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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 25 July 2007
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on 25th July, 2007 in the Assembly Rooms Present: In the Chair Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi Councillors Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, R. Laverick, S. Marrison, P. Moorhouse, J.Osborn,.
Parish Clerk Mrs. J. Flewin PCSO Natalie King Electors 7 Electors The Chairman welcomed Mr. Simon Marrison who has been co-opted to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. C. Clover. Mr. D. McManus, CBC Street Care and Recycling Officer, together with his colleague who was the Arts Development Officer, kindly attended the meeting to give an update on the situation regarding public conveniences in Dedham. An amount in the region of £90,000 was available to improve, and possibly increase, the facilities in the village and he asked the Parish Council for their views on what was required. A separate fund was available via the Arts Council for selected areas for creative improvements to be incorporated into the refurbishment, i.e. special features on floors and walls, etc. and this creativity could be extended to include the design of the building itself. For instance, a new toilet block in the recreation ground could be made to blend more with the Duchy Barn. It was stressed that there would be considerable consultation through workshops on the form that any artwork should take. Mr. McManus said they were open to suggestions as to requirements and appreciated the desire of the Parish Council to have a second toilet block in the coach/car park. For obvious reasons The British Toilet Association preferred public toilets not to be hidden away, but with the additional funding available it would be possible to create a building acceptable in an AONB. Mr. McManus pointed out that this was a capital project with no provision for revenue costs. All members felt that a second toilet block was a necessity and that this should be placed in Mill Lane Car/Coach Park. They were happy to accept the principle of artwork for the toilets following consultation. Cllr. Garnet said that he would continue to try for revenue costs for this vital facility in a major tourist village. Mr. McManus was happy to take away all the comments made and attend a further meeting with proposals for consideration. This was welcomed by the Parish Council. The Chairman thanked Mr. McManus and his colleague for their presentation and also for the Borough’s continued support in paying half the costs of the temporary toilets provided during the Bank Holidays. Other matters touched upon with Mr. McManus are reported in the Minutes.
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1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Mrs. West and Cllr. Cort. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved subject to the following amendment: Page 179, Min. 8, line 3, should read “concrete wall” not “brick wall”. 3. MATTERS ARISING
(b)
PCSO
Natalie King, PCSO for
Dedham,
will commence her duties on Monday,
30th July,
2007. Essex Police Authority has adjusted the cost due in view of the delay
in the start date. A lockable cupboard has been provided in the Duchy Barn
for personal effects. The provision of a bicycle and mobile phone has still
to be organised. As school holidays were now underway it was hoped that our
PCSO will be welcomed in the village and will soon be a familiar sight on
our streets.
(d) Village Seats Cllr. Mrs. Cannon said that she had finally been able to obtain a quotation from someone willing to refurbish three village seats. The Parish Council agreed the sum of £165, plus materials, for this work. (e) “Traffic Vulnerable” Properties No reply has yet been received to the Parish Council’s letter specifically regarding the accident/damage to hedge which had taken place at Eastdene, Lamb Corner, although this had been mentioned in a letter to Cllr. Cannon on the subject of “boundary gates” which referred to a site visit. It was agreed that a follow up letter be sent asking for information as to the result of any such visit. |
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4. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Litter Bins Our Litter Officer, Mrs. Ruff, has received complaints about the rubbish bins in the recreation ground, particularly by the roundabout and the play area, which are not being emptied on a regular basis. This was reported to Mr. English of CBC and arrangements made for immediate action. During a site visit with Mr. English, Cllr. Garnett and Cllr. Osborn discussed the rubbish bin situation and it is hoped that new bins can be provided to alleviate the problem. (b) Carriageway Resurfacing ECC advise that resurfacing work will commence on 6th August on the length of The Heath, Castle Hill and Crown Street to its junction with Manningtree Road. (c) Road Closure ECC advise that Manningtree Road will be closed for four days from 24th July for works by BT. Also that parking restrictions in Royal Square, Castle Hill and Brook Street will be lifted for August Bank Holiday Monday only. (d) Barrier – Royal Square A letter of thanks for the work done on the new barrier at Royal Square has been received from Mrs. Kim Bridges of Duchy House, Royal Square. 5. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA Maj. Varney had been advised of a stile on Footpath 5. which was in need of repair. He is happy to replace this with kissing gates. Cllr. Osborn spoke of the excellent service provided by Andrew Hodson in keeping the footpaths in such good condition especially during the summer months. 6. ACCOUNTS It was unanimously agreed that the following accounts be paid: £ A. Hodson – Hrs. worked in June – Maintenance 162.50 PPP 315.00 Hrs. worked in July - Maintenance 130.00 PPP 275.00 Just Lamps 141.00 Essex Police Authority (PCSO) 2,161.00 Abacus (Lock in Duchy Barn for PCSO) 76.38 Duchy Barn (Steering Group) 10.00 RCCE subscription 55.00 O.M. Ruff – Litter 195.00 Playsafe Construction (Maintenance play area) 55.81 R. Cannon – Expenses re Planning and materials for seats 56.99
Income: Dedham LTC - £80.00 Dedham C.C. - £80.00 |
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7. PLANNING The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following applications: COL/07/1664 Landsdowne, Bargate Lane, Dedham. Single storey annexe for elderly relative. Comments: Recommend refusal, Poor design and outside village envelope.
COL/07/1764 Sheldrakes, 6 Royal Square, Dedham Removal of first floor fire escape and various internal alterations. Comments: Recommend approval.
COL/07/1756 Sheldrakes, 6 Royal Square, Dedham. Change of use from office to residential. Comments: Recommend approval subject to any comments raised by LBO.
COL/07/1386 Land in garden of Berryfields, Coggeshall Road, Dedham. Erection of detached dwelling – additional plans. Comments: Still plan errors, awaiting further details.
COL/07/1748 Gun Hill Place, Gun Hill, Dedham. Replacement dwelling. Comments: Awaiting access to site to make recommendations.
COL/07/1791 Crown House, Crown Street, Dedham. New carport and alterations to existing dormer windows. Comments: Recommend approval.
COL/07/1798 Heath Cottage, The Heath, Dedham. Single store rear extension. Comments: Approve subject to minor roof line changes.
8. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR Cllrs. Garnett and Osborn had accompanied Mr. English of CBC on a walk around the village. This had included a visit to Forge Street and Parson’s Field when the general upkeep of the Council properties had been discussed. The question of inadequate cleaning of road gullies had been raised with Mr. English who advised that new mechanical sweepers were now operating and provided sufficient notice was given to motorcar owners to move their cars at a certain time on a certain date a mechanical sweeper could be “booked”. As reported earlier, the question of overflowing rubbish bins had been discussed with Mr. English and there was some hope that these would be replaced Cllr. Garnett said that a small amount of funding could be applied for under the Community Champions Fund which was closing down. On the question of funding on behalf of the Steering Group he wished to record their thanks to the Parish Council for the financial and moral support given in respect of the Surgery over the last four years. C.Cllr. Tony Clover said that Highways had accepted responsibility for the building of the footway in Manningtree Road and this should commence in late September. |
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9. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION Little to report. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr. Osborn had attended the open day held at Blackbrook House EMI residence and had found it to be very pleasant. Cllr. Garnett pointed out that there were still some outstanding problems over rights of way in the area. Cllr. Cannon asked if Cllr. Marrison would be prepared to be co-opted onto the Planning sub-committee to fill the vacancy. Cllr. Marrison was happy to do so. Cllr. Laverick will add details of Cllr. Marrison’s appointment to the Parish Council website. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon reported that the cycle rack in the High Street needed painting. CBC to be advised. In accordance with instructions received from CBC Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has obtained “No Smoking” signs for the village bus shelters for which the Parish Council is responsible. The Vicar had provided options in respect of the horsechestnut tree in the church grounds. These were: To reduce by 50% (this means re-wiring at the top) £1,660 Grind out main bole 450 To fell 2,860 Members felt that not enough information had been provided as to what each of the above options entailed and wished to know who had been called in to examine the tree. Whilst appreciating the PCC’s intention to obtain the views of the village and the need to ensure that the tree is made safe a request was made for a member of the PCC to attend a future meeting of the Parish Council to discuss the matter further. 11. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING There was no meeting in August. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 12th September, 2007, at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms, Dedham. There being no other matters the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m. |