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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 10 December 2008
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on 10th December, 2008 in the Assembly Rooms, Dedham.
Present: In the Chair: Cllr. P. MoorhouseCouncillors: R. Appleby, Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, M. Dempsey, R. Laverick, Mrs. K. Spencer. Parish Clerk: Mrs. J. Flewin P.C.S.O. Natalie King Electors 4 Mr. B. Penny, Colchester Borough Council, attended prior to the meeting to give advice on the subject of allotments. There are over 400 on the CBC waiting list for an allotment and the Borough does not have funding to purchase land from the private sector to meet this demand. The standard size of an allotment is 250 sq. metres but “half” allotments are popular at a rent of 20p. per sq. metre, soon to be increased. Terms run annually from October to October over a five year plan. It is essential to have parking areas and good road access for user’s cars and deliveries, etc. Mr. Penny said there was very little CBC owned land in the Dedham area and a private land owner would need to be sought. Funding for purchase was not available but CBC was happy to provide advice and support. Sheds were allowed on CBC allotments and some polytunnels but he had no knowledge of the situation in the AONB. There was an Allotment Association in Colchester and details would be forwarded to Cllr., Mrs. Spencer. The Chairman thanked Mr. Penny for attending and giving helpful advice for a basis on which the Parish Council could work. ------------------ 1.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Garnett and Cllr. Hindley. A letter of resignation for personal reasons has been received from Cllr. Stewart. CBC will be advised and the procedure for a replacement councillor will be followed. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved subject to the following amendment. Page 34. line 8, should read “the Chairman” will arrange, not “Cllr. Cannon”. |
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3. MATTERS ARISING (a) 106 Agreement Cllr. Dempsey said that there was a great deal of interest in the idea of a play area in the Dedham Heath area but siting it would be the problem. This will be discussed at the next meeting. Cllr. Dempsey has spoken to several contacts in CBC regarding grants for the Youth Shelter but in each instance he has been advised that at the present time there is no funding available. The Parish Council will continue to pursue this matter wherever possible. (b) Parish/Town Council Grant Scheme Award The Parish Council had been awarded £2,000 under this scheme towards the cost of the machinery enclosure on the sports field. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has contacted Mr. Armour and once the obstructing trees have been removed from the site work will proceed. (c) Vehicle Activated Signs Following the exchange of correspondence with Highways as a result of an objection to the VAS in Ardleigh Road a survey was conducted of all residents in Ardleigh Road (31 properties) and 14 replies were received. Of these 10 were in favour. The objections/comments made by the remaining 4 have received a response from Highways clarifying various matters. It was proposed by Cllr. Cannon, seconded by Cllr. Appleby, with 5 for and 2 against, that the Parish Council should proceed with obtaining a VAS for Ardleigh Road as already discussed with Highways. So far as a similar proposal for Long Road East was concerned it was agreed that residents be circularised with the information and comments invited. To this end a simple card was discussed which could be circulated as and when required to residents about any future proposals which the Parish Council might be considering. This would give details and invite comments. It was unanimously agreed that 200 cards should be ordered at a cost of £15, plus an initial cost for artwork of £15. When the cards are received they will be used to give residents in Long Road East a chance to comment on the proposed VAS. (d) Allotments Following the interesting advice given by Mr. Bob Penny members felt that there was at least a basis for investigation into finding a piece of land which might be suitable. This was the first hurdle and Cllr. Cannon hoped to have some information for discussion at the next meeting. Cllr. Mrs. Spencer advised that at the present time ten residents had registered an interest. (e) Pedestrian Crossing – Crown Street Cllr. Dempsey advised that Safer Journeys for Schools Travel Plan was due for an update and he intended to organise a meeting with Caroline Gregory (Safer Journeys) and the Headmistress in order to discuss this. It was suggested that a “lollipop lady” would be a safer and more environmentally friendly answer to the problem, and Cllr. Dempsey will include this in his discussions. (f) Flooding at Craft Centre Having had no response from Mr. Maplestone Cllr. Mrs. Cannon had contacted Mr. Harris direct and a site meeting had been arranged. Highways agree that the present drain is not able to cope with the run off from various sources and a second drain is required. This work will be done but present financial restraints mean that it will not be in the immediate future. It was pointed out that all utilities have to be advised before work of this nature can be undertaken, and this also takes time. Meantime it was suggested that the channel taking the water from under the Craft Centre under the road be made wider by the removal of excess soil. (g) Purchase of Cones It was agreed that a supply of cones for general use by the Parish Council would be helpful. Cllr. Cannon will obtain prices, etc. (h) Flowers in the High Street The Chairman felt that the High Street could be brightened by the placing of tubs, troughs, etc, in the High Street, possibly on private ground so as not to obstruct the footpath. This idea was welcomed and Cllrs. Mrs. Cannon and Appleby agreed to join the Chairman in a survey before the next meeting. |
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4. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Mobile Library Details of revised times for the Mobile Library are – The Square 9.15 a.m., Parson’s Field 10.15 a.m., Dedham Meade 10.40 a.m. This information will be published in the Dedham column. (b) Land in Long Road West A complaint from a resident voiced concern at the positioning of a container and what appears to be a fuel tank very close to her property. This matter is already being monitored by the Planning sub-Committee who are in correspondence with CBC. 5. REPORT OF PCSO P.C. Vicky Sanders is the new neighbourhood officer for Dedham and she will attend a Parish Council meeting as soon as possible. PCSO Natalie King reported that there had been several incidents of theft from cars and urged that residents make sure valuable items are not left exposed in their cars. Because of this police patrols in the area had increased of late. There was also a problem with quad bikes and mini- motors and this investigation was on-going. 6. DEDHAM SURGERY Nothing to report. 7. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA Cllr Appleby reported that the footpath from Coles Oak lane to Stratford Road was in need of an update. PPP have identified the stiles which need attention and have agreed that this work will be done though it will not be in the immediate future. Rubbish was still being deposited on footpath 13 (Louse Lane) and Cllr. Laverick will check this. A recorded letter was sent to a resident some months ago asking that they stop using the footpath to burn garden refuse and if this request is being ignored it was suggested that CBC be contacted. The gate to the play area had again needed to be repaired and Mr. Armour has been asked to make a more permanent repair when working in the area in the new year. There was a suggestion that CCTV coverage might be extended to include the play area and this would be discussed further at the next meeting. 8. ACCOUNTS It was unanimously agreed that the following accounts be paid: £ Mr. A.P. Hodson Hours worked in November PPP 275.00 Maint. 132.00 Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 202.50 Clerk’s Qtrly. Account – Sept./Dec. 838.14 Mr. Trimmit – Hedge in Brook Street 260.00 Dedham PCC – Paint 32.75
Income War Memorial Trust - £1,925.00 |
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9. PLANNING The Planning sub-Committee has dealt with the following:
COL/08/1931 6 Royal Square, Dedham. Sound insulation to ground floor left hand party wall Comments: Approve, minor material changes.
COL/08/1993 Dedham Oak, Coles Oak Lane, Dedham. Certificate of Lawfulness for erection of timber Orangery. Comments: Approve.
COL/08/1979 4 Victoria Cottages, Long Road West, Dedham. Conversion of single storey garage and workshop to single storey Dwelling. Comments: Highway issues to be resolved.
COL/08/1868 Wyvern and Maytree, Crown Street, Dedham. Replacement dwellings with garages. Comments: Design issues on both to be resolved.
COL/08/2018 Hillcrest, East Lane, Dedham. Erection of bungalow and garage. Re-submission of 07/3151 Comments: Design and Access Statement needed to resolve material problems.
CBC has approved the following: COL/08/1727 Westview Cottage, Long Road West, Dedham. Demolish existing property and erect new dwelling.
COL/08/1628 Gun Hill Garage, Ipswich Road, Dedham. Stationing of two portacabins and one shipping container.
Land in Coopers Lane – Affordable Homes Following enquiries regarding the possibility of affordable homes in Coopers Lane RCCE has visited the site and agreed that it is not suitable for the purpose. This application will not proceed. 9 – 11 Coopers Lane English Heritage are considering an application for this property to be listed. |
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10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR In the absence of Cllr. Garnett there was nothing to report. 11. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION A resident reported that the long awaited new bin had been installed beside the ladies toilets in the recreation ground.. The Parish Council was asked to consider a seat by the bus stop in Royal Square. It was agreed that this was a suitable spot and the matter would be borne in mind for the future.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Members of the Youth Club had worked hard in planting a hedge along the track from East Lane to Manningtree Road and were commended for their efforts. The planting of trees will take place later. Cllr. Laverick had attended the Emergency Planning meeting at the Town Hall. He had circulated an update of the Emergency Plan for Dedham to all members and asked that he be advised of any amendments or comments. The guttering on the toilet block had been repaired. A suggestion that the small area of roadside hedge by Munnings should be removed had been received. It was thought that this hedge served a purpose in blocking headlights on the bend of the road. However, members will look at this for comment at the next meeting. So far as the request to remove leaves from the football field was concerned Mr. Hodson said he did not have the correct equipment. He was also using his own strimmer. The Parish Council strimmer which was held by Mr. Osborn was not robust enough for the job of strimming the footpath and it was agreed that Cllr. Cannon would obtain costs for the purchase of a new one. It was suggested that PPP might be prepared to help with the cost. The Dedham Quiz would be held at the Assembly Rooms on Saturday, 31st January, 2009, and a team of six was sought. 13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held at the Assembly Rooms, Dedham, on Wednesday, 14th January, 2009, at 7.30 p.m. There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m. |