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.

 

Our President is Sir Max Hastings 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.

 

 

Much of what happens in our countryside is dependent on English and European legislation, and its interpretation through local, county and regional bodies.  Bodies such as the Regional Development Agencies and Regional Assemblies are becoming increasingly important in how land is used throughout the country.

 

That’s why CPRE is building stronger regional groupings within Regional Government Office boundaries. The Essex branch is part of the CPRE East of England group 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 now have well over 1000 members, but not all are able to be active volunteers and there is much work to do, so new members are always very welcome!
 

CPREssex (registered charity no. 1094178) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England, no 4536412. Our President is The Lord Lieutenant of 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.

 

In addition to our District Groups we have a number of county sub-committees taking particular interest in Agriculture and the Countryside, Planning, Transport and Publicity. The Advisory Council meets six times a year.

 

CPREssex publishes a magazine, The Essex Protector,  twice a year which includes in-depth articles on issues and campaigns at county and national level.  The ACTION ESSEX newsletter is sent to members four times a year or can be downloaded from the web site  www.cpressex.org.uk

  

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  

 

Each week, 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 the County Structure, Minerals & Waste and Transport Plans.   The Agriculture Sub-Committee review publications produced by Regional Government sections and other public bodies which deal with farming and countryside initiatives and developments. 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 six 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.

 

The Essex Protector

 

Our branch journal, The Essex Protector, is published twice a year in January and August.   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. 

 

It frequently includes reports on seminars and other events that have taken place to enable those unable to attend to keep up to date.   It also informs members 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.

 

Action Essex

 

The ACTION ESSEX newsletter aims to make members aware of latest developments and news items.  There are short reports on District meetings and members get details of CPREssex events across the county.  News from the Advisory Council meetings and Essex initiatives based on National policy can be found in this popular publication  

 

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. 

 

We organize visits to gardens, farms, local enterprises, woodlands and coastal areas.   Each year, we endeavour to hold a seminar, conference or workshop to help individuals or groups make best use of the opportunities available to speak up for their local environment.