Emma Stephens, Tollesbury Councillor, Maldon District Independent Group

15/08/2026

If you get means-tested benefits like Pension Credit or Universal Credit, you could be eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter 🔥🏠

You must be named on your energy bill by 23 August to receive it automatically.

More info in first comment ⤵️

15/08/2026

11/08/2026

Duty Planner Service

The Planning Team has reintroduced the Duty Planner service.

A duty planner will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 1pm to answer questions and provide advice in person at the Council offices.

09/08/2026

You’ve have seen by now that Maldon District Councillors voted on 5th August to defer our decision on the Welbeck application 25/00381/OUTM. This is the proposal to build 159 houses, with a road link connecting West Street and North Road.

The application should come back to committee within a month, so by early September.

I’ve received questions about the procedure for voting, and while it’s the same for all council decisions up and down the country, it can seem confusing!

The officer recommended approval but councillors, including me, voted against that recommendation.

That doesn’t mean it’s refused though, just that we didn’t agree to approve.

When that happens, there needs to be a new proposal, which is normally to refuse the officer's recommendation.

However, on this occasion the second proposal was to defer, and councillors, including me, voted for the deferral.

This is to allow time to gather more evidence, particularly around highway safety where it relates to children walking safely to school and to all residents walking safely to the village centre.

Please note that officers are not allowed to seek only evidence that supports one viewpoint, so it follows that any further evidence may support either a refusal or an approval.

Refs:
• Planning application 25/00381/OUTM:
https://tinyurl.com/jdpn3x4w
• YouTube video of the 5th August District Planning meeting:
https://tinyurl.com/95xtwke4
• Future District Planning committee meeting dates and agendas:
https://tinyurl.com/3jejsnz5

If you have any queries please do email me (with your postal address) at [email protected], or you can call me on 869415.

03/08/2026

UPDATE - Essex & Suffolk Water - hosepipe ban

We do all need to play our part in conserving water, but did you know the ban does not apply to everyone or every situation? If you have a disability you may be exempt - and if you need to wash your houseboat and it's your primary residence.

There are other exemptions too; for full details please see "Who is exempt from the hosepipe ban?" on this page: https://www.eswater.co.uk/help-and-support/water/saving-water/temporary-use-ban/temporary-use-ban-faqs/

31/07/2026

Don't forget!

𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐑 is on Saturday, 1st August, from 11am to 12.30 in the Lighthouse, East Street. Please do join us over coffee to raise the issues you care about.

I’ll be joined by Tollesbury Parish Councillor Patricia Gilbert, and our new Essex County Councillor, Stuart Clarke. Cllr Maddie Thompson is unable to attend this time, but I can take messages for her.

With best wishes – Emma Stephens, Maldon District Councillor for Tollesbury (Independent) [email protected] 01621 869415

26/07/2026

It's 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐑 on Saturday, 1st August, from 11am to 12.30 in the Lighthouse, East Street. Please do join us over coffee to raise the issues you care about.

I’ll be joined by Tollesbury Parish Councillor Patricia Gilbert; Cllr Maddie Thompson, who is one of the District Councillors for Tolleshunt D’Arcy (which includes western Tollesbury); and hopefully our Essex County Councillor, Stuart Clarke.

It’s a drop-in session, but if you're pressed, or if you particularly want to meet one of the councillors listed above, please do email or phone me for the best times.

With best wishes – Emma Stephens, Maldon District Councillor for Tollesbury (Independent) [email protected] 01621 869415

24/07/2026

20/07/2026

We're developing a new Women’s Safety Charter and want to hear from as many residents as possible to help shape that work. 🙋‍♀️

The Charter is focussed on women’s safety, but we want views from everyone in the community about how safe they feel in the District. Residents can let us know by completing a short online survey (link in the comments). 👇

💬 Cllr Simon Morgan, Leader of the Council, said; “The Council works hard to ensure that its residents are safe within the District. We have a Community Safety Partnership which works to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and promote community safety across the District. We’ve benefited from the Safer Streets Fund which has brought about additional CCTV and lighting, a bespoke youth shelter and social seating at the new skate park. We’ve also worked hard to take into account the Make Space for Girls campaign that advocates for public spaces and facilities that are welcoming for teenage girls.

“We are now working to develop a Women’s Safety Charter to tackle the behaviours that make women feel unsafe. In order to do that, we are first asking residents for your views around how safe you feel in the District. We really want to hear from as many people as possible, not just women, about the perceptions of safety in our District.”

“Please therefore take a few moments to complete the survey to let us know how you feel about safety in our beautiful District.”

The survey is open between 17 July and 17 August and can be completed by going to the link in the comments of this post. 👇

There will be more news about the Women’s Safety Charter itself in the Autumn. ℹ️

20/07/2026