Dedham
Parish Council

Present:   In the Chair       Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

                 Councillors        D. Bradbrook, R. Cannon,  C.Clover, R. Cort, P. Moorhouse, J.Osborn, Mrs. L. West.

                 Ward Councillor C. Garnett

                  Parish Clerk       Mrs. J. Flewin

                  Electors             15 Electors 

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Laverick. 

2.      MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. 

3.      MATTERS ARISING 

(a)    Neighbourhood Watch  The Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator had arranged for a speaker from Essex Police to attend the meeting to talk about Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) but unfortunately this had been cancelled at the last minute.   It was agreed that this would be best re-arranged for the June meeting.  Brian Hindley will be informed.

(b) Emergency Plan   Cllr. Laverick has distributed the Emergency Plan to all members of the Parish Council and will complete delivery on his return from holiday. 

      (c) Website  Cllr. Laverick had contacted CBC querying the fact that Dedham Parish Council website seemed to have become “lost” in a recent reorganisation and was omitted from the current CBC newsletter which contained an article on Parish Websites.   He has been assured that whenever the subject is covered in future the address of existing Parish Websites will be listed.           

     (d)  Car Park Lighting  A great deal of disappointment was expressed over the colour of the replacement lights in the Mill Lane car park.  CBC had been asked to replace the “orange” lights with a “white” light following their quotations but the colour of the light appeared unchanged and despite CBC’s assurance that the lights were “whiter” members were unhappy with their appearance.   Mr. High, responsible officer for parish lighting, had visited the car park and suggested that the Parish Council was probably misled by the term “white”.  He agreed to look again at finding a lamp which could be fitted in the existing standards which would not be quite so orange in colour.    We wait to hear from him.  

     As from March 31^st Essex County Council would not be responsible for the maintenance of  non-highway lighting, i.e. parish lighting.  Mr. High was hopeful that some other contractual arrangement would be made and suggested that for the time being the Parish Council made no outside contractor enquiries until he was in a position to offer more advice. 

     (d)  THW Pipe Laying  This work had been completed on time and it was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to the Water Company for the consideration shown by THW whilst the pipe laying was undertaken.  This had been done with a minimum amount of nuisance to residents and businesses which was greatly appreciated by all concerned. 

(e)       Hedge Cutting, etc.  Cllr. Laverick had spoken with Daniel Freeman regarding  the amount of debris left on the road following the hedge cutting in Long Road West.  It was hoped that this matter would be given more attention on future occasions.

CORRESPONDENCE 

  (a)  Dedham Run 2006   A request for permission to use the Playing Field for the 2006 Dedham Run on Sunday, 26^th September, has been received.  There were no objections.    

  (b)  Dedham Horticultural Society  A request for permission to hold the annual  Plant Sale in Royal Square on Saturday, 6^th May, from 8 a.m. to lunchtime, has been received.  There were no objections.  DHS have kindly donated £20 towards the cost of bulbs and plants for the tubs beside the village pump.   

  (c)  Dedham Parish Churchyard   The costs of maintaining the churchyard have risen steeply and the PCC have asked for help in this respect.  It was generally felt that as the churchyard was important to the village and an amenity available to all, support should be given to help with its upkeep.  It was unanimously agreed that on this occasion the sum of £1,200 be given to St. Mary’s specifically for the maintenance of the churchyard. 

  (d) Voluntary First Registration of Title  The Land Registry Office was inviting Parish Councils to explore the possibilities of voluntary first registration of any landholdings which they might have and gave details of the benefits of registration under the Land Registration Act 2002.    Cllr. Mrs. West agreed to obtain further information on the matter and its implications so far as Dedham was concerned. 

  (e)  Colchester 2020   An invitation to the next meeting of Colchester 2020  together with details of the agenda were taken by the Chairman. 

  (f)  Essex Olympic Working Group   Details of the set-up of the EOWG and its plans for all activities associated with the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in Essex has been received.  The Minutes of their first meeting was available. 

  (g)  White Lines and Tree   In response to the Parish Council’s request for the removal of a tree from the sightline at the junction of Long Road West with Ardleigh Road, CBC maintain that the tree is on private land and as traffic is expected to stop at this junction it should not be an obstruction.  They suggest the situation be re-assessed when the tree is in full leaf.  Members did not agree with this assessment and suggested that it be mentioned to Mr. Geoff Harris (ECC Highways) when he attends the April Parish Council meeting.  The white lines at Long Road West junction are due to be repainted in April. 

   (h)  Rural Housing Trust   The Rural Housing Trust advise that as from 3lst March, 2006, their contract with English Rural Housing Association to provide a housing management service for the affordable houses in the village will cease.  We are told that ERHA will be informing the Parish Council of the new arrangements they intend to put into place.  This matter will be held in abeyance until further information is available. 

  (i)  N.Essex Mental Health Partnership   Details of the consultation events taking place in North Essex have been circulated.

DEDHAM HOUSING NEEDS   Cllr. Cort requested this agenda item as he felt that a more up to date assessment of the housing needs of the village should be undertaken and a policy for the village included in the Parish Plan.  He would be attending the Local Development Forums with Cllr. Cannon and felt their input would be limited without more understanding of the village requirements.   It was agreed that the last properly conducted survey was about three years ago and did not show an overwhelming need for more housing.  Indeed it showed that the younger element of the village wished to move away to live nearer jobs, etc. and so avoid the increasing travel costs.  Cllr. Moorhouse felt it was beyond the capabilities of the Parish Council to assess the overall needs of the village.   He was supported in his view that whilst it was reasonable to look into affordable housing the Parish Council should not go down the road of identifying sites.  Cllr. Garnett said he was glad that councillors would be attending the Forums as it was vital to know and understand what was being proposed for the villages.  A Parish Plan in conjunction with the Village Design Statement was essential in protecting villages and developing sustainable principles. 

It was understood that a draft Village Design Statement would be issued on 1^st April and Cllr. Cort agreed to liaise with them. 

6. DEDHAM SURGERY   The recent Steering Group meeting had been well attendedand Cllr. Osborn was happy to report that East Suffolk PCT had made a firm offer of £30,000 towards the setting up of the new surgery and £8,000 per annum for five years towards the rent of the surgery.   The support of the Colchester and Tendring PCT’s was still needed, but it was widely expected that these PCT’s would merge by the end of the year.  Colne Housing said that building work was expected to start on 20^th March with a completion date by the middle of October.  Cllr. Garnett had given a brief presentation to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee who had been supportiveand who will be writing to the Colchester and Tendring PCTs.   Mrs. Brown had continued to look into a voluntary drivers scheme and had found that the WVS was prepared to provide a service until the new surgery was up and running.  They will attend the next Steering Group meeting on the 3^rd April.  

7. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA   Cllr. Osborn reported that new gates had been installed on Footpath 2 (Coles Oak Lane).   Cllr. Laverick had raised the non-reinstatement of footpaths on fields ploughed by Daniel Freeman.  This, he was advised, was due to adverse weather conditions which had delayed the process of sowing the fields following ploughing.  The matter will be rectified at the earliest opportunity.

Three new pieces of equipment had been installed in the play area and were already being enjoyed by the children.   It was agreed that Dave Bower be asked to quote for the replacement/repair of the gate spring to ensure that it closed.   Discussion regarding a wider gate to accommodate wheelchairs will come at a later date when funding is available. 

8. ACCOUNTS   It was proposed by Cllr. Bradbrook, seconded  by Cllr. Osborn, with all in favour, THAT the following accounts be paid: 

                                                                                              £

A. Hodson  -  Maintenance £112.00/PPP £40                      152.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter                                                        132.00

R. Laverick – Expenses re Emergency Plan                             26.83

Clerk’s Qtrly. Account – Jan./March                                     632.00

Mrs. D. Perry – Plants for tubs                                                20.46

CPRE – Annual subscription                                                   26.00

Playsafe Construction –  Play area                                      1,054.56

Lapsett – New equipment for play area                              3,899.84

Dedham Parish Church – Churchyard £1,200, Rent £50     1,250.00

CBC - Energy                                                                         33.40

CBC – Maintenance and replacements                                   465.93

Assembly Rooms – Quiz                                                        110.00

Essex Air Ambulance – Donation from Quiz                           257.86

Cancer Research U.K.-  Donation from  Quiz                        257.86

Income:  Quiz Evening   -            £625.72

                Horticultural Soc.  -          20.00

                Football Club                    30.00

                Tennis Club                       30.00  

The Finance Committee has requested a precept of £17,000 for £2006/07,  an increase over 2005/06 of £1,000. 

The following proposals have been circulated to all members for consideration: 

Mrs. O.M. Ruff  - An increase of 50p. per hour to £6.00 per hour = £36.00 per week 

Mr. A. Hodson -  An increase of £2 per week to £30 per week (equiv. £10 per hour) 

Mrs. J. Flewin - An increase of £350 per annum to £2,500 per annum

It was unanimously agreed that these increases should come into effect from 1^st April 2006.

9. PLANNING    The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following applications:

COL/06/0194    13 Dedham Meade, Dedham. 

                          Demolish entrance porch and re-construct.  Demolish single storey garage.

Comments:      Recommend re-design.  Not in keeping with local designs. 

COL/06/0241   Contractors Depot, Ipswich Road, Dedham. 

                         Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed use of land as Contractors Yard. 

 Comments:      Investigations continue.  Report next meeting. 

COL/06/0265   The Grove, Grove Hill, Dedham. 

                         Demolition of existing oil tank building and replace with a new attached double garage block. 

 Comments:     Subject to conditions and neighbours comments. 

LB/COL/06/0277     The Grove, Grove Hill, Dedham.

                       As above. 

COL/06/0278   Birchwood Hotel Site, Birchwood Road, Dedham. 

                         Proposed 100 bedroom Hotel. 

 Comments:     Approval subject to highway problems. 

COL/06/0276   Birchwood Hotel site, Birchwood Road, Dedham. 

                         Proposed banquet hall and spa facilities. 

 Comments:     Approval subject to further highway investigations. 

COL/06/1097  Original Landscapes (formerly Woodsmoke), Long Road West, Dedham. 

                        Demolition of existing building and re-build with single dwelling.

 Comments:    Approval subject to query agricultural tied transfer. 

Hedgerow Removal Application l/06 – Monks Lane/Long Road West.  Cllr. Cannon is discussing this with CBC.   The site in Monks Lane poses the least problem as it is surrounded by relatively small immature trees and hedging.  There is some concern regarding two mature oak trees at the Long Road West site and further information is being sought. 

Horkesley Park Planning Application.  Cllr. Cannon has written to CBC expressing the views of the Parish Council as reported in last month’s Minutes. 

Cllr. Cannon felt that residents had insufficient knowledge of planning applications prior to the Parish Council meeting and suggested that the timing of the planning committee decision meetings should be changed until after the Parish Council meeting.  Most members felt that this was not acceptable but agreed that details of applications received should be published on the parish boards along with the agenda.

This would also alert residents to the fact that if they wished to make their views  known on any application they could do so at the forthcoming Parish Council meeting.  There was also a website link with CBC re planning.  It was agreed that this information should be published in the parish magazine.

10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   Cllr. Garnett suggested that more attention should be paid to Colchester 2020 and its aims. 

11.  PUBLIC REPRESENTATION  A resident reported overhanging trees which might interfere with telephone wires.   It was felt that this was something which was monitored and dealt with by B.T.   

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS  The Parish Board at the end of Forge Street has been removed and a new board was needed.  Cllr. Osborn will endeavour to contact a carpenter.   Cllr. Moorhouse asked if there was any progress on the skateboarding park.  The Chairman said that the matter was in the hands of the Youth Club leaders but she had heard nothing from them.  The matter of toilets in the car park was also raised by Cllr. Moorhouse.   Cllr. Garnett said that whilst CBC appeared to be sympathetic they reiterated that no funding was available.  CBC’s main priority at present was improving existing toilets.  He promised to follow this up once again.

The burnt out car in Coles Oak Lane should be removed very soon.  Following a similar happening in the Mill Lane car park some time ago the wooden low level fencing had been burnt.   This had still not been replaced by CBC and the Clerk was asked to write.

13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING  The next meeting will be on Wednesday,12^th April, at 7 p.m. in The Assembly Rooms.

Mr. Geoff Harris of Essex C.C. Highways will attend. Would Councillors please advise the Clerk of any particular subject they wished to raise as soon as possible so that Mr. Harris can be informed prior to the meeting. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.