Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of Meeting held on 12^th October, 2005,
in the Assembly Rooms

Present:   In the Chair     Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

                 Councillors      D. Bradbrook, R. Cannon,  R. Cort, R. Laverick,

                                          P. Moorhouse, J.Osborn, Mrs. L. West.

                Ward Councillor  C. Garnett

                 Parish Clerk     Mrs. J. Flewin

                 Electors            14

1.        APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Clover

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

3.      MATTERS ARISING

(a)    Neighbourhood Watch    Last month’s meeting had been well attended and Cllr. Bradbrook gave a report.  Sgt. Middleton and P.C. Everett of Essex Police were also present for a short while and gave an overview of their role in liaising with local NW communities.  They were aware of the recent vandalism at Lamb Corner and were investigating the issue of “racing cars” around the village.  Officers had been elected and Mr. Brian Hindley will retain the role of Co-ordinator.   For the time being he will also act as Chairman with Mr. Alex Vidovic as deputy.   The next meeting for volunteer co-ordinators is on 18^th October in the Hewitt Hall at 8 p.m.

       (b) Speed Reduction Measures   Mr. Ward, Highways Manager, has agreed to look at further measures for reducing speeding through Dedham.  He will look at whether the mobile variable message sign can be re-used at other sites in the village but this is booked elsewhere at present and may not be able to revisit Dedham in the immediate future.

 Following an incident in Birchwood Road when motorists had to reverse for a heavy lorry to negotiate the bend, Mr. Kevin Taylor has written to Bernard Jenkin, Inspector Brewer and  Highways to check on information given to him by the driver that he had permission to use the road through the weight restriction area.  It was agreed that the Parish Council would also follow this up by writing to Tuckwells and Stewards, the two firms concerned.

       (c)  Car Park Lighting   CBC had confirmed that the estimate of £200/220 for the replacement of the lamps in the Mill Lane car park would cover all costs.  It was agreed to bring this matter to the next meeting in view of the absence of Cllr. Clover.

       (d)  Capital Grant Scheme   The Clerk and Cllr. Osborn had attended the meeting at the Town Hall for the allocation of grants and were pleased to report that Dedham had been allocated the full £25,000 for which they had applied for the surgery.

 At the general meeting prior to the above details of a new scheme for the allocation of Council housing was advised which CBC hoped would be more manageable and of benefit to those seeking accommodation.   However, so far as Dedham and Langham were concerned local people would be given priority for local accommodation.

    (e)  TELEPHONES  The listed kiosk in the High Street was now fully functional. BT confirmed that their conversion to card plans only concerned two of the four telephones in Dedham.   No decisions have been made as the consultation period has not yet closed.

4. CORRESPONDENCE

   (a)  Bus Stop – High Street    The Parish Council and residents of the High Street had received a letter from CBC outlining proposals for the relocation of the bus stop on the east side of the High Street to outside the Co-op with the subsequent loss of residential/limited waiting parking.  This had caused a great deal of concern and many letters of objection had been written to the Parish Council and CBC.   There was unanimous objection from all members present that putting a bus stop outside the Co-op would cause obstruction in this narrowing part of the High Street, hinder the sightline of traffic accessing and emerging from Mill Lane and generally serve no useful purpose.  The Clerk was asked to advise CBC that the Parish Council would not support their proposal and wished to retain the status quo.

    (b)  Temporary Waiting Restrictions   Notices regarding temporary waiting restrictions had been received for Brook Street, High Street and Mill Lane.  As there was no indication as to the reason for this the Clerk was asked to clarify the situation.

    (c) Highways Agency Area 6 Stakeholders Survey    Passed to Cllr. Cort.

 5.  DEDHAM SURGERY   The response from the Constable Country Practice to the Parish Council’s letter had been disappointingly negative and had maintained their decision not to continue with a surgery in the Assembly Rooms after December.

It was felt that having come so far with the proposed new surgery it would be very sad if the whole idea collapsed and every effort would be made, with or without the full co-operation of the Constable Practice, to explore all avenues in order to maintain a medical presence in Dedham.  Consultation with the Suffolk PCT is continuing and a meeting will be held in the next few days. 

 6.  FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA     Nothing to report on footpaths.  Cllr. Osborn had contacted the landowner regarding the gap in the hedge along Brook Street which was being used as a shortcut into the recreation ground and she was happy that this should be dealt with.  It was unanimously agreed that Mr. Hodson be asked to seal the gap

 Following a visit and recommendations from HM Inspector of Health & Safety Cllr. Osborn has written a report advising them that all the necessary Health & Safety requirements have been addressed by the Parish Council.  A letter has been sent to ROSPA advising them that action has been taken in all the areas mentioned in their report and that we wish to initiate an annual inspection of the play area and roundabout.  Apart from the usual maintenance and safety inspections carried out by Playsafe Construction, Andrew Hodson will make a weekly inspection.  Cllrs. Osborn and Bradbrook will be attending a Sport Club meeting in the near future when the health and safety points made in the Parish Council’s letter to them will be followed up.    It was felt that consideration could now be given to some new pieces of equipment for the play area and Cllr. Osborn was asked to select and cost some suggested items for circulation before  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 – Footpaths (PPP)                                         250.00

                            Maintenance                                               112.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter                                                          132.00

Sports Club – Grass cutting (2^nd half year)                            826.60

Hire of Duchy Barn (Surgery meeting)                                    10.00

Playsafe Construction – Removal of old play equipment         426.52

    “                 “               Maintenance play area                      55.81

R. Cannon – Expenses                                                               8.90

Income   Second half precept -  £8,000

 8. PLANNING   No planning applications.    Cllr. Cannon had attended a CBC Planning Seminar intended to ensure that members of Parish Councils involved in making local planning decisions understood all rules and regulations.  He had found this to be interesting and enlightening.

 9. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR Cllr. Garnett with several residents had attended the meeting for extended licence applications.  There had been partial victory inasmuch as the Marlborough Head had been granted an extended licence but only until midnight.   Having found that the large compartmented waste containers were unsuitable for some roads CBC were now looking back to smaller containers.

Cllr. Garnett had been asked to check on the roof tiles at The Anchor Public House and could now report that these were safe and secure.

10. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION   A resident complaining about a dangerously driven van using Manningtree Road every morning was advised to contact the police.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS   Cllr. Laverick has now submitted a request for a website grant to puchase a domain name, update software and hosting arrangements and carry out training which should be completed by the end of February.  The white road junction markings already reported have still not been repainted.  CC. Tony Clover was asked if he could expedite this.   Cllr. Osborn asked for approval for the Brook Street hedge to have its annual  cut and this was agreed for some time in November.  CC. Tony Clover advised that the Dedham Vale & Stour Valley Project had monies available which could be used to have the Crown Street part of the hedge cut back/layered  He suggested that the landowner be advised of this.  Cllr. Osborn was aware of this and this information will be passed to Mrs. Canham when the gap in that hedge is dealt with.  Cllr. Mrs. West reported that the Rangers cake stall in Royal Square had been very successful.  Initial thoughts on the charity to be supported by the Dedham Quiz were Essex Air Ambulance and Cancer Research and this matter would be discussed at the proposed meeting with Mr. David Druitt, Quiz Master.   Work on the village pump had now been finalised.   Reflector strips had been placed on the memorial seat by the church wall.     It was reported that the hedge along the footway bordering the Castle House field in Crown Street had brambles at a dangerous level.  This path was used by the “walking bus” as well as members of the public and was hazardous after dark.  The Clerk will contact Castle House.    The waste freighter will be in Parson’s Field, Dedham, on 5^th November. 

12.  DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 9^th November, 2005, at 6.45 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.