Help influence planning guidelines for the future of the District
Every household is sent the Council’s quarterly newsletter “Contact”. The September edition highlights proposals for the future of the District over the next 15 years. It’s now that new policies and plans for every part of the district are written for you to see before they go to the Government for approval early next year.

£50,000 available from new fund
The first £50,000 of the new Community Housing and Investment Partnership (CHIP) Fund is to be available for local projects. It is an exciting new joint partnership between Braintree District Council and Greenfields Community Housing, with a total of £11million to be available during the next few years.

Time running out for community nominations
There are just a few weeks to go before nominations close for the new community achievement awards in Braintree District.

Recycling scheme extended to another 2,700 homes
Another 2,700 homes in the District will be joining the alternate weekly collections scheme using wheeled bins in October. Ten parishes are affected by this year’s extension of the scheme with the bins going into Bardfield Saling, Castle Hedingham, Fairstead, Faulkbourne, part of Finchingfield, Great Bardfield, Great Saling, Great Yeldham, Terling and White Notley.

Does your neighbourhood need a BIG tidy up?
Braintree District Council has joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy to call on residents to take part in the biggest national clean up campaign being launched on the 1st September. Across the country people are being urged to get together with neighbours to clean up their patch.

Three projects receive funding from Braintree Local Committee
Three projects have received funding from the Braintree Local Committee. The Essex Assocation of Boys' Clubs was awarded £8,000, Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens Trust received £9,705 and the First Stop Centre was awarded £4,000.

Braintree District Olympic handover flag ceremony
Braintree District took part in the national Olympic "Flying the Flag" handover ceremony on Sunday 24th August 2008. The event, like hundreds of others throughout the United Kingdom, replicated the handing over of the Olympic Flag to the Mayor of London at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and signified the start of the countdown to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Volunteers collect 60 bags of litter
50 volunteers took part in the Hope 08, Braintree Churches’ Litter Collection, on Sunday 31st August. The pick was co-ordinated by Reverend William Atkinson of the Elim Church, Manor Street, Braintree and was part of a nationwide initiative for churches to work together in service to their wider communities.

Public exhibitions to show plans for town centres
Residents, retailers and local businesses can see the latest ideas for improving central parts of Braintree, Witham and Halstead at three free public consultation events. 16th September at Braintree Town Hall Centre, 17th at Witham Public Hall and 19th September at The Centre off High Street in Halstead. All from noon until 8pm.

Council proposes investment for new allotments
Braintree District Council will consider proposals for significant new investment in allotments. A range of proposals will require most of £128,000 to be invested next year, with the conversion of a disused rugby pitch into 70 new plots at Tabor Field, Braintree and 40 new full and half size plots at Cut Throat Lane in Witham.

Prizedraw winners receive green prizes
During Environment Week at the beginning of June, the council advice trailers visited Braintree, Halstead and Witham. Visitors to the events were asked to complete an Environment Pledge. Over the course of the week 150 pledges were completed and all were entered into a free prize draw. Four lucky winners were picked at random from the completed pledges.

Gum busters in town
A team of mobile steam pressure washers have worked through the summer evenings to rid pavements of unsightly chewing gum residue in the town centres of Braintree, Halstead and Witham.

Council commended for tackling obesity
Walk organisers at Braintree District Council have received a commendation from the Walking the Way to Health initiative. It approves the standards set by the council’s Heart & Sole Walking Scheme, which is committed to improving residents’ fitness by providing free, safe, short walks which are open to anyone. Walks in Great Notley, Witham, Halstead and Coggeshall are offered each day of the week, with each walk lasting approximately 45 minutes.

So you're eating out?
Have you ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes? How clean is the kitchen? How well trained are the staff? Now you don’t even need to ask. For peace of mind: go online to www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk to see how the restaurant of your choice is rated by Braintree District Council food hygiene inspectors for its food hygiene and preparation.