Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of Meeting held on 11^th April, 2007

in the Assembly Rooms 

Present:   In the Chair       Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

                 Councillors        Mrs. A. Cannon,  R. Cannon, R. Cort, R. Laverick,

                                            P. Moorhouse, J.Osborn, Mrs. L. West.

                Parish Clerk        Mrs. J. Flewin

                Ward Cllr.           C. Garnett

                 Local electors      16

 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE   None.   

 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved subject to the following amendment: Item 3(f) line 3 and line 11 should read ECC not CBC.

 3. MATTERS ARISING

     (a)  War Memorial   Cllr. Osborn is still pursuing a third quotation which is necessary when if applying for a grant..

     (b)  Barrier – Royal Square   Following decisions made at the last meeting Cllr. Osborn has contacted Norman & Gardner Ltd. for confirmation of the cost (quoted at £718.37 plus VAT) and an indication of when the work is likely to be carried out.

      (c) PCSO Approval for the use of the Duchy Barn as a base for the PCSO has been obtained.   It is understood that the prospective officer has been selected and will start training soon.

     (d)  Mill Lane/Car Park |Lighting  Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has co-ordinated the three quotations for the installation of a new time switch in the car park lights and general maintenance of all four lights.   Before making a final decision confirmation in writing of a verbal quote will be sought.

     (e)  Car Park Toilets   Cllrs. Garnett and Osborn met with Mr. McManus of CBC  when a thorough inspection of the site was made.  All aspects were considered and it now remains for Mr.McManus to put forward an official viewpoint in respect of semi-permanent toilets in the Mill Lane car park for the Parish Council’s consideration.

Cllr. Garnett has arranged for Mr McManus to attend the May meeting of the Parish Council.    The question of providing temporary toilets for the Spring Bank Holiday as well as the August Bank Holiday was discussed.  All members were asked their opinion before voting on the proposal.   It was the view of the majority that there was a need for this facility at a time when the village had many visitors.  As CBC meet half the cost of providing the August Bank Holiday toilets Cllr. Garnett will ask if they will do so in respect of the Spring Bank Holiday

   (f)  Outstanding matters from previous Minutes   Cllr. Osborn said there was a little more time for considering items for the Parish Grant application and called for suggestions.  Items for consideration so far were new parish noticeboards and a replacement surface for the children’s play area.  The latter was discussed at some length with members for and against.  Cllr. Osborn  agreed to meet with the Lapsett representative and obtain more information.  Decisions will need to be made at the May meeting. 

Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has carried out a survey of the “parish seats” and found that whilst structurally sound some of them are in need of attention, i.e. re-varnishing, etc.   It was agreed that she will make a schedule with suggested costings with a view to employing a local handyman for this work.

 Cllr. Mrs. West reported that the regular service bus was picking up at various places on Lamb Corner which were not always ideal stopping points.  However as bus companies had been asked to operate a “stop on request” service to meet the needs of a rural community the ultimate decision must be at the discretion of the driver.  The same situation applied to school buses.

4. CORRESPONDENCE 

           (a)  Skateboard/BMX Park – Manningtree  Following the success of the skateboard weekends held at The Venture Centre in Manningtree last summer the Manningtree Town & Tendring Disctrict Council were intending to have a more prolonged event during the summer and asked for support from local councils to cover the cost.  The proposed site under discussion was at Furze Hill, Mistley, and members felt that distance could be a deterrent for some youngsters in the village.  It was agreed that the same contribution as last year should be given, i.e. £150, but members felt that the Parish Council should give some thought to the possibility of providing a similar event in Dedham next year.  It was pointed out that following a meeting with the Youth Club the whole question of skateboarding had been discussed, names of parents obtained, and agreement reached that the Youth Club put forward suggestions/schemes for further consideration.   However there had been no further response from the Youth Club and it was agreed that the clerk should contact them again to obtain their views.    Cllr. Mrs. West agreed to monitor the situation. 

          (b)  Dedham LTC   Consideration is being given to improving the facilities at the Sports Club including disabled access to the tennis courts and club house.  It is envisaged that a pathway will lead from the car parking area down to the club house and thence to the courts.  The Tennis Club sought the Parish Council’s views on the matter.   Such a project was put forward on a previous occasion and the Parish Council at that time had no objections to the principle.  This had been discussed by the Planning sub-Committee and whilst there were no objections it was felt that in order to minimise disruption this should form part of the major improvement scheme which is being considered by the Sports Club.

          (c)  Forces Parcels   Cllr. Garnett undertook to consult the military in order to clarify the situation in respect of the withdrawal of a free parcels service for military personnel. 

5.  DEDHAM SURGERY   The over-bright lights have been modified in both the Manningtree Road and Crown Street developments, and a key to the meadow is being obtained.

 The problem of the footpath has still to be resolved and until that is installed the surgery building cannot be used.  Officers of the Steering Group meet on a regular basis and Mr. Bernard Jenkin, MP, is giving his support.   Although interest is being shown by alternative users the Steering Group is still resolved that the primary use of the building will be that of a doctor’s surgery.

 6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA  Nothing to report on footpaths.

 The work on the trees in the recreation ground was delayed and as it is now the growing season it was agreed to postpone the work until this autumn.  The contractor will be asked to do the work for the same price and to give a specific date for the job to be done.  Cllr. Mrs. Cannon asked if another bin could be provided by the church wall near the toilets.   Cllr. Garnett will make enquiries of CBC.

7.  ACCOUNTS   It was agreed that the following accounts be paid:

                                                                                                                   £

Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in March – Maintenance                      120.00

                                                                       PPP                                275.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter                                                                          180.00

Mr. R. Cannon – Expenses re Planning                                                     24.31                                                                       

Hire Duchy Barn                                                                                      10.00

Dedham Church PCC – Churchyard maintenance                                1,200.00

Sports Club – Grass cutting (lst half)                                                       826.60

Manningtree Town Council – Donation for skateboarding                      150.00

 Income:  lst half 2007/08 Precept    -     £13,500

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

COL/07/0348  Gt. Birchwood Cottage, Birchwood Road, Dedham.

                          Two-storey rear and single storey side extension.

  Comments:      Approve conditional – concern over lean-to entrance.

COL/07/0917   21 Parsons Field, Dedham.

                          Two-storey side extension

  Comments:      Agree in principle - privacy issues need clarification. 

COL/07/0904  Limetree House, Brook Street, Dedham.

/0908

                        Demolish existing lean-to type extension and erect new extension to existing garden room.

  Comments:   Approve.
 

COL/07/0977    Limetree House, Brook Street, Dedham.

                        Partial demolition and rebuild of existing barn. Addition of  garage doors to existing stable block.

 Comments:     Support application conditionally.    
                 

 COL/07/091  Glen-Helen, Ardleigh Road, Dedham.

                         Demolition of dwelling and construction of 2-bed chalet bungalow.

  Comments:     Agree in principle, access and tree preservation issues to resolve.
 

COL/07/0995   Rusty Tiles, Coggeshall Road, Dedham.

                         Demolish garage, erect detached bungalow and garaging, refurbish      existing bungalow.

  Comments:     Refuse on grounds of over-development, poor vehicular access and elements of planning policies.
 

CBC have approved the following application:

COL/07/0177   34 Dedham Meade, Dedham.

                         Complete first floor extension to existing bungalow.

Parking for Sports Club;  Problems with Sports Club parking in Southfields has led to complaints from residents and as there has been no response from Mr. de Muscotte- Morris regarding the use of his field for parking the Sports Club has decided to re-apply for permission to extend parking outside the pavilion.

9.  REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   New regulations governing brown signs mean that they must relate to traffic and safety measures and not only commercial activities.   Cllr. Garnett is hoping to arrange a village “walkabout” with CBC representatives when local matters can be aired.  When he has a date he will advise councillors.

10. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION  There were complaints that cars were parking in the new bus stop areas and that over-zealous parking attendants had been operating in the village during the Easter holidays.  It was felt that on occasions, such as the 3-hr. devotion service on Good Friday, there should be some dispensation for religious festivals in respect of the 2-hr. waiting period. 

 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS   Cllr. Mrs. Cannon would like to see more Dog Bins around the village, such as Dedham Meade and Castle Hill, and will make a spot check to see how many exist at present.  It was pointed out that initially villages were limited to no more than six because of the need for regular emptying.  Cllr. Cort also warned that the placement of bins in residential areas could be a sensitive issue.  The windows in the Reading Room did not open and this will be mentioned to the caretaker.

12.  DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 9^th May, 2007, at  7 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms.   This will be followed by the AGM at 8 p.m.

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