Dedham
Parish Council

Minutes of meeting held on 10th March 2010

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of Meeting held on 10th March, 2010

in the Assembly Rooms

Present:   In the Chair       Cllr R. Laverick

                 Councillors        R. Appleby, Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, M. Dempsey,

                                            B. Hindley, Mrs. K. Spencer, A. Stock.

                  Parish Clerk       Mrs. J. Flewin

                  Electors              2 Electors

 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllrs. White and Garnet 

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

3. MATTERS ARISING

   (a) Bad smells in the High Street   Initial reports from Cllrs. Appleby and White have provided useful information and further surveys will be carried out.  It is proposed to look at indications again probably in April/May and meanwhile full details of the drains layout for the village have been provided and are in the possession of the Clerk.

   (b)  Salt Bins   These are available from CBC for a flat fee of £350 each, available in yellow, green and black.  This price includes supply, installation and maintenance.

Some new/replacement  bins have already appeared in and around the village but not at Lamb Corner.  Clle. Laverick proposed that the P.C. should purchase a bin for this area.  This was seconded by Cllr. Stock with all in favour.  A site meeting will be held to discuss colour and where the new bin should be placed. 

   (c)  Dog Notices   The notices have been delivered and Cllrs. Laverick and Cannon will meet to decide where on the playing field they should go.

   (d)  Rabbit Defences for Allotments   CBC have agreed that 106 Agreement money can be used to provide rabbit defences for the new Dedham allotments and will release £1,750 for this purpose.

   (e)  Duchy Barn   Cllr. Mrs Spencer reported that the Duchy Barn Committee had met and a letter suggesting a meeting of interested parties will be sent to the Chairman.

   (f)  Fitness Trail   Cllr. Dempsey stated that all forms had now been completed and sent off.  The system for allocating funds under the Town and Parish Council Grants Scheme had completely changed and no longer involved individual Parish Clerks. .  The appointed selection panel will be meeting on 31st March and it was now a question of wait and see.

 

4. PARISH PLAN  The first Parish Plan Consultation Day will take place on 24th April in the Assembly Rooms.  A photo competition has been launched and there will also be an exhibition of historical pictures and postcards of Dedham.  There will be a logo competition for the Primary School.  Alongside the competitions and exhibition a “Ideas into Action” workshop will take place in the morning with the opportunity to drop in and discuss the Plan during the afternoon.   Advertising is well in hand and includes a 4-page printed leaflet which is to be delivered to every home with the parish magazine. 

 5.  CORRESPONDENCE

   (a)  Car Park Charges   CBC are looking into the possibility of introducing parking charges for the Mill Lane car park.   This information was causing great concern within the village and members were adamant in their rejection of the idea.  The impact on the village as a whole would be immense as the car park was considered to be a village amenity and not a tourist facility.  It was agreed that a letter voicing disapproval should be sent to CBC but accepting their offer of further discussion.

We await the outcome of our correspondence.

   (b)  Street Lighting   the current contract with A. & J. Solutions expires at the end of May this year and details of new contracts have been received one for three years and one for five.   It was proposed by Cllr. Laverick, seconded by Cllr. Appleby, with all in favour, that a three year contract be entered into at a fixed price of  £124.80 per annum plus VAT.

   (c)  Electoral Arrangements  CBC is considering its electoral arrangements and is consulting its electorate for views on whether to keep the current arrangements or move to “all out” elections once every four years.  There was no great strength of feeling about this and members will make their own individual decision and contact CBC either by e-mail or by completing the consultation slip provided.

   (d)  Manningtree Rail Users Association   An appeal from the MRUA for a donation to funds was discussed.   It was proposed by Cllr. Hindley, seconded by Cllr. Laverick with 7 for and 1 abstention that the sum of £25 be sent as a one off contribution.

 .6.  REPORT OF PCSO   The PCSO hoped that the apparent improvement in the parking situation at Southfields will continue, although it is appreciated that vehicles have just moved further up the road.   He will monitor the situation. There have been thefts from out-buildings and some damage to car tyres which are being investigated.  Speed checks continue around the village.

 7.  FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA   Cllr. Laverick has prepared spreadsheets providing information about local footpaths and in conjunction with Cllr. White and John Osborn who are liaising with Mr. Botelho the matter of PPP is progressing.

Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has booked the annual play equipment inspection with ROSPA.

 

8.  ACCOUNTS  It was unanimously agreed that the following accounts be paid:-

                                                                                                            £

Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in February                                     144.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff  - Litter                                                                     168.00

CPRE – Membership                                                                          29.00

Clerk – Qtrly Account – Jan/March                                                  838.67

CBC – Litter collection from playing fields                                          42.77

CBC – Electricity                                                                               83.64

R. Laverick – Dog signs (Archer Safety Signs)                                  103.11

St. Mary’s Church – Duchy Field rent                                                50.00

  

Income:  106 Agreement       -       £2,407.00

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

 

COL/0066   The Clyde, Ardleigh Road, Dedham.

                     Cart lodge and single storey side extension.

 Comments:  Recommend approval if garage is turned 90 degrees.

 

COL/0143  l Kiln Cottages, (Retrospect application) Crown Street, Dedham.

                    Repairs and finishes to exterior walls.

 Comments:  Recommend approval if pebble-dashed to match adjoining property.

 

CBC has approved the following applications:

 

COL/1605  1 Threadneedle Street (Listed Building) Dedham.

                     Install roof velux and render brick fire surround.

 

COL/1632   Great Birchwood Cottage, Birchwood Road, Dedham.

                     Shed, garage, summerhouse, side porch and walls and gates.

                    (Shed and side porch only approved).

 

COL/0022   Birchwood Hotel, Birchwood Road, Dedham.

                     Illuminated signs 1,2,4,5,6,7 and 8

 

CBC has refused the following applications:

 

COL/1366  The Old Church House, The Heath, Dedham

                    New garage and conversion of existing into accommodation.

 

COL/0022  Birchwood Hotel, Birchwood Road, Dedham.

                    Illuminated signs 3 and 9.

 

10.  REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   None.

11.  PUBLIC REPRESENTATION  None.

12.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS   Cllr. Stock asked who was responsible for restoring verges, etc. following work done by outside services.  Cllr. Cannon agreed to contact CBC initially and then, if necessary, EDF.   Cllr. Appleby was glad to report that the flooding problem in Forge Street had been rectified.  The new drain by the telephone kiosk in the High Street seems to be working and no flooding had taken place during the recent heavy rains.    A Post Office van is again parking overnight in Royal Square.  The Clerk agreed to ask to Robert Marven to warn the person concerned that this was not allowed.   The chairman has received advice that the bus routes for Saturdays will be altered in order to provide a service for Langham.  This will mean that certain buses will go to Colchester from Dedham via Langham.  How this will affect Ardleigh is not known.  Cllr. Cannon requested the Clerk to circulate to all members a CBC plan of proposed waiting and resident restrictions opposite the West End Garage as he feels this was inaccurate.  He asks members to pass their comments to him.

13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   This will be held at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms on Wednesday, 14th April, 2010.

 The AGM and Parish Council meeting on 12th May is likely to be held in The Duchy Barn.  This will be confirmed at the April meeting.

 There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.

 

 

Return to Minutes Page