The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 14th November 2024 with topics including:

• Handymen’s report including:
  • Grass cutting,
  • Erection of flagpole,
  • Replacement of plants damaged by vandals,
  • Clearance of ditches at the foot of Newbridge Hill,
  • Purchase of new tools.
• Ponds,
• Christmas Trees,
• VE Day 80th Anniversary, and
• 2025-26 Budget.

Read the official minutes below.

Environment & Highways Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 14th November 2024 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

Members present:	Cllrs John Gili-Ross (JGR: Chair), Katie Pulford (KP: Vice Chair), Manya Barrow (MB), Harry Stone (HS), David Short (DS) and Andrew Savage (AS: RFO)
Also present:	2 members of the public

1.     Welcome & Apologies

None.

2.     Declarations of Interests

None.

3.     Minutes & actions from previous meeting

The minutes of the 10th October 2024 were agreed by all and there were no actions carried forward.

4.     Public participation

Two of the candidates for the current councillor vacancies were present as observers.

5.     Handymen’s report:

The final grass cut of the year has been completed. Tidying of the garage has commenced. The flagpole has been erected satisfactorily and thanks are due to Mr Adrian Leach for his assistance in this regard. The door on the new shed needs to be raised by some 6 inches and the path to the BYG shed needs to be completed and both tasks are in hand. Cllr. Pulford has ordered sufficient new plants to replace those damaged by vandals. Drainage ditches etc. at the base of Newbridge Hill have been cleared in anticipation of further flooding this winter. Cllr. Pulford has offered to assist in providing a digger for further work in this area. New tools in the sum of circa £50 have been purchased. JGR advised that tools for opening the new gates to the LD field are held in the garage for future use. Tidying up of the allotments hedge has been carried out by a WBAA Committee member. Some further work was carried out at the fireworks site on Poor’s Land.

6.     Ponds

Cllr Pulford has researched an appropriate window of time to undertake spraying of the ponds which will be carried out by the suitably qualified handymen between June and September 2025.

7.     Christmas trees

Two are to be purchased, one real and one artificial. Cllr Chamberlain will purchase and will assist with installation. Precise siting of the trees is to be agreed.

8.     VE Day 80th Anniversary

Discussion of the programme is to be deferred until a suitable meeting in the near future so that others can offer their contributions.

9.     2025-26 Budget and/or Env. Committee projects

Budgets for Village Environs, Ponds, Playground Equipment and Trees etc. were discussed and it was agreed to proceed along the lines as proposed by Cllr. Savage in his draft scheme as presented at this meeting.

10.  Upcoming items

Consideration should be given to requirements for the upcoming Parish Council budget to include such items as the purchase of new tools for the handymen and also possible replacement/refurbishment of signage.

11.  Date of next meeting

The next Environment Committee meeting will be on Thurs 9th January 2025, at 4.30pm in the SC Meeting Room.