Woodham Ferrers & Bicknacre Parish Council
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WOODHAM FERRERS & BICKNACRE PARISH COUNCIL SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2019 1 www.wfandbpc.org.uk 2 www.wfandbpc.org.uk . PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS/REPRESENTATIVES—2019-2020 Councillor J. Saltmarsh Councillor L. White Chairman Vice Chairman Councillor K. Wilkin (Bicknacre Ward) (Bicknacre Ward) (Bicknacre Ward) 01245 224975 01245 – 321054 01245-223417 [email protected] [email protected] kenwil- [email protected] Councillor G. Blackshaw Councillor S. Sinclair Councillor A. Mair (Bicknacre Ward) (Woodham Ferrers Ward) (Bicknacre Ward) 07887 597013 01245 225351 01245 222232 [email protected] [email protected] Councillor Ray Blanks Cllr. M. Vail (Woodham 01245 632798 Cllr. C. Amos (Bicknacre Ward Ferrers) Raymond Blanks <RAYMOND.BLANKSWFAND [email protected]> (Woodham Ferrers Ward) If you wish to raise a matter formally to the Council to consider we would ask that you write directly to the Parish Clerk: Mrs. Karen Kuderovitch, c/o Woodham Ferrers Village Hall, Main Road, Woodham Ferrers, Essex CM3 8RW Phone 01245 328988 (Mon – Weds 9.00am – 3.30pm—by appointment only) e-mail: [email protected] 3 www.wfandbpc.org.uk Councillor June Saltmarsh I am very pleased to report that we are now once again a full Council with the addition of two new Councillors: Cllr. Martin Vail (Woodham Ferrers) and Cllr. Cathy Amos . (Bicknacre). We are looking forward to working with them over the next four years. I would like to take the opportunity in thanking the existing seven Councillors who have had to deal with the Parish Council business during the past few months. Updates: St Mary’s proposed closure – awaiting outcome – maintaining contact with Essex Education and local residents. Essex Police Initiatives—one of our younger residents has applied for the role as a Community Special – awaiting the outcome of the rather protracted recruitment process. The Parish Council and two involved residents met with a representative from the Community Policing Team regarding Anti-Social Behaviour Essex Police are increasing their presence within local communities where anti-social behaviour takes place. They can only react to reported incidences of this type of nuisance and we are working with people / groups within the community to ensure that incidents DO get reported via 101 or on-line. We also raised the problem regarding speeding throughout the Parish. The Parish Council and the Speedwatch Group have spent 2/3 years in discussion with ECC Highways and the Police Safety Partnership to try and curb speeding drivers through the village. As a result, we now have 5 new Village Gateways throughout the Parish. Friends of Priory Field continue their dedicated management of Priory Fields for the benefit of the residents and other groups who visit the area. In recognition of this they were awarded the Green Flag Award for 8th year running. Our congratulations to them. We managed to get a ‘Merit’ rating in the recently RCCE Village of the Year Competition. Thanks again to FoPF for their involvement and also special thanks to the Priory School Ambassadors from Year 6 who met with the RCCE Judge on the day of the inspection. Well done. 4 www.wfandbpc.org.uk Planning is always a significant feature of our monthly meetings and none more so that recently. The PC held an Extra-Ordinary Planning Meeting covering two Plan- ning Applications which needed urgent attention. Timing is critical within the Planning Process. The Parish Council can only submit comments within the CCC Planning dates at a properly convened meeting and this seems to be the very time when some Applications are submitted some Planning Applications. Karen Kuderovitch Parish Clerk The Parish Council is coming our of summer recess although this year the Coun- cillors & myself were called upon for an Extraordinary Parish Council meeting on 7th August 2019 relating to Planning which was attended by 30 residents who were grateful to the Parish Council for arranging the meeting and ensuing they did not miss the opportunity to share their views. An example of how we go above and beyond our expected duties. The Parish Council were delighted to receive the news that we had received merit award in the Rural Community Council of Essex, Village of the Year Competition. Rural council director Nick Shuttleworth said: “Throughout Essex, villages of all sizes provide a range of clubs, events and activities for all sections of the commu- nity. “Many are working hard to safeguard key services, improve amenities such as vil- lage halls and reduce loneliness and social isolation. “Essex Village of the Year is all about rewarding and celebrating such community initiative and enterprise. “It highlights the very best of rural Essex.” Our thanks to the Friends of Priory Fields who showcased Priory fields to the judge, Priory Primary School whose 2 Uear6 students also engaged with the judge. Further thanks to all those residents and community groups who take an active role in making Bicknacre a better place to live by giving up their free time voluntarily. 5 www.wfandbpc.org.uk You will have noticed that the new overflow parking project has been finished at Bicknacre Playing Fields. This item has been on the Parish Council Agendas since January 2016. At the outset the potential future users were identified as: the Bicknacre Village Hall, Priory School, the Pre-School , Danbury and Bicknacre Football Club and of course Friends of Priory Fields specifically as an overflow Car Park on agreed occasions (i.e. not exclusively to any one group / organisation). In January 2018 the topic finally reached the time when consultation with potential users was required. During then and now the Parish Council has consulted those who might be involved to gain their views/support. Based on the favourable responses received, the project was approved by the Parish Council in June 2019 - three years on from the original idea was muted. The wheels were put in motion to get the job done and advise residents accordingly. Essex County Council (ECC) does not typically make provision for parents/carers to park on school sites for general dropping off and picking up of children. Fortu- nately, the Parish Council does provide this additional parking area which is of great benefit during School Terms and all other users of the Bicknacre Playing Field throughout the year. It is not the responsibility of the Parish Council to provide additional school parking and we apologise if some residents were under the impression this would be the case. B1418— representations have been made to Essex County Council regarding the disappointing deterioration of the road at the bottom of the hill towards South Woodham Ferrers. This was only resurfaced last year, and we have been ad- vised by ECC an inspection will take place in September. Plans for a multi-gym in both village are still on the Agenda—I will be looking for funding opportunities for this equipment in the next couple of months. You will have noticed the new village gateways which took many years of pursu- ing to finally see them in place. We hope to soon see additional signage to try and encourage slower driving. We have also installed a new bench at Bicknacre Playing Fields and we hope this provides a restful place for residents. Bicknacre Village Green is looking wonderful thanks to our Gardener and we have received many compliments from residents which is good. 6 www.wfandbpc.org.uk The Enchanted Cinema originally booked for Friday 6th September sadly had to be cancelled as only a few tickets were sold, which was a big difference to the one in May where over 200 people attended. On reflection ,perhaps the timing was not good so we have luckily not lost our deposit and we will be running one indoor in December and will be a family show so please look out for it soon and book tickets quickly.You are always welcome to come along and speak to us at our meetings, there is always a public session at the beginning. From September 2019—March 2020 we change location to the School Room, Woodham Ferrers. Car Boot Sale—we are hoping to run one on Saturday 26th October at Bicknacre Car Park & the Priory School Car Park. We are in the process of finalising the details. Please look out for this also on the web/facebook/notice boards of how to book your pitch and have a de-clutter and make some money. If it is successful we can run more. Anti-social behaviour—in various locations in both Bicknacre & Woodham Ferrers we are receiving reports of issues. Particular problems are at Priory Playing Fields, The Hooe & Lodge Road Playing Fields. We have met with Essex Police and we have to build a case. If anyone witnesses anything please please report it, otherwise we cannot pursue. Easiest way is on line : www.essex.police.uk/do -it-online/report-a-crime/ Cllr. Blackshaw is currently looking into ways we can communicate our news faster with the possibility of a village app. We hope to have more news on this soon. You will hopefully soon see a new bus shelter provided by Essex County Council free of charge in Woodham Ferrers. 7 www.wfandbpc.org.uk Chelmsford City Councillor Richard Poulter The City Council is proceeding with its programme to adopt the Local Plan. This will be the principal planning document and will guide applications for the period to 2036. The only change made by the incoming Liberal De mocrat administration was to withdraw the John Shennan field in Moulsham Lodge. This was scheduled for building about 200 homes including 70 affordable homes. It is now to become a local open space.