Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of Meeting held on 14^th March, 2007

in the Assembly Rooms

Present:   In the Chair       Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

                 Councillors        R. Cannon, R. Cort, R. Laverick, P, Moorhouse,

                                            J. Osborn, Mrs. L. West,

                  Parish Clerk       Mrs. J. Flewin

                  Electors             9 Electors

 CBC confirmed that the casual vacancy which had occurred could be filled by co-option.  Mrs. A. Cannon was willing to stand and was unanimously elected to office.

 The vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. C. Clover would be advised to CBC and normal procedures followed.

 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr Garnett.

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

 3. MATTERS ARISING

      (a)    War Memorial  Cllr. Osborn was awaiting the third quotation before proceeding further.

 (b)  Barrier – Royal Square   Costs for the various options were now confirmed and site meetings had taken place.  Local residents most affected by any decision were divided in their opinions regarding the benefits of retaining some form of barrier or removing it completely in favour of a telescopic post.  The various merits of each were discussed at length by the council with a final majority vote in favour of retaining a shortened barrier with the gap on the opposite side, i.e. by the Old Grammar School.  This would give an unhindered sightline for pedestrians, cyclists, etc. and leave the garage entrance of the Duchy House clear. Particular attention should be paid to ensuring vehicular access was not hindered.  Cllr. Osborn will liaise with Norman & Gardiner Ltd. for this work to be done and will keep residents informed.

    (c)  PCSO   The village PCSO is on course to start in Dedham in early May and an official request to the Duchy Barn Community Centre for permission to use it as the “base” for the PCSO will be made.   

(d)    Lighting – Mill Lane/Car Park  The Chairman is still waiting for a written quote from a third contractor and Cllr. Mrs. Cannon agreed to collate and compare prices when all were to hand. 

  (e)   Cllr. Garnett and Cllr. Osborn had attended a site meeting with Mr. McManus of CBC to discuss the possibilities of toilets in the car park.   Mr. McManus is to check the availability of services to see if a semi-permanent block could be installed.  Cllr. Moorhouse said he had already offered the use of current services on his land but had not yet been approached by CBC.

   (f)  Outstanding Matters   The Chairman had been advised unofficially that the road resurfacing  programme for the coming financial year does include some Dedham roads.  In the meantime potholes in Bargate Lane will be reported to ECC.   Cllr. Osborn would appreciate suggestions for consideration for the Town/Parish Grant Scheme by the end of March to enable him to complete application forms for discussion at the next meeting.  Applications must be sent in by early April.  Cllr. R. Cannon had met with Mr. Ward in Dedham to discuss the “gates”, particularly that in Coggeshall Road.  It has been agreed that the Ardleigh Road gate will be the standard for others and that during the coming financial year the Coggeshall Road gate, which is damaged, will be replaced and re-sited just past Hickle Farm on the parish boundary.  Cllr. Cannon stated that ECC had offered to paint 30 mph signs on the road surface in Long Road East/West if the Parish Council so desired.   Some members were against this suggestion whilst others thought it a good idea and as a compromise it was agreed that 30 mph be painted on Long Road at its junction with The Heath and Coggeshall Road.  Cllr. Moorhouse had received a suggested idea for a brown tourist sign and will consult with Cllr. Garnett.

4. CORRESPONDENCE

 (a)    Plant Sale  The Dedham Horticultural Society asked for permission to hold their annual plant sale in Royal Square on Saturday, 5^th May from 8 a.m. to lunchtime.  There was no objection to this.   A cheque for £20 had been received as a contribution to plants for the tubs by the village pump.

 (b)    Churchyard  A letter from St. Mary’s Parish Church hoped that the Parish Council would again give support to the upkeep of the churchyard.  It is considered that this is an amenity available to all residents and a well kept churchyard is an asset to the village.  It was therefore agreed that the sum of£1,200 be given towards the cost of maintaining the churchyard during the next financial year.

 (c)    Red Nose Day  Ex pupils of Dedham Primary School requested permission to fund raise in Royal Square on Saturday, March 17,under adult supervision, in aid of Red Nose Day.  There was no objection. 

5. DEDHAM SURGERY   The issue of the pavement to the surgery was still to be resolved.  The bright lighting had still not been attended to and a key to the gate allowing access to the adjacent field had still not been provided.   The Clerk will write to Colne Housing requesting early attention to these matters. 

6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA   Cllr. Osborn said that the width of The Drift through the sports field was greatly reduced due to encroachment from the grass.  It was agreed that Andrew Hodson be consulted on edging this area.

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

                                                                                                                £

Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in February                                      150.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter                                                                       144.00

Mrs. J. Flewin – Qtrly. Expenses  Jan./March                                     715.47

CBC – Lighting Fees                                                                             49.98

CPRE Subscription                                                                                27.00

 Income   Dedham Horticultural Soc. - £20.00

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

 COL/07/0202   9 Stone Cottage, Ipswich Road, Dedham. 

                         New brick wall to front of property. 

Comments:       No objection.

COL/07/0302   The Coppice, The Heath, Dedham. 

                         Porch extension. Single storey and two storey rear extension.     

  Comments:      Tiles and valley to be addressed, otherwise no objection.

Demolition of Anchor Public House     Unauthorised demolition of The Anchor Public House took place on 5^th March, 2007, and the Planning sub-Committee has lodged a complaint that this situation was allowed to happen due to a serious mishandling of the matter.  Nicola George, Head of Planning, has been contacted

and will be investigating.   Questions have also been asked of Mr. J. Davies of Planning, Protection and Licensing as to why the decision of the Secretary of State in respect of this property was ignored.

9. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   In the absence of Cllr. Garnett there was no report.

 10. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION   There was some concern that passengers on the Beeston service bus was picking up at Lamb Corner at a particularly dangerous spot. Cllr. Mrs. West will endeavour to discover why the bus is now stopping at this point.

Once the facts are known a letter will be sent to Beestons.   The demise of the Community Bus was explained and it was regretted that it had not been possible to replace the old bus.   Potholes round the base of the war memorial would be reported to CBC.  Following the discovery of paper and matches beside the Duchy Barn the police had been informed.  It is considered that serious thought should be given to CCTV.   CBC will be advised of a blocked gutter/drain by the church wall. 

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS   The damaged wooden fingerposts have all been replaced.   Cllr. Mrs. Cannon felt that several of the seats around the village were in need of attention and agreed to undertake a survey and report back.   The question of parking for the Sports Club was again being raised.  The Clerk was asked to write again to Mr. de Muscotte-Morris asking if he would be prepared to consider a short/long term lease of his field behind the pavilion.  Cllr. R. Cannon expressed concern at the encroachment of brick driveways which included the actual removal of the grass verge.  He felt that this was a matter for inclusion in the Village Design Statement in order to protect the grass verges in the village.  Through the Stour Valley Project and ECC Cllr. R. Cannon was looking into the possibility of the removal of excess notices within the Conservation Area.  Cllr. Moorhouse reported that Rev. Moate was still obtaining prices for the various options in respect of the horse chestnut tree in the churchyard.

12.  DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING  The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 11^th April, 2007, at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms, Dedham. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at  9.55 p.m.