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

Allotments Witham Town Council manage over 100 plots over 2 sites: Cut Throat Lane and Wrights Grove. Both sites are regularly maintained and inspected by our Open Spaces team. Having an allotment is good exercise and does wonders for your mental wellbeing as well as providing healthy fruit and vegetables. However, please bear in mind that, while it is enjoyable, having your own allotment is very time consuming and a year-round commitment. A new plot often requires a lot of hard work to get it ready for planting. Your plot will then require daily watering, weeding and maintenance in the growing season while clearing, digging and preparation will be needed over the autumn and winter period. We ask that you give this serious consideration before thinking of becoming an allotment tenant. When a plot becomes available, the person at the top of the waiting list is invited to view the plot in its current state. If they wish to take it on they will be asked to read and sign the Allotment Tenancy Agreement and to pay a deposit of 1 years rent plus the pro rata amount to the end of the current tenancy year, which renews on 1st April. Fees vary according to the size of the plot. Currently we charge 48p per square metre. Tenancy Agreements typically include obligations to keep the plot clean, free from weeds and for paths to be kept tidy and free of detritus. We also require that at least 75% of the plot be cultivated during the growing season. Our Allotment Management Policy is available to read here: Allotment Site Management Policy We currently have no plots available, but if you would like to join our allotment community we have a waiting list for plots. If you would like to be added to the list and are a Witham resident, you can contact us in person by visiting Witham Information Centre, by calling our offices on 01376 520627 or by emailing us on openspacesadmin@witham.gov.uk Alternatively, you can fill in our online form below: Allotment Application Form Please complete all sections of the form paying particular care to your email address and telephone number First name* Last name* Email Phone* Full Address including postcode* Select an allotment site Cut Throat Lane Allotments Wright Grove Allotments No preference I have read and agree with the Privacy Notice * Submit Allotment Application

Our Community Across the following pages, you will find information that may help you, how you could help others and help the planet. Social Isolation Police Community Specials Climate Change Recycling Sunday Cinema Banking at the Town Hall Whetmead Photo Post

Transparency The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 (the code) came in to effect on 1 April 2015. The code is issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, and replaces an previous codes issued in relation to authorities in England under those powers. See full details of the Local Government Transparency Code 2015 Witham Town Council meets the definition of a local authority covered by the requirements of the code. The code requires local authorities in England to publish certain information to ensure local people can see and access data covering; how money is spent, use of assets, decision making and issues important to local people. Witham Town Council has adopted the ICO Model Publication Scheme. The information we publish supports both the Transparency Code and the ICO Publication Scheme. There are seven classes of information which must be made available to the public: Class One - Who makes up the council and their roles Organisation information, structures, locations and contacts Names of councillors, roles: Chairman of the council, Chairmen of committees of the Council Councillor representation on public bodies Council Structure: confirming existence & purpose of committees & sub-committees of the Council Contact Details for Councillors Locations and Contact Details Our location and accessibility information Staff Contact Details Staff Organisational Chart (PDF) Class Two - What the council spends and how it spends it Financial information about projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audit Annual Accountability and Governance Return (AGAR) Annual Budget & Precept Councillor Allowances Expenditure Exceeding £500 Loans Sanctioned - Not Applicable Financial Regulations Standing Orders Invitation to Tender Internal Audit Reports Grants Awarded PDF Class Three - The council’s priorities and its progress Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews for current and previous years Town Strategic Plan Corporate Strategy Annual Accountability & Governance Returns (AGAR) Data Protection Impact Assessment - Available on request Neighbourhood Plan Annual Town Meeting Class Four - How the council makes decisions Decision making processes and records of decisions Meetings & Agenda Responses to Planning Applications-See Individual Planning & Transport Committee Minutes Procedural Standing Orders Councillors' Register of Interests Minutes of Council and Council Sub-Committee Meetings Meeting Schedule Class Five - The council’s policies and procedures Current written protocols, policies & procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities Council Policies & Procedures Standing Orders Scheme of Delegation Committee terms of Reference Code of Conduct Data & Document Retention Policy Equality Policy Health & Safety Policy Complaints Procedure Class Six - Lists and Registers: Any publicly available register or list Currently maintained lists and registers Land Owned PDF Allotment Waiting List - on request Register of Gifts & Hospitality PDF Register of Interests Freedom of Information Requests - on request Asset Register PDF Class Seven - The Council’s service Information about the services we offer, including leaflets, guidance and newsletters produced for the public and business Allotments Town Clock, seating, litter bins, dog bins, lighting - on request Parks and Open Spaces Witham's Voice Newsletter Our Events Our Information Centre Schedule of Charges Many of the above documents are contained in the Council’s website and may be downloaded free of charge. However, if paper versions are requested from the Town Council a charge will be made of £0.50p per page in accordance with The Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limits and Fees) Regulations 2004. The Council may also charge for reasonable disbursements such as postage or electronic media (for example, USB sticks), and will issue a fee notice where applicable in line with FOI and ICO guidance. The seven classes of information above, do not include: Information that the council is prevented from disclosing by law Information exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Information in draft form If a council does not hold the type of information in one of the classes, it will not be in breach of any statutory obligations under the 2000 Act. Ensuring that the public can access the information via the council’s Publication Scheme is vital. A council’s publication scheme must confirm how much the information in the seven classes can be accessed and if there is a charge. Part 2 of the Code is recommended practice for parish councils whose gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is the higher) does not exceed £6.5 million. Information to be published quarterly Government Procurement Card Transactions - Not Applicable Card Transactions-Reported Quarterly to the Policy & Resources Committee Procurement Information-Invitation to Tender for goods/service contracts value exceeding £5,000 Information to be published annually Local Authority Land Register PDF Grants Awarded Organisational Structure PDF Parking Revenue - Not Applicable Controlled Parking Spaces - Not Applicable Senior Salaries PDF Constitution - Not Applicable Waste Contract - Not Applicable Data Protection Policy (Privacy Policy) Website Privacy Policy (Privacy Policy) Witham Town Council complies with the requirements of the code by publishing the information on its website. Hard copies are available from the Town Council office in line with the Council’s Publication Scheme.

Agenda & Minutes from Civic Year 2024-25 Full Town Council Agenda for Annual Meeting 13th May 25 Minutes for 13th May 2025 Meeting for 29th April 2025 has been cancelled Meeting for 29th April has been cancelled Agenda for Meeting 31st March 2025 Minutes for Meeting 31st March 2025 Agenda for Meeting 3rd March 2025 Minutes for Meeting 3rd March 2025 Agenda for Meeting 3rd February 2025 Minutes for Meeting 3rd February 2025 Agenda for Meeting 7th January 2025 Minutes for Meeting 7th January 2025 Agenda for Meeting 25th November 2024 Minutes for Meeting 25th November 2024 Agenda for Meeting 29th October 2024 Minutes for Meeting 29th October 2024 Agenda for Extraordinary Meeting 30th September 2024 Minutes for Extraordinary Meeting 30th September 2024 Agenda for Meeting 30th September 2024 Minutes for Meeting 30th September 2024 Agenda for Meeting 2nd September 2024 Minutes for Meeting 2nd September 2024 Agenda for Extraordinary Meeting 27th August 2024 Minutes for Meeting 27th August 2024 Agenda for Meeting 5th August 2024 Minutes for Meeting 5th August Agenda for Meeting 8th July 2024 Minutes for Meeting 8th July 2024 Agenda for Meeting 11th June 2024 Minutes for Meeting 11th June 2024 Agenda for Annual Meeting 13th May 2024 Minutes for Annual Meeting 13th May 2024 Community Committee Agenda for Meeting 18th February 2025 Minutes for Meeting 18th February 2025 Agenda for Meeting 11th November 2024 Minutes for Meeting 11th November 2024 Agenda for Meeting 19th August 2024 Minutes for Meeting 19th August 2024 Agenda for Meeting 28th May 2024 Minutes for Meeting 28th May 2024 Planning & Transport Committee Agenda for 13th May 2025 Minutes for 13th May 2025 Agenda for 29th April 2025 - Please note 7pm start time Minutes for 29th April 2025 Agenda for 14th April 2025 Minutes for 14th April 2025 Agenda for the 31st March 2025 Minutes for 31st March 2025 Agenda for the 17th March 2025 Minutes for 17th March 2025 Agenda for the 3rd March 2025 Minutes for the 3rd March 2025 Agenda for 18th February 2025 Minutes for 18th February 2025 Agenda for 3rd February 2025 Minutes for 3rd February 2025 Agenda for 20th January 2025 (Later start time of 7pm) Minutes for 20th January 2025 Agenda for 7th January 2025 (Later start time of 7pm) Minutes for 7th January 2025 Agenda for 10th December 2024 Minutes for 10th December 2024 Agenda for 25th November 2024 (Earlier start time of 6pm) Minutes for 25th November 2024 Minutes for 11th November 2024 Minutes for 11th November 2024 Agenda for 29th October 2024 Minutes for 29th October 2024 Agenda for 14th October 2024 Minutes for 14th October 2024 Agenda for 7th October 2024 Minutes for 7th October 2024 Agenda for 16th Sept 2024 - Please note earlier start time Minutes for 16th September 2024 Agenda for 2nd Sept 2024 - Please note earlier start time Minutes for 2nd September 2024 Agenda for 19th August 2024 Minutes for 19th August 2024 Agenda for 5th August 2024 Minutes for 5th August 2024 Agenda for 22nd July 2024 Minutes for 22nd July 2024 Agenda for 8th July 2024 Minutes for 8th July 2024 Agenda for 24th June 2024 Minutes for 24th June 2024 Agenda for 11th June 2024 Minutes for 11th June 2024 Agenda for 28th May 2024 Minutes for 28th May 2024 Agenda for 13th May 2024 Minutes for 13th May 2024 Estimates Committee Agenda for Meeting 17th December 2024 Minutes for Meeting 17th December 24 Staffing Committee Agenda for Meeting 2 December 2024 Minutes for 2 December 2024 Agenda for Meeting 3 June 2024 Minutes for 3 June 2024 Policy & Resources Committee Agenda for 17th March 2025 Minutes for 17th March 2025 Agenda for 10th December 2024 Minutes for 10th December 2024 Agenda for 16th September 2024 Minutes for 16th September 2024 Environment Committee Agenda for Meeting 14th April 2025 Minutes for 14th April 2025 Agenda for Meeting 20th January 2025 Minutes for 20th January 2025 Agenda for Meeting 14th October 2024 Minutes for 14th October 2024 Agenda for Meeting 22nd July 2024 Minutes for 22nd July 2024 Open Space Management Sub-Committee Agenda for Meeting 5th March 2025 Minutes for Meeting 5th March 2025 Agenda for Meeting 4th December 2024 Minutes for Meeting 4th December 2024 Agenda for Meeting 3rd September 2024 Minutes for Meeting 3rd September 2024 Agenda for Meeting 4th June 2024 Minutes for Meeting 4th June 2024

< Back The Story of the Lamp The Story of a Lamp - The Story of Pinkham Gloves This hard backed 51-page book details the history of Pinkham Gloves until around 1950, although the book isn't dated. The book details the early lives of the Pinkham's and how they came to start their own glove factory, through to post-war manufacturing and the building of their first factory. The book goes on to describe and explain the machinery and the processes of glove making. It ends with 'A Few Practical Hints to Beginners' for those looking to sew their own gloves.

Agenda & Minutes from Civic Year 2021-22 Full Town Council Agenda for AGM 4th May 2021 Minutes for AGM 4th May 2021 Agenda for 28th June 2021 Minutes for 28th June 2021 Agenda for 27 July 2021 Minutes for 27 July 2021 Agenda for 23 August 2021 Minutes for 23 August 2021 Agenda for 20 September 2021 Minutes for 20 September 2021 Agenda for 18 October 2021 Minutes for 18 October 2021 Agenda for 15 November 2021 Minutes for 15 November 2021 Agenda for 14 December 2021 Minutes for 14 December 2021 Agenda for 17 January 2022 Minutes for 17 January 2022 Agenda for 14 February 2022 Minutes for 14 February 2022 Agenda for 14 March 2022 Minutes for 14 March 2022 Agenda for 11 April 2022 Minutes for 11 April 2022 Agenda for 9th May 2022 Minutes for 9 May 2022 Community Committee Agenda for Meeting 17 May 2021 Minutes for Meeting 17 May 2021 Agenda for Meeting 9 August 2021 Minutes for Meeting 9 August 2021 Agenda for Meeting 1 November 2021 Minutes for Meeting 1 November 2021 Agenda for Meeting 28 February 2022 Minutes for Meeting 28 February 2022 Environment Committee Agenda for Meeting 12 July 2021 Minutes for Meeting 12 July 2021 Agenda for Meeting 4th October 2021 Minutes for Meeting 4th October 2021 Agenda for Meeting 31st January 2022 Minutes for Meeting 31st January 2022 Agenda for Meeting 26th April 2022 Minutes for Meeting 26th April 2022 Estimates Sub-Committee Agenda for Meeting 13 December 2021 Minutes for Meeting 13 December 2021 Policy & Resources Committee Agenda for 14 June 2021 Minutes for 14 June 2021 Agenda for 6 September 2021 Minutes for 6 September 2021 Agenda for 29th March 2022 Minutes for 29 March 2022 Planning Applications & Transport Sub-Committee Agenda for Meeting 17 May 2021 Minutes for Meeting 17 May 2021 Agenda for Meeting 1 June 2021 Minutes for Meeting 1 June 2021 Agenda for Meeting 14 June 2021 Minutes for Meeting 14 June 2021 Agenda for Meeting 28 June 2021 Minutes for Meeting 28th June 2021 Agenda for Meeting 12th July 2021 Minutes for Meeting 12th July 2021 Agenda for Meeting 27th July 2021 Minutes for Meeting 27th July 2021 Agenda for Meeting 9 August 2021 Minutes for Meeting 9 August 2021 Agenda for Meeting 23 August 2021 Minutes for Meeting 23 August 2021 Agenda for Meeting 6 September 2021 Minutes for Meeting 6 September 2021 Agenda for Meeting 20 September 2021 Minutes for Meeting 20 September 2021 Agenda for Meeting 4 October 2021 Minutes for Meeting 4 October 2021 Agenda for Meeting 18 October 2021 Minutes for Meeting 18 October 2021 Agenda for Meeting 1 November 2021 Minutes for Meeting 1 November 2021 Agenda for Meeting 15 November 2021 Minutes for Meeting 15 November 2021 Agenda for Meeting 29 November 2021 Minutes for Meeting 29 November 2021 Agenda for Meeting 14 December 2021 Minutes for Meeting 14 December 2021 Agenda for Meeting 4 January 2022 Minutes for Meeting 4 January 2022 Agenda for Meeting 17 January 2022 Minutes for Meeting 17 January 2022 Agenda for Meeting 31 January 2022 - Note 6pm start Minutes for Meeting 31 January 2022 Agenda for Meeting 14 February 2022 - Note 7pm start Minutes for Meeting 14 February 2022 Agenda for Meeting 28 February 2022 Minutes for Meeting 28 February 2022 Agenda for Meeting 14 March 2022 Minutes for Meeting 14 March 2022 Agenda for Meeting 29 March 2022 Minutes for Meeting 29 March 2022 Agenda for Meeting 11 April 2022 Minutes for Meeting 11 April 2022 Agenda for Meeting 26 April 2022 Minutes for Meeting 26 April 2022 Agenda for Meeting 9th May 2022 - Please note 6.45pm start Minutes for Meeting 9 May 2022 Anchor 1 Anchor 2 Open Space Management Sub-Committee Anchor 1 Anchor 2 Agenda for Meeting 1 February 2022 Minutes for Meeting 1 February 2022 Agenda for Meeting 2nd November 2021 Minutes for Meeting 2 November 2021 Agenda for Meeting 11th August 2021 Minutes for Meeting 11th August 2021

Annual Town Meeting The Annual Town Meeting is an open meeting for all residents of Witham. This year's meeting will be held at our Dog Show at Powershall End on the River Walk on Saturday 2nd May. Whilst it is organised by the Town Council, the Annual Town Meeting is not a council meeting. The law says the meeting must be held between 1st March and 1st June and we usually hold ours in April. The meeting is chaired by the Mayor of Witham and usually includes reports from each of the Council's Committees, but Councillors have no more standing than other electors of Witham. This year, the Mayor will give a speech on the work of the Council over the past year. The meeting is an open forum giving residents an opportunity to raise issues they feel are important to the town. This could be: Suggesting ideas for the Town Council to investigate Raising concerns about planned activities in the town Asking questions to the Town Council Raising general issues affecting the town Any registered elector for Witham has the right to speak at the meeting. Agenda for 2026 Annual Town Meeting PDF Minutes for 2026 Annual Town Meeting PDF Agenda for 2025 Annual Town Meeting PDF Minutes for 2025 Annual Town Meeting PDF Agenda for 2024 Annual Town Meeting PDF Minutes for 2024 Annual Town Meeting PDF Agenda for 2023 Annual Town Meeting PDF Minutes for 2023 Annual Town Meeting PDF Agenda for 2022 Annual Town Meeting PDF Minutes for 2022 Annual Town Meeting PDF Agenda for 2019 Annual Town Meeting PDF Minutes for 2019 Annual Town Meeting PDF Agenda for 2018 Annual Town Meeting PDF Minutes for 2018 Annual Town Meeting PDF Agenda for 2017 Annual Town Meeting PDF Minutes for 2017 Annual Town Meeting PDF Due to Covid 19 restrictions, no Annual Town Meeting was held in 2020 and 2021

History of the Town Hall We are often asked about the history of the Town Hall building, which has formed part of Newland Street for several hundred years. The timber framed building dates back to the 15th century and was originally a coaching Inn called The George. It was given a Georgian frontage in the early 19th century when it was converted to Barclays Bank. The frontage includes a false second storey, complete with windows, to mask the medieval roof behind. In 1939, Barclays Bank moved into the new building next door at 59 Newland Street, and the building was subsequently used as a tobacconist, a showroom for Magnet & Southern and finally Town & Country Building Society before it was bought by Witham Town Council in the early 90's. The building underwent extensive refurbishment before opening as the new home for Witham Town Council and the Heritage Centre. Further recent refurbishments have seen the final transition of the Heritage Centre into an Information Centre fit for the 2020's. We still have a Heritage Room, where we display items from our vault of historic artefacts. In this room you can also see our Tudor style fireplace, which is believed to be Georgian in actual age, which was rescued during the refurbishment of the 1990's from elsewhere within the building. The clock on the outside of the building, which is familiar to so many local residents, didn't actually begin it's life here. Originally, the clock was on the building at 88 Newland Street which was the Constitutional Club. The Constitutional Club ran along Newland Street in front of the Congregational Church (now the United Reformed Church), hiding the church behind it until a fire burnt it down in 1910. The Constitutional Club was demolished, and the clock was moved to the front of 61 Newland Street, where it has stayed. Photos show that the clock dates back to at least 1900 in its original position. The movement inside the clock was renewed in 1932, and then again in the 90's when the clock was electrified. After it was electrified, the movement was removed and preserved in the Information Centre, where you can pop in and see it. It is still in working order and is wound daily. Our Information Centre also boasts a water pump found in the grounds during the renovation, likely to have originated from the George Inn, and a credenza sideboard rescued from the now demolished Gimson's house. If you have anything relating to the history of Witham that you would like to donate under our Public Artefact Donation Scheme, just pop in and see us at the Information Centre. Witham Town Council The local governing body in Witham from 1894-1974 was Witham Urban District Council. Witham Urban District Council was dissolved in 1974 upon the formation of Braintree District Council under the Local Government Act of 1972. Braintree District Council merged five local councils: Braintree and Bocking Urban District, Braintree Rural District, Halstead Rural District, Halstead Urban District, and Witham Urban District Council. After a gap of 8 years, Witham Town Council was formed in 1982, and moved into 61 Newland Street in the early 90's. Chipping Hill Bridge When repair works began on Chipping Hill Bridge in September 22, Councillors were concerned for the integrity of the carved coping stones on the bridge. The carvings were made during World War I by two soldiers billeted to Witham for training before going into war. The coping stones have been left in place, and Witham Town Council employed the services of professional photographer, David Islip, to take a record of the carvings while the bridge was closed to traffic. More information about the bridge and the carvings can be found on the website of local historian, Janet Gyford, at https://www.janetgyford.com/articles/01-chippinghillbridge/

Freedom of Witham The Town Council has the power to grant persons of distinction and persons who have rendered eminent services, the Freedom of the Town. Witham Town Council have awarded the Freedom of the Town on three occasions. At the Mayor's Civic Service in February 2023, John Palombi was awarded with the Freedom of the Town. John regularly attends Town Council meetings, providing valuable contributions, and is co-opted onto Advisory Groups. As the Chair of the Witham & Countryside Society, John has produced publications on Witham, including 2 books. Janet Gyford was awarded the Freedom of the Town at a ceremony in December 2018 for eminent services to Witham as local historian. Janet has written several books about Witham and maintains a website packed with information: www.janetgyford.com . Annie Northfield was awarded the Freedom of Witham in a ceremony December 2015 for eminent services for the town. Annie was the driving force behind the Witham in Bloom group for a number of years, working tirelessly to improve the look of the town.

Social Isolation Everybody should have somebody by their side in society, but now more than ever there are many complex reasons that lead to people becoming socially isolated. Have you been feeling isolated? We're here for you. But so are many others too! Witham's local community has much more to offer than what might just appear at its surface. Witham's bustling society of groups, societies, charities and local interest networks form the heart of our town, and whose many members contribute to the continued development of Witham's progress. Getting involved with your local council and Witham's local groups is a fantastic way to try out something new, meet new people and contribute even more to your local community all the while you do. It can be extremely difficult when faced with social isolation to take the plunge and step outside of your comfort zone, but with a little help from your friends and local councillors - anything is possible. Seeking help You don't have to feel alone any longer. Witham Town Council isn't just your local authority, it's also a safe space for all citizens, whatever the weather. If you are feeling lonely and need some company, why not pop into the Information Centre for a chat and some ideas of what is going on in our local area? We have information on local clubs and groups, as well as ideas for places to volunteer. On a Thursday, we run a Chatty Cafe between 10am-12 noon where you can join the Mayor for tea, coffee and company. Feeling anxious, depressed or suicidal? Help is at hand: www.samaritans.org Witham Town Council also runs a Sunday Cinema Club on a Sunday which is free to attend. It is held at the Royal British Legion Hall once a month. Visit our Cinema Club page Meet your local councillor Witham Town Council has sixteen town councillors and getting in touch with your local councillor is easier than you might think, and there are no barriers or process involved. Simply get in touch with them! But it doesn't just stop with correspondence - it's where it starts, because you can get directly involved with the Town Council's numerous committees, projects and volunteering opportunities today. Why not start by finding out who your local councillors are today? Find my Councillor Keeping warm

The Witham Voice The Voice is Witham Town Council's quarterly periodical, bringing you the very latest news from Witham Town Council. The Voice is an opportunity for you to learn more about our open spaces, our events and what we are working on. Copies of The Voice are distributed to every home and business in Witham on a quarterly basis, free of charge. Copies can also be collected from the Town Hall's Information Centre and read online. We have a limited number of large print copies in the Information Centre. Previous Editions of The Voice Autumn 2026 Spring 2026 Autumn 2025 Summer 2025 Spring 2025 Winter 2024 Autumn 2024 Summer 2024 Spring 2024 Winter 2023 Autumn 2023 Summer 2023 Spring 2023 Winter 2022 Autumn 2022 Summer 2022 Spring 2022 Winter 2021 Autumn 2021 Summer 2021 Spring 2021 Winter 2020 Autumn 2020 Summer 2020 Spring 2020 Winter 2019 Autumn 2019 Summer 2019 Spring 2019 Winter 2018 Autumn 2018 Summer 2018 Spring 2018 Winter 2017 Autumn 2017 Summer 2017 Spring 2017 Winter 2016