|
Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 9 April 2008
|
DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on 9th April, 2008.
Present: In the Chair Cllr. Mrs. Guglielmi Councillors R. Cannon, R. Cort, R. Laverick, Mr. P. Moorhouse, Mrs. L. West, J. Osborn Ward Councillor C. Garnett Parish Clerk Mrs. J. Flewin PCSO Natalie King Electors 10
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllrs. Mrs. Cannon and S. Marrison. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. 3. MATTERS ARISING (a) Bus Shelter, Long Road West. Cllr. Laverick had approached several people for an assessment of the work involved, particularly with regard to the roof. To replace the wooden shingles would be rather costly and tiles too heavy. It would seem that roofing felt was the best option but it was agreed that Cllr. Laverick will make further enquiries, obtain quotes, and then discuss his findings with the Chairman. (b) Allotment The response had been good. It was felt that this venture should be managed by it own committee not under the Parish Council umbrella, and Cllr. Marrison had indicated that although he would no longer be a Parish Councillor he would be happy to continue to act as co-ordinator in conjunction with the land owner. Cllr. Garnett suggested contact with CBC would prove helpful in this respect. (c) Surplus VDS copies Cllr. Laverick was happy to store these. (d) Damaged rails – Mill Lane car park These had been reported to CBC. (e) Temporary Toilets These had been booked for the May and August Bank Holidays. (f) Culvert /Seats A report from Cllr. Mrs. Cannon advised CBC had replaced the rotting wooden post beside the culvert at the Craft Centre with a concrete one making the rail much safer. She was also chasing Mr. Teare regarding the refurbishment of the seats in the High Street. |
|
4. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Guide Dogs for the Blind A request for permission to use Royal Square for the annual sponsored dog walk and stall on lst June from 9 a.m. to 12 noon was approved. (b) Road Closure – Manningtree Level Crossing ECC advised that the A137 Manningtree Level Crossing would be closed at weekends from the beginning of May until work is completed. Alternative routes will be signposted. (c) Dedham Parish Church A letter of appeal from St. Mary’s Church for help with the maintenance of the churchyard was discussed. It was agreed that the church is a major attraction for residents and visitors and that support should be given to ensure that it is kept in good order. It was proposed by Cllr. Cort, seconded by Cllr. Mrs. West, with all in favour, that the sum of £1,350.00 be allocated to the church towards the upkeep of the grounds. (d) Localism Agenda – Proposed Highway Rangers This was a new initiative by ECC operated through the highway maintenance contractor, Balfour Beatty, who will provide one gang (two people) to work within the Borough of Colchester using tools and materials available on a dedicated vehicle. It is intended that the bulk of the work will be identified through local consultation between a parish/town council representative and the ECC Highway Inspector. Local councils were asked to nominate a representative to liaise with the appropriate highway inspector and also prepare a preliminary list of tasks. In view of the elections and a new Parish Council it was agreed that this matter should be put on the agenda for the next meeting. 5. REPORT OF PCSO Our PCSO gave an update on the situation regarding the Youth Bus and was glad to report that further volunteers had come forward. It was now a matter of training and this was in hand. So far as the shelter was concerned she had obtained information and costs for a shelter similar to that installed at Langham and it was hoped that this would be the subject of this year’s Parish grant application. The siting of the shelter is still a problem and needs careful consideration. Our PCSO will have further discussions with the young people involved on this point. Cllr. Osborn was happy to complete this year’s Grant Application forms. There had been a couple of incidents in the village which needed police attention and these matters are ongoing. However, on the whole, our PCSO was happy with the situation.
|
| 6.FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA Cllr. Osborn was delighted to announce that a PPP walk – four churches and Flatford Mill – was to take place on 19th April and that PPP had reported that enquiries for this walk had been more than places available. So far as the barbed wire on the recreation ground was concerned Mr.McShane had no intention of removing it and the best plan seemed to be to plant a hedge. It was unanimously agreed that the sum of £100 be made available for hawthorn and Cllr. Laverick volunteered to help Cllr. Osborn with this task. Following receipt of a letter from the Tennis Club Cllr. Mrs. Cannon had attended a meeting with them and other interested parties to discuss the siting of the machinery compound. The area in dispute was along the hedge by the tennis pavilion and after seeing the area paced out it was felt that the Tennis Club might be persuaded to accept the situation. The Rev. Mitson was happy so long as his hedge was not cut back too drastically. The matter will be taken forward by the new Parish Council. Cllr. Osborn advised the meeting that he was not taking up his nomination for a further term of office on the Parish Council. As Chairman of the Footpath Group he will, however, continue to have an active interest in footpath matters and pass on his considerable knowledge should it be required. 7. DEDHAM SURGERY Following an injection of capital from the Relief in Sickness Fund it was hoped that the lease of the surgery building can be signed shortly. This will be a great step forward particularly as discussions with interested parties are still going on. Cllr. Garnett wish to record his appreciation of the work which Cllr. Osborn has done in fund raising for the surgery enabling the village to have a valuable asset for many years to come. Cllr. Osborn will continue to be a member of the Dedham Vale Community Health Association.
|
|
8. ACCOUNTS It was agreed that the following accounts be paid: £ Mr. A.P. Hodson - Hours worked in March - Maint. Playing Field 132.00 Rubbish clearance 150.00 Mrs. O.M.Ruff - Litter 195.00 Mr. R. Cannon - Expenses 54.64 Sports Club – lst Half-year grass cutting 826.60 Dedham Parish Church 1,350.00 Income PPP £130.00 Dedham LTC 50.00 The unaudited Annual Accounts for the year ending 31st March, 2008, were submitted to members for their perusal in view of the fact that the present council was standing down There were no queries. These accounts are now with the internal auditor. 9. PLANNING The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following applications: COL/08/0424 Oakdene, Long Road West, Dedham. Replacement dwelling. Comment: Approve conditional – Access issues.
COL/08/0497 Stone Cottage, Gun Hill, Dedham. Vehicular access. Comment: Approve subject to highways comments.
COL/08/0511 Oaklea, Ardleigh Road, Dedham. Change of use to Nursery. Comment: Approve.
COL/08/0547 Birchwood Road, Dedham. 99 Bedroom Hotel. Comment: Approve conditional. Highway issues as before.
COL/08/585 40 Dedham Meade, Dedham Single storey side extension Comments: Approve.
CBC has approved the following applications: COL/08/ 0183/0187 Little Netherhall, Princel Lane, Dedham. New fencing to boundary.
COL/08 Meadow Cottage, Mill Lane, Dedham. 0247/0245 Two storey rear extension to annexe.
COL/08/0196 Land in garden of Berryfields, Coggeshall Riad, Dedham. New dwelling.
CBC has refused the following application:
COL/08/0274 The Orchard, Coopers Lane, Dedham. Three car garage with storeroom above.
The following appeal has been rejected: The Old School House, The Heath, Dedham |
|
10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR Cllr. Garnett again reminded members that consideration should be given to spending the 106 Agreement Grant which had risen to approx. £10,000. This must be something for the new Parish Council to take up. As a result of visits from the Planning Officer and Enforcement Officer the Gun Hill Scrap Yard will be submitting planning applications for a series of work. It has been requested that a Noise Abatement Officer visits the site. There is to be a public meeting on Core Strategy Rural Issues on the lst July and Park & Ride issues will be considered on 3rd July. 11. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION Following a complaint from a resident who found a note on her car telling her to park elsewhere as Royal Square was for Royal Square residents the Clerk was asked to write clarifying the situation. Royal Square is owned by the Parish Council who allow short term parking for all. There are no special exceptions for residents with or without permits. There is a right of way across the front of Duchy House to allow access to the garage and parking was not allowed in front of the barrier. A letter confirming the situation has been sent to Duchy House. 12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS As a retiring Parish Councillor, Lyn. West pointed out that she will need to be replaced as the parish Duchy Barn Committee representative and a Parish Magazine “report” writer will be needed to replace John Osborn. Cllr. Laverick would need to update the Emergency Plan Manual and asked retiring members to return their copies go him. On Saturday, 19th April, the War Memorial at Boxted Air Field is to be re-dedicated at a special ceremony and all are invited. During the afternoon there will be an exhibition in the Community Centre, Langham. Cllr. Garnett has reported the broken road sign at Lamb Corner and it is hoped the white chevrons will soon be painted on the road. The fly-tipping in Coles Oak Lane has been cleared. Cllr. Cannon advised that the planning books were closed now until the meeting of the new Council in May. 13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING The next ordinary meeting will be on 14th May at 7 p.m. followed by the AGM at 8 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms, Dedham. The Vice-Chairman presented Mrs. Guglielmi with a bouquet and thanked her for her services to the Parish Council and to the village. In return the retiring Chairman thanked all those who were retiring from office for all their support in the past. She wished the Parish Council, both old and new, well in the future. |