Today I'm visiting Crucial Crew at the Study Centre. The Year 6 pupils from The Spinney School in Mark Hall are in for the morning, and I follow them through the various scenarios, where they learn about everything from fire safety and electricity, to why littering is bad and alcohol can be dangerous. The event is organised by the Safer Harlow Partnership, and includes the Council, the Fire & Rescue Service, the police and others - even down to Harlow College's drama department! All the town's Year 6 pupils will have attended by the end of the two week programme.

I've just written to a resident in Moorfield who had complained to the local Liberal Democrat team about abuse of disabled parking bays by non-disabled drivers. In all the recent upheaval about the pay and display consultation, one change that no-one objected to was agreed.

From 1 April this year, disabled parking bays in residential areas of Harlow will be covered by a Traffic Regulation Order. This means the bays will be enforceable, and any vehicle parked in a bay without a blue badge or disabled permit on display is liable to be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Residents will be informed if a bay is covered by the Traffic Regulation Order by means of a sign post next to the bay. I'm also told that blue badge holders in Harlow will be issued a permit rather than having to display their blue badge.

After four years as a local councillor for Staple Tye, Mike Faccini has announced that he's stepping down from this role due to changes in his personal circumstances.

The Staple Tye team is very grateful to Mike for all his hard work on behalf of the team and local residents, and we wish him well for the future.

For some time now the street lighting has been out in part of the Briars. On raising the matter with council officers, it appears the rumour is true - the lighting controls were housed in the block of flats on the estate which has now been handed over to a housing association and demolished ready for rebuilding!

I've been in contact with the Assets & Facilities section and the housing management, and hopefully before too long there'll be a replacement control which will shed some light on the Briars, and the local garages too.

Harlow Council's Easter holiday youth activities programme has now been published. There's a fee of just £2 per activity, and activities are open to 13-17 year olds; young people with disabilities are welcome.

Mon 03 April, 12:00-16:00 - Ice skating in Chelmsford
Tue 04 April, 14:00-16:30 - Canoeing and kayaking at the Harlow Outdoor Centre
Wed 05 April, 13:30-15:30 - Exercise fitness class and fun swim at Harlow Pool
Thu 06 April, 13:00-16:00 - Youth activity day at Sumners Leisure Centre

Mon 10 April, 12:00-17:00 - Adventure course or caving day trip, Mersea
Wed 12 April, 14:45-16:15 - Trampolining at Sumners Leisure Centre
Thu 13 April, 15:00-16:30 - Street dance class at Harlow Pool

Booking forms must be returned to Helen Offord, sports development officer, Leisure Services, Civic Centre, Harlow CM20 1WG, tel 01279 446417, fax 01279 4464431, email helen.offord@harlow.gov.uk. Places are limited and will be given on a first come, first served basis.

The Latton Bush Centre will not have pay and display car parking, councillors have decided unanimously.

Speaking at the meeting of the council's Environment & Community Committee, Staple Tye Liberal Democrat councillor Lorna Spenceley said that if pay and display were introduced, visitors would simply park in Sakins Croft and The Readings and walk through the gate, causing further congestion in local estates. She also pointed out that the leases granted to tenants of the Latton Bush Centre included parking rights which it would be difficult to renegotiate.

The introduction of pay and display parking has also been ruled out at Bush Fair, The Stow and Old Harlow. Councillors will consider alternative proposals for the Town Park car park near the Greyhound on 14 March.

Harlow Council licensing committee has granted a permit to the new owners of the Chequers pub on Commonside Road - TCG Acquisitions - for its three gaming machines.

A similar permit has also been granted to the new owners of the Moat House hotel on Southern Way - Park Hotels Management Ltd - for their three machines.