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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 9 November 2005
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
of Meeting held on 9th November, 2005,
Present: In the Chair Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi Councillors D. Bradbrook, R. Cannon, R. Cort, R. Laverick, P. Moorhouse, J.Osborn, Mrs. L. West. Parish Clerk Mrs. J. Flewin Electors 9
(a) Neighbourhood Watch This was now up and running although one or two more street co-ordinators were required. An informative article has been published in the Parish Magazine Information regarding the placing of “Neighbourhood Watch Area” signs is being sought. (b) Traffic Problems – Lamb Corner A response from R.T. Steward states they will remind their drivers of the weight restrictions in the area. Their premises are no longer in Manningtree as they have moved to the Ardleigh Truck Stop. There has been no reply from Tuckwells. (c) Car Park Lighting Following some discussion and with confirmation from CBC regarding cost it was proposed by Cllr. Moorhouse, seconded by Cllr. Bradbrook with 7 in favour and 1 against THAT CBC be asked to change the standard lighting in the Mill Lane car park from the existing “yellow” to “white”. This CBC say will cost £220 per lamp. It was reported that one of the Mill Lane street lights did not appear to be functioning correctly. CBC to be advised. (d) High Street Bus Stops As the response from the consulted parties and villagers of Dedham had been overwhelmingly in favour of the bus stop remaining in its present position (outside Loom House) in the High Street CBC will now formalise it. The bus stop opposite (outside The Old Grammar School) will also be formalised. This will entail the removal of the main section of the bay currently used for residential/limited waiting. There was some concern that extra “bus stop” markers will be installed and the Clerk will raise this with Highways. |
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4. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Health & Safety – Dedham Sports Club Following the Parish Council’s directive regarding Health & Safety requirements, the Sports Club have stated that they were of the opinion that tractor roll bars were unnecessary due to the fact that the tractor is operated on relatively level ground, not near ditches or banks. They also state that necessary cutting underneath trees in the recreation ground would be hindered. So far as protective headgear is concerned the Sports Club felt that this was not necessary as the tractor pulled gang mowers which meant that foreign objects would be thrown backwards away from the driver. This contrasts with self-propelled mowers where the cutters are forward of the driver. (b) Colchester Litter Pick Day This was to be on 19/20th November this year. Although notice was short, as this had been successfully supported by the Brownies and the Litter Warden last year it was agreed to pass the information on to Tracy Lovelock for action if possible. (c) THW Advance Notice of Works - High Street Tendring Hundred Water advise that necessary renewal of the existing water main in the High Street meant that roadworks will affect the High Street early in 2006. Further information will be received. (d) Boundary Gateways Mr. Stuart Morris has asked if there was any progress in getting the boundary gateway in Coggeshall Road re-sited to correctly reflect the Parish boundary. This was raised with CBC in March, 2004, but nothing has been done so far. The fact that the boundary markers have been moved in Ardleigh Road has caused residents to press for action in respect of Coggeshall Road and it was agreed that a letter be sent to CBC re-stating the position. Correspondence was passed to Cllr. Cannon who will undertake to speak with Mr. Morris. (e) AONB Projects Dedham Vale AONB & Stour Valley Countryside Project have advertised that grants are still available for sustainable development projects in the AONB. One of the projects has been the Dedham Vale Hopper Bus which has been greatly appreciated and a success in the village. However, a new timetable and route has meant that the service is much less available to Dedham residents. It was suggested that this fact be pointed out to Dedham Vale & Stour Valley Countryside Project with the thought that for a little more input the service could be slightly extended to better serve Dedham. (f) Homechoice @ Colchester For those who wish to join the Housing Needs Register they should contact CBC at P.O. Box 887, Town Hall, Colchester. A new system for choice based lettings is in operation which will give more feedback on properties available to those on the Register. (g) Greensward – Dedham Meade Mr. Osborn of Dedham Meade thanked the Parish Council for action in respect of the ditch and greensward which was causing concern. Cllr. Cannon had contacted CBC about this and as a result some work had been carried out. Mr. Osborn’s letter was passed to Cllr. Cannon who will pursue CBC further in this matter. 5. DEDHAM SURGERY Despite all the efforts of Suffolk PCT and the Dedham Steering Group the Constable Country Practice have maintained their determination not to offer a service in Dedham at the Assembly Rooms after the end of December and will not provide a service of any sort for the proposed new surgery. They will continue to be available at East Bergholt for Dedham patients. Colchester PCT have consulted with the Ardleigh Practice but they are not interested in running a surgery at Dedham. Following a meeting with Colne Housing the proposal now is to resubmit a plan for a “New Community Health Care Centre” which will be two-thirds the size of the original plan and will comprise two first floor flats, one ground floor flat and an area of approx. 70 sq. metres for a medical health centre. It was hoped that this slight alteration will not affect the EEDA grant. The timescale for this project was now extremely short, but all concerned are aware of this. |
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6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA Cllr. Laverick reported that Footpath 13 was being used for bonfires. He had spoken with the residents concerned who stated they knew nothing about it. He will monitor this. He has also spoken with the landowner regarding Footpath 12 about the possible replacement of a dangerous stile with gates. This will be followed up. Cllr. Osborn had contacted Mr. White and the Brook Street hedge will be cut towards the end of the month. The gap in the hedge by the tennis courts had been wired closed and a notice put up. However this had been taken down and the gap forced open once more. Mr. Hodson has re-wired the gap more strongly and it should now remain closed. Cllr. Cannon has investigated the ownership of Footpath 42 (Gull Lane) and has ascertained that this land is actually the property of Essex County Council. This information will be passed to the interested parties. Cllr. Osborn had circulated all members with a selection of ideas for new play equipment to replace the obsolete items now removed. After some discussion it was agreed that a see-saw plus a climbing frame were popular and that these should be ordered forthwith. The possibility of a new “rocking” piece for smaller children would also be discussed. 7. ACCOUNTS Barclays Bank has asked for an update on signatories for the Parish accounts. These were now limited to three. The Chairman and Councillors agreed that these should continue to be Mrs. J. Flewin (Clerk), Cllr. J. Osborn and Cllr. D. Bradbrook. It was proposed by Cllr. Bradbrook, seconded by Cllr. Osborn, with all in favour THAT the following accounts be paid: £ Mr. A. Hodson - Maintenance 112.00 Footpaths (PPP) 250.00 Mrs. O. M. Ruff – Litter + Visibility Vest 170.90 A.B Carpentry - Village Pump 95.00 Community Bus – Vehicle Licence 165.00 St. Helena Hospice 50.00 British Legion 20.00
Income P.P.P. (for Sept. and Oct.) £500.00C.B.C. (contribution to temporary toilets) £100.00 |
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8.PLANNING The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following applications: COL/05/1624 Land adj. To Hedgerows, Long Road East, Dedham. Change of use of land from agricultural to domestic garden. COMMENTS: No objections.
COL/05/1662 Land off Manningtree Road, Dedham. Change of use of ground floor from Dentist to disabled 2 bed flat. COMMENTS: Recommend refusal. See Planning File.
COL/05/1595 The Shuttlecock, Coggeshall Road Dedham. Single storey Orangerie, brick piers and gates at front of house. COMMENTS: No objection to conservatory. Reservations on double gates (see Planning File).
COL/05/1585 Land adj. No.20 Crown Street, Dedham. Proposed two-storey and bungalow residential properties comprising 2 two-bedroom general needs flats and 1 two bedroom disabled flat. COMMENTS: Recommend refusal. Requirements not met.
COL/05/1620 Plot 13, Land on East side Boxhouse Lane, Dedham. Fence to determine border between plots 13 & 12 plus access gate. COMMENTS: Recommend refusal. See Planning File.
COL/05/1618 Inverness, Long Road West, Dedham. Single storey rear extension. COMMENTS: No objection, but parking issues to be addressed.
COL/05/1686 Maison Talbooth, Stratford Road, Dedham. Alteration to roof, gable, window, provision of dormer windows and alterations to create new additional bedrooms. COMMENTS: No objection.
COL/05/1694 The White House, High Street, Dedham. One storey roof extension with single storey extension and conservatory to rear. COMMENT: ‘Called in’ by Cllr. Garnett.
COL/05/1647 Glyncroft, Coggeshall Road, Dedham. Rear and side extensions. COMMENT: No objection.
9. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR In the absence of Cllr. Garnett there was nothing to report. |
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10.PUBLIC REPRESENTATION As already mentioned there was disappointment at the new route and timetable of the Hopper bus. Although it would now be possible to access the East Bergholt surgery via this means the timings were not good and the bus only visited Dedham High Street, A letter would be sent to Paula Booth. Mr. McArthur raised the matter of the new licensing hours and extended facilities for the Marlborough Head Hotel. Cllr. Cort said that the Parish Council had supported the residents in their objections to the new licensing hours and he had written accordingly to the Magistrates at Chelmsford. The residents had taken legal advice but had been told that there was less than a 50% chance of succeeding with their appeal which would also involve quite a large sum of money. There was a “Review Procedure” which could be requested, but it had been decided by all concerned that it would be better to wait and see what the future held. It was understood that the tenants of The Marlborough Head were not anxious to use the extended licensing laws to any great extent. Meanwhile the situation would be monitored and recorded most carefully. 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr. Mrs. West said that a meeting had been held with David Druitt and Jill Moore regarding the Dedham Quiz and matters were well in hand. Cllr. Laverick is producing tickets and posters and the Quiz will be in aid of The Essex Air Ambulance and Cancer Research. The date has been booked (February 4th, 2006) and the meal will be a “ploughman’s”. Tickets will be £5. A further meeting will be held at the home of Cllr. Mrs. West on 23rd November and all members are welcome to attend. The Chairman reminded members that a service of Remembrance would be held on Sunday at which she would be laying a wreath on behalf of the Parish Council. Cllr. Bradbrook mentioned a report in the newspaper which stated that the toilets in Dedham were to be closed. The Chairman asked for further details or a copy of the article. Cllr. Cort stated that the condition of the road on Castle Hill and Crown Street continues to worsen and the onset of winter means that the road will be very dangerous when icy. A further letter will be sent to CBC. Cllr. Laverick said that the application period in respect of the website grant had been extended by a week because of the large number of enquiries. 12. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING Unless absolutely necessary there would be no meeting in December. The next meeting will be on 11th January, 2006, in the Assembly Rooms at 7.30 p.m. There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.35 p.m. |