The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 10th November and discussed a range of issues including Poors Land, Budget for next year, Storage, Benches, Ponds, Handymen & ongoing actions. Continue reading “Environment & Highways – 10th November 2016”
Environment & Highways – 13th October 2016
The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 13th October welcomed a new member and discussed a range of issues including overgrown hedges, brambles etc… 20mph signs, football club storage, benches, handymen & ponds.
Environment & Highways Report
Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 13th October 2016 in JL Hall
| Sub-committee members present | John Gili Ross, Jenny Church, Murray Harlow, Harry Stone, Philip Spencer, Janet Crichton. |
| Apologies | David Short |
Janet Crichton was welcomed as a new councillor on this sub-committee
1 |
Clerks Report |
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| (see attached) | ||
| a) Hedge at Colchester road/Chapel. This is a low priority according to Essex Highways. This hedge will need trimming but should not be flailed. A letter should be sent to the owners in Garthwood Close. | JGR & LW | |
| b) Parking on greensward – this should be passed to Traffic Safety Group. | LW | |
| c) VAS sign in Lexden Road – this needs to be followed up by ECC. | ||
| d) Bollards to Poors Field need checking – Harry will do this. | HS | |
| e) Overhanging vegetation on pathway at 72 Chapel Road. This has been tied back by the owners and is now dying of at the end of the season. | ||
| f) Problem by 30 Chapel Road obscuring light to neighbouring property – clerk has written to householder and there is nothing more the PC can do at the moment. | ||
| g) Overgrown brambles on corner of Albany Road by no.60. This has been noted by CBC. This item now concluded. | ||
| h) Footway along Bures Road from Hall Road to White Hart area. Problem noted by CBC. Our Handy man has trimmed back overgrown vegetation and footway is somewhat clearer now. ECC will need to monitor to assess state of pavement. | ||
| i) Tree enquiry from Erle Havard – roots of tree are causing damage to property. Inspection due by CBC who will report on results. | ||
| j) Broken manhole cover at end of Hall Road where it joins Bures Road. A safety barrier is in place. Need to monitor situation. | PS | |
| k) Request from resident for an extra dog bin in Chapel Lane area. Need to assess if this is necessary. | ||
| l) At junction of New Church Road and Lexden road – the named road sign (NCR) is collapsing – refer to ECC rangers. | LW | |
| m) The 20mph signs in New Church Road and School Road and leaning over and need re-setting. Refer to Essex Rangers. | LW | |
2 |
Environment budget for next year |
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| Invite Andrew to our next meeting. | JC | |
3 |
Storage Facilities |
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| The planning application for a container behind the football clubhouse has been called in by Cllr Dennis Willetts so this will take more time now. | ||
4 |
Benches for Lorkin Daniell Field |
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| Murray agreed to investigate prices and where to purchase | MH | |
5 |
Handymen work |
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| Dave and Matt continue with their good work according to schedule. | ||
| The hedging by Lexden Road pond has been trimmed – Matt will cut the remnants up to allow to rot down in the winter. | ||
| David will be checking all the seats around the village and repairing where necessary. The WI bench at the old Church has been repaired. | ||
| Door in JL Hall and door to Orpen Hall needs attention. | ||
| Bluebell’s notice board needs moving to lobby area in half term. | ||
| Hole in Storage unit needs filling. | HS | |
| Harry will monitor the handyman schedules whilst John is away. | ||
6 |
Village Ponds |
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| All 3 ponds have been assessed by Nicola Downs of TCV. Proposed to cut back vegetation in the ponds by a third. She will send us a quote. | ||
| Hall road pond is very overgrown with irises and other plants. Suggest to ask Paul Downer his advice. | JC | |
| Date of next meeting – Thursday 10th November 2016 at 5pm in JL Hall |
Environment & Highways – 8th September 2016
The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 8th September and discussed a range of issues including football club storage, benches & seats, handymen, play equipment, ponds and flood risk on New Church Road.
Environment & Highways Report
Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 8th September 2016 in JL Hall
Continue reading “Environment & Highways – 8th September 2016”
Environment & Highways – 10th September 2015
The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 10th September 2015 when they discussed a range of issues including handymen, traffic safety, playgrounds, grass & hedge cutting, litter, ponds & budget.
Environment & Highways Report
Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 10th September 2015 in Orpen Hall
| Councillors present | John Gili Ross, Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Phil Walby, Murray Harlow, Rosemary James |
| Apologies |
In attendance:- Laura Walkingshaw, Parish Clerk; David Hewitt, Village handyman.
1. |
Welcome |
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| John welcomed all to the meeting and introduced David to those who haven’t yet met him. | ||
2. |
Matters arising from last meeting |
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| a) Traffic Safety Plan – New Church road will need resurfacing prior to yellow lines being reinstated. Poor parking has been less of a problem recently but it will be important for members to monitor this. 20mph signs will be needed in New Church Road and School Road. Harry and Chris Stevenson will meet with school head teacher to discuss parking problems for parents. | HS | |
| b) Plaque for beacon – needs measuring and ordering. Plinth for beacon to be built by Ivor. Expense approved. | JGR | |
| c) St Mary’s Church – it is agreed that David will sort out the French drain. The cost of labour will be a donation to the church from the PC. The church will supply the materials. David will carry out the work next week. | DH | |
| d) Cleaning “no dog signs” at Orpen Hall to be carried out by David. | DH | |
3. |
Handyman work schedule |
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| John has discussed the work schedule with David and Ivor. | JGR | |
4. |
Grass cutting and Hedge cutting |
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| a) Cutting of the Lorkin Daniell field will be discussed at next Finance meeting. Phil and Football club to be represented. | PW | |
| b) LD hedge project will be carried out by handyman. | JGR | |
| c) Hedges on Heath and Poors Land will need cutting during half-term. Laura will find out who we used last year and liaise with Murray regarding sweeper. | LW & MH | |
5. |
Litter by Practice goal area. |
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| This continues to be a problem. After much discussion it was agreed to purchase a rubbish bin to be placed nearby to encourage litter clearing. Jenny to investigate ordering a bin. | JC | |
6. |
Pond Clearing |
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| Need to arrange with Colchester Volunteers to carry out clearing of all three ponds in the Autumn. Jenny to arrange | JC | |
7. |
Playground equipment |
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| Repairs have been made by Ivor to bring the Safety measure up to scratch following the last Health and Safety assessment. Next inspection due currently. The “baby” swings have a space for a third swing to be installed in the middle proposed to order one and arrange for Ivor to install | JGR | |
8. |
Budget for next year |
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| Needs consideration. Laura will send out budget statements for information | LW | |
Date of next meeting – Thursday 8th October 2015 at 4.45pm in JL Hall. |
Environment & Highways – 12th February 2015
Environment & Highways Report
Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 12th February 2015 in John Lampon Hall
| Councillors present | Harry Stone, Murray Harlow, Jenny Church, Phil Walby, Rosemary James |
| Apologies | Rachel Howard |
| 1 | Village Handyman | |
| Harry to meet with John Gili Ross and Val Walsom regarding Performance Management review. | ||
| Ivor to contact Andrew Wilkes to arrange cutting of hedge at Methodist Church | HS | |
| 2 | Village Ponds | |
| Carla from the The Conservation Volunteers has been contacted. Because of weather conditions this pond will be cleared later in the year. | JC | |
| 3 | Traffic Safety Plan | |
| Apparently the introduction of yellow lines and 20mph signs for New Church Road and School Lane have been agreed but we await a date for these to be put in place. | Agenda Item | |
| 4 | Potholes | |
| Many potholes in the village have been marked for repair. We are waiting for the work to be carried out. Problem with drain cover in John Lampon Close has been reported. | ||
| 5. | Dog fouling | |
| A dog bin has been ordered for the Brewery site. An item for the March Bulletin has been sent in encouraging dog walkers to help keep the village clean. Marcus is contacting the dog warden. To ask Marcus to request some new dog fouling notices that we can put in strategic places in the village. | JC | |
| 6 | Beacon | |
| Steve is arranging for a pole to be bought and the sign will be placed near the Village sign at the area adjacent to junction of Chapel Road and Colchester Road. Ivor to be asked to assist Steve with transporting beacon to the site. | Agenda Item HS |
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| 7 | Areas of work in village | |
| Agreed to produce a map showing sites of our responsibility in the village. | HS | |
| 8. | Noise abatement | |
| A problem with noise near Queens Road is not apparent at the moment. Phil will monitor this in spring/summer. | PW | |
| 9 | Hall Road | |
| A complaint has been received regarding flooding here. The ditch to the east side of the road has been cleared. To monitor flooding when next heavy rain comes. Potholes have been marked for repair by ECC Highways Dept. | ||
| Date of next meeting – Thursday 12th March 2015 in JL Hall |
Environment & Highways – 8th January 2015
Environment & Highways – 8th January 2015
The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 8th January 2015 to consider a range of issues and decisions affecting the general environment and highways within West Bergholt. Updates on traffic safety, village ponds, pot-holes, dog bins & poo, beacon, & grass cutting. The formal report to the Parish Council is as follows:
Environment & Highways Report
Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 8th January 2015 in John Lampon Hall
| Councillors present | Harry Stone, Murray Harlow, Jenny Church, Phil Walby |
| Apologies | Rosemary James, Rachel Howard |
| 1 | Grass verges | |
| Grass verges need cutting/trimming/tidying. This will be arranged when weather permits | HS | |
| 2 | Village handyman | |
| The use of a chit book needs to be made to work efficiently. We do not always know when Steve has completed jobs. Harry to follow this up. | HS | |
| There is going to be an appraisal system for employees instigated.Methodist Church has requested help with hedge cutting. Harry to arrange for Ivor to do this. | HS | |
| 3 | Village Ponds | |
| Lexden Road and Queens Road ponds have been cleared by TCV and the vegetation removed by Norhurst. Both are looking really good. Hall Road pond needs attention. Jenny to contact Carla Davis. | JC | |
| 4 | Traffic Safety Plan | |
| 20mph signs to be put in place along New Church Road and School Road in February. A message from Sonja Church to say the yellow lines will be installed anytime now. | Agenda item | |
| There has been a problem in New Church Road by the new houses being built as the builders have been parking their trucks and lorries and creating a problem at school time in the mornings. | ||
| 5. | Potholes | |
| There are problems at various places in the village. Highways need to be informed. | ||
| A drain cover uplifting is a problem in John Lampon Close. Harry will report this. | HS | |
| 6 | Dog bin | |
| Check with Val about the order of a bin for Brewery site. | ||
| Problem with dog fouling in the village. Complaints have been received. Plan to organise an “anti-dog pooh” campaign in February. Item for bulletin, posters. | JC & MH | |
| Ask Marcus to refer to dog warden at CBC | HS | |
| 7 | Beacon | |
| Now to be installed by village sign at end of Chapel Road by Steve. The wording for a plaque agreed. John Gili Ross will arrange this. | Agenda item | |
| 8. | Grass cutting | |
| Sub-committee agreed to carry on using our current arrangements for grass cutting | ||
| 9 | Areas of work in village | |
| Plan to produce a map showing sites of our responsibility in the village. | HS | |
| 10 | AOB | |
| a) Noise abatement team from CBC have been called out but unfortunately the PC hasn’t been informed of this. It would be useful for us to know. | ||
| b) The rangers from CBC are asked to carry out tasks but we never can be given a date and we are not informed when the work is completed. | ||
| Date of next meeting – Thursday 12th February 2015 in JL Hall |
Environment & Highways – 13th November 2014
The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 13th November to consider a range of issues and decisions affecting the general environment and highways within West Bergholt. Updates on hedge cutting, handymen, weeds, village ponds, Traffic safety, pot-holes, dog bins, beacon, budget & McNally Mews. The formal report to the Parish Council is as follows:
Environment & Highways Report
Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 13th November 2014 in John Lampon Hall
| Councillors present | Harry Stone, Murray Harlow, Jenny Church, Phil Walby, Rosemary James |
| Apologies | Rachel Howard |
Andrew Savage attended part of meeting
| 1 | Hedge cutting | |
| The hedge cutting and bramble mowing has been carried out and has been very well done. The CBC sweeper followed on and cleared the trimmings. Verges still need attention particularly along New Church Road. | HS | |
| 2 | Village handyman | |
| The use of a chit book appears to be working. Unfortunately, Ivor has been called for jury service so some jobs are waiting attention at the moment. | PW | |
| 3 | Overgrowth of weeds on footways | |
| There has been an incident in New Church Road when a resident slipped on wet vegetation on the footway and broke an arm. Need to ensure village handyman or CBC Rangers keep footways as clear as possible at this time of year when it is wet and there are fallen leaves etc. | ||
| 4 | Village Ponds | |
| The Queens Road pond has been cleared today. Arrange for Norhurst to clear away the cuttings.The Lexden Road pond will be cleared on November 23rd and the Hall Road pond will have to be left until the new year. | JC | |
| 5. | Traffic Safety Plan | |
| The plan is apparently going ahead after it has been signed off for progress. | HS | |
| 6 | Pot Holes | |
| Increase in road markings but no work carried out as yet. | ||
| 7 | Dog bin | |
| A bin is required for the Brewery site – check with Val if this has been ordered. | Val | |
| 8. | Beacon | |
| The beacon has not been put back in place – to check with Chris about this. | JC | |
| A plaque needs to be ordered to go on the beacon – Murray to organise this. | MH Agenda item |
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| 9 | Areas of work in village | |
| Plan to produce a map showing sites of our responsibility in the village. | HS | |
| 10 | Budget for next year. | |
| Andrew discussed preparation of budget for next year. He will forward a copy of agreed budget to sub committee | AS | |
| 11 | McNally Mews | |
| Thanks to Chris for researching the issue raised by Ashley Yates. The request for tree and hedge planting in the area appears to be in accordance with the covenant and there seems to be no objection to be made to this request. | Agenda Item | |
| 13 | AOB | |
| Rosemary requested information about a drainage problem caused by tree roots for a resident recently coming to the village. She will contact CBC for advice and information. | RJ | |
| Date of next meeting to be notified |