Highlights of Environment & Highways Meeting on 13th January 2022
The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 13th January 2022 with topics including:
- Village ponds, in particular about weeds and potential pollutants,
- How the handymen work,
- Orpen Hall trees,
- Zip wire for playground,
- Potholes on Colchester Road footpath.
Environment & Highways Committee Report
Committee Meeting held on Thurs 13th January 2022 via Zoom
| Members present: – | John Gili-Ross (Chairman), Harry Stone, David Short, Jenny Church. |
| In attendance: – | 3 members of the public |
1 Welcome
John welcomed 3 out of the known 4 people prospective Parish Councillors who attended the meeting.
2 Handyman report
John explained the role of the handymen and the ECC devolved activities. There are three handymen, Matt Harkness, Nigel Weall and Simon Forrester. There is a work schedule which the handymen follow when not engaged on specific environment project and particularly during the winter.
3 Budget 2022-23
The committee recommend rolling over the figures from last year’s budget (i.e., zero rate increase) and this will go to the Finance Committee and the Parish Council for consideration in the precept arrangements for the coming year.
4 Village ponds
Queen’s Head Pond needs investigation regarding if treatment of weeds is required at this time.
Hall Road Pond needs clearing of unwanted plants and there is a pink scum over the top of the water which needs investigation.
The Lexden Road Pond needs investigation regarding weeding.
We have had no response from Abberton Rural Training about undertaking some of the work on the ponds.
Need to contact Charitable Organisations for assistance.
David proposes to meet with Phil Spencer regarding the use of safe chemical treatment for the ponds where appropriate.
5 Trees at front of Orpen Hall
With the removal of the diseased cherry trees the next phase when safe to do so is to plant replacement trees. It has been proposed that Holm Oaks will be planted that will be pleached and kept at a reasonable size. Concerns were raised as to who owns this project as the OHM committee are planning to relocate the flagpole in the centre of the green area. Project ownership of the trees to be discussed at the Finance & General Purposes meeting.
6 Footway along Colchester Road from White Hart to Hall Road.
ECC Highways contractors were carrying work on this footway recently, but little appears to have been done yet. There are 3 potholes in this footway that are covered with metal plates and warning cones. John to progress this work with Highways as appropriate.
7 Children’s play area.
Installation of zip wire. This will be from the youth shelter parallel to the tennis courts. CBC Planners are happy with this arrangement. When football is in progress the zip wire will be closed to users. Harry to meet with the suppliers to mark out the area and it is proposed to install the zip wire when the football season has finished.