Category: Council

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Great responses to neighbourhood survey

Logo of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project
Our village & parish life in our hands

The neighbourhood survey has resulted in around 450 replies representing around a third of all households!  The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group have issued the following update:

A Big “Thank you” to all who completed the:

Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire

The West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire which appeared in June’s Bulletin has been enthusiastically supported by residents in the village and wider parish area. Around 450 replies were received with a third being filled in on line via the link in the West Bergholt Website.

A big THANK YOU to all who filled it in; this represents about a third of all households who receive the Bulletin and means that the survey will be a representative sample of the community’s views. A big THANK YOU also to Ash’s, the doctor’s surgery and the Co-op for their willingness to have the collection boxes. The draws for the hamper and the voucher for the youngsters will be made shortly.

All the written comments have been read, and we will endeavour to incorporate them in our final analysis. That will now take place over the next few weeks with the Steering Group members busily collating and reading all responses. Without wanting to give too much away: traffic issues topped the list of concerns as it did with the previous Parish Plan survey.

The area of the Neighbourhood Plan has now also been ratified by the Borough Council. Following the end of the consultation on this matter and a recent Planning Committee, our plan area is now confirmed as corresponding to the existing Parish boundary.

We will keep you informed of the outcome of the questionnaire analysis via future Bulletins but the survey results are likely to be published initially on www.westbergholt.net. We will also endeavour to contact those that showed an interest in joining the Steering Group – but why not check the notice boards and come along to the next advertised meeting.

As ever please feel free to contact Chris Stevenson ([antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] or 01206 241708) or Murray Harlow ([antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] or 01206 240792) on any aspect of the plan and its preparation.

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Village Traffic Safety Plan

traffic safety plan for West Bergholt
Overview of part of the new plans – see below for full size copies

In response to issues raised by village residents in the Parish Plan of 2009 the Parish Council spent nearly two years consulting various parties before producing last year a Traffic Safety Plan for the village.   The plan was endorsed by the Local Highways Panel and formed the basis for the funding for the projects under current consideration.

Early indications from the comments on the returned questionnaires from the whole village for the present Neighbourhood Plan are that the most pressing concerns of residents continue to centre on traffic issues, and in particular speeding and parking.  The particular dangers are perceived to be in the areas leading up to the school and the Co-op, both of which provide vital services to the village. Clearly many would support actions to address these dangers.

The Parish Council is now actively pursuing the implementation of this Traffic Safety Plan and is engaged with Essex County Council (ECC) engineers in drawing up plans for safety works in New Church Road.  These will inevitably involve some restrictions on the speed of traffic and parking.  The Council is committed to ensuring that the measures have a positive impact by meeting the aims of the plan whilst at the same time considering the views of village residents.  The intention is to create an environment where parents of older pupils at the school feel safe in allowing their children to walk, or even to cycle, to school unaccompanied thus removing the need to use their car.  This clearly does not exist at the moment and to do nothing will not improve safety.

Set out below are the proposed measures for adoption recommended by the Parish Council.  Any suggestions for changes will be considered before a final version is submitted to ECC Highways for the portfolio holder’s approval.  Once obtained formal notices of the works to be carried out will be published by ECC.

  1. No parking double yellow lines for 15m (the statutory length) at each junction with New Church Road.  This will enable enforcement to be carried out by the relevant authorities.
  2. A low level rectangular table at each end of New Church Road.  The aim is to check driver speeds and raise awareness of potential pedestrian presence ahead.  It is likely that low level lighting will be needed at these points – no specific plans are currently available.
  3. Time restricted parking (single yellow line) for about 20m spanning the footpath from Mumford Close into New Church Road together with minor works to improve the crossing point. This is considered essential at school journey times to give children a clear view down the road.
  4. Time restricted parking from the zig zags for 20m towards Lexden Road.  Designed to give a clear view around the dangerous bend in the road.
  5. Improved signage at the junctions of New Church Road with Chapel Road and  Lexden Road and of School Lane with Colchester Road.

A composite plan and detailed plans for each of these works are shown below.

In addition to these measures the Parish Council is considering making an application for a 20mph speed limit in New Church Road and School Lane. This application is more likely to succeed if the above measures are implemented first.  Please send your comments on the recommendation and the introduction of a 20mph speed limit to the Parish Clerk – Mrs Val Walsom, 17 Armoury Road, or preferably by email to [email protected].

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Online survey deadline extended

Logo of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project
Our village & parish life in our hands
Click to complete survey.

The Parish Council would like to thank everybody who has already completed the village survey, in particular the online survey; so far they have received in excess of 450 responses.

With these responses crucial to the future of the village, however, the Parish Council, and in particular, the Neighbourhood Plan Group, are keen to get more responses and so the deadline has been extended until 10th August for online survey responses, so if you still want to complete the on-line survey you still have a chance.

Have your say in the future of the village!!!!

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Neighbourhood survey on track, one last push needed

Logo of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project
Our village & parish life in our hands
Click logo to complete survey.

The Neighbourhood Plan survey has drawn in an encouraging 300 responses to date, many of these online using the electronic survey.  The Steering Group have a target of 500 responses in mind as this would represent about a third of all households.  With this in mind the survey period has been extended to 19th July.

So if you haven’t responded yet, or if there are others in your household you could encourage to respond, please take the 10 minutes needed to complete the questionnaire ideally on line!  If you prefer to respond on paper then remember the questionnaire was included as an insert in June’s Village Bulletin.  If you need extra copies of the survey, the paper copy is also available to download here – WB HH Questionnaire ver 15.

Extra prize draw for under-18 survey respondents

Remember you can enter our prize draw with a chance to win a Co-op hamper!  As an added incentive for younger members of the community to respond, we are creating a second prize of a £20 Amazon gift voucher available for respondents aged under 18.

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Online survey launched by Neighbourhood Plan group

Logo of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project & link to survey
Our village & parish life in our hands
Click to complete survey.

The Neighbourhood Plan is in its formative stages.  A Steering group has been formed to produce the plan, and the area to be covered by the plan has been determined.  A preliminary workshop has been undertaken with members of the community and from all the information assembled to date a community questionnaire/survey has been produced.

Please complete the survey.

We now need you, the members of our community, to let us have your views on a range of topics by completing our online survey (click the link).   The survey will take you just 10-15mins to complete, and any members of your household can participate.  Your views really will help us to determine how the village and wider parish area should change over the coming years and what improvements the community see as being important to pursue.

If you would like to find out more then visit these pages on this website:

So don’t stand back, come forward, complete the questionnaire and be a promoter and guardian of West Bergholt, and share in and shape our vision for the future. Completed surveys are eligible for entry into a prize draw with a chance to win a food hamper courtesy of the Co-op.

Contacts

Chris Stevenson ([antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]) or Murray Harlow ([antibot mailto=”[email protected]”])

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West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan area unveiled – CBC Consultation

Logo of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project
Logo of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project

In preparations for starting a Neighbourhood Plan the area defined by the plan has to be the subject of an application to Colchester Borough Council by the Parish Council. Following the village workshop last November the area was agreed as being coincident with the Parish Council boundary, and an application has been submitted by the Parish Council. In turn the Borough Council sets this out in a wider 6 week consultation which can be viewed on the Colchester Borough Council website here.  If you wish to do so, you have until 20th June to respond to this consultation.

The general survey of residents of the village & parish takes place in June via these web pages and the Village Bulletin. Look out for the questionnaire and make sure you have your say.

STOP PRESS:

The Neighbourhood Plan Survey is now live online until the end of June on this website.

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Update from Annual Parish Meeting

Parish Meeting recognized volunteersThe Annual Parish Meeting was held on 24th April and it was most encouraging to have more than fifty village residents present.   The focus this year was “Celebrating our Village Volunteers” as we all appreciate the village has much to be grateful for and to be proud of.   The opportunity was also taken to make those present aware of the importance of the Neighbourhood Plan and the village survey which takes the form of a questionnaire which will be accompanying the next edition of the Village Bulletin.  Your views are vitally important so please look out for this and spend a few minutes by responding.

The meeting was also an opportunity to mark the retirement of Bernard Colbron from the Parish Council after twelve years of dedicated and loyal service.  Bernard has been Chair of the committee responsible for the Village Halls for most of his time as a Parish Councillor.  We have only to reflect on the part played in our village life of these halls to appreciate the importance of Bernard’s contribution to the community.  We are very grateful.

In a previous Bulletin, and on this website, the position of editor was advertised.  Although not directly linked to the Parish Council, this is a role that Bernard has also filled for many years.  It is good to know that Bernard is only semi-retiring from village life as having left the Parish Council he is prepared to continue as editor, at least for the time being. We look forward to many more informative publications.

 

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Anyone for tennis?

Tennis Racket and Balls - Picture by Vladsinger at en.wikipediaAt the start of a new summer season the Parish Council is keen to see that its recreation facilities are used as fully as possible.  The Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) beside the Orpen Hall is available mainly for tennis but can also be used for other sports such as football.  This can be booked on a casual hourly basis through the booking system at the Co-op.

For families a more economical way of ensuring access is through membership of the West Bergholt Sports Club costing just £45 for a family for a year from 1st June.  Membership details are available from Gill Sims at [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] or full information can be found on this website (see link above) and on the noticeboard beside the courts.

All we need is a good summer to ensure a season of sporting pleasure at a bargain price from facilities on your doorstep.

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West Bergholt celebrates its volunteers

Poster for Annual Parish Meeting 2013The Annual Parish Meeting takes place on 24th April starting at 7pm in the John Lampon Hall.   As well as affording an opportunity for informal discussions with your local Parish & Borough Councillors this is an ideal opportunity to join them in celebrating our many local volunteers who help make West Bergholt as good a place to live as it is.

Other items for the event include:

  • a report on Neighbourhood Planning, and
  • light refreshments!
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