Good morning,
As I mentioned earlier this month, the December staff briefings will be held physically in both Brentwood and Rochford and will be a great opportunity to meet up between now and Christmas.
We have an informative agenda set for the briefings, some festive fun, with mince pies and refreshments, so I do hope you will be able to attend.
I have planned a draft agenda which I have provided below for your information:
- Chief Executive – Welcome and update
- #One Team Update
- Finance Update
- New ways of working
- #One Team Voice – Employee Engagement Group
- Upcoming events
- Questions
If there is something you would like to add to the agenda that we haven’t already covered, I would really like to hear from you, so please complete the Agenda items suggestion form by no later than 28 November 2022.
As I always do, there will be an opportunity to ask questions as part of the briefing, which I am more than happy to be asked on the day. If however, you wish to provide a question ahead of the briefings, you can do so by completing the submit question form, by no later than the Friday 2 December 2022.
The briefings have been scheduled as below, with a festive activity taking place at each briefing:
Date
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Time
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Location
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Activity
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Thursday 8 December 2022
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2:00pm
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Council Chamber at Brentwood Town Hall
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Christmas Jumper Day – Prize for the best jumper
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Tuesday 13 December 2022
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11:00am
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Freight House, Rochford
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Where is Elfie – Prize for being the first to locate ‘OTE’ the elf
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Please note you can attend whichever briefing session you wish, as all the briefings will be the same. For those that are unable to make either date I have arranged a virtual staff briefing, on Wednesday 14 December 2022 at 3:00pm (Team invites have been provided).
If you could complete the RSVP Form to confirm your attendance and what date you will be attending, this will assist in preparing the venue and arranging the refreshments.
I am really pleased to be holding these briefings face to face again and I look forward to seeing you.
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Raising awareness of the work of our Enforcement Team
We understand that residents and businesses have concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in Brentwood High Street. Raising awareness that our Enforcement Team regularly patrol the areas that are reported to us shows that we listen and do what we can, along with our partners, to address those concerns. Thanks to our Enforcement Team for sending photos of details of their patrols so we can share instantly with residents on social media.
Rochford's former Police Station gets a long-awaited update
Planning permission has been approved for the redevelopment of the former Rochford Police Station, South Street, to provide 12 apartments in the heart of Rochford.
Approved front elevation of the former Rochford Police Station, South Street.
Redevelopment of former Rochford Police Station showing the layout of the buildings to the rear
The development makes use of the existing buildings on the site but also involves the erection of a new building to the rear to accommodate some of the apartments.
The developer JKS Group worked with the Planning team at the council to achieve a scheme that retained the former police station building facing South Street.
The development will protect an important local asset and enhance the Rochford Conservation Area and character of the town.
Supporting White Ribbon Day this week
To mark White Ribbon Day today and show our support for #TheGoal campaign, Director of Communities & Health, Tracey Lilley gave a talk yesterday at Brentwood Town Hall on Domestic Abuse and will be doing the same at Rochford Council Offices today at 11am.
Brentwood Safety Officers will be at Brentwood High Street outside Chapel Ruins today between 3pm-5pm to engage with the public around Domestic Abuse and hand out anti-spiking materials and personal safety advice.
Rochford is hosting its own White Ribbon Pop Up event at Rayleigh High Street today to raise awareness around the issue, hosted by the Council Safety Officer and Essex Police.
You can show your support and make the White Ribbon promise here
We also need volunteer members of staff across both organisations to participate in a White Ribbon Steering group, the volunteers for the steering group will be involved with the development and implementation of a 3-year plan for our White Ribbon Accreditation, the plan will involve raising awareness and changing culture.
If any members of staff are interested in becoming part of the process, please contact isabelle.hatton@brentwood.gov.uk
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The Animals of Hockley woods
Have you checked out the wooden carvings along the trail at Hockley Woods yet?
Find them now via What3Words:
Badger – tank.graphics.contained Large Barn owl – incurring.legwork.boomed Fox - quarrel.ladder.email Small Barn owl – commenced.credit.honey
With thanks to the Friends of Hockley Woods Facebook group for their wonderful donation of carved animals within our woodlands which was funded by the creation of a Hockley Woods calendar.
Upcoming events
Lighting Up Brentwood this Saturday
Lighting up Brentwood is our largest annual family event with normally more than 15,000 people heading to Brentwood High Street to see the Christmas lights switch on.
Come and join us for a Christmas parade, entertainment and walk about acts.
To help you plan your day on Saturday, below is a rundown of what's on and where:
Brentwood High Street A1023, Hart Street and St Thomas Road will be closed to all traffic on Saturday 26 November from 8am to 8pm. Follow the diversion signs in place along William Hunter Way, Queens Road and Kings Road. Access will be given to residents only on Hart Street Access will be given to businesses along St Thomas Road.
Hockley Christmas lights tomorrow
The event starts at 3pm with a Christmas Jumper parade by the stage in Spa Road.
Southend United have kindly donated tickets to a future game for 10 entries and a guest, the Parish Council will donate £1 to Children in Need for all those in their festive jumpers.
There’s a free grotto in the Fire Station with free face painting, reindeer food for Christmas Eve and live reindeer (Southend Road). Snow Princesses and Star Wars Characters will be visiting the grotto and the stall area.
You don’t want to miss out!
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#ByYourSide Cost-of-Living Campaign
In the news....
Staff News
Did you know it is only 30 days until Christmas Day, so we thought now is the time to get in the Christmas spirit with a number of activities to get us started, that we hope you will all take part in.
Decorate a Christmas Wreath
We want you all to show us your creative flare by creating your very own Christmas wreath. This can be either as a team or individually, you can either be really creative and even make your own wreath out of re-useable items, or you can request a plain wreath and then decorate that as originally as you can. To enter and request your wreath please email HR@brentwood.gov.uk or HR.team@Rochford.gov.uk by no later than the 28 November 2022.
All wreath will be placed on display in either South Street or Brentwood Town Hall, so please if you use lights they will need to be battery operated.
There will be a prize for the best Christmas wreath and judging will take place mid December 2022.
Christmas Jumper Day
It’s Christmas Jumper day on Thursday 8 December 2022, millions of people up and down the country will come together to make the world better with a sweater. This year will be TWICE as good as before. Every time you donate £2, the UK government has totally promised to give £2 to Save the Children too.
So please dust of that annual Christmas jumper and lets do what we can to raise those all important funds for Save the Children.
Christmas Quiz
We will be holding a Christmas quiz on Monday 19 December 2022 from 6:30pm, to be held at the Mill Hall, Rayleigh. We can promise lots of festive fun as well as something yummy to eat. All you need to do is bring some refreshments, snacks and of course yourself. If you would like to attend please can you complete this form, so we can ensure we cater for everyone.
Let’s get sprinkling that Christmas magic #One Team 😊
Dawns Tribe's last official day at RDC after 36 years is 31st December, however due to taking annual leave, her last day in the office will be 30th November. She would like to say her farewell to everyone by the following video clip.
Jacqueline Van Mellaerts is leaving the organisation after 17 years for a new role at Harlow Council. I am sure you will all join me in wishing her well for this new opportunity. Also moving on from Brentwood for a new adventure is Alex Webber in the Finance Team.
Welcome to Rosie McNeil, who has joined Brentwood's Electoral Services Team.
We have some opportunities for staff to apply for internally, please see the following links to view the job descriptions and how you can apply:
Rochford jobs
Kind regards,
Jonathan
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