Today I'm at the Tree House - the Surestart Centre in Parnall Road - for the presentation of Open College Network diplomas, which are being given to six local mums who've put together storysacks with their children.

There's a real buzz at the Centre, and lots of fun and laughter as Jacky, Diane and Sarah from the Centre introduce the awards, and explain the benefits of storysacks.

Even during the event, mums are signing up for more courses and the different opportunities which are available at the Tree House Centre.

When a resident of Carl House emailed Staple Tye's Liberal Democrat councillors about problems with the collection of recyclables from Carl House, they referred the matter to the council's Recycling Officer for action.

Cllr Lorna Spenceley joined the resident, the recycling officer, and a representative of Veolia on site - and a conversation and a couple of phone calls quickly revealed the source of the problem. The council had told residents their recyclables would be collected on 'red' weeks, while Veolia had told the collection team they would be collected on 'green' weeks! Confusion all round!

It's now been agreed to change the collection week for Carl House to 'green' weeks so that it fits in with neighbouring Spruce Hill, fortnightly starting on 25 January; and the council is also looking into providing outside wheelie bins secured to the walls, which is safer and also easier for the residents. Residents with any problems are encouraged to get in touch with Contact Harlow on 446655.

Harlow Council's Licensing Sub Committee met to review the licence of the Chequers, and the Council will now be writing to the licensees and to residents who made written submissions with details of the Sub Committee's decision.

Having heard from residents about the problems with the pub, the Sub Committee gave serious consideration to revoking the licence altogether. However, instead, the Sub Committee agreed the following actions to try to improve matters for the future.

The licensees will be required to hold a meeting with residents every three months to discuss any concerns. Minutes of the meetings must be sent to the Council's Licensing Department. An acoustic consultant must set the noise limiter for the premises and connect the jukebox through it. Subject to any planning or other constraints, a double door is to be fitted to the exit to contain noise. The licensees will be required to ensure that glasses and bottles are not taken outside the building. The licensees will be required to seek quotes for double glazing, though the Sub Committee cannot require the installation.

There is also a further issue, still to be resolved, about access to the car park. By law, none of these requirements can be put into place until the time for any appeal (28 days) has passed.

Staple Tye councillor Lorna Spenceley has raised a number of road and paving issues in the ward with Essex County Council's local highways manager. Here's an update on some of them.

Traffic regulation orders for Perry Road and Moorfield, championed by the Staple Tye councillor team, are to be considered by Harlow Council shortly.

Road safety works at the junction of Rye Hill Road and Paringdon Road, which Staple Tye councillors have been calling for, should begin shortly.

Lorna also raised the fly-tipping problem on Fernhill Lane, to which the various agencies involved have been seeking workable solutions for some months.