DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting held on 8th February, 2006

in the Assembly Rooms

Present: In the Chair         Cllr P. Moorhouse

Councillors    D. Bradbrook, R. Cannon, R. Cort, R. Laverick,

J.Osborn, Mrs. L. West.

Parish Clerk    Mrs. J. Flewin

Electors           12 Electors

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllrs. Mrs. Guglielmi and Clover

and Ward Cllr. Garnett.

2 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved

3. MATTERS ARISING

(a) Neighbourhood Watch  The Neighbourhood Watch Committee felt that the

presence of a PCSO (Police Community Support Offícer) in Dedham would help to maintain the low level of criminal activity at present in the village. They believed that PCSO's have recently been introduced in Lawford, Manningtree and Mistley and wished to know the Parish Council’s views on the matter. Cllr. Bradbrook stated that the cost of employing a PCSO was very high and beyond the means of Dedham Parish Council, but it might be possible to consider "sharing" with another parish, although this would still be very expensive. It was agreed that further information would be welcomed and the clerk will write to Mr. Hindley, Dedham Area Co-ordinator, accordingly.

(b) Dedham Vale Hopper  Paula Booth, Transport & Tourism Offícer, wrote

thanking the Parish Council for its observations regarding the stopping points and route of the Dedham Hopper. She advised that until the roadworks in Dedham were finalised the Hopper would pick up and set down in the Mill Lane coach park. She was pleased to confirm that the current winter service will continue until 31st March, 2006. In respect of the long-term future of the Hopper they were continuing to pursue funding to enable the service to be continued beyond the end of March and aimed to launch a summer service in April which would run on a circular route similar to that of the original service in the summer of 2005 giving Dedham residents greater access to the bus.

(c) Quiz Night  This had been a great success, enjoyed by all who had attended.

Final figures were not yet in, but Cllr. Mrs. West said that there would be a profit in excess of f500 to be divided between the two chosen charities. The Chairman thanked all members who had done so much to make the evening such a success with particular thanks to Ann Cannon, Roy Flewin and Colin West for their support. Cllr. Cannon will be writing to all businesses which kindly donated a raffle prize.

(d) Highway Matters – Various  E.C.C. advised a temporary suspension of the

Weight Limit in the Ardleigh Road and Castle Hill, Dedham, due to the roadworks at

present in the High Street. An order has been made for the introduction of a 30 mph speed limit for Ardleigh Road (Dedham and Ardleigh).

In response to the Parish Council’s comments regarding gritting of Birchwood

Road, Highways said that this road was included in the County's gritting programme but should further gritting be required salt bins were available to be purchased by local councils at a cost of £350 for the supply, installation and maintenance per bin.

Cllr. Mrs. West reported that verge parking at Lamb Comer had eased a little due

to the fact that builders were no longer on site. However residents were obviously still using the area on occasions.

4. CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Guide Dogs for the Blind  The Association requested permission to hold their

annual Sponsored Dog Walk and put up a stall in Royal Square on June 18th from

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There were no objections.

(b) New Bus Stops, Royal Square  Elizabeth Powell had written of her concerns

about the proposed bus stops in Royal Square, particularly that on the North side for a

service which only runs at weekends. It has been explained to her that all the points she raised had already been the subject of correspondence with Highways who maintain that all bus stops must be properly regulated and clearly marked.

(c) Best Kept Village Competition   Details of this year's competition were to hand and were passed to Cllr. Osborn. In view of the amount of work involved and the continuing roadworks it would be difficult for anyone to undertake this task, the closing date being end March. However Cllr. Osborn agreed to mention the competition in the magazine in case any village group wished to take it on.

5. EMERGENCY PLAN   Cllr. Laverick was congratulated on the production of a very informative and constructive Emergency Plan for Dedham. He hoped to publish this before the next meeting and copies would be distributed to all members and the Parish Councils of neighbouring villages.

6. DEDHAM SURGERY Despite conflicting reports in the press, Cllr. Osborn was pleased to say that the plans for the new Health Centre had been approved by CBC.

The Riverside Health Centre was still keen to provide a service in Dedham but the three PCT's involved (Suffolk East, Colchester and Tendring) were finding it difficult to reach agreement on the patient funding. Cllr. Mrs. West expressed grave concern that bureaucracy and delay could undermine the current proposals for a doctor's presence in Dedham and suggested that a letter be sent from the Parish Council to all three PCTs urging them to reach a decision as soon as possible. It was agreed that a letter should also be sent to the local M.P.  Mrs. Ann Brown had volunteered to co-ordinate a volunteer car service for those finding it difficult to attend the surgery in East Bergholt. This would still involve a charge of £8/£12 for a return trip.  However, Mrs. Brown is still looking into ways and means of setting up a service.

7. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA  Following internal staff problems at Lapsett which

had resulted in a delay in processing the order for new play equipment, Cllr. Osborn

had managed to obtain a considerable discount plus the promise of an early delivery.

Playsafe Construction had agreed a price for the installation of the equipment which it

was hoped would take place in March.

8. ACCOUNTS   It was proposed by Cllr. Bradbrook, seconded by Cllr. Osborn, with

all in favour, THAT the following accounts be paid:

£

Mr. A. Hodson - Hours worked in January                  112.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff- Litter                                                 132.00

Mr. R. Laverick - Posters/Tickets etc. for Quiz                5.00

Hire of Duchy Bam                                                         10.00

CBC - Energy Charge July 05 - Mar 06                          33.40

Income Dedham Village Assn. (share in hire of Duchy Barn

for Surgery Steering Group meetings)        £44.00

Quiz Night (holding fund)           £625.72

9. PLANNING   The Planning sub-Committee has dealt with the following

applications:

COL/06/0060 Dydda House, Crown Street, Dedham.

Drop kerb to existing access

COMMENT: No objection.

COL/06 0081 Paddock rear of Newhouse Farm, Boxhouse Lane, Dedham.

A single storey building comprising 3 stables, haybarn and tack

room with concrete yard and muck heap.

COMMENT: No objections, but concern over siting of muck heap which could

pollute nearby brook and ponds.

COL/06/0034 Jays, East Lane, Dedham.

Ground floor hall and porch extension with stairs to proposed

loft conversion.

COMMENT: No objection.

COL/06/0004 Dedham Mill, Mill Lane, Dedham.

Installation of electric gates to entrance of Mill.

COMMENT:   No objection but gates should be moved back to allow for

parking of vehicles before entry keeping Mill Lane and footpath free.

COL/06/0054 Lambs Field, Long Road West, Dedham.

Connect garage block with house by entrance hall, convert garage

to living accommodation, new carport and storage space as

separate new structure.

COMMENT: Unsympathetic to application. Some policies not met

(See Planning File for details).

COL/06/0113 Land East of Brook Street, Dedham.

Certificate of lawfulness for an existing use of garage.

COMMENT: Verified by three parishioners.

COL/06/1880 Little Netherhall, Princel Lane, Dedham.

Proposed car port to rear garden. Amendment to previous application.

COMMENT: Plan only slightly altered - still not acceptable. Neighbours still

objecting.

COL/06/0112 Dedham Oak, Coles Oak Lane, Dedham.

Single storey side extension and internal alterations.

COMMENT: No objection.

COL/06/0129 Salmons Farm, Long Road East, Dedham.

New stables and driveway.

COMMENT: No objection but would prefer existing access be used.

Condition to be applied 'only to be used for Equine'.

Cllr. Cannon mentioned that details of the proposed plans for the old Colchester Bus

Park area were on the table for viewing by anyone interested.

11. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   In the absence of Cllr. Garnett there

was nothing to report.

12. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION A resident asked if the name "Munsons" could

be considered in respect of the new housing proposed for Crown Street. There were

no objections to this from the Parish Council who suggested that the request should be

directed to Colne Housing. It was also queried whether only local people would be

eligible for the new housing which will become available once the Health Centre is

completed. These properties will be for rent through Colne Housing, and the Parish

Council assured the meeting that local people would be given first priority.

Street was considered to be acceptable. This had been muted and other residents had

no strong feelings or complaints. Mrs. MacArthur said that although the lights in the

car park were said to have been changed they seemed no different and were still

orange in colour. Cllr. Moorhouse and other members will visit the car park and give

an opinion.

Although some road repair work on Castle Hill had been carried out this had stopped

short of a very bad patch in Crown Street. CBC have constantly advised there were

no funds for a complete road dressing and were only able to carry out minimal repairs.

The Parish Council has again written a letter of complaint.

Two telephones were out of order - Forge Street (not working) and The Heath

Crossroads (vandalised). B.T. will be advised.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr. Laverick reported that the training of Cllrs.

Mrs. West and Osborne as relief operatives for the Dedham Website was nearly

complete. The recent mechanical hedge cutter had left a considerable amount of

rubbish behind and Cllr. Osborn felt that the hedge itself had been left in a very rough

state. Cllr. Laverick will speak to Daniel Freeman when he returns from holiday.

Cllr. Cannon asked for views on the Horkesely Park planning application which

needed a response from the Parish Council. It was generally felt that parts were

good and parts were bad. It was obviously a commercial enterprise and it was hoped

that it would not be marketed under the name of “Constable" with which it had little

or no connection. It did have merits of its own although it was considered to be

overlarge and the infrastructure needed to be carefully planned. Cllr. Cannon will

comment accordingly.

14. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 8th March, 2006, at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms, Dedham.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9 p.m.