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The village of Birch lies about four and a half miles south west of Colchester in the county of Essex. The civil parish of Birch comes within the administrative area of the Borough of Colchester.
On this site you will find information about Birch Parish Council, its Councillors, meetings, the Parish boundary (with maps) and Policies & Procedures.
As a service to the local community, you will find here also information about local organisations, activities and amenities for which the Parish Council is not responsible and for which it cannot, therefore, accept any liability.
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Parish Council Meeting held on 1st May 2012
A Press Release, summarising matters discussed at the meeting held on 1st May, is available on the Meetings page of this website.
Next Parish Council Meeting - 12th June 2012
The next Birch Parish Council meeting is to be held on Tuesday 12th June 2012 at 7-30pm, in Birch Memorial Hall.
Parish Council's Year End Report - Year to 31st March 2012
A report on the work of Birch Parish Council during the year ended 31st March 2012 can be viewed on the page Year End Report.
Colchester Borough Council Recycling Arrangements — 2012-2013
Residents are advised to look out for their copy of the new 2012/13 recycling calendar which is being posted with Council Tax bills during March. The new calendar runs from the beginning of April. Colchester Borough Council is aiming to reach a recycling target of 43% by April 2013.
The Calendar includes information on:
• what you can recycle in blue and green weeks;
• when and how to put your recycling out for collection;
• the enhanced garden waste collection of up to 8 sacks from 6 November 2012 to 29th March 2013.
The 2012-13 distribution of a roll of black refuse sacks and a roll of clear recycling sacks to households in Birch is due to take place during the week commencing 15th May 2012.
More information is on the Borough Council's website at www.colchester.gov.uk/recycling Alternatively you can email recycling@colchester.gov.uk or telephone the Council's Recycling hotline on 01206 282700.
Attended Refuse Freighter Scheme
Colchester Borough Council operates an Attended Refuse Freighter Scheme under which a refuse freighter visits Birch and Layer Breton from time to time. The service is provided for small loads from domestic properties, so that residents can dispose of bulky items not normally collected with household waste.
During 2012 visits are scheduled for the Saturdays, 12th May, 7th July and 1st September, at:
- Luard Way, Birch: 9-30am to 10-45am.
- St Mary's Church car park, Layer Breton: 11-00am to 12 noon.
Green garden waste should be brought separately (to be composted). No fridges or freezers, commercial refuse or hazardous waste such as asbestos, batteries, liquids, gas bottles. For more information, telephone 01206-282700.
Birch Parish Council Information
On this site you will find information about:
– The Responsibilities and Work of Birch Parish Council
– Parish Councillors and the Parish Clerk
– Dates of Birch Parish Council Meetings
– Press Releases issued by the Council after meetings
– Minutes and Agendas of Council meetings
– Year End Report for the year to 31st March 2012.
– Boundary and Maps of Birch Civil Parish
– The Council's Policies and Procedures
Other Local Information
The site also carries information about:
– The Village Hall
– Birch Shop and Leisure Bus
– Policing and Crime Prevention
– The Three Villages Community Association (TVCA)
– Websites with local content.
Please contact the webmaster or Parish Clerk if you think there is other information which could usefully be added to the site.
Monthly Newsletter: 'Parish News'
This monthly magazine goes to every home and is produced independently of Birch Parish Council. It provides useful information on the many local community social events and carries Council notices, press releases and other information. In addition to a range of articles including our countryside, food and local history, Parish News carries a range of over 40 local commercial advertisements.
For further information and contact details, see www.bretonheath.me.uk/parnews.htm
Birch Shop and Leisure Bus — Service SB31
Essex County Council, working in partnership with Birch Parish Council and Colchester Community Voluntary Services, commenced The Birch Shop and Leisure Bus service on March 23rd 2011. The service operates every Wednesday to Tollgate, then onwards to Cowdray Avenue and the Leisure Centre. The service will not operate on bank holidays.
Personal Service: This service has timed stops in the villages and in Colchester but can be adapted to meet the needs of passengers. As long as it is safe to do so, the bus will stop within the village. If you would like help boarding or leaving the vehicle, or with shopping bags, please speak to the driver.
Cost: Fares can be paid on the bus. There will be a flat fare of £2-50 (single or return). Children aged 5 to 16 travel half price and those aged under 5 travel free. Concessionary bus pass holders will need to show their passes to receive free transport. To apply for a concessionary pass please contact Colchester Borough Council on 01206 282329.
TIMETABLE - Colchester Community Voluntary Services, Service SB31
Birch - Layer Breton - Hardys Green - Easthorpe - Colchester.
From: 23rd March 2011. Wednesdays only
| Layer Breton, Shalom Hall | 1000 | Colchester, Leisure Centre (o/s) | 1300 | |
| Layer Breton, Phone box | 1004 | Colchester, High Street, Jacks | 1315 | |
| Layer Breton, Hare & Hounds (opp) | 1007 | Stanway, Sainsbury's | 1330 | |
| Birch, Mill Lane/Greenfield Houses | 1010 | London Road, adj Copford Lane | 1339 | |
| Birch Street, Art Gallery | 1012 | Copford Green, Alma P.H. | 1346 | |
| Birch, Hardy's Green (adj) | 1022 | Easthorpe, Church | 1350 | |
| Easthorpe, Church | 1032 | Birch, Hardy's Green (opp) | 1400 | |
| Copford Green, Alma P.H. | 1034 | Birch Street, Art Gallery | 1410 | |
| London Road, opp Copford Lane | 1041 | Birch, Mill Lane/Greenfield Houses | 1412 | |
| Stanway, Sainsbury's | 1050 | Layer Breton, Hare & Hounds (o/s) | 1415 | |
| Colchester, Head Street | 1101 | Layer Breton, Phone box | 1418 | |
| Colchester, High Street, Jacks | 1106 | Layer Breton, Shalom Hall | 1422 | |
| Colchester, Leisure Centre (opp) | 1115 |
Disclaimer of Legal Liability
Information on this website is given in good faith, but Birch Parish Council does not accept any liability for the accuracy or reliability of such information. References on this website to other organisations, individuals or businesses do not imply any endorsement, approval or recommendation of them by the Parish Council.
This site has links to external websites. Birch Parish Council has no control over third party websites or services and is not responsible for their content. The existence of a link here to an external website does not imply endorsement or approval by the Council which accepts no liability for loss or damage arising from reliance on the content of external websites.