< Back Aerial photograph of Witham 1935 Aerial photograph of Witham taken 12th September 1935, with certain Witham landmarks clearly visible If you look closely at this photograph, you can clearly see the railway on the left of the picture, and Newland Street to the right. Spinks Lane is clearly visible in the foreground, but there is no sign of any school on Spinks Lane as Bramston School opened in 1937. Armond Road railway bridge is clearly visible, as are The Avenue, Collingwood Road, Mill Lane and Guithavon Valley. Can you spot the Crittalls factory, and the open air swimming pool behind the Swan which opened in 1933?

Witham Town Council Witham Town Council is a statutory, local authority that consists of sixteen elected representatives, sitting for a four year term. The Council operates a system of standing and non-standing committees that manage local matters including management of local assets, promotion of community events, local outreach with key organisations and working closely with Essex Police on crime prevention and local safety. Local citizens can raise any concerns about an issue with their local councillors (see the Witham Town Councillors section for details of your representative), however it is important to note that different councils deal with different matters. Explore our website to learn more about what role the Town Council plays in the local community and how you can get involved. Agendas & Minutes Meet your Council Elections Become a Town Councillor Annual Town Meeting Transparency Policies Finance The Precept Petitions The Mayor of Witham Neighbourhood Plan Surveys & Consultations Which Ward am I? Vacancies

< Back Set of Britain's First Decimal Coins Britain's First Decimal Coins This is a commemorative set of the first decimal coins issued for decimalisation on Monday 15th February 1971. Of this set, only the 1p and 2p remain unchanged, with the halfpenny going out of circulation in 1984 and the 5p and 10p being changed for the coins we now use in 1990 and 1992 respectively. 'The change of British coins to the new decimal system was announced in March 1966, with the introduction of the 5p and 10p in 1968. These coins were the same size and value as the coins they were replacing so could be in circulation at the same time. This commemorative set was sold in large numbers from 1968, even though the copper coins were not yet in circulation, to promote familiarity with the coins ahead of 'D-Day' in February 1971, the date of the official change to decimal currency. For more information visit: https://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/journal/history/decimalisation/

Witham Town Council Committees The Town Council meets in full every month throughout the civic year, which begins in May. The Council is then divided into Committees that deal with specific areas and report back to the Full Council. With some exceptions, these generally meet every 3 months. Council meetings are open for the public to attend, and agenda and and minutes are available for each Committee by clicking the link below. Please refer to the Meeting Schedule to find dates and times. Access is via the side door at the rear of the Town Hall. Full Town Council Policy & Resources Committee Planning & Transport Committee Community Committee Environment Committee Staffing Committee Estimates Committee Open Spaces Management Sub-Committee Advisory Committees Advisory committees are non-decision-making entities established by the Council and its standing committees from time to time as required. Advisory committees may exist in one of four prescribed formats: Working Groups (Ongoing handling of delegated perpetual business) Review Groups (Specifically designated for the exploration of a single issue for report) Scrutiny Panels (Standing oversight panels of 3 members holding power of intervention) Steering Groups (Explorative, consultative and research bodies) These committees exist to examine particular issues in depth in researching topics, informing itself of a particular issue and making recommendations to the Council by producing reports and suggestions to their parent committee or where appropriate, full council. Advisory committees should be reviewed from time to time by their parent committee as to their effectiveness, purpose and scope of works, and each committee assigned terms of reference which are reviewed annually to ensure focus within their allocated remit. Advisory committees are prohibited from making financial decisions under the Local Government Act 1972. Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group The Town Council is empowered to create a 'Neighbourhood Plan', a supplementary planning document that can assist Braintree District Council in the setting out of future developments in Witham. Although this is a complex issue, the Town Council has resolved to commence the creation of a new Neighbourhood Plan for Witham via its dedicated Steering Group. Devolution Working Group The Group has been set up to consider the impact of devolution on Witham and how best to protect the interests of Witham residents. Improving Healthcare Facilities in Witham Working Group This Group exists to work in partnership with the clinical commissioning group and Braintree District Council to facilitate the delivery of improved health facilities in Witham and reports to the Community Committee. S106 Strategy Group This Group exists to take forward the delivery of outstanding Section 106 agreements, such as cycle ways, and works in partnership with Braintree District Council as a consultee on such projects. The Group reports to the Environment Committee but may wish to make recommendation to other Committees on relevant projects. schedule & structure PDF Schedule of Meetings 26-27 Committee Structure PDF Minutes & Agenda from Civic Year 2025-2026 Minutes & Agenda from Civic Year 2024-2025 Minutes & Agenda from Civic Year 2023-2024 Minutes & Agenda from Civic Year 2022-2023 Minutes & Agenda from Civic Year 2021-2022 Minutes & Agenda from Civic Year 2020-2021 Minutes & Agenda from Civic Year 2019-2020

Banking at the Town Hall Witham Town Council are pleased to be able to accommodate three banks within the Town Hall to facilitate some continued banking services within the Town. Barclays Bank operate a Barclays Local in our Function Room, on a Monday (9am-4pm) and Friday (9am-3.50pm). They are closed for lunch 12.30-1pm. Halifax have a Community Banker in our Council Chamber on Tuesdays 9am-3pm. Lloyds Bank also have a Community Banker in our Council Chamber on Fridays 9am-3pm. Details of Barclays Bank services available at the Town Hall Details of Halifax services available at the Town Hall Details of Lloyds Bank services available at the Town Hall

Council-Managed Sites The River Walk Witham’s River Walk was conceived as a way of bringing a touch of the countryside through the middle of the town as it began its expansion in the early 1970’s. It meanders for about 3.3km along the River Brain, and covers an area of 36 hectares, from Ebenezer Close in the north, to the Whetmead Nature Reserve in the south-east. The River Walk is managed to encourage wildlife, and as such some areas are left untended. As you walk through, you may be lucky enough to glimpse heron, kingfishers, muntjac deer and even otters. The River Walk now boasts a trail of 16 wooden carved sculptures that reflect the creatures that can be found along the way. Pick up your trail map in the Information Centre and tick them off as you go. Whetmead Nature Reserve Whetmead is an area of meadow, woodland and open water. The site is rich in wildlife and covers around 10 hectares. The site was passed into the care of Witham Town Council in 2005, and is today home to many species of plants and animals. The rivers Blackwater and Brain merge on the reserve, and a path follows both river banks. You may be lucky enough to glimpse a basking lizard on a sunny day, or a water vole on the riverbank. James Cooke Woods The woodland is planted with British trees local to the area. The main tree species are Wild Cherry, Oak, Silver Birch, Alder and Ash. Some further areas are planted with smaller, shrubby species such as Hazel, Field Maple, Guelder Rose and Spindle. This variety of trees provide the maximum benefit for wildlife. The woodland is surrounded by hedgerows that originally acted as the boundary to the former arable field. The hedges are especially important for threatened farmland birds, such as the yellowhammer, providing them with a food source and a place to nest. The Closed Churchyard On 20th March 1991, the All Saint’s Churchyard was closed. In accordance with the Local Authority Act, the Town Council, in conjunction originally with the PCC of St Nicolas Church, took over responsibility for its management. The Church was dedicated in 1842 as a Church of Easement, and was made redundant in 1969. It was later sold to the Roman Catholic Church to become, after extensive renovation, the Holy Family and All Saint’s Church in 1989

< Back Town Guides Witham Town Guides 1983/4-2013 In our archives, we have 13 copies of the Witham Town Guide. The oldest one is undated, but we can pin it down to either 1983 or 1984 from the foreward by the then Mayor, Councillor W.A. Marsh. This was possibly the first to be published after Witham Town Council was formed in 1982. We also have in our archives the Town Guides issued in 1986, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. The final Witham Town Guide which was dated 2013-15. Today Witham Town Council publishes The Witham Voice. The Witham Voice is a quarterly parish magazine that started in 2016 and is still published and delivered to every household in Witham today. The Town Guide traditionally included a map of the town, an introduction from the Mayor at the time, a history of the town and a list of clubs and amenities. In the older versions, the map is a fold out version at the back of the guide. The guides contain paid-for adverts from local businesses, giving us a nostalgic view into the Witham of the last 40 years

Council Services Which Council Do I Need? Witham Town Council 16 Councillors across 5 Wards Braintree District Council 8 Councillors across 4 Wards Essex County Council 2 Councillors across 2 Wards Responsibilities of Witham Town Council include the upkeep and management of: The River Walk Whetmead Nature Reserve James Cooke Woods The Closed Churchyard, Lockram Lane Various Streetlights with numbers beginning 'WTC' You can report issues regarding these items by calling 01376 520627 or visiting the Information Centre Responsibilities of Braintree District Council include the management of: Refuse collection Street Cleaning Emptying Dog Waste bins Fly tipping Abandoned vehicles You can report issues regarding these items by calling 01376 552525 Responsibilities of Essex County Council/Essex Highways include the management of: Potholes Road Signs Bridges Traffic Lights Street Lights (which do not have a 'WTC' number) Pavements You can report issues regarding these items by calling 0345 743 0430 Braintree District Council Website Email Witham Town Council Essex Highways Website Council-Managed Sites Information Centre Room & Open Space Hire Witham Gift Voucher Pet Commemorative Bench Scheme Dog Bin Sponsorship Commemorative Bench Scheme The Voice Allotments Town Council Grant Award Scheme Online Museum News

Become a Town Councillor MAKE A CHANGE BECOME A WITHAM TOWN COUNCILLOR Witham Town Council is made up of 16 Councillors across 5 wards. Full Town Council elections take place every 4 years, the most recent being May 2023 and the next May 2027. There are 3 ways to become a Town Councillor: Ordinary Election Ordinary elections are held every 4 years, and all 16 seats become subject to election. Elected Councillors serve a term of 4 years, taking office 4 days after the election. The next ordinary election will be May 2027. By-Election If a vacancy arises between ordinary elections a by-election may be held for that one seat. The elected councillor will serve the remainder of the term and retire with other councillors at the next ordinary election. Co-Option If an insufficient number of candidates stand for an ordinary election leaving seats vacant, or a by-election is not triggered when a casual vacancy arises, the existing councillors may vote to co-opt a councillor to serve the term. What Does a Town Councillor Do? Town Councillors work together to set the policy direction of the Town Council. Councillors attend regular meetings of the council and its committees to make decisions on a range of matters deciding what services should be delivered, where money should be spent and what policies should be implemented. Councillors represent the local community, both residents of their ward and the town as a whole. Councillors will be contacted by residents who have problems they need assistance with and some councillors can be appointed to serve on outside bodies. Frequently Asked Questions ARE COUNCILLORS PAID? No, our councillors do not receive an allowance. The exception to this is the Town Mayor who receives an allowance to meet the expenses of that office. We do reimburse some expenses such as mileage but we are unable (by law) to reimburse childcare costs. WHO DECIDES IF THERE WILL BE A BY-ELECTION? A casual vacancy arises when a councillor leaves office between ordinary elections. This could be through resignation, death, disqualification or by failing to attend meetings. When a casual vacancy arises, the Town Clerk will publish a notice giving the electors living in the ward 14 working days the opportunity to demand an election. If 10 electors write to the Returning Officer at Braintree District Council to request an election a by-election is triggered. If fewer than 10 request an election, the town council must instead co-opt a councillor to fill the vacancy. If the vacancy occurs within the 6 months before an ordinary election no by-election will be held even if demanded. If a by-election is not demanded the council can choose to leave the vacancy unfilled until the election. WHAT SUPPORT IS PROVIDED? The Town Clerk provides an induction for all new councillors and part of her role is provide advice and support to all councillors. Experienced councillors are often happy to support new councillors ‘find their feet’. We encourage councillors to undertake training relevant to their roles and the needs of the council. WHERE DO THE WARDS COME INTO IT? Witham is divided into five wards (see ward map ): Witham North, Witham South, Witham West, Central Ward and Hatfield Ward. It is the electors of the ward who vote in any given election, a councillor does not have to live in the ward they stand in. In any election, you can only stand once i.e. in one ward. If you stand for more than one you will be not be validly nominated in either. However, you are not tied to a ward, so if you stand for election in Central ward in one election, you could stand in Witham West ward at the next. CAN I BE A MEMBER OF A POLTICAL PARTY / DO I HAVE TO BE? Councillors can stand for election (or co-option) as candidates for a political party, to do so they must have permission from the party, usually through the local branch. Councillors can also be independent of political parties. WHO CAN BE A WITHAM TOWN COUNCILLOR? Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election (or co-option) if they meet certain qualification criteria. The first is that you are a British citizen, a citizen of either an eligible commonwealth nation or a qualifying EU citizen or EU citizen with retained rights. The second qualification criteria is your connection to Witham; there are four different criteria you could meet and you only need to meet one of them to be able to stand. Registered Elector: You are on the electoral register for Witham at the time of nomination and will remain on it throughout your term of office. Occupied Land in Witham You have occupied land or premises in Witham as owner/tenant for the 12 months preceding nomination (and election) Work in Witham Your main/only place of work is in Witham or has been during the past 12 months – this includes voluntary work if it is the main/only work you undertake. Live in Witham You have lived in Witham (or within 3 miles of the boundary) for the 12 months preceding nomination (and election) You are disqualified from being a Town Councillor if any of the following apply: you are an employee/paid officer of Witham Town Council, you are subject to bankruptcy restrictions order/interim order, you have been sentenced (including suspended sentences) to a term of imprisonment of three months or more within the 5 years prior to polling day or you have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 e.g. for corrupt or illegal electoral practices. Detailed guidance on qualification and disqualification can be found on the Electoral Commission website.

< Back Crittall Windows Factory fire notice Crittall Windows Factory notice to telephone operators in the event of fire Crittall Window Factory in Braintree Road was a major employer and landmark in the town. The factory closed in September 1990, but town historian Janet Gyford visited in 1991, while it was empty but before it was demolished. As well as taking photographs, Janet was able to retrieve various items which she kindly donated to Witham Town Council. This notice to the telephone operators explains what to do in the event that a fire is reported to them. Three bits of tape have been applied to amend the notice, and the names have been crossed through. It is mounted with drawing pins onto a wooden board, and has yellowed with age. It appears to have been part of a wider notice since the right hand side has a jagged edge and no printed border.

< Back Witham Rotary Club Anniversary Dinner Certificates Commemorative Certificates for the 40th & 50th Anniversary Dinners Upon the dissolution of the Witham branch of the Rotary Club, we were kindly donated several items for our online museum, including these framed certificates. The certificates were produced for the 40th and 50th anniversary of Witham Rotary Club in 1989 and 1999 respectively. The list past and present members, as well as a section on how the branch was formed. Those of you who have lived in Witham for some time may recognise some familiar names from the town.

Elections Applications for the co-option vacancy have now closed. Witham Town Council is comprised of 5 Wards and 16 Councillors. Town Council elections are held every 4 years, the next full election being held in May 2027. Any vacancies that arise in the meantime will be publicised on this page. If you are interested in becoming a councillor, you can find more information on our Become a Councillor page: Become a Town Councillor