Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of Meeting held on 13^th July, 2005,
in the Assembly Rooms

 Present:   In the Chair     Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

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

                                          R. Laverick, J.Osborn, Mrs. L. West.

                 Parish Clerk     Mrs. J. Flewin

                 Electors            10

 1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Moorhouse.

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

 3.      MATTERS ARISING

 (a)    Traffic Problems – Lamb Corner Cllr. Mrs. West gave an update on the situation following conversations with George Ward , CBC, and Alan Plawle, Casualty Reduction Unit.  There appeared to be little that they or the police could or would do regarding the abuse of the HGV weight restriction.  This had been introduced in 1989 on environmental grounds and not safety and as such attracted only low level enforcement.  The current practice with this type of restriction is to make it self enforcing, i.e. some form of barrier.  After considerable discussion it was agreed that this was not the answer.  Cllr. West felt that names and numbers of lorries contravening the weight limit should continue to be logged so that owners and companies can be advised that they are breaking the law.    Lamb Corner resident Ken Taylor had also been actively pursuing the matter of HGV’s and speeding and had exchanges of correspondence with Inspector Brewer, Essex Police, and Alan Plawle who had also suggested an “engineering” solution for both problems.  One measure discussed was some form of “sleeping policeman” and this would be followed up.  It was also hoped that Cllr. Tony Clover’s recommendation that white lines be put on the road would be implemented soon.

 Builders’ vans and cars parked on the footpath outside Gothic Cottage were a hazard and the Clerk will write to the occupier accordingly.  Cars were also parking on the small green at the junction of Birchwood Road with Grove Hill making it unsightly.  Cllr. Mrs. West will look into this.

 (b) Speeding in Dedham  George Ward, CBC, had agreed that Dedham could have temporary use of a trailer mounted VDU (Visual Display Unit) and agreed to look at the following areas: Birchwood Road, Long Road East (Jupes Hill/Bargate Lane), Crown Street/Brook Street, Grove Hill, Long Road West.  To date he had not reported back.   Brook Street resident Tex Carouth has passed on information to Sgt. Dale, Essex Police, regarding “racers” through the village and had again requested some form of speed control.

 c)    Car Park Lighting  There had been no response from Mr. High, CBC, following an enquiry re Mill Lane car park lighting.  Clerk to follow this up.

 d)      Neighbourhood Watch  A successful meeting had been held with Carole Dennis, Borough Co-ordinator, and Peter Carrington, Borough Safety Co-ordinator.  Brian Hinley, retired from Essex Police, agreed to be the Dedham Co-ordinator.  Mr. Carrington told the meeting of the aims and working of the Neighbourhood Watch in conjunction with his department which was involved in reducing crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Several residents present were already in the system as street co-ordinators and others expressed their willingness to participate.  Mr. Hinley will arrange a further meeting.

 e)      Dedham Primary School – Parking Cllrs. West and Osborn had attended a site meeting at 8.30 a.m. with representatives from Essex C.C. and the Headmistress.  This had been followed by a meeting chaired by John Grey, ECC.  Everyone agreed that here were issues but any project which encouraged the use of cars was not supported by ECC Safer Journeys to School and other bodies on grounds of safety, funding and environmental.  Initiatives to reduce the use of cars, such as the very successful “walking buses”, were encouraged and Cllr. Mrs. West, in conjunction with the Primary School, will be looking into ways of  extending adult support for this to the wider community so that more children can be included in the scheme.

4.  CORRESPONDENCE

 a)  Donation from Horticultural Society   A cheque for £20 has been received from DHS to provide plants, etc. for the tubs beside the village pump.  A letter of thanks has been sent.

b) Waiting Restriction Review  ECC advise that the review includes the removal of a section of  limited waiting bays at the junction of Stratford Road with Colchester Road.   This was requested by the Parish Council.

c) Dedham Village Design Statement/Parish Plan  An exhibition will be held in the Assembly Room which will be a follow up to the Photographic Day on the 14^th May.  Cllr. Cannon is liaising re the village Parish Plan.

d) August Bank Holiday Event   Judith Fowle sought permission to place a small notice advertising the Dedham Visitor’s Guide on the two Dedham maps – Mill Lane Car Park and corner Royal Square.  It was agreed that this could be done for the Bank Holiday event but not long term.  Following last year’s event when traffic wardens had visited the village Mrs. Fowle had made enquiries about having the two hour waiting restriction suspended for the day. This was possible on application, with no charge, because it was a village affair.  Members were happy with this.   Double yellow line parking was not affected.

e)    Access to School Lane via Sports Field  Builders K. & A. Day sought permission to access School Lane via the sports field in order to carry out repairs to the boundary of South Cottage.  There was no objection to this.  Cllr. Osborn suggested they should obtain a key to the lockable bollards from Chris Clark.

f)        Dedham Meade – Greensward  Resident S. Osborn had written regarding damage to the greensward behind his premises on Dedham Meade.  This was caused by youths creating a BMX cycle track.  Cllrs. Osborn and Cannon had looked into the matter.  Cllr. Cannon had had a site meeting with Neil Long, CBC, and reinstatement work, including possibly a fence, will be carried out in the near future.

g)      Dedham Meade – Trees   Resident David Grave expressed concern at the present height and width of the trees originally planted some thirty years ago when Dedham Mead was built.  Cllr. Osborn and Tree Warden Andrew Carter have looked at the trees.  Mr. Carter was opposed to any removal of the trees and said they were in good health.  He recommended a reshaping and crown reduction of about 25% for the two trees in question.  His comments will be passed to CBC. 

Mr. Carter has now resigned from the post of Tree Warden.

h)      Possible Twinning Dedham, Mass.   Jacqui Freeman advised that The Friends of Dedham Church had met with visitors from Dedham, Mass. who as a result had showed some interest in maintaining a link.  Cllr. Cort, who visited Dedham, Mass. recently, and Cllr. Osborn who will be travelling there soon, will follow this up.

i)  Extension of hours, etc. – Marlborough Head    The Marlborough Head had applied for permission to extend their hours and use the premises for karaoke and live entertainment.  Local residents and the Parish Council were opposed to this and Cllr. Cort will consult the new Licensing Regulations and take the appropriate action to register the views of the meeting.

5.     DEDHAM SURGERY  The Steering Group had been advised by Sandra Howard that they had been successful in obtaining a further grant which means that building work should be starting in August.  A public announcement will be made following official notification of the award.  Some further money will need to be raised locally over a two year period and plans for this will be made.   Cllr. Cannon commented that official planning permission had not been finalised.  Cllr. Osborn will consult with Colne Housing.

6.  FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA   The Essex Way running behind Winterflood House now had five new gates.   Resident Mr. Oven, The Millstream, had a handrail from the footbridge which had been thrown onto his property.  Cllr. Osborn will deal with this. 

Cllr. Osborn reported that following the work on the roundabout there remained £1,700 of the grant money awarded which should be spent on the play area.   Members felt that in view of the ROSPA report it would be wise to ensure that their recommendations had been implemented before moving on to new equipment.  It was agreed that Mr. Bower be asked to deal with this.  New equipment will be discussed 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      June/Ground Maint. £140 + PPP £250                     390.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter                                                                          132.00

Mr. P. Gallifant – Notice for play area                                                       25.00

Mr. E. Tanner – Internal audit                                                                   25.00

Duchy Barn Hire                                                                                      10.00

RCCE Subs                                                                                             50.00

R. Cannon – Expenses                                                                              15.89

Income:      Dedham Hort. Society        £  20.00

                   PPP June/July                     £594.29       

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

 COL/05/1119  Mertons, Long Road East, Dedham.

                         Change of use of part residential property to office use

                        (max. 10 work stations)

COMMENTS: Recommend refusal.  See Planning File for details

LB/COL/05/    Upper Park, Coles Oak Lane, Dedham.

0965

                        Provide floor to cellar, and provide tanking membrane to

                        Existing walls of cellar.

COMMENTS: Parish Council are sympathetic towards the proposals and have no

                       Objections.  Recommend approval.
 

COL/05/0993  Stowe House, Long Road West, Dedham.

                       Room in garage conversion.

COMMENTS: No objections.  Recommend approval.
 

COL/05/1042  The Cottage, Ipswich Road, Dedham.

                        Extension to garage to form car port and erection of pitched roof

                        to form storage area.   (Resubmission COL/05/0525)                 

COMMENTS: Recommend refusal.  See Planning File for details.

COL/05/1072   Lime Tree House, Brook Street, Dedham

LB/COL/05/1101 

                         Single storey rear extension and alterations 

COMMENTS:  No objections.  Recommend approval.

COL/05/1140  Heath Farm, Long Road East, Dedham.

                         Change of use from agricultural land to tennis court and enclosure.

 COMMENTS: Parish Council sympathetic towards this proposal. However

                        Footpath 42 exists along the east boundary of the site and as long

                        as this right of way is not diverted or changed in any way there are

                        no further objections.

 
COL/05/1112  Gardeners Cottage, Gun Hill, Dedham.

                        Two storey side/rear extension and rear conservatory.

COMMENTS: No objections.  Recommend approval.

The Anchor Public House, Dedham.  Cllr. Cannon, on behalf of the Parish Council, wished to thank all those who had sent letters of objection to CBC regarding the demolition of The Anchor.  The planning application had been refused.

 9.  REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   None.

 10. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION   Mr. Bartholomew said there was difficulty with disabled access at the Barfield Almshouses.  He was advised to contact the Trustees.

He also pointed out that the school had no right to stop the installation of the waste bin on council ground outside the school premises and it was agreed that this should be taken up with Cllr. Garnett.  The overhanging trees at Dedham Hall and along Southfields were a hazard to pedestrians and a note will be sent to Mr. Sarton and Mr. de Muscotte-Morris asking that they be trimmed back..   

 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS   The new wood on the village pump had still not been coloured correctly and it was agreed that a letter be sent to Mark Sycamore.  As the Dedham Quiz Cup had been won by the Parish Council team consideration needed to be given to arrangements for the next Quiz in February 2006.  Cllr. Mrs. West had already been in contact with David Druitt who was happy to be Quizmaster.  Users of the tennis courts were parking along Manningtree Road and accessing the sports field through a gap in the hedge. Which was on an extremely dangerous bend in the road.  The Clerk was asked to write to the tennis club asking that their members did not park in the road and Cllr. Osborne will contact Rachel Canham regarding the fence line.  Trees in the Mill Lane car park were encroaching on the Dedham Sign and CBC will be advised.  The road sign for “Coggeshall Road” (Long Road junction) is missing.  White lines down the middle of Coggeshall Road are non-existent as are those at the junction of Long Road West with Ardleigh Road.  Clerk to contact CBC.   Following a meeting of the Duchy Barn committee Cllr. Mrs. West reported that they thanked the Parish Council for the offer but felt there was little need for a further light on the barn.                                                                               

 12  DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   It was agreed that there would be no meeting in August.    The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 14^th September, 2005, at 7.30 p.m.

 There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.20 p.m.