Dedham
Parish Council

Minutes of meeting held on 8th November 2006

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of Meeting held on 8th November, 2006 in the Assembly Rooms

Present: In the Chair                      Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

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

                                    Mrs. Lyn West, P. Moorhouse,  J.Osborn.

Ward Councillor           C. Gamett

Parish Clerk                Mrs. J. Flewin

Electors       23 Electors

Rev. Gerard Moate attended to give an update on the situation regarding the horse

chestnut tree in front of the church and initially gave a brief history of the tree itself.

It is over 200 years old and has always been a major feature of the village scene.

However, it is not on consecrated ground and is considered to be part of the vicarage

"front garden". Over the years pollarding and crowning has been carried out but the

centre of the tree is rotting and horse chestnut trees are prone to shedding branches as

they age. Experts consider that although this particular tree responded to earlier

crowning with new growth it is coming to the end of its natural life and unless some

further action is taken there is a fear that it might become very dangerous particularly

as it overhangs the High Street. The PCC is very aware of the importance of this

particular tree and assured the Parish Council that no decisions will be taken without

full consultation with the community. Rev. Moate outlined the options which were

open which ranged from further surgery to complete removal and invited opinions and

comments from those electors present. Some questions were asked and a request

that costings for the various options be obtained. Rev. Moate agreed that this would

be done and further consultation will take place at a later date.

The Chairman thanked the vicar for his attendance.

 

 

1.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Clover.

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

3. MATTERS ARISING

(a) War Memorial The grant application has been turned down because it was for

"cleaning" the base section of the war memorial which is not covered by the grant

scheme. However, a list of companies dealing with war memorial refurbishment has

been received. It was agreed that the memorial as a whole would benefit from

specialised attention and Cllr. Osborn will endeavour to obtain the three quotes

required for grant aid.

(b) Barrier - Royal Square Following site visits from several Councillors

one or two possible solutions had been put forward. Initially the best plan

 

seemed to be to reverse the position of the gap so that the barrier closed right up to

Mr. & Mrs. Bridge's garden wall. This would give a sightline of approaching

bicycles, etc. but still enable pushchairs to get through whilst protecting the wall

However, Mrs. Bridges was not now in favour of this. The placing of a bollard

similar to those at the pavilion end was discussed and a resident suggested a field

gate. The problem with a bollard was that this would allow for larger vehicles, i.e.

motorbikes, to access the playing field as has happened in the past from Southfields.

After some discussion Cllr. Moorhouse agreed to obtain costings for the re-siting of

the barrier and the placing of a movable bollard for the next meeting.

(c) Community Police Support Officer In view of the previously called public

meeting and the several Parish Council meetings at which this question had been aired

the Chairman asked if there were any further comments which members wished to

make. Cllr. Mrs. West stated that she did not feel that the village would get "value for

money" in view of the low level of crime in Dedham and resident Mrs. Wickstead

was of the opinion that the extra cost to be borne by the village would be unwelcome

and hard on some residents. Members were reminded that despite considerable past

publicity up to this meeting there had been no objections received by the Parish

Council and at all previous meetings there had been a majority in favour of the

scheme. The Chairman called for a show of hands from those residents present

which resulted in a two/thirds majority in favour. Councillors voted five for, two

against and one abstention.

It was therefore agreed in principle that Dedham would go forward with the process
of employing a CPSO as from 1st April, 2007, but that in the meantime this decision

would again be publicised in the parish magazine together with details of the cost for

all Bands of property. The magazine was delivered to all houses in the village and

residents would be invited to send any letters of objection or approval to the Parish

Clerk. The decision would also be published in the parish column of the newspapers.

(d) Monks Lane C.Cllr. Tony Clover was meeting with Geoff Harris on site
on the 9th November. Cllr. Garnett was setting up a meeting in Colchester with ECC and

other interested parties to hear the outcome of their deliberations.

4.CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Obstruction of vehicles - Forge Street A letter of complaint has been received

via NW regarding obstruction of vehicles in Forge Street caused in the main by the

Dedham Vale Driving School. It was agreed that initially a letter from the Parish

Council should be sent asking for their co-operation in solving this problem.

(b) Use of bad language on Sports Field A visitor to the play area during a football

match had complained of bad language being used which had compelled them to

leave. Cllr. Osborn has taken this up with the Sports Club and the matter will be

raised at their next committee meeting. Meanwhile a letter of apology will be sent
by the Parish Council to the family concerned.

(c) Affordable housing for single residents A letter from a young resident of

Dedham asked what future there was for a single person requiring accommodation in

the village. This followed the allocation of the new affordable housing recently
announced and members were sympathetic to her plea. Cllr. Garnett had already
contacted Miss Josie Smith by e-mail and invited her to keep in touch with him.

 

5. DEDHAM SURGERY The Steering Group continued to seek funding.  The
building will be handed over on the 22nd November and the opening ceremony will be
held on the 8 December. It is hoped that tenancy will start on the 27th November.  Cllr.
Garnett said that the new North Essex PCT had acknowledged their letter stating
that they were having a three month moratorium in respect of the previous PCT during
which they would be reviewing the matter of the health centre. EEDA are to come to
look at the surgery later this month together with some members of the Steering Group.

6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA Footpath 2. has been closed at Boxhouse Lane.  This
footpath which links Coles Oak Lane with Boxhouse Lane has for many years been
walked over a section of land which is not the correct route and which has now been
closed by the owners. This stems from a diversion over forty years ago when there
was a pig farm on the adjacent land which now houses a new residence. The diversion
was never made official and maps still show the original route which goes through the
middle of the new house.  A number of meetings have taken place with Mary Moir,
ECC Rights of Way Officer, and the residents of the new house but matters are in
abeyance until the mapping expert, Mr. Gary White, pronounces on the precise
route of the middle part of FP2. The extent to which other land owners are
affected is not completely known at this time.

7. ACCOUNTS It was proposed by Cllr. Bradbrook, seconded by Cllr. Osborn,
with all in favour, that the following accounts be paid:

£

A. Hodson - Hours worked PPP                                              250.00

"   Maintenance                                   120.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff- Litter                                                             144.00

Hire of Duchy Barn                                                                   10. 00

British Legion - Poppy wreath                                                    20.00

Income: CBC - Portaloo (50%)                                             £112.50

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

LB/COL/06/ Dedham Hall, Brook Street Dedham

1647/1649

First floor extension and alterations.

COMMENT: Approve with conditions. See File.

 

COL/06/1669 Sundowne, The Heath, Dedham.

Certificate of lawfulness.

COMMENT: Refuse as previously decided (old application.)

 

 

COL/06/1676 Lower Barn Farm, Manningtree Road, Dedham.

Demolish dwelling house and farm buildings and erect replacement dwelling.

COMMENT: Approve subject to conditions (see File)

 

COL/06/1676 Rare Breeds Farm, Mill Lane, Dedham.

Proposed toilet block.

COMMENT: Approve subject to conditions (see File)

 

COL/06/1699 1 Frog Meadow, Brook Street, Dedham.

Formation of 2 dormers and 1 roof light.

COMMENT: Approve subject to conditions (see File)

 

COL/06/1732 13 Dedham Meade, Dedham.

Mews access, loft bedroom and dble. garage with attic storage.

COMMENT: 'CalledIn'. Recommend refusal.

 

COL/06/1745 16 Dedham Meade, Dedham.

Additional bedroom over existing flat roof extension and extension

to porch.

COMMENT: Approve.

 

COL/06/1511 Land adj. Travers, Crown Street, Dedham.

Revised plans

Proposed 2 storey dwelling.

COMMENT: Approve the concept, but still feel over development of site. Highways issues.

 

The following applications have been approved by CBC:

COL/06/1490 6 Dedham Meade, Dedham.

Replacement roof to incorporate bedrooms.

 

COL/06/1463 Land west of Barratts Farm, East Lane, Dedham.

Ménage with new surface, fence and gate.

 

 

COL/06/1332 The Kennels and Wilderness Cottage, Gun Hill, Dedham.

Break through to connect two properties, including staircase.

 

COL/06/1360 The Cottage, Grove Híll, Dedham.

Conservation roof light.

 

The following application has been refused by CBC:

COL/06/1405 Crown Cottage, Crown Street, Dedham.

Vehicle access and drop kerb.

9. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR The grant application for the Mill

Lane car park toilet block has been approved. Cllr. Garnett is hoping that CBC will

also contribute to the overall cost. An approach has been made to the Environment

Agency regarding railings and a grating across the culvert outside the Craft Centre to

prevent children playing in the Blackbrook at that point.

10. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION A complaint was made that lights in the car park

area of the new health centre were left on all night. It was thought that this was

probably for security purposes whilst machinery and equipment was still on the

premises. Cllr. Osborn will check with the builders to see if the brightness could be

reduced and to ensure that the lights do not constitute a nuisance to other residents.

It was requested that overhanging shrubbery in Crown Street be cut back.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS The street lights in Mill Lane were not working at

present. Clerk to write to CBC. Cllr. Laverick reported that Community Speedwatch
training commences tomorrow (9th November). He also hopes to attend

the PPP Course on the subject of Leaflets. Cllr. Laverick asked if the rules affecting

bus stops could be clarified inasmuch as some bus drivers in rural areas will stop on

request between official bus stops whilst others will not. Long Road West is a good

example of an area where "request' stops would be beneficial in view of the distance

between "bus stops". Clerk to contact CBC for information. The Emergency
Coordinators' Meeting had not yet been advised. Cllr. Mrs. West reported that the

school governing body and been reconstituted and asked if the Parish Council wished

her to continue as their representative on the governing body. There were no

objections to this. A resident from Long Road East had contacted the Chairman to

ask if her daughter could assist Mrs. Ruff on a litter-picking day as part of her Duke

of Edinburgh Award. There were no objections to this as long as all necessary
requirements governing adults in charge of under-age children were met. The

Chairman will speak to the parent and Cllr. Osborn will contact Mrs. Ruff.

12. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING There will be no meeting in December,

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, l0th January, 2007, at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.05 p.m.

 

 

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