Your Parish Council held its monthly meeting Thursday 11th November 2021 at 8.00pm at the Village Hall. Seven Parish Councillors were in attendance along with our Parish Clerk. Apologies were received from the remaining two and their apologies were accepted.
One of the Ward Councillors, Cllr. Chrissy Gelderbloem, and our E.C.C. member, Cllr. Lesley Wagland, were in attendance.
Also in attendance was the Chairman of the Kelvedon Hatch Football Club.
It was an apt time to have this meeting on Remembrance Day, so that we can all remember those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy ours.
In the Parish Clerk’s report we were informed by a resident from Swan Lane, that the sign for nos. 2 – 12 Swan Walk is obscured by over-grown trees by Swan Pond. This is Parish Council land and we will arrange to have these trees cut back, which will also clear the area where cars park.
At the time of writing 65 applications for Christmas hampers have been received. When these are received from the supplier we hope to arrange delivery of these over the second weekend of December. Volunteers from the Parish Council will gladly deliver these.
We had a report from E.C.C. Cllr Lesley Wagland about a combined effort by local villagers and E.C.C to obtain suggestions and local information to improve and supply a bus service that is fit and adequate for all people who need this and to link up with some other services. Ideas would be much appreciated.
The reason for the attendance of the Chairman of the Football Club was to sign the agreement between the Club and the Parish Council to pay the Football Club to maintain Poors’ Field (e.g. grass cutting) for the benefit of all residents.
We are arranging to speak with a security company to see what can be done to monitor some of the trouble spots in the village – if anyone wishes to send any information, this will be looked into.
Notice Boards – most of the boards around the village are the property of the Parish Council and three are reserved for the Parish Council’s use only. the Parish Clerk will remove any other notices on our boards. There are signs saying so. Community events can be advertised on our boards opposite the church and by the bus stop on Ongar Road. The Parish Clerk is more than happy to share such events on our social media channels.
It was agreed that the Parish Clerk’s job title should be changed to “Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer”.
The Environmental Committee put forward a motion to increase membership to 6 members – this was accepted by the Parish Council. They also reported the round-about in the Children’s play area needs repairing or a complete replacement. A replacement could be very expensive however, Cllr. Hugh Gorton is looking into obtaining a grant for this equipment.
Residents have asked if we have defibrillators in the village. There is one sited at the Eagle Public House outside behind the side gate. There are signs on every noticeboard advertising its location.
Eagle Field update – most of the encroached boundaries have now been identified as was requested by the owners who can now decide the next move.
Planters are being replaced with winter bulbs and two additional new larger ones are going to be sited on by the stocks and by Swan Pond. Cllrs. Linda Matthew and Hugh Gorton will be doing the planting.
Flooding problems – there have been many instances of flooding and also blockages of the sewage system. One of the most affected areas is in School Road and the adjacent areas. The main reason for this is that the sewage pipe work is very old and in order to avoid further flooding needs to be replaced. The utility companies are looking into this problem. The flooding at Brizes Corner is caused partly by the soakaway in the corner of Eagle Field and the drains in the road. The soakaway needs to cleared and opened more, which is the responsibility of the new owners, who have been informed. The other problem of blockages in some areas is due to items being wrongly flushed down toilets, i.e. wet wipes, so called disposable nappies and other items – if some residents are doing this perhaps being unaware, could they not do this in future as it causes some residents very nasty problems.
The “Stocks” need renovating and the work has been contracted to a local company who will start soon. The third bench seat behind Swan Pond is being moved to the Green at the corner of Stocks Field and Blackmore Road. Local residents will be able to sit, talk and enjoy the stocks and new planter.
As this is the last Parish Pump before Christmas – the Parish Council would like to wish all residents a much happier normal Christmas and also a better healthier and happy New Year.
Cllr. John Collier