WINTER 2020 / ISSUE 89

News and views from and

CITY www.chelmsford.gov.uk

Beinglife a Parish OPID Centre Virtual Christmas Councillor Spread Pullout TBC Lights Switch-On Page 3 Pages 7-10 Page 14 Council finances short due to coronavirus The latest review of Chelmsford City Government grants that the overall shortfall Leader of Chelmsford City Council, Councillor Council's finances reveals that the Council for the year will be around £3million. This is Stephen Robinson, said ”The Council's annual expects to have nearly £13million less about the same as what we spend on Waste income has reduced significantly. This huge income from sales, fees and charges for and Recycling each year. shortfall can't easily be fixed just by 'cutting back a little' - it's a real threat to the most vital the current year due to coronavirus. However, as we look ahead to next year, services we provide. At the start of the crisis, we expect the pandemic to continue to have To help our residents, the Council has the Government told councils to step up to a major financial impact just like it has on increased expenditure in a number of critical help our communities and we did - like we every local authority, business, charity and services and reduced costs where possible. always do. The Government said they would family in the country. Changes to how we Sales, fees and charges from theatres, events, do everything needed to get us through this live such as increased home working and more car parks, properties and leisure centres have crisis. Now they need to stick to that promise online shopping will mean the Council’s car shrunk dramatically. This money makes up over and support local councils.” half of the Council's total income. It pays for parking and market income is unlikely services like collecting waste and recycling, to recover. He added ”The City Council only receives 11% of Council Tax and 4% of business rates, and looking after green spaces, street cleaning, The Council’s leisure facilities are open but very little Government funding in an ordinary business support, housing the homeless, running at reduced capacity and it may take year, so to compensate for this lack of income keeping the community safe and much more. time for people to feel comfortable to return. we’ll be asking the Government for more These services cost over £60millon a year. So next year the Council’s income will not support to help us as we go forward.” We hope by having furloughed staff, tightly recover fully, and we don’t know yet if the controlled our expenditure and with extra Government will provide any extra funding to Continued on page 3… cover these losses.

Our income and what we have lost this year

Fees, sales and charges - we now expect: Lost income: £15,470,000 £13,000,000

Other: £2,624,000 Council tax and business rates: £13,582,000 Rents: £9,631,000 2 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Council News Help us learn some Life lessons! Every Council has a duty to let its residents know about the services it provides. City Life is one of the ways that we do that in Chelmsford. We’d like to make it better and bring you the stories you’re interested in – but we need your help! CITYlife To provide us with your feedback, please: Commemorating • head to www.chelmsford.gov.uk/citylifesurvey Holocaust • or post the form below to Corporate Communications, Chelmsford City Council, Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JE Memorial Day • or take a photo of your completed form and email it to [email protected]. Anyone living in Chelmsford is welcomed to the annual Holocaust Memorial Commemoration on Please answer the following questions: Thursday 28 January.

• Do you findCity Life an interesting and informative read? Yes No ! The annual Commemoration is organised • Does the front page inspire you to pick it up and read it? Yes No by the Chelmsford Jewish Community and supported by Chelmsford City • Would you prefer to receive City Life digitally? Yes No Council. The event is held to remember • Do you follow Chelmsford City Council on Facebook? Yes No the victims of the Holocaust during World War Two and other genocides. What would you like to hear more about in City Life? Although the Chelmsford commemoration will take place on Thursday 28 January, Holocaust Memorial Day actually falls on 27 January each year. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day How could we improve City Life (e.g. design, size, content, frequency)? 2021 is ‘Be the light in the darkness’. While it encourages everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, it is also a call for action for individuals and communities to consider and resist modern forms of racial discrimination and Holocaust denial on social media; and to join the light that overcomes the darkness. Any other comments? Because of the pandemic, we still don’t know what the restrictions will be in January. It may not be possible to hold the usual event in the Chelmsford City Council Chambers, so we are discussing whether the commemoration can be streamed online.

The best way to stay updated is to sign up to the ‘Commemorative Events’ mailing list at To sign up to our latest news mailing list, please visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/mailinglist and www.chelmsford.gov.uk/mychelmsford follow the on-screen instructions.

Council focuses on economic recovery and renewal Local businesses and self-employed We’re now proactively focusing on the The Council has also launched a Facebook people have faced unique challenges economic recovery and renewal of Chelmsford, group (@Chelmsford for Business), providing a as a direct – and ongoing – result of working to stimulate the local economy. platform for businesses to support one another the pandemic. Chelmsford City Council and share best practice. We also work closely In September, a virtual Jobs Fair was held and with a number of partners that can provide is working hard with its partners to several hundred attendees discovered job business advice, these include Back to Business support you. opportunities in different sectors, as well as , BEST Growth Hub and Colbea. training options. In the early stages of lockdown, staff worked day and night to distribute over £30 million The Council is also preparing a short film Find out more about getting free business in Government grants to nearly 2,500 eligible promoting Chelmsford’s economic offer to advice and check the latest guidance at businesses, supporting them to make sense business, focusing on serviced commercial www.chelmsford.gov.uk/coronavirusbusiness of the array of advice and restrictions, and office accommodation. With fewer people or sign up to the mailing list: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/business/ reaching out to businesses to understand how needing to travel into , demand has businessnews-events-and-advice the Council could best provide support. increased for local workspace. www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 3 Council News Council finances short due to Meet the Chief coronavirus (Continued from the front page) We will do everything we Executive can to mitigate the impact Sales, fees and income charges for this year Who is he? of this crisis on our residents and keep our most essential Nick Eveleigh 30 services running, but it is an 30 What does he do? extremely difficult situation. The Chief Executive Without significant extra has three principal areas of work: Government support, the 2020 Council may be unable to • Managing a workforce of 900 (full time provide residents' most equivalent) through the Council's Senior basic and vital services. Management team.

£ M i l o n s 10 • Acting as principal advisor to elected 10 Cabinet Member for Connected Members, predominantly the Council's Chelmsford, Councillor Marie Cabinet. Goldman, said "I would like to • Liaising with local businesses, thank the wonderful residents 0 0 organisations and central government who have shown how much When set the budget We now forecast When we set the budget We now forecast departments. they care about local services since the scale of the financial About Nick problem became clear. We have received suggestions through Facebook for raising extra funding Nick began his career as an accountant at to keep services going, from people kindly offering to litter-pick their neighbourhoods to ideas for Essex County Council. He joined Chelmsford running events during lockdown. These are difficult times for everyone and it's good to know that City Council in 2005 as Director of Financial Chelmsford stands together in protecting the services that help our most vulnerable." Services and held that post until being appointed Chief Executive in 2018. Why does Chelmsford City Council have a budget shortfall this year? What does it have to do Nick said “I am proud to lead Chelmsford with the coronavirus pandemic - and what does it mean? Find out more by watching our short City Council. This is a dynamic, outward- animation – just look up the ChelmsfordCouncil channel on YouTube. looking, growing city, but one that retains a great sense of community. Over the years, I have watched its evolution with pride.” What are his priorities? Thinking of becoming a Parish Councillor? The coronavirus pandemic has meant that this has not been an easy year for anyone, What do you think makes somebody a 3. Representation on the Council – When but our priorities remain to make Chelmsford ‘good’ councillor? Would you consider people vote for you, they’re voting for you a fairer, greener, safer and better-connected running for your local parish council? not only to make a difference in your local place to live, work and visit. There are some key aspects of the role area, but also to represent the local area at We have set out our priorities in ‘Our to consider: Council level. This means listening to your Chelmsford, Our Plan’ under four themes, residents and then being advocates for their which will improve the lives of residents: 1. Reaching the people. Your communities will views on the Council. • A fairer and inclusive Chelmsford: be diverse and mobile – you’ll need to reach promoting sustainable and individuals, groups and whole communities. 4. Supporting others – Although being a councillor is busy, it’s also about supporting environmentally responsible growth to That might include talking to the local media stimulate a vibrant, balanced economy, a individuals, groups, organisations and and getting press coverage; using your fairer society and providing more housing businesses to do their best and to succeed. own social media profiles; blogging; and of all types. generally raising awareness of things that are 5. Empowering others . This is about being • A safer and greener place: making important to local people. a community facilitator. Perhaps you could Chelmsford more attractive, promoting Traditionally, councillors have held ‘advice be a negotiator between different parts of Chelmsford’s green credentials, ensuring surgeries’, where they talk to constituents the community, or host meetings where communities are safe and creating a face-to-face. However, it’s becoming more you facilitate discussions that inspire distinctive sense of place. community action. common to be flexible with your surgery • Healthy, active and enjoyable lives: time – you might hold them online during And the bonus one is about YOU. If you ask encouraging people to live well, promoting the pandemic, but at other times you might people why they got into local politics, they health and activity and reducing social organise meetings to bring the community nearly always say “they wanted to make a isolation, making Chelmsford a happier together or knock on doors to talk to people. difference”. It’s a big commitment, and you place to live, work and play. 2. Communication and influencing. As a local need to really figure out what is in it for you. • Connected Chelmsford: bringing people leader, you’ll develop skills to communicate You’ll be a better councillor if you have a together, empowering local people and but also facilitate community conversations, defined sense of purpose. working in partnership to build community capacity, stronger communities and to empower your local residents and secure investment in the city. support your local area. You may need to Do you think you could be a parish communicate important information to your councillor? Find out more at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/voting-and- You can download the Plan at local communities in a way that everyone can elections/stand-for-election/ www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ourplan understand. 4 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Developing Chelmsford New neighbourhood progressing at site near Essex Record Office With the Chelmsford Local Plan now adopted, plans to develop the Chelmer Waterside area are progressing. Over 400 homes are already being built at the end Residents are of Wharf Road and there is potential for a further 1,000 much-needed new homes, with at least 350 being affordable. influencing

Before the new neighbourhood can be We are now planning the removal of the gas development via developed further, the necessary infrastructure pressure reduction system and gas mains needs to be in place. The first stage is to put in from the old gasworks site. It’s a big job, but Masterplans place a new access road and bridge alongside will be worth it to free up this site and create the Essex Record Office, connecting Wharf an opportunity for more homes, including There’s a national housing shortage. Road and Parkway. The road will only be for affordable homes, to be built. Every council in the country has to accessing the new neighbourhood. Meanwhile, the Council has recently agreed plan for building new homes – but to fund a detailed structural assessment and we do have the opportunity, with feasibility study to look into whether the aging residents, to shape where they go, automatic flood gates by the Record Office can to make sure they are affordable and be replaced. This work will also consider a new that they’re properly supported by lock, fish-pass and potential for hydro-electric infrastructure. generation at that site. If it can be done, this project would enable boats to come into the Masterplans are part of that. They’re drawn city centre. Making better use of the city centre up for sites in Chelmsford which we have rivers is a key objective of the Council. allocated for major growth. Each masterplan sets out what the Council expects from In August, we asked the public for views on Find out more at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ new developments to help create excellent the road and bridge. All of your responses waterside places and make sure they deliver what the are being taken into account as the Council area needs. These sites are allocated in the prepares the planning application. Local Plan, which is the policy document setting out which areas in Chelmsford will see what kinds of development. Some masterplans are now being created Securing infrastructure through development for sites allocated in the Local Plan. You New development is needed to provide and must not be know your local area best, so your feedback the homes and economic growth spent on anything is important to influence how development required as Chelmsford grows. But with else. It supports will proceed. You can help to decide where new development comes pressure on things like: schools and neighbourhood facilities are built, how access and transport connections infrastructure – schools, roads, the health • Affordable work, which buildings and landscapes need service, leisure and open space. housing protection, and how everything is laid out. In the last 10 years, the following sums have • Parks, play areas and green spaces been secured by the City Council to support So far, the masterplans for developments • Sports facilities infrastructure: north of Broomfield and at West Chelmsford • Public areas in the city centre, including the (known as Warren Farm) have already been • £25 million from S106 agreements, a legal pedestrian area works around the Rail Station commented on by local people, experts agreement with developers and community organisations. Using this • Primary, secondary and further education, • £25 million from the Community feedback, the Broomfield Masterplan including Beaulieu Secondary School Infrastructure Levy, contributions made by has now been approved by the Council. developers • GP surgery improvements The next step is the planning application process. This will include more detail on • £30 million from the South East Local • Beaulieu Station and Chelmsford North East things like architecture, detailed landscape, Enterprise Partnership Bypass and building materials, and it will also be • Over £230m from the Government’s Housing • Cycling and walking upgrades open for you to comment on. Infrastructure Fund Future Masterplans will cover other sites in Find out more at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ The funding is directed to a range of Chelmsford, Great Baddow, Great Leighs, cil-spend infrastructure to support the City’s growth. North East Chelmsford, Sandon, and South Most of it is tied to particular areas or projects Woodham Ferrers. Work on preparing a large-scale masterplan for the new Chelmsford Garden Community, north of Have to have your say on planning the development at Beaulieu and Channels, is also under way. Chelmsford City Council has updated its Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), which sets out You can follow the progress of current our strategy for involving you in planning matters. masterplan consultations at It includes different types of consultation and www.chelmsford.gov.uk/masterplans engagement, how we will involve you in making planning policy and when considering planning applications, who we will Essex County Council is also carrying consult and the ways we will consult them. out a separate consultation on proposals for the former St Peter’s College site, You can read the SCI at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/sci north of the city centre. Find out more at stpeterschelmsford.co.uk www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 5 Developing Chelmsford Planning in YOUR neighbourhood

Eight parishes in the Chelmsford area have so far taken the opportunity to have greater control of development and planning in their area.

They are working on Neighbourhood forwards. If so, a Development Plans, which will set out detailed local referendum Here to help with local policies for future development and use of will be held to see if land in their communities. They plan positively people support the your building for future development and support the needs Plan. If they do, it will for infrastructure and homes that are set out in be adopted by the needs the Local Plan. Council as part of the overall Local Plan for When you start a new building Parish Councils are working with their Chelmsford. project, you want to make sure community on the Plans in Boreham, that everyone involved works Broomfield, Danbury, East Hanningfield, Little Further consultations will take place on together towards a great result. Baddow, Sandon, South Woodham Ferrers, Whether you’re extending a and Writtle. All the groups have gathered views the other Neighbourhood Plans over the room or even building a new from the public to inform their Plans. coming months. To make sure you don’t miss your chance to get involved, visit home, it needs to be done right Formal consultation on the South Woodham www.chelmsford.gov.uk/communityplans to be an investment for the Ferrers Neighbourhood Plan has just ended. future. The next step is for all the responses to be for updates and links to individual groups’ sent to an independent examiner, who will websites. That’s where our award-winning review the draft Plan and the comments made, Chelmsford Building Control then decide whether the Plan should move Consultancy comes in. Our expert team have many years of experience and extensive local knowledge. We provide independent, impartial New planning documents to give advice to you, your designer and your builder when it is needed. Regular extra guidance ‘stage of work’ notifications and site The Council produces additional planning proposals, from big developments to visits include discussions to help you guidance on how we will use some key small house extensions. nip any issues in the bud. Local Plan policies to make planning Planning Obligations SPD As a not-for-profit body operated decisions, called Supplementary by Chelmsford City Council, we will Planning Documents (SPDs). We are This sets out the Council’s approach towards always be here to help when you reviewing comments received during a asking for financial contributions to the need us. recent consultation, before finalising the community when considering planning applications. It identifies when contributions following two documents for adoption. For a free, no obligation quote, may be asked for, depending on the scale of please call Building Control development, and how much. Making Places SPD Consultancy on 01245 606431 or visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ This document is about making sure For more information, please visit buildingcontrol developments built here are high-quality and www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ sustainable. It sets out the standards the City planningconsultations Council will ask for when considering all future

How to show support for cycling in Chelmsford Everyone connected to Chelmsford is invited to sign the Cycling Charter to show that we think everyday cycling can make Chelmsford a better place. More cycling can help Chelmsford to tackle and Brentwood. challenges like air pollution, congestion and A Chelmsford Cycle Forum is also being set unhealthy lifestyles. Individuals and up with representatives from Chelmsford organisations are invited to sign up to City Council, Essex County Council, the Charter at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ cycling charities, public health, businesses, chelmsford-cycling-charter schools and community groups. It will meet This isn’t just a declaration of intent; it has regularly, with one of the first tasks being to a practical use too. Your backing will help promote the Charter. local government officials and leaders to negotiate for more investment in cycling Find out more at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ and help encourage others to try it. chelmsford-cycling-charter Similar charters have been produced for 6 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Community News Basketball court transformed into work of art

If you spend much time near Viaduct Artist and design director Gareth Roberts Road, you may have seen a new piece of has lived in Chelmsford for ten years before art in an unexpected location – on the beginning the project. He said, “It’s a blend of my professional skills in the art world and my floor of a basketball court. passion as a keen basketball player. 336,000 Crowdfunded last year and supported by people aged 14 and above play basketball in the Essex County Council Community Fund, Britain at least once a month – as many as cricket ‘Project in the Paint’ has transformed what was and golf combined. It’s a great sport for teaching once an under-used outdoor basketball court teamwork, discipline and hard work ethics – skills at Frank Whitmore Green. The once grey and that have carried me successfully through my cracked court has been repaired and given professional career.” Find out more about Project in the Paint and a splash of colour, with rings of bright paint The court was opened by the Mayor, Councillor other creative projects around Chelmsford at covering the surface. Jude Deakin, in August and immediately www.ignitechelmsford.org.uk inspired her to have a go!

Spectacular small weddings at Hylands Estate Weddings have taken place at Hylands Estate for more than 200 years and Pictures: although getting married is a little Clare & Angus’ wedding different this year, the matrimonial tradition continues this winter at the Credit: Aaron Crowe city’s most-loved historic venue. Photography Couples started tying the knot again in August at new COVID-19 secure ceremonies in If you’d like more people to experience your big Hylands House. Clare and Angus were the first day, you can also opt to stream your ceremony people to get married at the grade II* listed online to guests who can’t be there in person, Grant to adapt mansion after lockdown was lifted, at a socially and sit-down meals can be arranged in Hylands distanced wedding with close family and friends House or the spacious Grand Pavilion. your home for in attendance. The team at Hylands Estate has been busy To find out more about Hylands Estate disability access creating perfectly formed wedding packages weddings, call their dedicated events team Your home is your castle – it should for anyone thinking of having a smaller and on 01245 605500 or email them at be one that you can get around more intimate ceremony. [email protected] with ease. There’s help at hand to make this easier, whether you need a ramp, a graded floor shower or BOREDOM-19: Reflections from stairlift. The Council’s Disabled Facilities Grant a county in lockdown offers financial assistance with making adaptations necessary for the home to The Chelmsford Creatives are a group be suitable for adults or children with of 15-24 year olds who work alongside disabilities to live in. Chelmsford Museum. Over lockdown, The Disabled Facilities Grant is means- we’ve created BOREDOM-19: a zine tested, which means that some people that features creative reflections on may have to pay a contribution towards social media, mental health, privilege, their grant so that we can help as many and how young people across Essex have as possible. However, even if you do not experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. qualify for the grant, the Council also offers interest-free loans. These loans are During lockdown, BOREDOM-19 has been an repayable when the property is sold. important outlet for our creativity, giving us the If you, your family or friends are having chance to express what we’ve been thinking a curated 64-page zine, where we’ve invited difficulties managing at home, contact and feeling or channel our frustration into other young people in Essex to share their Essex Social Care on 0345 603 7630 for something. Through workshops with experiences. We hope this project helps young an initial assessment. Following this, you Dr Tina Kendall (ARU researcher), we’ve people in Essex feel heard. will be contacted by an Occupational reflected on the complexity of boredom in Therapist who will help you identify any lockdown: creativity, making the most of our BOREDOM-19 has been distributed widely issues you have with a view to making free-time, opportunities for self-reflection, across Essex, or you can read the online version your life better. pressure of self-improvement, and the reality at: www.boredomproject.org that maybe boredom is a privilege that key-workers might not have had. Find out more at The Boredom Project is a partnership between www.chelmsford.gov.uk/dfg It’s been really exciting to see the project Chelmsford Museum, Anglia Ruskin University manifest itself from discussions over Zoom to and the British Science Association. 4 PAGE PULL OUT , OLDER PEOPLE S information day

Information for the 65+ For many years, the Older People’s Information Day has been held at for those aged 65+. Although this year’s event had to be cancelled, we wanted to let our older residents know that we’re still thinking about you and make sure you don’t miss out on important information. It’s been a difficult year for many, but we will get through it to brighter days ahead. We have teamed up with organisations who would have been at the event to put together this handy four-page pullout. In the meantime, the Council’s staff are planning for next year’s event in the hope that it will be safe for return. More details will come in early 2021. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the various organisations who have kindly taken the time to send in articles for this information pullout. Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Jude Deakin

Age Concern Birkett Long For some, the idea of planning for later life is not Age Concern is based close to the Cathedral and on our priority list... it is something to be done in provides a daily home cooked meal and good company the future, at some point. With many of us living a every weekday lunchtime. Since March, despite the lot longer these days, planning for later life really is pandemic, they have continued to operate in the form important. of a ‘meals on wheels’ service. At Birkett Long, our aim is to make the journey simple for Age Concern can provide a two-course hot you, enabling you to focus on what is most important whilst meal delivered to your ensuring that provisions are in place, your needs are met and home for £5, Mondays to your wishes are followed. Fridays. If you would like Planning ahead and making the right decisions today will give to be added you to their you peace of mind, knowing your personal and financial affairs delivery service (subject are organised in the ways you want them to be. to capacity), please call 01245 262589 between Here are some of what our solicitors can explain and help you 9.30-11am or email make decisions about: ageconchelmsford@ gmail.com • making a will • reclaiming care fees When Government guidelines permit, they look forward to • a power of attorney • NHS-funded care welcoming you all back to their friendly lunch club and are also • estate and tax planning • planning future care currently working to improve their premises by building an extension to the first floor. • financial affairs • dealing with a loved one’s affairs Other community organisations are also welcome to make • your property use of their newly-constructed space from early 2021 • your welfare in later life onwards. If you need some high-quality, centrally located space for your organisation, please get in touch by email on [email protected] For more information, call Birkett Long on 01245 453800. OLDER PEOPLE'S INFORMATION DAY

Carers FIRST Carers FIRST has been commissioned by Essex County Council to deliver Chelmsford carer support across Essex. Community At Carers FIRST, we understand that caring can be hard, but believe getting the right help shouldn’t be. We work directly with and for unpaid carers Transport to provide personalised information, advice and Local charity, Chelmsford support; making it easier for them to continue living their lives to the fullest. We also sometimes Community Transport have run extra fun activities and days out for carers. been providing affordable and accessible travel We deliver support in a variety of ways, including for older and disabled virtual carers support groups. If you are a carer residents for over 20 and would like to refer yourself into our service, years. please call for more information on 0300 303 1555, visit our website www.carersfirst.org.uk With a fleet of eight wheelchair or contact us by email at [email protected] accessible minibuses driven Also find us on Facebook and Twitter by DBS-checked drivers and a Chelmsford carers enjoying a cream @Carers_FIRST car scheme run by volunteers, tea at Meadow Croft Garden Centre we can provide pre-booked door-to-door transport around the Chelmsford parishes for Essex Libraries any reason, Monday to Friday. We can also provide transport Essex Libraries offers a wide range of to other Essex hospitals, services available to all, and most are subject to availability. free of charge: We can assist with transport • Books in different formats to suit to adult day centres, social individual needs: standard print, large print clubs, appointments, shopping audio CD. and more! • e-books and e-audio books, for those with There is an annual registration a computer or digital device. fee of £18 for individuals and • Via our website: courses on a range £24 for couples; those with of topics, e.g. crafts, hobbies, IT and a disabled or concessionary languages; free access to family history bus pass travel free on our resources. minibuses and for those • Support books, information and without a bus pass, our signposting on memory loss, dementia and fare contributions are very other medical conditions. reasonable. • ‘Memory Support Card’, enabling those We are Covid-secure and have with memory loss to borrow library items new procedures in place to without accruing charges if overdue. protect our drivers and most • A ‘Home Library Individual Card’ enabling a family member or friend to borrow vulnerable passengers; we are items for a housebound customer. limited to four passengers per • Home Library Service, for housebound customers who do not have someone bus and cleaning is undertaken able to visit the library on their behalf. after every journey.

For more information, visit https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/ or call 0345 603 7628 To register, call 01245 477750 or visit www.chelmsfordct.org

Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) WEA Chelmsford is part of a courses for the autumn term at reduced national organisation offering adult cost. Chelmsford started online courses education courses. Over the summer in September on Film and Nostalgia and months, they rose to the occasion Russian Music. and offered hundreds of free online courses covering many subjects, A decision has not yet been taken about the which could be accessed from all accessibility of the spring term programme over the country. starting in January, but full details can be found at www.wea.org.uk/eastern. Join Following the success of the summer the mailing list online, email Chelmsford. programme, they are offering online [email protected] or call 01245 967409. OLDER PEOPLE'S INFORMATION DAY

Chelmsford Centre Supporting Voluntary Action Chelmsford Centre Supporting Voluntary Action is here to assist members John Ford Group of the community with the practical and emotional challenges of shielding, Almost without fail, the first recovery from illness or injury, or an otherwise difficult winter. thing that any client says to John Ford when he visits to discuss a Call our helpline if you are isolated, or worried about where to turn when your bathroom adaptation is, “Will it friends and family can’t help. We can assist with prescription collection, food look like a hospital”? shopping solutions, telephone companionship, and expert signposting to other support services and charities. His company has been specialising in home adaptations for over a decade - If you have newly come out of hospital, or are due to go in for a scheduled making traditionally built homes more procedure, we can check in on you once you’ve returned home to make sure you accessible and safe. Even in this short are safe, comfortable and have everything you need for your recovery. period, there’s been a step-change in material design - away from the clinical Call and speak to one of our friendly team on 01245 280731. The helpline is manned and towards high-end chic. from Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm. There is a 24-hour answering machine for Let’s take bathrooms as an example. when we can’t answer. Replacing a bath with a level access shower is the most popular and often the most life changing adaptation that we carry out. But many customers arrive Other Halves at the showroom and say that the only reason they haven’t considered the Other Halves (OH) is a registered adaptation earlier is because… “…we charity that started in 2016. It was were delaying the inevitable clinical born out of the need to find others look…” And then they see the elegant, who were experiencing the loneliness modern displays – and their worry and isolation which comes from living disappears! with a partner with dementia. Companies like Altro® (who make wet Before the pandemic, OH met once or room safety flooring) realised that much twice a week for a range of activities, of their product was being installed played Boules, met for crafts, coffee, domestically as well as commercially. lunches in pubs and garden centres So they completely redesigned the and in one another’s homes. Members flooring from the brown, bobbly brought partners with them to events and and industrial-looking – to the sleek, they made friends too. elegantly thin sheets which come in 16 can from life, for delicate shades, suitable for any home. OH are now planning new ways of caring themselves and for Not a Matron in sight! for themselves and each other. They their partners. have an online chat group and are meeting For more information, visit where possible in groups of six or less. Find them at www.otherhalves.org.uk or www.johnfordgroup.co.uk or call OH believe that carers need to support on Facebook or call 07955 345290. 01245 267333. each other in order to get the best they

Sanctus Established in 2011, Sanctus is a • mentoring and counselling services charity in Chelmsford supporting • financial advice and support with debt homeless and vulnerable people in management our community. Based on Broomfield Road, not far from the train station, • training courses and qualifications they offer a free hot meal, hot • benefits applications and cold drinks, counselling and assistance seven days every week. • appeals and advocacy work • and much more. Their motto is Love All – Serve All which means if someone needs help, regardless Sanctus always needs volunteers to help of their circumstances, they will not and opportunities include café support, be turned away. Some of the in-house food collections, client support, tending services include: the allotment and supporting events. If you need to access these services or There are also many other ways to • tenancy sustainment which supports want to find out more about how you can support the charity, such as by donating 01245 257985 people whilst in accommodation, get involved, please call or food, clothes, or furniture. email [email protected] especially those who may be at risk of homelessness OLDER PEOPLE'S INFORMATION DAY

Keeping fit this winter at Chelmsford Volunteer with City Council leisure centres us at City Parks This year has reminded us of the many benefits of exercise. Chelmsford City Council is lucky to have Volunteers support the Council’s four leisure centres with a great range of facilities Parks Team in many ways, to suit all abilities. from managing habitats and monitoring wildlife numbers to It’s been wonderful to see our members again, and the helping to look after garden leisure team has been working hard to make each centre as areas within their local parks. COVID-secure as possible.

WOeD D run As a volunteer, you have the chance B A L L D E S IaG N ShT uge If regular gym workouts are your thing, then Riverside, the U D I O range of seni to get involved with your local council’s flagship centre, could be the one for you. Social or activities across community, meet new people, distancing is easy in our spacious gym with its plentiful our venues. develop yourself, learn heritage state-of-the-art equipment and there are ways to exercise skills and learn more about your safely with others too at group classes like Forever Fit at local parks. Take a look at the Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre. current opportunities below. Finally, don’t forget one of our greatest perks – over-65s can swim at Riverside and If you would like to join us please South Woodham Ferrers for just £10 a year with an ourChelmsford Plus card. call Chelmsford City Parks on 01245 606554 or email parks. Whatever happens over the next few months, we’re here to support you. Go to our website [email protected]. www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres for more information or call us at 01245 615050. Horticulture We are always looking for an extra pair of hands to help us care for

Keeping Safe our gardens. Tasks are varied but may include planting, caring for Crimestoppers their home, so change your routine where areas such as the bedding parterre, Anybody can witness a crime. If you would you can. weeding, edging, pruning and like to speak to someone, but wish to do it • Don’t leave any valuable items where they generally keeping the plants in anonymously, then contact Crimestoppers can be seen from outside tip-top condition! online via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call • Always leave a light on if you are going to Wildlife and 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers are a charity be back after dark. Conservation who pass on reports of crime anonymously to the police. They can also give advice on how Cuckooing Volunteers are vital to protect yourself from crime. ’Cuckooing’ is a form of crime named by to areas like Local Nature Reserves. Home safety the police after cuckoos laying their eggs in other birds’ nests. It’s when drug dealers We also rely on Burglars are often opportunist thieves who take over someone’s house in order to use the support of take advantage of entrypoints as they pass it as a base for drug dealing and criminal volunteers to help by, usually doors and windows that are left behaviour. If you are approached, or believe manage habitats open or unlocked. To deter them: you know someone who is being cuckooed, for conservation, • Make sure you double-lock your front please contact Crimestoppers or Essex such as maintaining door and windows overnight Police on 101 or visit www.essex.police.uk. woodland, planting • Burglars sometimes know what times In an emergency you should call wildflower meadows someone is expected to be away from on 999. and creating new woodlands.

Essex Trading Standards Although most people genuinely Covid-19 swab tests are free and available • Use a Trading Standards want to help their neighbours from the NHS at www.nhs.uk or via the Approved business during the pandemic, scammers 119 NHS helpline. (see below) have also been taking advantage of Telephone Scams – Criminals claiming A genuine caller will not: the situation. to be your bank, mortgage provider, etc. • Call without an appointment Essex Trading Standards is warning residents contact you by phone. • Ask you for cash or request a money about common coronavirus scams like: To avoid being caught out: transfer upfront Doorstep Crime – Scammers offer to do • Stay vigilant • Refuse to provide ID shopping and clean driveways and doors • Always ask for ID • Insist you take up their offer of help on to kill the virus. You pay them – and never the spot see them again. • Never hand over money on the doorstep • Bully or scare you into doing something Online Scams – Email scams that trick you • Do not agree to an online bank transfer • Check unexpected emails are genuine into opening malicious attachments. Visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk Refund Scams – Scammers offer fake • Never give out any personal details over for Trading Standards approved businesses holiday refunds. the phone that you can trust. You can also call the • Check on older and vulnerable neighbours Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on Counterfeit facemasks, tests etc – Can 03454 04 05 06. be dangerous and unsafe. Genuine • Check Citizens Advice for safe holiday refund advice www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 11 Community Safety What is the Community Safety Partnership? Have you been drinking more You might not have heard of the to look after people late at night, to making Community Safety Partnership: but you sure outreach workers are visiting rough will have heard of its members. The sleepers regularly to try and help them than usual? police, city and county councils, fire into accommodation, to gang awareness Lockdown has had a huge impact workshops for schools – they’re always working service, health and probationary services on the way we live, with many to keep you safe. are all part of the Partnership, which people working from home or exists to keep Chelmsford safe. One of the sub-priorities for this year is being furloughed, together with ‘improving communication with residents’, the added stress of home schooling The Partnership has some main priorities, as we know many people don’t know about which change as different issues arise in the and anxiety around work and everything that’s happening locally or how businesses. local area. The current priorities are: to raise any concerns that they have. As • Tackling violent crime the pandemic continues, the Partnership Many people have turned to increased is planning some new ways for you to get exercise or new hobbies to help them • Reducing antisocial behaviour involved, including Facebook Live sessions and cope. However, it’s no secret that • Protecting and supporting vulnerable socially distanced Street Meets. more of us have also been drinking too people much. The world may have temporarily changed a bit, but it’s still important to • Dealing with rural and environmental crime. The best way to find out about these is to sign up for the quarterly e-newsletter at look after ourselves and build healthy Together, the agencies in the Partnership www.chelmsford.gov.uk/mailinglist habits for the long-term. work every day on these priorities and on or follow the Partnership on Twitter: With Christmas just around the corner, other daily tasks too. From commissioning @SaferChelmsford. now is the time to think about what the Chelmsford SOS Bus and Taxi Marshals changes you could make to improve your lifestyle. There’s also a handy, free online Drink Coach which helps you measure how much you’re drinking and gives you advice on where to turn if you would Unit helping young people like advice: https://drinkcoach.org.uk/ alcohol-test avoid exploitation There’s also a ‘drink less’ app provided by the NHS: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/for- exploitation. The programme was such a The Essex Violence and Vulnerability your-body/drink-less Unit works with young people and success in Chelmsford that it was expanded adults who are being or are at risk to other colleges in the county. If an app isn’t what you’re looking for, of being exploited and involved A big part of stopping exploitation is you can also get help directly from local in crime. The unit is based in the helping people to spot the signs. Earlier services. The Essex Alcohol Recovery Chelmsford Community Safety this year, the Partnership ran awareness Community (ARC) has a drop-in service Hub and it tackles gangs, ‘county sessions for parents and ‘Crucial Crew’ for Chelmsford residents Monday – lines’ and child criminal and sexual workshops for Year Six children. Using age- Thursday. It’s currently running online exploitation. appropriate explanations and exercises, the and you can find out more at: sessions taught children to recognise the www.essexarc.org.uk, by calling 01376 Over the last year, it provided over £2m signs of grooming and exploitation before 316126 (choose option 1), or by emailing of funding for projects and groups across they move up to secondary school. [email protected] Essex that protect young people from exploitation. That included £64,000 for Want to know more about the unit? Follow specialist youth workers to help students @EssexVVU on Twitter or find useful Are you drinking alcohol daily? and residents near Chelmsford College to advice at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ Drinking more frequently or excessively is protect themselves from grooming and saferchelmsford bad for your physical and mental health

KNOW YOUR LIMITS Alcohol weakens your immune system and increases your risk of infection, high blood pressure, heart disease, having a stroke, Chelmsford City Council signs up to national and some cancers. campaign against modern slavery MENTAL HEALTH PHYSICAL HEALTH Alcohol alters the Government guidlines Chelmsford City Council is the latest Act 2015, including a commitment to buying all chemistry of your brain recommend drinking no authority to sign The Charter Against goods and services ethically. It also tackles any and increases stress, more than 14 units of slavery, servitude, forced, or compulsory labour, anxiety, and alcohol a week (this is Modern Day Slavery (CAMDS), after depression. human trafficking or exploitation in the local about 1.5 bottles of a motion was passed at a meeting wine or 6 pints of beer). of all 57 councillors with unanimous communities. cross-party backing. The Charter Against Modern Day Slavery has DON'T BECOME DEPENDENT It is estimated that around 13,000 people a now been signed by more than 80 councils Increased daily drinking can put you at risk year living in the UK are victims of modern across the country. Find out more of becoming dependent on alcohol. day slavery. The charter commits all local https://party.coop/local/councillors/modern- authorities to continue ensuring its contractors slavery-charter/ and suppliers comply with the Modern Slavery 12 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Greener Chelmsford Rivers are important to Chelmsford

Please help to protect the Chelmer, Can and Wid from litter. Our rivers are the lifeblood of Chelmsford: not just financially and historically, but practically, too. They support a whole ecosystem of wildlife, plants, insects and microbes and keep our area of Essex lush and green. We owe it to them to treat them with respect. Research tells us that one of the main reasons people litter is that they think somebody else will pick it up. However, there is only so much Litterers are a small minority of people, so you • If you are a young person and you see one of that Council staff can do, and packaging blows probably aren’t one of them. However, if you your friends or family dropping litter, ask them easily in the wind. When you leave rubbish would like to help, there are a few things you to pick it up. You could say, “That rubbish behind in a park, or drop it on the street, it can can do: could be picked up by an animal or a little kid, be carried into our rivers – and out further, to or end up in the river,” to make them think. pollute the oceans. • If you see a fly-tip or know who did it, report it at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/environment • Join in a Love Your Chelmsford litter pick or There are also people who deliberately fly-tip river clean-up. These happen several times a into rivers. A recent dive by Chelmsford Scuba • If you have young people in your family, year (depending on coronavirus restrictions) Club at Paper Mill Lock found a pile of rubbish, please tell them to take their litter home and bring together a lovely group of from plastic bottles and soda cans to rusty old or put it in a bin when they’re out people of all ages. Find out more at saw blades and bicycle parts. with friends www.loveyourchelmsford.co.uk

Protecting coastal Chelmsford Holds New Sustainability birds from increased Festival During October visitor numbers In October, Chelmsford City Council brought together organisations from across Chelmsford to create ‘Future City: growing a sustainable Chelmsford’. The It may look like month-long programme of mostly virtual events tackled how urban environments a dry document could adapt to the challenges of climate change and changes to how we might with an extremely live and work post-coronavirus. long name – but the Essex Coast In July 2019, the Council declared a climate and ecological emergency and the festival If you missed it last month, it’s not too late Recreational was hosted on the Council’s new Love Your to watch some of the events – go to Disturbance Chelmsford website. The programme was www.loveyourchelmsford.co.uk for links to Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy designed to form connections and get all this and more. Supplementary Planning Document people talking about how our city might look (RAMS SPD for short) is vital for in the decades to come. protecting rare birds in our local area. Each winter, thousands of coastal birds come to feed and roost on the Essex coast, including a special protection area near South Woodham Sustainability & Ferrers. These birds need to be able to feed and rest undisturbed if they are to survive the Recycling film winter and fly back to their summer habitats. Tens of thousands of new homes are planned In July 2019, Chelmsford City Council around the Essex Coast over the next 20 years declared a Climate and Ecological as our population grows. Emergency. The Essex RAMS is a complete plan to prevent Today, we are facing great environmental disturbance and keep the birds safe. The SPD challenges; global warming, deforestation, was agreed by the Council following public water pollution, ocean plastics… If we each feedback in the summer. It’s a supporting adopt small changes to our lifestyles, we document which councils and developers use in can collectively create a more sustainable their daily work to reduce pressure from visitors. Chelmsford and pass a thriving and healthy The actions in it will be funded through a planet to the next generation. charge to developers for each house they build. Find out how by visiting the Love Your Find out more about the Strategy and SPD Chelmsford website at at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/rams. You can www.loveyourchelmsford.co.uk/ also visit Bird Aware Essex Coast for more green-living and watching the Sustainability information on the Essex RAMS plan: & Recycling film. https://essexcoast.birdaware.org/home www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 13 Greener Chelmsford Nominate your neighbourhood to be shown some love Chelmsford City Council wants its neighbourhoods to be well-looked-after. Not only is a well-kept area nicer to look at, research shows that people are less likely to behave antisocially, drop litter and even commit crime when their surroundings are well kept. Any parish or unparished area in Chelmsford can book a Love Your Parish Day, when the Council’s street care team visits to pay special attention to Christmas Tree their neighbourhood and complete a ‘to-do list’ provided by the local parish Recycling Save cash and council. This includes tasks like litter picking, sweeping footpaths and roads, Register before ‘eat greener’ weeding and cutting back hedges, and 5th January Waste food costs us money removing graffiti. at 11 am and can have a big impact on Despite the pandemic, this year the the environment. An average Council carried out eight Love Your household currently wastes Parish Days between May and October one out of five bags of their as planned. Little Waltham, Galleywood, food shopping. Food takes vast Chignal, Runwell, Great Baddow, South amounts of fresh water, land Woodham Ferrers, Danbury and Little and labour to produce. If we Baddow were all shown some extra love. can reduce food waste, we will How can I get a Love Your Parish be better off and so will the Day in my area? environment. Every February/March, the Love Your Shop smart Chelmsford team send out emails to all Keep an eye on what’s in the fridge and parish clerks. The email offers parish plan meals in advance before going councils the chance to book a day and grocery shopping. Supermarket aisles tell us what work is needed within Register now are arranged to tempt you into impulse their parish. www.farleighhospice.org/trees buying, with buy-one-get-one-frees If you’d like to make sure your local Collections on 8th, 9th & 10th January 2021 in and discount offers. Good planning will area gets a Love Your Parish Day in Braintree, Burnham, Chelmsford, , help you buy only what you need, cut 2021, contact your parish councillors Dunmow, , , , down on food waste and save you a to let them know or submit an online South Woodham Ferrers, Stock and . surprising amount of money too! form at https://loveyourchelmsford. Please check our website for a complete Shop local co.uk/contact-us/. You can keep an list of collection locations Supporting local food producers and eye on our social media platforms www.farleighhospice.org/trees/collections eating seasonal food saves fossil fuels (@LoveYourChelmsford) for more by reducing travel miles. But even information in January and February. Donate online and we will collect your tree from your home. better than that is to grow your own - 90% of the monies raised go directly to Farleigh Hospice and the remaining 10% will be donated to other local charities. on your windowsill, in your garden, or in Find out more about the Love an allotment plot. Your Chelmsford programme and Store it right environmental action in Chelmsford at It is because you care that we can How we store food can dramatically www.loveyourchelmsford.co.uk www.farleighhospice.org Registered charity no 284670 save on food getting spoiled. If you’ve cooked too much, you can freeze it for another day. Bulk-cooking meals on the weekend and freezing them offers quick Climate Ambassador Tom Willis appointed midweek meals of perfect portion size. Airtight reusable containers and bag The City Council has once again reaffirmed tackling climate change as clips can keep food fresher for longer. a top priority. Councillor Tom Willis has been appointed to the new Don’t just bin it role of Climate Change Ambassador. Of course, some food waste is Councillor Willis will work closely with Councillor Rose Moore, the Cabinet unavoidable. Raw foods such as banana Member for Greener and Safer Chelmsford, and the Love Your Chelmsford team, skins, vegetable peelings and coffee to engage with the wider community about the climate emergency and the role grounds can be recycled in a home we must all play. composter. If you don’t compost, then all food waste, cooked or raw, can go in The appointment was made at Full Council in July, when Councillor Moore gave an update your food waste recycling bin. on the Council’s climate action work to date. The role will create links with parishes, community groups, schools, local businesses, faith groups and more. Find out more at www.loveyourchelmsford.co.uk Find out more about the Council’s work to address the climate emergency at: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/climate-emergency 14 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk City Events

City Photography Virtual Christmas Competition winners Lights Switch-On For everyone’s safety, Christmas in Chelmsford will be a little different this year. Chelmsford For You will be hosting a virtual Christmas Light Switch-On event on Sunday 22 November. Residents will still be able to enjoy all the day’s usual festivities, but from the comfort of their homes! Amongst all that has happened this year, • Under 16s: was Amelia Uddin, ‘My little the changes to the City Photography brother’ Competition were a pretty minor For a full programme of exciting activities, • Instagram: @reallynosuchthingasbadweather, visit www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk effect of the pandemic – but the ‘Sunshine on a cloudy day’ response from Chelmsford residents has been incredible. Local print specialists Blue Sky Printing helped to display the shortlisted and winning The usual categories were cancelled and entries in a City Photo Exhibition at Meadows replaced with a call for photographers to Shopping Centre in October. capture their own inspiration, whether at home Next year’s competition has already begun, or out and about in the city. During September, so keep snapping Chelmsford throughout the the Mayor of Chelmsford judged the entries winter and into spring. virtually with Councillor Marie Goldman, local business Unshaken Photography, the Essex For more information, visit Chronicle and representatives from the creative www.chelmsford.gov.uk/photocomp where festival Essex 2020. The winners were: you’ll also find the City Photo Blog, packed • Over-16s: Robert Johnston, ‘Central Park with tips, advice and photography guidance. at Sunset’

3foot gearing up to return for 2021 Discover the city Each summer, the 3foot People like never before! Festival welcomes thousands of little festivalgoers to the beautiful setting of Birthplace of the Hylands Park. The village of tepees, tents wireless. Last and interactive zones creates the perfect resting place environment to explore and discover the of a slave who wonder and excitement hidden around escaped from every corner. America. Home of victims of Sadly, the 3foot magic couldn’t take place the Witchfinder this year, but your little ones can still enjoy General. our online entertainment, from onscreen Chelmsford is full of history and now performances to interactive activity packs! you can dive into the past – in your They’re all free and available to download right now from www.3footfestival.com. own time – with the free City Heritage Scavenger Hunt. To be the first to hear of all the exciting updates, including the 2021 dates, be sure to like and follow @3footfestival on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up to the mailing list at Created by Chelmsford City Council in www.chelmsford.gov.uk/mailinglist partnership with Chelmsford Civic Society, the hunt takes you on a route through the city to discover 12 of the blue plaques which tell the stories of famous people, places and Mayor of Chelmsford’s Christmas card events that have shaped the city's history. Discover the stories at each stop and become Earlier this year, Chelmsford residents categories in early a time detective to answer questions using were invited by the Mayor, Councillor December. As well the information from the plaque. Jude Deakin, to design the Mayor’s as being featured on Christmas card. the Christmas card, Download your free scavenger hunt and the winning entries find everything you need to set you on your The Mayor called on Chelmsford residents of will be included in way by visiting www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ all ages to create a piece of artwork, or write a the Mayor’s time scavengerhunt. Once you’ve completed poem, inspired by the Mayor’s 2020 theme of capsule for 2020. the trail there’s a downloadable certificate ‘family and wellbeing’. ready to go! With help from a panel of judges, the Mayor Keep an eye out for the winning entries on will select and announce three winners Facebook and Twitter @ChelmsCouncil So, whether you go solo or with family, it’s across the drawing, photograph and poetry time to get hunting. www.chelmsford.gov.uk | 15 Essentials

Attending council directory meetings enquiries... For the foreseeable future, all our public decision- CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE LEISURE, SPORT & CULTURE making meetings are Chelmsford Riverside Leisure Centre 01245 615050 being live-streamed on the Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, www.chelmsford.gov.uk/riverside Council’s Facebook page at CM1 1JE South Woodham Ferrers www.facebook.co.uk/ChelmsCouncil. General Enquiries/ Leisure Centre 01245 605600 They will then be available to watch Main Number: 01245 606606 www.chelmsford.gov.uk/swflc again on our YouTube channel at 24 hour payment Chelmsford Sport & www.youtube.com/ChelmsfordCouncil. phone line: 0300 456 0489 Athletics Centre 01245 605666 www.chelmsford.gov.uk/csac Members of the public are always welcome to virtually attend meetings and can ask OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCIES Dovedale Sports Centre 01245 605685 questions or make statements on anything for www.chelmsford.gov.uk/dovedale which the Council or Committee is responsible Homelessness and Chelmsford Civic (confidentiality restrictions allowing). other Emergencies: 01245 606644 Theatres 01245 606505 Noiseline: 01245 606200 www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres November 2020 Parkwatch: 07831 189918 Museums 01245 605700 Cabinet Tuesday 17 November www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums Regulatory Committee Thursday 19 November Out of Hours Dog Hylands House 01245 605500 Warden: 01245 606511 Overview and Scrutiny Monday 23 November www.hylandsestate.co.uk Committee Monday to Friday, 4.45pm to 11pm, Audit and Risk Wednesday 25 November Weekends and Bank Holidays, www.chelmsford.gov.uk Committee 9am to 11pm. We publish details of services, December 2020 activities and events within our area on Planning Committee Tuesday 1 December OPENING HOURS the website. Full Council Wednesday 9 December Customer Service Centre: 10am to 4pm Check regularly for up to date news and information on all Council services. Treasury Management and Monday 14 December (Monday - Friday) Investment Sub Committee Telephone enquiries: 8.45am to 4.45pm You can also: Make payments, Audit Committee Wednesday 16 December (Monday - Friday) request services, report problems... and much more. January 2021 ! Planning Committee Tuesday 12 January Chelmsford Policy Board Thursday 14 January Christmas Opening Hours Governance Committee Wednesday 20 January Would you like an audio Chelmsford City Council Cabinet Tuesday 26 January Wednesday 23 December 8.45am - 4.45pm version of City Life? Regulatory Committee Thursday 28 January Christmas Eve 8.45am - 2.30pm Audio and digital versions of February 2021 Christmas Day CLOSED* City Life are available on our website Overview and Scrutiny Monday 1 February Boxing Day CLOSED* at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/life Sunday 27 December CLOSED* Committee Monday 28 December CLOSED* Planning Committee Tuesday 9 February Tuesday 29 December CLOSED* Help? Full Council Wednesday 24 February Wednesday 30 December CLOSED* New Year's Eve CLOSED* Regulatory Committee Thursday 25 February New Year's Day CLOSED* Saturday 2 January CLOSED* Need this in a different format Dates correct at time of going to print but are Sunday 3 January CLOSED* or language? subject to change. For a calendar of meetings Monday 4 January 8.45am - 4.45pm Call 01245 606900 or and to find out how to join a meeting, visit email: [email protected] www.chelmsford.gov.uk/councilmeetings * If you urgently need to speak to someone about homelessness, please call the Council’s out-of-hours line on 01245 606644.

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City Life is published by Chelmsford City Council, City Life is available in alternative Printed on Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford CM1 1JE. formats including large print, environmentally audio and other languages. friendly paper. If you have any comments or feedback regarding City Life, please write to the Editor Please call or email the contact at the above address, email [email protected], or call 01245 606900. numbers, left. 16 | www.chelmsford.gov.uk Sport and Culture

Preparations underway for Civic Panto Museum team Chelmsford City Council has given the green light to this year’s panto at starts behind-the- the Civic Theatre as long as government restrictions allow. A Covid-secure Sleeping Beauty is planned to run between 27 November and 3 January with a scenes overhaul range of measures in place to keep audiences and performers safe. Only 30% The doors of our city’s museum of the 500-seat auditorium will be used with a special seating plan to allow may be closed for now, but exciting households of different sizes to sit together. plans are afoot at Oaklands House. The Civic hasn’t Curators are on a mission to get had to cancel everything behind the scenes up to its pantomime the same high standards as displays. since it opened The team is nearly 60 years already taking ago, and the care of the theatre team has museum’s been working extensive hard to find costume a way to save collection and their 2020 co- making sure production with that its famous ‘One From The taxidermy is in Heart’. Although good shape. this year’s Although panto will be a staff are disappointed little different to before, Sleeping Beauty will bring as much joy to audiences as ever, with a not to be able to talented cast, original music and a script written by CBeebies actor and presenter Chris Jarvis. reopen our brilliant Box Office staff have been contacting existing tickets holders to allocate seats in the hands-on new auditorium and any surplus tickets will be released if they become available. Customers may museum just yet, have a full refund at any point if they wish. their hard work will pay dividends in For more information, check the Chelmsford City Theatres website at the years to come www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres/ and should provide curators with some inspiration for future exhibitions. Chelmsford Museum is also lucky to Options to keep yourself fit and have an incredible, dedicated team of volunteers who would usually be looking active this winter after visitors and helping to bring our city’s past to life at special events. Some Staying fit and active is important: not are working to bring history to you at only to your physical health, but also home – so look out for them on our social to your mood and your resilience in the media accounts as they showcase the face of change. Chelmsford’s choice people and places that make Chelmsford of public fitness facility memberships what it is. offer you the chance to use our fantastic It’s been great to see so many of you back facilities and stay healthy and safe, while at The Hive Café, which is still open, and you take on life’s many other challenges. we’ll have another update for you in the next edition of City Life. Choosing one of the monthly options can give you unlimited access to fantastic facilities across our four leisure centres, whenever works best for you. Or you can simply pay and play with either a free our Chelmsford Lite card or Chelmsford upgrade to a £12 ourChelmsford Plus card and Museum book onto your favourite sessions faster. – winner of the Our centres include three swimming pools, 2020 Essex Mum’s four state-of-the-art gyms, an ice rink, a creche, four indoor sports halls and outdoor facilities Award, winning the including 3G football pitches, tennis courts and ‘Best Museum’ athletics tracks. category With cleaning regimes following the strictest government guidelines, cashless payments and pre-booked sessions our members feel safe and secure, giving them peace of mind every time they come to work out. So, whatever you choose, we’ve got your workout worked out.

To find out more, visit us at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/workedout, download our free Chelmsford City Sports app or call our membership team on 01245 615079.