Dedham
Parish Council

Minutes of meeting held on 9th June 2010

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 9^th June, 2010,

Present: In the Chair: Cllr. R. Laverick

Councillors: R. Appleby, Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, M. Dempsey,

B. Hindley, Mrs. K. Spencer, A.Stock, S. White

Ward Cllr. C. Garnett

PCSO M. Hibben

Parish Clerk: Mrs. J. Flewin

Electors 2

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE None.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING were approved subject to the following amendment. Minute 4. item (b) Salt Bins – should read “Dedham has been provided with several new bins this winter and it is unlikely that further free bins will be made available.”

3. MATTERS ARISING

(a) Bad Smells Cllr. Mrs. Cannon had received an answer from Anglian Water to her request for a contact number for Bud Gale who had attended a previous Parish Council meeting saying that contact details for individuals were not available nor were there any plans for old sewage systems. A.W. also suggested that they would like to attend a meeting to update the councillors on the situation. Cllr. White advised that a resident had arranged a private meeting with C.Cllr. Mrs. Brown and was in touch with Offwatch. Members felt that this was undermining the Parish Council’s efforts which should be suspended for the time being. Cllr. White will liaise with the resident and ask to be kept in the picture. Cllr. Appleby’s data had been collected up to the end of May and he is happy to reinstate the procedure.

(b) Sweeping The Drift The matter has been resolved.

Following a request from the Parish Council that this area should be looked at with a view to the introduction of safety measures, Cllr. Hindly reported that SLOW markings on the approach to East Lane and Coopers Lane will be added to the 2010/11 works programme. It was suggested that a major problem was the vegetation which was growing (some on private land) and Highway Rangers will be asked to undertake some work in the area. Two of the 30 mph repeater signs which have been sprayed by blue paint will be cleaned.

Cllr. Hindley stated that ECC have lost the original letter regarding speeding on Jupes Hill. The Clerk will follow this up. Other items to be included in the 2010/11 works programme include SLOW markings in Manningtree Road and Gun Hill.

(d) Other matters With reference to parking at The White House, CBC advise that they were not aware that the “garage” was in fact “a workshop” and will investigate the matter further.

(e) Matters from previous Minutes Details of proposed changes to the 247 bus route to incorporate the 87/87A routes between Dedham and Colchester(which would mean that the Colchester bus passed through Langham but not Ardleigh) were discussed. Members had no objection as long as Ardleigh was happy with this arrangement. Cllr. Laverick will speak to Ardleigh P.C. and deal with the matter. accordingly.

4. PARISH PLAN Following completion of the Workshop Day the results have now been typed up and analysis is being undertaken to commence identifying topics for inclusion in the Community questionnaire. Additionally we are now going to progress three other areas including Youths, School and Businesses with the same research premise of – what do you like? What don’t you like? What improvements can you suggest? Following completion of these three areas and analysis of all the answers we will then progress to the Questionnaire stage scheduled for the autumn.

5 CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Dedham Run 2010 This will take place on Sunday, 26^th September. It was proposed by Cllr. Laverick, seconded by Cllr.Dempsey, with all in favour THAT the sum of £50 be donated for the Parish Council Cup.

(b) Highways Community Infrastructure Fund (HCIF) is to be discontinued. ECC assure that requests for investments in Highways infrastructure of improvements will always be considered via the traditional routes.

(c) Zurich Insurance There had again been a delay in the receipt of the Renewal Notice/Invoice although assurance was given that cover would not be affected. Update details on protection provided on insured premises was requested and Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will look into this.

6. REPORT OF PCSO Our PCSO is now mobile on his bike. With the start of the tourist season additional time will be allocated to those busiest areas with particular attention to parking enforcement. The hedge opposite the Boat House is overhanging the footpath and this will be reported. The mobile police station will attend in Royal Square on a fortnightly basis between 9.15 and 10 a.m. and details will be published on the Essex Police website. PCSO Hibben thanked Cllr. Hindly for his tireless work in running Speedwatch. This job has now been passed to Ray Medlar and PCSO Hibben has been in touch to arrange a meeting for all those wishing to support this valuable work. He wished to remind everyone to secure garden equipment in outbuildings that are properly locked and to ensure that all visitors are bona fide as bogus callers have been reported in other areas.

7. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA Work on re-marking the Essex Way will continue. Cllr. Laverick was concerned at the muddy state of the Essex Way in certain areas and felt that some form of boardwalk should be installed. The tree obstructing Fpth.32 has been removed but Fpth.18 has not been re-instated following the planting of potatoes. This is in the hands of Mr. Botelho and Cllr. White will obtain an update of the situation.

Cllr. Mrs. Cannon had received further complaints about the bad language being used during football matches, this despite a previous warning to the club and notices published in the dressing rooms. Complaints have come from residents living nearby and parents with small children using the play area. We know from previous correspondence with the Essex & Suffolk Border Football League that behaviour on the pitch is in the hands of the referee who obviously do not follow the guide lines laid down by the Football League. Cllrs. Mr. and Mrs. Cannon have again written a strongly worded letter to Mr. Tatum both as councillors and grandparents of children who use the play area adjacent to the football pitch asking for the matter to be seriously investigated and addressed by the Football League. If the situation does not improve there is the ultimate alternative of stopping football matches being played on the Dedham Playing Field.

The ground area of the roundabout has been damaged and since repaired by Andrew Hodson using the “repair” kit obtained on a previous occasion by Mr. Osborn. This has now been used up and it was suggested that a further supply be purchased. It was agreed to await the ROSPA report which has just been completed. The replacing of dog fouling bins has been completed successfully. A new bin has been placed in the Mill Pond car park and a second-hand one put at the entrance to Mill Lane car park.

The vandalised bin was beyond repair. Cllr. Stock felt that the situation had definitely improved and it was agreed that the decision regarding notices be deferred for the time being.

8. ACCOUNTS It was unanimously agreed that the following accounts be paid:

Andrew Hodson Repair to roundabout 49.50

PPP 287.50

Ground Maintenance 150.00

Mrs. Ruff – Litter 210.00

Clerk’s Qtrly Account – April/June 842.37

A.& J. Lighting – VAT 21.84

Dedham Run 2010 50.00

CBC – Street Lighting 83.64

Essex Playing fields – subs. 25.00

Income: Dedham Football Club - £50.00

Dedham Tennis Club - £50.00

9. PLANNING The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following applications:

0949 Forge Cottage, East Lane, Dedham.

Single story rear extension.

Comments: Recommend approval but this should be the limit of any further development.

0948 8 Crownfields, Crown Street, Dedham.

Single storey front extension and rendering

Comments Recommend approval but with reservation about it being forward of the building line.

0891 Gun Hill Garage site, Ipswich Road, Dedham.

Variation of Condition 6 on 090795

Comments; Recommend approval if concerns can be addressed by CBC.

0973 Lower Park Cottage, Colchester Road, Dedham.

Extension.

Comments: Recommend approval.

0979 New House, Lower Barn Farm, Manningtree Road, Dedham.

Extension of residential garden.

Comments: Recommend approval.

1018 Rose & Crown Public House, Crown Street, Dedham.

Demolish existing and erect 3 no. 4 bed. houses with garages.

Comments: To be “called in” over-development of site.

CBC has approved the following applications:

0487 Blomfields, Long Road East, Dedham.

Open sided attached carport.

0558 Birchwood Hotel, Birchwood Road, Dedham.

3 illuminated lights.

0513 Birchwood Shell Garage, A12 southbound, Dedham.

Raising of forecourt canopy.

0574/72 Jupes Hill House, Long Road East, Dedham.

Single storey rear and side extension.

0703 St. Davids, Long Road West, Dedham.

Single storey rear extension.

0667 Westview Cottage, Long Road West, Dedham.

Demolish existing house and outbuildings. Replace with 5 bedroom detached house and double garage.

10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR CBC have issued a “tree works” policy a summary of which is available to councils. “Decent Homes” are carrying out trial improvements in homes in Greenstead which, if successful, will be followed in Dedham and Langham. 106 money available for use is in excess of £15,000. It is planned that the Hoppa Bus will be resumed this summer to the end of October. Tourist figures for Dedham and East Bergholt are over 200,000, many of whom were paying a second visit. Although there are no firm plans for charging for Dedham Car Park has been mentioned by CBC and this will be strongly resisted by the Parish Council. Cllr. Garnett said that the car park was in need of some attention and suggested he approach JAC to see if there was any possibility of help with running repairs. This would be most welcome. He will follow up Cllr. Laverick’s e-mail to the Highways Rangers in respect of the hedges along the footpath at Mill Lane bridge and overgrowth at Lamb Corner.

11. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION A resident objected most strongly to the large houses at present appearing in Dedham of the development suggested for the Rose & Crown site was completely unacceptable. She stated a view shared by many that there was little or no provision for those older residents who wished to downsize which in itself would bring larger properties on to the market. Cllr. Cannon explained that this was exactly what Dedham Parish Council was saying to CBC and why the Rose & Crown development was being “called in”.

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS C.Cllr. Mrs. Brown had advised that Princel Lane should be resurfaced soon. Cllr. Appleby mentioned a sewer cover along The Drift which was broken. Cllr. Garnett will report this to the relevant authority. Cllr. Cannon said that all members of the Planning sub-Committee had attended a very interesting seminar on “Managing a Masterpiece”. RCCE had explained the details involved in providing “affordable housing” – and Cllr. Garnett pointed out that Dedham already had one of the highest proportions of such housing. What was required was not “affordable” housing but smaller housing for down-sizing. Information on the subject would be circulated which councillors were asked to read and give their comments to Cllr. Cannon.

Cllr. Dempsey asked if a check had been made on the rubbish bins at the Mill Pond car park which had been reported as overflowing and also felt that a salt bin in Monks Lane was needed. Cllr. Garnett agreed to make further enquiries. Cllr. Dempsey also felt that councillors should personally peruse the Allotment Agreement in order to fulfil a promise made to residents that this would be so. This view was supported by other members. It was pointed out that all the residents concerned had received a copy of the agreement which was available for sighting at any time.

13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING This will be held at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 14^th July, 2010, in the Assembly Rooms.

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