News in Maldon

Last Sunday's piece on the tragic last message sent in a bottle by the crew of the sinking barge Cynthia met with a lot of interest.

Several readers have kindly sent in further information. Richard Little did a lot of research for the Thames Sailing Barge Trust last year, and knew the story. He kindly sent me an extract from 28 May 1895 edition of the Essex Herald which explains a lot, particularly how the message in a bottle was relayed to Captain Gentry's family.

Maldon District Council has agreed a £5 per year increase for a Band D household on the amount paid for district council services.

This will mean a 1.93 per cent increase on the full amount households will pay - this includes the county council, fire and police services and parish precepts. However, the percentage rise on the Maldon District Council amount alone is 2.47 per cent - with the £5 a year adding to the £202.40 paid in 2019/20 to the district for the year to £207.40 in 2021/22.

The principal of Maldon's Plume Academy has spoken of his surprise at the Government's decision to bring all secondary school students back at once, the mammoth task of testing ahead - and of his delight at the prospect of seeing everyone again.

Principal Carl Wakefield said: "Work has already begun in earnest devising the many necessary plans to bring all 2000-plus students and staff back into both of our campuses in less than two weeks' time.

Children from Maldon district will be among those eligible to attend new summer holiday clubs as part of an initiative to make up for learning lost during the pandemic.

As many as 12,000 children from across the county will be able to attend summer holiday clubs each day as part of Essex County Council's (ECC) efforts to help youngsters catch up.

An Independent councillor has resigned from the Independent group on Maldon District Council.

Councillor Chrisy Morris, who represents Heybridge West ward, left the group today (Tuesday, 23 February), on the day of the authority's council tax setting meeting (due this evening) and where a number of other key local issues, including possible changes to the High Street and revisiting the Local Development Plan (LDP) will be discussed.

On the agenda tonight (Tuesday, 23 February) at a full meeting of Maldon District Council is a debate on whether to bring forward a review of the district's Local Development Plan (LDP).

The LDP is key to the local authority's planning decisions going forward and outlines development policy on everything from new housing and the land allocated for it to business development, leisure facilities and transport.

Essex County Council has welcomed Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement on the path out of lockdown - but has urged caution as the county-wide infection rate remains high.

With case rates in the Essex area as a whole still around 100 cases per 100,000 people, county council leader, Councillor David Finch, is urging residents not to drop their guard.

Accusations that Essex County Council's Conservative administration have dropped "sound finance" from their 2021/22 budget have been rejected, with the claim said to be "nothing further from the truth".

The Liberal Democrats claim "difficult decisions that are inevitable" are being "put off" and the budget depends on unnamed cuts, which its finance officer says runs a risk of not being delivered.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out his 'road map' for how the nation will emerge from the current lockdown restrictions.

This time there are no 'tiers' or regional restrictions. Maldon has been under Tier 4 restrictions - in effect very similar to a full lockdown - since shops closed on the 19 December.

Did you know that Maldon Nub News has a Jobs section? If you want to see the latest jobs on offer in the area you can take a look at our Jobs section by using the link here.

Below we have details of a fantastic new local career opportunity.