There's plenty to do this summer in Chelmsford with a host of free and paid-for events available. You can enjoy everything from animatronic dinosaurs in the park, to codebreaking fun at Chelmsford Museum. Read on to plan for summer.
Rapunzel Outdoor Theatre
A brand-new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale, Rapunzel, is coming to Hylands Estate on Monday 15 August at 1pm and 4pm. Showing on the back lawn of Hylands House, the production promises to bring enjoyment and laughter for the whole family.
Our Councillors have seen the great progress being made at The Launchpad, a project led and funded by Southend City Council and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership which is now nearing completion.
The Launchpad sits at the entrance to Airport Business Park Southend (ABPS), and will champion real innovation in the area for start-ups and SME's, and provide a facility where businesses based there can support each other and share knowledge and creativity. Three storeys in height, it will contain a mix of offices, workshops, research facilities and break out spaces, along with a café and seminar space. The building has been designed to achieve an 'Outstanding' grade of the BREEAM environmental standard and will be highly energy efficient to contribute towards the Government's net zero targets from sustainable construction. The site also includes a secure cycle store and shower facilities.
Cllr Paul Collins, cabinet member for asset management and inward investment visited the site earlier this week alongside the leader and deputy leader of the council and fellow councillors from Rochford District Council. Cllr Collins, says: "I was delighted to see the excellent progress being made on this landmark building. The LaunchPad is a vital piece in the jigsaw for Airport Business Park Southend - an ongoing success story that is helping to create local jobs for local people and drive economic growth. As the name suggests, this is a truly important investment in our future local businesses, to set them on their way to success.
"With the current cost of living crisis that the country is facing, it has never been more important to help create local jobs, and I am very pleased to see so much positive progress on site and opportunities being provided for entrepreneurs, for local businesses to expand and for new businesses to invest. I cannot wait to see it open later this year."
Cllr Danielle Belton, Portfolio Holder for Climate and Economy at Rochford District Council said "Our thanks to colleagues at Southend on Sea City Council and the Morgan Sindall group on what appears to be a successful project and well run site. I look forward to completion and seeing the vast spaces filled with vibrant and exciting new businesses to benefit our local economy."
ABPS is a vital £150m project that is already driving opportunity, prosperity and economic growth of Southend-on-Sea, Rochford and the wider region. It is creating more local employment, and providing opportunities for local business to expand and new ones to invest. ABPS is already home to IPECO Holdings' 124,000 sq ft unit, a Costa Coffee, and the relocated Westcliff Rugby Club. The Quad is also underway, delivering flexible industrial/warehouse units finished to a shell finish for occupiers to complete their own fitout works. The offices are finished to a category A standard.
A family-friendly interactive app has been launched as part of a project to help transform Chelmsford residents' relationship with The Chelmer Valley Local Nature Reserve - known locally as the Bunny Walks.
The app (from the Lib Dem-led Chelmsford City Council) is part of a Safer Streets programme for the area, made possible through funding the Council obtained from the Government. It will engage with families using quizzes, interesting facts about the history, flora and fauna of the reserve and help residents feel more confident when they're walking or cycling through the area.
Chelmsford City Council has passed a motion to be an example of good tax conduct and encourage businesses it deals with to have good tax practices.
As a result, the Lib Dem-led council has become the 26th council in the UK to become a Fair Tax Council.
The scheme asks councils to support tax justice with a range of measures, including promoting Fair Tax Mark accreditation, which recognises businesses that pay the right amount of corporate income tax at the right time and in the right place. Fair Tax Mark businesses include listed PLCs, co-operatives, social enterprises and large private business.
Chelmsford City Council has agreed to strongly object to current proposals for a new National Grid electricity transmission line between Norwich and Tilbury. The Lib Dem-led council has been joined by many others across Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk in objecting.
A response to the plans, which was approved on 14 July by Chelmsford Policy Board, says that the consultation for this scheme is premature and that all options for transmitting electricity across the region have not yet been fully explored.
"Whilst I am writing this article, we are in the middle of the hottest heatwave the country has ever known and at the same time everyone wanting to run the country seems to have forgotten about global warming and the promises made at the Climate Change Conference late last year. We are supposed to bring the burning of fossil fuels down to zero.
Southend City Jam, the fantastic street art festival coming to Southend-on-Sea in September is now even bigger as two new sponsors come on board.
Southend City Jam, the fantastic street art festival coming to Southend-on-Sea in September is now even bigger as two new sponsors come on board. Mark One Hire and PGR Builders and Timber Merchants are both Essex-based companies who will be providing their services for the festival. Mark One Hire is an Essex-based tool, equipment and powered access hire company. The local business will provide support equipment for the festival including cherry pickers to ensure the artists can safely reach the walls.
Alan Ball, Mark One Hire director, said: "Southend City Jam is set to be a brilliant event for the City, attracting thousands of visitors. Mark One Hire are proud to be a part of such an innovate and exciting event. We're excited to help the artists reach new heights to transform the City."
PGR Builders and Timber Merchants is a family-owned independent builders and timber merchants established in 1984. The company will be supplying the timber needed to erect the temporary 'walls' in the High Street and seafront area. Lee Hayden, branch manager of PGR Builders and Timber Merchants, said: "As a local business, we're delighted to be involved with such an incredible ensemble of artists. We're happy can play a small part in this festival and cannot wait to see the public response."
Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, culture and tourism said: 'It's wonderful to see local businesses getting so involved with this festival. We're happy to welcome and work with Mark One Hire and PGR to help safely deliver this festival. Street art has really caught the public's attention in the last few years and it's heartening to see such an engaging and positive reaction."
Mark One Hire and PGR Builders and Timber Merchants join Pigs Bay Distillery and Southend Business Improvement District (BID) as sponsors for the three day festival in September.
Further information regarding the event, including full details of all the artists involved, workshops, volunteering, and sponsorship opportunities can be found on the website, www.southendcityjam.co.uk
A plea was made for all children in families receiving Universal Credit to receive free school meals. This was called for by Liberal Democrats on Essex County Council on 12 July but was rejected by the Conservatives.
Lib Dem councillors pointed out that, since the Free School Meals policy was introduced (seven years ago by the Liberal Democrats in Government), theConservatives have increased funding per pupil from £2.30 to just £2.34 - anincrease of 1.3% compared to inflation of 7%. As a result, children in theEssex County Council area have lost the equivalent of £1,171,603 - morethan any other area in the country. Had funding increased with inflation, itwould currently stand at, at least £2.46 per pupil. This funding cut has leftEssex schools covering the extra cost by spending less on textbooks andteachers.
Chelmsford City Council will give a higher priority to action on climate change, affordable housing and community facilities in an upcoming review of its Local Plan. This change of priorities is driven by the Liberal Democrats, who want to address the failings of the current Local Plan, written by the previous Conservative leadership of the City Council.
The planned Garden Community north-east of Chelmsford will create new, high-quality neighbourhoods where people really want to live and work. This initiative by the City Council, working with developers, has been recognised by the Government, with an award of more than £450,000.
The grant will be used by Chelmsford City Council to continue the work of bringing new development forward. A proportion of the money will also be used on improvements to existing cycle and walking projects in the area.
Our Councillors have seen the great progress being made at The Launchpad, a project led and funded by Southend City Council and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership which is now nearing completion.
"Whilst I am writing this article, we are in the middle of the hottest heatwave the country has ever known and at the same time everyone wanting to run the country seems to have forgotten about global warming and the promises made at the Climate Change Conference late last year. We are supposed to bring the burning of fossil fuels down to zero.
Southend City Jam, the fantastic street art festival coming to Southend-on-Sea in September is now even bigger as two new sponsors come on board.
