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Cost of Living Survey

Braintree District Council has launched an anonymous Cost of Living Survey to better understand residents’ biggest challenges.

How you can take part:

  • Complete the survey yourself if you live in Braintree District (it’s completely anonymous).

  • Share the link with friends, family, and neighbours.

  • Support anyone who may need help filling out a paper copy (available to download below, or request physical copies from the Council).

Online survey link: https://www.braintree.gov.uk/xfp/form/727

📄 Paper copies: A printable version is available here - https://www.bradwellwithpattiswick-pc.gov.uk/assets/documents/cost-of-living-survey

Additional copies are available on request by emailing communityservices@braintree.gov.uk.

Paper copies are also available at Causeway House reception.

Your feedback will make a real difference in shaping future support services.

Thank you for taking part.

19:46, 12 Sep 2025 by Theresa Wilson
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Village Sign Refurbishment

The Parish Council would like to send many thanks to Cressing Temple Community Shed (CTCS) for their wonderful refurbishment of our Village Sign. It looks great! 

May be an image of road and text

16:31, 09 Sep 2025 by Theresa Wilson
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Update on FAQs from INDAVER

Please see below answers to four new questions that have arisen recently in relation to the plume, which will also be uploaded to the FAQ page of our Rivenhall IWMF website today:

 
Rivenhall | F.A.Q
 
Please pass these on to other members of the parish councils, and feel free to share them on social media or with members of the public who may enquire.
 
 
Why is there a visible plume from the stack?
 
The Rivenhall plume abatement system uses Best Available Techniques to prevent a visible plume. Like any complex piece of it equipment it requires testing and commissioning to ensure it can be effective in all climatic conditions. The information previously approved under condition 17 of the planning permission for the Rivenhall IWMF, prior to Indaver taking control of the site, did not contain any information regarding the commissioning or calibrating of the plume abatement equipment before it was brought into use. Working alongside Essex County Council, Indaver have sought to rectify this omission by submitting a non-material amendment. The non material amendment allows the submission of management plan which explains likely visible plumes over the testing period. In order to test in all climatic conditions the management plan covers a testing period up to December 2026.
 
Why can I see steam from other parts of the plant?
 
The Rivenhall EFW facility has a vacuum unit which moves clean steam through the process from boiler to turbine and back again. There are two parts of the system. A start up ejector which vents steam to atmosphere and a holding ejector which does not. During commissioning the start up ejector is used heavily until all parts of the plant are running efficiently. After all elements are commissioned the start up ejector should only be used at plant start up which routinely occurs once a year. During normal operation the holding ejector is in use and no steam is vented to atmosphere from this system. In addition to this, steam may be visible on occasion from roof vents during start up. The plant is due to finish commissioning in Feb 2026.
 
Why are Indaver applying to remove the visible plume condition?
 
The plume abatement system consumes 4 megawatts of electricity—enough to power approximately 12,000* UK households for an entire year. This energy is used solely to eliminate a plume that appears intermittently on cold days and provides no environmental benefit.
(*Based on an annual average household consumption of 2,700kWh Source: Ofgem)
 
Are there negative environmental effects if I can see a plume?
 
No. The plume abatement system and the flue gas cleaning system are separate systems. The flue gas cleaning system is designed to remove pollutants prior to leaving the stack. This is always in operation and the plant will never run without it. The plume abatement system is purely a cosmetic system to reduce the visual impact of condensing water vapour. Whether the plume is visible or not is not an indicator of the environmental performance of the plant.

 

14:11, 04 Sep 2025 by Theresa Wilson
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Volunteer Footpath Officer Needed

Further Information

Bradwell with Pattiswick Parish Council is seeking a Volunteer Footpath Officer to help us keep the parish’s public rights of way open, safe, and enjoyable for all.

This is a voluntary role and does not involve carrying out maintenance work yourself – instead, the Footpath Officer acts as the “eyes and ears” of the parish, reporting any problems to the Parish Council or relevant authorities.

Typical issues you may come across include:

  • Fallen trees or branches blocking paths

  • Overgrown hedges, nettles, or brambles

  • Broken or unsafe stiles, gates, or bridges

  • Blocked or diverted footpaths

  • Missing or damaged waymarkers or signs

What’s involved?

  • Walking the footpaths across the parish (as often as you are able)

  • Recording and reporting any problems to the Parish Clerk/Council, usually at monthly meetings

  • Working with the Parish Council to highlight any improvements or priorities

What we’re looking for:

  • Someone who enjoys walking and being outdoors

  • A good eye for detail and willingness to report issues clearly

  • An interest in protecting and improving local access for the community

This role is a great way to explore the local countryside, contribute to the community, and help ensure that everyone can continue to enjoy our parish footpaths.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact:
📧 clerk@bradwellwithpattiswick-pc.gov.uk
📞 07934 214971

12:57, 26 Aug 2025 by Theresa Wilson
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Update: Rivenhall Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF)

Bradwell Parish Council is sharing the latest information received this morning regarding the Rivenhall IWMF.

The facility began taking in waste on 21 July and entered its commissioning phase on 9 August.

Essex County Council’s Waste Planning Authority (WPA) has opened two enforcement cases (ENF/1264 and ENF/1268) following questions about planning permission and operations. These were reviewed in a report for the ECC Development & Regulation Committee on 22 August.

  • ENF/1264: No enforcement action for now. The WPA will wait for the outcome of current planning applications (which may be determined by the WPA or the Secretary of State). Enforcement could be reconsidered if applications are refused.

  • ENF/1268: No formal enforcement action. The WPA will work with the operator on the commissioning plan for the plume abatement system.

Key points from the operator’s FAQs:

  • The current Environment Agency (EA) permit is valid, and hot commissioning can proceed.

  • Steam plumes, smoke, and odours seen recently were normal commissioning effects and confirmed as temporary by the EA.

  • Not all the original recycling facilities are required by market demand, but further applications have been lodged for additional facilities.

  • Waste lorries must access the site via the dedicated A120 road—there are no alternative routes.

For more detail, please see the full FAQ here: Rivenhall IWMF – F.A.Q

09:24, 20 Aug 2025 by Theresa Wilson
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