paid for Special Bulky Waste collection. For further details contact the London Borough of Bexley on 020 8303 7777 or visit the Council’s website at www. bexley. gov. uk COUNCILLORS REFUSE CHARITY IDEAAt the Bexley Borough Pensioners Forum General Meeting examples of Bexley Senior Management Grades Salaries and Councillors Allowances was presented as followsEight bands with 69 officers, with salaries ranging from £60,888 to £203,391per annum. Councillors Allowances - Out of 63 Councillors 35 claimed over the basic of £9,077. 80 up to £34,000 (Leader) including 11 claiming £20,000+ 2007/2008! The reaction of some members was gasps of disbelief, no wonder, when many Pensioners are struggling to pay the high Council Tax and generally make ends meet, in many cases on incomes not much above £10,000 per year, whereas Councillors Allowances are in ADDITION to their income. The members at the meeting then authorised the Secretary to write to the Leader of the Council requesting that the senior management grades voluntarily freeze their salaries for 2009/2010 and that all Councillors waive 50% of their allowances for 2008/2009 and 2009/2010, the monies saved approximately(£400,000) to go to Charities within the Borough. A reply has been received from the Leader, I am sure you will not be surprised to hear that the request has been denied,( Councillor O’Neill claimed £25,977. 23 as Deputy Leader 2007/2008 does not think that our suggestion would ALLEVIATE the situation! Enviro criminals caught! Chronicle 40p Where Sold Sidcup & Bexley T h e Vo i c e o f S i d c u p Your Local! NEWS • MOVIES • THEATRE • MOTORING • LIFESTYLE 26 Movies20 Motoring16 Competition SEPTEMBERwww. bexleychronicle. com September 2008 L I C E N S E D B Y T H E P U B L I C C A R R I A G E O F F I C E SIDCUP CARS24 Hour Service for: AIRPORTS LONG DISTANCE LOCAL SALOON 7/8 SEATER EXECUTIVE 020 8300 8000 • 020 8300 3300***DRIVERS WANTED*** W. UDEN & SONS LTD FUNERAL DIRECTORS The Family Business that still offers a personal service. Est 1881 SIDCUP 64 High Street, DA14 6DS 020 8300 2002 *24 Hour Service Branches also at: Eltham, Petts Wood, Biggin Hill, Dulwich, Forest Hill, New Cross & Camberwell Tandoori RestaurantFully Licensed and Air Conditioned Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner 169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA Reservations: 020 8300 0777 / 020 8300 2527 Top tribute and cover artistes Sarah Jayne and Andy Crust with tributes to Patsy Cline and Shania Twain, and great songs from Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks, John Denver, The Mavericks and more. Bring your Stetsons and cowboy boots and join in with the Line Dancing! (Est 1978) Free entertainment for diners (Usual top quality menu) Get active Bored at week-end and nights, well why not join an organisation which does flying, adventure training, sports etc. Air Cadets 1227 (Sidcup) are holding a recruitment night for 13-16 year olds on the 11th September. For further details contact the Officer Commanding Richard Turner on 07778 185457 or e-mail oc1227@btinternet. com. www. kentwing. org All empty offices must pay rates! Property consultant Peter Simons who owns Prospect House and Tudor Cottages in Foots Cray is furious with the government for changing the law so that all empty offices must now pay National Non-Domestic rates with no exceptions. He has written to Privy Councillor the Rt. Hon John Hutton who is the Secretary for State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform asking him to explain how he is supposed to finance the payment of rates when there is at present no demand for small office space. Neither can he sell his property because there is no market for such premises! He is now questioning whether it is official government policy to completely destroy small businesses like his or have they not thought through the consequences of their actions? Call free 0800 163 186 53 The Oval, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9ER 5 Lessness Ave. , Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 5SH *Summer Specials* on Alternators, Batteries & Starter Motors Cutting the cost of Summer repairs Batteries for every make of car BRAKE DISCS AND DISC PADS AT LOW PRICES Got a story? The Chronicle wants it! Email: newsdesk@bexleychronicle. com 020 8302 6069 Tuesday 7th October Theme Show WIN TICKETS TO LEGOLAND!