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Environment & Highways – 12th January 2017

The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th January and discussed a range of issues including Village Ponds, Handymen, Storage & benches.

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 12th January 2017 in Orpen Hall

Sub-committee members present John Gili Ross, Philip Spencer, Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow, Janet Crichton, David Short.
Apologies None

 

1

Work of village Handymen
Work in the storage units is completed, signs are up of the children’s 20mph posters, element on car fixed, Mower is being charged, refurbishment of benches needs completing, ride-on mower has been cleaned, hedge trimmer has been serviced, gazebo has been repaired, work in the Orpen Hall completed, roof of duck house on Queen’s Road pond needs repair, litter picking continues. Request Premises Committee if they can store litter picking equipment. JGR
It was suggested that we purchase waders for future use in the ponds. Janet agreed to check on website for cost and suitability. Jan C
We all appreciate the range of work carried out by our Handymen, David and Matt. An item of this appreciation to be written for the next Bulletin. Harry agreed to do this. HS

2

Village ponds
a) The 3 ponds are currently being cleared by “The Conservation Volunteers”.

Hall Road Pond. Proposed to leave excess vegetation to rot on mound beside pond. Also, agreed to ask for an Extra day of clearance from TCV as the pond is very overgrown.

 Jen C
b) Queens Road Pond. Cleared and tidied. Excess vegetation to be removed by Norhurst – Jenny to organise. Jen C
c) Lexden Road Pond. Excess vegetation removed from pond. This will need removing by Norhurst. There are 3/4 tree stumps along the front edge near the grass verge. These could be a hazard and will need cutting down to ground level. Ask Norhurst to do.

A tree has fallen by the back edge of the pond which came down in the strong wind yesterday. The householder/owner will arrange to remove excess leafage and branches.

 Jen C
A tree beside the pond has roots that could be undermining a neighbour’s garage. Phil will investigate this. PS
d) Need to investigate situation regarding ownership of ponds. JGR

3

Storage facilities
Situation re use of a container as storage to be further investigated. Chris to arrange a meeting with the Planning Dept. at CBC  

JGR

4

New benches for LD field and for Poor’s Land.
Propose to purchase 2 benches to be site by MUGA on LD field and one to be purchased for Poor’s Land. Janet and Murray to investigate cost and suitability. Jan C & MH

Date of next meeting – Thursday 9th February 2017 at 5pm in Orpen Hall.
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Environment & Highways – 11th February 2016

The Environment & Highways  Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 11th February 2016 and discussed a range of issues including litter & rubbish, hedge cutting, considerate parking, traffic safety, handymen, gardening equipment etc…

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 11th February 2016 in Main Hall

Sub-committee members present John Gili Ross, Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow, Rosemary James, Phil Spencer, David Short
Apologies

 

1

Clerks Report
a)   Upturned soil left in wake of new water pipe across Heath to school. Concerns about sinkage. Following a letter from Chris to Atkins Global he was informed it was Anglian Water who did not fill the hole. He has sent them an email. We are awaiting a reply from them. LW
b)   Armoury Road – clearing of rubbish etc has been completed here.
c)    Hedge cutting at Chapel Road substation has been carried out. The cutting back required for laurel hedging along Colchester Road opposite village sign and roundabout is awaited. Laura will monitor this situation. LW
d)   A litter pick was carried out as “litter Warriors”, organised by Laura, on 6th February. Not many volunteers but a deal of litter was cleared. Other areas identified as a problem. The next date for “Litter Warriors” is on Saturday 5th March- volunteers required. LW
e)   Queen’s Road pond – litter here needs clearing. The Duck house has moved from its mooring and will need attention in the future. Also area around bus stop by Methodist Church needs to be kept under observation.
f)     Overgrown hedges on Chitts Hill have been cut back by landowner. Litter picking here is required. Handyman could do this. JGR & DH
g)    Land off Armoury Road, back of the Maltings, has been cleared by agents of the land and much litter was left behind. Laura contacted the agents and is awaiting to hear if this has been cleared. LW

2

Matters arising from last minutes
a)   Considerate Parking Scheme – Harry, John and Rosemary observed the parking situation round the school last Wednesday and made a list of 12 offenders for inconsiderate (illegal) parking. We hope this is having an effect and will repeat the exercise after half term. HS
b)   Traffic Safety Plan – awaiting 20mph signs. HS
c)    Plinth for Beacon – to be installed when weather permits. IB
d)   Lower end of Lorkin Daniell has been cleared of shrubbery – 2 Trees still require attention.
e)   Wheelie bin – to contact Marcus re progress MH, JC

3

Allotments
Report from Harry – invoices for rents to be sent out to plot holders.

4

Handyman work
David has been carrying out general work schedule. Will clear Chitts Hill area.

Footway along Colchester Road near car sales site needs attention.

Interviews have been carried out for second handyman. Selection process completed. Laura to deal with paperwork required for successful candidate.

5

Storage of gardening equipment
John will discuss with Planning Committee the possibility of putting up a storage facility near the entrance to Orpen Hall. JGR

6

Purchase of vehicle
The purchase of a vehicle has been completed. The MOT will be due in July this year. A policy needs to be written for information for all users JGR

7

AOB
a)   Repair of lawnmower is needed. Proposed cost is £180. This is an essential piece of equipment. Members of this sub-committee agreed the expense. JGR
b)   Purchase of a ride-on mower to be considered in the future
c)    Fallen Tree lying over Hall Road pond needs attention. John to discuss with Handyman. JGR
d)   Queen’s Birthday – plan to use beacon again – will need moving to LD field. Laura to register the beacon.
Possibility of a firework display.		  LW

Date of next meeting – Thursday 10th March 2016 at 5pm in JL Hall.
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Environment & Highways – 12th November 2015

The Environment & Highways  Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th November 2015 and discussed a range of issues including traffic safety, handyman work, grass & hedge cutting, Poors Land, Allotments, Fireworks, Playground & budget.

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 12th November 2015 in Main Hall

Councillors present John Gili Ross, Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow, Rosemary James
Apologies None

In attendance: –  Phil Spencer, David Short.

1

New drain on Heath
ECC has put in a new water feed leading from the school to entrance at New Church Road. There is concern that the infilled area might be affected by sinkage in the future. We need to be aware that ECC would be responsible if this occurs. Parish Clerk

2

Matters arising from last meeting
a)   Traffic Safety Plan – resurfacing of New Church Road and School Road completed and yellow lines reinstated. Notices for proposal for 20mph   in New Church Road and School Road are posted.  
b)  Plinth for beacon to be built by Ivor when he returns from holiday. JGR
c)  Copy of Environment Terms of Reference to this sub-committee members. JGR
d)  The agreed Handyman work schedule is working well. A contract for  David Hewitt has been drawn up and is with the Finances Committee.

It has been agreed that we need another part time Handyman. An Advertisement needs to be put out locally when details of job and pay are agreed.

 Agenda Item

LW
e)  All grass and hedge cutting to Parish Council Land has been completed.

The area of scrub at the bottom end of the Lorkin Daniell field needs  learing back to tree line. Quotes needed for this.

 MH
f)   Purchase of wheelie bin for use at practice goal area is with Marcus Harrington. JC
g)  Pond clearing by TCV is in progress. They have completed their work on Hall Road and Lexden Road ponds. Hall Road Pond still looks rather neglected and there is a fallen tree laying over from the back of the Pond. Norhurst to remove the waste. The work on Queens Road pond will be carried out by TCV on November 19th.  JC
h)  It was suggested that we review alternative approaches to treating the ponds as there are new technics being implemented and used on golf courses and farm land.  Phil Spencer has expertise in this area. All

3

Poors Land
Finger posts on Poors Land have been repaired by Handyman.

4

Highway Rangers
Request to Highway Rangers to be sent regarding hedges overhanging footways. LW

5

Allotments
Harry reported from Allotment Committee. Decision taken to increase fees by £1 for all plot holders. Discussion will take place in the future regarding fees to full plot holders and concessions to consider ways to charge more fairly for the rents HS

6

Firework Display
The Fireworks were successful and the area of Poors Land has been tidied and cleared.

7

Chitts Hill
Hedges along this narrow road need attention. Suggest letters need to be sent to hedge owners reminding them of their responsibilities. LW

8

Playground equipment
Roundabout problems have been rectified as far as possible. Repairs are needed to post areas of climbing frame. Village handyman to purchase filler and carry out necessary work. Repairs to other areas have been completed.

Black surface requires attention. Playequip are fully booked at the moment, plan to make repairs in the New Year. Laura will remind them.

 JGR,

LW

8

Budget for next year
Andrew attended the meeting for this item. He presented a proposed budget for next year. The figures need to be with the Finance committee in November. Much discussion took place.  It was agreed to review the proposed budget and circulate to members and AS.  AS to place the revised budget into the main budget format for approval by the PC in due course JGR
Date of next meeting – Thursday 14th January 2016 at 5pm in JL Hall.