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

Sixteen new cameras installed < Back Witham CCTV Expansion 24 Nov 2023 Sixteen new cameras installed Witham Town Council is delighted to announce the significant expansion of the existing CCTV network in Witham, with the installation of sixteen new state-of-the-art cameras making a total of twenty-seven. These cameras have been strategically erected in various locations across the town to enhance security and provide increased visibility in key areas. Witham Town Council is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents and visitors. The decision to expand the CCTV network is part of ongoing efforts to improve security and enhance the overall quality of life in Witham. With these additional cameras, the town's surveillance capabilities will be more robust and efficient than ever before. The 16 new cameras have been thoughtfully placed in locations identified as viable for improved security and visibility, ensuring a broad coverage of Witham. The advanced technology integrated into these CCTV cameras ensures high-definition video capture, improved low-light performance, and the capability to remotely monitor and manage the cameras. With the new system in place, Essex Police in partnership with Witham Town Council will be better equipped to respond to incidents, deter criminal activity, and maintain a safer environment for all residents and visitors. The funding for these cameras was secured in partnership with Braintree District Council through the Home Office Safer Streets programme which has a primary focus on reducing neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls. As well as receiving funding for CCTV, Witham Town Council has now employed a Street Warden to support the valuable work already being carried out by the Community Special Constables all of whom will be able to utilise the cameras. Cllr Mary Cunningham, Braintree District Council Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “The work done as part of the Safer Streets initiative in Witham has allowed for lots of initiatives to help residents feel safer. The latest development being the installation of these new CCTV cameras, which mark another important milestone of this project.” Cllr Lucy Barlow, Chair of the Community Committee, said: “We are so pleased that our new cameras are finally in place, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the WTC officers and staff. The enhanced camera network has already been of service in deterring anti-social behaviour and improving street safety, fulfilling our aim to enhance our community here in Witham. These cameras are a vital resource and we are grateful to everyone who has made this project happen. “ Witham Town Council hopes that this latest expansion of the CCTV network reinforces the council's dedication to fostering a safe, vibrant, and thriving community. For more information about Witham Town Council's initiatives, events, or the Community Special Constable scheme please visit our official website at https://www.witham.gov.uk/ Photo of Cllr Mary Cunningham (left) Cllr Lucy Barlow (right) For more information, press only: Nikki Smith, Witham Town Clerk 01376 520627 townclerk@witham.gov.uk Previous Next

Fayre an Overwhelming Success < Back Christmas Fayre 2024 3 Dec 2024 Fayre an Overwhelming Success Witham Town Council is thrilled to announce the overwhelming success of the Witham Christmas Fayre 2024, which took place on Saturday, 30th November 2024. This year's event was the largest to date, featuring over 80 stalls along Newland Street, within the United Reformed Church, and throughout The Grove Shopping Centre. The festivities began with a traditional Church Carol Service arranged by ‘Churches Together’ in the Grove Shopping Centre at 2 p.m., setting a festive tone for the afternoon. The event culminated in the much-anticipated Christmas light switch-on at 6 p.m. This year's Fayre offered an unprecedented variety of attractions. A main stage hosted live entertainment throughout the event, while stilt walkers delighted attendees with their towering presence. The Witham Hub transformed The Grove Centre into a magical Winter Wonderland, raising much-needed funds while adding to the festive atmosphere. Visitors could enjoy food and drink, have their faces painted, decorate biscuits, or create Christmas decorations. The Witham Christmas Fayre showcased an impressive array of stalls offering unique and locally crafted goods, alongside a selection of festive food and drink. The 'Crafters' Corner' within the United Reformed Church continued to be a popular spot for those seeking one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. Many local shops and businesses extended their opening hours, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere and benefiting from the increased footfall in the town. The Mayor of Witham, Councillor Lucy Barlow, commented: "This year's Christmas Fayre has truly exceeded our expectations. With over 80 stalls, it's been our biggest event yet. The involvement of local businesses, the Winter Wonderland at The Grove Centre, and the variety of entertainment have all contributed to making this a memorable day for our community. We're proud to continue offering this free event for the residents of Witham and look forward to building on this success in the future." Witham Town Council extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who attended and participated in the Witham Christmas Fayre 2024, including our sponsors and local businesses. Special thanks go to The Witham Hub for their fantastic Winter Wonderland and for providing equipment for the Carol Service, to Holmes and Hills and The Grove Centre for sponsoring the event, to the United Reformed Church and to all the performers and stall holders who made this event truly special. Previous Next

Witham Town Council is holding a public forum to address the proposed closure of St Peters Hospital < Back St Peter's Hospital Closure 28 Feb 2024 Witham Town Council is holding a public forum to address the proposed closure of St Peters Hospital The 150-year-old hospital building is set to close permanently and its services moved under plans to reallocate community inpatient beds. If St Peters closes there will be changes to the places where community hospital intermediate care and stroke rehabilitation services are provided, resulting in residents having to travel to Brentwood or Billericay to receive stroke services. This will also make permanent the temporary move of the freestanding midwife-led birthing unit from St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, to the William Julien Courtauld Unit at St Michael’s, Braintree, an already strained facility, so many residents will have to go to Broomfield Hospital. Currently there are no plans as to where outpatient services, such as blood testing will go. If services end up at Broomfield Hospital, Witham residents who do not drive will have to get three buses to get to the Hospital or pay for a taxi service. Therefore, Witham Town Council is looking to let residents voice their concerns by holding a public consultation at New Rickstones Academy on Monday 11th March 2024, starting at 7pm. A representative from the Alliance Director of NHS mid and South EssexDaniel Doherty, will be present to answer any questions. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate to ensure Witham has its say regarding the closure and to demonstrate the Town Council’s concerns, regarding the lack of existing medical facilities in the Town and how the closure would further exacerbate this problem. Previous Next

< Back Bramston Sports Centre Plaque Official opening plaque for Bramston Sports Centre Bramston Sports Centre in Bridge Street opened it's doors in 1974. It was officially opened by Sir Henry Cooper OBE. The sports centre was open for 40 years, closing on 14th August 2014 as it's replacement opened in Spinks Lane. The plaque that you can see in these pictures is now kept at the Town Hall. Credit for these photos goes to Gordon Ager.

Letter from Department for Transport < Back Proposed Stopping up of Highway 4 Mar 2026 Letter from Department for Transport PDF versions of these documents for accessibility: E6241_Draft_Notice .pdf Download PDF • 198KB E6241_Draft_Order .pdf Download PDF • 180KB E6241_Draft_Plan .pdf Download PDF • 266KB Deposit_Letter .pdf Download PDF • 187KB Previous Next

Witham Mayor presents hampers to Witham Food Bank < Back Witham Town Council's Advent Hamper Scheme 7 Dec 2023 Witham Mayor presents hampers to Witham Food Bank Witham Town Council is delighted to announce the overwhelming success of the Advent Hamper Scheme, an initiative that brought the community together to support those in need during the festive season. Throughout the month of November, Witham residents answered the call to kindness as Witham Town Council launched the Advent Hamper Scheme. The appeal was simple yet powerful: individuals and families were encouraged to acquire a box and, each day leading up to December, add an item, creating a mix of non-perishable essentials and festive treats. The Witham Information Centre served as the collection point for the hampers, with residents contributing essential groceries and special Christmas treats. On behalf of the Town Council, Mayor Cllr Susan Ager had the honour of presenting these hampers to the Witham Foodbank, which were gratefully received. The Mayor of Witham, Cllr Susan Ager, said “Witham Town Council have been delighted by the response to their Christmas Hamper donation scheme. We would like to thank all that took part and gave so generously” The Witham Town Council extends its deepest gratitude to every individual and family who participated in the Advent Hamper Scheme. The outpouring of generosity has made a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need. Previous Next

Witham Street Entertainment Festival – Saturday 21 September 2024 < Back Witham Street Entertainment Festival 2024 28 Aug 2024 Witham Street Entertainment Festival – Saturday 21 September 2024 Formerly known as the Puppet Festival, Witham Street Entertainment Festival has become a main fixture in Witham's calendar. Held in the centre of town, the event regularly draws large numbers of visitors into the town to enjoy this free festival. The festival, which is organised by Witham Town Council, has taken place since 1999. Always held on the third Saturday of September, this year it takes place on Saturday 21st September between 10am-3pm. A number of acts perform in the Newlands Shopping Centre, the Grove Shopping Centre, the United Reformed Church and in Newland Street itself, where Witham Town Council closes the road between Collingwood Road and Maldon Road. Make sure you don't miss this great day out. The acts for 2024 include: · Juicy Titbits · Ballonatic Duo · The Wonder Woman Street Show · Fortune Telling Booth · Spring-A-Lings · Humanoid Robot Walkabout · Mobile Comedy Kitchen · Fairly Fish Co · Mystic Mirror Globe · Giant Tortoise · Mime Act · Granny Turismo · James Arnott Punch and Judy Show · Titan · UK Caricaturist Paul · Doris Drake · Rebel Legion · Frostie · The Woolly Wonder · Dapper Chaps · Steven The Magical Music Bubble Bike · Princesses · The Cloud Travellers · Jolly Holiday Take a look back at last year’s festival: Previous Next