DRAFT
KELVEDON HATCH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Environmental Committee
held on Thursday 3rd March 2016 at 8.00pm.
1. PRESENT
Cllr M Allen, Cllr C James, Cllr D Jobbins, Cllr D Stacey, Cllr J Woodhouse and Cllr R Williams.
2 members of the public were also present and D Munro, Parish Clerk.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
3. DECLARATION OF INTEREST & AMENDMENTS TO THE REGISTER OF MEMBERS INTERESTS
None.
4. MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MEETING
7th JANUARY 2016
The minutes of the meeting held on 7th January 2016 were agreed and signed by the Chair.
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC QUESTIONS
The meeting was suspended at 8.03 pm to allow for questions from members of the public.
Bryan Smith reported that some trees in the hedgerow opposite the Camping Shop in Ongar Road were leaning over and in danger of falling into the road. Cllr R Williams also advised that the branches of some of these trees were interfering with overhead power and telephone lines. The clerk agreed to investigate and report the problem.
The meeting resumed at 8.05 pm.
6. MATTERS BROUGHT FORWARD
a) Play Area.
- The clerk advised that the only issue outstanding was the repainting of equipment which it had been agreed by the PC would not be undertaken until the Spring.
It was also noted that in the results of Best Kept Village Competition for 2015 which had only just been obtained, the Play Area had scored 10 out of 10 plus a bonus point.
b) Swan Pond.
- Maintenance and Information panel. The last attempt to arrange a clear up of the pond on 27th February 2016 had been called off because of bad weather. Because of the start of the nesting season it is unlikely that a further opportunity to carry out a clear up of the pond will arise until the Autumn.
As there has been no further action to install the information lectern and the clerk was asked to follow this up with Cllr A Webster.
c) Planting of Wildflowers on verges.
Cllr D Jobbins suggested that some of our grass verges should be planted with native wildflowers. Verges or areas of verges chosen for this would have to be left un-mown. Cllr D Jobbins agreed to have a look for suitable sites and to see if Essex Biodiversity might be able to supply the wildflower seeds. Cllr R Williams also agreed to approach Writtle Agricultural College to see if they could supply wildflower seeds.
d) Damage to the grass verge near Kames House / Hatch Farm, Ongar Road.
Cllr D Jobbins reported that vehicles from the cul-de-sac near the War Memorial outside Kames House had driven across the grass verge to get on the Ongar Road. From the damage caused to the verge and the tyre marks left, this would appear to have happened on several occasions. Cllr D Jobbins proposed that some wooden posts were installed to prevent this. This was seconded by Cllr M Allen and agreed unanimously by members. A group of Councillors will meet at the site to consider exactly what is required.
e) Fly Tipping
Cllr M Allen reported an increase in Fly Tipping in the surrounding area and asked if there was anything more that the PC could be doing to prevent it. He reported that the areas where this frequently occurs are Kelvedon Hall Lane, School Road, Frog Street / Warren Lane and Dagwood Lane.
The clerk advised that several years ago posters were put up on noticeboards informing people how to report Fly Tipping. It was agreed that new posters should be put up on noticeboards with a copy going into the next edition of the Village News.
Cllr M Allen also made reference to the abandoned car in Swan Lane. He had reported it to BBC and the clerk had reported it to our PCSO. From the responses to our reports it would appear to be the responsibility of BBC to remove it, but it had remained there for several weeks. The clerk was asked to enlist the support of our BBC Councillors to get BBC to take some action. (Post Meeting note: The abandoned car was removed on 4th March 2016.)
7. INSPECTION AREA UPDATES
Cllr D Jobbins reported that overhanging bushes in the pathway between Glovers Field and Kelvedon Green needed cutting back. The clerk agreed to report this to the NATs team.
Cllr D Jobbins reported that nothing has still been done about the reinstatement of the grass verge in Church Road following the laying of a new gas main. The clerk was asked to take this up with ECC again.
Cllr D Jobbins also expressed concern about the possible degradation of The Coppice SSSI site. Quad bikes appear to be taking advantage of every possible off-road site and access to the Coppice from the School Road to Poles Wood Byway was a real threat. Cllr D Jobbins agreed to contact Natural England to see if they could suggest anything that could be done by the PC to reduce this risk.
Cllr R Williams advised that the quad bikes were also gaining access to the woods (behind the Camping Shop) from the Byway22 that runs from Brizes Corner to Cow Farm, Frog Street and causing much damage in the woods. The clerk reported that a scheme had been carried out in 2014/15 by ECC Highways to install heavy duty wooden bollards along this Byway to prevent driving off the Byway into the woods. The clerk undertook to report this to ECC Highways and he was also asked to search Land Registry to see if the owner of the woods could be identified.
8. INFORMATION ITEMS FROM MEMBERS
Cllr R Williams asked for an item to be put on the next agenda to discuss the opportunities available to install native hedgerows.
Cllr D Stacey advised that now Cllr M Allen was trained in the use of the Brushcutter the P3 group will be arranging a meeting to decide a plan of action for the maintenance of our footpaths. He also advised that the various groups of walkers and ramblers were being encouraged to report footpath problems that need attention.
9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Environmental Committee meeting will be held on Thursday 5th May 2016 at 8.00pm in the Committee Room, Village Hall, School Road, Kelvedon Hatch.
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