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If it’s the Wednesday after a WTC Monday meeting, then it must mean that it’s to the Nottage! …for a committee meeting catch up with the good folk of WivSoc.

And keeping in with the calendar theme, here’s the monthly disclaimer: I am a member of the Wivenhoe Society, although not a committee member. All views expressed within this blog post are mine alone, and not that of the committee, or the Society in general.

Phew.

Thirteen agenda items were up for discussion on Wednesday evening. You won’t find any of Mr Tony’s sofa style lounging around at the top table either. Mr Chair runs a tight ship at the Nottage (ahoy!) although all members get a chance to offer views and influence the direction of the group.

Minutes approved, no matter arising and then we were straight into the WTC meeting report from two days previous. Once again, I refer my honourable colleagues to the blog post I bashed out on Monday evening.

The only reference to add is that WivSoc collectively shares a frustration that the 20mph speed limit has yet to be formally implemented around the lower end of the town. The signs are up, the under secret wraps style bin bags have long since been blown into the Colne.

All we need right now is Colchester Borough Council to rubber stamp the deal…

The Treasurer’s Report came up with the rabbit out of a hat trick of balancing the books.

Blimey.

There is an incoming profit over an outgoing expenditure of *shhh* I really couldn’t say. If you’re holding out for WivSoc to buy up the Engine Shed and convert it into a state of the art nightclub with laser shows, a hot tub and pole dancers, than you’ll probably be waiting for a little while longer. No worries however in paying the cost for printing up the latest WivSoc newsletter though.

The Secretary’s Report updated the committee with the current state of play over the Parish Paths Partnership. This is essentially a local working group that meets regularly to keep our much-valued walking routes clear and unobstructed.

It appears that the P3 (clever) do such a good job, that they have actually sourced themselves out of any work. The suggestion for the next step ahead is to work with neighbouring villages that don’t quite share the same enthusiasm for this type of project. Lending a hand in helping to clear the Elmstead paths was put up as the suggestion.

With this being the final committee meeting ahead of the WivSoc AGM at the Nottage next Wednesday, plans were finalised over the formalities. It is greatly encouraging to hear that three new committee members have stepped forward; it is equally encouraging to know that the booze is already in place for the evening.

Chin Chin.

On to Planning…

“I’ve lost the plot on this,” confessed a rather prominent WivSoc committee member. Haven’t we all, Comrade, haven’t we all.

The committee collectively welcomed the very generous offer of Colchester Borough Councillor Steve Ford of Wivenhoe Quay to attend the monthly meetings. This is a challenging time for anyone with an interest in preserving the unique local character of a town like Wivenhoe.

Changes in planning law are about to make any objections to an application to be channelled through a councillor. On a wider scale, the budget of earlier in the day seemed to side with developers as the scramble to build new homes continues apace.

On a #hyperlocal level and two new applications have been received within Wivenhoe in the past month. A De Vere Close property has put in a planning application for a change in the exterior, following the demolition of an existing structure; a property in Brook Street is planning to demolish some existing walls.

Once again, time to repeat my personal mantra of not publicly commenting on any residential planning applications. You never know when you may want to build that superstore in your own back garden…

WivSoc has formally lodged an objection (pre-budget…) on the planned re-development of Rowhedge Wharf. Whilst not objecting to the overall use of what is currently an empty shack, the access road right along Rowhedge Quay is considered to be an issue for Wivenhoe residents. The alternative suggestion is to locate this behind the first row of new houses, as is the case with West Quay.

But it’s not all about building new structures - sometimes it’s about trying to knock them down. Here we go again then with the Engine Shied.

Oh Lordy.

There seems to be a growing consensus around the town that it is finally time to give up the ghost with the dilapidated old building outside the station. Fund raising attempts to save the structure have unfortunately failed. What we are left with is a great big eyesore within the heart of Wivenhoe.

This was the personal view put forward by Cllr Liddy in the recent WTC newsletter. WivSoc is also of this opinion, with the committee discussing on Wednesday evening possible ways to de-list the building. Dialogue with Network Rail, Colchester Borough Council, WTC, English Heritage and most importantly, local residents, is being explored.

But then with any grand gesture or movement, you need to plan for the what next scenario. More car park space for the station? This certainly might ease the congestion around West Quay. Private property? Isn’t Wivenhoe already full?

It is an incredibly delicate situation that the town has to face up to over the coming months. The old building is crumbling by the day, It ‘aint gonna win any architectural beauty contests, and the land could be put to far better use.

After such gloom, it was encouraging to address the next item agenda of the Local List. This is essentially a working party of interested locals who want to identify any buildings within the town of cultural or historical interest.

Not all of the many grand old structures are listed - some, such as the Engine Shed, we wish weren’t. But with developers hovering around Wivenhoe like architectural ravens waiting for their prey, now is the time to protect some of our most historic buildings within the town.

An inclusive working group is growing around the Local List. WivSoc has two members representing. Anyone else wanting to join is more than welcome. It seems a most social gathering, and speaking of which, here comes the WivSoc social updates.

Hurrah!

The Heritage Walk is confirmed for 8th May (Hello Mum! Hello Dad! Do come…) Bookings are already coming in for the WivSoc Fun Day on 10th September. Some Young Turk has even suggested the idea of inflatable sumo wrestling in St Mary’s churchyard.

Cripes.

Debate then turned towards which local group to donate the money raised for Open Gardens. In these uncertain economic times, and for all the folly of the #bigsociety, there was no shortage of worthy causes around Wivenhoe who could do with a little financial boost right now.

In the end, the committee was unanimous in supporting Helping Hands, a relatively new group that offers very real and practical assistance to those that need it around the town.

Any Other Business wrapped up with a call for copy for the most excellent WivSoc newsletter, currently scheduled to go to the printers at the start of April.

And so it’s WivSoc AGM night next Wednesday. A few committee formalities, and then a speech by the Artistic Director of the Colchester Arts Centre.

Conversation, booze and the historic surrounds of the Nottage - splendid.

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.*