Maldon Town Council
Agenda of Meeting10th February 2003 |
A chance to air your views on matters concerning the TOWN
THE PUBLIC AND PRESS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO BE PRESENT
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6th February, 2003
Dear Councillor,
You are hereby invited to attend the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
to be held in the CONFERENCE ROOM, Town Hall, Market Hill,
Maldon on MONDAY, 10th FEBRUARY 2003 commencing
at 7.30 p.m. when the undermentioned business is proposed to be
transacted.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Helen Vincent
Town Clerk
Members are informed that prior to the meeting there will be a lighting demonstration at St. Peter's Churchyard by "Thorn" Lighting commencing
at 6.45 p.m. (weather permitting)
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Chairman:
Vice Chairman:
Councillors: |
Cllr. Mrs M. Curtis
Cllr. Mrs E. Downes
Mrs V. Foster, T. Kelly, W. Prior, P. Roberts (Town Mayor), P. Rew (Deputy Mayor),
Mrs S. Riesebeck and K. Smith.
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Representatives of the Maldon in Bloom Working Party and Maldon and Heybridge Horticultural Society are also invited to attend the meeting.
MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD DECLARE AN INTEREST WITH
REGARD TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
AGENDA
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| 1. |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE |
| 2. |
MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 8TH JANUARY, 2003
To receive the minutes of the Environment Committee meeting held on 8th January, 2003. (copy circulated with the Town Council agenda for the meeting held on 28th January, 2003
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3.
3.1 |
ALLOTMENTS
Financial Statement of Account (report herewith)
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| 3.2 |
Plots 39a and 39b - Maldon Hall Allotment Site
(It would be helpful for members to visit the site prior to the meeting)
Further to minute 55.3 of the Environment Committee meeting held on18th November, 2002 members will recall that it was agreed to defer further discussion regarding these plots until this meeting.
In this respect to receive and consider the following report some of which was previously circulated with the agenda for the meeting held on 9th October, 2002.
Further to minute 30.6 of the Environment Committee meeting held on 20th August, 2002 members will recall that it was suggested that investigations be undertaken regarding the use of a blow torch to remove weeds from plots which were extremely overgrown including plots 39a and 39b.
The Parks Supervisor has been contacted regarding the use of a blow torch to remove overgrown vegetation he stated that a blow torch would have no effect on any perennial weeds as they would re-grow the following year. He also expressed the view that it could be extremely dangerous to use a blow torch considering the close proximity of the trees and shrubs in the adjoining boundary hedge and bypass.
He felt that the most effective action to remove the perennial weeds would be to use a residual weedkiller on the area. This would however mean that the plots were unworkable for an entire growing season. Alternatively, a non-residual weedkiller could be applied to the plots but this would require several treatments and the initial treatment could not be applied until March when the vegetation starts to grow. He also stated that the soil of these plots was in such poor condition due, to the amount of hardcore that machinery could not be used on the plots to prepare the site for cultivation.
Members are informed that it had been agreed at the Allotment Committee meeting held on 6th September, 1994 (minute 19 refers) that hardcore should be deposited at the lower end of the Maldon Hall site to enable a turning area for cars to be created. The hardcore was deposited and the area subsequently flattened but no further action has been take.
An allotment tenant has recently contacted the office expressing his concern regarding the deplorable condition of plots 39a and 39b which, in his opinion, were not suitable for cultivation due to the vast quantities of rubble and hardcore to be found in the ground. (These plots have not been successfully let for a number of years).
The tenant suggested that members should once again consider levelling the area to enable it to be used as a turning area for vehicles on the site. He expressed the view that if the area were tidied up it would help to prevent the unauthorised tipping of rubbish which is visibly evident in this area. In this respect a quotation has been received in the sum of £176.25 to level plots 39a and 39b to enable them to be used as a turning area.
Members are therefore requested to consider the following options:
* The plots be levelled in the sum of £176.25. A surface may then be required to provide a suitable area for vehicles to turn.
* The plots be treated with weedkiller - A quotation from the Parks Supervisor in the sum of £60.00 plus VAT for residual weedkiller and £40.00 plus VAT per treatment for non residual weedkiller has been received. The plots would then be left for allotment cultivation. (If non-residual weedkiller is used then additional treatments would be required to prevent further re-growth from seeds)
* A weed suppressing membrane be laid over the plots - approximate cost £300.00 (this would not prevent the re-growth of weeds unless the area had previously been treated with weedkiller)
* Use a blow torch to suppress the weeds (possible hazardous to adjacent woodland and would not prevent the spring growth of weeds)
* The area be treated with a weedkiller, levelled to create a turning area for vehicles.
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| 3.3 |
Possible Siting of a Telephone Mast - Maldon Hall Allotment Site
At the request of Cllr. Bannister, in view of the recent applications for the siting of telephone masts, to consider the possibility of a telephone mast being sited at the Maldon Hall allotment site.
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| 3.4 |
Surfacing of Pathway - Brickhouse Farm Site
Members are informed that the surfacing of the pathway at the Brickhouse Farm allotment site has been completed.
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4.
4.1
4.2 |
MALDON IN BLOOM
To receive and consider the Notes of the Maldon in Bloom Working Party meeting held on 31st January, 2003. (copy herewith)
Further to minute 66.1 of the Environment Committee meeting held on 8th January, 2003, to receive and consider the response from the Chairman of the Maldon District Council regarding the Maldon in Bloom 2002 campaign.
(copy herewith)
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5.
5.1 |
ST. PETER'S CHURCHYARD IMPROVEMENTS
Lighting
To note that prior to the meeting there had been a demonstration of external lighting at St. Peter's Church.
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| 5.2 |
Tenders
To receive and consider a report regarding tenders in respect of the refurbishment of St. Peter's Churchyard. (copy to be circulated at the meeting)
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6.
6.1 |
MARKET HILL GARDEN
Rocks
Further to minute 73 of the Environment Committee meeting held on 8th January, 2003 to receive a response from the Landscape Officer, Maldon District Council regarding methods of retaining rocks at Market Hill Garden. (copy herewith)
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| 6.2 |
Refurbishment
To receive and consider a report prepared by students of the Plume School regarding their proposals for the refurbishment of Market Hill Garden. Members are advised that the students are working at the garden every Wednesday as part of a project co-ordinated and supervised by the Park Rangers, Maldon District Council. (copy herewith)
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| 7. |
LONGSHIP WAY - OAK TREE
Further to minute 70 of the Environment Committee meeting held on 8th January, 2003 to receive and consider a letter from a member of the Maldon Youth Council regarding the Oak tree trunk, Longship Way. For information the Oak tree trunk has now been removed from the site. (copy herewith)
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| 8. |
ANNUAL TREE SURVEY (report herewith)
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| 9. |
BUS SHELTERS
Bus Shelters
Further to minute 58 of the Environment Committee meeting held on 18th November, 2002 members will recall that it was suggested that information be obtained regarding the popularity of bus stops within the town with the view to considering the implication of a rolling programme for the installation of additional bus shelters throughout the town. In this respect to receive and consider the following response from the Operations Manager, First (Essex Buses Limited):
I refer to your letter to Mr Smith regarding bus shelters in the Maldon area and would list below the stops where the most passengers board
Milton Road terminus, outside Bus Station, Poundstretchers, WH Smith, White Horse, promenade Gates and Acacia Drive, Spital Road.
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| 10. |
PRIMROSE MEADOW
Primrose Meadow
Further to minute 34 of the Environment Committee meeting held on 20th August, 2002 to receive the following response from Property Services, Essex County Council regarding Primrose Meadow, Maldon:
……..The position remains as set out in my letter of 18th July, 2002, insofar as the County Council is still engaged in detailed negotiations with the District Council regarding the future use of Primrose Meadow. Considerable expense would be needed to bring the field up to playing field standard and it would not in my mind be practical to consider letting the field mid-way through the current football season. Hopefully, prior to commencement of the next football season, the County Council will be better placed to know the long term future of this land and your Town Council's aspirations for short term use can be better evaluated at this time.
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| 11. |
WARE POND
Further to minute 137.b.5 of the Planning Committee meeting held on 6th January,2003 to receive and consider a response from Countryside Properties regarding the Ware Pond. (copy herewith)
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| 12. |
PARISH PUMP ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOP
To receive and consider notification of a Parish Pumps Environmental Workshop to be held on Friday, 21st March, 2003 to be held at Chapter House, Chelmsford Cathedral commencing at 9.30 a.m. To note that there is no charge for this Workshop; Cllr. Mrs M. Curtis is the Parish Pump representative.
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| 13. |
CHANGE OF VENUE
Members are informed that due to the Conference Room being hired for the evening the meeting of the Environment Committee to be held on 25th March, 2003 will be held in the Moot Hall.
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| 14. |
THE CHAIRMAN TO ADJOURN THE MEETING FOR QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS AND PUBLIC |
ITEMS (copy, report herewith) are available
for inspection at the Town Hall during normal office hours.
At the conclusion of the meeting the Mayor will invite questions from
members of the press and public in attendance.
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: Maldon Town Council
