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Posted on by dave

Environment & Highways – 13th March 2025

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 13th March 2025 with topics including:

Queen's Head pond
Pond
  • Handymen’s Report including:
    • Barley straw to be placed in ponds,
    • New hedging at the corner of Armoury Road,
  • Replacing the dead Oak Tree on Poors Land,
  • Planning for the VE Day 80 commemoration,
  • With future discussions to be had on:
    • Playground Inspections, and
    • A Dog by-law.

Read the official minutes below.   

Environment & Highways Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 13th March 2025 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

Members present:David Short (DS) Katie Pulford (KP), Bill Pigeon (BP) Harry Stone (HS), Manya Barrow (MB) present and John Gili-Ross (JGR) remotely. 
Also present:0 members of the public

1.      Welcome & Apologies

All present, no apologies.

2.      Declarations of Interests

There were none.

3.      Minutes & actions from previous meeting

The minutes of the 13th Feb 2025 were agreed by all and there were no actions carried forward.

4.      Public participation

There were no members of the public present.

5.      Handymen’s report:

Clearing up work continues.

Will Ralph has supplied some new bales of barley straw which the Handymen will place in the ponds – a thank you note to be sent to Will Ralph from the PC.

Planting of the hedging at the corner of Armoury Road has started.  KP is investigating the acquisition of some compost to use as mulch. Any surplus shrubs will be used to plug the gaps in the hedge in School Lane. In the absence of any snow the salt bags around the village will now be reclaimed.

6.      Tree Planting

The dead tree on Poors Land has been removed. JGR questioned whether the new tree should be planted in the same hole.  There was also discussion about the merits of the different types of oak.  The priority is to get a new one planted as soon as possible and decisions will be left to the expertise of the Landscape firm from Dedham.  BP offered to oversee the project

7.      VE Day 80 Year – Update

A meeting of DS with Cllr Butcher and Julie has recently taken place.  All outstanding matters are being dealt with. JGR will brief the Handymen about their role in preparation work of the beacon and will clarify this has been completed with DS.

8.      Upcoming Environment Committee items

The play equipment inspection by ROSPA was considered. It is important for this work to be accompanied, preferably by the designated Handyman, even if this is at extra cost.  Before agreeing to the ROSPA charges it was felt an alternative quote should be obtained.

The proposal for a “Parish-wide Dog By-law” was considered and thought worth a try but the difficulties of enforcement were highlighted.

9.      Date of next meeting

The next Environment Committee meeting will be on Thurs 10th April 2025, at 4.30pm in the SC Meeting Room.