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News and Comment December 2024

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12 December - This and that

As of this late Thursday afternoon I can see no Bexley related news this side of Christmas so it’s yet another fall back on brief snippets. If I don’t see you within the next two weeks, then Happy Christmas to you all.

Lessons will be learned
Rhys LawrieWith news headlines once again reporting the appalling death of a young girl at the hands of a parent and Social Workers bleating on the radio that they are too overworked to heed the constant reports of screaming made by neighbours, maybe it is time to remind ourselves that similar things have happened here in Bexley.

It is an oversimplification but nevertheless true that Bexley Council ignored medical notifications and reports that Rhys Lawrie was attending school covered in bruises and one of the Council’s excuses was that it was the Christmas party season and they would look into the situation after the holidays in January.

By then Rhys was dead.

The post-mortem revealed 39 separate injuries. The police said they were caused by natural childhood playfulness, falling off a sofa etc. The blood on the wall was of no interest to them.

Something is very wrong with child care arrangements nationally and on past performance, nothing will be done about it.


Broken refuse bin
Broken hinge Blowing in the wind Blowing in the windA quick return to a recurrent theme. The bin that has been without a working lid for several years causes huge expense and Bexley Council simply doesn’t care.

The bent hinge could be fairly easily fixed and maybe the brakes could be looked at too so that Storm Darragh does not blow it down the street.


Methuen Road
Slogan Fendyke Road Fendyke RoadThe residents of Methuen Road have received an answer to their Freedom of Information request as to why their road was singled out for double yellow lines on their only junction.

“We will listen to our residents” said the Tory election candidates. (Photo 1)

Were residents in favour? No, they were twelve to one against.

Had Country Style complained of access for their refuse trucks being difficult? No, not even once. It was however suggested that an ambulance might not be able to get through. Another act of desperation was that pedestrians could more safely cross the road which is debatable to say the least given that traffic will have been slightly speeded up.

Who was consulted? Everyone on Methuen Road so the Council said but of the group I met all but three residents denied they were given any warning. Would I believe a word that the Highways Manager says? Answers on a postcard…

Two of the pictures above are of the junction nearest to the busy Abbey Wood station. No double yellow lines. What’s different to Methuen Road?

Bexley Box
Bexley BoxI have been on the receiving end of emails from within Bexley Council on the operation of the Bexley Box scheme. Some disquiet is expressed; I wouldn’t put it stronger than that but I too am beginning to harbour suspicions.

Council Leader O’Neill has been trumpeting its success with references to the donations from her favoured businesses. That is difficult to criticise although the Council insider does. Why is there little or no observance of charity law and what does Capita expect from their £10,000 donation after they made it public knowledge?

How many ordinary Bexley residents donated? Not even in general terms has the Baroness thanked them, only businesses and similar groupings. I don’t know how much each Box is worth but I would hope that my own donation might pay for a dozen or maybe twenty.

Cabinet Members know about it; I didn’t expect thanks as such, but an acknowledgement might have been nice. They could have claimed the income tax back if they had any sense and that is something the Council insider is worried about too.

Is it just a political stunt to get one over our two ‘wicked’ (© Peter Craske) MPs?

I don’t regret sending the money, but I wouldn’t do it again.


’Tis the Season to be Merry
Two celebratory meals with friends this week.

Christmas Dinner booked well in advance in the Woolwich Beefeater. No turkey or roast potatoes or Brussels sprouts available. Only grills, steaks and fish and chips available except that they had no chips either. I waited one hour and 54 minutes for my meal to arrive. Nice but tiny.

Impromptu meal in Dartford Wetherspoons earlier today. Served in six minutes, two thirds the price of Beefeater, much bigger serving and a pint of beer thrown in. The Beefeater had run out of orange juice too. Why did they agree to take the booking? Never again.

 

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