Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 MINUTES of meeting held on 12th March, 2008

The Assembly Rooms

 Present: In the Chair          Cllr. Mrs. V. Guglielmi

                Councillors          Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, R. Cort, P. Moorhouse, Mrs. L. West, J. Osborn

               Ward Councillor  C. Garnett

                Parish Clerk         Mrs. J. Flewin

                Electors                10 

Prior to the meeting members and others interested were invited to visit the Essex Youth Bus which was on the forecourt of the Assembly Rooms. 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllrs. Laverick and Marrison 

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved subject to the following amendment.  Item 8. “other recommendations included” line 1.should read “ £6.75 per hr.”.  

3. MATTERS ARISING 

  (a)  Youth Bus  The Chairman thanked PCSO Natalie King for arranging for the Youth Bus to be present and all members who had looked round it were impressed and felt that this would be welcomed by the youth of the village.  PCSO King reported that funding for the first eighteen months was, in fact, free but that the service had already been up and running since November 2007.  Following the initial period the cost would be £10 per hour for the driver.  All personnel involved in helping man the bus would need to receive basic training and have police clearance and this could be provided.  The Youth Club leader was enthusiastic and was happy to liaise with PCSO King and others to arrange for a timetable.   Consideration would need to be given to the most appropriate “parking” area and relevant insurances checked.   The Parish Council expressed its full support of the venture. 

  (b)  Culvert – Craft Centre   Following extensive enquiries to apportion “responsibilities” Cllr. Mrs. Cannon was happy to report that CBC will replace the rotting wooden upright with a concrete post and will put in a third pole which had originally been in place.  They considered a grating would not be advisable as this would catch debris from the stream and cause more flooding.   Mr. & Mrs. Perry, whose property is adjacent to the Craft Centre, were happy to monitor the situation.  

 (c)  Bus Shelter – Long Road West   Following the statement in last month’s Minutes several members had visited the bus shelter to ascertain the true condition of the structure.  Cllr. Laverick in his absence had submitted a very comprehensive report which was circulated to members.   Cllr. Osborn had obtained  quotes of £100 and £150 for removing the shelter and one of £250/300 for refurbishing the roof and treating woodwork.  It was agreed that further quotes for maintenance should be obtained rather than removal as previously agreed.   Cllr. Laverick had offered to take this on board on his return and this matter will be considered at the next meeting. 

  (d)  Allotment Scheme   In the absence of Cllr. Marrison no up to date information was available,  However, it was understood that there had been 17 responses to date. 

  (e)  Village Seats   CBC has accepted responsibility for the maintenance of the Eley memorial seat by the church wall and this will be dealt with at the same time as the seat in front of the chemist.  Concern was expressed that due to the darkness of the area at night the seat needed some form of reflectors fitted in order that people did not walk into it.   Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will mention this to Mr. Colin Teare of CBC.   It was agreed that in future the question of maintenance needed to be discussed with anyone wishing to provide a memorial seat before permission was given. 

  (f)  Telegraph Pole – Manningtree Road   There had been some delay in removing the pole due to minor legalities regarding land ownership but it was expected that work will now start and the pole will be removed.   It was reported that work to change overhead electricity cables to under ground had commenced.

4. CORRESPONDENCE 

  (a)  Street Lighting   CBC enquired if the Parish Council wished them to undertake repairs, etc. for street lighting once more as this responsibility had been passed back to them by ECC.   Having now contracted with Just Lamps for the maintenance of those lights for which the Parish Council is responsible it was agreed that no change was necessary at the present time. 

  (b)  Plant Sale   Dedham Horticultural Society wished to hold their annual Plant Sale in Royal Square from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, 3^rd May.  There were no objections to this.  DHS had sent £20 towards the cost of planting out the tubs beside the village pump. 

  (c) Fun Run 2008  Permission was sought for the use of the sports field for the annual Dedham Run due to take place on Sunday, 21^st September, 2008.  There were no objections to this. 

 (d)  CBC Annual Spring Clean    It was suggested that the Guides and Brownies might be interested in taking part this year and details will be passed to them. 

    (e) CBC – Temporary Toilets  CBC gave details of a scheme for the installation of temporary toilets for the coming season only on a shared funding basis.  CBC suggested that “Port Cabin” style 2 + 2 toilets with an external storage tank would be more suitable than toilets connected to mains which would need civil engineering work and be too costly.  The estimated cost of the “Port cabin” toilets was £5,000 for a 26 week period.  The emptying schedule is unknown but the cost would be £120 per empty. In view of the fact that over 50,000 visitors (to the Church) were recorded last year emptying the tanks could be frequent and very expensive.    CBC proposed that CBC would pay 50% of the overall cost up to £5,000 with the Parish Council finding the remaining 50%.  Weekly cleaning was included in the cost but the Parish would also be responsible for the daily monitoring of the toilets.

Members were unanimously of the opinion that even if the scheme could be afforded it was not a proper use of Parish money and that any funds available should be put towards the installation of a permanent structure.  The Parish Council provided temporary toilets for the Spring and August Bank Holidays with the help of CBC who paid 50% of that cost, but the real need was for more permanent toilets and this should continue to be the aim. The days of finding a volunteer “attendant” in the village are long gone and would involve further expense in employing one.  Cllr. Moorhouse suggested that Babergh District Council should be approached for support with the project to obtain permanent toilets and Cllr. Garnett will continue to monitor funding from the Joint Advisory Committee if and when available.  It was agreed that although grateful to CBC the Parish Council could not fund their suggestion and would prefer all effort to continue to be directed towards the goal of permanent toilets in the car park.  The Clerk will write to Mr. McManus accordingly.

5. REPORT OF PCSO   PCSO King had spoken to local youth for ideas regarding a seat and had several suggestions to put forward.  Initially a seat such as installed at Langham Sports Field would be appreciated    Siting would need to be carefully considered and two suggestions were the sports field or the car park.  There was also a request for a basket ball hoop, again similar to that at Langham.   The Parish Council would support these suggestions which would need to be considered by the Sports Club and the church.   In response to a query Cllr. Garnett confirmed that following a site visit it had been agreed that the bus stop in Crown Street (by Marylee) will be moved further along the road. 

6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA   Cllr. Osborn reported that PPP have agreed to fund footpath maintenance during 2008.  This support means that footpaths in Dedham can continue to be well maintained to a high standard.  Mr. McShane had been approached regarding the barbed wire across his fence but was not prepared to remove it.  The only alternative to shield it from the sports field was to provide some form of fencing or hedging.  It was agreed that quotes should be obtained. 

Cllr. Mrs. Cannon said that the Cricket Club had expressed the opinion that the proposed compound should be in the area where the sightscreens were stored but the Vicar felt that this was unacceptable on the Duchy Field.  The alternative was to place it between the footpath and the Tennis Club pavilion.  Quotes were being obtained.

The litter bin by the toilets had not been replaced as yet and it was hoped that a new bin (with a lid) would be put in the children’s play area.  Cllr. Garnett will follow this up with CBC.  If CBC were not going to supply bins the Parish Council will consider purchasing their own.   

7. DEDHAM SURGERY   Details of the lease were still being looked at by solicitors which has meant a delay in the Dedham Vale Network using the surgery. 

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

                                                                                                                         £

A. Hodson – Hours worked in February  - Maintenance                             132.00

Mrs. O. Ruff – Litter                                                                                  156.00

G. Lane – Repairs to kissing gates                                                              130.00

Assembly Rooms – Hire                                                                              48.00

CPRE – Subs.                                                                                             28.00

                                                                                                                           £

Bland Landscapes – Trees in playing field                                                    528.75

Clerk’s Qrtly. Account – January/March                                                     804.50

R. Cannon – Expenses re Planning                                                                47.68

St, Mary’s PCC – Rent Duchy Field                                                             50.00

Income:  VAT Refund                          £872.31

                 PPP                                    £2,390.00

                 Dedham Hort. Soc.                   20.00

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

COL/08/0245  Meadow Cottage, Mill Lane, Dedham. 

                         Two storey extension to rear annex. 

 Comments:      Concerns expressed therefore recommended refusal.

                          Application “called in”.

COL/08/0274   The Orchard, Coopers Lane, Dedham. 

                         Three car garage with store room above 

 Comments:      Recommend refusal.

COL/08/0302   Maltings Cottage, The Heath, Dedham. 

                         Internal alterations. 

 Comments:     Recommend approval.

COL/08/0331  Hallfields, Crown Street, Dedham. 

                        Demolish and rebuild part existing building. 

  Comments:    Recommend approval.

COL/08/0363  The Old Granary, Park Farm, Coopers Lane, Dedham. 

                        Replacement two bedroom dwelling. 

 Comments:    Recommend approval.

COL/08/0372  6 Royal Square, Dedham. 

                       Soundproofing to ground floor party wall. 

 Comments:   Recommend approval.

COL/08/0484  6 Bargate Cottages, Bargate Lane, Dedham. 

                        Two storey side extension. 

 Comments:     Recommend approval.

CBC has approved the following applications:

COL/07/3150  Heath Farm, Long Road East, Dedham. 

                         Extensions and replace outbuildings

COL/08/0102   Heath Cottage, The Heath, Dedham. 

                         Side and rear extensions

COL/07/3151   Hillcrest, East Lane, Dedham. 

                         Erection of bungalow.

COL/08/0092   White House, High Street, Dedham. 

                         Variation to COL/06/0392

COL/08/0066   15 Dedham Meade, Dedham. 

                         Two storey extension

COL/008/0076 18 Dedham Meade, Dedham. 

                          Retrospect consent for metal gates.

COL/08/0085    Crown Cottage, Crown Street, Dedham. 

                         Creation of vehicle access and dropped kerb. 

10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   Three sites in Dedham had been submitted to the Local Development Forum i.e. Ardleigh Road, Long Road East/Coggeshall Road and Sundowne (The Heath).  Objections and comments have been submitted.   The Gun Hill car breakers site had been taken over by a car repair dealer trading on the Internet.  The enforcement officer had visited and various planning applications plus change of use will be required. 

11. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION   None. 

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS   It was suggested that the Youth Shelter and the Machinery Compound could be put forward for a grant under the Community Initiatives Fund.  The applications needed to be in by July.  Residents had enquired about the field hedge in Long Road West which had been severely cut down.  Cllr. Mrs. Cannon had ascertained that the roots were intact and it should grow again. However, should further work be carried out to remove the hedge completely CBC will intervene.  Fly tipping in Coles Oak Lane was being investigated.  In response to a query Cllr. Garnett explained that “Amenity Land” was for recreational use and not building.  Cllr. Cort was still looking for a home for the surplus VDS and Cllr. Guglielmi will speak with the Parish Office to see if they could be placed in their archives.   Cllr. Moorhouse reported that although some rails in the Mill Lane car park had been repaired there were others which still needed attention.  Cllr. Garnett will follow this up. 

Members were reminded that Nomination Forms for the Parish Council Election were now available. 

13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 9^th April, 2008, at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms.  

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.