Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of Meeting held on 12^th April, 2006 in the Assembly Rooms 

Present:   In the Chair       Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

                 Councillors        D. Bradbrook, R. Cannon,  C.Clover, R. Cort,

                                            R. Laverick, P. Moorhouse, J.Osborn, .

                 Ward Councillor C. Garnett

                  Parish Clerk       Mrs. J. Flewin

                  Electors             18 Electors 

The visit of Mr. Geoff Harris, ECC Highways, has been postponed until July when it is hoped he will be able to report more fully on new initiatives being put into effect in respect of HGV use of rural roads.  C.Cllr. Tony Clover was present to give a brief resume of the situation.    He pointed out that it was often difficult to assess whether a lorry was actually classed as HGV or just looked oversize, where it was coming from and going to, whether the driver was using maps or satellite navigation and even whether they spoke or understood English.  Bathside Bay will be operating by 2010 when many more enormous lorries will be on the road.  A team will be in our area for some time interviewing lorry drivers to gain information in order that a workable strategy can be implemented to protect our rural roads.  Local surveys are accurate and thanks were due to those residents who had already passed information to Cllr. Garnett for onward transmission to Mr. Harris. 

So far as speeding was concerned C.Cllr. Clover said that more SIDS were available and were being used extensively.  These were battery operated and less bulky which  meant they could be sited more easily.  This will be followed up. 

The joining of Colchester with Tendring meant more funding should be available and a highway maintenance programme will be undertaken.  Meantime potholes and dangerous areas are being filled. 

Conversations with Suffolk C.C. are taking place regarding restricted access signing for Dedham on the A12 at Stratford St. Mary.     Lack of suitable signing has been an ongoing aggravation for some time with little or no support from the Highways Agency involved. 

The Chairman thanked C.Cllr. Clover for bringing the Parish Council up to date on these highways matters. 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Mrs. West.

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

3. MATTERS ARISING

(a)      Mill Lane Car Park Lighting/Fencing  CBC advised that the lamps in the car park have been replaced with a white light source and instructions have been given for the burnt fencing to be restored. 

   (b)  White Lines  Some line work has been done.  Cllr. Garnett advised that white lining throughout the village will be carried out shortly. 

   (c)  Sightline obstruction   The tree at the junction of Long Road/Ardleigh Road will be removed. 

   (d)  Housing Needs  Cllr. Cort had spoken with Mrs. Fowle regarding the views of   The Village Design Statement on housing needs in the village.  Their views were similar to those highlighted by Cllr. Cort at the previous meeting, i.e. first-time buyers homes/shared ownership with little need for properties for rent or housing estates.   All building must by totally sympathetic to the area. VDS is issuing a questionnaire in May or June and the Parish Council is invited to contribute to this if so desired.  The Chairman asked councillors to consider this and bring comments/questions to the next meeting.                                                                       

   (e)  Parish Boards   A replacement board has been erected at the junction of Forge Street/Crown Street.

 (f)  Neighbourhood Watch   Essex Police have provided details of  the launch of the new policing style Neighbourhood Watch on 20^th April at The Moot Hall, Colchester, when there will be an opportunity to meet with the officers who will be patrolling our area.  A copy was passed to Cllr. Bradbrook and Mr. Hindley.

4.  CORRESPONDENCE

    (a)  Maintenance Castle Hill/Crown Street   Further patching has taken place and we are advised that full resurfacing work will be undertaken when funding is available.

   (b)  English Rural Housing Association (ERHA) advise that the future maintenance of the affordable housing development in Long Road East will be in the hands of Hastoe Housing Association.  They will manage the homes under the instruction of ERHA who will continue to make all decisions in accordance with the original aims and objectives of the development.  ERHA will be arranging for a “Church View” sign to be erected and apologise that the original request from the Parish Council was overlooked.

   (c)  Dedham Vale Hopper  Dedham Vale & Stour Valley Project regretted that the Dedham Vale Hopper will not be operating after 29^th April, 2006.  Sadly it has not been possible to secure funding for the Hopper which had proved so popular during the summer of 2005.  Members expressed the hope that should funds become available the project can be re-launched to the benefit of villagers and visitors alike.

(d)    East Essex Forum Meetings  Dates of the meetings for 2006/07 were available.                 

   (e)  Colchester’s Future   An invitation to attend a workshop on 2^nd May at Lion Walk Church at 6.30 p.m. has been received.   Colchester’s future over the next fifteen years will be discussed.

  (f)  Attended Refuse Freighter   This will be at Parson’s Field from 9.15 a.m. until 10.30 a.m. on 29^th April, 1^st July and 28^th October, 2006. 

  (g)  Letters of thanks have been received from Tendring Hundred Water, Dedham Parish Church and Essex Air Ambulance. 

5. DEDHAM SURGERY    Following a meeting of the Dedham Surgery Steering Committee on the 3^rd April members of the public joined with all interested agencies in a commemorative “dig” to launch the new surgery building.   This was well supported and was followed by a small celebration in the Duchy Barn.  It is hoped that completion will be at the end of October, 2006.   Work on clearing the Crown Street site has also commenced.   Cllr. Moorhouse queried the provision of a pavement to serve the new building and was assured that this was included in the plan.  Cllr. Garnett said that behind the scene activity with the PCT’s , etc. was continuing.

6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA   Cllr. Osborn reported that the Rights of Way Officer from Chelmsford had recently spent some time in Dedham which had a total of 45 footpaths.  As a result of her visit quite a few changes had been implemented.  Cllr. Moorhouse felt strongly that some of the diversions made were unnecessary and confusing and he resented the fact that changes had been initiated on his land without prior consultation.  A meeting with the Rights of Way Officer will be arranged to resolve the problems. 

PPP, in conjunction with BBC Essex, are planning an Essex Way walk in May and will be in the Dedham area on 10^th, 11^th  and 12^th May.   Members of the public are invited to join in and Cllr. Osborn has local details. 

Mr. Bower has responded to the Parish Council’s request that the spring of the gate to the play area be repaired and has given his reasons for not wishing to undertake this work.  His letter was read to the meeting.  He maintained that the gate did not comply with current specifications and he did not wish to accept responsibility should a problem arise.   The Chairman pointed out that ROSPA had not mentioned the gate in its findings when checking safety points and it was reasonable to assume that the main problem lay with users of the play equipment not bothering to shut the gate, thus allowing dogs into the area.   Cllr. Osborn was of the opinion that a request for a grant from the local council could include £1,000 to cover the cost of a new gate, but Cllr. Moorhouse considered that this might prejudice a further grant for the new surgery.

There were other bodies to whom an application for a grant could be made and it was agreed that this should be considered again at the next meeting.

7. ACCOUNTS   It was proposed by Cllr. Bradbrook, seconded by Cllr. Osborn, with all in favour, THAT the following accounts be paid:

                                                                                                     £

Mr.A. Hodson – Hours worked in March                                 140.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter (March)                                               132.00

Mrs. L. West – New Parish Board                                              71.95

Sports Club – Grass cutting (half-year)                                     826.60

8.  PLANNING   In accordance with the procedure agreed at the last meeting Cllr. Cannon asked if any member of the public wished to speak on any of the published planning applications.   There were none.  Cllr. Moorhouse felt that the giving of “three minutes” was too closely associated with Colchester Borough Council procedure and should be re-thought.  Cllr. Cannon agreed and will revise the statement for publication on the parish boards..    In this connection Cllr. Laverick suggested a planning page on the website linked with CBC website which would also make it clear that the Parish Council was not the ultimate authority in dealing with planning applications.  This proposal was unanimously agreed.

 The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following applications:

 COL/06/0331   Land adj. to 3 Bargate Lane, Dedham.

                          Erection of bungalow.

  Comments:      Application was approved before end of consultation time.

COL/06/0351   Meadowcroft, Long Road East, Dedham.

                          Extension to bungalow to form two storey house.

                         Re-submission of COL/05/1901

  Comments:     Called In.

COL/06/0380   New Farmhouse, Boxhouse Lane, Dedham.

                          Change of use from agricultural to ménage.

  Comments:     No objection.

COL/06/0392  The White House, High Street, Dedham.

                          One storey roof extension. Single storey extension and conservatory to rear.

  Comments:     Called In.

COL/06/0406  Coral Ville, Coggeshall Road, Dedham.

                         Single storey rear conservatory extension.

  Comments:     No objection.

COL/06/0487   Headgerows, Long Road East, Dedham.

                          Timber framed cart lodge.

  Comments:      No objections but existing access should be the only one permitted.

COL/06/0494   Land in garden of Berryfields, Coggeshall Road, Dedham.

  Comments:      Called In.

COL/06/0439    East Dene, Grove Hill, Dedham.

                           Two storey extension.

  Comments:       Recommend refusal.  Policies not complied with.  See File.

COL/06/0470    Barretts Farm, East Lane, Dedham.

                           Training centre for horses, livery and manager’s accommodation.

  Comment:        No objection, but conditions stated to be addressed.

The Sports Club has written to the Planning sub-committee asking that the Parish Council gives consideration to airing once again the question of parking by the pavilion.  Cllr. Cannon proposed replying suggesting the Parish Council would be prepared to listen to any fresh thinking on the matter and look at alternatives.  Cllr. Clover was unhappy with the proposal as he felt the matter had been thoroughly dealt with on a previous occasion.  However he agreed as a member of the Planning sub-committee to attend a meeting with the Sports Club when he can voice his objections.

Cllr. Cannon will reply accordingly.

9. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR  Cllr. Garnett is arranging for temporary toilets for August Bank Holiday to be installed in the Mill Lane car park with CBC paying half the cost as last year.  He is discussing with CBC the possible installation of more permanent toilets which would be plumbed in and connected to water and electricity. It is hoped that these could be maintained by the contractors dealing with the toilets in the recreation ground.  The cost of this would be about £800.  This was very welcome news in view of the need for extra facilities, particularly during the tourist season, and the Parish Council hopes that Cllr. Garnett is successful in his negotiations.

 As reported earlier the proposed white line work for the village will be undertaken this month and Cllr. Garnett has arranged for an officer to visit Coggeshall Road to look at the “gates”.   In view of the increased number of police on the streets it is sincerely hoped that there will be an increased presence in Dedham and Langham. 

The new officer for both villages is PC Kerry Allen.  Unfortunately vandalism at the local primary school has meant that the playground has been locked and taken out of use until repairs can be made after the Easter break.

Finally, Cllr. Garnett again stressed the need for support for the Dedham Village Design Statement.  The huge increase in houses being built within Colchester with a related swell of population means villages could be swamped with planning applications.   Dedham is protected to some extent by the AONB but vigilance is imperative if it is to retain its rural character and ambience.

Cllr. Garnett asked that members of the public continued to advise him regarding HGV movements through Dedham. 

10.  PUBLIC REPRESENTATION   A resident reported an occasion when a dog was taken into the play area and queried whether there was a “No dogs” notice  Cllr. Osborn was sure there was but would check to ensure that it was still in place and visible. In view of the building work at the surgery site and the heavy vehicles involved a resident felt that cars parked outside Constable Row in Manningtree Road could cause an obstruction.  Colne Housing would be advised.   A 30 mph sign was missing in Manningtree Road and this will be reported.  There is some confusion over the “bus stop” area outside The Grammar School.  The bus stop has been marked as a Clearway but no road markings put in place.   It is probable that this may form part of the white line work about to be carried out throughout the village.   This will be monitored.     A pothole outside The Police House is in need of attention and Cllr. Garnett noted this. 

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS   Cllr. Cort had received a Diary of Public Events for 2005 from DVDS together with details of events sponsored as agreed by the Parish Council.   There were complaints about the new bridge at the Mill Lane ford which Cllr. Osborn will look into. 

12.  DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 10^th May, 2006, at 7 p.m.   This will be followed by the Parish Assembly at 8 p.m.

 There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.18 p.m.