Cllr. Jude Deakin

Jude is a Chelmsford Borough Councillor representing Marconi ward, one of the three wards which make up Chelmsford West Division, which she represents on Essex County Council.

Jude says, "The Tory led County Council has let us down. It's OUR money …."

Here are Jude's top Six to Fix

• FIX1 - The state of our roads and pavements - potholes everywhere!
• FIX2 - Child Protection in Essex is inadequate says the recent shocking Government report.
• FIX3 - £5m a year spent on propaganda, £50 going on the risky "Bank of Essex", £200m hoarded in reserves.
• FIX4 - More for the youth service; and services for the elderly and vulnerable.
• FIX5 - Tackle town centre congestion with a circular bus route and a Widford Park and Ride.
• FIX6 - Reduce, reuse and recycle - Say NO to incineration

Contact Jude on 01245 250464 or email jude.deakin@cmld.org.uk

Latest news about Cllr. Jude Deakin

• Sep 15, 2010:
  • Lib Dems back 'Kids Inspire'
    Trevor Nunn half way round his epic journey Local charity 'Kids Inspire' provides crucial support to many vulnerable children and young people in Chelmsford and has the full backing of your local Liberal Democrats. Recently, Swiss Avenue resident and former Lib Dem Councillor Trevor Nunn completed a sponsored round-Britain sail for them and raised over £1,500. The charity is based at St Peters College, which will close in Summer 2011. So local Lib Dem Councillors Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley are working with the Charity's founder and director, Sue Jochim, to establish what premises will be available to 'Kids Inspire' as they continue to grow. With the spending cuts and the County Council's Children's Services still not up to scratch, 'Kids Inspire' is more vital to the future of Chelmsford's children than ever. The Lib Dems are working with them to help try to secure core funding. Why not go to the Kids Inspire website and see how you can help? See www.kidsinspire.org.uk or consider donating to Trevor Nunn's Round Britain sailing expedition:- www.justgiving.com/trevornunn Kids Inspire has also just been adopted as Chelmsford Round Table's charity for the money raised from Fireworks Night in Admirals Park, on 6th November. Round Table Member and local Lib Dem Candidate Stephen Robinson set up the link. See: http://www.facebook.com/RTBIFireworksChelmsford . Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 18, 2010:
  • "Sell historic Marconi buildings separately," say local Lib Dems
    Marconi Councillors Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley (right) with Chelmsford Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson In an effort to avoid further vandalism at the old Marconi factory in New Street, the local Lib Dems have made a plea for the historic part of the site to be sold first in order to protect it. Writing in the local papers, Cllrs Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley said: "As local Councillors for the part of Chelmsford that includes the New Street Marconi Site, we have been very concerned at its remaining disused, deteriorating, and a magnet for vandalism and antisocial behaviour. The Receivers who now own the site (instead of the planned developer) should be realistic and speedy in negotiating with potential buyers. We can all then take a fresh look at how best this key site can be brought back to life, and re-address the overdue plans to improve things around the Railway Station. "The Council has been keen to see the site kept as one, so that best use of it can be achieved. That's fine, we don't want piecemeal or over-development. However, the separate early sale of the buildings fronting New Street, including the landmark listed 1812 building, should be looked at as a matter of urgency. We want that proposed to the receivers, so that these historic buildings can be restored and brought back to use at the earliest opportunity. Meanwhile our thanks to local residents who are being vigilant in reporting breaches to the site's security ; they are having to be - this weekend we hear again of a continuing hole in the fencing, and open doors. We have been highlighting these ongoing problems to the Council since early in the year - it is a sorry story that formal action to force the receivers to act is now needed. Cllrs Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley Liberal Democrats, Marconi Ward Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 29, 2009:
  • No to another take-away in Kings Road
    Graham Pooley, Jude Deakin, Robin Stevens and Stephen Robinson near Kings Road shops The campaign against yet another take-away in Kings Road is stepping up. The local Liberal Democrat councillors for the area (Marconi ward) Graham Pooley and Jude Deakin have told the local papers how opposed they are to this. Cllr Pooley told the Essex Chronicle, following their article the previous week: "It is not the Council's Planning Committee that is recommending approval of this, but its officers. Had the Chronicle been at the meeting it would have heard the voices of many Councillors arguing for refusal. "The Committee (let alone Full Council) did not agree to "delay granting the approval", but cautiously deferred its decision, asking for clearer evidence as to whether, instead, a continued retail use for the unit could realistically be expected. "Why would this be better? Local Councillors and residents argue that this unit should remain available as a shop, useful to the community at large. "There are two takeaway establishments here already which are popular and well run, but a third is not needed and would detract from our efforts to revitalise this parade. A working group is actively exploring how the currently vacant units can be brought back into use, and is confident that there are several retail uses that would be viable, and meet genuine local needs and preferences for this part of Chelmsford. "The Council's planning policies expressly enable the loss of neighbourhood shopping facilities to be resisted; the arguments in this case are perfectly adequate for the Committee to go against the officers' recommendation when the proposal returns to the Committee in July, and so allow time for a suitable alternative to a takeaway to be finalised. If any readers have specific suggestions or proposals to add to ours, or would like more detail of our work in progress, we would welcome hearing from them." Cllr. Graham Pooley is contactable on g.pooley@cmld.org.uk or 07940 576825 Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 27, 2009:
  • Mobile phone mast turned down by council but still goes up!
    Mobile phone mast outside Kings Road school Mobile phone operator O2 has erected a phone mast close to the Kings Road Primary School, on the corner of Kings Road and Dixon Avenue. This is despite Chelmsford Borough Council consistently refusing it planning permission. The mast appeared last week and has sparked renewed protest by parents, residents and local Councillors, and the consideration of legal action by the Council. Lib Dem Councillor for Marconi Jude Deakin said, "This is outrageous. The Council refused permission and O2 is simply ignoring that. We cannot have big business steam-rolling over the Council and the legitimate views of local residents." Briefing Councillors at the end of last week, a planning officer said:- "We have had extensive correspondence with O2's planning agents and subsequently with their advisers since July 2008. "We have maintained our position that the application has been refused, that the decision was duly notified to them in good time, and [that being so], they may not lawfully install the mast.... We will discuss our options with the Council's legal officers to decide what action to take." Lib Dem Councillor for Patching Hall, Tom Smith Hughes commented: "I am encouraging the Council to take enforcement action but urge O2 not to delay and simply to remove this seemingly unlawful eyesore. One way or another we will campaign for it to come back down!" . Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Sep 1, 2008:
  • Campaign against over-development continues
    Cllr. Graham Pooley with concerned residents at the site of the proposed development A planning application that would lead to over-development in the west of Chelmsford is set to be turned down. This follows a campaign by the local Lib Dem Councillors, working with local residents, concerning a site on the corner of Rainsford Avenue and Rainsford Road Marconi Ward Councillors Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley (fifth from right) have been active for almost eighteen months to prevent over-development on the site. Working with residents, co-ordinated by neighbour Barrie Allsop (second from left), Cllr. Pooley has for the moment successfully resisted the latest application. That is for 6 flats and 3 town houses on a site where two houses are at present. Argues Cllr. Pooley, "The officers' recommendation to refuse the application based on parking considerations and impact on immediate neighbours is very welcome. However the reasons for refusal should be stronger or else over-development proposals could return. "Yet again this is a developer wanting to cram too much into a sensitive, too small site", he said. "If these houses really need to be demolished, we will continue to argue for a maximum of say 5 two bed dwellings, with gardens. That would meet part of the town's housing needs, and be in keeping with the Rainsford Avenue street scene. There are so many unsold flats already, and communal open space doesn't meet all the needs of growing young children." Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 23, 2008:
  • Courtman House saved
    Maltese Road resident Bob Huntington in front of Courtman House, discussing its future with Marconi Councillors Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley (right), and Chelmsford Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson Maltese Road residents and the local Lib Dem councillors have reacted with joy at the planning Inspector's decision to save Courtman House from demolition. This follows a long battle involving most residents of the road, writing letters and petitions and attending meetings. Local councillor Graham Pooley said, "I am delighted with the Planning Inspector's decision to dismiss any proposal to demolish Courtman House. It is very good news that developer plans to cram more and more into every possible site will not always succeed. "I would like to thank the many residents who have spent much time over more than a year, working to save this valued part of the Maltese Road. They deserve this victory. They coordinated admirably among themselves to present the case to best advantage - forcefully but always reasonably. They, together with Jude Deakin and me as their Borough Councillors, persuaded the Council and then the Inspector to save Courtman House. Let us hope the decision has implications for other possible sites. The Inspector found that the proposal would "create an over-dominant building detrimental to the character and appearance of the area". We have seen too many examples where the Council has put the supposed 'need' for yet more new flats ahead of what is suitable for neighbours and the street scene. "The Council's decision to permit forty-two flats on the old Chrysler-Jeep Garage site on the corner of Rainsford Road and Parkway remains an outrage in the minds of many residents. "The Courtman House decision suggests the Council's planning officers and the Planning Committee can be more confident in judging some applications to be over-intense. Hopefully the council will now feel able to reject the proposal for the corner of Rainsford Avenue and Rainsford Road, expected to be decided later this summer." Related Links Courtman House - Inspector's decision report Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• May 20, 2008:
  • Local Lib Dems backing BBC Springwatch in Brownings Avenue
    Jude Deakin in Brownings Avenue / Eastern Crescent discussing plans to improve the area Chelmsford Lib Dem Councillor Jude Deakin has been on local radio supporting the BBC Springwatch project. The Springwatch team will be in Brownings Avenue on 13th June to create a garden area. Cllr Deakin was discussing the project recently on the BBC Essex breakfast show. Related Links Listen to BBC Essex and Cllr. Jude Deakin explain the project BBC Essex Springwatch page Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 30, 2008:
  • Saying No to yet more food, fags and litter at Chelmsford Bus station
    New block of apartments on top of the bus station Chelmsford Council's Planning Committee has decided to defer allowing a restaurant, pub or take-away at the bus station, whilst more options are explored. Local residents welcomed the decision and were backed by the local councillor, Lib Dem Jude Deakin Jude told the committee: "There is a real danger of Fairfield Road deteriorating further. We already have reports of urinating in the entrance to the theatre, and smokers outside the entrance of course. People live here - they don't wish to look out on litter, and they don't need noise and smoke drifting around at all hours of the day and night." Fellow Cllr. Graham Pooley added: "What the developers of the shopping concourse are asking for wouldn't rule the anti-social problems out at all. We feel there is a better opportunity here even than for a restaurant, let alone a pub or takeaways." "There's an opportunity to look at really appropriate uses for this bustling location - community uses like a medical drop-in centre, crèche facilities or even a small scale arts and crafts gallery for Essex artists and the like to promote their work." Efforts are now in hand to track down the new owners of the site, so that at least the planning permission can take into account what the residents living there and the wider community are hoping for. Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 29, 2008:
  • The name of Marconi must mean more than nostalgia …..
    Guglielmo Marconi On Saturday 26th April, the statue of Guglielmo Marconi, Chelmsford's founder of broadcasting, duly arrived in "Marconi Plaza" near to the Chelmsford's theatres and bus station redevelopment. That was welcome but Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley, local councillors for this part of Chelmsford - called Marconi Ward - hope it's symbolic of fresh action for Chelmsford's West End. When the Lib Dems were running the Council up to 2003 they felt there was a sense of purpose which was accompanied by some imaginative forward planning. Plans were in hand to take some pride in this litter-bound end of Duke Street, to breathe some life to the short section of Broomfield Road here. It would spread the benefits of Chelmsford's relative prosperity to the less well off areas to the north and west, where we still see some areas of stark hardship. However, shops are standing boarded up, like on the corner of Kings Road and North Avenue. "Somehow the revitalising of this neglected side of Chelmsford needs a fresh injection of hope and vision" said Jude Deakin. Graham agreed, adding "Sometimes all the focus seems to be on flats and more flats, aimed at meeting Government targets and City slickers, rather than meeting the needs of local people. Though some of the plans talk the right talk and look good on paper, they are taking forever to deliver." After all these years, we may be seeing some more debate about the old Marconi Works site between New Street and the Station, but still its only talk and "negotiation". The message from Marconi's Borough Councillors is clear. Said Graham & Jude: "Marconi needs to be more than a name and a statue symbolising Chelmsford's proud past. We want to see some plans that address the real lives of real people, to add to the sense of pride in our local communities." Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 14, 2008:
  • Residents turn out at Courtman House; demolition would "choke Chelmsford"
    Cllr. Graham Pooley and Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson back Maltese Road residents against the demolition of Courtman House A group of angry Maltese Road residents turned out for a local press photo last week to oppose demolition of Courtman House. The developer is pressing ahead with his appeal, asking the Government's inspector to allow demolition, even though the council said No. Local councillor Graham Pooley is 'encouraging' the developer to withdraw the appeal and press ahead with converting the existing house, which has been given permission. Cllr. Pooley commented: "Courtman House is a valuable part of the street scene and an important part of local heritage. Local residents are justifiably concerned about yet another development of flats going up in the town centre." Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson told the residents: "This is just one example of many locally where developers are trying to squeeze too much development into compact sites. "The Lib Dems are very concerned that the policies of the Conservative council will allow more of this kind of over-development. That is why we have launched the campaign 'Don't Choke Chelmsford' - www.dontchoke.org.uk." Cllrs. Pooley & Deakin are also pressing for a Blue Plaque to mark the fact that local architect Frank Whitmore designed and lived in this house. Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 9, 2008:
  • 3rd attempt to set up phone mast near Kings Road Primary opposed
    Parlimentary Candidate Stephen Robinson, second from left back row, and Councillor Jude Deakin, far right middle row, with concerned parents from Kings Road Primary School O2 are trying for the third time to set up a phone mast outside the Kings Road primary school. Local Councillors Graham Pooley & Jude Deakin worked with residents last year to successfully fight the appeal against the planning refusal. This latest application is for a mast just 2 metres shorter. [Read the full story and sign the petition.] Councillor Deakin commented "We still believe this is a blot on the street scene and O2 must look harder to find an alternative site or share an existing mast. There is an also an issue with it being so close to the primary school; we are still unsure about the long-term effects of radiation from these masts for small children." Nationally, Andrew Stunell, Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove is fighting for a change in the law on phone mast applications, pointing out that it is easier to get planning permission for a phone mast than it is for a porch: http://www.stunell.co.uk/news/000315.html You can help our campaign by signing the petition against this mast here: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/kingsroadmast Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 31, 2008:
  • Residents' battle to save Courtman House continues
    Maltese Road resident Bob Huntingdon discussing the planning application for Courtman House with Marconi Councillors Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley (right), and Chelmsford Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson A valued part of Chelmsford's suburban street scene is still threatened with demolition despite protests and positive action from local residents and by their two local Councillors, and an alternative planning permission being granted by the Borough Council. An application was made in April last year to demolish Courtman House. The building was the home and work-place of the 'Mayor elect' of Chelmsford, Frank Whitmore, at the time the town was granted Borough status. The plan - to build a modern complex of twelve flats - prompted strong protest from Maltese Road and nearby, and from the two then freshly elected Borough Councillors for the area, Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley. Happily that application was refused in mid-2007. A fresh application that converted rather than demolished the house was welcomed all round, and approved earlier in March 2008. But now the developer has said he is going to press forward and appeal against the refusal of the plan to knock the house down and the Appeal goes ahead in Chelmsford on Tuesday May 13th. Maltese Road resident Bob Huntingdon was the focal point for residents last year and remains determined to see the battle through; He said: "We really hoped that the danger had passed with the fresh plan that's now been approved. But now we must carry the fight to the Appeal Hearing and are hopeful that the future of Courtman House will be secured." Lib Dem Councillor for Marconi Ward Graham Pooley said; "So much for common sense and a willingness to plan something we might all welcome. For me this is a sad example of a developer trying to go one step too far and cram too much onto one site, without regard to what's really appropriate for the neighbourhood." Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 1, 2007:
  • Local Lib Dems oppose "town cramming" - on old Jeep garage site on Parkway and elsewhere
    Stephen Robinson explains that the Lib Dems oppose 'town cramming' here and elsewhere in Chelmsford Chelmsford council policy for new houses is threatening "town cramming" i.e. over-development and the loss of public open space, according to the local Lib Dems. They have warned that the intensive building of flats on brown-field sites in the town could be going too far. One such site is the previous Jeep showroom on the corner of Rainsford Road and Parkway. Residents of Primrose Hill & Critchett Terrace object to overdevelopment of the Jeep garage site, backed by Cllrs. Deakin (left) and Pooley (centre). The garage site proposal is for 42 new flats, which represents 220 dwellings per hectare, compared to the Council's clear policy of a maximum of 60! Another recent one is the house on the corner of Rainsford Avenue and Rainsford Road. Graham Pooley (Lib Dem Councillor for Marconi Ward) took up the issue at the recent council meeting. He asked for confirmation that the number of dwellings on a particular site must clearly and fully respect the situation of nearby residents, and the character of the neighbourhood and street-scene. Cllr Pooley commented: "I'm not happy with the reply. I thought that Council policies were clear about the number of dwellings that can be squeezed on to particular sites. However, it seems that developers and the Council can look for exceptions to this. The face of our urban area is going to continue to change, and there are big opportunities to help our communities thrive, but we must avoid town cramming. "We need to enhance the character of different areas of the town. We must ensure a mix of types of houses, affordable for those with growing children, as well as flats targeted at those on high incomes or at absentee landlords. And new buildings must always protect and pay full attention to the quality of life of our present nearby residents." Residents of Critchett Terrace and Primrose Hill are strongly opposing the plans for the Jeep garage site, arguing its simply too many and too high. Cllr Pooley agreed, saying, "For me it's a clear violation of the policies of the Council to respect the situation of residents on the doorstep of this site. This is a lovely, almost entirely two-storey, area of houses of all sorts of styles - the proposal is totally over the top and I continue to believe the committee should refuse it." Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson also spoke to local residents, saying: "This issue affects the whole town of Chelmsford, not just this site. Conservative council policies are threatening the quality of life for residents everywhere by leading to town cramming. They want to squeeze 8,000 new houses into the town between now and 2015. This all helps Conservative plans to build 'urban sprawl' housing right around the edge of Chelmsford." Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Apr 3, 2007:
  • No To Phone Mast near Kings Road School
    Say No to the phone mast in Kings Road Yet another attempt to put a mobile phone mast right near Kings Road Primary School has infuriated nearby residents. Local Liberal Democrats are campaigning strongly against it, and are hopeful it will be rejected by the Borough Council. The campaign is being run by Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley, the two Lib Dem candidates here (Marconi ward) in the Borough election on Thursday May 3rd. Jude Deakin said: "This one they want 12.5 metres high, which is absurd. But the real issue is whether these things need to be so near a school. It's just unnecessary to put it here, and cause parents and others very real concern for their children's health. We strongly support local people and the school itself, in the objections they have made." Graham Pooley added: "Let's make our voice heard. If council officers are thinking of approving the application, it will be debated at a public meeting of the Council soon. Meanwhile please add your name to the Lib Dem petition." You can phone Graham Pooley on 01245 351633 to let us know what you think. You can sign the petition at the following link, and also print off a paper copy for your neighbours to sign. Go to: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/kingsroadmast Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY