Harlow Council planning officers have approved the 'reserved matters' relating to the application by Bellway Homes Ltd to build eighteen two-bedroomed flats on the old scout hut site at Maunds Hatch. The council has already agreed to use income from this application to invest in improving community facilities at Maunds Hatch.

A planning application has been submitted for 7 Cecil Court, for change of use to B2 - Italian food and delivery service to the local area. The reference number for the application is HW/PL/06/00202, and the planning officer dealing with the application is Dylan Gardiner. The application can be viewed at the Civic Centre from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00.

A planning application has been submitted for Aelfeva House (190 The Briars) for change of use from domestic to community building. The reference number for the application is HW/PL/06/00173, and the planning officer dealing with the application is Jacques du Plessis. The application can be viewed at the Civic Centre from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00.

Plans for improvements to playgrounds including the ones at Joyners Field and the Latton Bush Centre are now under way.

Proposals will be on display at the Civic Centre in the week starting Monday 26 June. The plans will show details like fencing, and there will be some voting opportunities for new equipment at selected sites.

A resident in Sakins Croft calls about the flood damage in one row of houses on the estate, so I visit in the evening. Ground floor carpets have all had to be disposed of, furniture has been ruined, and fitted kitchens will have to be stripped out and replaced in their entirety.

As for Barleycroft, I'm told by the council that while it's likely that the drains were just overwhelmed by the sudden downpour, it's also possible that there's tree root interference with the main drain, so he's informed Thames Water who own the drain.

Until now, council tenants have paid the council for services such as lift maintenance and cleaning of communal stairwells as part of their rent, in a single sum. Now the Government's policy is for councils to identify and charge tenants for these costs separately - as already happens for leaseholders.

Harlow Council has arranged a series of consultation meetings during July for tenants to discuss these changes, and what they mean for local people:

• Monday 3 July, 19:00-21:00, Sumners Leisure Centre


• Tuesday 4 July, 10:00-12:00, St John's ARC, Old Harlow


• Thursday 6 July, 13:30-15:30, St Stephen's, Bush Fair


• Monday 10 July, 19:00-21:00, Moot House, The Stow


• Wednesday 12 July, 10:00-12:00, Civic Centre


• Thursday 13 July, 13:30-15:30, Rivermill Adult Education Centre


• Tuesday 18 July, 19:00-21:00, Civic Centre


• Wednesday 19 July, 13:30-15:30, Potter Street Baptist Church


• Thursday 20 July, 10:00-12:00, GPCA

More information is available from Contact Harlow by email, in person, or by phone on 01279 446655.

I've arranged a site visit with staff from Harlow Council's parks and landscapes department, following a complaint from a resident about the empty, neglected planters at the south end of The Briars and Copshall Close. There are dozens of these planters across the estates, and some of them have never been given any topsoil or plants since the minute they were built. The Council agrees to provide topsoil and some form of planting in the next season, from November.

Following the late afternoon downpour, a number of residents in Barleycroft find their gardens flooded because the drains are blocked, and are worried that the water will pour into their homes. I ring the Council's emergency number and arrange for sandbags to be delivered. There are hundreds of homes across the town in the same position, and the crews on the council lorries distributing sandbags from the depot are struggling to keep up with the demand.

Essex County Council has announced a major countywide promotion to find the first-ever Essex Carer of the Year.

This week is National Carers' Week, and the county council wants to find 'unsung heroes' - carers living in Essex who are not trained specialists or agency staff, who care for fathers, mothers, grandparents, sons, daughters, neighbours or friends.

The eventual winner will be awarded a Grand Day Out - a day in which they will be treated like royalty, tailored to their hobbies or interests.

Carers can nominate themselves, or be nominated by someone who knows them. 12 outstanding entries from around Essex will be put into a hat from which a winner will be drawn and offered the Grand Day Out and a presentation at County Hall.

Application forms are available in the forthcoming Essex Matters county magazine (delivered free to every home), or from 08457 430 430 or online. The entry rules are available on request. The closing date for all entries is Wednesday 9 August 2006.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the range of help available to carers can ring the Carers' Telephone and Assessment Support Service on 01245 437339.

Staple Tye councillor Lorna Spenceley joined about 30 local residents and representatives of local organisations at the consultation meeting at the GPCA premises on Abercrombie Way, to discuss ideas for regenerating the Staple Tye area.

Harlow Council has been awarded £2 million to be spent on proposals to regenerate the area around the shopping centre. Proposals to spend the money will be developed over the next two years.

Residents discussed the possibility of moving the Staple Tye library into the shopping centre, and re-locating Lister House health centre, to provide sites for extra homes. Top priorities for local people included finding solutions to Staple Tye's traffic and parking problems, and providing activities for young people to do.

Those who missed the consultation meeting still have a chance to have their say - there will be another meeting, to discuss all five of Harlow's regeneration schemes including Staple Tye, at the Latton Bush Centre on Tuesday 20 June at 6:00pm.

A busy Saturday surgery for Staple Tye's Liberal Democrat councillor team today, with residents' queries ranging from dumped rubbish and garages to leaseholder charges and a report of delivery vehicles loading and unloading at Staple Tye shopping centre outside the permitted hours.

The next Staple Tye councillors' surgery will take place on Saturday 1 July, from 10:00 to 11:00 at the council offices in Staple Tye shopping centre.