Category: Colchester

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Garden Waste Collections to Change

Colchester Changes Garden Waste Collections

Garden Waste Collection - AI generated image in style of Constable

From January 2024 Colchester City Council will be charging for Garden Waste collections. With ever-reducing government support and increasing costs, CCC are having to look elsewhere to raise revenue to maintain services. You will still be able to dispose of garden waste at  Colchester’s Household Recycling Centres, and the City Council will also work to encourage other options such as composting.

You will no longer be able to use the current Garden sacks, but you can choose between 140L and 240L wheelie bins instead. If you already have a wheelie bin you can continue to use it but will still have to pay. If you want to return an existing, bin the City Council will make provision to receive them.

Charges

The new service will require you to pay £35 to register for the service plus £55 per year per bin – a household can have up to 4 bins. You can get more details from CCC’s website.

Find out about current rubbish & recycling on our website here.

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Bike Theft on the Increase

Bike Theft on the Increase – How can you protect yours?

Bike Theft image in the style of John Constable generated by AI

Bike theft in the Colchester area increased by 26% over the past month. Although the figures for bikes stolen from West Bergholt/Eight Ash Green remain low (only one theft last month) please remain vigilant and make sure that you keep your bike secure at all times.

Below are a few reminders of how you can reduce the risk of having your bicycle stolen.

1. Locks

A high-quality robust lock is the first line of defence. Choose one that is made of hardened steel that cannot be easily cut or broken, avoid flimsy cable locks that are easy to cut. Also try using multiple locks of different types to make it more challenging for thieves.

2. Securing at home

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Coronation Weekend – have you got plans?

King Charles III Coronation Weekend

Have you got plans for the Coronation weekend?

If you don’t have plans for Coronation weekend perhaps some of the following might appeal:

Friday

The Vocal Zones Choir will be celebrating the Coronation in style at St Mary’s Church from 7:30 pm, tickets at the door are £3 (cash) to include wine and light refreshments. 

Saturday

Some of the birds seen/heard at the 2022 Dawn Chorus walk

Why not take in the Dawn Chorus and be back home in time for the Coronation?  Steve Hallam will be leading the walk starting from the Old Church at 3:45 – read more about this, and several other bird walks taking place this weekend, here.

Coronation Picnic in the Upper Castle Park will run from 10 am until 4 pm.  Bring your own picnic or buy from street food stalls from Colchester Market.

Sunday

There is a Family Fun Day Coronation Celebration at the Mercury Theatre’s Piazza from 11 am – 3 pm.  This event is free and includes live music, family games & crafts and cream teas.   

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Stroll with a Patrol and other News Updates

Essex Police Invite you to Stroll with a Patrol.

Other news items in this update include:

Stroll with a Patrol

Essex Police - Stroll with a Patrol

PC Dex Adams, the Colchester Community Safety & Engagement Officer, invites you to join a patrol.

West Bergholt is one the first of dozens of locations where residents are being invited to join a patrol. They will be coming to West Bergholt at 6 pm on 7th May 2023, where you can join them at Orpen Hall.

The hour will start with a ‘Street Meet’ for those who wish to speak to the patrol but not join them on it. This is a really great opportunity for you and the local residents to come along, speak to, raise issues and get to know the community policing team that are responsible for our area.

Reporting a Crime

Related to the patrol, we have had a link shared with us for reporting crime to the police, click here if you want to use it.

Community

Your Annual Meeting – Will you be attending?

The Annual Parish Meeting might be hosted by the Parish Council but it is very much YOUR meeting. 

Continue reading “Stroll with a Patrol and other News Updates”
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City & Parish Council Elections on Thursday May 4th 2023

Notice of Elections on May 4th 2023

May 4th 2023 is the date of the first GB elections requiring photo ID.

The Returning Officer of Colchester City Council has issued official Notice of elections. Affectionately known as ‘Star Wars day’ by some, the elections will take place on May 4th 2023. This affects the Lexden & Braiswick Ward of the City Council and, potentially, West Bergholt Parish Council.

Photo ID

Registered electors will need to show Photo ID (or Voter Authority Certificates as per 6 below), for the first time in Great Britain. The list of valid ID is long and with some idiosyncrasies as mentioned in this article.

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News Update – the Voter ID Edition

Voter ID, Roadworks & Odd Smells

Voter ID now required to vote

First, Voter ID, but if you want to skip to A12 Roadworks starting on 4th February, click this link. If you want to see where all upcoming roadworks are visit this page on our website. If you are wondering what the unusual smell is click this link.

Photographic Voter ID Now Required

The Council Elections taking place on 4th May 2023 will be the first at which registered electors will need to show an approved Photo ID in order to vote. If you don’t have a valid ID you can apply for a free Voter ID Card.

Your Photo ID doesn’t have to still be ‘in date’ as long as it still looks like you so expired Passports etc… can still be used.

Continue reading “News Update – the Voter ID Edition”
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Halloween – Fun or Fear?

Halloween imagery

Essex Police are concerned that while many enjoy Halloween, some might not.  Also, below, is news of a Colchester Business Opinion Survey. If you run a small, or a large business, you might want to check it out.  First of all, though, what do Essex Police have to say about Halloween?

Halloween

Halloween is a fun and exciting time for many but some people can find it unsettling. It’s often a busy time for police too.  This Halloween they would like to remind everyone to think of others and be considerate around those not taking part. They say that they will take a robust approach to anyone causing problems.

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Colchester takes action against Anti-social Vehicle Use

Anti-social vehicle use is targeted by Public Space Protection Order

Map showing area in which Anti-social vehicle use will be targeted

Following a period of consultation Colchester Borough Council has introduced a Public Space Protection Order to target anti-social vehicle use. The order came into effect on 30th September and will remain in place for three years.

Specifically, within the area shown on the map, the council prohibits:

  1. Engaging in, promoting, encouraging, or assisting in the carrying out of any activity connected to the use of a motor vehicle, inclusive of motorbikes on a public highway, public car park or any other land to which the public has access in the Colchester Borough Council district area (Restricted Area) and which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.
  2. Congregating or loitering as part of a group surrounding or within one or more stationary vehicles at any time where such activity causes noise, exhaust fumes, harassment, alarm, or distress
  3. Causing or permitting excessive amplified music or vehicular noise, and/or excessive emissions of exhaust fumes where such activity causes harassment, alarm, or distress
  4. Using a skateboard, pedal cycle, which includes a power assisted pedal cycle, or a pedal cycle in combination with a trailer, constructed or adapted for carrying one or more passengers, scooter, skates or any other self-propelled wheeled vehicle in such a manner as to cause damage to property or that causes or is likely to cause intimidation, harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person.

Why the order is coming into place

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The “Back to Normal” News Update

Back to Normal sign

Back to Normal

As the nation gets back to normal routines, it’s time to catch up on some local news. Click the links to the updates that interest you:

Colchester City Centre Masterplan

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Road Closures & Fear of Crime

Fear of Crime

CBC's Fear of Crime Survey

Colchester Borough Council have launched a ‘Fear of Crime’ survey. They are keen to understand people’s feelings around public safety, and whether residents have either been a victim of, or fear becoming a victim of crime. Fear of Crime means different things to different people, this could include:

  • not feeling safe in the community,
  • fear of burglary, or
  • possible violent or physical harm.

The survey takes about 10 minutes of your time to complete and will help them learn about experiences in the area. The survey is open until 19th September.

Road Closures

There are two upcoming road closures:

  • Newbridge Hill – 11th September, and
  • New Church Road – 22nd September

More details below:

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