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West Mersea Town Council website.FIND all the information you would normally have to search for, all in one place. ~ West Mersea is a town of close to 7,000 folk, situated at the western end of Mersea Island. We're joined to the mainland by a causeway called The Strood, but twice a day when the tide is 'in', we are a real island. Most locals carry a Tide Timetable so's not to be stuck on the wrong side. ~ ~ You can find us in North Eastern corner of Essex - at the point where the Blackwater Estuary joins the Colne River - and the North Sea - we're 10 miles south of Colchester - Britains oldest recorded town and earliest Roman capital CAMULODUNUM ~ |
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| ~ Many visitors come here because of our Native Oyster Industry - so beloved by foodies. They also visit to sample local wines and beers at the Mersea Vineyard. We're also well known by the sailing fraternity who come to take part in Old Gaffers Races or the West Mersea Regatta. In August the two Local sailing clubs - Dabchicks Sailing Club and West Mersea Yacht Club host Mersea Week. ~ ~ To wash some of that salt away, why not visit one of our well known restaurants serving local fare - The Company Shed, West Mersea Oyster Bar, or Art Cafe. Click here for full list of local pubs and restaurants. ~ We have all the latest on what the Town Council is up to - and we have a lot more besides - such as..... WHATS ON IN MERSEA? Click on to our EVENTS page for an up to date diary of events either on or not far from the island 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 To find out some FASCINATING FACTS about Mersea Island ~ Click on tab left To view the latest and most recent COMMUNITY EVENT PHOTOSS - Click on COMMUNITY To look at PHOTOS AND PICTURES OF MERSEA - OLD AND NEW - Click on IMAGES Interested in BOOKS ABOUT MERSEA? For a full list of local books Click on LEISURE .....and more and more.....but first ....... |
The next Agenda will be posted on this website when available - items for discussion will be - New Glebe Pavilion - New Lease for Glebe - Possible infilling on Waterfront for car and dinghy parking - new nuclear build at Bradwell For Recent ~ More Community Based News ~ Click on "Community" See below for a rough idea of what the new Pavilion it will look like Moves are afoot to replace the old pavilion at the Glebe with a new one on the present site (the existing pavilion is in a poor state of repair and would require extensive modernisation). A new development would provide additional changing facilites and have an outside viewing area by way of a balcony. It is anticipated that there would be more social space for use by sporting bodies within Mersea as well as opportunities to let the pavilion out for external functions. The new building would cost about £600,000 minimum and the Town Council will be applying for a grant - possibly from the Football Association. This matter will be discussed at the next Council meeting in August After several technical/legal hitches - the Council is now almost ready to sign the lease on the new Glebe extension; it is due back from the Solicitors shortly. The definition of "public open space and/or football pitches" is considered sufficiently encompassing that it would include other recreational uses. Mersea Homes have made no objections as to our proposals for the new fields. This means that we will be able to go ahead with the BMX track to the north of the field - but we will need to gain planning permission first. NEW SURGERY FOR WEST MERSEA UPDATE The Government have recently stated that they want to see 150 Polyclinics set up across the country but some GP's fear that the era of local family doctors could be under threat - plus the fact that any other new surgeries cannot be planned for the future because now everyone is insure what the situation will be. In the meantime plans for Mersea's proposed own new Surgery seem to have taken a backward step - the Primary Care Trust LIFT Committee are currently commissioning a new architect and new plans are due to be drawn up. We are told that our Surgery will come up for discussion again in September and Planning Permission will probably be sought in January 2009 Mersea's surgery is not adequate. We must trust that the current LIFT committee are a good deal more efficient than their predecessors. At the present time building the proposed surgery on any of West Mersea's designated open space would contravene current planning legislation - the land would need to be re-designated. Under National Playing Field guidelines Mersea is, at present ,short of open space per head of population. In addition - current planning rules state that an alternative piece of land of equivalent size must be provided to replace any land lost. WILL THE TOWN COUNCIL GET VILLAGE GREEN STATUS FOR THE YOUTH FIELD? UPDATE The Public Hearing for Village Green status for the School or Youth field was held on the 16th April at the MICA Centre before Inspector Edwin Simpson. Many witnesses - local Mersea people - stated in various ways how they and their families had used the field "as of right" for most of their lives. The Inspector's Report will go before the Development and Regulation Committee of Essex County Council - who will make the final decision which is expected within the next few months. (backgound to this story) For several years West Mersea Town Council have been appealing against the refusal by Essex County Council to grant permission to designate the Youth Field (to the rear of School Gardens) a "village green". Essex County Council, who own the land, state that it is now "surplus to requirements" and that in an effort to "maximise their assets" they cannot promise not to sell it off for development. We, the Council, have to prove that the land has been used as common land by the people of Mersea "as of right" for many years. These fields are the last remaining green spaces in the middle of the town. West Mersea Town Council, who have maintained this field for many years, wish to turn the whole area into a proper public park for future generations to enjoy. The Town Council have instructed their own top Barrister - David Ainger - to represent their case and have approved a budget for this, including an additional charge on the Precept this year to cover the £10,000 legal fees The Council have already spent about £25,000 in the past seven years on ongoing legal fees. THANK YOU MERSEA PEOPLE! The Town Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Mersea "locals" who gave evidence to the Hearing as to their use of the Youth field "as of right" during their lifetimes |
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DOG FOULING IN WEST MERSEA Did you know that 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 Free poop scoop bags are available from Angel Court Reception - High Street - Colchester or from your Parish/Town Council Colchester Animal Control Service - Tel 01206 282582 NEW DOGGY RULES AT 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 but 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. The Borough have recommended that dogs be kept on leads during the summer season from 10am to 5pm - the Town Council think that this would be unenforceable and have informed the Borough that they recommend that dogs be "kept under control at all times" DOGGY POO BAGS are now available from the Council Offices in Melrose Road £1 for 100 doggy bags POLICE NIGHT TIME PATROLS NON EMERGENCY POLICE TELEPHONE NUMBER NOW AVAILABLE The Council have been asked by members of the public whether the Police of the Community Police patrol the streets of Mersea in the evenings and late at night when there is more likelihood of problems. we are assured by the "powers that be" that the Police and Community Police do indeed patrol the streets regularly between 8pm and the early hours To call the Non Emergency Police Number Tel. 0300 333 4444 RECYCLING CALENDARS Recycling Calendars this year will be delivered with your Council Tax Bill - after this they are available from the Council Offices in Melrose Road. BEACH MATTERS Among the matters discussed at the recent Beach Working Group meeting were the following:- Bathing Platforms There is to be one extra bathing platform this season - the existing bathing platforms will now have their own names Pay and Display Car Parks?? Several members of the Beach Working Group wish that West Mersea Town Council car parks at Seaview and Willoughby should have pay and display machines. The Victoria Esplanade Car Park which is owned by the Borough is a "charging" car park but loses money. WM Councillors are split on this issue Water Bailiff Working hours of John Welham our Water Bailiff have been slightly increased BEACH SEGREGATION - WINDSURFERS AND BATHERS At previous meetings the Beach Working Group have discussed the matter of beach segregation to accommodate all beach users. The RNLI have advised us that it would be beneficial to have some segregation. This could be either to confine activities to a specific location or segregate activities that are compatible by time - distance and/or barriers PROPOSED NEW LAUNCH AREAS FOR WINDSURFERS At an earlier Beach Meeting it was proposed to have an additional launch area for windsurfers in the region of the disused ice cream kiosk. The suggestion came about because this is where windsurfers already park and walk through the beach huts to launch; but Beach Hut Owners in the vicinity were not happy with this proposal due to the closeness of the playground and the cafe plus the disturbance to them and danger to children and bathers. A number of alternatives were put forward - rather than launching in the vicinity of Victoria Esplanade Car Park where the beach is narrow and the area most commonly used by swimmers - is to encourage windsufers to use the Seaview Avenue Car Park (owned by the Town Council) where there is already a designated launching area. The Town Council concurred with the Seaview proposals but also suggested that an area at Waldegraves Caravan Park might possibly be used. LARGE WHITE GARDEN BAGS up to 4 free replacement bags for any residents whose bags are badly damaged or missing - PLEASE NOTE - WE HAVE RUN OUT OF THESE WHITE BAGS FOR THE TIME BEING - WE ARE TOLD THAT MORE WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON FREE RECYCLING CONTAINERS As from 1st April recycling containers to residents are free. Customers are entitled to 1 green box, 1 roll of clear sacks. One roll of black plastic sacks and one roll of clear sacks are shortly to be delivered to all residents. BLACK PLASTIC BAGS 52 black sacks and 52 clear sacks(for plastic and paper recycling) will be delivered to each house in West Mersea on 5-7th May and 12-14th May |
| Allotments These are at Berwick on Tweed nice aren't they? |
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IF WE DO IT WILL COST £10 MILLION!! Every now and again the Council receive letters from residents requesting that a bridge be built over the Strood. After receiving one such letter recently the Mayor on behalf of the Council wrote to Essex County Council. The following is part of a letter the Council received from the Area Highway Manager of Essex County Council this problem could resolved without the need to construct a bridge by building a new road on the embankment adjacent to the existing carriageway. However, the cost of this work is likely to exceed £10 million and this sum cannot be accommodated in the current give year programme approved in the Essex Local Transport Plan. Regrettably, there are many worthwhile schemes which remain on our wish list whilst the County Council attempt to address the serious congestion and road safety problems caused by the perpetual rise in vehicle movements on the road network in Essex. Some of us are tempted to say to those who want a bridge - if you did not want to live on an island - why did you move here! TOILETS ON THE ESPLANADE Council plans to demolish two toilet blocks along the Esplanade and replace them with one in a central position on the seaward side of Victoria Esplanade has met with concerns by some other residents. Whilst welcoming the promise to upgrade toilet facilities certain residents still object to the loss of one toilet block - and would prefer two toilets one on each side of the road. However - no final decisions have been made as to location and design and at the present time no funding is available There is a possibility that selling off the small garden and seating area on corner of Fairhaven plus a similar plot near the other toilets close to Willoughby Car Park - for development - could offset costs for the new toilets. At the present time there is some debate as to whether these plots are development land or designated open space. The question remains that if these two locations are sold off as prime building land - thus raising about £300K - will the proceeds from this land sale actually be spent in Mersea (on toilets or anything else) or will the money just go back to Colchester for Colchester? We will keep you posted.... NEW PARKING ALIGNMENT AT THE GLEBE The Town Council Groundsmen have been working hard at the Glebe re-arranging the car parking facilities in order to create more spaces. Several oak saplings in the parking area have been cut down - the Council would like to hear if anyone has any information as to who did this - these trees are Council property and we will prosecute if we find out who damaged them (the local Police are aware!) We would ask Glebe motorists to please park chevron fashion in front of the field. Access to the new Glebe is in the corner of the first field at the northern end. Please do not access the new Glebe extension by walking over the football pitches or tennis area Will boys wearing football boots - please please keep off the cricket square! Update - good news - the oak tree saplings that were cut off are now starting to sprout from the bottom RECENT FINANCIAL MATTERS - WEST MERSEA TOWN COUNCIL The Council have agreed to a 4% increase in Council staff wages As from 1st May charges for Firs Road Cemetery will be increased by 10% - charges for Feldy Woodland Cemetery will be increased by 4% At the next full Council Meeting the Finance Committee will put forward a proposal to increase the Meals on Wheels from £2.50 to £2.75 The Council have agreed that £1,500 of the 2009/10 budget be set aside as a "Youth Contingency Fund". |
| BMX track coming to the Glebe SOON!!! we hope |
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YOUTH POD The lease on the School Gardens in Barfield Road comes up for renewal next year - July 2009. The Town Council have recently enquired as to whether they will be able to renew this lease. We have been told by Lambert Smith Hampton - Solicitors for Essex County Council - that at the present time it would be difficult to agree the terms of a new lease as the Village Green Enquiry on the adjacent Essex County Council land will clearly have implications on the terms of any lease - or if, indeed, it will even be renewed. In the meantime we cannot push ahead with plans to refurbish the School Gardens. YOUTH POD Essex County Council have agreed in principle to allow the Town Council to site a "Youth Pod" on the School Gardens - subject to obtaining planning permission and any other permission associated with this facility and subject to agreement with neighbouring properties. There are concerns that properties nearby and opposite may have some objections to the Youth Pod especially if it attracts large numbers of youths and cause "youth nuisance". If sufficient complaints were to be received Essex reserve the right to terminate the agreement for this facility It should be noted that most towns and villages not too far from Mersea already have youth pods and they seem to work quite well. ALLOTMENTS - UPDATE We are hoping that negotiations with a farmer at East Mersea will lead to about three acres of land being turned into roughly seventy allotments which can be let to the people of Mersea Island in the not too distant future. The Town Council have yet to confirm the details/proposed rents and draw up the legal agreement. At the present time there are about thirty five people who have shown an interest in renting an allotment - but the more that come forward - the less the cost to each allotment holder. If you are interested please contact the Council Offices who will put you in touch with the newly formed Allotment Association or contact them direct. In the meantime, negotiations are continuing with a view to a possible piece of land in West Mersea which might also be made available for allotments |
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Sample of a "Youth Pod" |
A 12 ENQUIRY Peldon to Salcot THE LANE - WEST MERSEA Essex County Council ~ new highway proposals for The Lane Vehicles exceeding a width of 6ft will be prohibited from using The Lane from the boundary of No's 9 and 11 southwards to a point level with the southern wall of No 4 If you wish to object to this Order please contact East Area Highway Office on 01206 838600 TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF KINGSLAND ROAD Kingsland Road - from its junction with Barfield Road south - for the remainder of its entire length - will be closed on 28th July for 5 days for repairs RESURFACING WORK AT REYMEAD CLOSE resurfacing will commence on Reymead Close on 24th July for 5 days MAJOR POWER SHIFT TO LIB DEMS Colchester bucked the national trend in May's Borough elections by losing seats and some senior councillors. The Conservatives declined to power share and as a result the Cabinet will now comprise five Liberal Democrat councillors, two Labour representatives and one Independent. Proposed Make Up of New Cabinet Anne Turrell - LIB - Leader of the Council Martin Hunt - LIB - Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for customers and communities Paul Smith - LIB - Resources and Business Portfolio holder Linda Barton - LIB - Regeneration and Planning portfolio holder Theresa Higgins - LIB - Culture tourism and diversity portfolio holder Tim Young - LAB - Street and Waste services portfolio holder Tina Dopson - LAB - Performance, partnership and waste policy portfolio holder Beverley Oxford - IND - Neighbourhoods portfolio holder NEW POWER STATION AT BRADWELL?? We have been informed that British Energy will be making a presentation on "New Build at Bradwell" to the Town Council shortly! |
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Bridge over Strood - is this what it would look like? |
Mersea Carnival is being held in conjunction with Mersea Lions Fete on 26th July 2008 and now is the time to get your float entries in The theme for this year is "Films and Musicals". If you require further information regarding the Carnival please contact either Eric Straughan on 385343 or Laura McCarthy on 07809 150 048 The Town Council have donated £250 towards carnival funds SCHOOL GARDENS TIDY UP DROP IN RECORDED CRIME FIGURES COME AND MEET YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION PANEL - or NAP PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT THE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES for further details click on to SERVICES tag RECOMMENDATION/DECISION ON RESURFACING PRINCE ALBERT ROAD That Prince Albert Road between its junction with Oakwood Avenue and Queen Anne Road is not to the satisfaction of Essex County Council The County Council hereby resolves that the said street be sewered, levelled, paved, metalled, flagged, channelled, made good and lighted and subject to the private street works code the expenses incurred by the said Council in executing those works shall be apportioned between the premises fronting the street |
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The New Glebe fields looking south as yet hardly used |
| Corners of Victoria Esplanade - Empress Avenue - Willoughby Avenue Fairhaven Avenue Existing "No Waiting 8am to 6pm 1st April to 30th Sept to be replaced with "No Waiting at Any Time" High Street - War Memorial - existing "No Waiting 8am to 6pm 7 days" to be replaced with "Reduction to Mon to Sat 8am to 6pm" Church Road - Existing 30 mins limited waiting on any day 8am to 6pm to be replaced with 30 mins limited waiting Mon to Sat 8am to 6pm Coast Road - existing "No waiting 8am to 6pm daily from 1st April to 30 Sept to be replaced with "NO WAITING AT ANY TIME" These proposals are yet to be ratified by Council - details available at the Council Offices in Melrose Road TRAVEL CONCESSION SCHEME Free travel in England 9.30am to 11pm weekdays all day weekends and Bank holidays. We are pleased to announce that the West Mersea to Colchester - the 67A route has been added to this free scheme Monday to Friday - starting 9 am Bus Operator - FIRST PARISH GRANT Shortly the Town Council will be bidding for money from the Parish Grant Scheme - West Mersea will be asking for funds for - perimeter fencing for the grass tennis courts new tennis pavilion - and possibly disabled access area at the beach NEW GLEBE FIELDS pitches at the Glebe in an attempt to make them fit for play for the football season in September - at the present time there seem to be problematical "undulations" on the land. Floodlights At the moment the floodlighting on the practice pitch - on the old Glebe - is not fully functional |
| This is a rough idea as to what the new Pavilion at the Glebe will look like! |
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Be upstanding for the West Mersea Mayor Cllr Alan Mogridge 2008/9 |
~ Off for a night shift ~ |
Website writing and admin ~ Cllr Sylvia Wargent and Cllr Noelle Urquhart If you have any queries or questions concerning this website please contact our Council Secretary Carol Byrne at the Council offices in Melrose Road who will pass on any messages Monday to Friday. - 10 Melrose Road - West Mersea. CO5 8JD Tel 01206 382128 E Mail - WESTMERSEATC@aol.com |
West Mersea Colchester Essex, CO5 8JD Telephone and Fax 01206 382128 E-mail: westmerseatc@aol.com Back to top of page |