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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 10 September 2008
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES of meeting held on 10th September, 2008, in The Assembly RoomsPresent: In the Chair Cllr. P. Moorhouse Councillors R. Appleby, Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, M. Dempsey, B. Hindley, R. Laverick, Mrs. K. Spencer, B. Stewart Ward Councillor C. Garnett Parish Clerk Mrs. J. Flewin Electors 9 The Chairman welcomed Mr. B. Penny of CBC who was present to give Councillors an overview of the Section 106 Agreement. Mr. Penny outlined the history of the 106 Agreement and its aims in respect of the money received. The Section 106 Agreement was an arrangement whereby the Borough Council, and in some cases the County Council, negotiated with the developer funds which would be used to sustain, improve and modify the impact of the development – single and large. In the main this was aimed at open spaces, sports fields, and other local and recreational facilities. There was usually a 25 year limitation on the spending of the money which meant that local communities could “save up” until they had sufficient for their project or use it in conjunction with applications for other grants. Decisions as to projects submitted were made following full discussion with Ward Councillors through whom applications should be made. Mr. Penny was able to advise that up until the end of August the sum of approx. £19,000 was available to Dedham, based on a 65% Parish 35% Borough split of the total monies received. Following some questions by members the Chairman thanked Mr. Penny for enlightening the Parish Council and giving them much food for thought. ------------------------ Prior to the start of the meeting the Chairman, on behalf of the Parish Council, congratulated Langham on being the Winner of the Year in the Calor Essex Best Kept Village Competition for 2008. Cllr. Garnett thanked the meeting and will convey this message to the Langham Parish Council. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE None 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. |
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3. MATTERS ARISING (a) War Memorial Many compliments have been received in respect of the war memorial which has now been cleaned and is looking good. There are still some small repairs to be done and the work should be completed in the near future. (b) Bus Shelter – Long Road West Cllr. Laverick reported that the bus shelter had now been refurbished and wished to thank those residents who assisted him in his task by dealing with the wood preservation and supplying the electricity. The total cost, which was for materials only, was £305.96 which was less than his estimate. He suggested that the remaining small amounts of materials such as roofing felt could be offered to the public free of charge. There was no objection to this and Cllr. Laverick will make the offer through the parish magazine. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Laverick for undertaking this task. (c) SatNav/HGV roadsigns Cllr. Appleby had been unable to obtain further information as enquiries he had made had met with a negative response. It was suggested that Cllr. Garnett would have more success. Weight Restriction Enforcement had been the subject of a presentation at the Clerk’s Forum in June when Chloe Rothwell-Green, Weight Restriction Enforcement, Essex Trading Standards, said they were committed to halving the number of current weight restriction breaches in the County to improve the safety of our roads and preserve those areas unsuitable for use by heavy vehicles. Cllr.Garnett suggested a letter be sent to this lady stating the case for Dedham, particularly in view of the fact that he had recently witnessed a 14-ton lorry with very dirty number plates contravening the weight restriction order. (d) Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) Following an approach by Cllr. Hindley ECC Highways had agreed to conduct a speed survey in one of the three areas where Speedwatch had indicated there was a significant need. Of the three, Ardleigh Road, Long Road East and West, the highest priority was given to Ardleigh Road. And following the survey Highways had agreed that a VAS (30 mph) would be sited in Ardleigh Road at an agreed location. ECC would provide this in two to three months at a cost of £5,500. (e) Other outstanding items Cllr. Laverick read a list of those items which the Highway Rangers team were prepared to undertake, and they had already been active in Dedham. A village “walkabout” was necessary to identify areas where a visit from the Highway Rangers would be beneficial and it was agreed that those willing to participate would meet at the War Memorial at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 4th October. Mrs. Avril Biggins (322565) had agreed to take on the roll of reporter for the Dedham Column. Complaints re overgrown hedges had been dealt with by Cllr. Moorhouse, who also reported that following the undergrounding of the EON cables through the Stour Valley the overhead cables had now gone and poles will come down soon. As a result of a survey carried out by Cllr. Laverick and Kevin Taylor and with the support of Cllr. Moorhouse it had been decided that the Youth Club would apply for a grant in respect of the planting of trees and bushes in and around the village. They asked for a letter of authority from the Parish Council for the planting of trees or bushes on the playing field. This will be provided |
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4. CORRESPONDENCE (a). Donation – Smarty’s A thank you note in the form of a handmade card signed by all the children was appreciated by all members. (b) Colchester Borough Homes CB Homes Limited manage council homes which covers tenancy management and running repairs, etc. for these homes. They regularly hold tours of areas where they manage houses and would welcome the Parish Council’s suggestions for improvements. Cllr. Garnett said that such a tour was carried out in the past when Dedham and Langham were visited at the same time and this seemed an obvious way to deal with the matter again. He agreed to write to CB Homes Limited suggesting this and asking for a date when their team could visit. (c) Complaint – Dedham Toilets Following a complaint regarding the general run down state of the toilets – in particular the fact that a cubicle door could not be locked – Cllr. Mrs. Cannon contacted CBC who agreed that the work would be done. A letter of apology was sent to the lady in question. (d) Telephone boxes in Dedham. The damaged door to the red telephone box in the village High Street had been repaired. A very delayed notification of the fact that BT were considering removing the payphone from the junction at he Heath Crossroads alerted us to the fact the deadline for a response was very close. The Clerk and Cllr. Mrs, Cannon lodged an appeal against the box being removed for the following reasons – 1, The crossroads is a nasty accident spot and the box is vital in calling emergency services. 2. The Primary School Walking Bus meets at the crossroads. 3. The crossroads is the pick up and put down point for more senior children who travel to Manningtree School. 4. The telephone box is the nearest one to the Essex Way where it crosses The Heath on the brow of the hill and is often used by walkers who require transport home. To date there has been no response from BT. (e) Police attendance at P.C. meetings Essex Police have recently undertaken a review of working practices and the way they report back to Parish Councils. The new standardised procedure comprises a minimum of 2 visits per year to Parish Council meetings, attendance at extra meetings when necessary or specifically invited, a monthly report on local crime and anti-social behaviour. (f) Dedham Village Association The DVA is now in the process of being formally wound up and this process is expected to be completed by the end of September 2008. (g) Vehicle Access to Duchy Field In view of problems with the changed padlock on the bar to The Drift/ Duchy Field which had arisen during the Bank Holiday Monday Fun Day the Vicar has written making the situation in respect of vehicular access quite clear, not only from the historical and legal point of view by also the practical and courtesy implications. In short, the gate from Royal Square to The Drift is the Parish Council’s responsibility because it controls vehicular access to it. Permission for vehicular access remains the right of the incumbent and the provision of a padlock and the issuing of keys is a matter for the Vicar and the Parish Council, and no other. A copy of the Vicar’s letter has been circulated to all members for their information. The Vicar will be provided with three keys as he requested. (h) Grant Opportunities for Rural Communities Details of a competition for £100,000 for rural communities of less than 6,500 have been received and Cllr. Dempsey will obtain further information. |
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5. REPORT OF PCSO Successful operations have been carried out in respect of “river raves” with youths lighting fires and camping out. Nuisance vehicles using the Mill Lane car park and High Street as a race track have also been apprehended. Visits to homes have been made both in Dedham and Manningtree and serious warning have been issued. A suggestion has been made that the Mill Lane car park should be closed overnight. It was agreed that this matter should be on the agenda for the October meeting. 6. DEDHAM SURGERY The lease has at long last been finalised and licences can be issued to new prospective tenants. This will involve the Dedham Network of complimentary medicines which will rent premises for six months.. The recent AGM was held and a committee formed which will meet on the 23rd October, 2008, at 7 p.m in the Surgery. 7. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA The O.S. licence has been renewed and payment made. PPP are enthusiastic about an online footpath map and may pay up to 50% of the cost. Cllr. Laverick hoped this would be available before the end of the year. Despite being asked to refrain from doing so a resident adjacent to Footpath 13 is still burning garden rubbish on the footpath causing damage to an oak tree. It was agreed that a letter be sent (by recorded delivery) requesting that he desist from this practice. Should there be no response CBC will be approached for appropriate enforcement action. Mountain bike riders were causing a nuisance on Footpath 17 and our PCSO was asked to keep a watch on this. The fencing to the footpath opposite the Rose & Crown which ran between two council homes was badly in need of repair. Cllr. Garnett will add this to the list for the requested visit of a team from CB Homes Limited. The Sports club advise an increase of £400 per annum to their grass cutting charge making a total of £2,053.10 per annum. This was the first increase in seven years and there was no objection to this. Mr. de Muscotte-Morris will be asked to trim back the hedge and verge to his plot behind the pavilion which borders The Drift. Some treads of the climbing frame in the play area are badly worn. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has obtained quotes for this. Following some discussion it was agreed that repairs should be carried out in hardwood for an estimated cost of £258.55. The Sports Club are holding a Quiz Night in aid of funds in November. They hoped that the Parish Council would field a team. 8. ACCOUNTS The following accounts were paid during the month of August. £ A. Hodson – Hours worked in July– PPP 275.00 Maintenance 132.00 Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 162.00 Hire of Duchy Barn 20.00 Bounceback Safety Surface Ltd. 78.73 Armour Engineering (equipment enclosure – part payment) 2,820.00 O.S. Licence 64.33 It was agreed that the following accounts be paid: A.H. Hodson – Hours worked in August – PPP 275.00 Maintenance 165.00
Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 202.50 Hire of Assembly Rooms 112.00 Clerk’s Quarterly Account 819.19 R. Laverick – Materials for repair of Bus Shelter 139.96 |
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9. PLANNING There were no new applications this month. CBC has approved the following applications. COL/08/1149 White House, High Street, Dedham Garden shed/outhouse (retrospect)
COL/08/1163 Rosemount, Grove Hill, Dedham. Side extension.
COL/08/1228 Rose Cottage, Stratford Road, Dedham. Rear extension.
COL/08/1109 Marlborough Head, Dedham. Replacement extract duct.
COL/08/1273 Culver House, East Lane, Dedham. Single storey extension.
COL/08/1245 Heath Farm, Long Road East, Dedham. Double storey rear extension and conservatory. Replace flat roof.
COL/08/1100 West End Cottage, High Street, Dedham. Construct 2 houses and 1 flat.
COL/08/1309 Maltings Cottage, The Heath, Dedham. Internal; alterations
COL/08/1423 West End Cottage, High Street, Dedham. Demolition of dwelling in a Coinservation Area.
COL/08/1191 Birchwood Farm Shop, Birchwood Road, Dedham. Non-illuminated sign board. 10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR Cllr. Garnett reported that CBC had decided that funding for new toilets in Dedham was not available and they would explore a scheme whereby local traders allowed their toilets to be used. In view of the huge numbers of visitors during the year it was felt that this idea would not prove popular. The temporary toilets in the car park will be taken away at the end of the 26 weeks period. Cllr. Garnett proposed to approach the National Trust, JAC and other agencies to enlist their support in providing toilet facilities for the vast number of tourists who are encouraged to come to Dedham and The Vale. He asked that this matter remain on the agenda. With regard to council homes he would like to be contacted with any complaints or needs of tenants which could be investigated during the hoped for visit from the Council team. Although some work has been done there are still outstanding repairs needed if the “decent council homes” deadline of 2010 is to be met. Dedham traders faced with the credit squeeze are having a meeting to discuss the way forward. 11. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION The Licensee of The Marlborough Head, Jenny Pearmain, had two complaints. Firstly she wished to know why she had not been included in discussions, or asked to meet with the planning sub-committee, in respect of the planning application for a replacement extract duct. Cllr. Cannon explained their procedure and why an “expert” had been consulted on this matter. She also complained about letters from the organiser of the Dedham Fun Day regarding her proposal to have music in the garden of the Marlborough Head. (Cllr. Garnett wished to record his involvement in this matter had been purely as Vice Chairman of the Licensing Committee). She did have the correct licence and was extremely annoyed at the inference that she would be responsible for the event being withdrawn next year. Although no complaints have been received by the Parish Council there had been some local annoyance at the excessive noise. However, Cllr. Garnett said he was happy to arrange for a meeting with Mrs. Pearmain and the Licensing Committee in respect of the letters she had received. 12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr. Mrs. Spencer expressed concern that speeding traffic along Long Road was a danger to those young people walking home from the school bus drop. She wondered if some form of walkway on the road of verge could be considered. Cllr. Garnett suggested this should be added to the list for the walkabout with Essex CC Highways. Broken kerbstones in Forge Street were reported. These are constantly needed to be replaced because they were not laid correctly originally. Cllr. Appleby wondered if any progress had been made on the subject of Allotments. This had originally been raised by Mr. Simon Marrison but little or no progress made. Cllr. Appleby felt that those who had declared an interest should be notified if nothing further was to be done. Cllr. Garnett advised that the Allotments Officer of CBC would give guidance if required. Cllr. Laverick had received a complaint from a resident of The Mill about rowdy campers beside the Mill Pond. He had spoken with Mr. Druitt, Dedham Education Foundation and this will be discussed at their next meeting. However, it was felt that this complaint was linked to the case which had been dealt with by the Police and the PCSO and hopefully would not be repeated. The Clerk was asked to write to Highways regarding the overhanging hedge of Tinton House (corner Coggeshall Road and Long Road West) who were failing to keep their hedge cut despite being asked to do so. The hedge on Gun Hill was also in need of Council attention. Cllr. Hindley wondered what had happened with the Welcome Pack and whether it had been made available. This had originally been compiled by Mrs. Lyn West in conjunction with the Vicar and distributed. Enquiries will be made as to the present situation. The Clerk for Stratford St. Mary had asked for Dedham’s support in applying for a SLOW sign on Gun Hill. There was no objection to this and this too would be added to the Highways walkabout list. 13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held at the Assembly Rooms, on 8th October, 2008, at 7.30 p.m. In the absence of the Clerk Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has kindly agreed to take notes. There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m. |