BDC are holding briefing sessions for candidates and agents in the Council Chamber, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, CM7 9HB on the following dates:
1pm – Monday 6 March
6pm – Thursday 9 March
These briefings are in-person and open to anyone interested in standing as a candidate, or acting as the agent for a candidate, at this year’s council elections. The main purpose will be to discuss the nomination process and how to complete a nomination form.
The government has announced plans to continue to cap single bus fares outside of London at £2 until the end of June, saving passengers money and encouraging more people back on the bus. Bus operators that are continuing the £2 fare cap scheme will be confirmed in due course.
The government’s existing £60 million investment to cap single bus fares has already shown early signs of increased bus use.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Getting more people onto reliable and affordable buses will strengthen communities and help grow the economy – connecting people to jobs, driving pensioners to see friends and family, and helping people attend medical appointments or access education.”
Possible expansion of Chelmer Valley Park and Ride
Park and Ride remains a crucial part of ECC’s vision and strategy for Chelmsford. It provides a quick and easy way to travel into the City Centre and reduces the number of cars on the city’s road network, helping reduce congestion and carbon emissions.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of the Park and Ride sites is increasing again and passenger numbers are expected to recover over time. There is also significant growth planned, including in the north Chelmsford area and the Braintree district. Therefore, demand for Park and Ride services is forecasted to increase and ECC need to ensure there is enough capacity to meet this future demand.
ECC are proposing to expand the existing Chelmer Valley Park and Ride site and this public consultation is an opportunity for you to have your say specifically on those plans. To take part, please complete the online consultation survey.
There will be a drop-in consultation event at High Chelmer Shopping Centre in Chelmsford (outside Next) on
National Grid – Twinstead to Rayleigh Overhead Line – Royal Oak Drive
We are writing to let you know about some upcoming maintenance works to our 400 kV overhead
electricity transmission line which will be taking place near your property soon.
Some of the existing wires (conductors) on the stretch of line between Braintree and Rayleigh
substation are nearing the end of their asset life and need replacing.
Our maintenance work will replace sections of those wires and refurbish other parts of the overhead
line. The new conductors will be capable of carrying slightly more power, helping transport cleaner,
greener energy from where it is generated to homes and businesses.
The pylon adjacent to Royal Oak Drive (Pylon 4VB010 shown on the map overleaf) lies on the route
of these maintenance works.
When will the work take place and what can I expect to see?
During the week commencing 30th January 2023, there will be work to clear the vegetation and trees
and construct the tower/scaffold base which may be noisy for the week that they are there.
The maintenance works will take place between Monday 17 April 2023 and 26 May 2023. During this
period, you can expect to see the delivery and construction of scaffolding at worksites, repairs to
pylon steelwork, and linesmen working at height to replace the overhead line. Our working hours will
be from 7am–7pm Monday to Friday and 7am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Weekend works will
take place every other week but can differ on bank holidays, at present works are scheduled for the
following weekends:
– Saturday 22 April and Sunday 23 April
– Saturday 6 May, Sunday 7 May and Monday 8 May
We will also be installing temporary fencing around our work site to secure the area. Unfortunately,
this means that properties with access to the garage and parking adjacent to Giddings Copse will be
restricted with access from 17 April 2023 until 2 June 2023. We apologise for any disruption this may
cause.
There will be no disruption to your electricity supply due to this work.
We will keep you updated about the project but if you have any queries, please contact our
community relations team at 0808 304 1534.
AT ITS MEETING ON 11TH JANUARY 2023, Cressing Parish Council joined other councils in the Braintree district, as well as throughout the country by signing the Civility & Respect Pledge. Cressing Parish Council has the appropriate policies, and more, in place and keeps these current. It enters into the Pledge, agreeing and committing to the following statements:
CPC has agreed that it will treat all councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations, and volunteers, with civility and respect in their role
CPC has committed to training councillors and staff
CPC has signed up to Code of Conduct for councillors
CPC has good governance arrangements in place including, staff contracts, and a dignity at work policy
CPC will commit to seeking professional help in the early stages should civility and respect issues arise
CPC will commit to calling out bullying and harassment if and when it happens
CPC will continue to learn from best practice in the sector and aspire to being a role model/champion council
CPC supports the continued lobbying for the change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge, including sanctions for elected members where appropriate.
This was proposed by Cllr Lapper and seconded by Cllr Rowe. All Councillors were in favour of its adoption.
CUTTING BILLS AND EMISSIONS WITH SOLAR PANEL GROUP-BUYING SCHEME
From today, residents can register for Solar Together Essex, the group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage. The scheme is also open to small and medium businesses and small community buildings. Residents who have already invested in solar panels can also take part by registering for battery storage. Storage saves unused energy generated by the solar panels to be used whenever it is need ed rather than during the day. It is free to register for a personal recommendation and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation.
Essex County Council is working in partnership with independent experts iChoosr, to make the transition to clean energy as cost effective and hassle-free as possible. To date Solar Together Essex has delivered over 1,200 installations and over 1,100 tonnes of avoided carbon emissions annually in the county.
CRESSING PARISH COUNCIL
