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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 14th April 2010
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on 14th April, 2010. Present: In the Chair Cllr. R. Laverick Councillors R. Appleby, Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, N. Dempsey, B. Hindley, A. Stock, S. White Parish Clerk Mrs. J. Flewin Electors 4 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Mrs. Spencer, Ward Cllr. Garnett and C. Cllr. Mrs. Brown. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. 3. MATTERS ARISING (a) Salt Bins Cllr. Laverick is meeting local residents regarding a salt bin for Monks Lane. He will contact CBC to enquire if a bin could be supplied for this area. (b) Duchy Barn Shed The Duchy Barn Committee have stated that they do not feel able to take the lead in any project to restore the Duchy Barn shed but would be willing to participate. Consequently Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has been asked to undertake the setting up of a small sub-committee in order to make some progress. She has approached several residents who are willing to help and a site meeting with Planners has been arranged. It was proposed by Cllr. Laverick, seconded by Cllr. Hindley, with all in favour, that Cllr. Mrs. Cannon should go ahead with progressing the investigation into the possibilities of restoring the Duchy Barn shed. (c) Bad smells in the High Street Cllr. White reported that nothing further had been heard from Anglian Water but that an article on the subject had appeared in the local press. No problems have been reported since the last meeting and it was agreed that Anglian Water be asked for an update on their promised surveillance of the system during the early part of this year. Cllr. Appleby will continue to conduct a meteorological study. Anglian Water will be asked if there is a map of the old sewers which are probably still in existence although redundant. (d) Verges CBC has been asked to investigate a problem following work by EDF in Long Road East which has affected the ditch/drainage by the telephone kiosk CBC will be visiting the site. (e) Membership of EALC After giving the matter consideration members in general felt there was no real advantage in membership of EALC. This was quite expensive and as members of RCCE and CALC, along with the Borough, advice from these sources was readily available should it be needed. (f) Other matters from previous meeting Cllr. Dempsey was pleased to report that the Fitness Trail had received grants of £3,775. from Awards for All and £3,000 from the Community Initiatives Fund, making a total of £6,775. This leaves a shortfall of £1,850 for the final sum of £8,620. It is hoped that this can be made up from other sources which are being investigated at the moment. |
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4. PARISH PLAN A cheque for £400 has been received from RCCE which has been made available to assist with the start up and consultation phase of the Parish Plan for Dedham. All is now arranged for the event to be held in the Assembly Rooms on 24th April which has been widely advertised. The Chairman complimented Cllr. Stock and his committee on a job well done. 5. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Car Park Charges CBC state that at the present time there is no detailed scheme or strategy and the article in the newspaper came from an uninformed interview with an undisclosed source. They would like to explain their thoughts and ideas with the Parish Council in private and it was agreed to offer to meet at 7 p.m. prior to the public meeting at 7.30p.m. on 7th June. This to be confirmed. (b) Traffic emerging from Coopers Lane There is concern for the safety of traffic emerging from Coopers Lane and the speed at which cars, etc. approach the blind bend on Castle Hill just prior to the junction. There have been two accidents recently involving cars and residents have requested that Highways be asked to look at the area with a view to improving the situation at this off-set crossroads. It was agreed that Mr. Harris be asked to attend the site and Cllr. Hindley will be happy to accompany him. (c) Yellow lines in High Street A resident has requested action to avoid congestion on the bend by the White House and new cottages on the Cottee site. Now that work has finished it is understood that the matter has been dealt with. (d) Attended Refuse Container This will be in Parson’s Field from 9.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. on April 17th, June 19th and October 16th. 6. REPORT OF PCSO In the absence of the PCSO his written report was read to the meeting. He warned of an increase in burglaries in rural properties although Dedham still benefits from a very low level of reported crime. Issues of parking in various parts of the village have been dealt with and now that the summer season is fast approaching regular visits from the Parking Enforcement Officer will take place. The matter of the red Post Office van which is parking for lengthy periods in Royal Square was widely discussed and it was agreed that an approach should be made to the Brightlingsea Head Office to ask them to make other arrangements. PCSO Hibben has started to visit members of the community who are either elderly or vulnerable and advises that a mobile police station is parked in Royal Square every Monday between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. should anyone wish to discuss any matter on a one to one basis. Attention was drawn to the fact that one entrance to the Assembly Rooms is chained off leaving one entrance only. PCSO Hibben is of the opinion that both openings should be operating - one as an entrance and one as an exit. There were no objections to this suggestion which it was felt he should discuss with Tracy Woods, Manager of the Assembly Rooms. |
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7. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA Dog fouling on the river footpath to the north of the bridge is becoming increasingly bad and Cllr. Laverick has spoken with the Stratford St. Mary Parish Council about the placing of dog bins. Although agreeing that the problem was increasing they were of the opinion that the onus was on Dedham to provide dog bins It was felt that there were not enough bins generally, those available were not well sited and a notice on the bridge might help dog owners locate the nearest receptacle. After much discussion it was agreed that Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will contact CBC to ask for a new dog bin in the Mill Pond car park and for that in the Mill Lane car park to be moved (away from the recycling area). Some dog bins could be better used if re-sited and a request will also be made for the wastebin beside the bus shelter in Crown Street to be moved to the children’s play area. to supplement the one already there. A tree down on Fpth. 42 will be cleared. Cllrs. Laverick and White with Mr. Osborn will be re-badging along the Essex Way and Cllr. White will be pleased if anyone wishes to join them. Contact him for details of time and place. The PPP budget for footpath cutting looks likely to be approved and a timetable has been produced for the cutting schedule during the year. Cllr. Laverick wished to thank John Osborn for his invaluable help in this matter. The stile on Fpth.12 is dangerous and the kissing gate provided has not yet been installed as promised by the landowner. Further action will be taken. Dedham has entered the Best Kept Playing Field and Play Area competition organised by Essex Playing Fields Association. It was reported that the new play equipment is very popular. 8. ACCOUNTS Cheques issued since last meeting before close of accounts 31.3.10: Manningtree Rail Users Assn. 20.00 Essex Police Authority 3,814.00
It was agreed that the following accounts be paid: Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in March 144.00 Mrs. O. M. Ruff – Litter 168.00 Sports Club – Grass cutting lst Qtr. 1,026.60 EPFA – Best Kept Playing Field competition 10.00 A.& J. Lighting Solutions – Lights maintenance 124.80
Income: RCCE £400.00 Awards for All £3,700.00 Precept – lst half £13,750. 00 |
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9. PLANNING The Planning sub-Committee has considered the following applications: 0481 Le Talbooth (Listed Building), Gun Hill, Dedham. 0482 New Service Building Comments: Approve with condition.
0377 Spindles, Southfields, Dedham. Extension to garage to provide storage. Comments: Approve.
0434 Alen Dene, Ardleigh Road, Dedham. Extension to ground floor and 1st floor. Comments: Approve.
0487 Blomfields, Long Road East, Dedham. Open sided attached carport Comments: Approve.
0500 Crabtree Cottage, Long Road East, Dedham. Single storey side extension. Comments: Approve following site visit.
0513 Shell Garage, a12 southbound. Raising of existing canopy. Comments: Approve.
0557 Hideaway, Boxhouse Lane, Dedham. Single storey front and rear extension. Comments: Approve.
0574 Jupes Hill House (Listed Building) Long Road East, Dedham. 0572 Single storey rear and side extension. Comments: Approve.
0558 Birchwood Hotel Site, Birchwood Road, Dedham. Installation of 2 no. illuminated signs and l no. internally illuminated totem sign Comments: Approve. |
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10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR In the absence of Cllr. Garnett there was no report. Cllr. Laverick stated that several road signs were damaged and in need of attention. He will report these to Cllr. Garnett. 11. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION None. 12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS The updated Emergency Plan has been printed and will be distributed shortly. Cllr. Laverick hopes to attend the forthcoming “bus meeting” and any known problems should be reported to him as soon as possible. He has been approached by Community Service who are enquiring whether their services could be used in Dedham. A wide range of work is offered but they will not undertake jobs which are normally paid for. Cllr. Laverick asked that councillors give the matter some thought and let him have their suggestions. Cllr. Cannon outlined the foreseen policy of CBC regarding village housing which appears to favour affordable housing rather than providing accommodation for those residents who wished to downsize. There is a demand in Dedham for smaller, more manageable, properties for older residents who no longer wish to live in large houses but there is a lack of smaller cottages and bungalows as CBC has allowed these to be demolished and replaced with large houses. Cllr. Cannon was looking for the agreement of the Council to his entering into a dialogue with CBC with a view to making them more aware of the housing needs in Dedham. All members voiced their approval. 13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held in The Duchy Barn on 12th May, 2010, at 7 p.m. This will be followed by the Parish Assembly at 8 p.m.
There being no other business the meeting closed a 9.40 p.m. |