ECC Household Support Fund
This scheme, introduced under the previous Government, is designed to support vulnerable families. Essex County Council is replicating much of what was done previously whilst also recognising the need for additional support following the current Government’s decision to remove the Winter Fuel Allowance from over 300,000 pensioners in Essex.
Funding will be available through different access points, including the Essential Living Fund, food support groups, community supermarkets and local voluntary and community sector organisations, including Citizens Advice Bureaux.
As well as specific support for pensioners, funding for families in receipt of free school meals will continue, as will targeted support for young carers and care leavers.
With the £9.4 million support package, ECC is focusing on the following key areas:
- £1 million targeted to support low-income pensioners with core costs over the winter month via the Essential Living Fund
- £4.5 million for the Essential Living Fund to help with emergency crisis situations
- £2.8 million for winter vouchers for families in receipt of free school meals
- £100,000 for voluntary and community groups
- £250,000 for food support groups
- £150,000 for Citizens Advice Bureaux to provide additional support and advice
- £80,000 for Community Supermarkets
- £37,500 for young carers in Essex
- £42,500 for care leavers’ winter hampers and vouchers
- £10,000 to support winter warmth schemes working in collaboration with Essex Libraries
- £40,000 for marketing and communications to direct residents to find the support available
More information on help with the cost of living can be found at https://www.essex.gov.uk/help-cost-living.
Residents are also urged to contact the Essential Living Fund if they are struggling financially. They can do this and find out more about what support is available by visiting www.southend.gov.uk/extra-financial-help/essential-living-fund.
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Local Plan Review - Update
Following the meeting of BDC's Local Plan Sub-Committee on Monday16th September 2024, a revised timetable for the Local Plan Review has been approved. This comes after the announcement of the government’s proposed planning reforms, which is giving local authorities until December 2026 to submit an up-to-date plan compared to the previous deadline of June 2025.
The revised timetable includes a further round of public consultation in the New Year, known as ‘Issues and Options’, which will engage residents on the key issues and challenges facing the district and a set of ideas and solutions to tackle these through planning policies. Statutory consultations will follow in 2025 and 2026, known as ‘Preferred Options’ and ‘Pre-Submission’, prior to submitting a revised plan to the Planning Inspectorate for examination by June 2026 and adoption in December 2026.
The latest updates on the Local Plan Review can be found either by:
- Going to the BDC website: www.braintree.gov.uk/localplanreview.
- Signing up to BDC’s dedicated planning e-newsletter: www.braintree.gov.uk/tellmemore.
- Signing up to receive e-mail updates from the Planning Policy team: www.braintree.gov.uk/policyconsultation
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Help Available to Upgrade Home Heating ahead of the Cold Winter Months
Essex residents can make heating their homes more efficient and eco-friendly with Switch Together, an initiative by iChoosr, the organisation behind Solar Together Essex, in partnership with Essex County Council.
Switch Together offers access to competitively priced air-source heat pumps, professionally installed by reputable and trusted suppliers
According to the Energy Saving Trust, air-source heat pumps, which deliver heating and hot water with efficiency ratings typically reaching 300%, can help cut your carbon emissions by 44% per year.
However, while saving on energy bills in the long run, air-source heat pumps have a high initial installation cost. Switch Together has been able to reduce this by negotiating exclusive pricing through group buying. The scheme will also provide help and support should you decide to switch.
The switching process is as follows:
- Register your interest, free and without obligation, by 1st November 2024 at switchtogether.com/essex
- The scheme’s vetted installers will then compete to provide their most competitive price for the work, without compromising on quality.
- You will receive a personalised offer, via e-mail, from the selected installer, with the heat pump specifications tailored to your home and detailing all the costs – heat pump installations are currently VAT-exempt.
- There is no obligation to proceed at this point; review the offer at your leisure and, if you choose to go ahead, the selected installer will schedule a survey and carry out the work.
- Telephone and e-mail help desks will be available throughout the process, so you can make informed decisions without any pressure.
Councillor Peter Schwier, Climate Czar and Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling, said: “Household heating accounts for about 14% of all CO2 emissions.
“Essex County Council is delighted to be working with iChoosr on the Switch Together initiative. Reducing the county’s carbon emissions is vital to our net-zero ambitions, as set out by our Essex Climate Action Commission, and improving residents’ quality of life.”
You may also qualify for further savings by applying for a £7,500 grant towards a new heat pump installation from the Government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
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Local Plan Review
Following its Meeting on 14th August to hear the views of residents on the results of Braintree District Council's recent call for potential development sites in its latest 'refresh' of the Local Plan, Great Maplestead Parish Council's consolidated response can be read here. The local sites referred to in the response can be seen here.
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Public invited to shape upcoming Transport Strategy for Essex.
Essex County Council has launched a public consultation on its Essex Transport Strategy, formally known as the Local Transport Plan.
The strategy will provide an overarching plan for transport across Essex and outline the council’s vision.
The consultation focuses on key themes and outcomes as an opportunity for the public to provide feedback, helping inform further development of the strategy.
The consultation also proposes a new ‘Place and Movement’ approach. This would introduce a more flexible and people-focused way to categorise roads and streets in Essex.
Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “Transport is critical to all aspects of our everyday lives. It determines how we travel to and from work, do the school run or visit the local shops, as well as how businesses move goods and services around. Transport underpins it all.
“Our new and emerging Essex Transport Strategy will play a vital role in setting important transport priorities for Essex. It reflects the opportunities and challenges we face now while building upon our Safer, Greener and Healthier vision. It will help inform our future decisions and actions while unlocking funding opportunities to support us in providing the transport network our county needs.
“We are still in the process of developing the strategy and this public consultation is an early opportunity for you to provide feedback on the key principles. I would encourage everyone to have their say.”
The initial public consultation will run for seven weeks, closing on Sunday 22nd September 2024, and can be accessed at: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/essex-highways/essex-transport-strategy/
Note: A second consultation on the full draft strategy and a programme of planned investment in different parts of Essex is expected to take place early next year.
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Great Maplestead - 2024 Essex Village of the Year
Great Maplestead has been announced as the inaugural outright winner of the Rural Community Council of Essex’s re-launched Essex Village of the Year competition.
With a population of around 300 Great Maplestead was one of the smallest villages entered in this year’s competition so its outright win, along with the success of neighbouring Castle Hedingham, who received a Highly Commended award at the same ceremony, seems to confirm that this area of North Essex is now being properly recognised as a really special place to live.
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Digital Switchover Campaign
ECC has launched a campaign to raise aware-ness that, by 2025, analogue phone lines will be replaced by a digital landline service that will require a broadband line.
Telephone providers should be contacting residents before any changes are made to discuss what needs to be done to keep their phones operating.
The change should be straightforward: existing broadband users should just be able to plug their digital landline into their router.
However, residents should contact their provider for more information about what needs to be done if they or someone they know:
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- doesn’t have broadband at home
- uses a personal alarm or healthcare device
- has additional needs
- lives in an area with no mobile signal
Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy, Councillor Lee Scott, said: “The digital switchover is vital to replace analogue phone lines in the UK.”
Note: Some residents could be adversely affected by this change, particularly if they have to use a personal alarm, have additional needs or don’t currently have broadband.
For the latest information on the switchover, visit www.essex.gov.uk/landline-switch.
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Eco Upgrades – Applications Open
Residents in Essex can apply for solar panels, heat pumps and have more energy-efficient measures installed for little or no cost.
ECO4 Flex and the Great British Insulation Scheme Flex (GBIS) are being offered by ECC through ‘Better Housing Better Health’ to help improve energy-inefficient properties.
Both schemes are available to homeowners, those with a health condition or qualifying benefit and tenants, with their landlord’s permission, who have a household income below £31,000 and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings between D and G. Residents with a property tax band between A and D can also apply for the GBIS.
Councillor Peter Schwier, Climate Czar and Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling at ECC, said: “A low EPC rating can cost hundreds of pounds per year in energy bills, reduce the value of a property and ultimately harm the environment. However, improving it can come with an upfront cost many people can’t afford.
“ECO4 Flex and the Great British Insulation Scheme Flex will help eligible low-income households and vulnerable residents to access valuable energy-saving measures. People can check their eligibility at: https://www.essex.gov.uk/planning-land-and-recycling/energy-climate-and-environment/energy-company-obligation-eco4-and-great“
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Climate Action Advice Packs
Essex County Council’s Advice Packs, developed following innovative recommendations from the Essex Climate Action Commission’s report ‘Net Zero: Making Essex Carbon Neutral’, contain updated information to help residents, schools and businesses become more sustainable, highlighting ways to reduce carbon emissions and potentially save money.
The packs can be downloaded for free at www.essexclimate.org.uk/what-can-i-do and offer cost-effective and achievable solutions tailored for four different groups:
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- Residents
- Schools
- Businesses
- Early years and childcare settings
The Climate Action Advice Packs are part of the Council’s ‘Everyone’s Essex’ commitment to work closely with communities and businesses over climate action, providing advice and support to empower local action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience.
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Parish Council Maintains Foundation Status
Great Maplestead Parish Council has maintained its Foundation Level status in the Local Council Award Scheme, an accreditation that will remain current until 2028 - click here to read more
This accolade is a significant endorsement not only of the Council’s best working practices but also of the high standards that it has succeeded in achieving.
The Scheme’s panel were particularly complimentary about the Council’s website, how active the village appears to be and how all their Foundation Level standards were fully met. Their verdict: "The website is the hub of publicised Council information, which meets all the demands of the Transparency Code It is also provides a comprehensive coverage of village life."
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Proposed Mobile Phone Mast Installation - Further Update (March 2024)
Telefónica's appeal to the Secretary of State regarding Braintree District Council's refusal to grant prior permission for a planning application for a Mobile Phone mast installation near Little Lodge Farm has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.
The main reasons are that the siting and appearance of the proposed installation would detract from the rural and undeveloped character of the land surrounding the Grade II listed Little Lodge Farm and the collection of Grade II listed buildings at Little Maplestead Hall and would cause harm to their significance as designated heritage assets.
The Inspector also felt that there was a lack of "clear and comprehensive evidence" to justify why none of the 12 alternative potential sites identified were suitable, given that at least one of these, at Monks Lodge Farm, has similar merit to the appeal site but does not lie within the setting of a designate heritage site.
The Inspector's detailed report can be read here.
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Highways Defects Reporting
Essex County Council have recently introduced a simple, straight-forward and accurate way of reporting potholes and any other highways defects, which anyone with a smartphone can use:
- Download the ‘What3words’ app onto your phone
- Open the app, go to ‘Photo Mode’ and take a picture of the defect (pothole, blocked drain, damaged road edge, etc.) in the normal way
- Press ‘Continue’: this will automatically geo-locate the exact position of the road defect within a 3-metre square, using the unique ‘what3words’ reference that is now synched to your photo
- Press ‘Save’ and you will have a copy of the photo with the 3-word location embedded.
- You can then report the issue to ECC directly, up-loading your annotated photo and completing any required information on the website at: essexhighways.org/tell-us
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New Waste and Recycling Policy - Effective 1st April 2024
Braintree District Council will be introducing a new waste and recycling policy from 1st April 2024, meaning bin-lorries will no longer collect waste that doesn’t fit into grey wheelie bins.
This new policy means that 'side waste' left out next to the grey bins will not be collected; what’s more, the bins won’t be emptied unless their lids are fully shut. Residents who continue to put out ‘side waste’, which typically contains recyclable materials wrongly presented for collection as general waste, could face being fined…
The ostensible reason for the introduction of this policy is to reduce the amount of non-recyclable rubbish people put out for collection and encourage an increase in recycling. Apparently the tonnage of grey wheelie bin waste collected in Braintree District – on average 463kg (½ ton) per household – is significantly higher than in other parts of Essex. Whether this objective will be achieved is moot.
Councillor for the Environment Tom Cunningham says the policy: "…will help save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, positively impact the environment and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Unfortunately, coming so soon after the 4th March launch of BDC’s controversial green bin surcharge, some people may think that this policy, introduced with no public consultation, is a way of further monetising a part of the waste collection service that was previously included within the overall Council Tax funding. BDC says a number of other local authorities, including some in Essex, have also banned collections of side waste.
Included within this new policy is the proviso that, if a resident’s bin is missed on the normal collection day, it will need to be reported to BDC after 3.00pm on the day of collection or no later than 12noon the next working day. The bin should be left at its normal collection point and the collection crew will empty it within two working days of receiving the missed bin report.
The good news is that there is still no restriction on the number of clear recycling sacks that can be put out for collection, provided they contain only the permitted items of waste.
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Recycling Centre Bookings Made Permanent
A booking process trialled across recycling centres managed by Essex County Council has been made permanent following positive feedback from residents.
The decision follows a six-week public consultation that saw over 18,000 responses. An independent analysis showed 58% of respondents were in favour of keeping the booking process for cars, while 72% were in favour of keeping it for vans and large vehicles.
The booking process was trialled at nine van-friendly sites in February 2022 before being extended to all recycling centres managed by ECC in March 2023.
Councillor Peter Schwier, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling, said: “Efficient waste services play an important role in increasing recycling and reducing waste. The booking process was introduced to smooth service demand throughout the day. Incidents of congestion and queuing have reduced since the trial started. This has made our sites safer and more efficient.”
A full evaluation of the booking trial is available here
To find out more information, or to book a time at your local recycling centre, visit www.loveessex.org/bookings
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Carers Voices Campaign
Healthwatch Essex and Essex County Council have jointly launched Carers Voices, an initiative aimed at connecting with the numerous unpaid carers throughout the county, with the goal of amplifying their voices and enhancing outcomes for them by supporting the empowerment of those individuals who selflessly serve others in our communities. Details of how to get in touch are shown below:
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Essex CC - Local Bus Service Consultation Decision
Essex County Council’s decision, following a Public Consultation into its strategy for ‘Supported Local Bus Services 2024–2028’, is that the local F315 bus service be recommended for withdrawal, as from July 2024.
The consultation showed there was strong support by residents for local bus services and highlighted the essential role they play in people’s lives. However, in an announcement released early in January, ECC reported that, despite careful consideration being given to comments made by respondents to the survey about the adverse impacts that cessation of the F315 service would have on them and others in the community, the conclusion nonetheless was that it be withdrawn due to low use.
The detailed decision is shown below:
As can be seen, in an attempt to mitigate the adverse impacts, the report suggests replacing F315 with an extension of the existing DART 3 demand-responsive service, which was originally also proposed for withdrawal. ECC’s view is that this will enable bus travel in the area “to be maintained and potentially expanded” and is “considered to be the best way of ensuring the sustainability of the service”. Fortuitously, extending DART 3‘s coverage will also allow ECC to reduce this service’s current high operating costs…
It is understood that DART 3 works on a telephone or e-mail booking system familiar to users of the F315 and the fares are the same. However, unlike the F315 service, there is no operating schedule – it is purely demand-responsive.
Although this allows flexibility, the service apparently will not operate if there is demand from only one passenger. It is not a taxi – it requires a number of people wanting to do similar journeys at similar times.
DART 3’s operating hours are 06.00-20.00 Mondays to Saturdays, so those who are regular users for work or school will hopefully still be catered for – as long as there is sufficient demand.
This is obviously a very disappointing outcome for the local Parishes – particularly as the F315 will be one of only seven of the 150 or so rural bus services currently subsidised by ECC to be withdrawn.
More detailed information on the consultation outcomes can be found at:
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Government Provides ECC With Additional £121m For Road Maintenance.
Essex County Council is to receive an additional £121 million of funding for road repairs and resurfacing between now and 2034, the Government has confirmed.
The funding, which has been re-allocated to Local Authorities across England from the curtailment of the HS2 rail scheme, will ensure repairs to the road network are carried out and will help towards maintaining the condition of roads across the county.
ECC already receives funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) each year, including the additional funding announced in the 2023 March Budget for pothole repairs, which is available this financial year and next. The new funding will ensure there is financial support for road repairs until 2034.
It will allow Essex Highways to repair and resurface priority routes and the most unsafe defects, in line with current strategy.
ECC has already allocated an additional £17.4 million of this year’s budget to its investment in highways – this is currently being spent on additional works across the county that might not otherwise have taken place.
Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: "By allocating £121 million to Essex, the Government has recognised that well maintained and repaired roads are a priority for Essex residents. This new Government funding will help us continue with the repairs Essex Highways works hard to deliver."
The DfT’s announcement was accompanied by details of its funding allocation, from a total fund of £8 billion for road repairs across England.
ECC’s allocation includes:
- £30.6 million of existing annual allocation in 2023/24 (highways maintenance block funding, plus Pothole Fund)
- £7.6 million of additional funding over the next 2 years
- £121 million of new funding between 2023 and 2034
Further information can be found here.
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County-wide Advice Service
A new County-Wide Advice Service for Essex has recently been launched by a consortium, funded by UK Power Networks and provided by Citizens Advice Essex, to help people struggling with their energy bills.
This consortium will provide practical advice and support for those experiencing fuel poverty. People on low incomes, using prepayment meters, in energy debt or simply struggling to pay their energy bills are very likely to be affected, as a consequence of many factors, including the unprecedented increase in energy bills over the last few years.
The Advice Service is designed to initiate the provision of holistic support for those in need to help improve their situation: for example, by identifying and helping secure additional sources of income, ensuring they understand and can access opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of their home, by providing support with regards to energy-related or other debts and by providing practical advice on how to reduce energy consumption.
It also complements Citizen Advice Essex’s other locally-based services, such as specialist housing advice, specialist services for people affected by cancer (funded by Macmillan) or local sources of emergency support.
For more information and confidential advice, call 0808 189 6550
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Proposed Mobile Phone Mast Installation - Further Update (Oct 2023).
After discounting a site on land adjacent to Toldish Hall Road as suitable, Telefónica carried out a pre-planning consultation about installing their radio base station (otherwise known as a mobile phone mast) on land adjacent to Little Lodge Farm on the border of Great and Little Maplestead.
The company determined that a mast in this location will help in providing a better mobile phone service, particularly in respect of 5G and associated data services, and also allow the roll-out of smart energy metering access to customers in this area of Braintree District.
The proposed installation comprises a 25m (75ft) mast (10m taller than previously planned) housing 3 antennas, 2 dish antennas, four radio equipment cabinets and an associated meter cabinet within a fenced compound located in the field next to the bridleway at the end of Little Lodge Lane. The location and detailed site plans can be viewed here.
As this new pre-planning consultation still affected residents of Great Maplestead, the Council considered it at its Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 26th May 2021, where it was decided to support Little Maplestead Parish Council's objection to the location and go with its suggested alternative site.
Update:
The prior approval for planning permission for this mast was refused by Braintree District Council on 22nd September 2021 because certain requirements of the application, which had been highlighted by both Parish Councils, had not been met. The detailed reasons for the refusal can be found in the decision document here.
Further Update (Oct 2023):
Telefónica's agent has now appealed to the Secretary of State following Braintree District Council’s refusal of their prior approval application for planning permission for this mast.
Notification of the appeal can be found here.
All previous submissions and objections regarding this application will be forwarded to the Secretary of State, so there is no need to resubmit them at this time. However, any new evidence will be considered, as outlined in the notification letter.
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Essex Residents Can Benefit From Free Personal Financial Coaching
Essex residents can now sign up for free one-to-one financial coaching with a qualified coach, under a trial scheme being run by Essex County Council.
This new initiative provides an opportunity for people to receive confidential personal support about their spending behaviours and money management, identifying any small changes that could help improve their financial well-being.
The scheme is aimed at those residents who feel ready to make these changes, the coach working individually with each person to explore their relationship with money, set financial goals and help boost their confidence and skills in managing finances.
Coaching sessions can be held face-to-face or online and can be scheduled at a time which best suits each person. The scheme is available to parent(s) who have £100 or more income per month after outgoings and with a child or children under the age of 18.
To be eligible, Braintree District residents must live one of the following areas:
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Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, said: “We know that with the current financial pressures there are some families that would benefit from additional support tackling their financial situation. This innovative scheme allows residents to work one-to-one with a skilled coach, who can provide the space and time to help them reflect on their financial situation and feel more confident manging their money in the long-term.”
The scheme is funded by Essex County Council. It will be available until 17 April 2024.
Residents can apply to take part https://aclessex.com/financial-wellbeing/.
For more information, e-mail essex@olighton.com or call 07759 835 548
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Playing Field Development Project Wins Lottery Funding!
The Playing Field Development Working Party is delighted to announce that its £75,000 application to the National Lottery Community Fund, to help deliver the Parish Council’s ambitious Playing Field project, has been successful!
The new play area will be more imaginatively configured than currently, featuring natural-looking equipment made from
- meets strict sustainability/longevity standards
- conforms with current best-practice thinking about child play requirements
- gives play opportunities to a wider range of ages and abilities than currently
- has a suitably lengthy warranty period
- is low maintenance/easy to repair
- has ‘style’, impact and strong visual presence
A new perimeter pathway was a key element of the project: it was required to improve access for people of all abilities to both the play area and the rest of the field’s amenities. The path has been designed such that a ‘lap’ will be 0.2 miles, enabling pupils from the school to do 5 laps as their ‘Mile-a-Day’ challenge.
On behalf of the Parish Council, the Working Party would like to thank sincerely everyone who has organised events, taken part in challenges, donated or otherwise contributed to this amazing project.
The improvements to the playground and the playing field’s facilities will help preserve this valuable village asset in the long term, leaving an enduring legacy for future generations to enjoy for many years to come.
Further updates can be found on the Playing Field page.
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National Grid: Norwich, Bramford to Tilbury Reinforcement
Councils in Essex and Suffolk have united to condemn a proposal for a 180km network of 50m tall electricity pylons between Norwich, Bramford and Tilbury.
Essex and Suffolk County Councils passed motions at their Full Council meetings in July, opposing the East Anglia GREEN proposal put forward by National Grid.
Norfolk County Council is expected to consider the motion at its next Full Council meeting, following a planned debate on 19 July 2022 being postponed.
The Councils all agree that the plan for pylons is destructive and out-dated, and will cause irreversible damage to the countryside, wildlife habitats and local communities.
A new electricity network is needed to transmit the ambitious 50 GW of offshore wind that the Government aims to be delivered by 2030 and to connect new projects like Sizewell C to the National Grid.
The Councils fully support the need to generate renewable and low carbon electricity to meet local and national Net Zero ambitions. However, they believe that there are more suitable, sustainable and modern transmission alternatives for the network, such as underground or undersea cable routes around the East Anglian coastline.
The current East Anglia GREEN proposal threatens to have significant, and totally unacceptable, impacts on communities, businesses and cherished landscapes across the three counties, with 50-year old, carbon-heavy, technology being used to deliver a supposedly clean energy solution.
The Councils consider that the offshore and underground alternatives, which would allow clean North Sea and nuclear energy to join the National Grid without the disproportionate impacts of overhead cables, have not been properly investigated and presented.
In formalising their long-standing opposition to the current East Anglia GREEN proposal, the Councils are joining a group of 13 MPs who recently signed a letter criticising the consultation. There is also a growing public petition against the proposal, which already has thousands of signatures.
National Grid completed its East Anglia GREEN non-statutory consultation in June. Later this year a report, containing the key points from the feedback received and explaining the next steps in the process, will be published.
The first statutory consultation took place in early 2023, and an application will be made by the National Grid to the Planning Inspectorate in late 2024.
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ECC Cost of Living Support for Residents
A continued commitment to support residents of Essex with a series of measures to help tackle the cost of living has been set out by Essex County Council.
At a meeting of the Full Council on Tuesday 12 July Leader Cllr Kevin Bentley set out the action the authority has already taken to support residents, while also acknowledging there is more work to do.
Some of the ways the Council is helping families in Essex include:
- Financial Wellbeing – a series of test and learn projects to enable people to improve their financial wellbeing through positive decisions
- Holiday Activity Clubs – free holiday clubs during the summer holiday, at least 4 hours per day of fun, nutritional education, at least one meal and mentoring and support for the whole family. This summer 200 clubs will take place across Essex
- Community Challenge Fund – providing small grants for groups to develop a vision for their local community and take forward projects that will help them to achieve it
- Social Supermarkets – helping families on low incomes buy food and household essentials at lower prices, beginning in Tendring and Basildon
- Pedal Power – expanding across Essex to provide bikes to those on low incomes
- Digital Inclusion Programme – identifying and addressing the drivers of digital exclusion
While ECC remains committed to the goals of its long term Levelling Up strategy, the issues it is looking to address have been exacerbated by the ongoing impacts of inflation and the rising price of essentials.
Residents across the county are feeling the strain, with more than 76,000 Essex households, about 12%, classed as being in fuel poverty; this number expected to rise further. The inflation increase also means pay has also fallen in real terms in the last 12 months.
These issues are having a particularly profound impact on working families, single parent households, women over the age of 65 and young adults aged between 19 and 25 as well as unpaid carers or those who have children with disabilities.
ECC is already doing its bit to help with action through initiatives such as the Council Tax Rebate Scheme, the Household Support Fund, and the Essential Living Fund.
These programmes have supported thousands of vulnerable and struggling residents with cash payments for food, fuel, and essential living costs. This is on top of the support already provided by frontline services in areas like children’s and adult social care.
The County Council has also been working on ways to help people to reduce their energy bills and be more environmental conscious at the same time, through Warm Homes Essex, which provides advice and access to funding for improvements to reduce home energy use.
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The Local Plan: Section 2 Can Be Found Sound
Planning Inspectors have ruled that a blueprint for development in the Braintree District until 2033 can be found legally sound.
The Planning Inspectors - Mr Jameson Bridgewater and Ms Anne Jordan - have now examined Section Two of Braintree’s Local Plan, which includes localised policies and site allocations that can be used for considering planning applications in the district. It also identifies land for economic growth, supporting infrastructure and protecting land for open spaces and community facilities.
The Inspectors' final report comes after the formal examination held in July 2021 and public consultation on the proposed modifications which ended in January 2022.
After scrutinising the Plan and the supporting evidence, hearing from stakeholders and taking into account resident’s comments via the public consultation, the Inspectors' final report concludes that the document can be adopted – subject to and including their recommended modifications – and be found legally compliant and sound, subject to Councillors' approval. The final list of main modifications accompanies the Inspector’s report, but remains largely unchanged from those which were consulted upon.
What happens now?
The Plan will be presented to the Local Plan Sub-Committee on Tuesday, 5 July 2022 for approval. If approved, it will be recommended to Full Council on Monday, 25 July 2022 for final adoption of the whole plan.
Cllr Gabrielle Spray, Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure, said: “I’m pleased we have now received the Inspectors' feedback and we can move ahead with the formal adoption of our Local Plan. If approved, it will put us in the best possible positon to fight against speculative, unsustainable and poorly designed housing developments and give greater certainty to our local communities as to where new developments will be built and the infrastructure and facilities that will accompany them.”
The Planning Inspectors' final report is available to read here.
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Literacy Areas in Essex Libraries
The first phase in the rollout of Literacy Areas in Essex Libraries has begun, with Sible Hedingham’s dedicated area being the most local to Great Maplestead.
The Literacy Areas are dedicated to nurturing adults’ and children’s love of reading and writing. Each area holds printable take-home resources, covering enhanced literacy topics for beginners of all ages, as well as creative writing prompts.
The areas also have carefully chosen material to support adults’ and children’s literacy, including learning-to-read books, books that support specific needs such as dyslexia, and books that enable parents to help their children with reading and writing.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Louise McKinlay said: “In April we launched our four-year plan for Essex Libraries and, as part of the plan, we announced literacy support for adults and children in Essex.
“We know that 16% of adults in England have ‘very poor literacy skills’ and around 2% to 6% of children have significant reading difficulties. For adults and children this can lead to low self-esteem as well as an inability to access information. This can adversely affect their life chances.
“The new Literacy Areas will make a real, positive, difference for people that need that extra bit of support. I am so pleased the first areas are now open and I would urge residents to visit and explore what they have to offer."
It is hoped that Literacy Areas will have opened in all 74 libraries in Essex by the end of June 2022.
There is more about ECC’s plans for Essex Libraries here.
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Four-Year Vision for Essex Libraries to become a reality.
Ambitious plans for a vibrant, modern and sustainable Library Service in Essex is set to become a reality as the ‘Everyone’s Library Service 2022-2026' plan has now been approved by the County Council, marking the next step in an exciting future for the county’s libraries.
Feedback from an 8-week public consultation that took place between November 2021 and January 2022, where thousands of residents shared their views on the initial proposal, was incorporated in the final plan, which can be found at www.essex.gov.uk/everyoneslibrary.
Helping improve literacy, encouraging people to enjoy reading for pleasure and increasing the range of online resources available to users are just some of the plan’s ambitions.
There is also a commitment to keeping all 74 libraries open with investment in training and the upskilling of existing library staff.
The plan also sets out three key aims for the next four years and details how these will be achieved:
Library Service and Literacy
- Improving literacy for children and adults and creating ‘Literacy Areas’ in every Essex library by the end of June 2022.
- Supporting children to become school ready.
- Offering up-to-date and refreshed stock and resources.
- Delivering a programme of exciting events in the libraries.
- Upskilling staff and working with volunteers to enhance the service.
Communications and Infrastructure
- Improving communications with residents so they know what is on offer
- Working to attract new users.
- Investing in library spaces so they are vibrant, accessible and flexible.
- Ensuring the buildings are as ‘green’ as can be.
Supporting Communities and Levelling Up
- Expanding outreach and community involvement to make sure no one is left behind.
- Enhancing employability, wellbeing, culture and arts through bringing people together.
- Encouraging greater footfall, with exciting new activities to attract and welcome new users.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community, Equality, Partnerships and Performance, Cllr Louise McKinlay said: "This is an important moment for our Library Service and signifies the start of new and exciting opportunities for residents. The ‘Everyone’s Library Service 2022-2026' plan will help create a service that is modern, vibrant and sustainable, with improved access, better facilities and more opportunities for local people.”
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Save Money On Your Energy Bills
In these times of rapidly rising gas, electricity and oil prices the following information and links may help you find ways to reduce your energy bills:
- Essex Energy Switch
Essex Energy Switch is a scheme you can sign up to and receive cheaper energy tariffs. Register with the energy switch scheme to see if you can save money on your household energy bills.
- Solar Together Essex
Solar Together Essex is a group-buying scheme that enables Essex residents and businesses to install solar panels at an affordable price. The scheme provides a straightforward and safe way for you to generate your own energy and save money on future energy bills.
Register for Solar Together Essex today and help reduce carbon emissions in your local area.
- Making energy efficient improvements if your household income is below £30,000
If you're an Essex homeowner with a household income below £30,000, you may be eligible for £10,000 funding to make energy efficient improvements to your home through the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme.
Find out more about the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme.
- Save more money on your energy bills
Visit Energy Saving Trust to find out how you can save even more money on your energy bills.
- Oil central heating systems
Even if you're not connected to the mains gas supply, you can still save money on heating oil by joining the Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) community oil buying scheme.
- Get advice from Warm Homes Essex
You could get help from a specialist energy advisor if you are finding it hard to pay energy bills or have debts with energy suppliers. They might be able to help you get a grant to improve your home's energy efficiency.
Visit Warm Homes Essex or contact the Citizens Advice Warm Homes team on 0300 3033 789.
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New website to help find suitable residential and nursing care homes for older people in Essex
Essex County Council, working in partnership with the NHS, has launched a new website to help people find a suitable care home for themselves or a loved one.
The new website is www.essexcaresearch.org.
Essex Care Search can be used to find residential, nursing, dementia or respite care home vacancies for older people within the county. You can search for vacancies by location, cost, type of care and facilities in the care home.
The site has detailed information on all the homes that are registered, including contact details, CQC ratings and photographs.
Whether you are looking for short term care, longer term care, a central location with specialist room features, or an en-suite bedroom in a home by the coast, Essex Care Search can help you to find a care provider.
Cllr John Spence, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “Enabling residents to have access to a choice of quality care facilities in every part of the county is a key objective for us. We hope this new website will make that access still easier”.
Guidance and an easy step by step video to guide you through the website, can be found here.
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The Local Plan: Section 1 Adopted
Braintree District Council, at the meeting of its Full Council on Monday 22nd February 2021, formally adopted the Braintree District Local Plan 2013-2033 Section 1 North Essex Authorities Shared Strategic Section 1 Plan.
The Section 1 Plan was prepared jointly by BDC, Colchester Borough Council and Tendring District Council – the local planning authorities (LPAs) collectively known as the North Essex Authorities (NEAs) – from the first part of each authority’s respective Local Plan.
The Section 1 Plan is designed to:
- Articulate a spatial portrait of the North Essex area, including its main settlements and strategic infrastructure, as a framework for accommodating future planning growth;
- Provide a strategic vision for how planning growth in North Essex will be realised;
- Set strategic objectives and policies for key growth topics;
- Set out the numbers of additional homes and jobs across the area that will be needed during the period to 2033.
For Braintree the Section 1 Plan includes Policy SP4, which requires a minimum of 14,320 new homes to be built over the period 2013 to 2033, an average of 716 new homes per year. Through Policy SP5, the Section 1 Plan also sets out employment land requirements for Braintree of between 20.9 and 43.3 hectares for the Plan period.
Following examination by an independent Planning Inspector, the Final Report on the Section 1 Plan was received by BDC and the other NEAs on 10th December 2020. This confirmed that, subject to the Inspector’s recommended main modifications, which have been agreed by the Council and incorporated into the adopted document, the Section 1 Plan meets the legal requirements of the national planning system and the tests of soundness contained within national planning policy, allowing it to proceed to formal adoption.
Adoption of the Section 1 Plan by BDC has the effect of replacing, in part, a number of the strategic policies contained within the Braintree District Core Strategy 2011 (adopted September 2011).
The Core Strategy (2011) and Local Plan Review (2005) will be replaced in full once Section 2 of the Local Plan, which contains further specific local policies and proposals applicable to the Braintree District only, is formally adopted.
Section 2 is currently subject to an examination by inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
The Section 1 Plan and its appendices, the Sustainability Appraisal (and addendum) and the Planning Inspector’s report are all available to view online at http://www.braintree.gov.uk/
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Notice about the Village Playing Field
Following the illegal trespass by travellers on Saturday 13th June 2020, improving the existing security of the Village Playing Field was a priority that demanded a quick response from the Parish Council, so it consulted with the appropriate authorities, the police, other local councils and the school to ensure the continued future protection of the site.
On the Sunday morning the Council were already considering various solutions, consulting with and taking advice from experts familiar with the positives and negatives of alternative security arrangements and also looking at some of the more effective measures used in neighbouring parishes.
As a result the Council, under its COVID-19 Emergency Standing Orders and with the help of a small team of willing volunteers, was able to put into place enhanced security measures for the playing field on Friday 19th June, less than a week after the trespass.
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Whilst these new security measures were the quickest, most effective interim arrangement to install, they have also been designed – and are intended to remain – a permanent feature. The implementation of these measures does not, however, preclude further security enhancements being investigated, considered or added should that be thought necessary in future.
In carrying out this action the Council took into full account the need to ensure that parishioners and the school can continue to enjoy unfettered pedestrian and disabled access to the Playing Field, a precious village amenity, whilst the car park remains freely available for use by the school, visitors to the village and the community as a whole.
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Rural Crime
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Braintree Council's Community Transport Scheme
Community Transport has been in operation for 20 years and is a service dedicated to providing subsidised transport to non-profit making groups and individuals within Braintree District. It can provide ad hoc, one-off or regular transport using minibuses or cars:
Minibus Scheme for Group Hire
Five fully accessible 12-seater minibuses are available, either with a driver or on a self-drive basis. Annual membership is £25, with a mileage rate of £1.50/mile (the minimum fare is £35). So a local trip of under 20 miles would cost just £35.
Groups can use the service for visits to places of interest (seaside/stately homes), ad hoc/weekly shopping trips, pub lunch outings etc.
Multiple buses may be hired and can be used for trips anywhere in the UK.
Social Car Scheme for Individual Hire
Cars are available with a driver Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5.00pm. Annual membership is £20, and trips cost £3.50 up to5 miles one way or £7.00 return. The service can be used for access to the local community and services, shopping, keeping health-related doctor or hospital appointments, social outings or visits to friends and family.
Passengers can be taken to and from anywhere within Braintree District – the exceptions are for hospital visits in Chelmsford and Colchester, where a drop-off service only is available.
Dial-A-Ride Scheme for Individual Wheelchair Users
For people who use mobility aids, need to travel in their wheelchair, or cannot get into a car, a specially-equipped minibus with a tail lift and low access steps is available, under similar terms to the Social Car Scheme.
E-mail any questions you may have about the scheme to: community.transport@braintree.gov.uk or telephone: 01376 557 883.
Further details are available at: www.braintree.gov.uk/communitytransport
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Community Policing Team Information
A consequence of the formation of Braintree’s Community Policing Team (CPT) in 2015 was a reduction in the number of community officers and a withdrawal of ‘beat officers’ from some local areas.
CPT numbers remain small but, in order to give residents the best possible service, Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been allocated specific local areas of responsibility.
This has been done to help officers develop a culture of ownership and pride in their area, so improving their relationship with residents. This change to their way of working will also enable officers quickly to identify, and get an early understanding of, local issues and direct people towards the most suitable agency for the best help.
The local Community Officers with responsibility for the Halstead area, which includes The Maplesteads, are:
PC 3655 Craig Wheeler e-mail: Craig.Wheeler@essex.pnn.police.uk
PC 2613 Andy Pilgrim e-mail: Andy.Pilgrim@essex.pnn.police.uk
PC 2457 Paul Norman e-mail: Paul.Norman@essex.pnn.police.uk
PCSO 70714 John Thorne e-mail: John.Thorne@essex.pnn.police.uk
PCSO 70955 Joanne Cooper e-mail: Joanne.Cooper@essex.pnn.police.uk
These officers are the initial points of contact for any community concerns.
The CPT’s e-mail address – BraintreeandUttlesfordCPT@essex.pnn.police.uk – is monitored daily and residents with any questions or concerns can also use it to contact Inspector Cox or members of his team.
And remember: only call 999 for emergencies; for non-urgent enquiries call 101
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Data Protection – Making Sure Your Information is Safe
With the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) into law in May 2018, Great Maplestead Parish Council – as a publically-accountable body which has access to, and makes use of, your personal data – must now seek positive consents for how it uses new data in order to keep in touch.
If you have previously consented to receive information about the Council's activities, regular Meeting Agendas, Minutes, the Maplestead Magna Carta and, exceptionally, any urgent community information, the Council is permitted to continue to send you such information because there is a ‘legitimate interest’ in you continuing to receive it. You may, of course, opt out of receiving any information by advising the Clerk of your change of consent.
Each Parishioner who has not already consented to receiving information from the Council will however need to complete, sign and return a new Data Protection Consent Form, which can be downloaded here, in order to provide the necessary consents required by the GDPR. Completed forms can either be returned to the Clerk electronically or in hard copy form, or you can e-mail your acceptance of the consent form terms to the Clerk.
Full details of how the Council must in future protect and be responsible for any personal data it holds, as well as your improved rights with regard to how they are used, is contained in the Council’s Privacy Notice, which can be read here.
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Life-Saving Defibrillator installed at the Village Hall
Great Maplestead Parish Council, with help from a Department of Health funding 
Knowledge of the correct use of the defibrillator, and the proper administration of CPR, is essential to successfully help someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest – quick action is the key to survival in such an emergency.
In 2017 the Council organised two, free, Community Training Sessions to enable as many parishioners as possible to become potential life-savers.
If you were unable to attend these training sessions but would like more information about use of the defibrillator and carrying out CPR, please go to: https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr.
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Community Information Leaflet
The leaflet is a compact, convenient centralised source of information, which it is hoped will be of benefit both to existing residents and newcomers to the village. It also includes details about whom to contact with regard to community help for residents; for information about the availability of more informal assistance we would suggest contacting either of the Church Wardens, or the Parish Clerk.
For reasons of space, the leaflet – which will be updated as and when there are any major changes to its content – can only highlight some of the Parish’s many services, activities and amenities; more details about all of these, and many others, can be found on this website.
The Council would welcome any comments/suggestions to help improve the usefulness of future editions.
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Power Cut 105 - The Number to Call in an Emergency...
WHAT IS 105?
105 is a three-digit number you can call to report or get information about electrical power cuts. You can also call 105 with any welfare concerns related to a power cut, or if you are concerned about the safety of over or underground electricity cables or substations.
105 is free of charge and will put you through to your electricity network operator – you can call 105 from most landlines and mobile phones. Launched in September 2016, 105 is available throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
The website powercut105.com also provides you with information and directs you to your power network operator.
WHY WAS IT INTRODUCED?
People often don’t know who to call to report, or get updates about, power cuts, with many wrongly calling the energy supply companies they pay their bills to.
105 aims to solve this problem, providing you with an easy-to-remember number that will put you straight through to your local electricity network operator. This is particularly important when there is bad weather, as severe storms can cause major disruption to electricity supply to homes and businesses.
105 is just one of the ways you can contact your network operator, who can still be contacted directly either by phone on their 0800 number or via their website – most can be reached through social media too.
WHO IS BEHIND 105?
105 is jointly funded by the electricity network operators, who are the companies that manage and maintain the underground cables, overhead lines and substations that bring electricity into homes and businesses.
There are several electricity network operators – the larger ones each cover a different region within Great Britain. Wherever you live, 105 will put you through to the right network operator.
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Lost or Stolen Dog?
There have been a number of recent cases of dogs being either lost or, more probably, stolen in the local area. Essex Police have therefore issued some useful guidance and advice on the matter.