Castle Hedingham Parish Council

Parish Council Home Page

Web www.simondaw.freeserve.co.uk

May 2006

Dear Parishioners

Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Report

The Parish Council would like to invite you to attend the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday 25th May 8.00 pm at the Memorial Hall, Castle Hedingham.  Please find below a summary of the Parish Council activities during the past year. 

Tributes to Jim Moore and David Seaman - Sadly this year has seen the passing of two people who played a significant role in the community: Jim Moore and David Seaman.  

Jim had worked for the parish keeping the village neat and tidy for over ten years.  His tireless efforts and massive contribution to the community were always deeply valued and will be missed.

David had served as a Parish Councillor since 1970 and was a prominent figure in the local community.  He cheerfully took responsibility for greeting new residents and ensuring they had information about local services.  He was always very approachable and brought a great many of parishioner’s concerns to the attention of the Parish Council so they could be resolved.  He will be sorely missed and as Mr Hatfield said at his funeral ‘the community has lost a friend.’  

The Council’s  deepest sympathies go to both families.

Memorial Hall Garden Restoration

The Parish Council have undertaken a joint project with the Memorial Hall Management Committee to restore the garden at the rear of the Memorial Hall.  This has been made possible with a grant from the Rural Communities Development Fund from Braintree District Council and an Essex County Council Grant.  The project is nearing completion and the Parish Council would like to thank in particular Alan Shaw, Tony Burch, Kevin Shears, Roy Mortimer, Ian Higgins and John Cooke for their contributions to this project.  This will provide a peaceful area in the village for use by groups hiring the Memorial Hall, visitors and residents.  A memorial to Jim Moore has been incorporated into the garden.

Village Maintenance

The Parish Council have recently appointed Mr Arthur Carr as the new Village maintenance employee.

Community Transport

The funding for the two community buses that the Parish Council  was instrumental in starting came to an end on 31st March 2006.  It is very unlikely that the 332 bus service to Braintree will continue as this service has not attracted many passengers.  However, the  331 Service to and from Sudbury launched in April 2004 has proved to be very popular and is very likely to be adopted by Essex County Council and continue to run.  The council would like to thank Mr Trevor Hood for his extensive work on this project.

Youth Council

Elections for the Hedingham Youth Council took place earlier this year and the council’s official launch took place on 28th April 2006.  Youth Council representatives attend Parish Council meetings in Sible and Castle Hedingham as well as holding their own meetings.  They have a great many ideas and plans for the coming year including liaising with the Police about anti-social behaviour, promoting the use of the Hedingham Youth Centre and raising funds for charity.  The Parish Council welcomes a direct link with young people and wishes them every success.

Village Design Statement

At last year’s Annual Parish Meeting Councillors made parishioners aware of the benefits of drawing up a Village Design Statement.  The statement describes the village’s buildings dividing it up into ‘Character Areas’ and gives guidance about the type of materials and developments that would be acceptable to the community.  It must be produced by residents in consultation with the whole community and if the correct procedures are followed can become part of Planning Law.  There was a positive response to this idea and at a well attended  open meeting a committee was formed from representatives of a wide spectrum of the community and the  project has begun to move forward.  The Parish Council  would like to thank those Parishioners involved as well as to Jan Cole from the Rural Community Council of Essex whose support and guidance has been invaluable.

Police Support

Braintree District Council have provided a Parish Ranger for each Parish. Councillors have been glad to welcome Tom Newman, Castle Hedingham’s Ranger, to several of their meetings.  Tom works closely with Community Support Officer Deb Green  and together they have had a very positive impact in reducing the fear of crime and crime itself.

One Way System - Church Ponds

Following a house fire in Church Ponds the Parish Council received requests from Parishioners for a temporary one way system in Church Ponds whilst repairs works took place.  Essex County Council agreed to the Parish Council’s request for a system which was installed and worked extremely well.  However, following numerous incidents of vandalism which had the potential for causing serous damage to properties the County Council had no alternative but to remove the scheme.  The Parish Council were very disappointed that the irresponsible actions of a few people should cause such unnecessary distress to local residents and result in the removal of a helpful system.

Parking Restrictions

Following requests from parishioners the Parish Council have asked for double yellow (primrose) lines to be installed in Majendie Lane.  The County Council plan to prohibit parking on the highway verge at Crouch Green and this restriction should come into place shortly.  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 make regular parking enforcement patrols.  

Green Waste Vehicle

Braintree District Council will be providing a refuse lorry in Castle Hedingham to collect green waste on the following dates: Saturday 10th June, Saturday 8th July, Saturday 5th August, Saturday 9th September and Saturday 7th October. The vehicle will be available between 08:45 to 09:15 and will park in Kirby Hall Road.

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 2005/06. Copies of the full accounts will be available at the Annual Meeting and displayed in the St James Street notice board.

Grants

The Council made the following grants in the 2005/2006 Financial Year: Castle Hedingham Music Festival – hire of Memorial Hall for Tea Dance £50; Village Design Statement (VDS) Group – hire of Memorial Hall for VDS Workshop £35; St Helena Hospice – grant towards running costs £250

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

Other useful numbers:

Braintree District Council 01376 552525

Braintree District Council Clean Team (fly tipping) 01376 331616

Essex County Council 0845 7430430

Essex County Council Highways 0845 6037631

Street lighting outages (Bowman's Park and Allfrey Court) 0845 6037631

Street lighting outages (New Park) - please contact the parish clerk

District Councillors:

Mrs Beavis 01787 460553

Mr Bolter 01787 461604

Mrs Scattergood 01787 269881

David Finch 01787 - 371878