Chair's Update

Published: 11 March 2026

Since May 2025, Chigwell Parish Council has focused on strengthening our community facilities, improving local services, investing in our environment and standing up for Chigwell’s interests on the issues that matter most to residents. I am proud to report that, despite a demanding year and some significant challenges, the Parish has made tangible progress on a number of important priorities.

A major milestone has been securing a UKSPF grant to support the development of Victory Hall and the Community Hub. This funding is a real vote of confidence in our community and in the long-term value of Victory Hall as a focal point for local activity. Work to translate that grant into a practical, welcoming and well-used hub is now progressing and we will continue to keep residents updated as plans move through the necessary stages and delivery arrangements.

Another area where we have been working hard is access to health services. Over the past year the Council has reached agreement in principle to provide the parish office as a base for GP provision and we have continued detailed discussions with the relevant partners to ensure this can be delivered in a way that is workable, compliant and beneficial to residents. While there is more to do before arrangements are finalised, the direction of travel is positive and reflects our commitment to supporting local wellbeing and access to services close to home.

Behind every successful council is a strong team and we have made important appointments to strengthen our day-to-day capacity. We welcomed Debora Moraru as our Caretaker in August and Rob Ward as our Open Spaces Operative in July, both of whom are already making a real difference through their practical support, responsiveness and care for our facilities and outdoor areas. We have also appointed a new Clerk, Jason Selvarajah, bringing fresh energy and professional leadership to the Council’s administration as we move forward. Alongside these appointments, I want to record our sincere thanks to Cllr Jefcoate for stepping in as Acting Clerk from 1 May and continuing in that role through to February 2026. That period required consistency, calm judgement and a great deal of time and the Council and community owe Cllr Jefcoate a genuine debt of gratitude.

We have also taken steps to enhance and protect Chigwell’s environment. The installation of beehives on the land behind Victory Hall car park is a small but meaningful investment in biodiversity and in raising awareness of the importance of pollinators to our local ecosystem. These initiatives reflect the wider direction the Council wishes to take - practical actions that improve our shared spaces and contribute to a greener, healthier parish.

Community safety and reassurance remains central to our work. During the year the Council funded over £1,000 of spares for a defibrillator in that was paid for and installed by the residents of Oak Lodge Avenue, helping to ensure this vital piece of equipment remains ready and reliable. We are also progressing the upcoming purchase of a VAS, which will support speed awareness and reinforce safer driving through our roads. These measures are not just about equipment; they are about prevention, preparedness, and making our neighbourhoods feel safer for everyone, especially families, older residents and those who walk or cycle regularly.

One of the most significant and time-consuming areas of work since May 2025 has been the continued pressure of development on the Green Belt and the wider planning environment. Residents rightly expect the Parish Council to be a strong voice in protecting Chigwell’s character and ensuring that decisions are properly scrutinised. In that context, the granting of planning permission at the Froghall Lane site for a retirement village has been a major concern for many in the community. The Council has worked to represent local views, to engage with the process as robustly as possible and to ensure that all relevant issues are properly considered. We have also been involved in the ongoing process of taking professional advice and are taking the steps required to try to secure a Judicial Review of Epping Forest's decision to grant planning. This is a complex and exacting route and we will continue to approach it carefully and responsibly, guided by proper advice and the need to act in the public interest.

Transport and community access have also featured prominently this year, not least due to the very difficult situation involving the community minibuses. After the second minibus was stolen, the Council worked to successfully secure the return of the first minibus from Epping Forest Community Transport. This has been a frustrating episode for residents and for the Council and it has required persistence to ensure that assets linked to Chigwell are handled fairly. With the remaining bus now being sold, the Council’s position is clear - the proceeds should be used for the benefit of Chigwell residents, rather than being diverted elsewhere to Epping and Harlow. We will continue to pursue outcomes that respect the contribution and needs of our parish.

I would also like to warmly welcome our new councillor, Erika Skingsley. We are pleased to have you join the Council, and we look forward to your contribution and involvement in the work ahead. Parish councils are at their strongest when they draw on a range of experience, perspectives and local knowledge and new voices are an important part of that.

As we reflect on the year since May 2025, it is clear that much has been achieved. Funding secured for a major community hub, progress made on local health provision discussions, key staff appointed to strengthen delivery, practical environmental improvements delivered, safety investments made and a firm stance maintained on planning and Green Belt pressures. None of this happens without commitment - by councillors who give their time, by staff who keep services running and by residents who engage, challenge, and contribute ideas. As the Chair and on behalf of the Council, thank you to everyone who has supported our work and held us to high standards.

The year ahead will bring fresh challenges and new opportunities. We will continue to focus on delivering the Victory Hall hub ambitions, progressing the GP office arrangements, improving our public realm and open spaces, investing in safety and traffic management measures such as the VAS, and ensuring that Chigwell’s interests are clearly and consistently represented in all key decisions affecting the parish.