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Minutes of Welshwood Park Residents Association Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 22^nd September 2021 at The Oak Tree Centre, St Anne’s Community Hall, 252 Harwich Road, Colchester.

Apologies were received from, 8 residents.

Minutes of the AGM held on Tuesday 7^th May 2019 were approved.

Matters Arising these would be covered later in the meeting.

Chairman’s Report

This has been a difficult time for all of us, our committee meetings have not taken place as we would wish and there have been few news letters to keep you up to date. However, we have not been idle as quite a lot has been achieved in the intervening period since the last AGM.

1. We were able to hold our annual leaf collection last November / December which went off very well considering the Covid-19 restrictions in place. Only 11 tons of green waste was collected as opposed to our normal tonnage of 14 / 15 tons and we were unable to use the services of the Scouts.
2. A private enquiry by a committee member has been made regarding the quantity of lime being applied to land for the Belway development of 140 homes off Bromley Road as this will leach into Salary brook.
3. We have asked Colchester Borough Council (CBC) to replace a damaged dog bin at the end of footpath between 15-17 Woodlands.
4. We have dealt with a slippery muddy footpath and cut back the undergrowth, we have subsequently asked the CBC grass cutter to cut back the undergrowth on this path and that opposite between Woodlands and Welshwood Park Road which he was only too happy to do.
5. The depression in the verge on Parsons Heath which we considered a potential hazard to the person cutting the grass has been dealt with.
6. A bollard knocked over by the post box was reported to Essex County Council (ECC) who did not think it dangerous enough to fix was replaced by the owner of # Welshwood Park Road who had contractors on site at the time.
7. We were able to recreate the rather confusing CBC recycling calendar issued during Covid-19 lockdown and sent it to all residents.
8. Assistance was offered to any resident who needed assistance with shopping etc during the lockdown.

Planning Matters 

Double yellow lines for No Parking at the entrance to Welshwood Park Road were not included in the plans approved by the council for the three houses being built opposite Welshwood Park Road. If double yellow lines are to be installed 75% of residents will need to sign to say they are required for the council to consider installing them. If you want double yellow lines at the entrance to Welshwood Park Road please reply to the residents association email confirming you want the yellow lines or advise the association secretary.

The request to local councillors for signs on lamp posts in Welshwood Park Road requesting cars not to park on the grass verges similar to those in Eastwood Drive. The council passed the request to North Essex Parking Partnership who want to fine people caught parking on the grass verge, the councillor explained this had caused a lot of discontent on St Johns where signs are in place and people had been fined for parking outside their own homes. A resident believed the Parking Partnership use a camera car that could record a vehicle with wheels on the mown grass, the registered owner could then receive a fine. Noted three emails from residents who could not attend the meeting wanted signs and the Parking Partnership fines. The meeting voted unanimously against the signs and Parking Partnership.

Tendring District Council have received an additional planning application for four dwellings in the area known as Nobbys Place on Bromley Road, the association has objected to the four additional properties in the past, this is another attempt to get planning approval. The meeting agreed the association should object to the planning application for several reasons but primarily because the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community project once approved wants to protect the Salary brook valley as parkland between the garden community development and Colchester, if these properties are allowed it could set a precedent for other development in Salary brook valley.

The Japanese knotweed in the hedge on the footpath behind Woodlands is still being treated by Essex County Council, this was first reported in June 2018 the plant appears to have been dead for several years, we are pleased Essex County Council continue to treat the stump.

The association received numerous complaints from residents about the timber fence erected at the front of #Welshwood Park Road, the association wrote to Colchester Borough Council enquiring if the fence complied with planning rules. The council confirmed that the fence did require planning permission as it is higher than one metre above ground level and asked the home owner to put in a planning application unfortunately this did not happen so the council issued an enforcement notice to remove or reduce the height of the timber fence by 28^th August, this has not happened, the next step the council can take is to prosecute the home owner who will in all likelihood receive a fine and order to pay the Councils costs, and would still need to comply with the enforcement notice.

Neighbourhood Watch

Nothing to report close to our area. The main issues are scam emails and phone calls.

The association receives calls about motorbikes on the footpaths and in Welshwood, we advise people to call the Police who may be able intercept them on the highway as most appear to be unregistered.

If a vehicle is acting suspiciously on the estate, make a note of the registration number, in case a problem is reported later.

We have had reports of vans cruising round looking at properties, stopping, people getting out and putting objects in the van, they are probably looking for scrap metal, most usually knock and ask to take scrap metal however others just help themselves. Again, if suspicious make a note of the registration number.

Finance

The treasurer prepared the accounts showing a bank balance of £####. The accounts approval was proposed by and seconded by residents.

It was proposed that the voluntary subscriptions resume at £5 for the coming year, with electronic banking the preferred method as well as cash.

Residents can pay in to: – Welshwood Park Residents Association bank account.

Please enter your address as reference e.g., Wel 21, Wood 21 or Glade 21 if there is limited character allowed otherwise put the full road name and house number.

Or cash to the treasurer if in an envelope please put your name and address on it.

Election of Officers

A committee mumber is standing down from the committee, the chairman thanked her for her good work for the association.

The committee consisting of Chairman, Secretary and two committee members who were prepared to stand for another term, new committee members Treasurer, Neighbourhood Watch with one other, the election of all was proposed and seconded by residents.

Any Other Business 

Concern was raised that a significant number of healthy mature trees have been heavily pruned and within a few years have died and are then allowed to be chopped down, reducing the character of Welshwood Park. Before a tree can be taken down a replacement trees has to be agreed with the council tree officer at the time of the request to remove the tree, however this does not seem to be happening. this is being followed up by a committee member.

The autumn garden waste and leaf collections are proposed for Saturday November 20^th and December 11^th with a proposal of having the lorry in two locations 09:00-10:30 the D in Woodlands 10:30-12:00 in Welshwood Park Road, the dates and locations has to be confirmed with the council. The association will also contact Ardleigh Scouts to see if they are prepared to help collect bags from residents homes this year.

Residents can ask for salt for winter use from our local councillors although there is limited supply.

A councillor provided an update to the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community development, the planning approval for the new road linking the A120 to the garden community is in progress at present, if this road does not go ahead the garden community development may not proceed. Let’s hope it gets approval.

The footpath in Welshwood Park Road has very uneven slabs causing people to walk in the road, the association to contact Essex County Council and our ECC councillor to request the slabs be levelled.

A request was made for a donation from the association to Colchester Food Bank, this is not allowed in the association’s constitution, however the councillor pointed out it is better value for money to make food donations directly to the food bank than give money.

The residents association now has a web site where current information from the association and local neighbourhood watch information can be viewed, please look at the following web address: – /

The Chairman thanked all residents for attending the meeting in a different location and closed the meeting at 9.20 pm

LEAF COLLECTION  

The Residents Association has arranged with the council for a refuse vehicle to collect leaves and garden waste on Saturday 21st November and Saturday 12th December 2020, between 9:00 & 12:00. The location will remain in the D in Woodlands, all residents are able to dispose of leaves and other garden waste.  Containers and bags should be emptied into the vehicle and taken home.

The Residents Association has suspended the annual subscription for 2020 due to the current environment with Covid-19.

Please be aware of the following Covid-19 guidance agreed with the council while disposing of garden waste into the refuse vehicle: –

• If you are feeling unwell do not come to the refuse vehicle.
• Only one person will be allowed at the back of the refuse vehicle at a time.
• While waiting to empty bags stay 2 metres apart in the queue.
• Residents will need to be able to lift their own bags into the rear of the vehicle.
• The council staff member has been instructed to remain at a safe distance and will not be able to assist with any lifting of bags.
• Please do not congregate around the refuse vehicle, this is not a social occasion.
• The refuse vehicle will be in Woodlands for 3 hours, please try to avoid the busy period between 9:30 and 11:00.
• Residents arriving by car, please queue on the left-hand side going down Woodlands the same side as the refuse vehicle and wait for the car in front to leave.
• Face masks are not required being outside, however residents may wear one if it makes them feel safe.

Keith Baines

Chairman

Dear Resident

Please see the information below from Colchester Borough Council for waste and recycling collections for Welshwood Park. From next Wednesday 27th May, Garden Waste will again be collected.

COLLECTION DATE	RUBBISH & RECYCLING COLLECTION
Wednesday 27th May	Food Waste.   Garden Waste (Maximum 4 garden waste sacks)
Wednesday 3rd June	Food Waste.   1 Green Box of Cans, 1 Green Box of Glass                        Household Rubbish (Maximum 4 x 60 litre black bags)
Wednesday 10th June	Food Waste.   Paper Card & Plastic (Maximum 6 clear bags                        Garden Waste (Maximum 4 garden waste sacks)
Wednesday 17th June	Food Waste.   Household Rubbish (Maximum 4 x 60 litre black bags)
Wednesday 24th June	Collections Return to Normal.

Key points you need to know:

Collections of garden waste will restart on Wednesday 27^th May

Special Collections for bulky items will restart on Monday 1^st June

Temporary four-weekly collections of paper/card, cans, glass and plastics remain until Wednesday 17^th June

Recycling and rubbish collections will return to normal on week commencing Monday 22^nd June (excluding textiles)

Stay Safe, Stay Alert

David Furse

Residents Association Secretary

Dear Resident

The Annual General Meeting which is due to be held in May is being postponed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, as May is thought to be when the peak number of virus cases will occur, so not a sensible time to hold the meeting.

If you have anything you would like to discuss as a result of the postponement of the Annual General Meetings please reply to this email or contact a committee member below.

The leaf collection in November / December 2019 collected in excess of 14tonnes of garden refuse.

It is hoped that residents who are having work undertaken to their properties in Welshwood Park Road will ensure that their contractors make good all the damage done to the grass verges.

At this time, it would be nice to offer a neighbour help and support should they need it to collect shopping, picking up medication, or just a friendly phone call. (As a result of self-isolation).

James and Sarah Prince the Residents Association Neighbourhood Watch coordinators have offered their help to anyone who may need anything collected and can be contacted evenings only. Additionally, David Furse and myself are happy to receive calls and pass on requests for assistance.

Keith Baines

Chairman

Leaf collection has been arranged for two dates, Saturday 23rd November and Saturday 14th December 2019, between 9:00 & 12:00. The location will remain in the D in Woodlands, all residents who have paid their annual subscription (£5) to the Association or who pay on the day are able to dispose of leaves and other garden waste. Containers should be emptied into the lorry and taken home.

On Saturday 14th December Ardleigh Scout Group are willing to collect bags of leaves from residents homes and take them to the refuse lorry and return the empty bags for a donation to the scout group. If you would like the scouts help please reply to this email with your name and address or contact the Association Secretary so we are able to identify the demand for this service.
Please note the annual subscription to the Association will still need to have been paid or paid on the day.

Minutes of Welshwood Park Residents Association Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 7^th May 2019 at Wycliffe Baptist Church Hall, Parsons Heath

Apologies were received from ten residents.

Minutes of the AGM held on Monday 8^th May 2018 were approved.

Matters Arising these would be covered later in the meeting.

Chairman’s Report This has been another year where planning applications have very much been to the fore but as this is the next item on the agenda, I will not dwell on it at this point.

You will have noticed that the dead wood has been removed from many of the Council owned trees on Welshwood Park. This was done at the request of your committee who felt that this was becoming a danger especially in the strong winds we had been experiencing of late. As usual we have not been as successful with regard to the dreadful state of our pavements, although we believe that The Glade may soon be receiving attention but not perhaps to everyone’s satisfaction as we are given to understand that the slabs are probably going to be replaced with asphalt. This is inevitable given the number of tree roots that are causing the paving slabs to be uneven and which the County Council is no longer prepared to chop out in case you decide to sue them for killing trees on your property. At least we have seen our roads resurfaced and with a minimum of inconvenience, although we could have done without the date change which caused some confusion.

The leaf collection was a great success with in excess of 14 tons being collected over the two days. We felt that getting the local scout group involved also helped those of you who would welcome some assistance and we will seek their help again this year.

I hope those of you who participated in the garden walk thought it worthwhile and a warm vote of thanks is due to those brave folks who were prepared to let their gardens be viewed.

Neighbourhood watch is still a problem for me as there is still no one to taking on this role. I continue to receive the weekly reports and am pleased to say that we get off very lightly with regard to burglaries and other problems in our area. Over the last twelve months there have been only two incidents, one in Woodlands and one nearby in Deben road plus an attempted break in in the Glade. We must not become complacent and I urge you all to immediately inform the police if suspicions are aroused and then let me know.

There have been two incidents of fly tipping which I am aware of. In one case around twenty used nappies were deposited in the path which runs between Woodlands and Welshwood Park Road. Later a couple of bedside cabinets were left close to the entrance to Welshwood. Your committee continues to work hard on your behalf and some new blood would be very welcome and there is an urgent need for a new Treasurer as Geof will be stepping down after delivering his report. My thanks go to him and to all my other fellow committee members but especially to Paul Smith who continues to give us excellent service and is still our main liaison point with our local Colchester Borough Councillors.

Planning Matters 

The Residents Association objected to the location of the “Welcome to Colchester” sign which was to be positioned on the grass to the left of the entrance to Welshwood Park road it has now been relocated to the original location near the entrance to Shaws Farm.

Building work has commenced on the land opposite Welshwood Park Road on Parsons Heath for four houses.

Building work is well under way on the former Watts garage site on Parsons Heath for 11 houses, however some are very close to Parsons Heath road.

The Gladman new development off Bromley Road for 145 houses has been approved at appeal by the planning inspector, Gladman will get a builder to develop the site, however this is considered to be phase one.

It is thought Persimmon have expressed an interest in the fields behind Woodlands and Welshwood Park Road to build on, which could be difficult to oppose if West Tey garden village does not go ahead.

The field to the north side of Welshwood Park Road which was for sale has now been withdrawn from sale by the owner, possibly because Persimmon has an option to buy.

Persimmon may want to build 800 houses on the fields between Bullock Wood and Harwich Road. No action from them yet.

A proposal by Bellway to build 150 houses on the north side of Bullock wood. (within Tendring District Council) No official action from them yet, your committee will monitor this.

The Local Plan which includes the garden villages is awaiting approval from the planning inspector to allow Colchester Borough Council, Tendring and Braintree councils to proceed. The infrastructure will be put in place in the garden villages which may not put increased pressure on Colchester’s existing services.

The government has invested £1m in the garden village scheme already, however Colchester Council is still required to build 1000 new houses per year to meet government targets.

The roundabout road works at the bottom of Harwich Road and Ipswich Road are already 20% over budget and not on schedule.

Neighbourhood Watch this position on the association is still vacant, Keith Baines reported there were few incidents in our area, as mentioned in the Chairman’s Report.

Finance Geof Brumfitt prepared the accounts for 2018/19 showing a bank balance of £4467.35. Keith proposed that the voluntary subscriptions be kept at £5 for the coming year.

Keith thanked Geof for his good work as treasurer now he is standing down.

Election of Officers

Geof Brumfitt is standing down from the committee

The committee consisting of Keith Baines (Chairman) Vacant (Treasurer) Terri Frost, Kent Stabler, David Furse (Secretary) John Cordran and Margaret Lee were prepared to stand for another term, the election of all was proposed by A M and seconded by J P.

Any Other Business 

Concern was raised that the farmer has been placing barbed wire to block paths that are not official foot paths which we believe is required so the paths cant be deemed as long standing and therefore become permanent as he can say he tried to stop people trespassing on his land, it may also be because Persimmon has put an option to buy the fields if the West Tey garden village does not go ahead then the field could be built on.

Concern was raised that a significant number of healthy mature trees have been heavily pruned and within a few years have died and are then allowed to be chopped down, reducing the character of Welshwood Park. Before a tree can be taken down a replacement trees has to be agreed with the council tree officer at the time of the request to remove the tree, however this does not seem to be happening.

Keith will speak to the council tree officer about the loss of trees in Welshwood Park and the policy to replace them.

Discussion took place to plant trees in other public areas, this was thought to be possible especially if it is to commemorate an event (a new royal baby).

Posts are to be installed at the entrance of Welshwood Park Road to protect the grass verges; this is in addition to the double yellow lines that should be installed as part of the planning approval for the four houses on Parsons Heath.

The residents association now has a web site where current information from the association and local neighbourhood watch information can be viewed, please look at the following web address:- /

Chairman Keith Baines once again thanked Geof Brumfitt for his good work as treasurer and thanked all residents for coming, the meeting closed at 9.00 pm

Contractors for Colchester Borough Council will be undertaking some essential tree work along the grass verges of Welshwood Park Road, Woodlands and The Glade which the Residents Association has requested.

The work mainly involves the removal of major deadwood and raising the low hanging branches to allow unobstructed pedestrian and vehicle access. Please find attached plan showing the work that will be undertaken. 

The tree contractor has scheduled this work to be undertaken on the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th February 2019.

On the above dates, it would be advisable not to have cars parked near the trees marked on the plan.

The volume of leaves collected in November and December 2018 was in excess of 14tons, with the aid of the Ardleigh Scout Group who collected bags of leaves from residents homes the donations received will help the group to purchase new equipment

LEAF COLLECTION  

Leaf collection has been proposed for two dates, the 24th November and the 15th December 2018, between 9:00 & 12:00 confirmation has not yet been received from Colchester Borough Council that the vehicles are available on those dates, however if the dates change you will be notified. The location will remain in the D in Woodlands, all residents who have paid their annual subscription (£5) to the Association or who pay on the day are able to dispose of leaves and other garden waste.  Containers should be emptied into the lorry and taken home.

PLANNING MATTERS  

Preparatory work has commenced on the land opposite Welshwood Park Road on Parsons Heath for four houses

The Gladman development off Bromley Road for 145 houses has been approved at appeal by the planning inspector, this was partially due to uncertainty by Colchester Borough Council around the garden village scheme going ahead. 

This is phase 1 there could possibly be more development in the future.

Persimmon may now want to build 800 homes on the fields between Bullock Wood and Harwich Road as a result of the above Gladman approval.

Building work has commenced on the former Watts garage site on Parsons Heath for 11 homes.

Residents on the north side of Welshwood Park Road have been offered the chance to purchase the field behind their homes and have formed a committee to provide a joint approach.

ROAD RESURFACING and OTHER WORKS

Essex County Council propose to close the roads on the estate between 15^thand 26^thOctober to allow repairs and levelling in preparation for resurfacing in spring/summer 2019 we await more information from Essex County Council. More information

The road works on St Andrews Avenue to create new roundabouts is scheduled to last until winter 2019/20. The scheme will see the replacement of the double roundabouts located at Ipswich Road and Harwich Road with a single roundabout at each location. The carriageway between Ipswich Road and Harwich Road junctions will also be widened to accommodate two formal lanes in each direction. More information from Essex Highways

OTHER ITEMS

Some trees on Council owned land require attention, there locations have been passed to Colchester Borough Council for attention, however there are trees in private gardens that overhang the roads which could be dangerous to the public and require your attention.

It was suggested it would be nice if people cut the grass verges in front of their homes as the council do not do it on a regularly basis.

Keith Baines, Chairman