News in Maldon

THE quick-thinking actions of local residents saved the day when they alerted gas engineers to a smell coming from a shop premises in Maldon High Street.

Gas company Cadent sent an urgent response to the potential leak at a shop understood to be currently undergoing refurbishment. As the building was locked when they arrived, the engineers called emergency locksmiths – but fortunately the shop owner turned up in time and was able to let the gas workers in to fix the problem.

RESIDENTS in Maldon, who on average pay £198.63 per year for policing and £73.89 for the fire service from their council tax are being asked if they are prepared to make a bigger contribution to funding both services across the county.

Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, who also takes responsibility for the Fire Service, is planning next year's budget and says he wants to know what Maldon's residents want him to do.

The leader of Maldon District Council has spoken of her understanding on why the district will move to Tier Two 'High' level restrictions – and of her hope that the area will soon be able to move into Tier One.

Councillor Wendy Stamp's statement comes days before the national lockdown ends at midnight on Wednesday, 2 December to move to the Tier Two restrictions locally.

TWO Maldon supermarkets joined forces to help fill Christmas hampers for the community's elderly and vulnerable residents.

Kathy from Maldon Morrison's and Rhiain from Maldon Tesco Extra supplied food and goods to help fill the hampers being assembled at the Cafe at St Peter's Hospital in Spital Road, Maldon.

The following news report is direct from The Plume Academy, Maldon.

Throughout the whole of National Anti-Bullying Week (16 to 20 November) at Plume, Maldon's Community Academy, staff and students have been taking part in a variety of activities to demonstrate that we as an academy are 'United Against Bullying'.

THERE are indications that the level of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Maldon district is dropping.

The current level of confirmed positive cases in the seven days up to Thursday, 26 November, stands at 54.4 per 100,00, according to data on the Essex County Council website. However, it should be noted that this figure could still rise as not all test results up to that date may be back in and recorded as yet.

This week's reflection on the news in Maldon is much more like a look towards the future...of our beautiful town centre and its multitude of shops and businesses.

I have lived here for just over four years now and I am sure that I am not alone in having initially found my attraction to the town through its very unique High Street and ALL the businesses there, providing a great mix of amazing independents and a few other town centre larger chain staples. The point is, it makes for a fantastic mix and the more you shop there, the more you get to appreciate and love the local feel of it, the friendliness - the community.

GRANTS for businesses in the Maldon district area that were forced to close in lockdown are now available through the council website – and there is some discretionary help that some other businesses can apply for, too.

The support is for those businesses which were legally required to close and are listed for business rates, but there are also two discretionary grants:

It is "almost certain" care homes will have to close due to Covid-19, a new report from Essex County Council has said.

It leaves the uncomfortable reality that some elderly residents will have to face the upset and trauma of being moved away from familiar surroundings if providers close in the face of unprecedented financial pressure.

Home builder Taylor Wimpey will launch the latest phase of its Maldon development tomorrow (Saturday, 28 November).

Handley Gardens, off Limebrook Way, is part of a new neighbourhood known overall as Limebrook Park.