| 83. |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no
apologies for absence. |
| 84. |
MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD
ON 17TH FEBRUARY, 2004
Members received and considered the minutes
of the Environment Committee meeting held on 17th February, 2004.
Minute 76.3 - Tennyson Road Amenity Area
In answer to a question
from Cllr. Savage, the Town Clerk informed members that, as minute
76.3 was a recommendation, letters would not be sent until after
the Council meeting on 5th April.
Minute 78 - Parish Paths Partnership
(P3): Grant Claim For Year Ending 31st March, 2004
Cllr. Savage
said that with regard to Footpath No. 40 there was no reference
in the minute to the fact that the access to the section of the
footpath to the Promenade from the civic amenity site road is blocked
because of dumped rubbish etc and he suggested that this matter
should be referred back to P3. The Chairman suggested that it might
be beneficial for the matter to be discussed with the Maldon District
Council, as landowners, and the Friends of the Prom prior to contacting
the P3 Officer, Essex County Council.
Minute 81 - Glass Recycling
Bank - Maldon Constitutional Club
Cllr. Savage enquired if there
had been any additional information received regarding the siting
of a glass recycling bank at the Constitutional Club. The Town Clerk
reported that, although this minute was a recommendation, the Waste
Management Officer, Maldon District Council had contacted the office
to say that the Constitutional Club were employing the services
of a private contractor so the views of the Town Council were no
longer required.
RESOLVED: that (a) minute 78 recommendation (b)
be amended to:
(i) the subject of footpath No. 40 and access from
the Delph Ditch to the Boating Lake be discussed with the Friends
of the Prom;
(ii) the access to the footpath from the Civic Amenity
site road be discussed with the Maldon District Council, as landowners,
and the Friends of the Prom with details being forwarded to the
P3 Officer, Essex County Council;
(b) in all other respects the
minutes of the Environment Committee meeting held on 17th February,
2004 be approved and signed as a correct record. |
85.
85.1 |
ALLOTMENTS
Allotment Inspection
Members received and considered the following report of Cllr. Prior
regarding an allotment inspection undertaken during the weekend
of 13th - 14th March, 2004
Maldon Hall Site
|
| |
| Gates and Posts |
OK |
| Signage |
Good - Signage faded and needs replacing |
| Main Footpaths |
Rutted |
| Plot Markers |
OK |
| Car park area |
OK |
| Bypass boundary hedge |
OK |
| Water tanks |
OK |
|
| |
| Plots |
|
|
Coppiced area to be monitored |
|
| |
|
| |
Warwick Crescent
Whilst visiting the site an approach was made regarding the ownership
of the ditch behind the rear boundary hedge as it appeared to contain
a large amount of debris.
|
| |
| Approach Track |
Muddy but the grass has been cut |
| Boundary hedge |
OK |
| Signage |
OK on gate - Signage to be replaced on the notice board |
| Gate |
OK |
| Water tanks |
OK |
|
| |
| Plots |
|
| 10B |
Weedy, some work required -Plot to be monitored |
| 9B |
Weedy -Plot to be monitored |
| 6B |
Brambles on plot - New tenant |
| 6A |
Weedy -Plot to be monitored |
|
| |
Brickhouse Farm |
| |
| Gates |
OK |
| Signage |
To be replaced as faded |
| Fences |
OK |
| Footpath |
Good but should be monitored for weeds |
| Compost bin |
Full - broken at the base. Members noted that this was
to be cleared by the Maldon District Council Parks Department
in the near future. (minute 74.2 of the Environment Committee
meeting held on 17th February, 2004 refers) |
| Water tanks |
OK |
|
| |
| Plots |
|
| 1 |
Weedy - Plot to be monitored |
| 6 |
Weedy - Plot to be monitored |
| 12 |
Needed work to be undertaken - Plot to be monitored |
|
| |
With regard to Maldon Hall and the coppiced area,
Cllr. Prior reported that he had seen some of the tenants who had
expressed concern that if the area was not monitored it could revert
to being overgrown and covered in weeds.
Reference was made to Warwick
Crescent and the ditch behind the rear boundary hedge and it was
suggested that a letter be forwarded to Moat Housing Association
expressing concern about the accumulation of rubbish in this location
which could encourage vermin and asking them if letters could be
forwarded to the tenants of the properties reminding them of the
green waste collection.
RESOLVED: that (a) a letter be forwarded
to Moat Housing Association expressing concern about the accumulation
of rubbish in the ditch behind the rear boundary hedge at the Warwick
Crescent Allotment site and asking them to forward letters to the
tenants of the properties reminding them of the green waste collection;
(b) the action recommended in the report be undertaken and in all
other respects the report be noted. |
| 85.2 |
Financial Statement of Accounts
Members received
and considered a report indicating that £7,354.25 remained in the
allotment account for this financial year.
In answer to questions
the Town Clerk reported that the bank fee in respect of the uncleared
cheque had been paid by the tenant and the Essex & Suffolk Water
account was in respect of the Maldon Hall allotment site which is
located at St. Giles Crescent. Cllr. Prior said that the repair
to the water tank, Maldon Hall, had resulted from it being hit by
a vehicle reversing.
RESOLVED: that the financial report be noted.
|
| 85.2.1 |
Outstanding Invoice
The Chairman reported receipt of correspondence
from the District Council regarding an outstanding invoice in respect
of damage which was incurred to the alarm system at Brick House
Farm when the hard surface had been installed at the allotment site
last year. The Town Clerk explained that whilst the contractor was
surfacing the pathway at the allotment site part of the digger had
pulled the alarm wires down in the car park resulting in the District
Council having to undertake repair works. The contractor undertaking
the work on behalf of the Town Council was aware that he was responsible
for the repairs to the alarm system but was disputing the amount
of costs involved. Despite regular correspondence taking place throughout
the year between all the parties involved the situation had not
been rectified.
RESOLVED: that legal advice be sought regarding
this matter and the District Council be informed of the action that
is being taken. |
| 85.3 |
Brickhouse Farm - Padlock and Keys
Further to minute
74.2(d) of the Environment Committee meeting held on 17th February,
2004 members were informed that the cost of a new padlock and 20
keys for the entrance gate would be approximately £80.00.
Members
recalled that it was suggested at the site meeting held on Saturday
14th February between members of the Town Council and allotment
tenants that a refundable deposit of £5.00 per key be charged to
tenants. The view was expressed that there should be a few spare
keys in case tenants lost them and it was
RESOLVED: that (a) a new
padlock and 25 keys be purchased for the entrance gate to the Brickhouse
Farm allotment site;
(b) tenants be charged a refundable £5.00 deposit
for the supply of a padlock key. |
| 85.4 |
Comments from the Maldon and Heybridge Horticultural
Society (MHHS)
Mr. McPherson had no comments to make and left the
meeting. |
86.
86.1 |
MALDON IN BLOOM
Maldon in Bloom Working Party Meeting
held on 3rd March, 2004
Members received and considered the notes
of the Maldon in Bloom Working Party meeting held on 3rd March,
2004.
Cllr. Savage, as Vice-Chairman of the Working Party, presented
the notes of the meeting and stated that weeds in pavements etc.
were one of the main concerns.
During the discussions that ensued
it was suggested that appropriate national chain stores should be
approached, such as Iceland, as there were a number of gaps within
the High Street where the introduction of hanging baskets could
make an improvement. It was also suggested that the out of town
retailers be approached to ask them to become involved in Maldon
in Bloom and Cllr. Savage said he would raise this at the next Working
Party meeting. He also said that more hanging baskets than previously
had been requested this year.
Reference was made to Note 7b - Improvement
to West Square and Cllr. Mrs. Riesebeck enquired as to the intended
height of the planters. The Town Clerk reported that the Conservation
Officer had stipulated that these should not be too high and a site
meeting was to take place shortly at which the Conservation Officer,
Sue Finch, Parks Department, and a representative of the office
staff would meet with a contractor to discuss the proposal. Plans
regarding the planters and the refurbishment of the town sign would
be submitted to members prior to a planning application being submitted
by the Town Council. The Town Clerk said that a letter was awaited
from the Essex County Council confirming that any expenditure incurred
on this project would be reimbursed by the Essex County Council.
RESOLVED: that (a) the Working Party consider approaching the national
chain stores within the town and out of town retail stores inviting
them to become involved in Maldon in Bloom;
(b) in all other respects
the notes of the Maldon in Bloom Working Party meeting held on 3rd
March, 2004 be approved. |
| 86.2 |
Maldon in Bloom Estimate Head
Further to minute
50 of the Environment Committee meeting held on 17th November, 2004
members discussed the remaining funds in the Maldon in Bloom Estimate
Head. It was reported that all the budget had now been allocated
but the printing of the leaflets may not be completed prior to the
end of the financial year. In view of this it was
RECOMMENDED: that,
if the invoice for printing the Maldon in Bloom leaflet is not received
prior to the end of the financial year, a sum of £337 be carried
over to 2004/05. |
| 87. |
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY - 4TH JUNE, 2004
Further
to minute 77 of the Environment Committee meeting held on 17th February,
2004 members received and considered a response from the Waste Management
Officer, Maldon District Council confirming that they would be able
to supply up to 30 litter pickers and 200 sacks for a community
clean-up around Footpath No.1 and the Safeway Store for World Environment
Day. The response also requested details of where the litter would
be left to enable collection to be arranged.
It was noted that 4th
June, 2004 was a Friday and it was agreed that it would be preferable
to undertake the litter pick on Saturday, 5th June, 2004 when more
members of the community were available. The Chairman suggested
that those taking part should meet at the West Maldon Community
Centre at 10.00 a.m. and the litter pick take place on footpath
No. 1 from the Community Centre to the Safeway Store. As much publicity
as possible should be given to the event, including the press and
local radio and letters inviting people to participate should be
sent to the Youth Council, Safeway and the West Maldon Community
Association.
RECOMMENDED: that (a) the Town Council takes part in
the World Environment Day by litter picking footpath No. 1 from
West Maldon Community Centre to Safeway Store, commencing at 10.00
a.m. on Saturday 5th June, 2004;
(b) the District Council be asked
to supply a box of sacks and 30 litter pickers and they be asked
to collect the litter from an area in the vicinity of the Safeway
Store;
(c) as much publicity be given to the event as possible including
distribution of posters, contacting local radio and newspapers;
(d) letters be forwarded to the Youth Council, Safeway and the West
Maldon Community Centre inviting people to participate;
(e) an item
regarding the event be included on the Agenda for the Town Council
meeting on 5th April, 2004. |
| 88. |
TREE WARDENS
Members were informed that the number
of participating Tree Wardens for Maldon had depleted and the current
Tree Wardens were:
Mrs. Jackie Good
Cllr. Mike Bentley
Mrs. Glenda
Elmore
Cllr. Bentley said that he did not do anything at present
as a Tree Warden but he felt it was important to have Wardens who
parade their patch to ensure that trees are not being damaged etc.
It was noted that at present Mrs. Jackie Good produces the reports
regarding tree matters for the Planning Committee. Reference was
made to the fact that being a Tree Warden in a town is different
than in a Parish where there are often more woods etc; however,
it was felt that a press release should be issued inviting people
to become Tree Wardens. Cllr. Savage said that, provided that there
was guidance and training, he would be prepared to become a Tree
Warden.
RECOMMENDED: that (a) a press release be issued inviting
people to become Tree Wardens;
(b) Cllr. Savage becomes a Tree Warden
and the appropriate information be forwarded to him. |
| 89. |
QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
There were
no questions from the press or public. |
| |
The meeting closed at 8.07 p.m.
Councillor Sharon Riesebeck
Signed
Date
. |
ITEMS (copy, report herewith) are available
for inspection at the Town Hall during normal office hours.
|
   
|
: Maldon Town Council
