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| Welcome to our bustling riverside town and our website where we have all the latest on what West Mersea Town Council is up to - and a lot more besides .... IS THE TIDE OVER? Click on this link to take you to a webcam of THE STROOD so you can see in "real time" the state of the tide and any queues of traffic. www.stroodcam.co.uk |
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West Mersea is a town of close to 7,000 folk, situated at the western end of Mersea Island; it is joined to the mainland by a causeway called The Strood. Twice a day when the tide's in, it becomes a real island. You can find Mersea in north eastern corner of the county of Essex - at the point where the River Blackwater joins the River Colne, ten miles south of Colchester (Britains earliest Roman capital). |
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THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 21st June 2012 - Finance and Planning Council Chamber - Melrose Road (door to Chamber is to the right once inside the main doors) Beginning at 7pm The Meeting is open to the public Public Question Time is from 7pm for 15 minutes COUNCIL NEWS MAYOR MAKING At the West Mersea Town Council AGM - 10th May 2012 Cllr John May was elected Mayor for a third term - 2012-2013 Cllr Wendy Bixby was elected Deputy Mayor for 2012 -2013 Both signed their declarations of acceptance. Mayor John May said that he would continue with his fund raising and that this time the money would go to charities local to Mersea RUGBY PITCH PROPOSALS The Town Council are currently in negotiations with a local landowner to lease 7 acres of land to the east of the present Glebe playing fields for Rugby Pitches at a cost of £1000 per acre. This would include car parking accessible from Dawes Lane plus a satellite building to be used for changing facilities. CEMETERY CHARGES INCREASE The Council have agreed to a 5% increase in cemetery charges for Feldy View Woodland Cemetery as from 1st April 2012 A HARBOUR AUTHORITY?? Currently West Mersea Waterfront is a "Freeport" - in fact one of the last on the East Coast. There is no charge for launching a boat. The Waterside Forum are in discussions about making Mersea waterfront come under the jurisdiction of a new Harbour Authority. This is a highly complex issue which will be explored at length in future meetings - we will keep you informed DIAMOND JUBILEE COINS As part of the Jubilee Celebrations the Council have ordered 700 Jubilee Coins for distribution to Mersea Island schoolchildren up to the age of eleven years. These coins will be handed out to pupils at Mersea School by the Mayor and Cllr Eric Straughan at the end of May. Mersea resident children - up to 11 years) who do not attend this school will be asked to call at the Council Offices to collect their medals from our office. We will inform you when they are available HOME RULE FOR MERSEA!! For a short time on Monday 4th June - the Jubilee Bank Holiday - Mersea will become a republic. With the help of the Army from Colchester Garrison the Strood will become a passport controlled area. In order to cross the Strood you will be asked to purchase or show an official Mersea Passport - all proceeds to charity. There is a very high tide that day!! STREET PARTY More stalls are needed for the Jubilee Street Party on 4th June - when the High Street will be closed. Contact Eric on 385343 or Annette on 386954 INCONSIDERATE PARKING ALONG COAST ROAD Local residents have become concerned at the number of vehicles parked along the seaward side of Coast Road and the consequent impact on the marshes. This is also causing difficulties for houseboat owners with a legitimate right to park there. We are talking to CBC and Natural England for advice on this matter. 8 KNOT BOUYS - REMEMBER THE SPEED LIMIT the 8 knot bouys have been laid out for the summer season - 25 metres from the shore. Due to cost cuts by Maldon Harbour Authoirty there are fewer than previously . A designated freeway - marked by bouys - has been laid out seawards from Seaview Caravan Park - marking the area where jet skis and speedboats can launch. THE SPEED LIMIT WITHIN THE BOUYS IS RESTRICTED TO 8 KNOTS |
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Frozen Fountain on Fountain Corner January 2012 |
| BEACH HUTS RENTS SET TO RISE AGAIN Beach Hut rents for West Mersea will rise again by 3% in 2012 AGREEMENT FOR PROPOSED NEW CAR PARK IN COAST ROAD (Burma Road) Colchester Planning has granted planning permission for a 78 space car park at the Victory Dock - Coast Road. The spaces will cover a third of the winter boat park between April and October when the boats are in the water.The permission is temporary and will be reviewed after three years. The Town Council supported these plans which they hope will provide a badly needed new facility (as requested by the public in the Town Appraisal). This is a private car park and therefore is not covered by the Mersea/Colchester Parking Strategy. When it is up and running - it is reckoned that the cost of parking here will be in the region of £5 to £7. MERSEA RECYCLING CENTRE TO BE CLOSED ON CERTAIN DAYS NEW OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES West Mersea Recycling Centre will be closed from 9th January on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Winter opening times (9th Jan to 29th Feb 2012)will be from 9am to 4pm - Summer opening (1st March to 15th October) will be 9am to 5pm. Late night opening on Tuesdays during a limited period over the summer will no longer take place. For further information visit www.essex.gov.uk/recyclingcentres or contact 0845 603 7625 VILLAGE GREEN SAVED AS A PARK ?? Seven years ago the Town Council embarked on a struggle to get the School Field - a four acre site - designated as a Village Green - to save it from development. We won this appeal and we are now pleased to say that the owners of the field - Essex County Council - have decided to hand the field and the school gardens over to us at a coist of £1 (peppercorn) plus legal expenses. This will protect the area from development in perpetuity. The field has been in a poor state of repair under County ownership - the Town Council hope to spend money on its upkeep and maintenance. We have always wanted to turn it into a proper park and have several ideas including a multi wheeled sports facility -but what we can do will depend on funding. LOCALISM BILL The Localism Bill was passed on 15th November 2011- giving parish and town councils considerably more authority - also giving the local community a "right to challenge" (by referendum). REGULAR MEETINGS WITH PLANNERS From 2012 Town Councillors will hold regular meetings with Colchester BC PLanning Officers to discuss contentious plans and planning in general. PROPOSED NEW YOUTH INTEREST GROUP FOR MERSEA Cllr Wendy Bixy has put a proposal before the Council that we look into setting up a group of young people in West Mersea - under the guidance of West Mersea Town Council - to be known as a "Youth Interest Group". This Group will be created, run and developed by young people for young people. It will exist to represent the views of youngsters at local level, giving them a voice and an opportunity to engage with decision makers and to help them to contribute to improvements within their community. This working group would have a mix of both young people and adults (adults with an existing involvement in youth activities). Let us know your views! If you are interested in joining please contact the Council direct by telephone or e mail or contact Cllr Bixby. Our office is open from 9 til 1pm weekdays - if phoning outside office hours please leave a message and we will get back to you. The next meeting of the Youth Interest Group is on 31st May 5pm in the Council Chamber BEACH CABIN PROPOSALS THROWN OUT! Plans for 30 beach huts at Victoria Esplanade Car Park have been withdrawn. Cllr Tina Dopson - Portfolio Holder for Communities and Diversity has informed the council as follows:- "Having reflected on the weight of public opinion surrounding this application my decision has been made with careful consideration. A letter has been sent to the consultees advising them that this application has now been withdrawn." CONSERVATION AREA AT RISK Following a request from WMTC via the Waterside Forum - Essex County Council have now confirmed that the "Conservation Area At Risk" designation for West Mersea waterside area is now complete. It is hoped that this will add further protection to this vulnerable area. STUCK ON THE STROOD The number of vehicles becoming stuck onthe Strood at high water has increased of late - and it is costing money to get the emergency services out. The Town Council has discussed various ways of deterring motorists from attempting to cross at high tides and will continue to seek out a solution. Anyone with any further ideas as to how this problem can be solved please contact the Town Council |
| TENNIS COURTS - AT GLEBE - TOTAL REFURBISHMENT AND PROPER GRASS COURTS Just in case you haven't noticed - a reminder that the Council have installed LAWN TENNIS COURTS at The Glebe including perimeter fencing etc - the money for this came from an "Awards for All" Lottery Grant of £10,000 plus £8000 bid for by this Council from the Parish Grant fund We would like to thank Steven Vince and Stuart Moncur for all their work on this project Plans put forward by the Town Council for a new wooden pavilion (donated by a local resident) have now been passed by Colchester Planning. The pavilion will be erected shortly - by local (expert!) volunteers. RENOVATING THE OLD PAVILION AT THE GLEBE |
CRICKET CLUB NEW PRACTICE FACILITIES The Environment Committee are seeking funding to enhance the meadow area of Willoughby Park/Car Park to provide, fencing, picnic seats and tables etc TREE PLANTING - FELDY CEMETERY The annual tree planting at Feldy Wood Cemetery took place this year on 22nd November - relatives of the deceased were invited to join the Mayor for this occasion. |
HEARING AID BATTERY COLLECTION NOW AT COUNCIL OFFICES ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR HOTLINE ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT LOCAL PETTY CRIME? VILLAGE APPRAISAL FRIENDS OF THE PARISH CHURCh RUGBY CLUB - PROPOSED NEW PITCHES AT GLEBE
MAYORS FUND RAISING SUCCESS Saturday 2nd June 2012 At the MICA 8pm til late - food Featuring Vocalise Choir Black Waterside and the Moondance Bands Tickets £18 available from the MICA or contact John May on 07543 774677 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR 11 MONTHS to 29TH FEBRUARY 2012
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MEALS ON WHEELS POLICE NIGHT TIME PATROLS RUBBISH COLLECTION WARNING Following an initiative by Cllr Wendy Bixby the Council have agreed to commission a feasibility study for a new skate park. More details on this later Half pipe on Youth Field pictured below |
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half pipe on the village green March 20011 |
| OFF ROAD CYCLE PATH FROM MERSEA TO COLCHESTER Cllr Nolly Urquhart (Chair of West Mersea Town Council Footpaths, Footways and Cycle Paths Committee Committee) has been liaising with local farmers and Parish Councils along the Mersea Road with a view to putting a proper off road cycle path all the way from Mersea to Colchester. Only part of this path will follow the current B road as much will go through nearby farmland. Where it would be necessary to cross farmland the farmer may be eligible for a Higher Stewardship Scheme Grant. Parish Councils along the proposed path have shown great interest and land owners have been co-operative. The County Council are to develope an outline scheme for costing and the Environment Agency are also involved. UPDATE Good news! So far none of the landowners have objected! We understand that funding has now been made available for a survey, design and feasibility study. Once the study has been completed the design can be presented to the portfolio holder Cllr Norman Hume (Essex County Council)for his approval. The cost of this project will be in the region of £800,000 which will be shared between all parishes - there may be additional funding to be found from elsewhere. THE TOWN HARD IS A "LAUNCH AND GO AREA" The Town Hard is opposite the old lifeboat shed at the end of Firs Chase. It is a free public launching area belonging to the Council and must be kept clear at all times to enable boat owners to launch their boats. Whilst they launch they may leave their trailers and cars on the Hard temporarily and remove them once they are ready to go out on the water. However, recently many cars have been parking on the Hard while they go for a walk or to a restaurant. Please note - this is a PUBLIC LAUNCHING AREA AND NOT A CAR PARK |
| NEW NUCLEAR BUILD AT BRADWELL - AN OVERVIEW Bradwell is one of the 11 sites short listed by former Energy Sec. Ed Milliband to provide part of the "low carbon future for Britain". A new nuclear reactor ar Bradwell could create up to 600 jobs Nominations for these potential new nuclear power stations have been submitted to Government and the public invited to comment - the Town Council have submitted a list of their own concerns to the Department of Energy and Climate Change. They will assess each site to decide if it meets a number of criteria and the sites judged to be suitable will be listed on the draft Nuclear National Policy Statement. If Bradwell B were to be built it would not be completed until 2018 at the earliest! For more details on this matter log on to www.nuclearpowersiting.decc.gov.uk EXPRESSING OUR CONCERNS ON BRADWELL NEW BUILD The Town Council have re submitted their concerns to the new consultation on building a new nuclear power station at Bradwell. (reminder - The Council believe that the Blackwater Estuary is the wrong place for new nuclear build and have voted unanimously against a new nuclear power station at Bradwell), We have received notice from the Office of Nuclear Development that our concerns will be considered along with all the others. Subject to consultation and parliamentary scrutiny government intends to finalise and formally approve the National Policy Statements on new nuclear stations in the coming year. BLACKWATER AGAINST NEW NUCLEAR GROUP - B.A.N.N.G. BANG are a citizen based organisation based on Mersea Island. It has supporters who are pro-nuclear and who are anti-nuclear and some who are not sure where they stand. What unites them is a belief that Bradwell, for very good reasons, is a totally unsuitable site for a new mega nuclear power station and high level waste dump. West Mersea Town Council broadly agree with this view. Website www.banng.co.uk |
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| FOOTPATH 24 - SEAVIEW TO CROSS LANE Essex County Council made an order under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 that this footpath - FP24 - be reinstated (parallel to the old footpath). The owners (Seaview Caravan Park) have objected to this order and do not accept the charge that the route was recorded in error on the ECC Definitive Map. A two day Hearing was held in May 2011. The owners set out the full details of their objection in a Statement of Case. The Council's "Witnesses" made statements to the effect that they have used this footpath "as of right" for twenty years or more. After the Hearing a Judge found in favour of Essex County Councils and ordered that the path will be reinstated with modifications. The footpath will not be usable until all work has been carried out. Update There are still problems with the actual route of this path and a second hearing will be heard in July |
COUNCIL AGREES TO PARKING PARTNERSHIP WITH COLCHESTER CHARGES FOR ALL WEST MERSEA CAR PARKS At the meeting of 25th January West Mersea Town Council Agreed to enter into a Parking Partnership with Colchester Borough Council. Parking Charges will be enforced on all five West Mersea Car Parks. The initial set up costs - £32,000 (paid for by CBC). Revenue from parking charges as follows:- 40% taxes - 15% administration costs - The remaining 45% to be divided between West Mersea and Colchester. Money from parking fines and penalties will be shared between Colchester and Mersea. Parking Charges (updated 20th Feb) as follows:- All are Pay and Display Victoria Esplanade- Monday to Sunday Up to 3 hours £2.00 Over three hours (day rate) £3 Permits for beach hut owners - included with beach hut rental Season Tickets are available for regular visitors Weekly £10 - Monthly £35 - Annually £300 Willoughby Park Monday to Sunday Up to 3 hours £2 - Over 3 hours - £3 Season tickets are available for regular visitors Weekly £10 - Monthly £35 - Annually £300 High Street Car Park - rear of library Monday to Sunday - (wholly within a parking bay) Up to 1 hour - free - up to 2 hours - 20p Over 2 hours (day rate) £2.50 Overnight (6pm to 8am) 50p Season tickets - available for traders within Mersea High Street immediate area without other off street parking facilities (limited to a maximum of 2 tickets per business) - £50 Seaview Car Park Monday to Saturday - up to 1 hour - free. Up to 2 hours - 20p Over 2 hours - (day rate) £2.50 Overnight - (6pm to 8am) 50p Season tickets may be available for residents within immediate area who are without other off street parking facilities limited to a maximu of 1 ticket per residence - £50 Coast Road Car Park Monday to Sunday (wholly within parking bay) Up to 1 hour - free up to 2 hours - 20p Over 2 hours - (day rate) £2.50 - Overnight (6pm to 8am) 50p Special weekend "overnight" offer (6pm Friday to 8am Monday) £5 Any enquiries regarding car parking charges please ring 01206 282316 Remember - Although the first hour of parking is free you must still obtain a ticket For Blue Badge Information ring 0845 6037630 Season Tickets Season tickets are available for traders within the immediate area without other off street parking facilities - limited to a maximum of 2 tickets per business - £50 see below |
| Applying for A Season Ticket Residents or businesses interested in buying Season Tickets can do so - however due to the shortage of spaces limits have had to be applied to the number available. How to Apply for a Season Ticket in a West Mersea Car Park Season tickets are available for residents (with no other off street parking provision) in the High Street Car Park and Coast Road Car Park. High Street Available for traders within the immediate area without other off street parking facilities (limited to a maximum of 2 tickets per business) Coast Road Available for traders within the immediate area without other off street parking facilities (limited to a maximum of 1 ticket per business or boat - until further notice) Seaview Avenue Season tickets are available for residents (with no other off street parking provision) in Seaview Avenue Car Park for residents within the immediate area (limited to a maximum of 1 ticket per residence) may be exception to this if resident has height restrictions at property. Willoughby Park Available for regular visitors Victoria Esplanade Available for regular visitors Applying for a Season Ticket In order to ascertain the level of interest in season tickets, we are inviting you to apply for a season ticket before the charges come into effect. Forms are available from North East Essex Parking Partnership at Colchester Borough Council direct - please telephone 01206 282316 - or Visit West Mersea Town Council Offices at 10 Melrose Road, West Mersea to collect an application form from there. If you wish to appy for a season ticket at the relevant car park - please fill in an application for and return it, with payment, to either West Mersea Town Council Offices 10 Melrose Road, or post to North East Essex Parking Partnership PO Box 5575 Town Hall, Colchester CO1 9LT no later than 12th April 2012 All Season Tickets for Short Stay car parks (High Street, Coast Road and Seaview) are issued for 12 calendar months, commencing on the first day of the month All Season Tickets for Long Stay car parks (Willoughby Park and Victoria Esplanade)are issued, weekly, monthly or yearly, commencing on the first day of the week or month. Availability in some car parks is limited. For this reason, season tickets are limited to 1 per residence or business/boat and are based on the availability of alternative off street parking provision A season ticket does not guarantee a parking space. Normal car park regulations apply, except for time limits REfunds are available on surrender of the season ticket. The refund will be calculated on a daily basis less an administration fee of £10 Willoughby Park and Victoria Esplanade car parks are seasonal - April - September (weather permitting). During these times these car parks will be closed at 8pm PARKING PARTNERSHIP - FOR ENQUIRIES PLEASE RING 01206 282316 FOR BLUE BADGE INFORMATION - RING 0845 6037630 REMEMBER - ALTHOUGH THE FIRST HOUR IS FREE - YOU MUST STILL OBTAIN A TICKET The Penalty for non display of a ticket in any West Mersea Car Park is £50 or £25 if paid within 14 days |
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old oyster sheds - coast road photo - P. Richardson |
| THE OLD OYSTER SHEDS The Old Oyster Sheds in Coast Road have gone and work is well under way on the new "fine dining" restaurant. Proposals to knock down the Sheds and rebuild them in an upmarket design were approved by Colchester Planning Committee on 3 June. This decision was made despite deputations from residents and respected organizations in West Mersea who had many concerns about this development. The Town Council recommended refusal of these plans in 2007. We considered that the design of the building was out of keeping in the street scene and that the high profile style of the structure was out of harmony with the rest of the waterfront. We were also concerned about highway issues along the waterfront. The strong opposition put forward by Mersea representatives at the Colchester Planning meeting was largely based on local knowledge of the traffic dangers implicit on this narrow section of Coast Road. Mersea representatives attending the Borough Planning Meeting in June were disturbed at the ease with which precise planning policies could be so easily overturned. Despite all the above the new building is now finished - and we wish it success |
| GLEBE EXTENSION FIELDS The new fields at the Glebe will undergo a programme of soil enrichment and extra maintenance to be phased over the next three years. CUT IN COUNCIL PRECEPT The Borough Council have reduced the Town Council Precept (the money we receive annually to carry out our services) by half (£11,000) with effect from April 2011. PARISH COUNCIL SPENDING The Town Council Council Tax requirement has been accused (by the Courier) of being "the most expensive in the Borough". This statement is incorrect The table below shows each parish council's Council Tax requirement based on the parish part of the Council Tax for a property in the band D in the £ Fordham £81.99 East Donyland £80.80 East Mersea £68.28 Wivenhoe £60.77 West Mersea £59.30 Wakes Colne £52.09 Messing cum Inworth £50.78 Tiptree £48.18 Chappel £46.47 Copford £39. 01 Marks Tey £37.32 Aldham £36.98 Boxted £36.74 Eight Ash Green £36.14 Great Tey £35.64 Langham £34.13 Dedham £31.19 West Bergholt £30.82 Stanway £29.57 Little Horkesley £29.47 Fingringhoe £26.80 Birch £26.03 Mount Bures £22.16 Winstree Hundred £21.92 Abberton and Langenhoe £21.66 Layer de lay Haye £17.36 Myland £15.89 Wormingford £15.85 Great Horkesley £10.66 |
| The new labyrinth in the school gardens |
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| WEST MERSEA APPRAISAL AND TOWN PLAN 2009 To view the Town Appraisal click on the link below The West Mersea Appraisal and Town Plan 2009 |
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| DOGGY MATTERS It is an offence to allow your dog to foul a public area? £50 fixed penalty fines will be issued without warning to anyone not using a poop scoop - as required by law If you know of anyone who is allowing their dog to foul public areas or when and where they usually walk their dog please inform the Animal Warden Dog poop scoop bags are available from Angel Court Reception High Street - Colchester or from your Parish/Town Council at a cost of £1.30 per pack (PRICE INCREASE). NEW RULES FOR DOGS AND OWNERS AT GLEBE PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOGS OFF THE PITCHES AT THE GLEBE Reports in the Press have implied that dogs will be allowed on all of the Glebe this is entirely wrong. "Dogs will be allowed in the car park area on leads on no account are dogs to be allowed on any of the pitches" Dogs must be kept under control at all times at The Glebe. There will also be dog bins provided DOG FOULING ON THE BEACH New dog fouling laws with instant fines are now in force on the beach and elsewhere - our PCSO's are empowered to carry out the procedures for imposing these fines. £50 fixed penalty fines will be issued without warning to anyone not using a poop scoop as required by law. |
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RECYCLING Please check your copy of the recycling guide and calendar for a reminder of what is collected in each week and bank holiday arrangements. •Residents who need additional clear sacks can collect them for free from a range of locations. Download your copy of the recycling guide and find the list of locations stocking clear sacks by visiting www.colchester.gov.uk/recycling. •Alternatively both are available from the Customer Service Centre, Angel Court High Street, Colchester, email recycling@colchester.gov.uk or phone 01206 282700. LARGE GARDEN WASTE SACKS PLEASE NOTE we have more of these bags available to the public in our office in Melrose Road BUT THEY NOW COST £3.40 EACH. You can take your worn White garden bags to Angel Court in Colchester who will replace them (we do not have the facilities to take them in our Melrose Road offices) FREE RECYCLING CONTAINERS GREEN BOXES - Green recycling containers to residents are free. Customers are entitled to 1 green box, 1 roll of clear sacks during the year, they can pick up or order an additional roll from the Council Offices Melrose Road Mersea. BLACK PLASTIC BAGS Black Refuse Bags are delivered to West Mersea houses usually first week in May COMPOST BINS Compost Bins and food waste digesters are available at reduced prices via For more information on recycling - visit CBC website www.colchester.gov.uk/recycling |
by Cllr Sylvia Wargent for and on behalf of West Mersea Town Council *** This Website will not place any additional burden on the Town Council's Precept other than the provision of Internet access which is required by the Council anyway *** If you have any questions concerning the Town Council website Contact Council Secretary Carol Byrne at our offices in Melrose Road Office hours 9am to 1pm - Monday to Friday who will ensure that your queries are passed on to the Editor *** West Mersea Town Council is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. *** No responsibility is accepted for any loss arising from the use of information contained on this site *** Inclusion within the site does not imply the Council's recommendation. *** Website hosted by datapartners *** West Mersea Town Council - 2008 |
10 Melrose Road West Mersea Colchester Essex, CO5 8JD Telephone and Fax 01206 382128 E-mail: westmerseatc@aol.com Back to top of page |