Dedham
Parish Council

Minutes of meeting held on 10th January 2007

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting held on 10^th January, 2007, in the Assembly Rooms

Present: In the Chair Cllr Mrs. V. Guglielmi

Councillors D. Bradbrook, R. Cannon, R. Cort, R. Laverick,

P. Moorhouse, J.Osborn, Mrs. L. West.

Ward Councillor C. Garnett

Parish Clerk Mrs. J. Flewin

Electors 26

1 .APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Clover

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

3. MATTERS ARISING

(a) War Memorial No further information at present.

(b) Barrier – Royal Square Cllr. Moorhouse had obtained quotes for two suggestions in respect of the Royal Square barrier to the playing fields. The first was for repair and refurbishment of the present barrier and post amounting to £718.37 and the second was variations on fold-down lockable posts ranging from £735.43 to £1,706.60, all prices quoted are plus VAT. As the information had only just been received it was agreed that this would be circulated and considered for the February meeting

(c) Community Police Support Officer There had been a great deal of support shown at the recent Neighbourhood Watch meeting for the appointment of a PCSO for Dedham. The Parish Council acknowledged that eleven letters of protest had been received and in considering the parish precept this year the finance committee had agreed to supplement the cost of the new officer by using the end of year balance of funds which will help reduce the overall increase in community charges. It was pointed out that this charge will undoubtedly rise throughout the Borough regardless of the employment of a CPSO. Following the appointment of a CPSO the Chairman proposed that after an initial period of six months a review should take place to see how the scheme was working and discuss the future. This was approved with 5 members for, 1 against, and 1 abstention. Further details on the management and duties of a CPSO will be discussed at a later date.

(d) Monks Lane Officers of Essex County Council had met on site to discuss the concerns of the residents that Monks Lane was being used in a manner likely to cause damage to this rural lane. A comprehensive report had been made and C.Cllr. Clover who had attended the meeting explained that at the present time it would not be in the best interests of the lane to try to get its status changed from a Byway to a Green Lane. As a Byway vehicles were permitted to use it and too much publicity would only serve to bring it to the attention of Motorcycle Clubs, for instance, for rallies, gatherings and general “fun” use. He further reported that the Government were undertaking a nationwide review of Byways, Green Lanes, etc. and he intended to consider the situation again in June. Residents were disappointed in the County’s attitude regarding the inappropriate use of the lane and maintained that although the problems were spasmodic they were nevertheless very upsetting to the residents and detrimental to the lane. Cllr. Garnett said he also had received numerous photographs and letters on the matter over a period of four years and understood the problem. His suggestion that the middle section of the lane be included in the Village Design Statement in order to afford some measure of protection at least for this part of the lane when it became a legal document for planning guidance was considered by all to be a useful policy to follow. Following a proposal by Cllr. Mrs. West, seconded by Cllr. Cannon, with all in favour, it was agreed that Cllr. Garnett’s suggestion be put before the VDS committee. Cllr. Cort will follow this up.

(e) Other AOB Items from previous minutes The Mill Lane street lights were now on but were staying on all night instead of switching off at 9 p.m. All maintenance for these lights and those in the car park were now the responsibility of the Parish Council. It was necessary to appoint a contractor for this work and enquiries are being made in this direction. In response to the Council’s enquiry regarding “request” bus stops Borough have advised that this is a decision for individual bus companies who should be consulted direct. Details of the relevant companies were passed to Cllr. Laverick who will follow this up. The Community Speedwatch programme has begun with 12 members of the public having received training. Cllr. Laverick reported that they had been on duty in eleven locations from which it had appeared that Ardleigh Road was the worst for speeding. It was suggested that reference to this should be included in the parish magazine Cllr. Laverick had attended a meeting dealing with footpaths and leaflets as it was his hope to produce a map of the footpaths, with numbers, on the Internet. He wished to obtain a map which was at least 50 years old and he will follow up the various possibilities which were suggested to him. He had also attended the Emergency Co-ordinators meeting in Chelmsford which had been useful.

4. CORRESPONDENCE

(a) East Essex Forum Details of forthcoming meetings were passed to Cllr. Cannon.

(b) Colchester Association of Local Councils has been reconvened and a meeting will be held on 15^th January. At the present time the Parish Council has no appointed representative and members were asked to consider this for the February meeting.

5. DEDHAM SURGERY The surgery was officially handed over at a well attended reception on the 8^th December, 2006, and the residents of the new accommodation have moved in. Although the building remains unused it is hoped that it will not remain so for much longer. Mr. Bernard Jenkin, MP, is in contact with the new PCT in respect of the use of the surgery and also the Portfolio Holder of Transportation on the subject of the footpath along Manningtree Road. The Steering Group has a meeting on 29^th January and thereafter will meet quarterly. Cllr. Garnett said it was desirable to set up a formal committee to include representatives from Stratford St. Mary and Langham to deal with administration work for the Clinic. Cllr. Mrs. West agreed to represent Dedham. There were complaints that the lights in the parking area of the new building which were on all night were excessively bright. Cllr. Garnett said that the Dedham Vale Society and others had written to Colne Housing about this problem and he was sure they will be taking the matter up with the contractor.

6. FOOTPATHS AND PLAY AREA Footpath 2. has now been re-opened and the work done was excellent. A part of Footpath 17 has been sectioned off and is walkable and it is hoped that the new route for Footpath 18 will be tracked off in the near future.

The Sports Club had responded positively to the complaint about swearing on and around the football pitch and have advised the Football Club that measures should be taken to curb this.

7. ACCOUNTS The Finance Committee proposed that the precept for 2007/08 be set at £27,000. The match funding of £13,000 for a PCSO to be offset by £4,000 from the projected end of year 2006/07 balance. Other recommendations included

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – increase of 50p. per hour (to £6.50 per hour) = £39.00 per week.

Mr. A, Hodson – increase of £1 per hour (to £11.00 per hour) = £33.00 per week

Mrs. J. Flewin – increase of £250 per annum = £2,750 per annum

All the above proposals were unanimously approved.

The following accounts were paid in December, 2006.

A. Hodson – Hours worked November - Maintenance 150.00

“ PPP 150.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 144.00

D.S. White (Mr. Trimmit) – Hedge 250.00

Mrs. J.P. Flewin Qtrly. Account Oct./Dec. 744.41

Contact Reprographics – Welcome Pack 140.00

Colne Housing Assn. 9,897.50

Income - .ECC balance of grant - £9,897.50

The following accounts were paid in January,2007. £

A. Hodson – Hours worked in December - Maintenance 120.00

Mrs. O. M. Ruff – Litter 180.00

Playsafe Construction 55.81

Assembly Rooms – Hire for meetings 139.50

R. Cannon – Expenses 22.46

R.Cort – Expenses 6.82

R. Laverick – Expenses 10.00

St. Helena Hospice 50.00

Income – Dedham Village Assoc. – Contribution to hire of Duchy Barn

for Surgery Steering Committee meetings - £34.00

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

COL/06/1974 The Lecture House Cottage, Colchester Road, Dedham.

Replacement dwelling.

Comment: Recommend refusal – not in keeping

COL/06/2010 Land in garden of Berryfields, Coggeshall Road, Dedham.

Erection of detached dwelling.

Comment: Recommend refusal – over development of site as per previous

application.

COL/06/2085 Maison Talbooth, Stratford Road, Dedham.

Single storey dining/garden room.

Comment: Recommend approval.

The following applications were approved since November meeting 2006.

COL/06/1699 l Frog Meadow, Dedham.

Conversion of roof void.

COL/06/1511 Land adj. Travers, Crown Street, Dedham.

Proposed two storey dwelling.

COL/06/1745 16 Dedham Meade, Dedham.

Additional bedroom over dining room & extension to porch.

COL/06/1669 Lower Barn Farm, Manningtree Road, Dedham.

Demolition of dwelling house and erection of new replacement

dwelling

COL/061676 Rare Breeds Farm, Mill Lane, Dedham.

Proposed toilet block

COL/06/1796 Brook House, High Street, Dedham.

Erection of detached glasshouse and potting shed.

COL/06/1649 Dedham Hall, Brook Street, Dedham.

First floor extension to provide guest bedrooms.

COL/06/1615 Park Farm Lodge, Coopers Lane, Dedham.

Change of use of Barn to holiday cottage.

COL/06/1862 12 Coopers Lane, Dedham.

Garage and store.

The following application was refused since November meeting 2006

COL/06/1732 13 Dedham Meade, Dedham.

Additional loft bedroom and detached double garage with attic

storage area.

Certificate of Lawfulness Refusal

COL/06/1651 Sundowne, The Heath, Dedham.

Builders Yard.

Appeals dismissed

COL/06/0276 Birchwood Hotel Site, Birchwood Road, Dedham.

Proposed 100 bedroom Hotel

Proposed banquet hall and spa facilities

COL/06/1620 Plot 13, Land East of Boxhouse Lane, Dedham.

Proposed fence to determine border between Plots 12 and 13

and access gate

COL/05/0639 The Anchor Inn, The Heath, Dedham.

Demolition of existing Public House and erection of three detached

dwellings. Erection of dwellings dismissed but Listed Public House

de-listed.

9. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR Cllr. Garnett reported that a private firm had made application for Arley Grange, Langham, to be used for the assessment of troubled children. There was already a special school in Langham and he hoped for support from Dedham and Stratford St. Mary in rejecting the application..

10. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION Kevin Taylor reported that the Youth Club had a new leader (Hayley). A firm line had been taken with some older children who were trying to come into the Duchy Barn although they were not members of the Youth Club. Various potholes were reported at Lamb Corner (Langham turn off) and Bargate Lane. Cllr. Garnett will notify. There was serious flooding across the road at Stratford Road and the High Street due to blocked drains.

Cllr. Cannon reported that there had been 82 planning applications during the past year. A resident asked if it was possible to have a breakdown as to approvals and refusals. Cllr. Cannon will deal with this request.

11.ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr. Bradbrook, Cllr. Laverick, Cllr. Mrs. West and Colin West, Cllr. Cannon and Ann Cannon agreed to represent the Parish Council in the forthcoming Dedham Quiz on the 27^th January. Mrs. West gave details of possible funding available for football projects involving pitches, goal posts, etc. Cllr. Osborn took note. Various signposts around the village were broken and in need of replacement. All had been reported to Cllr. Garnett.

Cllr. Laverick said that the website was getting over 100 hits a month and now incorporates a Search facility. Resident Mrs. Avalontis-Evans was having problems with parked vehicles across her access despite a white line in the road.

Whilst appreciating how annoying this could be the Parish Council felt that this was something which the PCSO will tackle when appointed. Although a letter had been sent to Abbotts head office some time ago regarding their sign outside their Dedham High Street office there had been no response whatsoever. Planning permission had not been given and Cllr. Cannon will look into this further. Some white lines had been re-painted in the village and it was hoped that the outstanding work will be completed in the near future. Congratulations were given on the excellent production of the Welcome Pack which had gone to every home via the Parish Magazine. Cllr. Mrs. West said that the Rev. Moate had done an enormous amount of work to produce the document for which the Parish Council was grateful.

12. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 14^th February, 2007, at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.

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