Banner image for petition to secure a safe crossing at Colchester Road

A brief summary of key elements of the PC meeting on 26th March 2025. At this meeting, as well as routine committee reports, they:

heard from City Councillors including:
- concerns about a 40% uplift in new housing numbers from the Government,
- an update on Local Government Reorganisation (which is happening apace),
- a report that Essex Highways have had a good run of fair weather for repairs, and
- an update on Colchester Road Crossing appeal,
discussed applying for Section 106 monies for the Hall & Practice Goal area,
agreed a response to the Devolution Consultation,
had an update on VE Day 80th Anniversary preparation, and
were also updated on the National Grid Pylons consultation.

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

Held on Wed 26th March 2025 at 7.30pm in the John Lampon Hall, CO6 3BW

Councillors and ride-on mower welcoming Highways Devolution — Left to right: Cllrs David Short (WBPC), Harry Stone (WBPC), Bob Tyrrell (WBPC), Borough Cllr Brian Jarvis (CBC), Cllr Jenny Church (WBPC), County Councillor Anne Brown (ECC), County Councillor Kevin Bentley (ECC), Chairman Chris Stevenson on mower (WBPC), EALC Chairman Peter Davey, Cllr John Gili-Ross (WBPC, also Vice chairman of EALC)

Highways Devolution Welcomed

Last Friday 14th June, saw the launch of a Highways Devolution Pilot at St. Mary’s Church Hall. This scheme will allow the County Council to focus on more complex projects with a wider impact such as resurfacing. The pilot will empower the Parish Council to address local priorities. Areas that will come under the control of the Parish Council include:

verge and vegetation work,
traffic sign maintenance,
minor footway repairs, and
general works designed to improve the street scene.

The pilot will run until February 2020. It will remain under review to improve it as it progresses with a view to a fuller rollout next year.

Chris Stevenson, Chairman of West Bergholt Parish Council, said:

West Bergholt Parish Council is delighted to be a member of the Highways Devolution Pilot and given the opportunity for local people to set the priorities for highway related small works.

Since joining the pilot, residents have seen small but important projects implemented both quickly and efficiently by their village handymen and warden.

We look forward to increasing the number of projects to be undertaken and further strengthening the collaborative relationship between ECC, the EALC and Parish Councils, working together to improve village and community wellbeing.”