11 Council Reports Colchester City Council and County relationships are in good shape through a one ‘Team Colchester’ approach cross-party that sees us working together on a range of issues. Consultations have closed on our joint work on the city centre master plan and the St Botolph’s junction, and the Tendring Colchester Garden Community. The draft Development Plan for the latter has now gone to the Planning Inspectorate. The results from the other consultations are in review. The Local Highways Panel like much of highway work remains cumbersome and slow. Our last bigger scheme was for the Brinkley Grove crossing recently completed (10 years on from first being raised). We have several small schemes successfully validated. From Myland Primary School Street to the Footpath 70 surface upgrade, to the bus stop at Mill Road, Maximus Drive. Highways priorities have been mostly into Highwoods around Tesco with resurfacing and repair. NAR potholes have been nominated for priority repair. RAAC is a national disgrace and a big issue across Colchester. David King has been liaising with the Gilberd School and County and as Leader of the City Council and have asked for an overview, district wide, so we can understand the range of issues and pressures arising and can support as needed. At a city level the focus is on anti-social behaviour in the city centre, involving close work with Essex Police, a review of capital programmes and maintaining a balanced budget, in a period when increasing costs and reduced funding are applying huge pressure, as well as a review of waste strategy and work on the usage of sports and leisure facilities to inform future plans and decisions. Ward issues: Mile End (Cllr Martin Goss) is dealing with an uptick in anti-social behaviour issues and has spoken to people at Mill Road Green after complaints received from residents. Other issues being addressed are problems with management companies responsible for many of the new housing areas in Myland and drivers using the wrong way round the North Station roundabout. Good news soon on the opening of Highwoods Country Park play space after a much-needed update. In Highwoods (Cllr Alison Jay) is handling similar anti-social behaviour issues related to the school summer break and return to school part time due to RAAC issues. Graffiti, litter, abandoned trolleys, overgrown hedges, the state of pavements, the proposed garden waste collection, as well as inconsiderate parking remain common complaints. Your County and Ward councillors can be contacted on email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
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