The past few months have been a real rollercoaster. Being responsible for Education across the county I was really pleased with the efforts that youngsters put in to achieve a huge improvement in GCSE results in Essex, compared to other parts of the country. Too often people criticise education in this country accusing it of becoming “dumbed down”. But anyone who is a parent will know how hard our young people are working to achieve those results.

Thank you so much to all who came down to support the First Tuesday Group stall at the incredibly successful Rayleigh Christmas Lights switch on. It was a very successful event and hopefully see the new members of Conservative Futures at our next meet on Tuesday 11th January 2011.

Cllr Malcolm Maddocks of Hockley West Ward delivers the latest InTouch for the area. Read the latest news and views from Hockley.

Thank you for your support at the last election. Because of you, David Cameron is the first Conservative Prime Minister in 13 years and the Government’s plans to build a strong economy and a big society are in full swing. Now, to help us communicate with you, we've launched this new local website.

Thank you for your support at the last election. Because of you, David Cameron is the first Conservative Prime Minister in 13 years and the Government’s plans to build a strong economy and a big society are in full swing. Now, to help us communicate with you, we've launched this new local website.

Thank you for your support at the last election. Because of you, David Cameron is the first Conservative Prime Minister in 13 years and the Government’s plans to build a strong economy and a big society are in full swing. Now, to help us communicate with you, we've launched this new local website.

Thank you for your support at the last election. Because of you, David Cameron is the first Conservative Prime Minister in 13 years and the Government’s plans to build a strong economy and a big society are in full swing. Now, to help us communicate with you, we've launched this new local website.

Thank you for your support at the last election. Because of you, David Cameron is the first Conservative Prime Minister in 13 years and the Government’s plans to build a strong economy and a big society are in full swing. Now, to help us communicate with you, we've launched this new local website.

Thank you for your support at the last election. Because of you, David Cameron is the first Conservative Prime Minister in 13 years and the Government’s plans to build a strong economy and a big society are in full swing. Now, to help us communicate with you, we've launched this new local website.

Thank you for your support at the last election. Because of you, David Cameron is the first Conservative Prime Minister in 13 years and the Government’s plans to build a strong economy and a big society are in full swing. Now, to help us communicate with you, we've launched this new local website.