Castle Hedingham Parish Council

Parish Council Home Page

Web www.simondaw.freeserve.co.uk

May 2005

Dear Parishioners

Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Report

The Parish Council would like to invite you to attend the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday 26th May 8.00 pm at the Memorial Hall, Castle Hedingham. Please find below a summary of the Parish Council activities during the past year:

Community Transport

The Parish Council’s Community Transport Committee has once again taken the lead in a community transport project this time to enhance the current bus service to Braintree. The 332 Service to and from Braintree Freeport was launched on 11^th December and offers a Saturday evening service. This is a joint initiative with Sible Hedingham and Gosfield Parish Councils supported with funding from The Countryside Agency. The 331 Service to and from Sudbury launched in April 2004 continues to run and it is hoped will continue when funding ends next year. Details of the timetables for these services are published on the Parish Notice Boards.

Queen Street Priority Scheme

This long awaited scheme was completed last autumn. A bollard will be installed shortly and the success of the scheme will be monitored by Essex County Council.

7.5 Tonne Weight Restriction

The Parish Council welcomed the introduction of a 7.5 tonne weight restriction on the two main access roads to the village. However, the council and parishioners were concerned that the signage advising drivers of the restriction was not sufficiently clear. Essex County Council were approached and have erected additional signs in Sible Hedingham and plan further signs for Bulmer Tye in the new financial year.

Police Support

Councillors were delighted to welcome Police Community Support Officer 8741 Deb Green to their last meeting. She will be covering the Hedinghams, Gosfield and Great Yeldham. 40% of her time will be working in the Hedinghams and of this time 70% will be spent carrying out foot patrols. Although she does not have full Police powers it is intended that she will be a highly visible and effective link with the Police for the Parish. She can be contacted via Great Yeldham Police Station 01787 237254.

Youth Council

The Parish Council is looking into the possibility of establishing a Hedingham Youth Council and will be working with Hedingham School and Sible Hedingham Parish Council on this project.

Village Booklet

The Council has updated the Village Information Booklet and is very grateful to Councillor John Cooke for his work on this update.

Parking Restrictions

Double yellow (primrose) lines have been installed at several points in the village. The Parish Council ask motorists to park considerately and observe these restrictions which have been put in place for road safety reasons. Please note Braintree District Council will make regular patrols to enforce these parking restrictions.

Green Waste Vehicle

Braintree District Council will be providing a refuse lorry in Castle Hedingham to collect green waste on the following dates: Saturday 21 May, Saturday 25 June, Saturday 23 July, Saturday 20 August, Saturday 24 September and Saturday 22 October. The vehicle will be available between is 08:45 to 09:15 and will park in Kirby Hall Road.

Essex on Tour – Rope String Band

The Parish Council took part in ‘Essex on Tour’ for the first time this year. Councillors were delighted that a large number of parishioners attended the performance by The Rope String Band at the Memorial Hall in March. The Council intend to take part in the scheme again next year.

Fly Tipping

The Parish Council ask parishioners to report any incidents of fly tipping to Braintree District Council Clean Team on 01376 331616.

Accounts

Below is a summary of the Parish Council income and expenditure for 2004/05. Copies of the full accounts will be available at the Annual Meeting.

Grants

The Council made the following grants in the 2004/2005 Financial Year: St Nicholas Church PCC - £50.00 towards the Parish Magazine production costs; Castle Hedingham Playgroup – £50.00 towards the cost of new play equipment and, Essex Air Ambulance - £50.00 towards the cost of providing this service.

Public Forum

The Parish Council has a Public Forum as the first agenda item at each meeting. Councillors are pleased to report that parishioners have taken advantage of this opportunity to address the council.

Yours sincerely,

Chairman

Parish Clerk