Minutes of Wortham & Burgate Parish Council, Commons Committee meeting held at Wortham Village Hall on Thursday 30th September 2021 at 6.35pm.
- Councillors present
- Jacky Bradley, Chris Grocott, Jenny Piper and Chris Williams
- In attendance
- Jane Wright (Clerk)
- To appoint a Chair of the Commons Committee - Chris Williams was unanimously elected to Chair. Proposed CG, seconded JP
- To consider accepting apologies for absence - Apologies were unanimously accepted from Councillor Hovey
- To record declarations of interest from members in any item to be discussed - None
- To consider any dispensations from members in any item to be discussed - None
- Adjourn the meeting to allow public participation - No members of the public present
- Re-convene the meeting - 6.37pm
- To receive the Clerk’s report and any outstanding items/actions - Nothing to report
- To consider, discuss and agree to outstanding tasks B, E, F, G, I, J & K - The tasks were reviewed and it was agreed that items J & K were no longer necessary. Clerk to obtain quotes for the remaining tasks (Appendix 1)
- To consider, discuss and agree to a footbridge being installed from the Common to the Playing Field - The Parish Council have been approached by a resident to ask if a footbridge could be placed across the ditch from the Playing Field to the Common, which currently consists of 2 sleepers. The current condition of the access is ok but is unlikely to meet regulations. Adding further sleepers was suggested, as was the removal of the existing sleepers. However, adding more sleepers would be unlikely to adhere to regulations also. After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk should contact the Suffolk Footpaths Officer for regulations with a view to adding a footbridge, a contact for footbridges and to ask if a representative could visit the site and advise. In the interim, Councillor Grocott will clear either side of the sleepers to make access and visibility better.
- To consider and discuss the track at Post Office Row - A resident along Post Office Row has contacted the Parish Council with concerns about people parking along the track and numerous repairs that the residents are having to carry out. The ownership of the track appears to be in question, although it is thought it does not belong to the Parish Council. Clerk to make further enquiries to ascertain ownership.
- To receive items from Councillors - Councillor Bradley asked the Committee to consider contacting Suffolk County Council Legal Control to ask if the Parish Council could obtain the rights to Furze Way, Burgate. Councillor Williams pointed out that there is a question over who actually owns the land and whether it is registered to anyone. It is thought that Suffolk County Council are stewards for the land. The financial costs to the Parish Council were also of concern. It was agreed to take the matter to the next full Parish Council meeting.
- To discuss any correspondence received - An email has been received from a resident regarding the pond/ditch at the end of Post Office Row. The pond and the ditch have become overgrown. The pond in question is included within the works to be carried out. However, the ditch that runs between the houses in question does not belong to the Parish Council and is the responsibility of the owner. Clerk to contact residents.
- To receive items for the next agenda - Footbridge, Capital Works
- Date and time of next meeting - TBA
- Meeting Close - 7.15pm
2021/CC/4…………………………………Approved 26/10/2021……………………………………
Chair, Wortham & Burgate Parish Council
Appendix 1
Scrub Clearance Autumn 2021
Updated 30th September 2021
- Tasks B, E, & I
- B - Grub out and remove young trees in ditch, Pond 9 to Church Road
- E - Bushwack brambles and new growth - North East corner of Pond 9 & clear culvert.
- I - Cut new growth and take away - Ditch between tennis courts and Church Road and south side of playing field to Long Green Road
- Tasks F, G & H
- F - Bushwack brambles and new growth - East side of Pond 8
- G - Bushwack brambles and new growth - Around Pond 7
- H - To strim round Pond 10 to Church Road
On hold pending confirmation of underground utilities
- Tasks A, C & I
- A - Grub out and remove all growth between Post Office and A143 leaving 3 large Limes and large stumps (separate quote for stump removal)
- C - Grub out and remove 2 oak saplings on common, visible from Post Office car park
- I - Bushwack brambles and new growth around trees on common between Pond 7 and A143