Dedham
Parish Council

Minutes of meeting held on 12 November 2008

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of Meeting held on 12th November, 2008,

In the Assembly Rooms

 

Present:  In the Chair    Cllr. R. Moorhouse

               Councillors     Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, M. Dempsey , B. Hindley,

                                       R. Laverick, Mrs. K. Spencer, Mr. B. Stewart

               Ward Councillor  C. Garnett

                Parish Clerk    Mrs. J. Flewin

                Electors           6

 

1.  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE   received from Cllr. Appleby and the PCSO. 

2.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING  having been circulated were approved, subject to the notation that it appeared from page 1.(e) that Cllr. Hindley had already submitted an application in respect of a grant for a second VAS.  This was not the case at that time, although an application had now gone forward.   

3.  MATTERS ARISING 

(a)    106 Agreement  Over £18,000 was now available under the 106 Agreement for use in Dedham.  This was a grant to be used for the benefit of the village as a whole and Councillors had been asked to give the matter consideration.  The upgrading of the toilets in the recreation ground was put forward, as was the need for improved equipment in the play area.  It was also suggested that a play place in The Heath area of the village would be welcomed as there was nothing for children in that part of the village. Cllrs. Hindley, Dempsey and Mrs. Spencer agreed to form a small committee to look further into this suggestion.   Cllr. Dempsey had been in touch with Beverly Davis, CBC, regarding alternative available grants in respect of the youth shelter and would continue to investigate this matter.   

 (b) Vehicle Activated Signs  Following an exchange of letters with the Parish Council and CBC in which a resident voiced an objection to the siting of a VAS in Ardleigh Road,  Cllrs. Garnett and Hindley had visited the resident concerned.  It had been suggested that he voicd his complaints to Mr. G. Harris (ECC Highways). In the meantime the matter would be put on hold until a reply was received from Mr. Harris.

It was proposed by Cllr. Hindley, seconded by Cllr. Cannon, with all in favour that consideration of Vehicle Activated Signs in Ardleigh Road and Long Road East should continue. 

Cllr. Mrs. Spencer voiced her concern that residents may not have been fully consulted about the VAS.  Cllr. Hindley stated that he had spoken with the resident in Ardleigh Road  outside whose property the sign would go and there had been no objection.  It was also pointed out that the speedwatch initiative in the area had been fully supported by residents and Highways monitoring had shown that speed was a serious problem, .   However several members shared Cllr. Mrs. Spencer’s views and it was suggested that some means of enabling a wider consultation be considered, i.e. some form of slip which could be put through the door of those residents who might be affected by local issues giving them the opportunity to comment and providing them with a Parish Council contact.   The Clerk will follow this up for the next meeting.

 

(d) Transport Representatives Meeting   Cllr. Laverick had attended this meeting which had dealt with transport problems in the whole of the Borough and which did not necessarily concern Dedham..  However items of general interest were

·        the question of an approach to sat/nav companies by ECC to help prevent inappropriate use of rural lanes

·        a site for a new bus station was still being sought

·        more “20 minute” bays will be provided at Manningtree Station when the current car park work has been completed

·        concessionary fares now start at 9 a.m. instead of 9.30 a.m.,

·        grants were, in fact, available for the repair of bus shelters. 

·        A morning problem, whereby some drivers were refusing to allow passengers to board the 247 that technically starts at Dedham Heath but waits for time at the junction of Long Road West and Ardleigh Road, has now been resolved.  ECC have stated that it has been agreed that passengers will be accepted in Long Road West.   

Cllr. Laverick had raised the question of the Dedham Vale Hoppa Bus, and also improved transport to and from the East Bergholt surgery.  It emerged that a Working Party has been set up to consider these matters.  Some EU funds were available for the potential service and there was a possibility of a satisfactory outcome.  Cllr Laverick was invited to join the Group and will report back following his attendance at the next Working Party meeting. 

(e) Allotments  Cllr. Mrs. Spencer said that there was still considerable interest in the allotment scheme and Mr. Marrison remained enthusiastic.  She was happy to act as co-ordinator and suggested that allotments be re-advertised in the parish magazine with the request that those interested contact her, regardless of whether or not they had already been in touch with Mr. Marrison.  Cllr. Garnett pointed out that Borough is very supportive of allotment schemes and. he would be happy to ask Mr. Penny to attend the next meeting to give advice.  The Chairman suggested that the planning sub-committee endeavour to find a suitable plot and that Mr. Bob Penny (CBC) be invited to attend the next meeting.   This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Dempsey with all in favour.  Cllr. Garnett will follow this up. 

(f)  Pedestrian Crossing in Crown Street   Nothing to report.

 

 

4. CORRESPONDENCE   

(a)  Shrine – Jupes Hill   Mr. Gallifant has written to the family concerned asking if the various artefacts on the wall and its surround could now be removed and replaced perhaps by a small plaque with a bouquet of real flowers being placed annually. 

(a)    Light up a Life Appeal – St. Helena Hospice   It was proposed by Cllr. Dempsey seconded by Cllr. Mrs. Cannon, with 6 for and 1 abstention, that the sum, of £50 be given to this Appeal.  A suggestion from Cllr. Stewart that this be increased to £100 was not agreed. 

(b)    Dickensian Evening  Permission to use royal Square during the afternoon and evening of 6th December for the Dickensian Evening was sought.  There were no objections. 

      (d) Morgan Motor Car Treasure Hunt  The Morgan Sports Car Club will be celebrating the company’s  centenary year in 2009 and have asked for permission to park approx. 20 Morgan Cars in the vicinity of Royal Square from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Sunday, 5th April, 2009.  The cars will have a steward to look after them whilst owners are away and be happy to talk to any members of the public about their design.  There was no objection to this in principle as long as any other necessary permission has been obtained, e.g Highways 

(e)  Parish Street Lighting   Warning of high increased charges for the parish owned lighting in Mill Lane and Car Park for the year 2008/09 has been received from CBC.  The charge for the current year will be £277.06.  An estimate of the proposed charges for the year 2009/10 based on figures from their Energy Supply Consultant. is £88.44. 

5.  REPORT OF PCSO   In the absence of the PCSO there was nothing to report. 

6  DEDHAM SURGERY  Cllr. Stewart had attended the recent committee meeting at the Health Centre which had been very interesting.  He has accepted the task of co-ordinating fund raising.  The launch of the Dedham Vale Network will be on 15th November from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when all are invited. 

7. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA   There was nothing to report on footpaths.

Following a report that the gate to the play area was off, a temporary repair has been carried out.  This would not last and it was suggested that Mr. Armour be approached to look at the gate when the machinery enclosure was being installed with a view to a more permanent repair.  A request from the Sports Club for leaves to be removed from the football pitch had been passed on to Mr. Hodson.

 

 

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

                                                                                                                 £

Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in Oct. – PPP                                        275.00

                                                                                 Maintenance            165.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter                                                                            162.00

CBC – Lighting                                                                                        325.55

CBC – Waste Collection (Sports field)                                                    215.99

Sports Club – 2nd half grass cutting                                                       1,026.60

St. Helena Hospice                                                                                     50.00

P. Moorhouse – British Legion poppy wreath                                           20.00

R. Cannon- Expenses re planning, etc.                                                      95.33

R. Laverick – Expenses re website hosting /transport meeting                   11.20

 

Income;  Friends of Dedham Church (re War Memorial)  £962.50

                2nd half Precept                                               £13,500.00

 

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

COL/08/1787  9-11 Coopers Lane, Dedham. 

                       Demolition of existing rear extension and two storey infill.  New

                       single and two storey extensions, and new infill two storey

                       extension. New detached garage and formation of new highway

                       access.

 

Comments:    Subject to English Heritage investigation for Listing.Highways

                      issues regarding vehicle access.

 

COL/08/1680  Old Church House, The Heath, Dedham.

1679/LB       Provision of new detached garage. Conversion of existing garage

                     into living accommodation. 

Comments:   Agreed in principle with recommendations.

 

COL/08/1631  Gun Hill Garage, Ipswich Road, Dedham. 

                    Erection of storage racking (part retrospective) 

Comments:  Recommend refusal.  Conditions requested.
 

COL/08/1849  Ruby’s Barn, A12 Southbound (Old Ipswich Road) 

               Certificate of Lawfulness for existing use of site for plant hire

                and stationing of residential caravan. 

Comments:  Recommend refusal.

 

COL/08/1869  Wyvern & Maytree, Crown Street, Dedham. 

                Conservation Area application for demolition of existing dwellings. 

Comments:  No objections but subject to final scheme being approved.

 

COL/08/1889  Hallfields Farm, Manningtree Road, Dedham. 

                 Conversion of redundant farm office/workshop to single storey

                 dwelling.   

Comments:  No objections.

 

The following applications have been approved by CBC. 

COL/08/1600  Brambles, Long Road West, Dedham. 

                   Single storey annexe and kitchen extension.

 

COL/08/1297  Winterflood House, Anchor Lane, Dedham.

1294            Alterations to a Listed Building.

 

New dwelling- land at Berryfields   The Planning sub-committee is continuing to seek enforcement action in respect of the various deviations from the approved plans of this new dwelling.  Enforcement officers have visited the site.

 

10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR  Cllr. Garnett gave an update in respect of Site Allocations.   At the present time two sites in Dedham have been included in the formal list, i.e. one in Gun Hill and one in Coggeshall Road.

The core strategy has been approved following the Inspectors’ Report and public consultations will be taking place January to March 2009.  Further consultations will take place in 2009 finalising in 2010/2011. 

Cllr. Garnett explained that the CBC Planning Department was stretched at present due to officers being “on loan” to the Strategic Policy Unit or having transferred to another Council.  So far as Berryfields was concerned this has been a long running saga resulting in two enormous dwellings now in the process of being built on the site.  

Failure to comply with planning conditions has resulted in a Planning Contravention Notice being issued but enforcement procedures are longwinded.  Meantime the situation is being monitored.  

The money available for leisure services under the 106 Agreement has to be spent by 2033.   

Following the village walkabout the Highways Manager is looking at the items on the list not within the Highway Rangers remit.  Potholes should be repaired.   Many Council houses have received visits from an inspector checking on the condition of the properties.  Cllr. Garnett asked that residents with any problems should contact him personally as soon as possible so that all houses can be brought up to standard by 2010. 

Cllr. Garnett is following up outstanding items, i.e. the replacement of the waste bin by the ladies toilet, repair to the guttering of the toilet block, painting of the cycle racks.  However three new bottle banks are now in the coach park.  If the Parish Council wished the leaves cleared from the pavement/gutters prior to the Dickensian Evening Cllr. Garnett will arrange a date and time so that residents can be informed as last year.  Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will co-ordinate with residents and Cllr. Laverick will put the date and time in the parish magazine. 

11.  PUBLIC REPRESENTATION   On the subject of allotments, Mr. March had obtained some useful information from CBC and welcomed the fact that their representative, Mr. Penny, was to be asked to attend the next meeting.  C.Cllr. Clover reported that cars were entering Princel Lane only to find that there was no way through.  This was in the main due to the misplacing of the “Parking” sign for the Mill Lane car park which indicated the next turning, i.e. Princel Lane.  There was also no “Dedham” sign at Birchwood.  Cllr. Garnett said that Mr. Harris was already aware of these anomalies. 

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS  Cllr. Laverick is in the process of updating the Emergency Plan and will attend the meeting at the Town Hall on lst December.  The constant flooding of the area by the Craft Centre continues despite Highways awareness that there is a problem.  Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will again contact Mr. Maplestone to ask for a site visit.   Cllr. Mrs. Cannon asked if consideration could be given to the purchase of some cones for use on occasions by the Parish Council.

Approval of the Dedham Primary School building plans has been received from ECC.  Cllr. Cannon reminded the meeting the Parish Plan needs to progress.  It was agreed that a special meeting be called in order to discuss this.  Cllr. Cannon will arrange.  So far as some form of pedestrian footpath on Long Road was concerned Cllr. Garnett is still waiting a reply from Mr. Harris.  Cllr. Dempsey asked for clarification of the ownership of the old brick bus shelter on the A12 by the Old Ipswich Road.  Cllr. Garnett explained that although this was officially “in Dedham” it had long ago been the only bus stop for Langham and consequently it had been insured and managed by Langham Parish Council.   There was no longer a need and it was due to be demolished.  The Chairman had been informed that the Diocese had advised Rev. Moate that the horse chestnut tree by the church gate did not at the present time need remedial work.  Cllr. Garnett asked if there were any problems with a Council House Tenants meeting being held in the Assembly Rooms.  The Parish Council had no objections. 

13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING  The next meeting will be held in the Assembly Rooms on Wednesday, 10th December, 2008. at 7.30 p.m.  

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.

 

Return to Minutes Page