The Environment & Highways  Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 8th October 2015 when they discussed a range of issues including handymen, traffic safety, beacon, playgrounds, grass & hedge cutting, litter, pond clearing, allotments & budget.

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 8th October 2015 in Main Hall

Councillors present	John Gili Ross, Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow
Apologies	Rosemary James

In attendance:- Phil Cook, Phil Spencer, David Short.

1	Welcome
	John welcomed all to the meeting.
2	Matters arising from last meeting
	a)   Traffic Safety Plan – awaiting resurfacing of New Church Road and Chapel Road prior to yellow lines being reinstated. 20mph signs will be needed in New Church Road and School Road. Harry and Chris Stevenson met with Jeremy Hallam, school head teacher, to discuss parking problems by parents and other ways in which the school could assist in road safety for the school children.	HS
	b)   Plaque for beacon – this is now in situ.  Plinth for beacon to be built by Ivor.	JGR
	c)    St Mary’s Church – work on French drain has been completed by Ivor.
3	Terms of reference
	The Environment sub-committee is mainly responsible for maintenance activities in the village. A new list of terms of reference was proposed and agreed by this committee. This to go to the Finance and General Purposes Committee to be ratified.	LW Agenda item
4	Handyman work schedule
	John has discussed the work schedule with David and Ivor. The schedule has been agreed at this committee.	JGR
	Proposed that David Hewitt should now be given a contract. Agreed by this committee.
	Also proposed that the hourly rate for David and Ivor should be the same, agreed by this committee.
	Proposed to take on another handyman on a temporary contract for 8 hours work. Agreed by this committee.	LW
	These items to go to the Finance and General Purposes committee.	Agenda Items
	It was suggested by Phil Cook that the Co Op could be approached to see if they could offer to help in certain village projects/activities.
5	Grass cutting and Hedge cutting
	Quotes for grass cutting and hedge cutting of LD Field Heath, Poors land and Allotments are being sought. CBC needs to be contacted to book a sweeper to clear footways following hedge cutting.	JGR & MH & LW
	The budget is for £750. All this work is necessary.
	This needs to go to the Finance and General purposes committee.	Agenda item
6	Litter by Practice goal area.
	This continues to be a problem.
	It was proposed to purchase a wheelie bin to place in the area to encourage clearing of litter. This bin could also be used for other litter picking by handyman.	JC
	The goal post has been damaged and will need repairing.	JGR
5	Pond Clearing
	The Colchester Volunteers have assessed the needs and will spend 2 days clearing part of Hall Road Pond, 1 day clearing edges and trimming back trees at Queens Road pond and during that time spend 2 hours cutting back shrubbery at Lexden Road pond. The total charge for this will be £600. We will need to organise and pay for all the trimmings to be removed. This usually costs £100 for each load to be removed. This will need to be organised.	JC
6	Allotments
	Harry reported from the Allotment Committee. They are considering ways to charge more fairly for the rents.	HS
7	Playground equipment
	The play area has been assessed for meeting Health and Safety requirements and the resulting areas that need repairs will be carried out by Ivor and David. Ivor will add a third cradle swing when parts are delivered.	JGR
8	Budget for next year
	John had sent out proposed budgets which were agreed by this committee in general, but some elements still need clarity. Comments to be fed back by the end of October ready for the figures to be sent to the Finance and General Purposes Committee for consideration in November.	JGR
	Date of next meeting – Thursday 12th November 2015 at 5pm in JL Hall.