Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 13^th May, 2009,  in the Assembly Rooms

 Present:  Councillors R. Appleby, Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, M. Dempsey, B. Hindley, R. Laverick, P. Moorhouse, Mrs. K. Spencer, S. White.

                Ward Councillor:    C. Garnett

                 Parish Clerk           Mrs. J. Flewin

                 PCSO                    Natalie King

 Cllr. Moorhouse tendered his resignation for personal reasons.  The Clerk will advise CBC who will start the necessary procedures to fill the resulting vacancy.  Councillors thanked Cllr. Moorhouse for his year in office as chairman.  

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE   None 

2. ELECTIONS 

Chairman    Nominations for the office of Chairman were Cllr. Laverick, proposed by Cllr. Cannon, seconded by Cllr. Appleby,  and Cllr. Cannon, proposed by Cllr. Laverick and seconded by Cllr. Hindley. both of whom were willing to stand.   Cllr. Laverick was elected by a majority vote. 

Vice-Chairman   Cllr. Dempsey was proposed by Cllr. Spencer, seconded by Cllr. White, and was elected by a majority vote. 

Planning sub-committee   Cllrs. Cannon, Dempsey, Appleby, Hindley, (Laverick as needed)) 

Finance Committee  Cllr. Laverick, Mrs. Cannon, Clerk

 

Playing Field & Amenities (no change)  Cllrs Mrs. A. Cannon, Mrs. K. Spencer 

Footpath Representatives  (no change) Cllr. Appleby 

Press Officer/Emergency Co-ordinator   Cllr. White 

Transport Representative (no change) Cllr. Laverick 

Duchy Barn Representative (no change)  Cllr. Mrs. Spencer 

CALC Representative (no change)  Cllr. Hindley 

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

4.      MATTERS ARISING 

(a)    106 Agreement suggestions  The committee had looked at all the options and prioritised four, namely the outside gym, the youth pod, the bowls winder and allotments.  So far as the outside gym was concerned there were various issues to be investigated further, such as cost, insurance, sites.  Similarly the youth pod site needed careful consideration as it was preferred it should be visible from the road.   Cllr. Cannon suggested that these items should be mentioned to the planners at forthcoming discussions and reported back to a further meeting.   So far as improvements to the sports club parking area were concerned  it was felt that this was a separate issue.  The wild space nature area was also being considered by an independent group.  Cllr. Mrs. Spencer advised that an Allotments Association for Dedham had been formed, with Mrs. Jean Appleby as Chairman.  Information from the Colchester Allotment Association was awaited and land was being sought. Notices announcing the formation of the Association would be placed on the  parish boards. 

 (b)  Flooding in Long Road East   CBC had examined the highway in question and had made suggestions regarding marking the carriageway when funds become available.  Meanwhile the drainage system to Crabtree Cottage would be investigated by the resident who is in touch with Mr. Bligh of CBC.   The recent dry spell has also meant an improvement to the condition of this stretch of the road.  No further action at present. 

(c)  Horkesley Park Heritage Centre   As response time was short a telephone poll of councillors had been carried out which resulted in 7 against, 1 for, and 1 abstention.  Cllr. Garnett had passed this information on to the right quarter within the given timescale.

 (d)  Walkabout  Several councillors, plus Cllr. Garnett and Mr. Ward of CBC attended a walkabout in Dedham on 15^th April. The following is a summary of items raised with relevant comments by CBC.  Mill Lane and Bargate Lane will be repaired in the near future.  This will mean removing the weight restriction on Stratford Road for a few days.   Forge Street will be inspected and kerbing repaired as appropriate.  Footways and kerbing in Forge Street will be placed on the rolling programme to be considered for major works in the future.   An additional drainage gully near the Craft Centre is being arranged to help alleviate flooding.  Cllr. Laverick will receive information regarding companies that can supply a reinforcing material to go under grass.  This was a suggested solution for the parking area behind the pavilion.  Requests for waiting restrictions at Manningtree Road, Brook Street, Forge Street, Crown Street and in front of the war memorial will be considered.   SLOW markings on Crown Street approaches to Coopers Lane will be added and the pothole in Castle Hill dealt with. 

     The use of white markings to denote vehicular access is no longer being used and owners should put out their own signs on their property to highlight the need for access at all times.  An additional no through road sign at Princel Lane affixed to a building has not been approved by the owners and CBC has been asked if the street nameplate can be amended to include the no through road symbol.  An additional 30 mph roundel on Ardleigh Road can be marked adjacent to the sped limit repeater sign. 

 The bridge over the River Stour in Mill Lane is the responsibility of Suffolk C.C. and all matters concerning it should be addressed to their offices.   

(e) Duchy Barn Shed  Mr. Hugh Barrell, (retired Quinlan Terry architect responsible for work in Dedham church) and his builder have examined the shed and we are at present waiting for details of costs before proceeding further.  The Vicar is being very supportive and it is hoped that a grant can be obtained.  

 (f)  A quote of £150 has been received from Mr. Hodson for the trimming back of the Drift footpath.  This was unanimously accepted. 

(g) The toilets in the sports field are still unavailable and it is understood that the builders have a problem with levels.  It was suggested that temporary toilets should be obtained for the sports field for use over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.  This was agreed and the Clerk will make arrangements.  Meanwhile, Cllr. Garnett will try to obtain information on the current situation.  Some business premises were allowing the use of their toilets and a few notices were displayed in the relevant shop windows. 

       (h)  Dirty Roadsigns    This was a problem which could be referred to the Rangers Unit.

5. CORRESPONDENCE   

    (a)  Governing Body – Dedham Primary School   Mrs. Lyn West wished to resign her position as the Parish Council representative on the Governing Body of Dedham Primary School.  The appointment of a replacement will be discussed at the next meeting.

Mrs. West has served for several years and the Parish Council is most grateful to her for her dedication and hard work. 

6.  REPORT OF PCSO  Natalie reported theft of agricultural equipment from Long Road West and warned that garden equipment was very vulnerable during the summer months.  She asked the public to be aware and make sure outbuildings, sheds, cars, windows, etc were locked.   A suspect has been detained over the bag snatching incident and this is being investigated by CID.  Door to door salesmen were operating in the area and should residents be disturbed by this they should ring her. 

7. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA  A resident has reported that the stile on Footpath 12 is unsafe.  The landowner has not responded to a request that it be repaired and the Clerk was asked to write to Mr. Bodsworth, asking that he attend to this this within 14 days.   Problems needing attention on several footpaths have been taken up by Cllr. Appleby and Mr. Osborn (Footpath Group). It is hoped that in conjunction with PPP, Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project and landowners some twelve or so stiles will be upgraded or replaced with gates. Gates on the Essex Way in the area behind Castle House have been vandalised and  Mr. Marven, Highways Officer responsible for footpaths, suggested that Cllr. Appleby contact Mary Moire of Highways for help in this respect.   Cllr. Laverick is working on the online footpath guide and hopes to have proofs by the middle of next month.

Erection of the enclosure has started and should be finished next week.  Problems arose over  the location of a key for the locking post and it was considered essential that a key should be lodged with a member of the Parish Council.  This will be taken up with the Sports Club. 

Cllr. Laverick has spoken with Mr. Charles Clover regarding the notice which previously appeared on the pavilion wall indicating that the parking there was reserved for Sports Club users only.  Mr. Clover had no knowledge of its whereabouts but there were no objections to the Sports Club replacing it.. 

Swearing on Football Pitch  A response from the Essex & Suffolk Football League to the Parish Council’s complaint re foul language on the football field confirms that the referee of the match has the power to caution and send  players off for the constant use of foul and abusive language.  Indeed, it is his responsibility to warn the teams before the match that this will not be tolerated.  Unfortunately swearing is endemic in today’s society but players are more likely to watch their language if warned before the game starts.  Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has twice attended local matches and spoken with the referee/manager and on each occasion there was a great improvement in the conduct of the match.  It is to be hoped that this will continue and the League will closely monitor the reports that referees have to make following all matches.   

8. DEDHAM SURGERY   Mr. Osborn was pleased to announce that the Ardleigh practice would be functioning at the Dedham Health Centre from July on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Thursday afternoons.  The Network Group will work their own surgeries around these times.   Some changes to the building were still ongoing and the NHS Link between Ardleigh and Dedham is now being installed.  They hoped to mark the occasion of the “opening” when the time comes. 

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

                                                                                                                  £

Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in April             PPP                           300.00

                                                                          Maintenance               180.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff  - Litter                                                                       168.00

Dedham Parish Church – Churchyard maintenance                            1,350.00

 

N.B.  Mrs. Ruff will continue her litter duties with the help of an assistant.

Mrs. Hindley has kindly agreed to help on the occasions when Mrs. Ruff is unable to do the hours. 

Income   Parish Precept – first phase           £13,500.00

                Dedham LTC                                         50.00

 

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

 COL/09/0428  Newholme, The Heath, Dedham. 

                         Conservatory 

  Comments:    No objections.

 

COL/09/O407  Muniment House (Listed), Brook Street, Dedham.

0556

                         Demolish existing ext. and replace with new. New windows.

  Comments:     No objections, but material issues to be addressed.

 

 

ESS14/09/COL  Dedham Sewerage Works, Mill Lane, Dedham.                

                            Kiosk

   Comments:       Further consultations needed.

 

CBC has approved the following application:

 COL/09/0556    Marlborough Head, Mill Lane, Dedham.

                           Internal alterations to include fire escape.

 

CBC has refused the following application:

 COL/09/0212    4 Victoria Cottages, Long Road West, Dedham.

                           Convert garage/workshop into annexe.

11. PARISH PLAN   This has been in abeyance for some time and is a project which must be worked on fairly soon.  The Parish Plan is the next step on from the Village Design Statement and looks at the ambience of the village, transport links, requirements for the sustainability of the village, etc.   Councillors were asked to consider their involvement with the project and bring their views to the next meeting.  It will be necessary for a village committee to be formed and workshops held.   Cllr. Cannon had information from RCCE which would be helpful and will arrange to circulate this amongst members. 

12. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   Cllr. Garnett reminded the meeting that placing signs on the highway is illegal and as a result of the Horkesley Park campaign the authorities are making sure all such signs are removed.   There are none now in Dedham. 

“A” boards are also not allowed on the pavement.  A new business leaflet has been produced advising visitors what is available in Dedham and where obtainable.  The new board in the car park should be available soon.   Several Council house repairs have been carried out successfully and there would be another residents meeting in the autumn to discuss problems with the Tenants Association and CBC. Homes. 

 13. PARISH REPRESENTATION  Mr. MacArthur wished to thank the Surgery Committee and those who had supported them over the years for their diligence and tenacity in the long hard struggle to have a surgery in Dedham.  Mr. Stewart wished to thank Mr. Moorhouse for his service as Chairman during the past year. 

14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS  Cllr. Dempsey felt strongly that a letter from the Parish Council should be sent to the Rose Builders asking why the refurbishment of the toilets was taking so long.  Cllr. Garnett asked for time to make his enquiries through CBC but if this was unsuccessful then a letter should be sent.  Meanwhile temporary toilets will be booked for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend as agreed.  Cllr. White spoke of a bad smell at the west end of the High Street/Colchester Road.  Although Anglian Water have dealt with this in the past the problem had not been entirely solved.  Cllr. White will write to Anglian Water.   Cllr. Laverick reported that the sightline at the junction of Long Road West with Ardleigh Road was obstructed.  The Highway Rangers will be asked to clear this..    There is a problem with the “stop” for the school bus at the junction of Long Road West and Ardleigh Road and also at Lamb Corner.  Cllr. White agreed to help Cllr. Laverick in monitoring the situation.  The cycle railings have now been painted. 

15. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   This will be held in the Assembly Rooms at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 9^th June, 2009.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.