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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 11 Jan 2006
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting held on 11th January, 2006 in the Assembly Rooms
Present: In the Chair Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi Councillors D. Bradbrook, R. Cannon, C.Clover, R. Cort, R. Laverick, J.Osborn, Mrs. L. West. Ward Councillor C. Garnett Parish Clerk Mrs. J. Flewin Electors 26 Electors
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Moorhouse. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. Cllr. Cannon queried the publication of the Minutes on the website before their approval, particularly as he had been faced with a rather awkward situation with a resident who had read them before ratification. Cllr. Laverick said that it was made clear on the website that Minutes as published had not received formal approval, and as any member of the public could attend the open Council meetings and hear for themselves what was said there seemed little point in delaying publication, particularly as this would make them rather out of date. It was agreed that Minutes should continue to be published before ratification as long as this fact was clearly stated.
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(a) Neighbourhood Watch Matters were progressing well and a meeting would be held in the very near future. Cllr. Bradbrook will report back at the February meeting. (b) Bus Stop In response to the Parish Council’s letter CBC stated that whilst they were very mindful of the AONB status of Dedham in order to have bus stops and car parking areas that are to be managed and enforced they must be properly regulated and bus stops clearly marked. The current sign outside the old Grammar School is unsafe and the listed sign on Gould House is in the wrong place. Some parking spaces will be lost because on the grounds of safety alone the bus must be able to stop at the kerb edge to drop off and pick up passengers. The new bust stop signs will be black and sufficient to accommodate the correct information in the proper place. (c) Tendring Hundred Water Works – High Street Work has now started on the new pipe laying work through the High Street and diversions are in place. This work is expected to continue for some weeks. (d) Dedham Meade – Greensward Cllr. Cannon had spoken with the Parks & Recreation Dept. who advised that the matter was in hand and hopefully work to re-established the hedges and ditch will be carried out in the near future. (e) Hopper Bus Because the Hopper Bus was having to detour due to the High Street water works the village was being better served and more residents able to have access to it. It was suggested that this was what was really wanted and a request should be made for the temporary route to be made permanent when the service was next reviewed. It was also reported that the Hopper was, in fact, stopping outside the Co-op which was too near the junction with Mill Lane. This caused difficulties with traffic wishing to enter and exit Mill Lane and the Dedham Vale & Stour Valley Project will be asked to ensure that the Hopper bus stopped at a less hazardous spot. (f) Castle Hill/Crown Street CBC apologised that the marked-up surfaces on Castle Hill/Crown Street had not been repaired which would be rectified immediately. There was however no funding for the road to be totally resurfaced and only minor repairs can be undertaken. This work was started just prior to Christmas and was minimal. This will be raised again with CBC. (g) Gates – Coggeshall Road Cllr. Cannon had not had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Morris on this matter but will do so as soon as possible. Cllr. Garnett pointed out that although CBC had agreed to move the gates in Ardleigh Road there was still no sign of the 30 mph appearing on them even after three years. (h) Homechoice This was up and running and Parish Councils now received a list of properties available throughout the Borough to those on the housing list. (i) Quiz Plans for the evening were well in hand. Cllr. Mrs. West asked for all members to be available at the Assembly Rooms from 5 p.m. on Saturday, 4th February, to help with setting up and preparation of refreshments.
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4. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Mill Lane Car Park – Lighting CBC advised that the lanterns in Mill Lane car park have been replaced at a cost of £407.84. However the lanterns that were removed have been reused in Parson’s Field and £131.50 has been deducted from this account. One of the street lights in Mill Lane is still not working. CBC to be advised. (b) Long Road East/West – Speed Calming Measures CBC proposes to install edge of carriageway markings from the junction of Ardleigh Road and Long Road West through to Long Road East and onto the railway bridge at Jupes Hill. The carriageway markings will be to the minimum level allowable as listed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002. It is also proposed to install additional speed limit signs at various locations.. It was suggested that CBC be asked to repaint the white lines at the junction of Long Road West with Ardleigh Road which, together with the removal of a tree blocking a road sign, had been requested some time ago. Likewise Highways will be asked to carry out the promised removal of the parking bays at the junction of Colchester Road with Stratford Road. The danger here had been increased by cars parking further up the road due to the closure of the High Street whilst Anglian Water are working on the pipe-laying. (c) Lamb Corner – Grass Verge Complaints have been received regarding the spoiling of the grass verge at Lamb Corner by cars being parked there. The situation has worsened due to a considerable amount of building work being carried out on various properties in the area. CBC have been contacted and advise that if the situation does not improve they could allow residents to place obstructions on the grass so long as these were not unsightly. Other than that they could consider bollards, but in many instances the complaints about the bollards outnumber those received about the initial problem. The residents concerned will be advised accordingly and if the situation worsens the matter will be considered further. 5. EMERGENCY PLAN Cllr. Laverick had updated the Emergency Plan for Dedham and all members were asked to study the document and report any incorrect or out of date items. There was a shortage of first-aiders and it would be helpful if any ‘radio hams’ lived in the village. It was hoped that anyone with these skills would come forward and be prepared to be included in the Emergency Plan. 6. WEBSITE A grant of £250 had been received from a fund administered by ECC to improve our website and this, together with the small additional sum of £8.66, meant that Dedham Parish Council has actually paid for two years website hosting. Cllrs. Mrs. West and Osborn have received technical training and are now able to update the website should Cllr. Laverick be absent. Cllr. Laverick again asked all members to provide him with a short personal summary, with photograph, for inclusion on the website. Cllr. Osborn said that the Parish Council website was a good link for various other village activities and was being visited more and more. |
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7. DEDHAM SURGERY The temporary surgery in the Assembly Rooms was officially closed down by the Constable Practice at the end of December. There were difficulties with elderly patients who needed to visit the East Bergholt surgery, but this situation was being helped by a volunteer driver who was at present going through the necessary procedures to become “official”. The Riverside Practice, Manningtree, has shown a definite interest in starting a surgery in Dedham and a meeting has already taken place with the associated PCT’s. The Steering Committee continues to strive for a surgery in Manningtree Road and has the full support of the Parish Council. It is hoped that outstanding matters will very soon be sorted and real progress made towards achieving the long awaited goal of a surgery in Dedham village. A query was raised as to the use of the grant received from the Essex Economic Partnership to provide a computer link with the East Bergholt surgery whilst the temporary arrangement continued in the Assembly Rooms Cllr. Garnett said that he was aware of the situation and would be making enquiries about this when appropriate. 8. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA Cllr. Osborn had little to report on footpaths It was the aim to replace all stiles with gates and this had been achieved in many instances. Replacement work on Footpath 2. will commence in the next few weeks. Cllrs. Osborn and Laverick had attended two very helpful Courses run by PPP. Unfortunately there had been a delay in the purchase of the new play area equipment due to illness of the Lapsett representative with whom Cllr. Osborn had been dealing. Cllr. Osborn will continue to follow this up and it was hoped that the new equipment will be in place by Spring. 9. ACCOUNTS The following accounts were paid during the Christmas recess with the approval of the Chairman, Cllrs. Osborn and Bradbrook £ A. Hodson - Maintenance (Nov.) 140.00 PPP 150.00 Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 132.00 Duchy Barn – Village Design Statement 20.00 “ “ Surgery 10.00 Mrs. J. Flewin – Qtrly Acc. Oct./Dec. 646.77 Playsafe Construction – Maintenance 55.81 It was proposed by Cllr. Bradbrook, seconded by Cllr. Osborn, with all in favour, THAT the following accounts be paid: £ Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 165.00 A. Hodson – Maintenance (Dec.) 112.00 R. Laverick – Expenses re Website 258.66 R. Cannon – Expenses re Planning 57.36
Income: Web Development Fund £250.00 PPP £250.00
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10. PLANNING The Planning sub-Committee has dealt with the following applications: COL/05/1961 Land adj. Berryfields, Coggeshall Road, Dedham.
Erection of detached dwelling and garage, provision of vehicular access and all ancillary works. COMMENTS: DPC is not sympathetic to this application and it has been “called in”. Application has failed to comply with a number of policies (see Planning File). Copies of letters of objection from neighbours have been received. Site location very misleading.
COL/05/2031 Plot adj. Berryfields, Coggeshall Road, Dedham.
Construction of new dwelling. Re-submission of COL/05/1464.
COMMENTS: DPC is not sympathetic to this application and it has been “called in”. Application has failed to comply with a number of policies (see Planning Field). Copies of letters of objection from neighbours have been received.
COL/05/1995 Maison Talbooth, Stratford Road, Dedham.
Proposed outdoor swimming pool, enclosure and pool house, new Tennis courts and ball net, proposed site access improvements.
COMMENTS: DPC is sympathetic towards most of the proposals and if these can be addressed there are no further objections. See Planning File for reservations. Cllr. Cannon had attended the Planning Services Peer Review organised by CBC and had found this most interesting. He wished to thank residents who had recently helped with Planning Committee presentations, particularly Mrs. Lucy Archer for her very successful presentation in respect of White House. 11. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR Cllr. Garnett hoped for continued support in monitoring heavy lorries passing through Dedham, particularly in respect of Lamb Corner, Ardleigh Road and Long Road, together with digital photos whenever possible. Cllr. Cort volunteered to monitor Castle Hill and Cllr. Mrs. West agreed to speak with Mrs. Leacock who had earlier agreed to act in this capacity for Lamb Corner area. Cllr. Garnett stressed the fact that the whole question of Planning was becoming increasingly important and the fact that CBC had applied for grants to build a further 6,000 new homes, in addition to 11,000 already provided, was certainly a threat to green field sites adjacent to Colchester town. A sustainability plan was being produced which was, he felt, of vital importance and he urged the Parish Council, particularly the Planning members, to attend the Local Development Forums planned for 25th January and 21st February in the Town Hall at 4 p.m. and to report back to him. Planning applications are now accepted electronically and two days’ notice was required by CBC for hard copies. The recent High Court judgement regarding air traffic over the Dedham Vale means that the whole problem will be revisited. 12. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION Lady Mary Varney said that the recent snow and icy conditions had caused several accidents along Birchwood Road which had not been included in the gritting programme. It was agreed that as one of the direct access roads to Dedham from the A12 it was vital that it should be gritted and a letter to this effect will be sent to Essex County Council. Mr. Bowers complained that Saturday morning parking outside the sports pavilion was completely blocking the footpath. This he felt was unacceptable and asked that the Parish Council write to the Sports Club requesting that the footpath be kept clear of obstruction. 13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS The resignation of Mrs. Joan Hammond and Mrs. Jill Haddock meant that two positions on The Dedham Education Foundation committee were vacant. Cllr. Robert Cort and Cllr. David Bradbrook agreed to put their names forward. Cllr. Osborn requested that permission be given for the refurbishment of the “Welcome to Dedham” sign by the Mill Lane car park. This wooden sign was in need of attention and it was agreed that Mr. Hodson be asked to check it over. The Chairman conveyed apologies from Mrs. Clayton, Headmistress Dedham Primary School, who having turned down the offer of a litter bin outside the school now feels that she was too hasty and would welcome a reinstatement of the offer as the problem of litter and local youths at weekends is increasing. Cllr. Garnett will endeavour to deal with this and understands that PC. Everett has visited Parson’s Field and spoken with the young people involved. It was also agreed that Mrs. Ruff be asked to visit the area outside the school on a Monday to assess the situation. 14. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 8th February, 2006, at 7.30 p.m. in The Assembly Rooms. |