The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 10th November and discussed a range of issues including Poors Land, Budget for next year, Storage, Benches, Ponds, Handymen & ongoing actions.

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 10th November 2016 in JL Hall

Sub-committee members present	John Gili-Ross, Philip Spencer, Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow, Janet Crichton
Apologies	None

Andrew Savage attended for budget discussion

1	Progress Report
	(see attached)
	a)   Bollards to Poors Land – incident post-fireworks display bollard damaged when driven into by Leisure Hire Marquee. Post to be reinstated by PC and to be reimbursed via PTA.	JGR
	b)   New item: Turf over bonfire site has not been replaced satisfactorily and is proud of the surrounding area. This will need attention urgently.	JGR & PS
	c)    A request for another dog bin to be sited in Chapel Lane is not considered necessary by this committee, as there is already a bin at the other end of the lane.	LW
	d)   Information re footpath repairs to Chapel Road should be displayed on noticeboard.	LW
2	Budget for next year
	John had prepared a proposed budget and this was discussed in detail with Andrew’s proposals. All items agreed except the section on Village Environs. It was decided that some items should be calculated separately ie- vehicle fuel and repairs, MOT and Insurance, hedges, tree maintenance, repairs and replacements, grass cutting of Poors Land and LD field.  These calculations and a new calculation for Village Environs will be discussed by John with Andrew.	JGR & AS
3	Storage facilities
	Following the decision at the last PC meeting when it was agreed that the planning application would be withdrawn, new proposals will be needed to resolve storage problem.  Harry agreed to discuss this with Chris Stevenson.	HS & CS
4	Handymen work
	Work has begun on the renovation of seating benches in the village and this work will continue until complete.	JGR
5	Benches for LD Field
	We need to investigate sourcing and pricing of 2 backless benches for the LD Field. Jenny Agreed to do a search.	JC
6	Village ponds
	The quote for work on the 3 ponds by TCV is accepted and the dates in January offered will suit. Jenny to inform Nicola Downs and ask John Easy if he will be available to remove the vegetation afterwards.	JC
	Date of next meeting – 2nd Thurs in January 2017 at 5pm venue to be notified.

Committee	Date	Type / Minute Ref	Information and decision made	Who	Action taken and outcome	Date note closed
Environment	04/11/2015	4 (Env Nov)	Clerk has logged the problem with Essex Highways (problem no. 2441579) on 14/01/15 to get hedge cut at Colchester Rd/Chapel Rd roundabout.	LW	Clerk called 0345 603 7631 & spoke to Highways, they said the notes now state ” After a risk assessment the defect of the area is deemed a low priority” John Glover has been asked to add this to his flailing jobs on 27th Oct 2016. Sorry missed bit in Oct Minutes to cancel LW, Hedge flailed on 27/10	27/10/2016
Environment	17/02/2016	Enquiry	With regards the dangerous parking on the junction of Armoury Rd & Colchester Rd. Clerk has now received 2 different complaints from residents.	LW	To contact NEEP. Details now with Cllr Lewis Barber – Park Safe vehicle available from Autumn approx. Passed onto the Traffic Safety Group	09/11/2016
Environment	23/03/2016	APM	Vehicle Activated Sign not working in Lexden Road, CO6 3BW. Clerk reported 07/04/16 No. 2457347. ECC site now states “Essex Highways is not responsible for the maintenance of this location and we have passed it on to the relevant organisation.”Clerk spoke to team responsible (Street Lighting). Fault has been reported to the manufacturer and are awaiting approval for funding. Apparently, many VAS put in at same time, now all breaking at the same time.	ECC	Streetlighting team ([email protected]) have referred this to the Local Highways Panel. Solargen are the company Essex uses to repair these signs, they charge between £400-1,500. ECC site now states that enquiry has concluded. To be followed up by ECC
Environment	27/04/2016	Email from JGR	ECC No. 2459110 – Drainage issue outside a property on Lexden Road. Email also sent to Anne Brown. On Cllr Lewis Barber’s List	ECC	Latest from roadworks.org stated 4th – 8th Nov Drainage Investigations scheduled – one trial hole in carriageway and two trial holes in footway. Outside 34, 17 & 19. (09/11/16)
Environment	12/05/2016	3e (May)	Parking on greensward opposite Ash’s store. Reply from Dennis Willetts circulated to Environment Committee in essence “Get ECC permission, confirm a Traffic Order, post the necessary notices on the greensward, then persuade NEPP to roll up and hand out FPNs to offenders”	LW	JGR created notices for vehicles. LW has laminated them, but not on her when vehicles parked there – will keep in car for delivering asap. Perhaps I could laminate some more and distribute to Councillors in case they happen to be passing? Although you’d have to inform me or else we may all do it.
Environment	23/05/2016	Email from resident	Clerk has received an email from a resident of New Church Road concerned about the large delivery lorries turning into School Drive and encroaching on the Heath. Several bollards have been knocked over recently.		Bollards to be fixed in the winter months.
Environment	04/06/2016	Bollards	Clerk noted that the bollards to the Poor’s Land do not lock, even with padlocks fitted		Bollards to Poor’s Land needs checking (HS). Incident with bollards post-firework display, Leisure Hire Marquee van drove over posts and damaged middle one. Post to be reinstated then PC to be re-inbursed via PTA. Who doing this ?
Environment	25/07/2016	Flooding	ECC No. 2478381 – Drainage issue at Albany Close. Email with Anne Brown. On Cllr Lewis Barbers List.	ECC	25/07/16 ” Inspection Completed. Raised as a defect. Due to have gullies cleaned out – no date given as yet” No change 10/11/16
Environment	25/07/2016	Flooding	Chitts Hill – ongoing flooding issue with water coming up throught the carriageway. Not a Highways issue & has been referred to Anglian Water (03457 145145).	Anglian Water	Anglian Water have contacted Lewis Barber, they said they have not been able to detect any leaks in the area & they cannot find evidence of chloride in the water. They will, however, be getting pressure loggers to come out into the area to continue to monitor the situation. Lewis Barber to call Anglian Water again 10/11/16
Environment	25/07/2016	Flooding	ECC No. 2478388 – Drainage issue at the corner of Mumford Road.	ECC	Will be repaired, but not in the near future 10/11/16
Environment	01/08/2016	Flooding	ECC No. 2479467 – Drainage issue at Chapel Road (cottages near Scissorhands). No kerb, water runs into houses.	ECC	“Raised as job to clean out gullies & jet pipes – no date given as yet” – no change 10/11/16
Environment	01/08/2016	Highways	ECC No. 2479507 – Missing 30mph sign on exit of New Church Road to Lexden Road reported by Rev. Mandy. Clerk reported on 01/08/16	ECC	“Raised as job for reinstatement – no date given as yet” – no change 10/11/16
Environment	05/08/2016	Vegetation	30 New Church Road – Complaints received regarding tall trees & hedges blocking neighbours light.		Clerk wrote to householders asking them to cut it back. No change in the trees – There is nothing else the Parish Council can do at the moment	13/10/2016
Environment	08/08/2016	Vegetation	Overgrown Brambles on corner of Albany Road.		Clerk reported this to CBC Zone 4 Manager Casey Harrison. Problem noted by CBC. This item is now concluded	13/10/2016
Environment	19/08/2016	Pavement	ECC No. 2477354 – Alcroft Lodge resident reported damaged pavement outside property.	ECC	“Raised as a defect – no date given as yet” no change 10/11/16
Environment	19/08/2016	Pavement	ECC No. 2482542 -Alcroft Lodge resident reported pavement along Bures Rd to junction with White Hart Pub. ECC No. 2494189 – broken tarmac along that stretch just raised on 10/11/16		Update 22/09/16 “We have reviewed/inspected a FOOTWAY DEFECTS at BURES ROAD, WEST BERGHOLT and at present this does not meet our criteria to be fixed. However, we will continue to monitor it during our routine inspections to assess any deterioration.” Our Handyman has trimmed back overgrown vegetation & footpath is somewhat clearer now.
Environment	14/09/2016	Trees	Tree Enquiry 331605 roots poss causing damage to property – logged with Kate Khan CBC  (01206) 282565 – inspection due to take place within 30 days		Letter will go out to Mr Maitland detailing the results after the inspection. Inspection has now occurred, but report hasn’t come back yet. 10/11/16
Environment	10/10/2016	Pavement	Manhole Cover damaged and at an angle at junction of Hall Road & Colchester Road. Rang BT Reporting Team (0800 023 2023) – Job Number EA3BNV80.	PS	Safety barrier in place. Need to monitor situation. According to BT the job has been completed. True? 10/11/16
Environment	13/10/2016	Dog/Litter Bins	Request from resident for an extra dog bin in Chapel Lane, Spring Lane & Whitehouse Lane area. Finance Committee thought on green island in Whitehouse Road to inhibit parking on it at same time.	Who?	Need to assess if this is necessary.
Environment	13/10/2016	Highways	The 20mph signs in New Church Road and School Road are leaning over and need re-setting – refer to ECC Rangers	LW	Sent email addressed to Essex Rangers, but got an automatic “do not reply” email back stating that I had to use the online reporting tool. So I did. Leaning 20mph sign ECC Job No. 2494054. Short 20mph sign ECC  2494056.
Environment	13/10/2016	Highways	At junction of New Church Road & Lexden Road – the named road sign (NCR) is collapsing – refer to ECC rangers	LW	Couldn’t even report this using online reporting tool as thrown out because they say it is a CBC issue. Phoned CBC street services team, job no. 59278.
Environment	09/11/2016	Flooding	Queens Road property. Surface water running off road and flooding up to property wall in heavy rain. Hopes that low narrow kerb stone could be fitted to keep water on road until it reaches the next drain.	LW	Reported 09/11/16 Job No.FWM750900
Environment	10/11/2016	Highways	For your information – Chapel Road works 02/12-12/12 entire length of footway from Lexden Road to Colchester Road will have footway slurry seal treatment. Work on corner of Mumford Road/Chapel Road inadequate LW to query with contact at ECC	LW	Phoned Jamie Page (ECC) 07926 371230, left message. 10/11/16
Environment	10/11/2016	Vegetation	Overgrown vegetation & shrubs near Erle Havard, in corner of greensward needs cutting. LW to call CBC Zone Wardens	LW	Phoned & then emailed Melinda Bracey (Zone 4 Warden) with the details. 10/11/16. Melinda intends to come to the Nov Parish Council meeting to introduce herself.