This consultation will influence the Government’s decision on the number and type of night flights to be permitted at Stansted after the present restrictions end in October next year. It is an important opportunity for local residents, as well as local councils, to make their
views known to the Department of Transport. The consulation closes on 22 May 2024. For more ingormaiton please click HERE
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If you are interested in being a volunteer finance director for the Briantree Area Foodbank please click HERE for more informaiton.
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To see the annual report from County Councillor Peter Schwier please click HERE
The publication Everyone's Essex from Essex County Council please click HERE. This provides details of ECC's priorities and what they have achieved and what they deliver.
District Councillor Richard van Dulken's annual report can be viewed by clicking HERE.
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Travel Essex is conducting a survey to better understanding public opinion of the bus services in Essex. We are committed to enhancing public transportation services across the region. To achieve this goal, we are reaching out to gather valuable insights from residents regarding their opinions and suggestions for improving bus services in Essex.
We kindly request your assistance in sharing the attached document within your respective communities. Whether through your social media channels, website, or other communication platforms, your support in promoting this survey is greatly appreciated.
The online survey will be accessible starting Monday, March 4th, 2024, and will remain open until Sunday, March 17th, 2024.
Please note that the survey link provided below will only be active from the specified start date:
Survey Link: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/h-t/f9874637
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For the latest Newsletter from Stansted Airport Watch please click HERE
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To See the AdLent calendar please click HERE
For volunteer warehouse staff and drivers please click HERE
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Did you know you can report potholes and other issues directly to Essex County Council?
If you visit the Essex County Council Website at Tell us - Essex County Council (essexhighways.org) you can report any of the following issues and follow the directions. The quicker issues are reported the quicker they will hopefully be resolved.
To pin point the exact location of your issue you can use the What3words app as described in this video by Essex County Councillor Peter Schweir.
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Community Engagement Officer
Part Time position – 14-18 hrs per week negotiable. Circa £26,000 (pro rata)
Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) has a vacancy within its Community Engagement Team.
At RCCE, we believe that communities have the power to influence change and our Community Engagement Team are at the heart of that by working with local communities to plan for their future, in particular, by supporting parish councils and community groups in the production of Community Led Plans. The team also works to help communities identify local housing needs and aspirations, and provides a Village Halls Service, supporting communities to manage their local assets.
You will help promote the services within the team, provide advice and guidance for volunteers working on Community Led Plans, in particular Neighbourhood Plans and provide support to parishes engaging with their wider community to identify priorities. You will also keep up to date with local and national policy, making groups and parishes aware of any changes and will be involved with training and network events.
To be successful in the role you need to versatile, comfortable engaging with groups and individuals, able to prioritise and problem solve and have experience of, or ability to present to parish councils and groups, with the capacity to understand policies. Having a can-do attitude and good communication skills will help you in the role.
If you understand the challenges that rural communities face, have a passion for enabling volunteers and can enthuse people, then we would love to hear from you.
There will be some evening and weekend working, but time off in lieu is given for this work. This post requires you to have a full driving licence and access to a car.
Application deadline: 12pm Monday 27th January 2024
Contact: Sarah Sapsford (Community Engagement & Services Manager) - sarah.sapsford@essexrcc.org.uk or www.essexrcc.org.uk RCCE registered charity no 1097009 Registered company no 4609624
To apply you must complete an application form and an equality monitoring form - which are attached and can also be downloaded from the website or by contacting RCCE: http://www.essexrcc.org.uk/Working_for_us
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Braintree District Council approves Policy for Household Waste and Recycling Collections
Members agreed to implement a Policy for Household Waste and Recycling Collections from 1 April 2024.
At Braintree District Council’s Cabinet meeting held on Monday 18 December 2023, Members agreed to implement a Policy for Household Waste and Recycling Collections from 1 April 2024. This includes the non-collection of additional waste put out for collection that is not contained within grey wheeled bins, referred to as side waste.
Therefore, the council will be ceasing the collection of all side waste from 1 April 2024 and will only collect waste which is presented in the grey bin and the lid must be shut.
For the full article detailing changes please click on the following link. Braintree District Council approves Policy for Household Waste and Recycling Collections – Braintree District Council
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C360 News Update 7 December 2023 (mailchi.mp)
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Residents and businesses can now share how they think Essex County Council should prioritise its 2024/25 budget, as part of a new consultation.
Next year, the council will spend over £2 billion on essential services, as well as investment in the county’s infrastructure and future growth.
The council has a track record of robust financial management, having saved £235m over the past five years.
However, the financial outlook for local authorities in general is highly uncertain. This is in large part due to the significant impacts of high inflation, rising interest rates and the continued pressure of the cost-of-living situation.
With this uncertain outlook in mind, the council is asking residents and businesses for their views on:
- the big issues it faces and the challenges that lie ahead for Essex
- the things that concern you and your family
- where we should focus resources as we work to improve lives across our county
The responses received will be used to inform the delivery of Everyone’s Essex in 2024/25 and beyond.
Councillor Chris Whitbread, the cabinet member responsible for finance, said: “We don’t have all the answers when it comes to addressing the challenges we face locally and nationally. Like many households across Essex, we must also make difficult choices about where we spend our budget and where to make savings.
“We can learn a lot from our communities and it’s important we create opportunities for people and businesses to help inform our priorities for the coming year. A positive way of doing this is by sharing your views during the consultation.”
The consultation on the county council’s 2024/25 budget is open until Sunday 3 December. It can be completed here: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/rci/ecc-budget-consultation-2024-25/
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Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Braintree Area Foodbank Ltd
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Primary school applications are now open for children set to start school in September 2024.
Children are entitled to start primary school in the September after their fourth birthday. Parents and carers of children born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 need to apply during this window.
Applications can be made from today, Monday 6 November, until the national closing date of Monday 15 January. Parents and carers can apply online at www.essex.gov.uk/admissions.
Applications received after the 15 January deadline will only be considered once all on time applications are determined. This means applying late could reduce your child’s chance of getting a place at their preferred school.
Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “Starting school for the first time marks an exciting milestone in a child’s life and we want to ensure the application process is as smooth as possible for parents and carers.
“Parents applying on time and using their four preferences will help to ensure their child gets the best possible opportunity of a place at a preferred school for when they start their primary education from September 2024.”
Further information about the admissions process and individual schools can be found at www.essex.gov.uk/admissions.
Thank you very much for all the donations to Braintree Area Foodbank you have made over harvest. An especial thanks to those church partners and school partners who held harvest festivals.
Looking ahead, the November Shopping List is below. Foodbanks would like to render themselves unnecessary. Our aim has always been to run ourselves out of business in ten years... but unfortunately the need for food and other essential items is greater than ever. As always we appreciate your support.
Essex County Council (ECC) are running a public consultation regarding the future of Recycling Centre bookings from
Monday, 9 October to Sunday 19th November 2023.
The consultation website address is essex.gov.uk/recyclingcentrebookings.
This is an opportunity for members of the public to have their say on the current appointment based system and all feedback will be used to help determine whether or not this should become a permanent arrangement. ECC will publish a summary report of the consultation feedback after the consultation is complete and responses have been analysed.
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London Stansted is hosting a jobs fair to recruit hundreds of new employees ahead of the winter season.
Around 500 job openings will be on offer in the areas such as flight crew, baggage handling, security, retail, and hospitality at the airport's Radisson Blu Hotel on October 10.
Stansted has made the best recovery of any airport in the UK following the pandemic and August was one of its busiest months on record.
The airport and some of its on-site businesses are now looking to recruit staff for the winter, especially for the Christmas peak.
There will be free parking or free travel to the event.
Pre-registration is required, for more information please click HERE
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I am reaching out to you myself this month as we approach Harvest Festival. Every year we face different challenges, and we are ever thankful for your continued support to aid us to meet these challenges head on.
Braintree District Council (BDC) will be introducing the new opt-in subscription service to collect garden waste across the district in March 2024.
You can now register your expression of interest to join the new service.
Collections will be every fortnight throughout the year apart from the week before and the week after Christmas, compared to the current service which is suspended for 3 months over the winter period.
The subscription fee from 4 March up to and including 31 March 2025 (13 Months) is £55 however if you sign up by 30 November 2023 you can benefit from a 50% early bird discount, bringing the cost down to just £27.50 which equates to around £1 per collection in the first year. Additional bins are available for an extra charge.
When can I sign up for the 50% early bird discount?
BDC will let you know when the payment system goes live in a future newsletter, and you can keep an eye on our social media.
To find out more about the new subscription service, answers to some frequently asked questions and to register your expression of interest, please visit the BDC website.
| Register your interest |
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Could you spare some time to help?
Essex residents can sign up for free one-to-one coaching with a qualified coach under a trial scheme run by Essex County Council.
Coaching for financial wellbeing provides the opportunity to access confidential support about spending behaviours and money management to make small changes that can help you get to where you want to be with your finances.
The coach works with the client to explore their relationship with money, set financial goals and help boost confidence and skills in managing finances.
The scheme is aimed at residents who feel ready to make changes to improve their financial wellbeing.
The sessions can be face-to-face or online and can be scheduled at a time which suits the client.
The coaching scheme is available to parent(s) with a child or children under the age of 18 who have £100 or more income per month after outgoings.
To be eligible, residents must live one of the following areas: Braintree
Bumpstead, Gosfield and Greenstead Green, Halstead St Andrew’s, Halstead Trinity, Hedingham, Stour Valley North, Stour Valley South, The Colnes, Three Fields, Yeldham
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, said: “We know that with the current financial pressures there are some families that would benefit from additional support with tackling their financial situation. This innovative scheme involves working one-to-one with a skilled coach who can provide the space and time to help residents reflect on their financial situation and feel more confident manging their money in the long-term.”
The scheme is funded by Essex County Council, working with OLightOn. It is available until 17 April 2024.
Residents can apply to take part in the scheme at https://forms.office.com/e/cZbH464TZJ.
For more information, email essex@olighton.com or call 07759 835548.
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For the latest information from the Stansted Airport Watch click HERE
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Essex Library Service has a fantastic new challenge for pre-schoolers happening this summer.
Ready… Steady… Go To School is a fun challenge full of activities which will help your child to practice skills that they’ll need to help them feel confident and be ready to start school in September.
The challenge is running in all Essex libraries until 31 July and will include a range of activities within seven challenge areas. These are:
- speaking and listening
- being active
- personal, social and emotional skills
- early reading and writing
- maths and numbers
- understanding the world
- express yourself
Children will earn stamps in their special booklet as they go along and receive a certificate once they’ve finished all seven sections.
The challenge is a great way for your child to prepare physically and emotionally for starting school and will provide parents and carers with some top tips and useful information too.
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Community, Equality, Partnerships and Performance, said: “Starting school is an exciting time for children and parents but it can be a daunting experience too.
“This challenge aims to prepare little ones for when they take that big step through the school gates, by building their confidence as they start to learn what to expect on their first day.”
Visit any Essex library to sign up now and don’t forget to follow @essexlibraries on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, where you can send in pictures of you completing your challenges.
You can find out more information about the challenge on the Essex Library Service website here: https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/news/ready-steady-go-to-school-challenge
The library service is also running Big School Meet Ups during the May Half Term for children who will be starting school in September. You can find a session near you here: https://library-events.essex.gov.uk/search?q=big+school
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For the latest information from Stansted Airport Watch please click here
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please click here to see more information.
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It is understand that, comparing January and February of this year with last year, we have fed 119% more people in January and February 2023 than in the same months in 2022.
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Essex Highways is calling on landowners with ditches and low hanging trees near roads to make sure these are cleared and cut back ahead of the spring.
Carrying out this work ensures that roads and pathways are kept clear as vegetation grows during the warmer months making them easier to use for pedestrians and motorists.
Landowners are responsible for maintaining trees, hedges, shrubs and ditches on their land, even if they are close or next to a road or pavement. They have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to prevent, or reduce as far as possible, the risk of injury or damage that could be caused to anyone else.
In addition, Essex Highways will resume grass cutting and weed spraying services to prevent overgrown vegetation from blocking the highway and causing flooding.
Completing this work before the spring also ensures nesting birds are not disturbed and helps prevent flooding in wet conditions, as well as improving visibility and usability of the network for local residents.
Examples of works that should be carried out by landowners include:
- Cutting back overhanging branches, which reduce the width of or block the view of the road.
- Cutting back overhanging branches that reduce the height or clearance of the road for tall vehicles such as double decker school buses.
- Removing or trimming a damaged or diseased tree that is in danger of falling onto the road or pavement.
- Trimming overgrown hedges obscuring road signs or streetlights.
- Clearing of any ditches located on private land to avoid any flooding during periods of heavy rain.
Most trees and hedges by roads are on land owned by private landowners, including district councils, city council, parish councils, housing associations and homeowners.
Cllr Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport said: “The maintenance of the vegetation found on our road network plays a crucial role in ensuring they are safe for all road users.
“We will do our bit to ensure that the vegetation and ditches located on our land are maintained. However, we are unable to maintain anything located on private land. This is where we will need the help of landowners.
“Please look after the area outside your home by keeping any overhanging vegetation and ditches clear and encourage your neighbours to do the same.”
The consultation on Essex Highways’ plans to remove and replace the 200-year-old bridge in Finchingfield are now available to view and residents will be able to submit their views from Thursday 19 January.
The plans propose replacing the existing bridge, which is weak and deteriorating with a new bridge and temporary pond crossing, to support traffic flows in the area during bridge construction.
The replacement bridge will be built in the same place as the existing one and where possible, Essex Highways will retain the same look and feel, so as not to impact on the aesthetic of the picturesque village.
Councillor Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport said: “I understand the bridge in Finchingfield takes pride of place in the centre of the village, but its weak and deteriorating state means it is imperative it is replaced. I would encourage members of the public to take this opportunity to review the plans and share their views with us.”
Further information on the project can be viewed here: https://www.essexhighways.org/finchingfield-bridge-b1053-finchingfield
The planning application can also be found in accessible form here: https://planning.essex.gov.uk/
Cllr Peter Schwier
Climate Czar
Deputy Cabinet Member to the Leader
MEDIA RELEASE: Braintree District Council updates on Ministry of Justice Wethersfield prison proposals
Councillor Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “Over a year has gone by since the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced their proposed plans to build two prisons on the Wethersfield airfield site. The Council and local communities are still waiting on a decision whether the MoJ are going to submit a planning application for the proposals or not.
“We share resident’s frustration on wanting answers about the MoJ’s intentions on the prison proposals. It is not fair for our local communities to continue to face the current uncertainty. I will therefore be sending an official letter to the Secretary of State for Justice to ask for an update as soon as possible, so we can understand their future plans and impress upon the Secretary of State the need to share those plans with the local community at the earliest opportunity.
“We know how much interest there has been amongst residents and communities around these proposals, and we absolutely value resident’s opinions and views. Council officers, alongside expert environmental and other consultants, have had lengthy discussions with the MoJ over the past year through a Planning Performance Agreement, advising them on planning matters as they consider whether to submit a planning application or not. Throughout this time, officers have raised several issues related to the proposals that were put before us and the community, including the suitability of location, accessibility, road and environmental impacts, and have been clear through this engagement that the MoJ would need to address the issues highlighted by the council and the local community if a planning application is submitted in the future.
“Braintree District Council, as the local planning authority, must remain impartial and transparent given its future role in any potential planning application coming forward. To act otherwise could be considered as pre-determination, which could form the basis of a legal challenge against the council to any final decisions made. We will however be watching several planning appeals for proposed prisons elsewhere in the country with interest in the New Year.
“The Council will continue to fulfil its planning related role and play an active role in discussions about a potential application, but we recognise that it has now got to the point, over a year since the MoJ’s public consultation, where we need answers and clarity to stop the uncertainty continuing to hang over our communities. We also know that the prison proposals cover only part of the current airbase site and there is wider interest in the future use of the whole site. We are pleased therefore to be supporting local parish councils to consider the future of the whole airbase through neighbourhood plans.
“We have previously committed to keeping residents updated on what we can regarding the prison proposals, and we will continue to do so, including pressing the MoJ to keep communicating with residents on their proposals.”
At Gocompare, we have put together a guide to preparing for a flood and protecting your property - https://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/limiting-flood-risk-and-damage/
In extreme conditions you won't be able to stop flood water, and you should always put personal safety above attempts to protect property and possessions. Despite this, there are steps that you can take to keep water out, to buy yourself time to preserve property and possessions, and to limit the damage that flood water does.
Residents are invited to sign up to fully funded retrofit courses. Training is available at levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 and will support those who are just starting their retrofit journey, as well as those looking to progress in their career.
Retrofitting is the process of adding new technology or features to make homes more energy efficient, which will play an essential role in reducing the county’s CO2 emissions.
It will also help to achieve the environmental goals in Essex County Council’s (ECC) Levelling Up agenda by creating green jobs, raising living standards and improving health and wellbeing.
ECC has received £94,575 from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training competition. ECC is providing match funding, creating a total project value of £189,150.
This funding will help draw on the success of last year’s pilot, which saw Essex become the first UK county to deliver Fit for Retrofit Training.
ECC was also one of the first authorities to partner with Retrofit Academy, alongside Devon County Council.
New funding will enable ECC to provide 50 spots on retrofit courses, which were oversubscribed during the pilot phase.
Training will be available to residents across Essex, with a focus on Colchester, Basildon and Castle Point (Canvey Island) – three of the County Council’s priority Levelling Up areas.
Courses will be delivered by Retrofit Academy CIC and ECC’s Adult Community Learning (ACL). They will take a blended approach with a mixture of e-learning and face-to-face tutoring.
Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: “We are thrilled to support another year of retrofit training following last year’s incredibly successful pilot.
“Our Sector Development Strategy identifies retrofit as a key industry for economic and environmental growth across the county.
“Additional retrofit courses will enable individuals and businesses to take advantage of this growing industry, which could create 13,000 Essex-based jobs by 2050.”
Find out more or apply for a fully funded training opportunity via ACL Essex.
Essex County Council (ECC) have created a newsletter which summarises all the support available at present in addition to Help for Households.
Essex County Council have set up a cost of living hub on their website where they will house all the support available to you. Also available is the Government’s Help for Households campaign website for national support. Help for Households - Get government cost of living support
It isn’t always easy to ask for help, but whatever your situation, if you need support, please reach out.
Councillor Beverley Egan, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Early Years said: “We were so pleased to see John Lewis feature a foster family this year in an advert which will resonate with our foster carers across Essex. While fostering is not always easy, our carers tell us that it is hugely rewarding and lifechanging. If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, please get in touch and find out more.”
Fostering is incredibly rewarding, offers great flexibility and puts family at its heart. Carers are welcome from any background, including single, married, LGBTQ+ or retired.
Essex County Council matches children to your family, offers all foster carers excellent local training with an active network of support groups providing opportunities to meet and learn from other foster carers. It also offers 24/7 local support, a dedicated social worker and access to a clinical psychologist and mental health coordinators. Families can receive on average £483 per child, per week to help with the costs associated with raising a child.
To find out more about fostering visit: https://www.essexadoptionandfostering.co.uk
Information events are held regularly with the next events on 26 November and 3 December.
https://www.essexadoptionandfostering.co.uk/fostering/events
You can also call 0800 801530
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Cost of Living Support for Essex Residents - Support from Essex County Council
Please click HERE to see what help you could be available to you.
Essex Police are currently recruiting for active citizens in the Braintree District.
Active Citizens play a vital role in making the area in which we live, work, or visit, safer and less vulnerable to crime and antisocial behaviour.
They do this by working with the community and through supporting community policing teams in distributing crime prevention advice.
They advise people on what they can do to secure their homes, protect their belongings, and prevent becoming a victim of crime.
They’ll also support our community policing teams with proactive days of action and lend their administrative skills and support to those organising the events.
Many of our Active Citizens work with our community policing teams, but there are also opportunities to work alongside some of our specialist teams too.
These include our Fraud Prevention Team, Hate Crime Team, Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) Team and our Cyber and Digital Forensic Team.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO WORK WITH ESSEX POLICE AS AN ACTIVE CITIZEN
TO HELP REDUCE CRIME PLEASE SEND YOUR FULL DETAILS AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO active.citizen@essex.police.uk
Or for more information contact PC James Draper
Braintree Community Safety & Engagement Officer Mobile 0798 0917130
For the latest newsletter from Stansted Airport Watch please click HERE.
Bus Network Reviews
As part of a Countywide review of the Essex bus network, we would like to get your views on how the local bus network could be improved.
An online public survey has been launched to get the view of bus users and non-users on the bus network. To make the information as relevant as possible, we are most interested in responses which relate to the districts in which the responder travels most often by bus or (if not) where the person travels most often within the county.
Please see the links below to the surveys for each district.
Basildon - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-basildon
Braintree - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-braintree
Brentwood - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-brentwood
Castle Point - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-castle-point
Chelmsford - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-chelmsford
Colchester - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-colchester
Epping Forest - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-epping-forest
Harlow - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-harlow
Maldon - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-maldon
Rochford - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-rochford
Tendring – https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-tendring
Uttlesford - https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/iptu/bus-network-reviews-uttlesford
Essex County Council - WECAN
TEC Mates is a programme to support the use and uptake of Digital Technology and Technology Enabled Care (TEC) products and services. It aims to inform vulnerable people, their friends, family and carers on TEC and its capabilities, and to consider its adoption for accessing social and health care services.
Could you be a TEC Mate Volunteer?
WECAN are looking for people with a good all-round knowledge of smart phones, tablets, Chromebooks,
laptops and smart speakers, as well as the enthusiasm to help others gain the skills they need.
Please click Here to find out more.
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For the latest information regarding the future plans for Finchingfield Bridge please click on the link below.
https://www.essexhighways.org/future-plans-finchingfield-bridge
Stop Stansted Expansion - for their November newsletter click here and their October newsletter click here.
To view the parish council's response to the Ministry of Justice regarding the Wethersfield Prison Proposal please click here.
For information on Age Concern's brefriending service please click here
Stop Stansted Expansion - for their latest newsletter click here.
Essex County Council - Please click here for details of Essex Outdoor activities
MEDIA RELEASE: Specialist developer selected to deliver the Hedingham Medical Centre
Braintree District Council has selected a specialist developer to take the development of a medical centre in Sible Hedingham on to the next step.
OneMedical Group, a company which specialises in the creation of health care properties, have won a bid to develop the centre after a tender process.
A plot of land on Osier Way was safeguarded for the development of a health centre when Bloor Homes were granted planning permission to build homes on the old Premdor site.
The Council, together with NHS Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), identified this land as an opportunity for investment and have been looking at the best way of bringing a medical centre forward on the site to replace the three GP surgeries local to the area, all run by the Hedingham Medical Centre.
After evaluating the options, the Council, Mid Essex CCG and the Hedingham Medical Centre, have agreed that OneMedical Group – a specialist in the development of health care properties – should take the project forward and on to the next stage.
The Council is now looking to transfer the land to OneMedical Group for it to proceed with the scheme on behalf of Mid Essex CCG and the GP surgeries. OneMedical Group will invest in the build and development of the facility and will own and manage it once it is complete.
Once built, the medical centre will have the capacity to serve about 10,000 patients from Sible and Castle Hedingham and the surrounding villages.
Cllr Kevin Bowers, Cabinet Member for Housing, Assets and Skills at Braintree District Council, said: “We are pleased that, together with our partners, we have found a specialist provider with the right expertise and experience to take this project on and forward to the next stage. We know how important good healthcare facilities and services are to residents, which is why we have been doing all that we can to help facilitate that process.”
Dan Doherty, Alliance Director – Mid Essex for the Mid and South Essex CCGs, said: “Ensuring the communities we serve have high-quality, sustainable and safe NHS services is our priority. A key part of delivering on that is making sure local GP practices have accessible, modern premises, so we are very pleased this arrangement is moving forward. We are grateful to the Council, Hedingham Medical Centre and OneMedical Group for working with us to make it happen.”
OneMedical Group will soon arrange and share details of virtual engagement events, where the team will listen to and answer questions, and share information about the project. Residents can email Feedback@onemedicalgroup.co.uk to ask questions and register their interest in the events.
Cllr Hylton Johnson, Ward Councillor for Hedingham at Braintree District Council, said: “I am delighted that the plans for a new healthcare facility in Sible Hedingham are moving forward. The delivery of a centre which meets modern standards will benefit patients, residents and the local community for many years to come. I would encourage residents local to the area to register their interest in the virtual events to find out more about the plans and the project.”
Subject to planning approval, work is expected to start at the site early next year.
Essex Assoication of local councils - free training sessions on Mental Heath First Aid, J9 Domestic Abuse training and Living with Dementia Please click here to find out more and how you can register.
Highways England - to view the May/June 2021 newsletter regarding the – A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening scheme newsletter – please click here.
To see Councillor Finch's May parish update please click here
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Notice from Parish Council Announcement of RESOLUTION TO BORROW At the Toppesfield Parish Council meeting of 6th May 2021, it was RESOLVED to seek the approval of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government to apply for a PWLB loan of £85,000 over the borrowing term of 50 years for the purpose of purchasing the Green Man barn and carrying out refurbishment and renovation works which will provide a new dedicated parish office and a multi-use room, including all utilities. The annual loan repayments will come to around £2,900. It is not intended to increase the council tax precept for the purpose of the loan repayments as the loan costs will be covered by savings on rent currently paid for the space used by the Parish Council at the village hall and by rent paid by the community brewery which currently occupies part of the building. In addition we expect a growing income from the renting of the multi-use room. For information, a summary of the proposal is set out below. If you have any views or opinions you wish to feed in, or would like more details of the proposal please contact the parish council direct by 30 June 2021.
Kaaren Berry Clerk 18 May 2021 |
Summary of Proposed Project - 18th May 2021
Proposed purchase of the Green Man Barn by Toppesfield Parish Council
Overview of proposed project
- A purchase price of £55,000 has been agreed with the owner for the Green Man Barn;
- Part of the barn (the cart lodge and stable /hayloft) is currently rented by the community owned brewery. This arrangement will continue;
- The underused front part of the barn will be converted to a parish office and a small multi-purpose meeting room that will be available for hire;
- The total cost of the barn and associated work would be in the order of £90,000;
- The funding would come from the parish council’s own funds and a loan from the PWLB for £85,000;
- The loan would be repayable on an annuity basis (that is, equal instalments during the life of the loan) over 50 years and would bear a fixed rate of interest. PWLB fixed interest rates are set twice daily. The rate today (19 May 2021) is 2.46%pa;
- There will be no increase in the parish council precept to cover the cost of the loan. It is our intention that the cost of the borrowing would be covered by associated income (rent from the brewery and for the hire of the multi-use room) and savings by the parish council as rent on the currently used space would no longer be paid. A spreadsheet is attached showing the financial projections.
- We would like to complete on the purchase by autumn 2021 and complete the necessary work by spring 2022;
Background and rationale
The Green Man Barn is a Victorian stable block in good structural condition.
Part of the barn (the original stable and cart lodge) was converted and refurbished and is currently occupied by Pumphouse Community Brewery Limited.
The storage area of the barn is currently underutilised.
The parish council office has, for the past 20 years been located in a small rented space in the village hall; previously the space had been a galley-kitchen. There is no running water in the office and although there are toilets in the contiguous village hall, a pre-school occupies the hall every morning and some afternoons therefore making access difficult. Additionally the office is now very constrained for space and storage.
The barn would not only provide an adequately sized space for the clerk and visitors and save the current rental. It would also be able to offer a multi-use room available to rent.
The latter room would be made available to hire by service providers (e.g. mobile hairdresser, chiropodist etc), for training (such as IT skills) and for meetings of small groups, clubs etc, for whom the village hall is either not available or too large for them. It could also be used by the parish council for its meetings.
Used in this way the renovated barn would add a new facility to the village and would complement the amenities already present. For the community owned pub, it would also offer the potential to provide refreshments and food to hirers of the multi-use room.
Financial forecasts
The following is a review of the anticipated costs and income associated with this project.
- Project Cost
The price of the barn has been agreed with the owner at £55,000. In addition we expect the transaction costs to be £3,000. That is a total purchase cost of £58,000.
The cost of creating a parish office and multi-use room is expected to be £32,000.
The total project cost would therefore be £90,000.
- Financing cost
Of the total cost, it is intended that £5,000 would come from the parish council reserves and £85,000 from the Public Works Loan Board (‘PWLB’) for a period of 50 years. This loan would be at the fixed rate of interest applicable when the loan is drawn down and repayments would be made every 6 months.
Based on current interest rates, the annual cost of the loan will be £2,963.
- Future impact on parish council budget
The parish council will save the cost of paying rent and hiring fees to the village hall, currently £1,350 per annum, and will receive rent from the brewery of £1,200 per annum.
Total annual income or savings will immediately therefore be £2,550.
We would however expect to generate some income from the hiring out of the multi-use room and assume, conservatively, that in the first year this would total £600 (£50 per month).
This would result in a net annual benefit to the parish council of £187
Over time, we would expect to see increases in the rent charged to the brewery, increased income from the multi-use room and will avoid future increases in the rent charged by the village hall. In aggregate, and given the fixed amount of loan repayment, we expect the net benefit to the parish to increase.
Budget forecasts for the next 5 years have been prepared to demonstrate the projected impact on the budget. These can be viewed on request to the Clerk.
S.W.O.T. Analysis
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STRENGTHS
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WEAKNESSES
Mitigation: debt servicing covered by brewery rent, savings on VH rentals; debt is known cost so no increase in event of higher base rates
Mitigation: new refurbishment will reduce likelihood of major maintenance / repairs in foreseeable future. Management of bookings for room hire to be handled by clerk in short term. If activity increases, possibility exists to provide part-time employment. |
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OPPORTUNITIES
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THREATS
Mitigation: Space could be let to a new start-up brewery as a ‘ready-to-go’ venture. Brewery could be emptied and space rented
Mitigation: fixed price contract for works
Mitigation: Local architect and building/construction manager will provide pro bono support |
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