SEPTEMBER 2000

MAIL

The article in the May issue of the newsletter entitled "Postal Deliveries" generated a fair amount of correspondence. Readers sent me copies of letters they had received from the Post Office in answer to their complaints which, in general, were pretty unhelpful and inconclusive, one lady received four first class stamps which were sent "as a gesture of goodwill for taking the time and trouble to inform us of your delivery problems". Grand gesture!

It would appear that matters are unlikely to improve much before the end of the year. At a meeting of the Basildon Post Office Advisory Committee (POAC) held on Wednesday 12 July the Sector Operations Manager advised the Committee that a major revision in procedures was being carried out during the period April to November 2000 with the object of ensuring that mail would be delivered before 9.30am. Apparently workloads fluctuate from light to heavy from the beginning of the week to the end and consequently it is necessary to align manpower to workloads. However the Manager was told that mail was still being delivered late in Billericay.

As Queen Park continues to expand the Committee had discussed, at a previous meeting, the necessity for a post office at The Pantiles and had subsequently written to Post Office Counters seeking their opinion. In reply they said that "at present there is no need for a new office in that area" Their reasons for refusing the request make interesting reading and I reproduce them in an abridged form below:-

"We do not normally open a new Sub-Post Office in premises that are situated within one mile in town areas and two miles in rural areas, of an existing outlet ------ some of the trade of the existing office would be lost to the new outlet.

Our business is currently facing an uncertain future ------ the majority of our business is paying benefits on behalf of the Benefits Agency who in turn pay the Post Office for each benefit we pay. In 2003 the Benefits Agency is moving their method of payment to the banks via people's bank accounts, therefore the Post Office could be facing huge loss of income.

This loss of business may force Postmasters to close their offices as they will be no longer viable ----- our business must be extremely careful not to create more competition for our existing Postmasters when there is already a good network coverage. Our business is currently in close consultation with the Government to ensure that the size of our network is acceptable in terms of travelling distance for our customers. I can assure you that at this moment your area is more than adequately covered by Post Office services in your area."

Reading between the lines, is this not a reason for closing offices rather than not opening new ones?

The Postal Services Commission, POSTCOMM, as they have now styled themselves have issued a consultative document entitled HOW SHOULD POSTCOMM CONSULT. If you are interested in the consultation process then information about Postcomm, its duties, functions and objectives can be found on Postcomm website www.psc.gov.uk

PRIMARY CARE GROUPS (PCG)

In last month's newsletter I briefly discussed PCG with the intention of completing the article in a later issue however the South Essex Health Authority has decided to amalgamate the Billericay and Wickford PCG with that of Brentwood to form a Primary Care Trust (PCT) the object of which is to reduce bureaucracy and allow a more effective use of management resources. Additionally the change to PCT status will present the opportunity to develop local facilities such as health centres and local hospitals.

The Health Authority will hold three public meetings at the following locations during a period of formal consultation which will run from 1 August to 31 October:-

The opinions of local residents are being sought and anyone requiring information should contact:

Owen Richards, Chief Executive, Billericay and Wickford & Brentwood PCG, Arcadia House, The Drive, Warley, Brentwood. Tel No 01277 755200. E-mail: owen.richards@essex-ha.nthames.nhs.uk

Many questions come to mind for instance - What is a Primary Care Trust? The South Essex Health Authority newsletter NHS News defines a PCT as:

"a free-standing local health organisation run by local people and local doctors and nurses. PCTs have their own budgets and are able to employ staff and develop services. They have three main areas of responsibility:

• To work with other local organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of the local population
  

• To commission hospital and other health services
  
• To develop primary care services (those services provided by GPs and their staff)

PCTs will bring together commissioning and primary care development and the provision of community health services. This means that they can run community hospitals and community health services, employ the necessary staff and own the properties from which these sevices are delivered."

The new PCT will cover a population of 142,00 people, served by 23 GP practices within three towns and surrounding areas. All PCTs are accountable to the Secretary of State for Health and work to national policies and priorities but locally the Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford PCT will be accountable to the South Essex Health Authority, the public and the health professionals it serves.

Responsibility for the PCT will rest with an Executive Committee comprising:-

• Up to eight GPs
  

• Up to eight other health professionals
  
• A representative from Essex Social Services
  
• Chief Executive
  
• Director of Finance

And a Board comprising

• Chair (member of the public)
  

• six non-executive members (members of the public)
  
• Chief Executive
  
• Director of Finance
  
• Four professional members from the PCT Executive Committee.

FEEL GOOD FACTOR

Stressed, tired, unable to concentrate? Suffering from eyestrain, tension headaches or a lack of joint mobility? Whether you are a city executive or a working mother it matters not you can be affected by these symptoms. Indian head massage is just one of the treatments qualified therapist Sarah Stone is offering to relieve your discomfort and restore balance to your working day. Sarah also offers a full range of beauty treatments. Book from this article and receive a 10% discount. Contact Sarah on 01277 658688 or 0467 678872.

BOOTHAM FETE

The 9^th Bootham Fete on Saturday 5 August was a great success blessed by lovely weather and a steady flow of visitors. More than £1647 was raised for St Luke's Hospice and Mrs Patricia Banks would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make the Fete a success and all the visitors who attended.

BILLERICAY RECORDED MUSIC SOCIETY

FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER at 8.00pm - Programme - Magnificat in D by Bach, Piano Concerto in A, K.414 by Mozart, Symphony No 4 in F by Tchaikowsky

The group meet at The Fold, Billericay Arts Centre, Laindon Road. The programme for 13 October will be based on British music by Delius, Vaughan Williams and Walton. New members and visitors are very welcome.

MID-ESSEX POSTCARD CLUB

SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER - 10.00am TO 4.00pm ANNUAL POSTCARD FAIR including postal history, cigarette cards and ephemera, at MAYFLOWER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, STOCK ROAD BILLERICAY. Refreshments. Ample free parking. Admission free.

SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER - 7.45pm for 8.00pm start - BASILDON & DISTRICT NATIONAL CHILDBIRTH TRUST - QUIZ NIGHT at INGAWAY EVANGELICAL CHURCH, INGAWAY, BASILDON. Tables of 6. Tickets £7.00, includes Fish & Chip Supper. Bring your own drink and nibbles. Phone Heather on 01277 631168 for tickets.

NORSEY WOOD SOCIETY

SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER - NORSEY WOOD OPEN DAY - 12.00 noon until 4.00pm. Craft demonstrations, guided walk, sale of plants, home made preserves and RSPB goods (including Christmas cards and gifts), childrens activities run by the Education Team and more ------ come along and see for yourselves. Please note that car parking is very limited.

MONDAY 30 OCTOBER - NORSEY WOOD SOCIETY OPEN MEETING - 7.45pm at the Day Centre, Chantry Way. All welcome.Illustrated talk by Will Farmer, BDC Countryside Officer, entitled "Wildlife and Countryside of Basildon and District"

SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER - BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION - TABLE SALE. SOUTH GREEN MEMORIAL HALL. 9.00am to 1.00pm. Cost £5.00 per table. Refreshments will be available. Contact Margaret Stansfield on 01277 623519 to book your table.

SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER at 7.45pm in EMMANUEL CHURCH, BILLERICAY. CHELMSFORD STAR HOLIDAY CLUB, who entertained at the Music in the Lake 2000, will be performing in aid of The Samaritans. The group competes annually in the All England Barber Shop Championships. Please come and join us for an enjoyable evening. Admission £6.00 by programme. Phone 651988 or 654843.

BILLERICAY ARTS ASSOCIATION, THE FOLD, 72 LAINDON ROAD, BILLERICAY. Tel 01277 659286

SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER at 7.30pm - CLARINET AND PIANO DUO. The combined talents of Royal College of Music students, Charys Green, clarinet and David Alexandra, piano, promise an evening of musical enchantment. Works include Weber's Grand Duo Concertante. Tickets £5.50.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY:

Cheques for trips organised by the BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION should be made payable to BTA and sent to T & M Stansfield at 174 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NX . Tel No 623519.

Cheques for trips organised by the BILLERICAY DISTRICT RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION should be made payable to BDRA and sent to D & B Osborn at 22 Raven Lane, Billericay CM12 0JA. Tel No 626287.

Please ensure when booking your trip you contact the relevant person.

BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION - COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING 01277 623519

WEDNESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER - TRIP TO THE DOME - FULL. Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 6.30pm.

FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER - THE KNITTING AND STITCHING SHOW, ALEXANDER PALACE. Regular visitors will tell you this is a "must see" show for the nimble fingered with over 200 exhibitors. For this Millennium Year there is a special display of 2000 Cushions made by members of The Embroiderers Guild and also The Quilt 2000 competition where European quiltmakers vie for a £5000 prize. New free Ten Minute Tutorials are available for you to learn the basics of new skills. Cost - Coach/Show £12.50, Coach only £5.50. Depart GG 9.00am, OOA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 6.30pm.

TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER - BLUEWATER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING - Last minute shopping for Xmas presents Bluewater is the place. A little less tiring than Lakeside with plenty of places to sit and rest. Coach £5.50. Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 6.30pm.

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BILLERICAY DISTRICT RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION - COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING 01277 626287.

WEDNESDAY 13 September & 20 SEPTEMBER - LONDON PALLADIUM THEATRE - THE KING AND I. Rear Dress Circle seats. Time, about 2 hours, available for evening meal. FULL. PLEASE PAY NOW.
Depart GG 11.30am, OA 11.35am, LR 11.40am, SG 11.45am. Back in Billericay about 9.00pm.

SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER - PICCADILLY THEATRE - SPEND SPEND SPEND. Cancelled. All performances after August closed by Theatre Production Management. Sorry.

THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER - ROYAL ALBERT HALL - CLASSICAL SPECTACULAR - 7.30 pm performance. Raymond Gubbay presents a brand new production of the UK's most popular Classical Spectacular with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Includes Nessen Dorma, Hallelujah Chorus, 1812 Overture with cannons, muskets, fireworks - the lot. Brilliant. Front Circle seats. Inclusive cost - All seats £25.00. Depart GG 4.30pm, OA 4.35pm, LR 4.40pm, SG 4.45pm. Back in Billericay about midnight.

SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER - NORWICH CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. Historic Norwich Town along with the castle, churches and museums has an exceptional shopping centre packed with a mix of major department stores and small speciality shops. It also boasts one of England's largest open air markets and includes the showpiece Castle Mall shopping centre. The ideal setting for Xmas shopping. Cost £7.50. Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 8.30pm.

FUTURE EVENTS - Do not book until advertised. The King & I (Saturday matinee, December) time for Xmas shopping, Xmas lights or meal. Thursford Christmas Spectacular (November & December matinees). Cliff's Pavilion, Peter Pan pantomime (January matinee). Wembley Ice Show (probably February). Prince Edward Theatre, Mama Mia (Friday matinee - February). Lyceum Theatre, The Lion King (Saturday matinee - May)

THE RESIDENT is published by Billericay District Residents' Association Editor - Trevor Stansfield, 174 Perry Sreet, Billericay, Essex CM12 0NX. Tel: 623519 E-mail:vice.chairman@bdra.org
 Printed by New Realm Design, Fortune Works, Wash Road, Laindon, Basildon, Essex

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