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It’s a busy time for the letterboxes of Wivenhoe right now. Dropping on the doormats is The Chronicle, the WivSoc Newsletter (more to follow) and the Wivenhoe Town Council Newsletter. That’s either a cracking read for the weekend, or a free supply for the cat litter tray, depending on your point of view.

I fall into the positive category. WTC are something of an unloved lot, carrying out some fine work with often no reward. Councillor Needham quotes in the latest update from the Pop Genius of this Parish, with the wise words coming from the pages of the wonderful A Prospect of Wivenhoe:

“The WTC of recent times has always been rather nice and approachable. It chiefly comprises of people who know the worth of the place and love living here. Sometimes there are cock up… it would be unusual if there were not. At other times – when not hamstrung by the far larger Borough Council – our Councillors do genuinely good and valuable work, much of it behind the scenes.”

Hear, hear.

The Newsletter itself is a run through of common issues that the Town Council comes against, as well as opening up the decision making process for Wivenhoe locals.

Planning, as ever, is top of the pile. Pertinent is the explanation that:

“When a planning application is made, the decision over whether to allow or refuse it is made by the planning committee at Colchester Borough Council. WTC is always consulted in an advisory capacity, but does not actually make the decision.”

Local knowledge is the key. This is a model that dates back to the town elders (arf!) advising, albeit with no absolute power to implement. It must be a difficult balancing act in trying to move forward, yet sill retaining what makes Wivenhoe so special for many.

Councillor Penny Kraft pens a short piece praising Mick and Lesley Wells, the team that manages the William Loveless Hall. More than sixty different clubs use the facility, with discount for hire available to local residents.

The possibility of developing the green space opposite Millfields School is also mentioned in the newsletter. With Elmstead Parish Council actually owning the land, the hands of WTC seem tied.

Although no formal planning permission has been made at present, plans are already in place to try and keep away the developers. The most inventive of these is an application that has been lodged to convert it to Village Green status.

Councillor Cyril Liddy writes a passage explaining the consultation to increase the WTC to thirteen Councillors from the current tally of eleven. Once again it is worth emphasising that this is a volunteer role. No budget will be eaten into – it is simply a necessity of the increased workload.

Mr Mayor, Brian Sinclair, updates locals about the situation on the roads following the recent run of bad weather. Put simply, gritting every highway within Wivenhoe is not an option. With Essex County Highways funds for the grit in short supply, WTC took the decision itself to buy a pallet of salt, which still wasn’t sufficient.

Councillor Liddy also writes a personal view on the future of the old Engine Shed behind the railway station. It is a depressing, but pragmatic read, with Councillor Liddy concluding:

“I think that it is time that we faced up to the fact that the building will never now be saved. We should discard our sentimental attachment to the flapping asphalt roof, the scaffolding and the drab fence boards. Paradoxically it is protected from demolition, but not from dereliction.”

Councillor Liddy calls for the Secretary of State to de-list the building, and use the land for a purpose that will help to improve Wivenhoe. Further car parking for the train station is mentioned.

Speaking of pragmatism, Councillor Needham pens the most telling piece in the WTC Newsletter, offering up a view on how to deal with the cuts on a local level:

“CBC has previously awarded an annual grant support grant to Wivenhoe and all other town and parish councils in the district. In Wivenhoe, the grant is worth approximately £32,500. CBC has cut the grant by 50%.”

Blimey.

“If you are interested in hearing how we are tackling this financial storm, pop in to one of the monthly Council meetings. The genuinely good and valuable work doesn’t necessarily have to be behind the scenes.”

Ah – now *there’s* an idea…

*plus top marks for WTC in enabling Transition Town Wivenhoe to have a flyer distributed to every house with the Newsletter.*