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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee Meeting
on Thursday 25
th
July 2024 at 8.00 pm
at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt

Minutes

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION – There were no members of the public present

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Present; Peter Dent (PD)
Graeme Woodcock (GW)
Ricky Allen (RA)
Nigel Roberts (NR)
Michael Hockley (MH) Chairman
Joan Miller (JM).
John Price (JP)

Apologies None

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – There were no declarations of interest.

3. MINUTES – The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 24
th
April 2024, were unanimously
approved as a true record.

4. MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES –

5. BUDGET 2024-2025 The chairman reported on discussions with the SPF Committee (see SPF
minutes)

6. CAR PARK. – The drains are to be unblocked in October after most of the leaves had fallen. A
cleanup of the carpark to remove all leaves will then take place. This will have to be done on
several occasions.
The hedges that we are permitted to trim have been trimmed.
GW reminded the meeting that there was an empty “Trug” and we should ask if there is anyone in
the village who would agree to adopt this, plant and maintain a floral display. GW agreed to talk to
people to try and find anyone willing to do this.

7. DOG FOULING BINS –There is an outstanding bin which needs to be progressed. Our contractor
will be asked to install the outstanding bin.

8. VILLAGE CENTRE PARKING.
There are still people parking where they should not and causing problems. Louise
(Assistant Parish Clerk) has been asked to contact the parking warden and ask him/her to
visit East Bergholt.

9. FOOTPATHS and ROADS UPDATE – Little progress to report on the cycleway to Manningtree.

NR reported zero progress with SCC on the 20 mph safety project that he and JM are leading.

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MH gave an update concerning the breach in the River Stour river bank which has caused the
footpath to be closed. SCC are not acting because they say the responsibility lies with others.

10. FLOODING IN FLATFORD ROAD ;- This has not been a problem through the summer because
the flow has dried up. However it is expected to begin as soon as the autumn/winter rains start
again. PD suggested that we should get our MP James Cartlidge involved (James Cartlidge is the
Shadow Defence Minister).

11. URGENT COMMUNICATIONS – Councillor Hockley said he was standing down as chairman as
he was frustrated with his inability to get things fixed and felt he, as chairman, was failing the
village. He quoted the time taken to fix Elm road flooding, the complete failure to fix the flooding in
Flatford Lane and finally the obstacles put in the way of fixing the breach in the river bank between
Flatford and Dedham. Despite the best effort of himself, the committee and some dedicated
volunteers we seemed to be met with obstacles at every turn. Councillor Price has enormous
expertise and in offering him his full support he hoped Councillor Price would take over. This was
proposed and as there were no other volunteers’ a vote was taken and Councillor Price was
elected as the new Chairman without objections.
Councillor hockley wished him good luck!

DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday 17
th
October 2024.

Meeting closed at 8-45 pm