Environment & Highways – 8th October 2020

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met via Zoom on 8th October 2020 and discussed:

• Handymen & storage needs,
• Village ponds, rain refilling them,
• Playground access path,
• Seasonal activities,
• Strategic Environmental Plan, and
• Football Club.

Environment & Highways Report

Committee Meeting held on Thursday 8th October 2020 via Zoom

Committee members present	John Gili Ross, Phil Spencer, David Short, Norma Smith, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow – apologies for lateness.
Apologies	Harry Stone.

 

1.	Handyman Report
	Essex devolved activity continues. Matt and David continue with on-going activities. Nigel is away at the moment.
	Grass cutting for autumn and winter is ongoing.
	Workshop has been tidied up. Storage can be a problem. One suggestion is to create additional storage to accommodate BYG equipment – need to consider access. John and Phil to review this requirement.	JGR & PS
	A heavy truck is causing damage by junction of Colchester Road and Nayland road near White Hart – will need monitoring.
2.	Village Ponds
	Queen’s Road pond filled with recent rain. The dogwood and willow need pruning.
	Lexden Road pond – gradually refilling – water is clear.
	Hall Road pond- Contacted TCV but they are busy until the New Year. Plan needed for future work here.
3.	Playground Access Path
	Andrew is investigating availability of grants – awaiting decision from Finance. David will investigate the granite path further, is due to meet with Arches to inspect a similar path which they have laid in the past and will report back in due course.	DS
4.	Autumn Flailing
	Booked for 26th October with a farmer from Eight Ash Green. David Short will accompany him and monitor the work. Handymen will be asked to put a rope ring round the heather on Heathlands as protection.	PS
5.	Water container for use by handymen
	Phil will investigate a container that will fit on the trailer.	PS
6.	Strategic Environmental Plan
	Work is in progress – will be circulated when completed.	PS
7.	Football Club
	The football club are requesting to have a gazebo for use as changing room for away teams. Various suggestions were made – use of hard standing in front of Orpen players lock-up but there needs to be more investigation. John and Phil to meet with Mick Bell and Terry Smith.	JGR
8	Date of next meeting – Thursday 12th November at 5pm.