Great Notley Garden Village Residents Association
Newsletter Number 22
Date : March 2002.
Chairman : Ken Game. Telephone - 343030. Secretary : Bert Rix. Telephone - 341066.
E-mail : herbertrix@btinternet.com
COUNCIL TAX INCREASE FOR 2002/2003.
In our newsletter No.21 we commented on the forecast rise in Council Tax and now we have the accurate figures which are very close. Resulting from a number of calls and suggestions made by local people the Residents Association will be writing to the B.D.C. Revenue Office and all B.D.C. councillors to complain. Last year the Residents Association had an answer to a letter of complaint saying that Band D had only an increase of 7% with a multiplier of 13/9 for Band F, which gave an increase of 10.11% . This answer was accurate, but it talked about 7% for Band D which sounds better, but ignored the true increase for Band F, which applies to most of the houses in Great Notley.
The Council Tax Analysis dated the 12th. March, 2002 shows Band F. council tax has risen by 10.23% and the figures are:- £1417.81. (2002) minus £1286.28 (2001) times 100 divided by £1286.28. In our view, these increases cannot be defended because B.D.C. cannot even hide behind the excuse of a reduced government grant. Last year's grant (2001) was £9,962,000 against the 2002 grant of £9,774,000. A reduction, but under 2%.
Harking back to newsletter 21 and what was written about the "rule of 70" we are re-stating this for the benefit of those houses newly occupied since our last issue. It may also help to refresh people who received newsletter 21 in the very early days of February.
Divide a rate of increase into 70 and the answer is the number of years it will take to double the percentage increase. This rule of 70 applies equally to bank/building society interest where 2% interest will take 35 years to double the starting capital.
If rises of 10% are going to be the norm in the near future, the tax burden will double in only 7 years, such is the power of compound interest. The rule of 70 is very accurate over a wide range and can easily be checked by using a calculator.
If anyone wishes to use these figures to complain to District Councillors or the B.D.C. Revenue Office at Causeway House, feel free, there is no copyright. EVEN THE PRIME MINISTER DOESN'T THINK COUNCILS ARE JUSTIFIED IN SUCH AN OUTRAGEOUS INCREASE.
GREAT NOTLEY PARISH COUNCIL TAX INCREASE OF 64.335.
Illustrated are a limited number of examples of the way that the Great Notley Parish Council spends our money as if it wasn't their money they are spending (and it isn't):-
Maintenance (clearing litter) up from £1000 (2001) to £ 1500 (2002) an increase of 50%
Play areas and equipment up from £5000 (2001) to £16000 (2002) an increase of 220%.
War memorial. up from £ 250 (2001) to £ 700 (2002) an increase of 180% Inflation is 2%.
Parish sign (Golden Jubilee) £3000.
Parish councillors are elected to guard our interests, not constantly search for new ways to spend our money.
UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE.
What is the U3A : It is a self-funding organisation that provides an opportunity for a variety of educational, creative and leisure activities, in the main, although not exclusively, for retired people at minimal cost by using the knowledge and skills of its' members. In the UK there are 477 individual U3As with over 112,000 members.
In Chelmsford monthly Group meetings are held at which they have guest speakers covering a broad range of topics. In addition there are over 20 individual special interest groups covering a range of subjects including Art appreciation, Bridge, Computers, Cycling, Gardening, Local History, Literature, Music appreciation, Natural History, Discussion Groups, Painting, Play reading, Rambling, Science, Scrabble, Writing for Pleasure, Chess, to name but a few.
MEMBERSHIP: Despite the grandiose title "University" no formal educational qualifications are required and there are no examinations. All that is required is an ongoing interest in learning for its own sake. Membership costs £10 per year per person.
MEETINGS: In Chelmsford our main Group meetings are held on the 3rd. Tuesday of each month at the Old Chelmsfordians Hall, Roxwell Road, Chelmsford at 2.15pm.
If interested in joining please contact the Membership Secretary, Mrs. Eve Woollaston on 01245-422319 or you can attend one of the monthly meetings for a nominal fee of £1 to see whether you like it and to find out more.
At the latest meeting a slide talk by a local artist on portraits she had painted of famous actors was rivetting.
THE SUFFOLK ENSEMBLE AND A CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF ESSEX AIR AMBULANCE.
The Suffolk ensemble are a group of musicians from Suffolk and North Essex who have been performing together since September, 2001.
They compose and perform original songs based on the region's people and places, tapping into a wealth of local folklore, local history, personal recollections and nostalgia.
Their music could be described as a blend of Folk, Blues, Roots, Country, Jazz and Popular styles (it's not vry easy to
categorise).
They perform live and often for free throughout the region helping to raise funds for local charities and causes.
THEIR NEXT PERFORMANCE IS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE ON SATURDAY, THE 13TH. APRIL IN AID OF THE ABOVE CHARITY AS PER THE ATTACHED LEAFLET. TICKETS HAVE BEEN SELLING WELL, SO TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT ORDER NOW.
THE SWAN PUBLIC HOUSE AND RESTAURANT AT BRADWELL.
Ever since fthe flooding last autumn the writer has been passing along the A120 at Bradwell and seen the Swan Public House in darkness and wondered if it would ever open again. Well! Some good news.
The Swan at Bradwell is now getting back to normal after being closed for four months after the flooding in the village last October.
The restaurant and bar, which flooded to almost three feet deep have been completely refurbished including new furniture and carpets. Ann Clark, who has been proprietor of the Swan for thirteen years said that her biggest disappointment was having to let down her loyal customers over the Christmas period.
With the new look, Ann and colleague 'Paco' have introduced two new items to the restaurant. For a 'quick lunch' there is now a Cold Table (Monday to Friday) and every Thursday evening is a Special Steak and Fish Night.
The vice-Chairman and Secretary of the Residents Association called in for lunch one day last week and enjoyed a most excellent meal. Menu and cuisine were great and the Swan is well worth a visit.
TWO RECENT ATTEMPTS TO RELIEVE HONEST FOLK OF HARD-EARNED MONEY.
No.1. This came from the "Claims Department" of the International Awards Exchange" informing the recipient of an amount of money (£1486.14p.) waiting to be claimed. The originating address was a Box Number in Vancouver in Canada. It requested £15 to cover priority handling of the file plus provisional OVERNIGHT EXPRESS of the cheque to the winner. The letter was returned with instructions to deduct the £15 from the winnings and send on the balance.
We are too familiar with Reader's Digest to expect a bankable cheque in the near future.
No.2. Is from Friedrich Mueller with a P.O. Box address in Vienna to reward "future customer loyalty". The bait is a Peugeot 106 or a luxury 7 day holiday in Monte Carlo or several gifts of lesser value. The requirement is to send £30 to Vienna for shipping, handling, insurance, taxes etc.
Two unmissable offers in 4 days. Could it be that these offers are too good to be true? A reasonable guess is that folk on the Great Notley Garden Village are too fly to fall for either scam, but it was thought worth informing all our members just what is around.
P.S. Have just seen the Braintree and Witham Times and there is a reference at the bottom of page 7.
CONDOLENCES.
All members of the Residents Association would like to extend their sympathy to Mr. Kenneth Chine on the sudden and sad death of his wife Jacqui on the 20th. March, 2002.
HELEN ROLLASON APPEAL.
The committee of the Residents Association would like to publicise the effort of one of our members who will be running in the London Marathon on April, 14th. in support of the above charity.
Mike Struthers of Harnham Drive, who will be running the 26.2 mile stretch is a member of the Witham Running Club and decided to choose the appeal after his partner, Karen, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June last year.
If anyone would like to make a donation, organise an event or would like more information on the appeal please contact Grainne James, project manager, on 01245-513033.
March, 2002.
