| ABOUT US CPREssex carries on the work of the Campaign to Protect Rural England right across the county – from Southend to Saffron Walden and Harlow to Harwich CPRE is a national charity which helps people to protect their local countryside from threat and to keep it beautiful, productive and enjoyable for everyone. The countryside is unique, essential, precious and finite – and it’s in danger. Every year, a little more is lost forever to urban sprawl, new roads, housing and other developments. Rural shops and services are closing, and increasingly intensive farming is changing the character of the countryside. Climate change, too, will have serious impacts on the rural environment. Our President is Bill Bryson and the national Director, Shaun Spiers, heads a London Office staff of over 40 who are engaged in research and campaigning. They carry out vigorous and effective lobbying in Whitehall, Westminster and Brussels. |
The Essex branch works closely with the other county branches of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The majority of planning decisions which immediately affect our Essex countryside are taken in individual Parishes by District Councils. Throughout the county, our District Groups monitor local Planning Lists and make representations where approvals would be damaging to the countryside. Wherever possible, we liaise closely with Parish Councils
We also share information and co-operate with other environmental and ecological groups who share our concerns so that we can provide a co-ordinated approach to many of the issues around the county. We work closely with them on campaigning matters and regularly exchange ideas and proposals for improving rural and urban Essex.
We have an Executive committee (the members of which are our company directors and charity trustees) which is elected at our Annual General Meeting in October. In turn, the Executive Committee elects a Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Planning and Policy Work
The core of CPREssex's work centres on our involvement in the planning system and the decision making processes relating to the countryside.
District Groups
Local groups monitor District Councils' Planning Lists. Any planning applications which threaten a local area is investigated and if it is thought necessary a response is made. Developments involving more than local issues are dealt with through our County Branch with advice from the local group. New members of District Groups are always welcome, especially if volunteers are able to help check applications, make site visits, or have particular knowledge of their own parish. However, experience is not essential as guidance or training is always available to members willing to help protect the Essex countryside.
County Sub-Committees
Sub-Committee members keep themselves informed about specific issues and report back to the Advisory Committee on a regular basis. The sub-committees are:
· Agricultural and Countryside
· Airports
· Energy, Minerals and Waste
· Plans Group
· Publicity
· Transport
Contact details for these District Groups are printed in the ACTION ESSEX newsletter which is available on the web site www.cpressex.org.uk
The appearance and health of the Essex countryside is deeply dependent on how land is used and if we wish to influence the future of our countryside we have to know who is making the decisions and what factors will influence those decision makers.
Advisory Council
The Advisory Council meets four times a year and draws both the local advisory groups and county sub-committees together. In addition individual members, representatives of affiliated Amenity Societies, Local Authorities and other affiliated bodies also attend. Guest Speakers are sometimes invited, and these meetings are an excellent opportunity for the Executive Committee to hear county-wide concerns and opinions about local and wider issues
Executive Committee
Major decisions on the policy of CPREssex and the manner in which it functions are made by the Executive Committee which is responsible for all the activities of the Branch. Members of the Executive Committee are elected at the Branch Annual General Meeting, and they in turn elect the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Occasionally, members are co-opted onto the Executive Committee for various reasons.
Annual General Meeting
The CPREssex AGM is normally held on the first Saturday of October and in a different part of the county each year. This is the major opportunity for less active members to meet and question the Executive Committee on the work of the Branch.
ACTION ESSEX
Our branch journal, ACTION ESSEX, is published twice a year in April and September. It contains articles of interest relating to the Essex countryside, notifies members of publications produced by CPRE and other related bodies and generally keeps readers informed about county, regional and national issues.
Members are kept informed of local concerns that highlight matters of a broader and more general interest together with any important proposals for changes in legislation on which the Branch has a view. Contributions from members and others are always welcomed.
Web site
For up-to-date information and news on local and national issues, the CPREssex web provides an additional contact point for members and the general public. This can be accessed via www.cpressex.org.uk
Events
CPREssex offers its members and the general public opportunities to enjoy the countryside of Essex and to learn how CPREssex strives to influence decisions and policies affecting the Essex countryside.
Each year fund-raising events are held around the county from time-to-time. We are also represented at agricultural and district shows across Essex during the Spring and Summer and members of the public are welcome to come talk to us and learn more about our work and principles.