Fourteenth Annual Chairman’s Report

Colchester and North East Essex Building Preservation Trust
Year ending 31st March 2010

After the turmoil in the financial markets in the late summer of 2008 a relative calm has emerged, although it is difficult to see GDP increasing at its previous rate, and the new government has much cutting of the budget to do. There will probably be further cuts in funding to the conservation sector (it has been virtually impossible to get any grants in recent times, partly due to the costs of the Olympic Games in 2012 which is being part funded by Heritage Lottery Fund)
The concern for the BPT is how long the recession will last; ten years of economic growth has left the building stock largely in good repair; however, reducing maintenance is now likely be commonplace, and we fear that we shall soon notice a difference in the appearance of the Town

COLCHESTER TOWN REPORT
SAVE’s Town Report on Colchester is finally due for delivery in June 2010. Although much delayed we believe it still is appropriate given the gradual attrition of the fabric of the town.   The author, Adam Wilkinson, who was Secretary of SAVE, has been putting the finishing touches on it together with William Palin, the new Secretary of SAVE. We hope to assist in the launch in July.

COLCHESTER”S BUILDINGS AT RISK
With the help of our Trustee Andrew Derrick, and through the good offices of the Architectural History Practice, CBC agreed that we should undertake a survey of buildings at risk in the town centre. This has been completed and the first meeting held with CBC Conservation officers; however, many of these buildings have owners with plans to develop  once the recession is over. Now that we are in possession of the facts, we will continue to monitor this carefully. 

COLCHESTER’S ROMAN WALL
As a result of an initiative by last year’s Mayor, Cllr Henry Spyvee, the Friends of the Roman Wall has been set up, with help from this Trust.  We welcome this initiative that we hope will result in making the Wall a recognized and well signed asset for the people of Colchester.

SOUTH STREET, MANNINGTREE
We await a decision by the owner to make a move to sell this building.
It has deteriorated badly over the past year, and our efforts to persuade him to put it on the market have failed so far.

It only remains for me to thank my fellow Trustees and also the Officers in CBC and TDC for their work and support over the past year.
Anthony Bartleet
June 2010