Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of Meeting held on 11^th October, 2006
in the Assembly Rooms

Present:   In the Chair         Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

                 Councillors          R. Cannon, R. Cort, Mrs. Lyn West

                                              P. Moorhouse, J.Osborn, .

                 Ward Councillor  C. Garnett

                  Parish Clerk        Mrs. J. Flewin

                  Electors               18 Electors

1.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllrs. Bradbrook, Clover and Laverick.

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

3. MATTERS ARISING

 (a)    War Memorial  Confirmation of the verbal quote of £750 had been requested in writing from the stonemasons to enable the Parish Council to investigate possible grants.   This was still awaited.

 (b) Colchester Cycling Campaign  There has been no response to a request for further details.  Cllr. Laverick will be the prime point of contact with the Campaign should there be any further developments.

 (c) Barrier – Royal Square  Further consideration will need to be given to the request from a local resident for some form of “gateway” to be included in the barrier to stop cyclists speeding through.  Any form of barrier must allow for pushchairs, etc. This will be discussed again at the next meeting.

 4. CORRESPONDENCE

 (a) VAS/SID information   ECC Highways have provided information in respect of the use of Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) and Speed Indicator Devices (SID) covering availability and cost. In view of the proposal to use “speed guns” in the village it was agreed not to consider further speed control devices at this time. The training of twelve volunteers from the village had been delayed because of the popularity of  the scheme countywide.

 (b) Various Documents   Information re E.Essex Forum, Annual Reports from Colne Housing, Rural Housing Association and NHS were available.

 5. POLICE COMMUNITY POLICE SUPPORT OFFICERS    Borough has provided an indication as to what the increase of £13,500 on the precept will add to the budget using this year’s tax base of 890.6 band D. properties.  This was very  much in line with what was reported at the last meeting, i.e. approximately £15 per annum.  All members present were in favour of having a Dedham PCSO and the majority of electors present were also supportive,    It was agreed that the Parish Council was not in a position financially to employ a PCSO within this year’s precept and would wish to defer the appointment until April 2007.  The fact that the Parish Council is proposing to agree to the appointment of a PCSO will again be published in the Parish Magazine with a final debate at the November meeting when it was hoped there would be a full Council.

 6. DEDHAM VALE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE  There was still no funding for the Riverside surgery to operate from the new Centre.   The official opening of the building is scheduled for 8^th December.  Cllr. Garnett felt there was a growing demand for a public meeting and will discuss this with the Steering Group.

 7. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA  The bridge at the ford in Mill Lane has now been stepped up, making it much more easily accessed.

 The gate to the play area in the recreation ground is now working perfectly.

 8.  ACCOUNTS   It was proposed by Cllr. Osborn and agreed by all that the following accounts be paid:

                                                                                        £

Mr. A. Hodson – Maintenance                                     120.00

                             PPP                                               250.00

Mrs. O. M. Ruff – Litter                                              180.00

Playsafe Construction Ltd.                                            55.81

Dedham Sports Club – Grass cutting (2)                     826.60

Mr. R. Laverick – Domain Name Hosting                    10.53

Mr. R. Cannon – Expenses re Planning                         24.13

 Income:  2^nd half precept -  £8,500.00

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

 COL/06/1490   6 Dedham Meade, Dedham.

                           Replacement roof to incorporate new bedroom.

  COMMENTS;  Recommend refusal. Over-development of site.  Elements of Policies not complied with.  See Planning File.

COL/06/1511    Land at Travers, Crown Street, Dedham.

                            Proposed two-storey dwelling.

  COMMENTS; Over development of site. Does not comply with Policies.  See Planning File.

COL/06/1615   Park Farm Lodge, Coopers Lane, Dedham.

                          Change of use from barn to holiday cottage.

 COMMENTS: More details required to make a recommendation.

10.  REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   Residents of Monks Lane were concerned that quad bikes and motorbikes were becoming a nuisance since a sign was erected signifying that the lane was classified as a Byway.   A copy of a letter sent by local resident Mr. Don Taylor to Bernard Jenkin MP had been circulated to all members and C.C. Clover and Ward Cllr. Garnett were aware of the situation.  In response Cllr. Moorhouse said that as a farmer he needed access to the fields with equipment, etc. and was not aware of any untoward activity along the lane.   Residents accepted that normal country activities were part of the rural scene but the noise and damage to the environment by large groups of bikers was not,  particularly as some had also been abusive.   C.Cllr. Clover and Cllr. Garnett were to have a meeting with Mr. Geoff Harris and other relevant footway officers at the end of the month.  He hoped that they would see a strong case for re-classifying this ancient lane in order to protect its rural character.   The Clerk was asked to write to ECC in support of such a move.   Residents were reminded that serious incidents should be reported to the police but further publicity would not be helpful and might attract more bikers. 

It was hoped that semi-permanent toilets would be sited in the Mill Lane car park for a period of 25 weeks in 2007 and a grant application to help cover the cost was being prepared.   It was also suggested that a “donation” from the Parish Council would be helpful.  There was no objection to this.

 11. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION   A complaint about the mud on Manningtree Road during the building of the Health Centre would be handled by Cllr. Osborn who would approach the builders.  It was felt that the recent heavy rain had worsened the situation.  The footway to the new Centre from Brook Street will be started  next month.

 12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS  The new apartments above the Health Centre are to be allocated during the coming week.    Cllr. Cort wondered why only some of the white lines had been re-painted in the village.  Cllr. Clover said that the inclement weather had caused a delay but that the programme would be completed soon.   It was agreed that the Rev. Moate be asked to attend the November meeting to give an update on the situation regarding the horse chestnut tree in front of the church.

 13.  DATE  & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 8^th November, 2006, in the Assembly Rooms.  Time to be advised later.

 There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.