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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 13 September 2006
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES of meeting held on 13th September, 2006, in The Assembly Rooms
Present: In the Chair Cllr. Mrs. V. Guglielmi Councillors D. Bradbrook, R. Cannon, R. Cort, P. Moorhouse, J. Osborn, Ward Councillor C. Garnett Parish Clerk Mrs. J. Flewin Electors 26
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllrs. Clover, Laverick and Mrs. West. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. 3. MATTERS ARISING (a) War Memorial Monumental Masons Watts have quoted £750 plus VAT for the cleaning of the base of the war memorial. Details of grants were available and Cllr. Osborn will follow this up. (b) Village Design Statement Questionnaires have been distributed to all households. (c) Various Hedges & Trees Castle House have cleared the path in Crown Street and the approach to the Sports Pavilion has also been dealt with. CBC have sprayed weeds in Dedham Meade. It was agreed that the insurance excess of £50 be paid to the Duchy Barn in respect of the damage to the roof caused by a branch from a tree in the recreation ground. |
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4. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Colchester Cycling Campaign The possibilities of a cycle link for Dedham, Flatford and Manningtree Station are being looked at by CCC, the first step being to survey the route to assess suitability and work needed and then gain the official support of Essex and Suffolk C.C. as well as the National Trust and other relevant bodies. At this early stage the Parish Council’s opinion is sought. It was agreed that the information/map provided was insufficient to give an opinion, but the details we have will be passed to Cllr. Laverick for his consideration and further details sought from CCC. (b) Large Goods Vehicles – Dedham Following the July meeting when Mr. Geoff Harris and colleagues attended he did, as promised, contact The Highways Agency and details of the new sign installed on the southbound A12 junction 30 – B1029 were provided. With no Parish Council meeting in August Mr. Harris’ findings were not discussed and the sign is now in place. The new sign clearly shows the “ahead” destination, including Harwich A120 (E) which should help in directing A120 traffic away from the B1029. (c) Restriction Signs and Proposed new “No Waiting” restrictions Essex CC Highways had examined sections of the current signing in Dedham and found that in places it is no longer adequate or is misplaced. Unfortunately due to a very poor response from householders to a request for assistance in placing signs on property walls or boundary fence/wall it will be necessary to install a number of new posts in various locations in order to properly sign the restrictions currently in force in the parking bays. There will also be some changes in the double yellow lines and parking bays which include (i) removal of existing single parking bay which is too small to sustain (opp. Assembly Rooms) and (ii) extension of double yellow lines by 7 metres to protect access to Threadneedle Street. (d) Traffic Issues in Dedham A new resident has written making several points about the general traffic issues in Dedham. Unfortunately all the points made have been debated over many years with The Highways Agency, CBC, Essex CC and the police. As a Parish Council were are not empowered to demand or make decisions affecting traffic issues but over many years councillors have done their utmost to try to contain the problems which arise. Various new schemes are in the pipeline, i.e. Speedwatch and new signing for HGV lorries, and Cllr. Garnett continues to request that diaries are kept of large lorry movements. The Clerk will write explaining the matter to the concerned resident. (e) Royal Square Barrier The resident of Duchy House has asked if some form of gate between the barrier to the sports field and her garden wall could be considered. This would cut down the speed at which some cyclists try to negotiate the gap, stop damage to her wall and generally improve the safety of young children who are at risk from speeding cycles. It was reported that the post bearing the barrier is rotten and in danger of falling down. Members felt that the matter should be given serious consideration. Cllr. Osborn will consult with Mr. Bower and meanwhile councillors were asked to have a look at the site and bring back suggestions as to how the problems might be overcome. (e) Cricket Festival 2007 Dedham C.C. are planning a cricket festival for July 2007 and asked for permission to erect a marquee for use by players and guests. There was no objection to this. (f) Colchester 2020 The Parish Council has received an invitation to attend the Colchester 2020 Assembly Meeting on “Transport – Changing Habits” to be held in Lion Walk United Reformed Church on 17th October. (g) Recycling Containers – Mill Lane Car Park CBC apologised for not having replied earlier to the Parish Council’s letter asking that they consider relocating the re-cycling units from the car park to the coach park. This request was made following Mrs. Ruff’s report that the banks were too small, not emptied often enough and smashed bottles littered the car park. CBC stated that the provision of bottle banks generally was under review but that moving them might have an adverse affect on their popularity as the current site was very accessible. The Clerk will write explaining that removal to the coach park would make little difference as it was adjacent to the car park. CBC also stated that they would ask that the frequency of emptying be looked at to avoid overspill. (h) East of England Regional Assembly – Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites. Public consultation on the draft project plan in respect of the above is available on the EERA’s website. And will be published until 11th October, 2006. (i) PCSO – Consultation/Neighbourhood Watch The Chairman gave a resume of the public meeting which had taken place on Monday, 4th September, to discuss the question of Police Community Support Officers. Despite wide publicity attendance at the meeting was poor. Members of the police force, including our Community Police Officer and a PCSO from Colchester, were available and Insp. Mayes gave a very precise and informative talk on what was involved. All those members of the public present were supportive and a representative from Langham also expressed their interest. The Chairman gave a rough figure of the cost to Dedham residents of employing a village PCSO which amounted to £1.25 per month per household. The Chairman asked those members of the public present how they viewed the matter and all agreed that they would be prepared to support the scheme. It was agreed that a statement of intent be put into the parish magazine and that a final decision would be taken at the October meeting. This would give residents a further chance to voice an opinion. Meanwhile the Clerk would ask CBC for confirmation of the community cost should it be decided to appoint a PCSO for Dedham. Mr. Hindley advised that Neighbourhood Watch was going from strength to strength. There were now almost one hundred members, including seventeen street co-ordinators, whom he thanked for all their efforts during the starting up period. Essex Police will soon be training the dozen volunteers in the use of the speed guns with which we shall endeavour to slow traffic around the village and to curb the anti-social behaviour of some people who exceed the speed limits. All excessive “speeders” will be reported to the Police who will take action against those who regularly choose to exceed the limits. This may also reduce the “boy racers” around the village. The NW AGM will be held on 26th September, at 8 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms. |
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5. DEDHAM SURGERY Cllr. Garnett thanked residents for their on-going support which was greatly appreciated by the Steering Committee. A formal constitution was being prepared and consideration will be given to an application for charity status. Both Tendring and Colchester PCT have decided that they cannot support the surgery. This was a blow but there are other ways forward. As from lst October, 2006, there will be one PCT for the whole of N.E. Essex and a letter asking for support will be sent to the new chairman. Approaches are also continuing at County level through C.Cllr. Clover and Bernard Jenkin M.P. is prepared to take the matter up with the Health Minister if necessary. Cllr. Osborn gave a brief outline of the financial situation which showed that £26,301 was outstanding, although other funding sources were still being explored. The running costs were expected to be in the region of £39 per week. The building is on schedule and should be ready for the opening in December. Mr. Bower said that although the scheme had taken a long time he was sure that eventually it would succeed and Dedham (and the NHS) would have a new surgery. Cllr. Moorhouse wished to congratulate the Steering Committee and on behalf of the Parish Council thanked them for their dedication and continuing hard work in order that the Dedham Vale Community Health Centre should come into being for the benefit of the residents of Dedham and neighbouring villages. 6.
FOOTHPATHS/PLAY AREA Footpaths continued to be well maintained. Cllr. Osborn said that the Parish strimmer was in need of repair and that this would cost £150. Whilst this was acceptable Cllr. Cannon asked that the cost of a new piece of machinery be obtained before repairing the old. This would be done. So far as the bridge across the ford in Mill Lane was concerned ECC had finally agreed to provide a step which would make it more accessible. |
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7. ACCOUNTS The following accounts were paid in August. £ Mr. A. Hodson – Maintenance 120.00 Parish Paths 250.00 Playsafe Construction - Repair to play equipment 89.30 Mr. J. Osborn – For A. Slocombe - repair to roundabout 27.00
Mrs. O.
Ruff – Litter
180.00 Income: CBC Part grant for surgery - £15,102.50
It was proposed by Cllr. Bradbrook, seconded by Cllr. Osborn, that the following accounts be paid: £ Mr. A. Hodson – Maintenance 150.00 Parish Paths 250.00 Mrs. O. Ruff – Litter 144.00 Mrs. D. Perry – Bulbs for tubs 22.94 DCM Premier Play Surfaces – Repair kit for roundabout 135.13 Capel Plant Holdings – Portaloos for August B.H. 264.39 Duchy Barn – Hire for meetings 10.00 Insurance excess re fallen branch 50.00 Dedham Sports Club – Clearance of gutters, etc. 60.00 Mr. E. Tanner – Internal audit 25.00 Lubbock Fine, London – External audit 293.75 Mrs. J. Flewin – Qtrly salary & expenses July/September 755.96 Mr. R. Cannon - Planning expenses 22.50 Dedham PCC – CBC Refund of fee paid for Youth Club 140.00
Income: PPP - £1,000.00 CBC Refund of fee paid for Youth Club - £140.00
Parish Council auditors Lubbock Fine, London, have approved the accounts for the year ended 31st March, 2006, and a signed audit certificate has been received. |
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PL
8. PLANNING COL/06/1266 Birchwood Hotel Site, Birchwood Road, Dedham. Proposal for 100 bedroom Hotel (re-submission of COL/06/0278) Comments: No objections but Highways issues to be addressed.
LB/COL/06/1332 The Kennels & Wilderness Cottage, Gun Hill, Dedham. Break through to connect the two properties with associated works including staircase. Comments: No objections.
LB/COL/06/1360 The Cottage, Grove Hill, Dedham. Conservation rooflight to south elevation within original thatched roof. Comments: More clarification on siting of window from Ian Ward (Listed Buildings Officer) needed.
COL/06/1372 Original Landscape Design, Long Road West, Dedham. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling. Comments: No objections.
COL/06/1398 6, Anchor Lane, (The Chase) Dedham. Single storey rear extension. Comments: No objections.
COL/06/1405 Crown Cottage, Crown Street, Dedham. Retention of access and dropped kerb. Comments: Recommend refusal. Already adequate access.
COL/06/1370 Land off Coles Oak Lane, Dedham. Green/woodland burial ground. Comments: More information and details needed. Recommend refusal.
COL/06/1463 Barretts Farm, East Lane, Dedham. Menage with new surface, fence and gate. Comments: No objections but need clarification of where middens are to be sited.
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REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR 12.
DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.50 p.m. |