The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 11th January 2024 with topics including:
- Severe flooding recently experienced & how mitigated or being mitigated.
- Repairs needed to the village truck.
- Handymen activities including:
- planning for snow,
- dealing with compacted leaves and
- hedge planting at the Armoury Road / Colchester Rod junction.
- Reviewing the 2023 Christmas Tree for lessons learnt.
Environment Committee Minutes
Meeting held on Thurs 11th January 2024 at 5.00pm in SC Mtg Rm
| Members present: | Cllrs Katie Pulford (KP), Manya Barrow (MB), Harry Stone (HS), David Short (DS) and John Gili-Ross (JGR) (via mobile phone), |
| Also present: | No members of the public |
1. Welcome & Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr James Owers.
2. Declarations of Interests
None.
3. Minutes & actions from previous meeting
The minutes of the 16th Nov 2023 were approved. No further comment.
4. Public participation
No members of the public were present.
5. Village truck repair status
The truck is presently in for repairs after failing to start and a strong smell of burning coming from the engine. The potential cost of repairs is not yet known as there is a substantial backlog at the garage. In the event that a stand-by vehicle is required for salt deliveries etc. Cllr Pulford has volunteered the services of her vehicles. Cllr Pulford has also agreed to make enquiries regarding locating a replacement vehicle repairer following expressions of dissatisfaction with the current provider.
6. Handymen’s report:
- Due to inclement weather and Christmas holidays etc., the handymen workload has been reduced.
- The Christmas tree blew down in strong winds and was reinstated.
- In the event of forecast snow, it was agreed to try to spread the grit and salt prior to any snowfall.
- Also, it was agreed to try to clear compacted leaves along New Church Road etc. prior to arrival of the sweeper vehicle.
7. Village ponds
It was agreed that spraying of the ponds by the qualified handymen would take place in July. Cllr. Pulford would arrange to source the requisite materials and payment for these items would be made direct to the supplier by the Parish Council.
8. Christmas tree review
Following the mishap with the tree this year it was agreed that another method of securing the tree would be investigated for the future, this to include possibly siting the tree elsewhere. Included in this item it was noted that the water tap on the Poor’s Land had been repaired and that a combination lock would be fitted to prevent misuse by third parties. Cllr. Pulford to investigate pricing and availability.
9. Flooding issues – including around Co Op at Chapel Road/New Church Road.
Severe flooding has been experienced locally, mainly in the Argents Lane area and also outside the junction of New Church Rd and Chapel Rd. Ditches adjacent to Argents Lane were cleared by Mr. Pulford on an FOC basis. A burst water main in that area is to be repaired by the relevant authorities and Highways are to clear remaining ditches. With regard to the continued flooding at the New Church Road junction, this matter is in the hands of Cllr. Lewis Barber.
10. Work to Bures Road (B1508)
Work to repair the footpath is under way. The consequent road closure has caused overuse of the Hall Road route and Cllr. Barber has been informed of this.
11. Hedging work
The plants for the creation of a hedge around the grassed area adjacent to the junction Armoury Rd. and Colchester Rd. have been received and planting will be undertaken by the handymen w/c 15th Jan. The siting of these plants has been agreed in principle, Cllr Barrow to liaise with the handymen with regard to finalising the position of them.
12. Shed erection and base work.
Nothing further to report.
13. Upcoming Environment Committee items
Village truck item 5 above to be addressed.
14. Date of next meeting
The next Environment Committee meeting will be on Thurs 8th February 2024, at 5pm in the SC Meeting Room.