Dedham
Parish Council

Minutes of meeting held on 9 February 2005

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL 

Minutes of Meeting held on 9th February, 2005

in the Assembly Rooms 

Present:  In the Chair         Cllr.C. Clover

                Councillors          D.Bradbrook, R. Cannon,  R. Cort, R. Laverick, P. Moorehouse,  
                                                          J. Osborn, Mrs. L. West                              

                 Parish Clerk        Mrs. J. Flewin

                 Electors               10

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

 

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

 

3.      MATTERS ARISING 

(a)    Village Pump  This was now back in position and apart from a little extra cosmetic work needing to be done it was felt that the pump was again an attractive feature of the village.  Consideration is being given to a plaque for the pump. 

           (b)   Skateboard Park   Cllr. Mrs. West had investigated several aspects regarding the possibilities of a skateboard area in Dedham.  Before proceeding further it was agreed that the views of Tendring Hundred Water be obtained on the need for a hard but permeable surface suitable for skateboarding in the field which they have offered for use.  

            (c)  Duchy Barn - Lighting This will be discussed by the Duchy Barn Committee of which Cllr. Mrs. West is a member and who will report back following their meeting.

            (d) Car Park Lighting  Cllr. Osborn has spoken with Mr. High of CBC and has requested that timers be fitted to turn off the lights at 8.30 p.m.  Mr. McArthur found the colour of the lights intrusive and would prefer a white light.  However after some discussion it was agreed that this might be difficult in view of CBC policy and it was agreed that perhaps the Parish Council should investigate the running costs, etc. of alternative lighting.  Some members felt that although the  amount of light provided was reasonable the design of the lights was not what was wanted or asked for and that Cllr. Garnett should be consulted as he had been present with Cllr. Osborn at the site meetings.

 There had been vandalism in the car park and it was agreed that this be reported to the police in view of their promise to make more visits to Dedham.

             (e) Affordable Housing  Cllr. Osborn had attended a meeting with Sandra Howard of Colne Housing and stated that she was now well aware of the Parish Council’s disquiet over the site in Crown Street.  She had assured Cllr. Osborn that the new proposal was quite independent of the Manningtree Road site but for the time being the matter was in abeyance.

             (f) Parson’s Field  As a member of the school’s Governing Body Cllr. Mrs. West will raise the matter of the new road layout, etc. at their forthcoming meeting.  Meanwhile some councillors will have a site meeting at 2.30 p.m. on the 18th February to see the problems for themselves. 

            (g)  Village Design Statemement   An inaugral meeting has been held at Loom House and the next meeting, which will be a public meeting, will be held in the Assembly Rooms on 14th May.  It was hoped this meeting would be well attended and would clarify the future proceedings of the steering group.  The meeting stressed that there should be a fair representation of the village as a whole and on this understanding was prepared to give financial support to the initial cost of the presentation.  A proposal that £200 be provided for this purpose was made by Cllr. Cannon and unanimously agreed.  A cheque would be sent to Mrs. J. Fowle.

            (h)  Speeding   In view of the police response to Mr. Carouth’s letter of complaint reported at the last meeting Cllr. Cort asked if there had been any increased police presence in the village.   There had been no sign of spot check speed cameras or extra policing and it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Chief Constable which would also enquire about the hand held cameras supplied to villages in other counties for local use with training and support from the police.    Debris from a crash at The Heath crossroads was still lying on the verge despite notification to CBC.  Cllr. Garnett will be asked to take up this complaint.

 

 

 4.   CORRESPONDENCE     

          (a) Sponsored Walk - Guide Dogs  There was no objection to a sponsored walk and stall being held by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association on 12th June from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Royal Square.

          (b)  Rose & Crown  Transfer of License received in respect of this public house which has  recently re-opened.

          (c)  CBC - Litter Pick Day  CBC planned to hold a Litter Pick Day throughout the Borough on the weekend of 19th March which will be aimed at spring cleaning areas which have become an eyesore.   On a previous occasion Brownies and Guides took part and the letter will be passed on to them.

         (d)  Dedham Vale & Stour Valley Project - Workshop   This partnership and action planning workshop which was previously cancelled is now scheduled for 2nd March.

         (e)     E. Essex Area Forum  Details and dates for 2005/06 meetings have been received.

         (f)  Dedham Churchyard  Last year the Parish Council donated £750 towards the cost of maintaining the churchyard and a further appeal has been received from the PCC for the coming year.  It was agreed that the churchyard was an integral part of the community and an asset to the village much appreciated by visitors to the church.  It was unanimously agreed that a sum of £800 be given for this year and that this amount would be renewed on an annual basis.

         (g)  Countryside Agency Consultation AONB   Details of this were passed to Cllr. Clover.

         (h)  Flood Awareness Information  Details were passed to Cllr. Laverick for inclusion in the Dedham Emergency Plan.

 5. DEDHAM SURGERY  Cllr. Osborn had attended the recent meeting and reported that although some finance was still needed there was every hope that this will be available and that building work can go ahead.  There was still a serious problem over the under use of the surgery hours in the Assembly Rooms, particularly on a Thursday with the Nurse Surgery, and this point will be enforced through the magazine and household flyers to make residents aware of the need to use the facility.  Some residents were still having difficulty making appointments for Dedham Surgery and this will be raised at the next meeting of the Patients Representative Group.  The Suffolk PCT was still very positive and supportive which was encouraging.

 6.  FOOTPATHS & PLAY AREA   Little to report on footpaths although some minor repairs have taken place.  The repaired roundabout has been installed and the ground work will be done shortly.  It was suggested that a plaque be put on the roundabout and this will be investigated.

 7. ACCOUNTS/FINANCE   The Finance Committee have met and agreed that the precept of £15,500 be requested for 2005/06.  This is an increase of £1,000 on last year.  A salary increase of £500 per annum was agreed for the Parish Clerk with effect from lst April, 2005.

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

                                                                                                                £

A.B. Carpentry - Village Pump repairs                                                712.00

A. Hodson - Hours worked in January                                                112.00

V. Guglielmi (for A. Smith repairs to play area & village map)              108.80

Mrs. O. M. Ruff - Litter                                                                      150.00

Playsafe Construction - Maintenance of play area                                  55.81

CPRE - Subscription                                                                            25.00

 Income:  VAT repayment   -   £529.1l

 

 

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

 COL/04/2364  Loke End, High Street, Dedham.

                         New two-storey extension & new conservatory

  COMMENTS:   Recommend approval subject to neighbours’ comments.

 

COL/05/005   Colchester & E. Essex Co-operative Society, High Street, Dedham.

                         Erection of protection bollards outside shop front

                        (re-submission of COL/04/1975)

  COMMENTS:  Recommend approval.

 

COL/05/0056  4 Dedham Meade, Dedham.

                         Two storey and first floor extension

  COMMENTS:  Recommend refusal.  See Planning File.

 

COL/05/0080   The Cottage, Grove Hill, Dedham.

                           New double garage, wood store and tank room.

  COMMENTS:   Recommend approval subject to neighbours’ comments.

 

COL/05/0094   47 Dedham Meade, Dedham.                                                                 

                         Loft conversion and installation of 2 no. gable windows

                         (re-submission of application COL/04/1909)

  COMMENTS:   Recommend approval subject to neighbours’ comments.

 

The following application has been withdrawn.

 ESS/39/04 TEN  Development of Offices, Industry Stores and Metal Recycling Centre.

                           Old Ipswich Road, Wick Lane, Ardleigh, Colchester.
            

9.  REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   In the absence of Cllr. Garnett there was nothing to report.

10. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION   A resident complained that the builders employed at The Willows, Colchester Road, were parking on the footpath, near a bend, causing difficulties for pedestrians and other road users.  Cllr. Osborn agreed to speak to the builders.     Cllr. Osborn also agreed to speak to the new residents of The Rose & Crown public house regarding the possible use of the pub’s parking area by parents of children at the primary school.

 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS   None.

 12. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   The next meeting will be held on 9th March at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms.

 There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.

 

 

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