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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee Meeting
held on Thursday 17
th
October 2024 at 8.00 pm
at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt
OPEN PUBLIC SESSION –
Our soon to be footpath warden, Rasik Bhadresa, introduce himself and informed the committee
members about how he enjoyed walking the footpath public rights of way in the parish of East
Bergholt.
He started in 2019 and does not miss a day, walking approximately 31,000 steps or about 100 miles a
week. He added that he has an interest in the natural world and there is so much to enjoy following the
lovely footpaths.
He was welcomed by all to the role of the “Footpath Warden”.
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Present Joan Miller JM
Nigel Roberts NR
Graeme Woodcock GM
Michael Hockley MH
Ricky Allen RA
John Price (Chairman) JP
Apologies Peter Dent
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interests
3. MINUTES
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 24
th
July 2024 were approved as a true record
following a change in the wording of item 9 regarding the work towards a 20mph safety speed
control on Heath Road. Proposed by MH, seconded by NR.
4. MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES
In respect of the village centre parking, a question was asked if the Parking Warden had issued
any penalties following the painting of the double yellow lines. JM reminded the meeting that the
parking warden works for Ipswich Borough Council and that the Assistant Clerk is in contact with
Ipswich.
JP to find out
5. FOOTPATH WARDEN covered in the Open Session
6. WHITEHORSE ROAD SID CAMERA
It was agreed to develop the use of SID (speed indicator device) camera for Whitehorse Road
subject to approval from the residents.
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RA volunteered to lead on this matter.
Work to be done includes;
a, identifying two locations (because the device can be moved about)
b, notifying SCC who need to approve the locations as the Highway Authority (Keith
Sampson will decide)
c, Drafting a letter with our Clerk and posting to residents along Whitehorse Road.
d, Organising the purchase and installation
7. SPEED REDUCTION OUTSIDE SCHOOL AND ZEBRA CROSSING
NR reported that this was about “an intervention” to fill gaps in road safety on the B1070 from the
“Hills” housing estate to the “Wilson” housing estate. We are awaiting fee proposals from
consultants PJA. This follows a meeting that JM and NR held with PJA to agree in principle details
concerning outline drawings. NR said that it will be necessary to seek engagement from residents.
Following agreement on costings, the intention is to engage with Suffolk County Council and raise
the issue of the interface between PJA and Milestones who undertake all of SCC’s design and
construction for highways.
Wayne Saunders (Customer Liaison officer of SCC) is arranging the first of 3 monthly issue
meetings.
There are things we might do and apparently SCC are prepared to work with us on such things as
Community speed-watch
20 is plenty
Community self-help scheme
HMOP (highways management operation plan)
Weight limit team
And the above mentioned quarterly highway meeting with us in East Bergholt
JM added that she is aware of a person prepared to volunteer to do a speed-watch.
MH said that between Chaplin Road to the Carriers, the kerb needs to be extended. JM responded
that the process is to report it on the SCC online system.
8. PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE
There is still much to be done but the reconstruction of the pavement from the village centre up to
Elm Road has met with much praise in the village. What was previously an irregular and failed
surface, difficult for elderly and infirm people. It is now a much easier and safer surface.
Hopefully there is more to come.
9. NO SIGNS ON LANES
Prior to the meeting, councillor Peter Dent had raised an issue of a lack of warning signs on the
very narrow Cutlers Lane and Putticks Lane. This issue was discussed but the feeling of the
meeting was that it may lead to another issue of too many signs.
10. FOOTPATH NR 44/BREACH REPAIR ON THE RIVER STOUR
JP reported on the efforts of the River Stour Trust to repair the river breaches that had washed
away parts of footpath number 44 and asked whether the Committee would support a grant
request for £250 being made to East Bergholt PC by the River Stour Trust. MH proposed that the
RFF Committee should do so which was seconded by RA and received unanimous support.
11. DOG BINS
Two new dog bins are being proposed following complaints.
MH said the work to erect the bins could be allocated to John Paul Humm.
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MH agreed to tackle the issue on Collingwood Fields to Foxhall Close path, and RA
agreed to tackle the same on Fiddlers Lane to Foxhall Fields.
Please involve Graham to make sure the necessary permissions are in place and use
letter drops to check that near neighbours would not object.
12. CAR PARK TRUG
GW reported that he had only one response to volunteer to “adopt” the trug and planters in the car
park. That was from “Circles” the group trying to develop a woodland school in East End.
The RFI was unanimous that Graham should accept.
13. CAR PARK DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE
MH reported that Michael Hall is due to clean the gullies and catchpits sometime in November
14. FLATFORD LANE
JP said that the problem with the drainage and ponding in Flatford road close to Clapper Farm will
return this winter because SCC have not repaired the drains in spite of a meeting with Keith
Sampford of SCC last winter.
JP agreed to contact Melanie Hall (SCC liaison engineer).
15. CYCLEWAY TO MANNINGTREE
JP was unable to report much progress and asked if anyone would be prepared to volunteer to be
part of this project with him. JP said he is in contact with Katherine Davies of Babergh District
Council who is very enthusiastic and we hope to make some progress before the next meeting.
16. BUDGETS
JP reminded the RFI meeting that Graham White will schedule an extra meeting for the sole
purpose of discussing the budgets for next year and everyone should consider our spending
requirements
17. URGENT COMMUNICATIONS
There was just one extra issue to discuss. The strange case of the lock on the cleaner’s cupboard
at the back of the public toilets has been changed by someone unknown. The person did the deed
when the cleaners were present. He claimed to be from “the council”? He also fitted a key safe and
let the cleaners have the safe code. The cleaners reported the incident to Graham White who
inform JP as chair of the RFF.
JP asked the advice from the committee about what action we should take. It was agreed that the
Parish Council should change the lock again and ensure the matter had been reported to the
police. JP to action.
18. DATE OF NEXT RFF COMMITTEE MEETING
The budget meeting was subsequently fixed for 21
st
November
The next RFF meeting will be held on January 16
th
2025