Layer de la Haye Parish Council is the first of the three tiers of local government which comprise – Parish (and Town) Councils, Borough and District Councils and County Councils. Each tier is run independently, controlled by its own set of democratically elected councillors. Parish Councils promote the interests of local people. Our Parish Councillors are volunteers who do not receive any payment (other than expenses) and offer their time voluntarily for the benefit of the community. We have nine Parish Councillors who stand for election every four years (the last election was 2017). We also employ a part-time Parish Clerk.

What do we do?

The Parish Council provides and maintains the playground, the playing field, the Cross and Malting Green. The Council manages and maintains public open spaces owned by the Parish and also maintains land leased to the Council including Heatherfields. The Parish Council ensures that local views are made known at Borough and County levels. The Parish Council is not a planning authority but it makes recommendations on local planning matters to Colchester Borough Council Planning Department. The Council responds to many consultation papers, and lobbies other bodies on important matters on behalf of the local community. Parish Councillors are also appointed to represent the Council on various local groups and organisations.

How it it all paid for?

The Parish Council is empowered to raise a Precept – a portion of Council Tax – through Colchester Borough Council to fund its activities. The Precept is collected by the Borough on behalf of the Parish Council. Details of the amounts charged for each Council Tax band are itemised on your Council Tax Bill.

Layer de la Haye is an ancient village with its roots in Saxon times. Today we are a thriving community with a 12th century church, two shops, a primary school, a large village hall, a doctors’ surgery and several open spaces.

Colchester lies about 1.5 miles north of the village with a green corridor between us and the town; this corridor contains the Roman River, which is an ancient waterway and is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Abberton Reservoir is to the south of the village. This is home to an award-winning nature reserve and wild-bird centre managed by Essex Wildlife Trust.

We have approximately 2,700 residents and about 750 homes. These are spread out over two main centres and along the two principal routes through the village.

Our village organisations provide activities for all ages and interests, including JB Tots for young mums and their babies, a men’s lunch club, Secret Layer and Layer Ladies, as well as several youth organisations. Layer Colts is a very active football club for all youngsters between 4 and 18. Our Primary School is very popular and is seen as one of the better schools in the area.

Our village hall was extensively renovated a few years ago, with our much-loved ‘Old Hall’ being replaced by a modern Annex, which we hope will last for many years to come. The hall is in regular use every day of the week and is a hub for many village activities. We also have a multi-sports court which is currently used for football and tennis. We hold occasional fetes on our Recreation Field and have many social and entertainment evenings in the village hall.

2nd to 5th June 2022 Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

To celebrate Her Majesty The Queens Platinum Jubilee, plans are well under way for a weekend full of fun & festivities with something suitable for all the family.  Commencing with the Platinum Jubilee Lighting of the Beacon, an outdoor concert  celebrating all things British with “The Last Night of The Proms” with food and beer tent, a fun packed village fete with Jubilee Tea Party for our younger villagers, another evening of music this time with a DJ and then a challenge to the village to see who can dress up, decorate up and serve up the best Jubilee tea.