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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 9th January 2008
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on 9th January, 2008. Present: In the Chair Cllr. Mrs. Guglielmi Councillors Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, R. Cort, R. Laverick, S. Marrison, Mr. P. Moorhouse, Mrs. L. West, J. Osborn Ward Councillor C. Garnett Parish Clerk Mrs. J. Flewin PCSO Natalie King Electors 28 Cllr. R. Buston, Street Services Portfolio Holder, attended to update the Parish Council so far as the provision of public toilets in the Mill Lane car park was concerned. This matter had been discussed with Mr. McManus earlier in the year when the Parish Council had been led to understand that such a project was not impossible. However since then Mr.McManus had advised that funding for a new toilet block was unlikely and Cllr. Buston was asked what exactly was the situation. Cllr. Buston said he entirely agreed that there was a need for a second block of toilets and that the Mill Lane car park was a good site - funding was certainly a problem but not an impossibility in the future. Dedham was very high on the list, coupled with Mersea, and the matter was constantly under review. If and when a new toilet block was erected in the Mill Lane car park consideration had to be given to its maintenance and CBC favoured a policy whereby this could be undertaken locally as opposed to an outside agency. Money would need to be found for the upkeep and maintenance if the asset was not to become a liability. Cllr. Garnett suggested that in view of the fact that approximately 60,000 visitors come to the village each year the Tourist Board should be prepared to be involved in some form of funding for such a tourist related project. In response to a query regarding the refurbishment and embellishment of the existing toilets in the recreation ground Cllr. Buston reiterated that the money was from a separate pot funded by the Arts Council which could not be directed elsewhere. Cllr. Garnett and Cllr. Buston would continue to liaise and will look at the figures once again. Cllr. Buston was also asked about the request for larger, bell type glass recycling bins to be placed in the coach park, Mill Lane, which had been promised. These were necessary due to the fact that the present bins were too small resulting in vandalism and broken glass. Cllr. Buston will look into this. The street cleaning operation carried out early in December had been a great success and it was hoped that this system could be used on other occasions. If a date and time could be notified in advance residents could be made aware of the situation and arrange to park elsewhere for that occasion. Cllr. Buston took this on board. A letter of thanks will be sent to Mr. Paul English regarding gulley and pavement sweeping in the future. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Buston for attending the meeting. |
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1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE None. 2 .MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. 3. MATTERS ARISING (a) Road Markings In response to our query Highways had advised that it has recently been a County Council directive that Access Protection Marks (APM’s) will no longer be provided for new enquiries or reinstated following resurfacing roadwork. This ruling applies to the word ‘Entrance’ which is no longer to be marked on the highway, It is a police responsibility to deal with such matters of obstruction, etc. The previous white lines, etc. had no meaning in law. With regard to the parking bays beside the war memorial Mr. Harris asked for confirmation/guidance as to the exact location of the war memorial and the extent of ‘Royal Square’. He had enclosed a map showing the war memorial in Royal Square which was incorrect. Confusion lay in the fact that ‘Royal Square’ as owned by the Parish Council was to the rear of the war memorial which was on that part of the highway also known as Royal Square. This information has been passed to Mr. Harris together with a corrected map. Cllr. Garnett is also meeting with Mr. Harris in the near future and will mention this to him. (b) Drainage/Ditches Following the earlier distribution of notes on Riparian Rights Cllr. Cannon asked if members wished to comment or ask questions. There were none. (c) Rotten Tree – Watersplash Following our query regarding the rotting tree growing in the Mill Lane watersplash the Environmental Agency had visited the site and declared that the tree was the responsibility of the landowner. They would only act if the tree had fallen into the stream. Cllr. Moorhouse was unhappy with this response and members agreed that as the tree was growing in the stream it was difficult to ascertain who owned the land. (d) Advertising Boards/Signs This matter was ongoing. (e) Telegraph Pole – Manningtree Road The landowner has been identified and contacted. As a result action will be taken to remove the obstruction some time this month. (f) Village Seats Cllr. Cannon reported that the seats in the play area will be refurbished and CBC have agreed to maintain the seat outside the chemist and the cycle racks. The Chairman will supply the address of the family members concerned regarding the Eley seat by the church wall which was also in need of attention. |
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4. CORRESPONDENCE (a) New Library Timetable Details have been published. (b) Dedham Village Quiz This will be held on Saturday, 9th February and it was agreed that the Parish Council would again enter a team. (c) Complaint – Monks Lane Following a letter of complaint from a Monks Lane resident giving a detailed study of domestic animal and bird activities in the lane together with a diary of events two councillors had independently visited the site on separate occasions. The RSPCA had expressed the view that there was no problem with the welfare of the livestock concerned. The condition of the lane generally was not helped by large oil supply lorries and refuse collection vans which needed access so damaging the verges. The main issue was the containment of the livestock which was being allowed to roam freely in the lane and other gardens causing fouling of the verges and obstruction of the road. Several concerned residents were in attendance and spoke at length of the overall nuisance. Cllr. Garnett said that the residents’ diaries had been received and an annoyance abatement notice issued by CBC. A meeting for residents would be held in the Town Hall on 17th January and members of the Parish Council could attend. Cllr. Mrs Cannon suggested that the provision of a dog bin might help with preventing dog fouling and Cllr. Garnett took this on board. Members agreed that this was a very difficult and distressing situation which needed to be resolved and there was concern that the Parish Council had not had the opportunity to hear both sides of the argument. However, Cllr. Marrison agreed to attend the meeting on the 17th January. Members requested a full report at the next Parish Council meeting. 5. WAR MEMORIAL Cllr. Osborn had submitted three quotations for the refurbishment of the War Memorial to the War Memorials Trust and following his application they had offered £1,925 towards work estimated at £3,850 by Fairhaven of Anglesey Abby, Cambs. This meant that half the cost would be funded by the Trust. The Friends of Dedham Church had indicated that they would be prepared to make a grant towards the project but the amount available was not yet known. Any balance would need to be funded by the Parish Council. It was unanimously agreed that this work should proceed and Cllr. Osborn will accept the offer made by the Trust. 6. REPORT OF PCSO Residents in the Duntons Almshouses had complained that parking outside their properties was restricting their use and consideration was being given to a residents parking scheme. Parking had increased greatly recently as residents of Parson’s Field were leaving their cars in Crown Street. Other complaints had been received that this parking was a hazard particularly at night. Surveillance work had been carried out in the area of the Mill Lane car park but since the gate to the overflow area had been locked the nuisance had reduced. Our PCSO had undertaken Speed Watch training. She supported the young people’s request for a seat but as yet no site had been found. 7. FOOTPATH/PLAY AREA Cllr. Osborn reported that the footpaths were in good order thanks to Andrew Hodson and PPP. Following the ROSPA directive that playing field machinery, redundant and in use, should be kept in a safe area and not left lying around one old item had been removed. Ownership of other pieces of machinery was being verified. The Duchy Barn Shed could not house any more items and a new shed would be far too large. It was agreed that some form of fenced compound might be considered and discussions with the Sports Club would continue. Following an inspection of the “rocking motorbike” it was agreed that this piece of play equipment should be retained for the time being. |
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8. DEDHAM SURGERY The surgery had now been empty for one year. It was hoped that a Complimentary Medicine Group would be operating from the building from 1st March. 9. ACCOUNTS The following accounts had been paid in December 2007 £ Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in November: Maint. 238.38 PPP 150.00 Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 156.00 Clerk’s Qtrly Account – Oct./Dec. 812.32 Deans – Bark for play area 499.38 Mr. Trimmit – Hedge 250.00 Hire of Duchy Barn 20.00 It was agreed that the following accounts be paid: A. Hodson – Hours worked in December 130.00 Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 195.00 Essex Police Authority – PCSO 3,375.00 R., Cannon – Planning Committee expenses 32.47 Income: ECC share Capital Grant Scheme - £497.00
10. PLANNING The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following: COL/07/3027 2 Birchwood Cottages, Birchwood Road, Dedham. Proposed alterations and additions to cottage. Comments: Recommend approval.
COL/07/3034 29 Dedham Meade, Dedham. Two storey front extension. Comments: Recommend approval.
Colchester Borough Council has approved the following applications: COL/07/2392 Shiloh, Long Road East, Dedham. Two storey front ext. and alterations with conservatory.
COL/07/2313 Park Farm, Coopers Lane, Dedham. Cert. Of Lawfulness for stabling and grazing horses.
COL/07/1773 Anchor Inn, The Heath, Dedham. Erection of two dwellings.
COL/07/2471 Hedgerows, Long Road East, Dedham. Change of use from agricultural land to domestic garden.
COL/07/2666 25 Forge Street, Dedham. Single storey side and rear extension incl. front porch
Colchester Borough Council has refused the following applications: COL/07/2566 Oaklea, Ardleigh Road, Dedham. Cert. of Lawfulness for Child Minding.
COL/07/2632 White House, High Street, Dedham. Variations to 06/0392
COL/2788 Glyncroft, Coggeshall Road, Dedham. Additional driveway access. Cllr. Cannon requested approval to write to CBC requesting that in the light of the Village Design Statement a second access should be included on the initial application, not dealt with as a minor amendment. Such applications should be referred back to the Parish Council and notified to ECC Highways. This was agreed. |
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11. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR The documents relating to the Local Development Framework had finally been received by the Parish Council and Cllr. Cannon had requested the 21 day extension in view of their late arrival. He had also been in touch with CBC to correct inaccuracies in the document. Cllr. Garnett advised that CBC had built into the 106 agreement a community contribution – the grant allocation to be split 35% for Borough-wide projects and 65% for Ward projects. He will attend an important meeting on this subject on January 22nd at the Town Hall. A review of Council properties in Forge Street and Parson’s Field had been carried out. Most problems involved gardens and trees. 12. PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS A resident felt that a sign of some sort should be considered to indicate “Lamb Corner”. This is a recognised part of Dedham which has no sign since The Lamb public house became a residence. It was agreed that this was necessary and Cllr. Garnett will look into this request. 13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr. Osborn reported that the PCC will be discussing the horse chestnut tree in front of the church in the near future. He had heard from Dedham, Iowa, that they were delighted with the scroll of good wishes signed by all Councillors sent to them on the occasion of their 125th birthday. Cllr. Laverick queried the fact that some road markings were outstanding following the re-surfacing and Cllr. Garnett confirmed that there was still some remedial work to be done and he will follow this up. Cllr. Cort provided a CD of the Village Design Statement which it was proposed should be added to the website. Cllr. Laverick had received confirmation from CBC that the maps could be published under their licence. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon requested a new rubbish bin to be placed near the toilets in the recreation ground. Cllr. Garnett will follow this up. The Chairman and the Clerk had attended an interesting meeting at the Town Hall when the new Code of Conduct had been explained. In the light of recent events the Chairman wondered whether the Parish Council should ask the Co-op to consider closing a little earlier in the evenings. Several members and the PCSO disagreed with this suggestion. Cllr.Cannon’s felt it would be useful if a Borough representative was invited to speak about the Local Development Framework. There wass no objection to this. Cllr. Cort said that every household had received a copy of the VDS. It was agreed that he should approach the Parish Office to see if they would store the surplus. Cllr. Moorhouse asked that a letter of thanks be sent to the organisers of the Senior Citizen’s Christmas luncheon which had again been excellent and much appreciated. 14. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on 13th February, 2008, at 7.30 p.m. in The Assembly Rooms, Dedham. There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m. |