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Issue 56

Cover photo by Jon Sturdy Photography

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Colchester Labour Party News Enjoy a unique evening under Colchester Castle Museum has a brand new exhibition in the Chapel. It’s called ‘Adorn’ and celebrates the history of jewellery Cllr Tim Young throughout history from ancient to modern. It was originally going to be entitled ‘Bling’ in keeping with our Essex roots and heritage but it was thought “Adorn’ sounded more appealing. As an Essex Boy I don’t know so much! It’s a very impressive exhibition and Glynn Davis, the curator, and his team deserve a great deal of credit for putting it together. The oldest exhibits are prehistoric (some 6000 years old) and goes right up to the modern day. It examines why human beings have a desire to adorn themselves with jewels, bangles, brooches, ear rings, crowns, rings, necklaces, bracelets and even tattoos! There are some really important and valuable items, including some on loan from the British Museum, and it is well worth a visit and then a repeat visit with friends and family. I was fortunate enough to be invited to the preview where I learned a lot from Glynn and also enjoyed the poetry readings from Alice d’Lumiere. Another event I attended recently was the launch of the ‘In Colchester’ brand and website which has been

initiated by Our Colchester, the Business Improvement District, to highlight all the excellent initiatives businesses in the centre of Colchester are promoting. Please check out the In Colchester website and discover their activities on social media. It’s very well designed and shows off Colchester at its best. I have recently been helping out at the Greenstead Munch Club which is providing free lunches for families in my ward during the school summer holidays. It runs for two days a week and also offers play and craft activities for the children. The inspiration behind the Munch Club idea is the indefatigable Mo Powell who, together with Eunice Moore and other great volunteers, are making sure that nobody goes hungry during the long holiday period. The food is great and well cooked by some marvellous volunteer ‘chefs’ and the atmosphere is positive, welcoming and friendly. It is very rewarding just to be there, help serve the food, chat to some lovely people and clear up afterwards. It’s one of the upsides of being a ward councillor. Throwing myself into my ward work in Greenstead has been a great antidote to some of the other issues currently circulating in my political life. Concentrating on my caseload and supporting the wonderful community and residents I represent are keeping me going. 27 years as a Councillor and it’s still all the motivation that I need.

the stars at Colchester Zoo!

Join Colchester Zoo on the 14th & 28th September for their magical Starlight Safari Nights! The Zoo will remain open late into the evening with an additional timetable packed with special feeds, displays and encounters! As the temperature drops and dusk falls you have the chance to see the animals of Colchester Zoo in a whole new light this really is an event not to be missed! If it is your appetite that needs satisfying, you can always stop by Penguini’s or quench your thirst at the Waterhole, or simply escape to the relaxing environment of our table service restaurant, The Patisserie, where you can enjoy an indulgent treat or even a glass of wine.

Don’t forget to book online in advance for some fantastic savings with E-ticket!* Visit www.colchesterzoo.org Do bring a torch with you for extended opening events. Animal viewing except for timetabled additional feeds cannot be guaranteed after dark. *These events include participation of third parties. Colchester Zoo cannot guarantee their attendance.

For any information or to submit an article or advert contact David Cook:

Call: Out Of Office: Email: Head Office:

01206 233717 07734 171985 SimplyColchester@gmail.com Simply Magazine, 1 George Williams Way, Colchester, Essex CO1 2JS

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Issue 57: 21/08/19 Issue 58: 21/09/19

Simply Magazine assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by such individual, event organizers or organization without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Simply Magazine. Therefore, Simply Magazine carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Any form of reproduction of any content without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. For information on advertising or submitting a article please email David Cook at: Simplycolchester@gmail.com or call 01206 233717 / 07734 171985

Expressions of Interest

Quick Crossword Puzzle

invitation for Abbey Field Community Centre Ideas are being sought by Colchester Borough Council for the future use of its Abbey Field Community Centre through a public Expressions of Interest process, which is now open. The Abbey Field Community Centre is currently let to the Mercury Theatre who are occupying the space whilst their main theatre (located close to Balkerne Gate) is undergoing extensive renovations. The building will become available once these works have been completed, which we anticipate being sometime during Autumn 2020. The council would like to hear from organisations, businesses or groups who are interested in taking over management of this unique building providing a sustainable future and ongoing benefit of the community. A viewing day for the Abbey Field Community Centre has been arranged for Thursday 12 September 2019, 10am to 3pm. This will provide organisations, businesses or groups

wishing to submit an expression of interest, with an opportunity to ask questions of Colchester Borough Council officers. Councillor Michael Lilley, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities, Wellbeing and Public Safety, said: “This is an exciting opportunity and we’re looking for proposals to sustain the future of this wonderful building and benefit the community. I look forward to seeing the interesting ideas that come forward and how these will help keep the Centre thriving to help make a Better Colchester.” For more details on how you can submit your interest and to clarify the criteria and expectations from any new tenant please complete the Expression of Interest form which can be found at, colchester.gov. uk/abbeyfield. The Expressions of Interest process closes on 2 October 2019 at 12noon.

ACROSS 1 What’s-his-name is lanky, sticky fellow (12) 9 Aviatrix gives listener courage we hear (7) 10 Some birds do this at the speed of a fighter plane? (7) 11 About to be taking drug to ease pain (7) 12 A moist perfume ultimately designed to make fine spray (7) 13 Petty quarrel involving river fish (5) 14 Failure to notice supervision (9) 16 Suitable means to an end (9) 19 Rex gets stuck into finest French port (5) 21 I tried swimming with Penny in disturbed sea (4,3) 23 Foster child’s fuss disturbed Pete (7) 24 Terrible cruelty with knives perhaps (7) 25 I’d plunged into river to find spear (7) 26 Furniture of actor’s assistant from Cardiff? (5,7) DOWN 2 Athlete Ben led off run (7) 3 Closest home houses a Royal Engineer (7) 4 Crazy place to find flag? (2,3,4) 5 Old lady captivates a doctor with snake (5) 6 Plant causing disappearance of pests? (7) 7 Putting up with demeanour (7) 8 Teen regrets bad time in London thoroughfare (6,6) 9 They don’t want to see Brussels sprout! (12) 15 One removes former motor vehicle (9) 17 Flat pack from Cornish town (7) 18 Writer is awfully rude about Rugby’s first students (7) 19 They give better odds (7) 20 Militant leader in Exeter excited radical (7) 22 Mentally defeat some tipsy characters (5)

SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1 thingummybob. 9 Earhart. 10 migrate. 11 relieve. 12 atomise. 13 sprat. 14 oversight. 16 expedient. 19 Brest. 21 tide-rip. 23 adoptee. 24 cutlery. 25 trident. 26 Welsh dresser. DOWN: 2 hurdler. 3 nearest. 4 up the pole. 5 mamba. 6 bugloss. 7 bearing. 8 Regent Street. 9 Eurosceptics. 15 extractor. 17 PADSTOW. 18 Durrell. 19 bookies. 20 extreme. 22 psych.

Infrastructure funding is welcome investment in north Essex A £100m funding announcement by the Government for North Essex has been welcomed by the councils behind the bid. Essex County Council, supported by Colchester, Tendring and Braintree councils, applied to the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) for cash to support a new road linking the A133 in east Colchester to the A120. The road is an integral part of plans by the four councils for a new garden community to the east of Colchester – providing both private and public transport links from it to Colchester, the A120/A12 and further afield to Stansted Airport – and would also help to alleviate local traffic too. On Saturday (August 17) Chancellor Sajid Javid confirmed £99.9m funding for the project, to create a single carriageway link road and support delivery of up to 7,500 homes. Some of the funding will also support development of the first stage of a Rapid Transport System linking the new Colchester/Tendring borders development and Essex University with Colchester Town Centre and the Colchester North rail station.

Elsewhere in Essex another Essex County Council funding bid of £218m for Beaulieu Station and North-East Bypass in north Chelmsford was also approved by the Chancellor. Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “We are delighted the Government has recognised the value of these projects and confirmed we will have much needed investment to support vital infrastructure and unlock housing growth. “The announcement is truly reflective of just how key road, rail and public transport networks are for Essex’s growth, helping create the conditions for our economy and communities to grow in a sustainable way. We are pleased that Government has recognised this with over half of the £600m HIF money being directed to Essex. “I would like to thank all those involved in preparing the bids across Essex. This investment today is an excellent demonstration of value for money for the £2m we invested to develop these bids.”

Cllr Neil Stock, Leader of Tendring District Council, said: “From meetings and conversations I have been involved in with senior government figures it was clear to me the unique and fantastic partnership working here in North Essex between Colchester, Tendring and Braintree councils as well as Essex County Council has really impressed Whitehall and is seen as the best example of its kind anywhere in the country. “The Government is as determined as we are to see the success of Garden Communities, where infrastructure is delivered before housing as we have always said is the whole point of the project, as this announcement establishes. “This massive funding announcement represents an incredible success and a major boost for the whole region, but of course most directly for us here in North Essex.” Cllr Julie Young, Deputy Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: “We very much welcome this announcement, which is a huge step towards delivering the appropriate

transport infrastructure to support sustainable housing growth in north Essex and will ensure the homes and the infrastructure are developed to the Garden Community principles that we have all committed to. “I am particularly pleased that some of the funding will help current residents get direct access to the A120, A12 and beyond, while also providing a sustainable option for travel from the east into Colchester.” Cllr Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “We’ve always said that funding for infrastructure is key to our plans. This support from Central Government shows the faith they have in our approach to creating homes in North Essex.” A consultation by Colchester, Braintree and Tendring councils into the revised evidence for their shared draft Local Plan – which includes the link road plans and proposed garden community – begins today and runs until September 30. To submit your views, visit www.braintree.gov.uk/ NEAtechS1

Essex Classic Vehicle Show 2019

For the fourth year Headway Essex, local brain injury charity, are teaming up with the Charity Classic Vehicle Club to organise the Essex Classic Vehicle Show. This year’s event will be held on Sunday 15th September 2019 at Colchester’s Castle Park. Whether you’re a classic car enthusiast or a vintage motorbike fanatic the Essex Classic Vehicle Show is the perfect event for you and is the only event of its type to be gracing Colchester

Castle Park this summer. If you would like to attend this event or bring along your classic vehicle please contact the fundraising team on 01206 845945 or email fundraising@headwayessex.org.uk. All profits raised will go to Headway Essex who support adults living with acquired brain injury alongside their families and carers. Visit www. headwayessex.org.uk for more information.

Putt in the Park opens in Colchester A new mini golf course will be opening for business in Colchester’s Castle Park on 28 August, following the lease of one of the Park’s bowling greens to Putt in the Park. The Upper Bowling Green, close to historic Duncan’s Gate on the eastern side of the Park has been transformed into a golfer’s miniature paradise, providing fun for all ages. The course has been designed to reflect some of Colchester’s Roman history, with 14 holes and a new pavilion café and licensed clubhouse. Local schools will also be able to enjoy using Putt in the Park in Colchester for free during term times, by prior arrangement. This is the fourth Putt in the Park to open in the country, but the first outside the capital with courses already operating in three parks in London – Battersea, Acton and Wandsworth. The course will be open all year round during Castle Park opening hours. Further information, including prices can be found at puttinthepark.com. Justin Fish, Co-Founder of Putt in the Park, said: “We chose Colchester as

our first course outside of London because Castle Park is one of the most popular and best maintained parks we have seen. By converting a redundant bowling green, we have brought a new form of entertainment to the young and the old, the sporty and the sedentary, and will offer free entry to local schools who apply. We hope that it will become an appealing local employer and be enjoyed by all age groups.” Councillor Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment and Transportation, said: “Putt in the Park is a fantastic new addition to Castle Park and will provide residents and visitors with another great facility to enjoy in this stunning, historic setting in the heart of the town centre. “This new attraction also supports our Better Colchester vision and our livewell campaign by providing an additional opportunity for residents to enjoy spending time outdoors being active and having fun at the same time.” Further information about Castle Park can be found at colchester.gov.uk/ castlepark.

Back pain Back pain is a large contributor to lost work days and disability in the UK. A recent study performed in Canada showed that only 20% of people who Josh Congdon suffered back pain did not get it again over the 13-year period! So, once you’ve had it – you’re more likely to get it again. One of the reasons back pain is so difficult to resolve, is that there can be so many different causes. Treatments that work for one person will not work for everyone. Simple mechanical low back pain can be generated by muscles, ligaments, joints in the back and rarely from discs. This type of pain is often felt as a dull aching pain in the back. These same structures can also refer into the leg. This is not nerve pain but ‘somatic referred’ pain and is often felt in the buttock or top of the thigh. However, to complicate this, irritation of a nerve in the back – usually caused by a disc bulge can cause radicular pain down the leg (this has historically been

Figure 1: Common distributions of radiculopathy

called sciatica). Radicular pain can occur with radiculopathy (reduced sensation, tingling or pins and needles). Radiculopathy follows what is called a dermatomal pattern (common distributions seen in figure 1). Radicular pain and radiculopathy can also present independently of each other. MRI scans can be useful if pain is not resolving in the expected time frames (usually about 6 - 12 weeks) but offers little information on how to treat, but useful to rule out other causes of pain that may need medical intervention. If you are at all worried about your back pain, or you are getting disturbance in your bladder and bowel, numbness between you legs or pain going down both legs, you should seek urgent advice from a medical professional. In other situations, back and leg pain is likely to settle with good, conservative treatment.

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Colchester Borough Council to act on fly-tipping Colchester Borough Council (CBC) is launching a new education and public awareness campaign highlighting the negative outcomes and potential fines that can be issued for environmental crimes such as fly-tipping. As part of the Better Colchester campaign, CBC is pushing the message that such environmental offences will not be tolerated in Colchester. Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment and Transportation, said: “Whether leaving a single refuse bag next to a public bin, bags of goods by charity bins or dumping large items and waste, fly tipping is illegal and a blight on our borough. We are going to be taking harder action on those that fly tip and

remind everyone that fly tipping is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or prosecution.” CBC is going to be introducing more CCTV in problematic areas and more signage to warn about the implications of fly tipping. Incidents of fly tipping will be more robustly investigated, and CBC staff are going to receive further training about enforcement powers. Anyone caught fly-tipping by one of CBC’s Neighbourhood Wardens, or a resident who can provide enough evidence, will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. Residents can report fly-tipping at www.colchester.gov.uk/report-flytipping

Alumno appeal: Planning Committee advised to discuss possible decision change Colchester Borough Council’s Planning Committee is set to discuss if it should withdraw one of the reasons it refused plans by Alumno for a new Cultural Quarter on the former bus station site, when members meet on 15 August 2019. The Planning Committee, in February, unanimously rejected plans by Alumno for 336-student rooms, an 87-bed Travelodge hotel, retail units and public open space to be created off Queen Street. The developers have now submitted an appeal against this decision, which is scheduled to start on 16 October. Following a fresh look at the application, The Pegasus Group – a leading independent consultancy which is representing the council at October’s planning appeal – has advised it would not be possible to defend the decision to refuse the plans on the grounds of insufficient community consultation. This is due

to them not being able to identify any breaches of the Development Plan or National Planning Policy Framework The Pegasus Group, a national planning, urban design and heritage consultancy, has been appointed by the council to represent it at the appeal, as its own planning officers are professionally conflicted after originally recommending Alumno’s application for approval. Pegasus has now advised the Planning Committee not to contest the reason of lack of consultation as it could damage the consultant’s credibility as a witness, thus undermining the council’s entire case against the appeal. Members of the Planning Committee will make the decision whether to solely defend the committee’s decision on the grounds of poor design and access, at its meeting on 15 August.

Quick Crossword Puzzle

Ask Mark!

From today residents and businesses can email ask.mark@colchester. gov.uk with their questions about Colchester and its development, CBC’s Cabinet and anything else related to how Cllr Cory leads Colchester Borough Council. The new Ask Mark videos will be published on Better Colchester’s Instagram account once a month from September. Cllr Mark Cory, Leader of the Council, said: “As part of our Better

Colchester campaign I want to be more in touch with the people and businesses of Colchester to really find out what matters to them. The Ask Mark project will invite anyone to submit their question and I hope the questions and answers will offer a better insight for everyone.” Questions, along with a first name/ initial and ward of residence, should be emailed. Each month, some of the questions will be selected to answer via an Ask Mark video. The Ask Mark inbox is not regularly monitored, so urgent enquiries and enquiries not related to the Ask Mark project should not be made via this email address. Got a question for the Leader of the Council? Ask Cllr Mark Cory, Leader of the Council a question. Email it to ask.mark@colchester.gov.uk

ACROSS 1 Fought when thrown out (8) 6 Architectural style from Morocco losing initial character, possibly (6) 9 Hollywood actor’s pleasure trip (6) 10 Paper money’s first counted out (8) 11 He links criminal to one capital city (8) 12 Arouse excitement of purist (4,2) 13 Oriental shaman finally in control of religious group (12) 16 Obtuse Clancy novel providing fun for kids (6,6) 19 A single drink for Eugene (6) 21 Dictator beheaded poor youth leader – terrible act (8) 23 Norm takes one lover then another (8) 24 Revealing title of novel carried by agent (6) 25 Is scornful, upsetting Rene’s son (6) 26 Bet placed in 30 seconds? Wrong (8) DOWN 2 Opera for motor mechanics? (6) 3 Boxer wants a second assumed name (5) 4 When one’s expecting, say, to be taken on by PR woman (9) 5 Lawyer is mad about art movement (7) 6 Competitions for more than one nation (5) 7 Board for one in mental hospital? (9) 8 He knows tricks to deceive one serving in court (8) 13 Belittle Ted in rage, stupidly (9) 14 They barely exist (9) 15 Horse has a fashionable height (8) 17 Shortest gent is one of the strongest (7) 18 Essential office item (6) 20 Retreats without authorisation by chief of staff (5) 22 Companion at home needs a mate (5)

SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1 scrapped. 6 rococo. 9 cruise. 10 document. 11 Helsinki. 12 stir up. 13 denomination. 16 bouncy castle. 19 Onegin. 21 atrocity. 23 paramour. 24 skimpy. 25 sneers. 26 mistaken. DOWN: 2 carmen. 3 alias. 4 pregnancy. 5 Dadaism. 6 races. 7 committee. 8 conjuror. 13 denigrate. 14 naturists. 15 mountain. 17 anagram. 18 staple. 20 nooks. 22 china.

Colchester Borough Council Leader, Cllr Mark Cory, is launching a new ‘Ask Mark’ project inviting borough residents and businesses to email questions to him. Every month a selection of the questions will be chosen, and Cllr Cory will then answer them via a new Ask Mark video published each month.

Have your say on Garden Community evidence Residents across North Essex are being urged to have their say on the additional evidence being submitted to the Planning Inspector supporting the development of three new garden communities in Braintree, Colchester and Tendring. Braintree District Council, Colchester Borough Council and Tendring District Council have produced the extra information requested by the Inspector last year on the joint part of the Local Plan developed by the three councils. A six-week public consultation is being launched today (Monday 19 August) for residents to comment on this evidence, which centres on the purpose-built garden community developments. Supported by Essex County Council, these new developments incorporate a long-term strategy – helping to provide homes, jobs and infrastructure provision ensuring North Essex grows in a more holistic way. Built over 40-50 years, they will provide a large amount of the homes needed over that time, reducing the need to expand existing towns and villages. Through building at scale, the plans also ensure that new

developments come with a mixture of the different affordable homes, schools, health facilities, green spaces and employment land needed for the new communities. Following an examination of the joint plans last year the Planning Inspector raised several areas in which he wished to see further evidence – especially in terms of viability, rapid transit and sustainability. The additional evidence compiled by the three councils to address the Inspector’s questions show the plans are viable, sustainable and can provide a significant boost to the local economy, providing at least one job per home in the local area – higher than traditional development. They offer a wide variety of homes, including a minimum of 30% set aside as affordable housing. The issues addressed in the new evidence include: • a new rapid transport network system which would grow alongside North Essex reducing congestion, improving air quality and providing quick and easy access into and out of Colchester and Braintree linking with other public transport hubs. This

would include segregated lanes for public transport and ensure the infrastructure is in place so it can provide alternative forms of transport like a trackless tram scheme. • information showing the councils’ infrastructure-led approach is viable, meaning the schools, health, and leisure facilities needed to support the stand-alone settlements would be developed at the same time as the homes – not afterwards as is the usual practice. • an enhanced assessment of the environmental effects, and the social and economic issues associated with the proposals Cllr Mark Cory, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: “The Local Plan process is complex, but it is vital we get local engagement on the future of development and public scrutiny of the new evidence. The Planning Inspector wanted more information on our ambitions to provide the homes, jobs and infrastructure needed for the North Essex residents of the future. “It is absolutely vital that we get Government support to deliver the

infrastructure we need to turn the principals of the garden communities into reality; otherwise they cannot work. Working together with the other councils we have developed detailed responses to the Inspector’s questions and are urging residents across North Essex to have their say on them to help inform his decision.” Cllr Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “At least 716 homes have to be built every year in our district. That is a given. We have a choice – add them to our existing villages and towns or think more strategically. Garden communities mean we can plan for infrastructure in a joined-up way from the start with today’s modern requirements in mind. “Every five years the Local Plan rolls forward, and more homes need to be provided. By choosing garden communities now, we are protecting our towns and villages in the long term. We have now published a huge amount of evidence to support our garden community plans – I would encourage all residents to take a look.”

Quick Crossword Puzzle

Innovative energy system testing completed at Colchester’s Northern Gateway Following exploratory works to establish project feasibility, Colchester Borough Council (CBC) and Colchester Amphora Energy Ltd (wholly owned by CBC) have concluded another phase of testing at the Northern Gateway for the planned district heating system to benefit new proposed housing and office development. This all-important testing consists of drilling a series of boreholes across the site into the aquifer (a layer of saturated chalk and gravel), 70 metres below ground, and testing the amount of water that can be pumped out and subsequently returned into the aquifer. The district heat system will use a heat pump to extract heat out of the water to provide a low-carbon heat source.

ACROSS 1 New lad Ron works for one with property (9) 6 One employs stud (4) 9 Accountant needs to demonstrate acquiring source of capital (4,3) 10 Interim changes for Euston, Waterloo etc (7) 11 State handout a help to some extent (4) 12 Courage to canoodle in traffic jam (10) 14 Area of Christianity perhaps left one out (6) 15 Criminal has battle to get soup (8) 18 Workforce on ring road in Midlands town (8) 19 English composer caught with conspirator (6) 22 Again made a great effort to be moderate? (10) 24 Could be North European (4) 26 Organised a trip to one who lives his country (7) 27 Nominate a quiet location (7) 28 Hitch perhaps, making speed in the main (4) 29 Tell niece about the customers (9)

Although there is a large amount of water in the aquifer, the amount of water that can be abstracted from a borehole will vary according to the structure of the ground near the borehole, thus the requirement to carry out testing long before the installation of the district heat scheme.

The latest test results from this stage were better than anticipated, meaning the scheme is on track to provide over 70% of the heat produced as low carbon, which will significantly reduce carbon emissions usually caused by individual gas boilers heating homes and offices. As the development will be built out over several years, the actual percentage of renewable heat in first few years will be higher than 70% and allows time for the development of other technologies to replace carbonbased heat to achieve climate change goals. The next stage of tests begins this week with the drilling of another borehole to the east of the Mill Road rugby ground/sports pitches. Councillor Theresa Higgins, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services commented on the pioneering scheme: “Reducing our heating-related carbon emissions is an important part of meeting climate change goals, and this is a very positive result for this innovative scheme at the Northern Gateway.”

DOWN 1 Person without, say, varnish? (7) 2 Lost again, recollecting pleasant memories (9) 3 Cry of pain when taking top off settee (4) 4 Said to give mild rebuke for two presents (3,3) 5 Turning list into muddle (8) 6 American composer’s dance quartet (6-4) 7 Beat small, small child (5) 8 Choose the French relish (6) 13 Traditional sort shakes up Microsoft around start of November (10) 16 Remote moving object associated with space ultimately (9) 17 Creative traits wrongly associated with one Conservative (8) 18 Gets undressed for journey aboard ship (6) 20 Item of confectionery that is for loved one (7) 21 Gurkha seen in alpine resort (6) 23 Chap embraces a fallen angel (5) 25 Second joke is drawn out and twisted (4) SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1 landowner. 6 boss. 9 cash cow. 10 termini. 11 Utah. 12 bottleneck. 14 region. 15 consommé. 18 Stafford. 19 Coates. 22 restrained. 24 pole. 26 patriot. 27 appoint. 28 knot. 29 clientèle. DOWN: 1 lacquer. 2 nostalgia. 3 ouch. 4 now now. 5 rotation. 6 barber-shop. 7 smite. 8 pickle. 13 conformist. 16 meteorite. 17 artistic. 18 strips. 20 sweetie. 21 Nepali. 23 Satan. 25 spun.

Council delivering on pledge to reduce homelessness More than 50 homeless households have been found temporary or permanent homes so far as part of Colchester Borough Council’s commitment to reduce homelessness across the borough. Under a £4 million project agreed by the council’s Cabinet last year, the authority has bought 16 former council homes on the open market that had previously been sold under Right to Buy. It has also bought a further seven offered back to the council under the Right to Buy Back legislation, to help provide homes to some of those on the council’s waiting lists. This has meant the council has helped an additional 23 households – including families with children – find good quality affordable accommodation. Over the last year the council has: • purchased 16 homes to be used for temporary accommodation for homeless families. These homes were a mix of three-bed houses and two-bed flats –previously sold under the Right to Buy scheme. They ensure people have good

quality, self-contained temporary accommodation until a permanent home becomes available. • bought seven former council homes to be used for permanent housing. These permanent homes will provide a good base for these families to start rebuilding their lives. The money to deliver the project has come from a mix of funding from the council’s budget, Right to Buy receipts and New Homes Bonus funding. The homes are being managed by the Council’s wholly owned arm’s length management company Colchester Borough Homes (CBH). It has also secured 28 additional homes in the borough’s private rented sector through a two-year pilot scheme offering landlords incentives to make their properties available for those who are threatened with homelessness or are homeless. Run by Colchester Borough Homes (CBH), the Homestep scheme includes providing advance rent payments, damage deposits along with support for tenants and landlords.

This success has helped set the foundations for the council’s ambitious plans outlined earlier this to deliver up to 350 new affordable homes across the borough over the next five years. Delivering these ambitious plans include: • Colchester Amphora Homes Ltd (the council’s wholly-owned housing company) delivering over 100 new affordable homes as part of mixed-tenure developments across sites at Creffield Road, Mill Road and St Runwald Street; • building around 30 new affordable homes on former garage sites – expanding on the 34 affordable homes delivered on former garage sites in 2014; • looking at alternative ways of delivering social housing – including potentially creating purpose-built flats that would create an addition floor on suitable existing blocks of flats using modular constructed properties

• redeveloping the sheltered housing at Elfreda House to provide modern “fit for purpose” accommodation • purchasing more former council homes back through the Right to Buy legislation and on the open market. Councillor Adam Fox, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “We have been held back for years from delivering much needed affordable housing for our residents. But now we are driving forward with our ambitious commitment to deliver up to 350 affordable new homes in the borough over the next five years. “We have so far managed to provide more than 50 households – including families with children – a home and a more stable and brighter future. “This is just the start. We are committed to delivering more good quality affordable homes our residents need and deserve which will also help continue to create a Better Colchester.”