Parish Council
Notice was given to me indicating that the verge on the West side of the village by the junction on the hill just before the Old School was a danger to drivers of vehicles in the village. It was stated that the grass on the verge was long, providing an obstruction and was a significant safety issue which needed to be dealt with immediately; this problem was also being further exacerbated by the then current diversion which was directing some drivers to drive up and down Skaigh Lane. The verge was duly cut and shortened and I believe that the problem has now been solved. There is a continuing plan to further cut the entirety of the verge on the East side of the village and a local contractor has now completed the work.
The Dog Waste signs in Oaktree Park were removed when the new streetlights were installed. A replacement Dog Waste sign has been placed in a visible location in the periphery of Oaktree Green to ensure that dog owners are clear what to do.
I spoke to Highways to see if it was possible to receive prior warning of the arrival of the Kerbside Road sweeper. I was unsuccessful with my approach and the machine arrived on Tuesday morning to clean the main road through the village without warning. I was hoping that I could divert the sweeper to other areas of the village (such as Oaktree Park) but was unsuccessful in doing so. Nonetheless, the main road throughout is now done.
I have yet to assess the impact of Storm Agnes on the roadside throughout the village but I have currently not received any observations of significant damage caused by the Storm.
At the last meeting, I was made aware of the overgrown nature of the hedge on the East side of the village. It was agreed and was requested for me to approach the Highways officer to request that a letter be sent out to the resident who owns this hedge to encourage them to trim the hedge. I have done so.
I have also requested whether or not the Highways Officer could send me a copy of the letter as an attachment by email so that one of us can post it.
The Highways officer has responded. I was offered the opportunity to trim the hedge myself and refrain from sending a letter out to the resident. I was also requested to take pictures of the hedge. I understand that it is the role and responsibility of the Road Warden to ‘undertake the agreed works on or affecting the public highway’ and that hedge cutting is included in the ‘accepted range of work which can be undertaken by the Road Warden’ and that also I can ‘liaise on behalf of the community with neighbours to get them to discharge their responsibilities, e.g. trimming back vegetation. It is clear, therefore, that under these circumstances, trimming a hedge would be included in Parish Council Insurance cover. I understand too that there are no current laws referring to any illegality should I be asked to take pictures of the hedge referred to in this report.
To further comply with the above guidance, I have attempted to make direct contact with the resident who owns the hedge to give them an opportunity to rectify the issue with the hedge in an amicable manner. I have tried but not been able to make contact with them. I have spoken to another resident in the village about the hedge and we had an amicable conversation, during which I suggested that I would be speaking in more detail about my findings referring to this issue in the next (this) SPC meeting. They requested to speak to me again following their return from holiday. I have not had the opportunity to speak to them again due to work commitments and I hope to do this in the coming week. I have looked at the hedge myself and I think that it is not yet fully obstructing the pavement.
So, to end, there is no doubt that this issue is complex and requires careful consideration and I have been left with a conundrum to solve hence my need to request a resolution to this problem in this Parish Meeting. Finally, I believe that I have done all I can to safeguard our work as Parish Councillors and I look forward to working with you all to find a resolution to this problem.
Proposal: Sticklepath Parish Council to approve the workday for volunteers on 21st October.
So that I am in compliance with the requirement which is to allow a minimum of five days prior to announcing/proposing agenda items and to allow all parties concerned an appropriate time to comment on such items I would like to put forward some items for the next agenda meeting. I will, of course, leave it up to the body of Parish council to make any decisions which allow any of these items to be escalated accordingly.
Proposal: Sticklepath Parish Council to approve the location of any further Dog Waste Signs.
Proposal: Sticklepath Parish Council to approve proposal that the hedge is not yet currently obstructing the pavement and this matter should be reviewed next year.
Jake Powell Road Warden/Parish Councillor