Taking place on 27th April 2022, the Annual Parish Meeting is not a Parish Council Meeting, but a meeting for electors of the parish.
It is an opportunity to discuss parish affairs and say what matters to you. Members of the public and press are welcome to attend.
The meeting will commence at 7:30 pm, on Wednesday 27th April 2022, in the Orpen Memorial Hall. Light refreshments will be provided. The Agenda for this year’s meeting, which will be chaired by Councillor Chris Stevenson, Chairman of the Parish Council, is:
Welcome and Introduction from the Chairman Parish Council Annual Report 2022 & unaudited Trust Accounts 2021-22 (10 mins)
Robert Strathern Innovative farming methods at Fairfield Crisps (10 mins)
Issues from the Floor – Have your say
It would be helpful if you could notify the Clerk in advance if you have any matters to raise during the Issues from the Floor item. Email to [email protected].
Opportunity to review the Neighbourhood Plan exhibition boards
Much debate between members and villagers
The opportunity to talk to councillors was definitely taken up
2015 Parish Meeting Well Attended
The 2015 Parish Meeting saw over 100 local residents attending to receive the annual report from the Parish Council, the draft minutes of the meeting have already been published online but the following are highlights of the event.
Chairman’s Report
In his last Annual Meeting as Chairman, John Gili-Ross reflected on the importance of the Neighbourhood Plan in ensuring West Bergholt develops in accordance with the wishes of the local community. On the subject of community, John also discussed the important part played by the many local volunteers:
Our future lies firmly within the many volunteers who help provide a vibrant and interesting village life. Imagine how different our village would be without the many volunteers who provide our village with clubs, recreational pursuits, youth organisations, church communities, institutes and associations. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all our village volunteers.
Other areas he covered included the Superfast Essex broadband project, the achievement of the Local Council Quality Award, and the commitment of local councillors. In winding up his Introductory messages he gave thanks to Val Walsom who will be retiring as Parish Clerk after many years, also to Vicky Beckwith-Cole, Halls Administrator and Stephen Cook, village handyman.
Committee Reports
Environment & Highways
Harry Stone reported on the wide span of responsibility this committee covers including:
The Allotments where he addressed the improvements in management and support with the rotavator and replacement of water tanks,
The Village Green & Poors Land which require regular maintenance,
The 3 ponds which need regular clearance of reed mace,
General maintenance in and around the village,
Traffic congestion and parking, updating on progress with the Traffic Safety Plan,
Highway Maintenance, liaison with Essex Highways attempting to prioritize those areas most needing attention,
MUGA & Sports facility which, whilst well used, has sometimes been abused but remedial action appears to be working,
Dog Fouling, Snow Clearance and Tree Conservation.
Premises & Recreation
Phil Walby reported on the halls and the high levels of lettings and events, not least by regular groups. Projects undertaken in the past year included the resurfacing and new LED lights for the car park, interior hall redecoration and provision of all-weather football facilities. Projects planned for the upcoming year (funds permitting) include safety improvements to play equipment, stage curtains, floor treatments and introducing new regular events such as film nights.
Planning & Development
Chris Stevenson reported that the busiest part of this portfolio related to 43 planing applications in the past year (20% higher than the previous year) where the committee supported 19, objected to just 5 but made observations on a further 19. Longer term, more strategic, activities included consultations with the Borough Council on Local Planning and provision of design guidance. The committee was also deeply involved with the Orpen Hall car park resurfacing project.
Parish/Neighbourhood Planning
Chris Stevenson was able to report that most elements of the Parish plan, produced in 2008, have now been addressed and that progress has been made on its successor, the Neighbourhood Plan, through collection of evidence, analysis and eventual plan production – it is planned for a draft consultation document to be issued by the end of 2015.
Finance, Policy & Personnel
Andrew Savage reported that the 2013/14 accounts were signed off by the external auditor. Financial activities in the past year were dominated by the Orpen Hall car park resurfacing which cost over £60k, but other projects have also been progressed including new chairs for both halls. Projects like these are often fully or partly funded by grants, and indeed, some grant income did support these, but these are becoming increasingly difficult to secure and so to continue moving forward a small increase in the parish precept has had to be made.
