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Councillor James Abbott

  • General
  • Committees
  • Member Register of Interests
  • Outside Bodies
  • Councillor Grant Scheme
  • Training History
  • Ward History
  • Election History
Councillor  James Abbott
Elected:
04 May 2023
First Elected
05 May 2011
Party:
Green Party
Ward:
Silver End and Cressing
Address:
C/O Braintree District Council Offices
Causeway House
Bocking End
Braintree
Essex
CM7 9HB
Telephone No:
01376 584576
Mobile Telephone No:
07951 923073
Biography:

 

Job Title:
Councillor
Department:

Election History

ElectedRetiredReason
Thu 5 May 2011 Wed 6 May 2015 Re-elected
Thu 7 May 2015 Mon 6 May 2019 Retirement and Re-elected
Thu 9 May 2019 Wed 3 May 2023 Local Elections - May 2023
Thu 4 May 2023  

Party Representation History

PartyFromTo
Green PartyThu 2 May 2019

Ward Representation History

WardFromTo
Silver End and CressingThu 5 May 2011 Wed 6 May 2015
Silver End and CressingThu 7 May 2015 Mon 6 May 2019
Silver End and CressingThu 9 May 2019 Wed 3 May 2023
Silver End and CressingThu 4 May 2023

Current Outside Body Appointments

Outside BodyJoining Date
There are no current outside bodies for this member.

Past Outside Body Appointments

Personal Register of Interests

Date of NoticeReceipt by Monitoring OfficerView
There are no register of interest records for this member.

Meeting Declarations

Committee NameMeeting DateNatureView
There are no meeting declarations for this member.
DateTitleNotes
Wed, 11 Dec 2024Climate Change 
Wed, 20 Nov 2024Corporate Scrutiny Committee - Initial Budget Proposals 2025/26 
Mon, 18 Nov 2024Code of Conduct 
Wed, 13 Nov 2024CSP and PFCC 
Wed, 18 Sep 2024Planning Policy/Local Plan 
Wed, 17 Jul 2024Strategic Partnerships 
Wed, 6 Mar 2024Housing 
Wed, 31 Jan 2024Corporate Scrutiny Committee (Budget update) 
Wed, 22 Nov 2023Corporate Scrutiny Committee - Initial Budget Proposals 2024/25 
Thu, 9 Nov 2023Finance Seminar 
Wed, 1 Nov 2023Devolution 
Wed, 18 Oct 2023Corporate Strategy 
Tue, 27 Jun 2023Planning training - part 2 
Tue, 20 Jun 2023Planning training - part 1 
Mon, 22 May 2023Effective Ward Councillor  
Thu, 18 May 2023Governance 
Thu, 9 Feb 2023Planning (including enforcement) 
Thu, 29 Sep 2022Economic Development 
Tue, 19 Jul 2022Levelling Up 
Thu, 30 May 2019Introduction to Environmental Services and Enforcement, and Housing and Community Services 
Thu, 16 May 2019Introduction to Committees, Member Development and DP/FOI 
Tue, 14 May 2019Introduction to Council Services 
Thu, 9 May 2019Member Induction Day - Overview of the Council including Role of Councillor and Code of Conduct  
Mon, 28 Jan 2019PFCC 
Wed, 21 Nov 2018Scrutiny of the Priorities for 2019/20 and Initial Budget Position 
Mon, 16 Apr 2018Member Development - Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner/Community Safety HubsSession Outline: • To provide an overview of the work of the Office of the Police, Fire and CrimeCommissioner. • To provide an overview of the Braintree DistrictCommunity Safety Partnership Strategic Assessment 2017/18. • To provide an overview of the Braintree Community Safety Hub Session Outcomes: • Have an improved awareness of the work of the Office of the Police, Fire and CrimeCommissioner. • Understand the benefits & importance of partnership working within the Community Safety Hubs.
Wed, 22 Nov 2017Overview and Scrutiny 
Tue, 21 Nov 2017Planning Training 
Wed, 28 Jun 2017Member Development 
Wed, 1 Feb 2017Member Development 
Mon, 5 Dec 2016Member Development 
Tue, 26 Jul 2016Development Evening Programme 
Tue, 30 Jun 2015Public Health Development Training 
Wed, 13 May 2015Member Induction 
DateFromDescriptionValue
There are no hospitality and gift records for this member.

Councillors’ Community Grant

This grant scheme operates from 1st September 2016 and provides all 49 Ward Councillors with funds to support organisations and groups to develop and deliver community projects and initiatives that benefit local residents.

The Councillor Community Grants Scheme is monitored by the Grants Panel and Councillors are obliged to consider the Member Code of Conduct when making grant decisions.  To aid transparency the details of each grant are published below. 

Grants made by Councillor James Abbott:

Organisation:1st Silver End Scouts
Project:Summer Festival
Overall cost of project: £500
Grant awarded: £500
Joint Grant: No
Date: 12th June 2017

Organisation: Greener Silver End
Project: Picnic in the Park
Overall cost of project: £200.00 
Grant awarded: £150.00
Joint Grant: No
Date: 26th June 2017

Organisation: Rivenhall Playing Fields Association 
Project: New Shed / Storage Facility
Overall cost of project: £1022
Grant awarded: £511
Joint Grant: YES (Cllr Kevin Bowers)
Date: 24th July 2017

Organisation: Silver End Parish Council

Project: Community use Defibrillator

Overall cost of project: £900

Grant awarded: £500

Joint Grant: No

Date: 9th August 2017

Organisation: Cressing Temple Community Shed
Project: Promotional material
Overall cost of project: £316.00
Grant awarded: £316.00
Joint Grant: No
Date: 1st October 2017

Organisation: Francis Crittall Pavilion Association
Project: Francis Crittall Pavilion Association
Overall cost of project: £80000
Grant awarded: £1000
Joint Grant: No
Date: 19th October 2017

Organisation: Francis Crittall Pavilion Trust
Project: Storage
Overall cost of project: £1500 (requesting £650)
Grant awarded: £650
Joint Grant: No
Date: 24th October 2018

Organisation: Francis Crittall Pavilion Trust
Project: Francis Crittall Pavilion Sign
Overall cost of project: £1000 (requesting £350)
Grant awarded: £350
Joint Grant: No
Date: 21st November 2018

Organisation: Witham Art and Sketch Club 
Charity Registration Number:
N/A
Project:
Witham Art and Sketch Club - Room and Speakers 
Overall cost of Project:
£1,000
Grant Awarded:
£184 (for now)
Joint Grant:
No
Date:
17th March 2019
Financial Year:
2018/19

Organisation: Witham Art and Sketch Club 
Charity Registration Number: 
N/A
Project: 
Insurance and Guest Speaker Changes  
Overall cost of Project: 
£300
Grant Awarded:
£300
Joint Grant:
No
Date:
1st November 2019
Financial Year:
2019/20

Organisation: Witham Art and Sketch Club 
Charity Registration Number: 
N/A
Project: 
Insurance and Guest Speaker Changes  
Overall cost of Project: 
£300
Grant Awarded: 
£300
Joint Grant: 
No
Date: 
1st November 2019
Financial Year: 
2019/20

Organisation: The Friends of Cressing Temple Gardens
Charity Registration Number:
1166431
Project: 
Cressing Temple Community Gardening
Overall cost of Project:
£1379.32
Grant Awarded:
£579.32
Joint Grant:
Yes (Councillor Bob Wright)
Date:
13th January 2020
Financial Year:
2019/20

Organisation: Cressing Community Magazine
Charity Registration Number:
N/A
Project: 
Cressing Community Magaine 
Overall cost of Project: 
£2,200
Grant Awarded: 
£250
Joint Grant: 
Yes (Councillor Bob Wright - £250 contributed)
Date: 
12th January 2021
Financial Year: 
2020/21

Organisation: Silver End Parish Council
Charity Registration Number: 
N/A
Project:
Floodlights/Electrical Supply
Overall cost of Project: 
£1,500
Grant Awarded: 
£750.00
Joint Grant: 
Yes (Councillor Bob Wright)
Date:
12th January 2021
Financial Year: 
2020/21

Organisation: Rivenhall Parish Council
Charity Registration Number: 
N/A
Project: 
New/replacement litter bin with lid
Overall cost of Project: 
£200
Grant Awarded: 
£100.00
Joint Grant: 
Yes (Councillor Bob Wright)
Date: 
5th October 2021
Financial Year: 
2020/21

Organisation: Silver End Heritage Society
Charity Registration Number: 
N/A
Project: 
New laptop computer
Overall cost of Project: 
£1000
Grant Awarded: 
£500.00
Joint Grant: 
No
Date: 
5th October 2021
Financial Year: 
2020/21

Organisation: Trust Links
Charity No.: 1092324
Project: Plant House at Growing Together
Overall cost of project: £2,841
Grant awarded: £1000
Joint Grant: Yes (Councillor Bob Wright)
Date: 28th January 2022
Financial Year: 2021/22

Organisation: Cressing Parish Council
Charity No.: N/A
Project: Defibrillator at Playing Field
Overall cost of project: £2,750
Grant awarded: £450
Joint Grant: Yes (Councillor Bob Wright)
Date: 14th April 2022
Financial Year: 2022/23

Organisation: Cressing Temple Community Shed
Charity No.: 1175821
Project:  Replacement table saw
Overall cost of project: £1,841.20
Grant awarded: £500
Joint Grant: Yes (Councillors Michelle Weeks and Bob Wright)
Date: 10th May 2022
Financial Year: 2022/23

Organisation: Silver End Community Secret Nature Garden
Charity No.: N/A
Project: Silver End Community Secret Nature Garden
Overall cost of project: £1,087
Grant awarded: £300
Joint Grant: Yes (Councillor Bob Wright)
Date: 10th June 2022
Financial Year: 2022/23

Organisation: 1st Silver End Scout Group
Charity No.: 271619
Project: Nights away for children
Overall cost of project: £4752
Grant awarded: £200
Joint Grant: Yes (Councillor Bob Wright)
Date: 19th January 2023
Financial Year: 2022/23

Organisation: Silver End Community Secret Nature Garden
Charity No.: N/A
Project: Silver End Community Secret Nature Garden
Overall cost of project: £250
Grant awarded: £250
Joint Grant: No
Date: 2nd March 2023
Financial Year: 2023/24

Organisation: Silver End Community Secret Nature Garden
Charity No.: N/A
Project: Spring 2024 bulbs
Overall cost of project: £150
Grant awarded: £150
Joint Grant: No
Date: 23rd August 2023
Financial Year: 2023/24

Organisation: Silver End Community Secret Garden
Charity No.: N/A
Project: Plants
Overall cost of project: £250
Grant awarded: £250
Joint Grant: No
Date: 7th June 2023
Financial Year: 2023/24

Organisation: Silver End Community Secret Garden
Charity No.: N/A
Project: Spring 2024 Bulb Planting 
Overall cost of project: £150
Grant awarded: £150
Joint Grant: No
Date: 2nd October 2023 
Financial Year: 2023/24

Organisation: Cressing Parish Council 
Charity No.: N/A
Project: Replacement benches 
Overall cost of project: £450
Grant awarded: £225
Joint Grant: Yes (Councillor Bob Wright)
Date: 27th November 2023
Financial Year: 2023/24

Organisation: Trust Links
Charity No.: 
1092324
Project: 
Community engagement event - Cressing Temple
Overall cost of project: 
£500
Grant awarded:
 £500
Joint Grant: 
No
Date: 
10th June 2024
Financial Year: 
2024/25

Organisation: Silver End Community Secret Wildlife Garden
Charity No.: N/A
Project: Cottage Garden Planting 
Overall cost of project: £100
Grant awarded: £100
Joint Grant: No
Date: 14th June 2024 
Financial Year: 2024/25

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

1. Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation

Councillor:  Braintree District Councillor and Parish Councillor for Rivenhall Parish Council.

Spouse: Declared to the Monitoring Officer - Dispensation against publication granted - 22/5/2023

2. Financial Support

Councillor: Election expenses/Financial Support from the Witham and Braintree Green Party.

Spouse: None

3. Contracts with Braintree District Council

Councillor/Spouse: None  

4. Land/Property

Councillor/Spouse: Declared to the Monitoring Officer - Dispensation against publication granted - 22/5/2023. 

5. Property Licences

Councillor/Spouse: None

6. Tenancies with Braintree District Council

Councillor/Spouse: None

7. Securities

Councillor/Spouse: None

Other Pecuniary Interest

8. Employment

None

9. Discharged Contracts with Braintree District Council

None

Registerable Non-Pecuniary interests

10. Relevant Memberships

Rivenhall Playing Field Association; UCL Alumni; Witham and Countryside Society; Member of: British Astronomical Association (and Cfds); North Essex Astronomical Society; End to End Nature Care; Witham & Braintree Green Party (Chairman); Green Party of England & Wales; Stansted Airport Watch; and CPRE and The Countryside Charity.

11. Gifts and Hospitality with as estimated value of at least £50

None.

 

Updated: 13th December 2023

Member Attendance

Attendance Summary

SummaryCountPercentage
Expected attendances33 
Present as expected2885%
Absent515%
Apologies received5100% of absences
In attendance (as a visitor)0 

Attendance Details

Meeting DateCommitteeAttendance
19 Dec 2023 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
23 Jan 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
31 Jan 2024 19:15 Corporate Scrutiny Committee Attended
13 Feb 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
19 Feb 2024 19:15 Council Attended
5 Mar 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
7 Mar 2024 19:15 Local Plan Sub-Committee Attended
18 Mar 2024 19:15 Council Attended
26 Mar 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
3 Apr 2024 19:15 Corporate Scrutiny Committee Apologies received
16 Apr 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
22 Apr 2024 19:15 Council Attended
7 May 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Apologies received
28 May 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
9 Jul 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
10 Jul 2024 19:15 Corporate Scrutiny Committee Apologies received
23 Jul 2024 19:15 Council Attended
30 Jul 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
13 Aug 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
15 Aug 2024 19:15 Local Plan Sub-Committee Attended
20 Aug 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
10 Sep 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
16 Sep 2024 19:15 Local Plan Sub-Committee Attended
23 Sep 2024 19:15 Council Attended
25 Sep 2024 19:15 Corporate Scrutiny Committee Attended
1 Oct 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
22 Oct 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Attended
31 Oct 2024 19:15 Local Plan Sub-Committee Attended
4 Nov 2024 19:15 Council Attended
12 Nov 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Apologies received
20 Nov 2024 19:15 Corporate Scrutiny Committee Attended
3 Dec 2024 19:15 Planning Committee Apologies received
9 Dec 2024 19:15 Council Attended