Tag: hedge cutting

Posted on

Environment & Highways – 10th October 2024

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 10th October 2024 with topics including:

Caring for the environment
  • The need for more ‘robust’ equipment for the handymen,
  • Planning for Hedge Cutting during October half term,
  • Potential VE Day celebrations in 2025,
  • Preparation for potential 2025/26 budget needs.

Environment & Highways Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 10th Oct 2024 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

Members present:Cllrs Harry Stone (HS), David Short (DS) and Andrew Savage (AS)
Also present:1 member of the public

1.     Welcome & Apologies

Apologies – Cllr Katie Pulford, Manya Barrow and John Gili-Ross

2.     Declarations of Interests

None.

3.     Minutes & actions from previous meeting

The minutes of the 12th Sept 2024 were agreed by all and there were no actions carried forward.

4.     Public participation

The one member of the public present was there, as an interested observer of proceedings.

5.     Handymen’s report:

A full report was not available due to unforeseen circumstances, but it was reported that the Handyman had carried out their full range of routine duties.

6.     2025-26 Budget and/or Env. Committee projects

Cllr. Gili-Ross had provided a list of potential additional provision for future maintenance to equipment and in particular to the requirement for more robust equipment/tools/ machinery etc., this in light of the fact that it may be the case that CCC will further curtail their grass cutting programme in 2025.

7.     Ponds

It is understood that Cllr. Pulford is researching an appropriate window of time to undertake spraying of the ponds which will be carried out by the suitably qualified handymen as discussed at the September meeting. Next year’s budget for the pond maintenance was discussed but see Para. 11 below.

8.     Annual hedge cutting.

The contractor has confirmed that routine hedge cutting will take place during the October half-term, precise dates yet to be advised. Clerk has contacted CCC to arrange for a sweeper to attend following completion of the work. The handymen are to be present to drop the various barriers in order to allow access for the tractor flail. The residents of Henderson Close are to be advised of the relevant date as previously discussed.

9.     Flagpole

Completion of this project is in hand.

10.  VE Day celebrations

The Parish Council was invited by Bruno Peek the nation’s Pageantmaster to participate in the forthcoming celebration of VE Day on 8th May 2025. The celebrations will mainly consist of beacon lighting, church bell ringing, choral singing and band playing. Whether or not West Bergholt will participate is yet to be decided and placed before the full PC, but in the meantime Cllr. Stone and Short will sound out various organisations and individuals to ascertain the level of interest in participating and will report back to the Env.Com. in due course.

11.  Upcoming items

Consideration should be given to requirements for the upcoming Parish council budget to include such items as the purchase of new tools for the handymen (see Paras. 7 and 8 above). It was decided that the Env. Com. would undertake detailed discussions in order to present to Cllr. Savage and the PC, the committee’s recommendations (which are anticipated to be substantial), for the forthcoming budget.

12.  Date of next meeting

The next Environment Committee meeting will be on Thurs 14th November 2024, at 4.30pm in the SC Meeting Room.

Posted on

Environment & Highways – 12th September 2024

Queens Road Pond was discussed on 12th September 2024

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th September 2024 with topics including:

  • Handymen’s update covering work such as:
    • Clearing the area behind the Football Club,
    • Removal of damaged trees & stump grinding,
    • Some light hedge trimming and grass cutting.
  • Report on the condition of ponds and the wildlife in them. 
  • Plans for contractors to do annual hedge cutting during the October half term, and
  • The upcoming replacement of “Unsuitable for HGVs” signs at both ends or Argents Lane.

Environment & Highways Committee Minutes

Meeting held on Thurs 12th September 2024 at 4.30pm in SC Mtg Rm

Continue reading “Environment & Highways – 12th September 2024”
Posted on

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.
Posted on

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.
Posted on

Environment & Highways – 8th October 2015

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.

 

Skip to content