The Annual Meeting of the Parish will take place on Wednesday 30 April 2025.  This is the annual open meeting for residents, everyone welcome, to hear what the Councils and village organisations have been doing this year and what is planned for the next year.  Do come along and support your village.

The agenda will be published prior to the meeting on this website and on the noticeboards at the village crossroads.  Please contact clerk for further details.  clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Group thanks all residents who kindly reviewed the Pre-Submission plan and submitted their comments.

Further details will follow on this website.

For further information please contact the Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Group members or alternatively the Parish Council Chairman or Clerk

mick.housden@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk;

clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Closing date 10 February 2025, midnight, Responses for Pre-submission consultation

Please make your responses urgently. For details

https://www.witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk/Contents/ContentItems/4b04rsb424bzk0q39v6wxm3253 

Since the end of 2022, the Parish Council has been preparing a neighbourhood plan for Witcham with the help of volunteers and professional support.

What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

A neighbourhood plan is a community-led document for guiding decisions that need planning permission. Once complete it will become part of the legal planning framework for the area, sitting alongside the East Cambridgeshire Local Plan and used when planning applications are decided.

The Neighbourhood Plan covers the following key themes:

• Spatial Strategy

• Housing

• Natural Environment

• Historic and Built Environment

• Facilities and Services

• Highways and Travel

Whether the Plan is approved will ultimately be decided at a Parish Referendum when, if a majority of residents that vote agree with the Plan, East Cambridgeshire District Council will be required to adopt it.

Pre-Submission Consultation on Draft Neighbourhood Plan

We’ve now reached a major milestone and are consulting widely on the Draft Plan until Monday 10 February 2025. You now have the opportunity to say whether or not you support the content of the Plan or would like to see some changes and so influence planning and development policy for Witcham for the coming years.

We have distributed a summary leafletto every household and known business in the Parish and the Plan itself can be downloaded below.

Link to Neighbourhood Plan

If you don’t have access to the internet, paper copies of the Plan will be available to borrow for a short time from the following addresses:

17 The Slade; 11 Silver Street; and The Old School, 30A High Street

We would welcome your comments. These can be submitted online or by completing the form below and returning it as instructed on the form. Comments must be received by midnight on Monday 10 February 2025

Online Comments Form

DownloadComments Form

We want your comments, even if you support everything in the Plan!

Supporting Documents

In addition to the Plan itself, there are a number of supporting documents referred to in the Plan. These can be found below:

Witcham DesignGuidance and Codes

WitchamAssessment of Important Views

Witcham Autumn2023 Survey: Results Booklet

LOOKING AHEAD

Once the consultation ends, all comments received will be reviewed and the Plan will be amended as necessary. It will then be submitted to East Cambridgeshire District Council who will carry out a second round of consultation before the Plan is assessed by an Independent Examiner. The Examiner will decide what changes are required to meet the national neighbourhood planning requirements and recommend that the Plan is subject to a Parish Referendum open to all on the Electoral Register. There is no minimum turnout for the Referendum and a simple majority in favour of the Plan will mean that it can be used by East Cambridgeshire District Council when making decisions on planning applications.

For further information please contact the Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Group members or alternatively Parish Council Chairman or Clerk

mick.housden@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk

clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Avoid being a bonfire bandit this autumn

As the darker nights draw in, East Cambridgeshire District Council is advising residents to avoid being a bonfire bandit this autumn.

While bonfires are often considered a welcome opportunity to get rid of garden waste there is lots to consider before striking a match.

Check for hedgehogs

This time of year, hedgehogs are looking for safe places to hibernate and piled up garden rubbish can provide the ideal nesting place. Always remember to check bonfires before setting fire to them. Consider providing a dedicated hedgehog house in your garden, which offers safe nesting accommodation.

Pull out pallets

It may be tempting to stack up piles of unwanted wooden pallets on your bonfire, but many contain preservatives that mean burning them pollutes the environment. Disposal of them is also regarded as commercial waste, which requires a proper licence to dispose of.

To burn pallets legally you need to ensure you have prior permission from the Environment Agency.

Avoid oil-based products

Oil-based wastes, such as tyres, plastics, furnishings and polystyrene should not be burned under any circumstances, as these are harmful to the environment. You should also avoid dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins and batteries.

Don’t fuel the risk of a fire

Bonfires can easily get out of hand, particularly during windy weather. Advice from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is to think twice about having a bonfire. If you do decide to go ahead they advise you to build them well away from fences, hedges and sheds.

Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.

You should also never leave a bonfire unattended and always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of fire.

Don’t smoke out the neighbours

Burning damp vegetation can cause thick smoke, which can cause a nuisance for neighbours.

The council provides a green bin collection service which allows you to dispose of garden waste without the need for burning.

Composting is a natural alternative to burning which reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill and is a cost-effective way of improving your soil fertility. Visit our composting web page for further advice

Alternatively, visit an organised display that should have taken all the above precautions in advance.

More information about bonfires is available on our website.

Quotations for grasscutting and grounds maintenance sought

Expressions of Interest welcomed

see attached

Cambridgeshire County Council has announced Capital Maintenance Programme 2024/25.

Check out proposals for works for roads, paths, drains, bridges, signals

Capital maintenance programme | Cambridgeshire County Council

Footway works on The Slade were completed on 9 September.

Of note, anyone travelling to St Ives/Huntingdon/Willingham - works are scheduled on the B1381 Sutton to Earith road on 6 January 2025.  10 Weeks.  8am to 6pm.  Road closed day and night and may include weekends.  Road signs confirming details will be erected nearer the time

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority seek your views on the future of our bus services.

Please take this opportunity to make your voice heard - see notice attached

Want to see improvements for our roads, paths, rights of way?

This is your opportunity to give your views

please get your comments in now.....

The Active Travel Hierarchy looks to introduce a way of prioritising maintenance activities to better reflect the use of the highway network by walkers, cyclists and other non-motorised traffic. This will support the Council’s Active Travel Strategy and its ambition to make walking or cycling the natural choice for shorter journeys, in turn helping to reduce road traffic congestion, improve journey times, and contributing to carbon reduction in the County.

We would like to invite your feedback on the proposals, so that we can better understand which active travel routes and public rights of way are considered important by our communities, and what maintenance activities stakeholders might like us to prioritise.

Launched by the Highways & Transport service at Cambridgeshire County Council.  This follows proposals for a consultation which were presented to the Council's Highways & Transport Committee in January 2024. The consultation seeks input regarding proposals for an 'Active Travel Hierarchy'.

This is a public consultation that is being promoted on the County Council's social media channels to encourage wide participating, that they may gauge residents’ views.

The consultation has been extended to 30 September 2024  Please get your responses in now.   

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/

https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/projects

https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/active-travel-hierarchy

6.9.24/13.9.24

Copy of Neighbourhood Plan Working Group - Survey and the Design Code

Annual Reports - Witcham APM 15 May 2024

REMINDER

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

 at Witcham Village Hall on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 7.30pm

AGENDA

1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting of 28 April 2023
3. Matters Arising
4. Reports from County Councillor and District Councillors
5. To explore and discuss alternative options for annual Best Kept Gardens event
6. Annual Report of Parish Council, including 2023/4 Annual Accounts and 2024/5 Precept
7. To receive reports from the village clubs/charities/organisations on their activities and financial position for the year
8. To receive update from Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
9. To receive update on Speedwatch
10. Any Other Parish Business

Witcham Recreation Ground

City of Ely Cricket Club 3rd X1 team will be playing matches this year at the recreation ground on the following days:

4 May - CANCELLED

11 May

18 May (to be confirmed)

8 June

15 June

20 July (to be confirmed)

3 August

31 August

Opened - new play and exercise facilities

Witcham Play Project Phase 2

Works commencing for 1 week from Tuesday 2nd April 2024

Area closed to the public

see attached

Play Park Opening and events at recreation ground

Sunday 24 March 2024

Click for details

Sunday 24 March 2024, at 2pm  

Make a note on your calendar.  Further details to follow

Further details to follow.  See also noticeboards at the Village Crossroads

Applications are invited to fill Parish Councillor Vacancy by Co-option 

See attached details and how to apply

Xmas/New Year Parish Council Newsletter attached

Further update on Phase 1 Play project - Wicksteed are on site this week replacing fence and gates, and surfacing area for train.  Final safety report expected soon so that it an be opened before Christmas, with an official opening event planned in few weeks.  Wicksteed and the Parish Council take this opportunity to thank our residents for their patience in this matter.  With our good wishes  to you all for Christmas and the New Year

Sue

Parish Clerk   

11.12.23

LATEST Wicksteed plan to be on site finishing works week commencing Monday 11 December 2023

Once we have the all-clear we will advise about opening the facility.  See village noticeboards and on site for updates.

Update from Wicksteed on re-opening Play Park Phase 1   30.11.23

When is our play park opening?

UPDATE:  

The new play park is proceeding well and you will have noticed that the contractors installing the new play park equipment have removed their fencing. Unfortunately, this was a little hasty as there are some snagging issues that need resolving with some of the equipment and a clear safety report signed off BEFORE the equipment is handed over to the Parish Council and play park can be used.

The gates have therefore been locked shut to prevent it being used. Hopefully, the issues will be resolved quickly.  The Parish Council hope to hold an opening event as soon as possible after the works have been completed. Updates will continue to be posted up, including on site and village noticeboard at crossroads.

We are grateful for your patience and please do keep children off of the equipment until the park is opened.

Witcham Parish Council

Next meeting Tuesday 28 November 2023 Witcham Village Hall 7.45pm

Residents welcome.

See noticeboards at centre of village for updates

Tues 24 October 2023 - 7.30pm, Village Hall - Next meeting of Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Group - residents welcome to attend for next updates

The new play park is proceeding well and you will have noticed that the contractors installing the new play park equipment have removed their fencing. Unfortunately, this was a little hasty as there are some snagging issues that need resolving with some of the equipment and a clear safety report signed off BEFORE the equipment is handed over to the Parish Council and play park can be used.  

The gates have therefore been locked shut to prevent it being used. Hopefully, the issues will be resolved quickly and the parish council plan to hold an opening event as soon as is possible.

Further updates will continue to be posted up, including on site and village noticeboard at crossroads.

Many thanks for your patience and please do keep children off of the equipment until the park is opened.

Witcham Parish Council 

Last days to complete the survey !

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamSurvey/

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamYouthSurvey/

Countdown......Have you done the village survey 

Please complete and submit by Monday 16 October...

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamSurvey/

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamYouthSurvey/

Hurry -- to complete on line

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamSurvey/

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WitchamYouthSurvey/

Must be completed and submitted by 16 October please

Latest newsletter 

Play Project, Neighbourhood Plan, Councillor Vacancy, Headstones and more

Works expected to commence 25 September.  Recreation Ground/Village Green facilities closed to public until work completed

No requests for info - deadlines extended

Update on recent meetings

The Survey is nearly ready,  everyone encouraged to complete it when it arrives after holidays in September.  See attached

NOTICE

AN INSPECTION OF HEADSTONES/KERBING ETC WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT WITCHAM CEMETERY DURING JULY

ANY ITEMS FAILING THE ‘SECURE’ TEST WILL BE LAID DOWN AND THE COUNCIL WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT THE FAMILY IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS WITH THEIR REGISTERED NAMM STONEMASON TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS URGENTLY

ANY QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT

THE PARISH CLERK

clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Tel 01353 778147

or speak to your local parish councillor who will pass your concerns/enquiry on to the Council

Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Group

Next meeting: Tuesday 27 June 2023 at 7.45pm in Witcham Village Hall

Update on survey and feedback on consultation session held Saturday 10 June 2023 at Witcham Village Hall

Notes of latest meeting posted on noticeboard at bus shelter

Contact members for further details or drop in on the 27th.

Parish Councillor Vacancy to be filled by Co-option - July 2023

The 2011 Localism Act introduced Neighbourhood Planning; an important and powerful tool giving communities statutory powers to shape how their communities develop and grow. Your chance to have a say over where new homes, businesses, facilities are built and what new buildings should look like. Maybe you want to protect and enhance specific areas of the village?

Read more........ see below

Update 2023 Parish Council Elections

Statement as to Persons Nominated

Declaration of Result of Poll Uncontested

https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/elections-voting/elections-may-2023

For latest information on 2023 District and Parish Council Elections

Anglian Water/Cambridge Water Company - New Reservoir Consultation Results

Notice of District and Parish Council Elections

Nomination Papers must be delivered to J Hill, returning Officer, East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely on any day including the publication of this notice, but not later than 4pm on 4 April 2023.

Nomination Papers available from East Cambridgeshire District Council

See attached/village noticeboards at crossroads

Designation of Witcham parish area as a 'Neighbourhood Area'

The parish of Witcham has been successfully designated as a Neighbourhood Area and the Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Party will now work with consultants in moving forward for the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan.

Visit:

https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk

Click on ’Residents’ tab, select ‘Planning’, at dropdown list select ‘Planning Policy’ and down to ‘Neighbourhood Planning’ to view update for Witcham and examples of other village Neighbourhood Plans.

Next meeting 24 January 2023 Village Hall 7.30pm

Regular updates www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk and social media @UKPowerNetworks.

UKPN say that their electricity network is built to be resilient but high winds and rain can damage overhead power lines resulting in some customers losing their electricity supply. Where this happens they will work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. They do organise for additional staff in their contact centre to help customers whose electricity supply might be affected by the predicted weather, and call-up additional engineers to carry out repairs to the electricity network.

Anyone experiencing a power cut can:

· Call 105 to report power cuts and damage to the electricity network, or 0800 3163 105 (from a corded phone or mobile phone if you have no power)

· Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest updates

· Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in their postcode to view our live power cut map

· Tweet @ukpowernetworks to report power cuts or to receive updates

The public are urged to stay well clear from power lines and anyone spotting a damaged power line needs to report it immediately by calling 105 from a landline or mobile phone.

If they see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public they should call 999.

Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five, or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons can join the Priority Register. You can find out more information about the Priority Service at their website:ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority .

Next meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Party scheduled for 

Tuesday 25^th October 2022 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

Invitation to tender for design and build of children's play area and outdoor fitness equipment Witcham Recreation Ground

WITCHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Meeting of the Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Party

Tuesday 26 July 2022

at 7.30pm

in the Village Hall, Witcham

Do drop in to find out more and share ideas, skills and interests

We shall also be at the Village Hall Afternoon Tea on Sunday 24 July 2022.  Come along for a chat with members of the working party to find out more about the project

WITCHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Meeting of the Witcham Neighbourhood Plan Working Party

Tuesday 28 June 2022

at 7.30pm

in the Village Hall, Witcham

Agenda to include appointment of lead for the group, review consultants available to help, fix programme of meetings and plan timeline with next stages - All welcome

Inaugural Meeting 7 June 2022 7.30pm Village Hall

FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALL RESIDENTS

It’s time to think about future DEVELOPMENT for Witcham

Annual Parish Meeting

27 April 2022 Witcham Village Hall 7.30pm

Agenda attached - the future of Witcham

Proposals for 3 options for play and outdoor fitness equipment at recreation ground displayed at village hall.

Contact Parish Clerk - clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk  to obtain questionnaire for your preferred option - Nos. 1, 2 or 3 to feedback your comments - by 9am on 8 February 2022.  Comments will be reviewed at the Council meeting on Wednesday 9 February 2022

Complaints about antisocial behaviour late at night/early hours of the morning on the Elean Business Park  received at January meeting.  Residents had reported on the Cambridgeshire Police 101 live webchat which proved quick and easy, with good response 

Link to Cambs Police online webchat

https://bchpolicesupport.imsupporting.com/welcome3/index.php?id=726201605932&dept=Cambs_101

Recreation Ground/Village Green Works

If you were unable to attend to view and comment on proposals for revamping the children's play areas and outdoor fitness facilities and works at the recreation ground on Friday or Saturday (21 and 22 January) information will be left displayed in the window at the front of the village hall for a few more days or contact the Clerk. Any comments can be sent to clerk@witchamparishcouncil.gov.uk   by 8 February 2022.

The Council aims to submit applications for grants for the development of these projects to meet application deadlines at the of end February/beginning March.

Have you and your family completed your survey delivered to your door couple of weeks ago