Southwell's town environment briefing notes February

Southwell's town environment briefing notes February

Open Spaces

WMRG

The Clerk has not heard back from Southwell City FC to consider their strategic move to the Centenary Ground, Brinkley. I will report on future impact on work at the WMRG. Brash currently located at the north end will be looked at to ensure that residents can use their back gates, and the brash area 'bins' already agreed will be marked out, waiting for the mesh panels when they are available.

The Clerk will be seeing when the removal for the mesh fencing at the Orchard can be completed; we may have to consult Heritage England to see if the panel posts can be removed safely. Before the removal of the posts, the panels will be unbolted and stored for subsequent use. The ivy adjacent to the Orchard western extension will be removed March/April to open the area up.

Minster and Harvey's Fields

We have not yet received the advice on removing vegetation on the Dumble sides to support the return of water voles; we will report back here. A timetable to implement the agreed management plan is being developed this month., and we will publish this.

Riverside

Cllr Martin Stott [Lib Dem] has advised the staff on the next steps for the park area, so that STW's work on their sewage pipe area can be maximised. Martin met the contractors but not STW as reported at the Committee. They are meeting again next week. The sewage leak from Normanton into the Greet has been reported, but we are not aware of the subsequent action yet. The Method Statement for STW has been sent to them and the contractors

Replacement orchard trees [and Ellis Orange and another] will be ordered this month following the original map by Pauline Buttery. The replacement programme can be activated, but we are reconsidering the location of the trees so that they do not stand in water. Pruning of the trees has been completed. The ownership of land has been clarified and we are drawing up plans for an alternative footpath on our land away from the low lying bog. Martin and Steve are being supported by a very helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic resident.

The failed fence at the Upton Road will be repaired, and wood has been ordered for this.

High Town Orchard

Our very first community orchard, planted over twenty years ago, has not been looked after for the past five years. The trees are now pruned and the land under the trees cleared.

Norwood Gardens/Ridgeway Play area

Cllr Karen Roberts [Lib Dem] presented a paper on the play area that was agreed at the last Committee meeting. The agreed signage will be ordered and installed. The agreed planting scheme will also be undertaken in the planting period. The working group on play spaces will meet shortly. The community orchard trees have been pruned too - and the two self set buddleias will be removed. Hedging whips have been planted along the southern and western fences and the donated trees have been planted in a small copse at the south end, and close to the western entrance gate

Skate Park

The application for a CL site has been made, and we await the response from the Caravan and Motorhome Club who will send an inceptor to meet the Clerk and Chair on site..

Humberstone Road

Materials for the repair of the retaining chestnut paling seat wall and the fencing at Brook Walk has been ordered and stored. Replacement is a two person job, but local volunteers may want to undertake the work as they have been pressing for this to be completed. Please get in touch with Peter Harris if you are able to help. The two dead espaliered tress have been replaced but pruning of the remaining trees will be done, as advised, in April/May.

Cludd Pond

Cllr Karen Roberts [Lib Dem] helped to plant a Willow tree sapling near the two elderly willow [one of which lost large branch in 2020] and three Crab Apple trees in the area too, away from the Cross Sites path.

Bike Stands

Two bike stands will be ordered for the Old Court House, and the location for them will be agreed at the next Committee meeting, as will the location of three/four in the Minster Yard at the Refectory with the agreement of the Dean following discussion.

Old Court House

The yard behind the Court House will be cleared when staff are available.

King Street

Proposals for a pedestrianised shared street as suggested at the Committee meeting are being followed up. There is a new manager for VIA [the County Council owned road management company] in the town and we look forward to working co-operatively. We are awaiting a response to the information provided to VIA on our proposals for renovating the street furniture. A timetable for the baskets and flags has been drafted and as soon as the staff have reviewed it for resource implications [both staff time and cash costs] it will be sent for any additional comments. We are also waiting for a discussion the lessor of the Christmas Tree lighting system before a paper is taken to the March Committee meeting on future options.

Your views

If you have any ideas, views r suggestions please send me an email - or see me at the King Street road closure point every Saturday 08h30 to 10h00 where I volunteer to keep the town safe for pedestrians on King Street

Cllr Peter Harris [Lib Dem] Feb 5 2021