Dedham
Parish Council

Minutes of meeting held on 9 May 2007

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL 

Minutes of Meeting held on 9th May, 2007
in the Assembly Rooms

 

Present:   In the Chair       Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

                 Councillors        Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon,  R. Laverick, P, Moorhouse,

                                            J. Osborn, Mrs. L. West,

                  Parish Clerk       Mrs. J. Flewin

                  Electors             6 Electors.

 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Cort. 

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

3. MATTERS ARISING 

    (a)  War Memorial  The third quotation is still outstanding. 

    (b)  Barrier – Royal Square   Work on the new barrier has begun. 

    (c)  PCSO   Natalie King is the ‘nominal’ recruit to take the post of Dedham PCSO and has started her training.  It is hoped that she will start her tutor period in the village from Monday 4th June. 

        (d)  Lighting  Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has compared all quotations for the Mill Lane lighting and it was agreed that a three year contract be taken out with Just Lamps (UK) Ltd. for maintenance of the two lamps in the car park and two street lamps in Mill Lane.  New time switches will be fitted to the car park lights timed to go off at  11 p.m. 

        (e)  Car Park Toilets  Mr. McManus was not able to attend the meeting but will be speaking at the July meeting.  Cllr. Moorhouse enquired whether his offer is to be taken up or not as he has work planned for the area.  Cllr. Garnett said that CBC were very grateful for Mr. Moorhouse’s offer but as options are still being investigated and no time scale given Mr. Moorhouse should proceed with whatever work he wanted to carry out.   Meanwhile temporary toilets have been ordered for the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May and for August Bank Holiday. 

        (f)  Village Seats  Cllr. Mrs. Cannon said that the matter was in hand and all seats would receive attention as needed.  It was agreed that the old seat in Stratford Road should be removed but that the base should remain in order that a new seat can be placed there if required. 

        (g)  Town & Parish Grant Scheme   Two proposals were discussed – replacement of the bark in the play area with a Wetpour surface and new Parish notice boards for the village.   After some discussion new notice boards received a majority vote and Cllr. Osborn will proceed with the application for funding under the Grant Scheme.

      (g)  Forces Parcels   Cllr. Garnett had contacted the Public Relations Department of the MOD who had no knowledge of the matter.  It was agreed no further action should be taken. 

 (h) Litter Bins  It was confirmed that responsibility for providing/replacing litter bins in the recreation ground rested with the Parish Council.   A new bin with a top which would prevent litter blowing around was requested for Stratford Road lay-by and Cllr. Garnett will put the request before CBC.

 

 

4.  CORRESPONDENCE 

  (a)  Road Repairs  Notification of some road resurfacing work in Dedham has been advised and further work will be carried out later in the year when the tourist season is over.   It is hoped that all roads in Dedham will receive attention. 

  (b) Offensive Language   Complaints are being received about the amount of offensive language being used in and around the recreation ground.  Sadly it was felt there was little that could be done and that this was unfortunately part of the current trend prevalent in sport, on TV, in schools, etc.  However the sports club will again be made aware of the complaints and it is hoped that the presence of the PCSO will help control this behaviour particularly on the playing field.         

  (c) Unofficial Waste Dumping  An alert resident had reported that he had seen a Bowser vehicle of the type used for emptying septic tanks discharging liquid into The Brook via a manhole which linked it to the river.   Parish Council had informed The Dedham Vale Society and the  Environment Agency so that they are aware of the incident. 

  (d)  Land adjoining Southfields   Mr. de Muscotte-Morris has replied to the Parish Council’s enquiry regarding the use of his land as a car park.  He states that whilst he is happy for the field to be used for “occasions” such as the Dedham Run, special events and matches, etc. he would not wish to enter into any official arrangement at this time. 

  (e) Letters of thanks received from Dedham Parish Church and Manningtree Town Council for donations received. 

   (f)  Car Park Nuisance  A resident has reported that cars are joyriding around the car park late at night accompanied by screaming and other general disturbances.  It was agreed that this will be a matter for the PCSO, possibly with police back up if appropriate.   Mrs. Ruff has also reported that once again broken glass has been scattered in the car park.  The Parish Council did ask CBC to consider placing larger recycling containers in the coach park but there had been no response to this request.  This was a matter which will be raised during the forthcoming “walkabout”. 

  (g) Dedham Run 2007  A letter requesting permission to use the recreation ground on Sunday, 23rd September for this year’s Run has been received.  There was no objection.   It was agreed that the sum of £50 be donated again for the purchase of a suitable trophy. 

5.  DEDHAM SURGERY   Regular meetings continue to be held and constant approaches made to the Colchester PCT.  However, until the footpath is in place the building cannot be used. 

6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA  There has been an incident in the play area when a creosote-like substance was poured over three pieces of equipment.  A visiting PCSO attended and a report made.  A window in the toilets was broken and Borough has been advised.   The footpath opposite the Rose & Crown is blocked by broken fencing from the adjacent property. 

 

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

                                                                                                                 £

Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in April -  Maintenance                    120.00

                                                                     PPP                             275.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter                                                                    156.00

Dedham Run                                                                                      50.00

 

8. PLANNING  The Planning Sub-committee has dealt with the following applications. 

COL/07/1100     Francote, High Street, Dedham     

                           Demolish existing bungalow 

Comments:        Approve conditional, Party Wall Agreement.
 

 COL/07/1161    Francote, High Street, Dedham 

                          Replacement dwelling. 

Comments:       Improved design.  Approve conditional.

 

COL/O7/1115/ Duntons Almshouses, Crown Street, Dedham.

 1116
                          Erection of two scooter stores.

 Comments:        Approve conditional.  Roof details to be agreed.

 

COL/07/1117    Duntons Almshouses, Crown Street, Dedham. 

                          Demolish two sets of disused toilet buildings 

Comments:       Approve.

 

COL/07/1179   Blackbrook Hill, Gun Hill, Dedham. 

                         Erection of 12 bed unit. 

Comments:      Approve conditional. Limit of expansion and landscape details.
 

COL/07/1215   Mays Barn, Mays Lane, Dedham. 

             Demolish existing garage and construct new double garage. 

Comments:       Approve.  Improvement over existing.

 

COL/07/1325   Lower Barn Farm, Manningtree Road, Dedham. 

                          Variation of Conditions 4 & 5 of App. COL/06/0527 

Comments:       Advise and discussions needed with Environment Agency.

 

CBC has approved the following applications. 

COL/07/1974  The Lecture House Cottage, Colchester Road, Dedham. 

                        Replacement dwelling.

 

COL/07/0917  21 Parson’s Field, Dedham. 

                         Two storey side extension.


The following application has been withdrawn.

 

COL/07/0003  Francote, High Street, Dedham. 

                        Convert 2-bed. bungalow to house.

 

Sports Club – Parking   A letter from Mr. Charles Clover expressed his views as an ex councillor on any proposals to introduce extra parking by the sports pavilion which he considered unsuitable and undesirable.   No plans have as yet been produced and Cllr. Cannon has spoken with Mr. Clover. 

9. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR  Cllr. Garnett advised that he hoped the  ECC/CBC Dedham “walkabout” would take place towards the end of May.  Councillors will be advised of dates and times and are welcome to join in. 

 

10. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION   Complaints about parked cars in Manningtree Road prior to the junction with Brook Street continue to be received.  It is hoped that the PCSO will give this matter attention.   There was concern that the road surfacing work on Grove Hill had left the drains and manholes  like potholes which could be a hazard to cyclists.  This would be reported to ECC.  There is no longer a cul-de-sac sign at the entrance to Princel Lane which results in many visitors turning down to find the river.   A replacement sign will be requested. 

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS  In his absence Cllr. Cort’s written report stated that a draft copy of the Village Design Statement is now almost complete and copies passed to those councillors on the planning committee..  A further meeting has been arranged for 31st May when the VDS team will give a wider presentation with an opportunity for comments and relevant feed back.    The signpost at the junction of Long Road West with Ardleigh Road is rotten and needs replacing.   

A new statutory Model Code of Conduct must be considered and agreed by all Local Authorities in England and Wales and a copy is being circulated to all members for discussion at the next meeting. 

12. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING  The next meeting will be on Wednesday,

13th June, 2007, at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms. 

The four year review of ground rents was due and the recommendation agreed was that the rent be increased to £50 per annum for the Tennis, Football and Cricket Clubs and to £150 per annum for the Sports Club. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.

 

 

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