Wethersfield Parish Council

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Statement by Wethersfield Parish Council on the subject of Home Office `Compensation Payment’ regarding the Asylum Centre.

When the Asylum Centre was first proposed we were led to believe that a sum of £3500 per occupied bed space would be made available to alleviate problems caused by the asylum centre to the local area. Rightly or wrongly people assumed that this money would be made available for community projects so that some benefit would accrue from any difficulties experienced by having this large number of people planted on our doorstep.

It now transpires that this is not the case. At a meeting at the centre held last week Cllr Graham Butland, leader of Braintree District Council, made it very clear that local communities need not expect any `largesse’ from this money.

Today your chairman has discovered that a grant of £50,000 has been offered to the centre to provide educational and recreational equipment for the service users. This will come out of the fund. We do not for one moment suggest that this money is not needed or begrudge it. We do, however, feel that it should not come out of this fund but rather from Home Office funds. The centre is their project, not ours.

He was also told that £200,000 would be made available for the local community, namely Bardfield, Finchingfield, Wethersfield, Toppesfield, Shalford and surrounding areas. So, £50,000 for the 500 residents of the centre and £200,000 for the many thousands of local residents. This would seem to be meat and drink for the extreme right wing and it is possible to see their point.

In conversation with the BDC staff member responsible for dealing with this fund it transpired that our belief is mistaken. The money is not, largely, for our benefit but rather to enable the district council to carry out its responsibilities towards the occupants of the asylum centre with regard to such matters as safeguarding. In other words, it isn’t really a grant at all, just the HO doing what it does best and passing the buck down the road to someone else.

We believe that the local area deserves reasonable compensation for the anxiety and distress caused by the actions of the Home Office over the last two or three years not only regarding the Centre but also the prison proposal. The HO seems to feel it is appropriate to ride roughshod over local people ignoring all reasonable rules of democracy and appropriate behaviour.

The Home Secretary, James Cleverly is YOUR MP, take this opportunity to write to him and let him know your views.

[email protected]

🤙We are about to complete on the adoption of the phone box in Wethersfield!!

As soon as the weather permits, the listed phone kiosk will be totally refurbished, like for like.

In the meantime, we are interested to hear from Parishioner’s to tell us how you would like to see it repurposed?

💡 Your ideas are welcomed! Please just leave a comment on this post.

Many thanks
Wethersfield Parish Council

📷 credit: Finchingfield and Wethersfield Neighbourhood Plan.

Thank you Essex Highways for repairing and resurfacing the area outside our Village Hall 🙏🙏👋👋🙏🙏

📣 Don’t forget to have your say on the Finchingfield and Wethersfield joint neighbourhood plan 📣

Complete and return your survey by 8 December 2023 🙏

LEST WE FORGET….

📸. Poppy field at Wethersfield ❤️

Dear Parishoners

Below you can find the details and outcome of the 2023 Parish Survey that was sent to all residents living along Braintree Road regarding traffic concerns.

This was presented at the last Parish Council Meeting in September and resolved to take it further now with our ECC Highways Cabinet Member.

The Parish Council have NO powers over highway’s, but can make an application for change to ECC Highways, with the support of our Cabinet member.

We will keep you posted on this evolving development and invite further comments.

Please find below drop-in engagement sessions for the joint neighbourhood plan.

Please come along, find out more, and share with us your views and ideas. 💡

This is YOUR plan. 🙏

Thoughts on a second visit to the asylum centre

Today a second party from the local villages was invited to tour the centre. My last visit was about three weeks ago and I was interested to see what had changed. The short answer is, not a lot.

Occupancy has increased marginally, from 102 to 145 and many porta cabins have appeared but are, as yet, not in use. On this occasion we were, mercifully, not offered lunch so I cannot comment on whether or not the catering has changed or improved.

On reflection, having now toured the facility twice, my strong feeling is that whilst it is all well and good operating at this low level it may not look so smart if it ever reaches its stated capacity of 1700 inmates.

The basic living conditions are acceptable, if not very homely and there are quite good recreational facilities; pool and table tennis, a large sports hall, and a gym as well as lounges with TV, etc.

This is fine for 145 people but multiply that by 10 or more and it might start to look a bit crowded. I can see boredom becoming a very serious problem and boredom among young men is not a good situation.

Only last Saturday evening there was some kind of disturbance on the site but the staff are somewhat tight lipped about what actually happened.

My feeling gained from talking to the Home Office staff on site is that there is a level of urgency on the part of the government which might reasonably be described as desperation over the refugee accommodation situation and it is possible to have some sympathy with this. However, it is also possible to form the view that little or no real planning has gone into this beyond the stage of saying `here is a vacant site – let us use it.’

Not everyone is convinced that due process has been followed over the planning situation and the government face judicial reviews at the end of October which may derail or at least, delay the scheme which would cause, at the very least, considerable embarrassment.

There is an old Chinese curse which says `May you live in interesting times’ well I think we do.

Nick Godley
Chairman
Wethersfield Parish Council

Just some of the amazing work by the Wethersfield Parish Ranger.

Report on visit to Wethersfield Asylum Centre by members of Wethersfield Parish Council and others

At long last, Friday August 25th we had our visit to the asylum centre at the invitation of the Home Office. Various of your councillors together with the clerk and members of Finchingfield PC and Braintree DC were welcomed by members of the Home Office and Clear Springs and one resident of the site.

I want to make it clear that I have always believed this project was a bad idea and I am still of that opinion, however, the site now exists and I feel we must do our best to help make it a success.

In the interests of both the asylum seekers and the community my comments will be restricted to my views on the observable conditions of the site, not to comments on the wisdom or otherwise of the project.

First impressions were reasonably favourable. Everybody on site was polite and friendly from the gate security staff onwards. We were welcomed by Home Office and Clear Springs staff and given an introductory talk and briefing which ended with a short presentation from an asylum seeker and site resident who told us his very moving story and we were both surprised and glad that he was given the opportunity to address us.

Following this we were shown the various amenities on site including the Chapel, now denuded of all fittings and used as a multi faith prayer room available to visiting clergy of all persuasions, the sports hall, the gym and the games room all of which were well equipped and clean. How adequate they will be if the site reaches its full capacity of 1700 residents remains to be seen but at present they are ample. Next we were shown into the barrack block which is in use and shown a typical bedroom. This was very austere having a set of bunk beds and a single bed and no other furniture. We were assured that when in use it would also have three lockers but even so it was very basic. It did have a small shower and toilet but, as a place to live for, perhaps, nine months it lacked any kind of homeliness, but perhaps this is the intention. After this we visited the medical centre which is staffed by a doctor and a number of nurses and health care assistants all overseen by a NHS administrator. The routine of admitting and checking new residents was explained to us and we were assured that no call would be made on our local primary healthcare facilities. This was all very reassuring.

Finally we were able to join the residents in the dining hall for lunch. The food was, frankly, poor. The only offering being a very small burger in a bun with some chips and a salad comprising almost entirely iceberg lettuce. We were assured that the menu varied on a daily basis but I have heard complaints that burger and chips features very regularly. I am not a particularly fussy eater but I would find this diet very unappetising after a very short time. On the other hand the dining room was perfectly clean and the staff were, once again, friendly and polite.

On leaving and heading back towards the car we spoke to a small group of residents who assured us they were being well treated and looked after. There were no H.O. or Clear Springs staff present so there is no reason to suppose they were not telling the truth. One other resident approached us seeking money for ci******es, a request we did not feel able to help with.

So, on balance, what did I think? The site was physically rather better than I expected and the staff seemed caring and involved. Those residents we were able to speak to seemed cheerful and reasonably confident, but and there is always a but….there are currently 102 residents on the site and it is a large site so it is hardly surprising it seems quite relaxed. How it will withstand the pressure of that number being increased by nearly 20 times remains to be seen.

Finally I emphasised to the H.O. civil servant who joined us for lunch that for the site to succeed the community needs to be involved and the H.O. needs to relax the cloak of secrecy which currently hangs over the centre and is largely responsible for the numerous, frequently untrue, rumours which circulate and cause considerable alarm within the community. I hope he took this on board.

Nick Godley
Chair

Meeting between Chief Inspector Martin Reynolds, PC Steve Mugridge, and Cllr Nick Godley. 16.08.23

I was able to spend a morning with Martin and Steve discussing matters of mutual interest concerning the Asylum Centre. The police explained the efforts they are going to in order to keep the community safe and the measures in place to respond to any emergency which might arise in the future as the centre expands to its intended capacity. I expressed our appreciation of the efforts of Steve and Oz who are greatly appreciated around the community.

I explained the concerns which many people feel and we agreed that it was very difficult to put peoples’ minds at rest with the knowledge that such a large number of residents are due on the base in the relatively near future. Steve assured me that, at present, the residents show no inclination to visit the local villages and are, in fact, probably more afraid of us then we are of them. They have transport available to take them to local towns but, at present, many of them do not even take advantage of this, preferring to stay on the base. It is the policy of the base operators to discourage residents from leaving independently and there are numerous activities available onsite. So far, as I understand it, no-one has left the base on foot.

It might be worth explaining the procedure for arrivals as various rumours are circulating about absconders. New arrivals at Manston are sorted into groups; identified undesirables who are removed for deportation, vulnerable or otherwise troubled individuals requiring special treatment and the remainder who will be sent to e.g., Wethersfield. On arrival at Wethersfield a significant number exercise their, quite legitimate, option to go elsewhere, usually to stay with family, and leave almost at once. This is allowed and is not in any way irregular but explains why numbers may suddenly seem to drop. Those remaining at Wethersfield are likely to have a good chance of a successful asylum claim provided that they behave in an appropriate manner which, hopefully, should lead to an orderly and peaceful site.
The current occupancy on site is between 100 and 200 with numbers expected to increase towards 450 during the next month or so. When they reach this level, it should start to be clearer whether there is going to be any significant effect on the village.

Please be assured, I remain unhappy about this large facility on our doorstep, remaining of the view that it is an inappropriate location not only for the local community but, perhaps even more, for the asylum seekers, but I do feel that many of the fears which people experience are at least in part unjustified. We, the parish council, will have an opportunity to visit the site next week and will be able to form a better opinion of what is happening and I will report again after that.
I left the police with our thanks for their efforts and with a request that, in any dealings they have with the Home Office, they emphasise the desirability of their adopting a more honest and open approach since the biggest fear is fear of the unknown and, just at the moment, unknown is what we have a great deal of.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-accommodation-factsheets/factsheet-mod-wethersfield-asylum-accommodation-accessible

Factsheet: MoD Wethersfield asylum accommodation (accessible) We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

https://wethersfield-pc.gov.uk/wethersfield-airfield-asylum-centre/wethersfield-parish-council-response-the-home-office-31-march-2023/

Wethersfield Parish Council response the Home Office 31 March 2023 – Wethersfield Parish Council

https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwethersfield-pc.gov.uk%2Fwethersfield-parish-council-statement%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca9075582d71f43489e0d08db313baa68%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638157904544806292%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3cuoMWwfjTZ%2FuOOIrQTGCULDSwkVCfZ4jhQXolPqI5I%3D&reserved=0

Wethersfield Parish Council Statement – Wethersfield Parish Council Wethersfield Parish Council Statement 30th March 2023 Wethersfield Parish Council is deeply disappointed by the government announcement yesterday that it proposed to use the Wethersfield airbase to house up to 1700 asylum seekers. In common with our MP, Essex County Council, Braintree District Counc...

📣 Announcement 📣
The footpath between Wethersfield and Finchingfield is now accessible!

🙏 Thanks to cooperation between Wethersfield and Finchingfield PC’s it was jointly resolved to hire a contractor to clear the lost pathway from Wethersfield to Petches Bridge along the B1053. Sadly however as the footpath hadn’t been maintained for decades, when works commenced it became clear that the ageing tarmac below could not cope with the modern clearing equipment planned.

💡 So plan B was implemented 🟰 the pathway vegetation, verges and overgrown hedges etc were cut back as much as possible by the contractor, and then thanks to Cllr John Pearce, a team of volunteers were called to finish the restoration BY HAND! Works are almost fully completed now, and it’s great to see the pathway clear and residents using this again.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers that gave their time to help here, plus the Councillor(s) from Wethersfield, Finchingfield and Shalford who also gave their time and support on it. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

❤️ Amazing community spirit plus inter council collaboration, and we hope all parishioners will enjoy the benefits 👍

A two minute silence will be observed on Wethersfield green around the flagpole, at 11am on Friday 11 November 2022.

All are welcome to attend.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 1926 - 2022

A Book of Condolence has been opened in the Church.

The Church is open daily from early morning to just before dusk, so please feel free to use it as a place of quiet, prayer and reflection.

The Church will open their service at 11am on Sunday with prayers for the Queen and the new King, then a short silence before the opening hymn.

UPDATE: Proclamation Day will now be held tomorrow:

Proclamation Day - Saturday 10 September 2022

At 11am all Union Flags on parish council properties will be raised to full mast and flown throughout the day.

Day following Proclamation Day - Sunday 11 September 2022

Flags will return to half-mast at 1pm and continue to be flown at half-mast until 8am on the day following the funeral.

By Saturday a book of condolence will be available at The Church.

On behalf of the Councillors, Clerk and Parishioners of the Parish of Wethersfield, Blackmore End and Beazley End, I would like to express our great sadness to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Anyone interested, please see the contact details below for further information.

📢 Have your say!

The Parish Survey is being delivered to all households of Wethersfield, Blackmore End and Beazley End currently.

Please complete and return to one of the drop off points by 1 September 2022. Make your voice heard, to help the Council in its deliberations 👍