Cllr Joel Charles

The decision to evacuate Joseph Rank House was based on concerns about fire safety.

It was necessary to act quickly, so Harlow Council has worked with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Places for People to best manage today’s evacuation.

The priority is to make sure affected residents get rehoused.

Breaking: Shock as Joseph Rank House residents told they must leave today following “significant fire safety concerns.”

https://www.yourharlow.com/2024/06/28/shock-as-joseph-rank-house-residents-told-they-must-leave-today-following-significant-fire-safety-concerns/

This mass seizure of cannabis by Essex Police will disrupt the illegal supply chain used by organised crime in .

Good on-the-ground intelligence sharing is crucial in the fight against drugs.

Today’s operation is an example of community policing at its best.

Police execute dawn raid in Sumners and net over a hundred cannabis plants

https://www.yourharlow.com/2024/06/24/police-execute-dawn-raid-in-sumners-and-net-over-a-hundred-cannabis-plants/

Those who serve in our Armed Forces are the best of us.

This week is an opportunity to recognise regulars, reservists and cadets, and thank veterans for their service.

The sacrifice of generations of service personnel secured the way of life we enjoy today.

🏘️ It’s been great to join Mark Brooks OBE and Sir David Evennett on the campaign trail in and over the last few weeks.

✅ Mark Brooks is the best choice by far – a local candidate who will always put his community first.

🔵 🗳️

🚌 The double-decker bus converted into a learning space at Fawbert and Barnard’s Primary School in is a standout feature in the community.

🏫 Sue Spearman and her team at the school have done an outstanding job. It is great to see my former primary school take on and deliver such an innovative project.

🙏 Thanks must also go to all the organisations that supported the project, including the HTS Group.

Fawbert and Barnard Primary unveil new Double Decker learning bus

https://www.yourharlow.com/2024/06/13/fawbert-and-barnard-primary-unveil-new-double-decker-learning-bus/

This is an example of Essex Police adopting a proactive approach – the hotspot model works.

Those who commit violent crime seem unable to grasp the impact of their actions.

That is why I back Operation Grip’s use of a weapons detection system in – it is a deterrent.

Hotspot patrols lead to 30 arrests in two months

https://www.yourharlow.com/2024/06/12/hotspot-patrols-lead-to-30-arrests-in-two-months/

🔵 The Conservative Party Manifesto sets out a plan to cut taxes, safeguard our borders and boost NHS spending.

✅ This election is about which party will secure the best future for you and your family.

🗳️ on the 4th of July.

📖⬇️

https://manifesto.conservatives.com/

🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦 The courage shown by Allied Forces on the beaches of Normandy in 1944 led to the collapse of Nazi-occupied Europe.

🇫🇷 D-Day was a defining moment for a generation of soldiers.

⚖️ Our freedoms today were secured by their sacrifice. We will remember them.

Today, we remember the sacrifices made by all those involved in the D-Day landings.

On this day 80 years ago, more than 5,000 ships and landing craft delivered 150,000 troops to five beaches in Normandy. 4,440 Allied soldiers lost their lives on D-Day - the first day of Operation Overlord, which ultimately brought about the liberation of German-occupied Western Europe.

I just joined Harlow Council planning officers and a committee member from the Residents’ Association to carry out an inspection of the development.

The three developers continue to be held to account for the delay in delivering key community infrastructure.

⭐️ has begun.

👥 This year is the 4️⃣0️⃣th anniversary – celebrating decades raising awareness of the positive contribution made by volunteers.

🙏 ’s many volunteers continue to work tirelessly for local good causes – thank you for all that you do.

🚒 🚑 🚓 Several blue light services have mounted an operation to deal with an industrial unit fire in Parkway.

⚠️ It is important that residents avoid the area.

🚪🪟 Please keep all doors and windows closed if you live near to Parkway.

🚨 Follow the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Facebook account for more updates.

🆕 The Leader of Harlow Council has asked me to take on the Public Protection Portfolio in his Cabinet. I have agreed to do so. It is a new portfolio that directly aligns with the Council’s Corporate Strategy.

✅ I am looking forward to working with the Council’s Community Safety Team, Safer Partnership, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Essex Police - Harlow District and local residents’ groups to shape the role, and set several meaningful priorities for the municipal year.

Introducing our new Cabinet team to deliver our six missions for our town, which are to:

🏡 Transform Harlow’s housing

🌳 Renew our neighbourhoods

🏗️ Rebuild our town

💷 Secure investment for Harlow’s future

🛡️ Protect our communities

📈 Deliver high-performing council services

🗳️ The Prime Minister has announced that there will be a General Election on the 4️⃣th of July.

🔵 Conservatives always deliver the bold action needed in Government.

✅ It is Rishi Sunak who has a plan to secure a better long-term future for our country.

🚒 On-call firefighters based at the station have moved quickly to deal with flooding incidents in the town.

🌧️ This highlights the important role local fire crews play when serious weather hits.

✅ The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service response to flooding has been outstanding.

Our Control Room is receiving a number of calls relating to the persistent rain 🌧️

Take care when you're driving. Don't risk driving through floodwater, find an alternative route ⛔

We're expecting more rain, so please help us by only calling if there is a risk to life ❗

It is a privilege to be re-elected to sit on Harlow Council for another term.

I will work hard for everyone in , and .

My focus will be on championing the causes that matter most to local residents.

I’m ready to get back to work.

🏘️ ’s future hangs in the balance.

🗳️ TODAY to ensure plans to rebuild the town are not derailed.

🔵 Back Andrew Johnson in Harlow South East – he will stand up for the town at County Hall.

👮‍♂️ Re-elect Roger Hirst to keep Harlow’s streets safe.

🙏 Thank you Council for supporting the resident-led campaign to make the Norman Booth playground more accessible.

✅ Children of all abilities in have started to use the new swing seat.

🛝 It’s important that the town’s playgrounds are inclusive spaces.

🆕 The new accessible swing seat has been installed at the Norman Booth playground.

✅ Making sure disabled children in feel confident and excited about visiting their local playground is a priority.

📖 Read more here ⬇️

Accessible swing seat installed at the Norman Booth playground in Old Harlow

https://www.yourharlow.com/2024/04/25/accessible-swing-seat-installed-at-the-norman-booth-playground-in-old-harlow/

Increasing defence spending, to reach £8️⃣7️⃣ billion a year by 2️⃣0️⃣3️⃣0️⃣, will reassert the UK’s commitment to NATO at a time when major conflict continues on its eastern border.

The Prime Minister is right to strengthen the UK’s defence posture in what is a more dangerous world.

We’re taking defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

The biggest strengthening of our national defence for a generation.

🛝 Playgrounds should be accessible and inclusive spaces.

🏘️ Residents in are working together to help disabled children feel more confident and excited about visiting their local playground.

✅ This is a campaign that everyone in can get behind.

Old Harlow campaign for disabled children to use accessible play equipment

https://www.yourharlow.com/2024/04/10/old-harlow-campaign-for-disabled-children-to-use-accessible-play-equipment/

🔵 It was great to spend the day in campaigning for Susan Hall for Mayor of London and Julie Redmond for Barnet and Camden. The mayoral and assembly elections take place on May 2nd.

🗳️ to cut crime, for more affordable family homes and to scrap the ULEZ expansion in London.

Response to Robert Halfon MP’s personal statement:

Robert has been a positive political force of nature both locally and nationally. His genuine interest in people, commitment to and campaigns to reduce the cost of living have all made a lasting impact.

I understand and respect why Robert has taken the difficult decision to stand down at the next election after all that he has achieved, but that does not mean he will not be missed.

Robert is a compassionate conservative who has delivered for Harlow. I also defy anyone not to feel better when leaving Robert’s company – he has been a vote winning asset. Robert is someone generous of heart, passionate about public service and most importantly down to earth.

It has been a privilege to work locally with Robert, to campaign for him and to see the difference he has made at a national level.

The national discourse will not be the same without his interventions in Parliament based on common sense politics, but what matters today is to thank Robert for his tireless efforts for the town and the Conservative Party in Government.

I know that Robert will continue to speak up for the causes that matter most to him.

🚮 It was great to join a community litter pick in earlier today.

🦸‍♂️ This type of resident-led action to tackle littering in makes a big difference.

🙏 Thanks must go to the Churchgate Street Residents' Association for organising the clean-up.

🔵 It was great to be back in with Mark Brooks to support Councillor Andrew Cooper, who will make a brilliant Conservative MP.

🌳👮‍♂️📈 Andrew has pledged to protect the Green Belt, cut crime and support local businesses.

🗳️ Voters should back Andrew on the 19th of October ✅

🔵 I spent the day campaigning in for Councillor Andrew Cooper, the Conservative by-election candidate.

✅ Andrew is committed to delivering on local priorities, including regenerating Tamworth town centre.

🗳️ Voters in Tamworth should on the 19th of October ✅

🔵 The campaign to elect Festus Akinbusoye as the next MP for is gaining momentum.

🟢 Protecting the Green Belt from further development is a top priority for Festus.

🗳️ Voters in Mid Bedfordshire should on the 19th of October ✅

🏘️ The East of plan to build 3️⃣,3️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ homes is flawed.

❌ Key details outlining the impact on are not being explored as part of the current consultation.

✅ Repurposing a smaller footprint of the land for employment opportunities is the right approach.

🔵 My colleagues and I who represent Old Harlow will continue to fight the housing plan ⬇️

Film: Old Harlow councillors campaign against plan for thousands of homes east of Harlow

https://www.yourharlow.com/2023/09/03/old-harlow-councillors-campaign-against-plan-for-thousands-of-homes-east-of-harlow/

🔵 I spent the day in and Stoke Holy Cross Ward campaigning for Tony Holden, the by-election candidate.

✅ Tony will work to protect the countryside and focus on securing grant funding for community projects if elected.