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

Agenda & Minutes from Civic Year 2020-21 Full Town Council Agenda for Meeting 5 May 2020 Minutes for Meeting 5 May 2020 Agenda for Meeting 2 June 2020 Minutes for Meeting 2 June 2020 Agenda for Meeting 6 July 2020 Minutes for Meeting 6 July 2020 Agenda for Meeting 3 August 2020 Minutes for Meeting 3 August 2020 Agenda for Meeting 1 Sept 2020 Minutes for Meeting 1 September 2020 Agenda for Meeting 28 Sept 2020 Minutes for Meeting 28 September 2020 Agenda for Meeting 26 Oct 2020 Minutes for Meeting 26 October 2020 Agenda for Meeting 9 Nov 20 Minutes for Meeting 9 November 2020 Agenda for Meeting 23 Nov 2020 Minutes for Meeting 23 November 2020 Agenda for Meeting 14 Dec 2020 Minutes for Meeting 14 December 2020 Agenda for Meeting 18 Jan 2021 Minutes for Meeting 18 January 2021 Agenda for 8 February 2021 Minutes for Meeting 8 February 2021 Agenda for Meeting 8 Mar 2021 Minutes for Meeting 8 March 2021 Agenda for Meeting 6 April 2021 Minutes for Meeting 6 April 2021 Environment Committee Agenda for 26 May 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 8 Minutes for 26 May 2020-Delegated decisions at item 137 Agenda for 20 July 2020-Delegated decisions at item 8 Minutes for 20 July 2020-Delegated decisions at item 156 Agenda for 14 Sept 2020-Delegated Decisions at item 9 Minutes for 14 Sept 2020-Delegated decisions at item 183 Agenda for 9 November 2020-Delegated decisions at item 7 Minutes for 9 November 2020-Delegated decisions at item 215 Agenda for 25 January 2021-Delegated decisions at item 7 Minutes for 25 January 2021-Delegated decisions at item 263 Agenda for 20 April 2021-Delegated decisions at item 12 Minutes for 20 April 2021-Delegated Decisions at item 41 Estimates Sub-Committee Agenda for 11 January 2021-Delegated decisions at item 7 Minutes for 11 January 2021-Delegated Decisions at item 263 Policy & Resources Committee Agenda for 22 June 2020-Delegated decision taken at item 11 Minutes for 22 June 2020-Delegated decisions at item 120 Additional delegated decision taken at item 8 Additional minutes for delegated decision at item 137 Agenda for 17 August 2020-delegated decicions taken at item 7 Minutes for 17 August 2020-Delegated decisions at item 168 Agenda for 8 December 2020-Delegated decisions at item 9 Minutes for 8 Dec 2020-Delegated decisions at item 249 Agenda for 23 February 2021-Delegated Decisions at item 12 Minutes for 23 February 2021-Delegated Decisions at item 41 Planning Applications & Transport Sub-Committee Agenda for 11 May 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 11 Minutes for 11 May 2020-Delegated decisions at item 120 Agenda for 26 May 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 11 Minutes for 26 May 2020-Delegated decisions at item 120 Agenda for 8 June 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 8 Minutes for 8 June 2020-Delegated decision at item 137 Agenda for 22 June 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 8 Minutes for 22 June 2020-Delegated decision at item 137 Agenda for 6 July 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 8 Minutes for 6 July 2020-Delegated decisions at item 156 Agenda for 20 July 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 8 Minutes for 20 July 2020-Delegated decisions at item 156 Agenda for 3 August 2020-Delegated Decisions taken at item 7 Minutes for 3 August 2020-Delegated decisions at item 168 Agenda for 17 Aug 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 7 Minutes for 17 Aug 2020-Delegated decisions at item 168 Agenda for 1 Sept 2020-Delegated Decisions at item 9 Minutes for 1 Sept 2020-Delegated Decisions at item 183 Agenda for 14 Sept 2020-Delegated Decisions at item 9 Minutes for 14 Sept 20-Delegated Decisions taken at item 183 Agenda for 28 Sept 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 7 Minutes for 28 Sept 2020-Delegated Decisions at item 196 Agenda for 12 Oct 2020-Delegated decisions at item 7 Minutes for 12 October 2020-Delegated decisions at item 196 Agenda for 26 October 2020-Delegated Decisions at item 7 Minutes for 26 October 2020-Delegated decisions at item 215 Agenda for 9 November 2020-Delegated Decisions at item 7 Minutes for 9 November 2020-Delegated decisions at item 215 Agenda for 4 December 2020-Delegated Decisions at item 7 Minutes for 4 December 2020-Delegated decisions at item 231 Agenda for 18 Dec 2020- Delegated decisions at item 9 Minutes for 18 Dec 2020-Delegated decisions at item 249 Agenda for 23 Dec 2020-Delegated decisions at item 9 Minutes for 23 Dec 2020-Delegated decisions at item 249 Agenda for 4 January 2021-Delegated decisions at item 9 Minutes for 4 Jan 2021-Delegated decisions at item 249 Agenda for 25 January 2021-Delegated decisions at item 7 Minutes for 25 January 2021-Delegated decisions at item 263 Agenda for 2 February 2021-Delegated decisions at item 10 Minutes for 2 February 2021-Delegated decisions at item 277 Agenda for 15 February 2021-Delegated decisions at item 10 Minutes for 15 February 2021-Delegated decisions at item 277 Agenda for 1 March 2021-Delegated decisions at item 8 Minutes for 1 March 2021-Delegated decisions at item 289 Agenda for 15 March 2021-Delegated decisions at item 8 Minutes for 15 March 2021-Delegated decisions at item 289 Agenda for 12 April 2021-Delegated decisions at item 12 Minutes for 12 April 2021-Delegated Decisions at item 41 Agenda for 26 April 2021-Delegated decisions at item 12 Minutes for 20 April 2021-Delegated Decisions at item 41 Community Committee Agenda for 8 June 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 8 Minutes for 8 June 2020-Delegated decision at item 137 Agenda for 10 Aug 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 7 Minutes for 10 August 2020-Delegated Decision at item 168 Agenda for 6 Oct 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 7 Minutes for 6 October 2020-Delegated decisions at item 215 Agenda for 30 Nov 2020-Delegated decisions taken at item 7 Minutes for 23 November-Delegated decisions at item 231 Agenda for 23 Feb 2021-Delegated decisions taken at item 10 Minutes for 23 February 2021-Delegated decisions at item 277

Witham Christmas Fayre overcomes weather to bring festive cheer < Back Witham Christmas Fayre 2025 22 Nov 2025 Witham Christmas Fayre overcomes weather to bring festive cheer Witham Town Council is delighted that the annual Christmas Fayre, held last Saturday, was an outstanding success, in spite of persistent rain and challenging weather. The people of Witham showed great community spirit, turning out in force to support the festivities and local businesses. The festivities began with a traditional Church Carol Service arranged by ‘Churches Together’ in the Grove Shopping Centre at 2.30 p.m. and culminated in the annual Christmas light switch-on at 6 p.m. The Fayre featured over 125 market stalls across Newland Street, The Grove Shopping Centre and new for 2025, Maldon Road, offering delicious treats, gifts and more. The United Reformed Church provided a welcome break from the rain, hosting Crafters Corner where visitors could buy homemade gifts. Entertainment included live music, dance performances, a brass concert and pantomime acts. The popular live reindeer returned, bringing festive magic to families throughout the day. The Mayor of Witham, Councillor Paul Heath, commented: "The Christmas Fayre truly showed the strength and warmth of our Witham community. Despite the wet weather, I was inspired to see so many residents, businesses and volunteers coming together to celebrate. My sincere thanks go to everyone who joined us and to all those who spent time and energy making the event such a success. Witham’s festive spirit shone through every stall, performance and smile on Saturday and I am proud to be Mayor of such a resilient and caring town”. Thanks go to Holmes and Hills Solicitors and The Grove Centre for their generous sponsorship and to the many local businesses who participated, stayed open late, or hosted stalls. Their support helped create a memorable event for the Witham community. Witham Town Council looks forward to bringing more events to residents and thanks everyone who braved the weather to make the Fayre a celebration to remember. Photographs courtesy of David Islip Previous Next

Petitions Have Your Voice Heard Witham Town Council welcomes community engagement and recognizes petitions as a valuable way to raise concerns. To ensure a fair and transparent process, our petitions policy outlines what residents can expect. Petition Criteria: A petition must relate to Witham Town Council’s services and decisions. Vexatious or inappropriate petitions are not accepted Submission Process: Petitions should either be submitted to the Town Clerk at Witham Town Hall or via email, alternatively they may be presented at Council meetings. Petition Requirements: Each petition must clearly state the issue, the requested action, and include names, addresses, and signatures of supporters and the petition organiser. Online petitions must prevent fraudulent signatures. Handling of Petitions: A petition requires at least 50 signatories from Witham residents: 500+ Signatures: The petition may be presented by the organiser at a Council meeting, followed by a Council discussion and decision. 50-499 Signatures: The petition will be reviewed by the Town Clerk and relevant Councillors, with potential for full debate at the mayor’s discretion. Petition Template PDF Petitions Policy

Witham Street Warden Wins Award < Back CSAS Awards 2024 2 Oct 2024 Witham Street Warden Wins Award The ‘Essex Community Safety Accreditation Scheme Awards’ took place on 2nd of October 2024 and included nominees from Witham Town Council, Maldon District Council, Colchester City Council, Southend City Council, Chelmsford City Council, Halstead Town Council, Harlow Borough Council and Tendring District Council. The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) gives people targeted powers to tackle crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour. Witham Town Council’s Street Warden Paul joined Witham Town Council as a Street Warden after becoming accredited in December 2023 and is responsible for maintaining and facilitating community safety by being a visible presence in the town. His position was originally funded through the Safer Streets Programme on a temporary basis but due to the success of his role the council will be looking to make his role permanent. Paul was the worthy winner of this year’s award for ‘CSAS Accredited Person of the Year’, beating strong competition from other Street Wardens and Community Safety Officers in Essex. Witham Town Council also received a ‘Certificate of Recognition’ for the outstanding commitment they had shown as a newcomer to the scheme. A spokesperson for Witham Town Council said: “ Since joining our team in 2023, Paul has exemplified dedication, compassion, and a genuine commitment to community safety. Earning the title of ‘CSAS Accredited Person of the Year’ so soon after joining is a remarkable achievement, Paul has become a vital presence in our town, ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents. Paul’s commitment to his role is evident in his willingness to volunteer for additional duties beyond his regular hours. He often stays late to patrol with the police, ensuring our town is safe even during the most challenging times. His dedication extends to early morning and weekend patrols, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to maintaining a secure and peaceful environment. One of Paul’s most impactful initiatives has been his work with Witham’s homeless. Despite not being part of his duties, Paul has taken it upon himself to deliver food parcels to the homeless in his own time. His efforts have gone even further, as he has successfully assisted four long-term homeless individuals in finding local housing. This is a remarkable achievement, considering housing is not within the council’s remit. Paul’s compassion and determination to help those in need have transformed lives as well as reducing the crime that can accompany homelessness. Paul has also been instrumental in improving the cleanliness our town. He has collaborated with the district council to address fly-tipping, utilizing town council CCTV to identify offenders. Additionally, Paul has persuaded businesses to take responsibility for the cleanliness outside their premises, leading to a significant improvement in areas previously neglected areas. Communication and cooperation among local businesses have also been strengthened thanks to Paul’s proactive approach. He established a town-wide WhatsApp group allowing shopkeepers to communicate and share information about shoplifting incidents. This initiative fostered a sense of community among the businesses and led to an increase in the reporting of crime, which was previously underreported due to reluctance among shop owners. Paul has also delivered crime prevention literature on behalf of the police, further supporting efforts to reduce crime in Witham. ” A spokesperson from the Witham United Reformed Church said: “Paul is a kind and caring man who takes his job really seriously and always puts the people in the community first. He is willing to talk to everyone and try to support them through many difficulties in a sensitive but professional manner. Nothing is ever to much bother for him. I get the impression that whilst he is always very professional, he does way beyond what the job requires. He has a heart for those who need help and is keen to help or find solutions wherever he possibly can.” Witham Town Council would like to thank Paul for his hard work, and congratulate him on winning this award. Previous Next

Witham Town Council Commemorates 80th Anniversary of VE Day with moving Community Events < Back Witham's VE Day Commemoration 8 May 2025 Witham Town Council Commemorates 80th Anniversary of VE Day with moving Community Events Witham Town Council proudly joined communities across the nation in commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a series of poignant events on Thursday, 8 May 2025. The day began with a special ceremony on the steps of Witham Town Hall, where the Mayor of Witham read the official VE Day 80 Proclamation. The Mayor was joined by Reverend Jonathan Pritchard, who led prayers of remembrance, and the ceremony concluded with a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem, “God Save the King.” The event was attended by councillors and residents, reflecting the town’s strong spirit of remembrance and unity. In the evening, the community gathered for a commemorative parade led by the Essex Caledonian Pipe Band. The procession, which included dignitaries, uniformed organisations, and members of the public, set off from The Avenue and made its way to The River Walk by Chipping Hill Bridge. Once along the River Walk, councillors shared moving tributes from those who experienced VE Day first-hand, ensuring that the voices of the wartime generation were heard and honoured. The Bocking Brass Band provided musical accompaniment as the evening’s beacon lighting ceremony approached. At 9:30pm, The Mayor’s Cadet and an Army Cadet together lit the beacon, joining hundreds of communities nationwide in symbolising the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of war. The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Last Post, a minute’s silence in memory of the fallen, the Kohima Epitaph and a final rendition of “God Save the King.” Witham Town Council extends its sincere gratitude to the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the Royal British Legion, Reverend Jonathan Pritchard, the Essex Caledonian Pipe Band, the Bocking Brass Band, St John Ambulance, and all the organisations and volunteers who participated and supported the event. Special thanks are also given to all those who attended and helped make the commemoration a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made for peace and freedom. Photographs of the day’s events, courtesy of David Islip, capture the community’s shared moments of both remembrance and celebration. Previous Next

< Back Newland Street parking 11 Mar 2026 After having campaigned against the proposed changes, the Town Council is pleased to see that the North Essex Parking Partnership has recommended that they should not be implemented. NEPP state that - During the public consultation, over 250 individual responses were received. In addition, Witham Town Council submitted over 800 signatures to a petition against the scheme. The NEPP carried out thematic coding on these responses, identifying six key themes: Impact on local businesses/high street vitality, Charging/revenue concerns, Digital exclusion (apps/machines/technical barriers), Accessibility concerns (elderly/disabled/mobility), Adequacy of existing system (“works well already”), Concerns regarding parking turnover/space availability. Taken together, these themes indicate limited community support for a shift from limited waiting to paid parking, significant concern about the impact on local trading environments, and strong preference for retaining the current model across all three locations. Previous Next

< Back Remembrance 2024 Previous Next