Category: News and Announcements

Telecommunications Mast

Mobile Telecommunications Mast

Despite the best efforts of the Parish Council, there will, regrettably, be no Mobile Mast erected in the Parish for at least a year.

This decision has been taken by Arquiva, the company who have the contract from the government body funding the scheme to cut down the number of “not spots” in the country (of which we are one, as reinforced by the survey we undertook). This government body is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and they have endorsed this decision.

The reason they have given for the decision is that funding for this scheme runs out in March 2016 and if they cannot restart the process until October, this would give them insufficient time to complete before the funding runs out. The significance of October is that this is when the Craystons complete their purchase of Hunts Hall, near to which is the currently preferred site. We have pointed out that the Notts, who are selling the property, are willing to co-operate in the process and sign any necessary documents, but to no avail.

Other factors leading to this decision are the history of problems and objections which have been encountered to date; regrettably many of the recent objections contained inaccuracies. Additional factors were the inefficiency of Arquiva’s agents Harlequin, and the fact that Arquiva have already spent considerable sums of grant money surveying and assessing three sites in Pebmarsh.

It is possible that funding for this will be renewed for a further year (until March 2017) but we will not know this until later in the year. If this happens then we should be in the frame again.

Survey – Telecommunications Mast

Thank you to all who have returned the survey, we have had an excellent response so far, which provides the Parish Council with a good overall view of current mobile coverage and opinion, which will aid in forthcoming consultations. We need them back by Friday 5 June, so if you haven’t returned it yet, please do so ASAP!

You should all have received a survey and a prepaid envelope through your door – if you have not, please contact the Clerk at either:
pebmarshpc@hotmail.com
or on 07790 598363.

Thank you for your support.
Philippa Potter
Clerk

Reminder: Check ID for Council Workers

Essex County Council’s Highways Teams will be out around the county mending pot holes over the next three months and they wish to remind residents that if anyone knocks on their door to say they are working for the Council, please ensure that you ask them for ID. If you are unsure whether they are genuine, please contact ECC on 01245 430670 and they will make the necessary checks.

Temporary Road Closure Notice

To temporarily close the length of Cripple Corner, Twinstead/Pebmarsh/Alphamstone from a point approximately 140 metres south of the junction with Lorkins Lane, south for a distance of approximately 50 metres.

The closure is scheduled to commence on 24 February 2014 for 10 days or where appropriate signs are showing and weather permitting.

The alternative route will be via Cripple Corner – Cross End Road – The Street – Maplestead Road – Oak Road – Twinstead Road – Cripple Corner and vice versa.

Access for emergency service vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained at all times during the closure.

Any queries, please contact Essex Highways on 01245 342892.

Switch to e-billing for Council Tax Bills

Register for e-billing for your Council Tax bill and save both time and money.

Braintree District Council’s e-billing system allows residents to register and receive their council tax bill and correspondence via email rather the post. Businesses can also register and receive their business rates bill online.

Register before the end of January 2014 to ensure your account is recorded for the 2014/15 bills, at: www.braintree.gov.uk/e-billing

Cllr David Bebb, Cabinet Member for Resources at Braintree District Council said:
“As with utility companies, many people prefer to receive bills and correspondence online, and via the e-billing system we want to significantly reduce the number of people receiving their bills through the post.”

Available to any Council Tax/Non Domestic ratepayer, e-billing is available to those that pay via direct debit or monthly.

Cllr Bebb added: “This is not about the way you pay your bill but rather how you receive the bill itself. We currently have over 62,000 live accounts paying council tax and almost 4500 business rate payers, and we estimate that around £25,000 is being spent each year in contacting people, to send their bill, and then in reminders or other correspondence.

“This is money that we would rather spend elsewhere and so the more people we can sign up to e-billing the better.”