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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 11 February 2009
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting held on 11th February, 2009 in the Assembly Rooms, Dedham.
Present: In the Chair: Cllr. P. MoorhouseCouncillors: R. Appleby, Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, M. Dempsey, B. Hindley, Mrs. K. Spencer, S. White Ward Councillor: C. Garnett Parish Clerk: Mrs. J. Flewin P.C.S.O. Natalie King Electors 9 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Laverick. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. 3. MATTERS ARISING (a) 106 Agreement Cllrs. Mrs. Spencer, Dempsey and Hindley had met with a view to finding options for the use of the money which has accrued under the 106 Agreement. It is specified that any proposals/suggestions must be for the benefit of the village as a whole and a comprehensive list of possible options had been drawn up, copies of which were passed to other members.. Allotments was top of the list and other items may find funding from other sources (such as the Youth Shelter) but the councillors felt that the subject should be explained in the parish magazine and opinions sought as to how the funding might be used. There was no objection to this and the Chairman thanked the councillors for their efforts in this respect. (b) Allotments Cllr. Cannon had spoken with various landowners and a piece of land may be available in the vicinity of Ardleigh Road. Details will be passed to the “allotment group” who will follow it up. It was reiterated that the Parish Council would not be the responsible body for this project and that the interested residents would need to form their own Committee. Whilst stating that no land was immediately available, The National Trust had expressed their support of the venture and would be prepared to meet up to discuss future possibilities. Cllr. Dempsey had attended the recent meeting of Langham Parish Council when Beverley Davies was updating them on the Community Initiative Fund. Grants are considered for a wide range of community projects and although money will not be available for almost a year Cllr. Dempsey said that the Parish Council should start thinking now about making an application as early as possible. It was unlikely that Lottery Fund money would be available, but it would be worth making an application. It was agreed that this would be kept on the Agenda. (c) VAS Cllr. Hindley had been advised that improvements in technology meant that the VAS could now be sited nearer to the 30 mph sign (almost opposite Hunters Chase). This happens to be in Ardleigh and Ardleigh Parish Council has confirmed in writing that they have no objections. The signs should be up and running before the end of the financial year. Cllr. Hindley is still waiting to hear further regarding a second VAS unit. (d) Pedestrian Crossing/Lollipop Lady Cllr. Dempsey had posted information cards in the vicinity of Parson’s Field/Crown Street regarding some form of crossing. It is agreed that a Lollipop Lady is the preferred option but funding for this could not be considered until 2010/2011. Meanwhile a survey is being held amongst the parents of the primary school to see if a crossing would, in fact, be used. (e) No Waiting Cones 10 cones have been purchased and will be kept by the Clerk for use as and when required. (f) Flowers in the High Street The Chairman and councillors will look into this as soon as the weather improves. (g) Equipment for Mr. Hodson Cllr. Cannon was still waiting to hear from Mr.Hodson regarding his requirements. (h) Dedham Quiz The team had been narrowly beaten into second place this year but all enjoyed the evening. £920 had been raised and was to be divided between the two nominated charities. (i) CALC Cllr. Hindley had attended the recent CALC meeting at which a police report was given. NAPS will be more focused in future. Although CBC staff had them there was no funding available for identification cards for parish council members. (j) Wedding Marquee on Playing Field Due to the many problems this would create the enquirers have decided to look for a different venue. (k) Other On examination it had been decided that the cost of repairing the bench taken from Stratford Road was far too high to be considered. The bench from Colchester Road at the junction with Coles Oak Lane had also been stolen. Cllr. Cannon had contacted the Dedham Vale Society and the Dedham Vale & Stour Valley Project regarding the article ‘Unlocking a Landscape’ and it had been agreed to wait until the project ‘Managing a Masterpiece’ at present being produced was available before taking the matter forward. |
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4. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Horticultural Society Plant Sale The Dedham H.S. asked for permission to have their annual plant sale on Royal Square on Saturday, 9th May (8 – 12 noon) and there were no objections to this. A cheque for £25 has been received from them for plants for the tubs at the village pump. (b) Improvements to Appointment System – E.Bergholt Surgery Details of changes to the appointments system at the Constable Countryside Practice, East Bergholt, will be published in the parish magazine. 5.REPORT OF PCSO Thefts from cars, particularly those in the Mill Lane car park, continues to be a problem. Residents should be more aware of items left on show in cars overnight. Several close-by villages have suffered a spate of burglaries, particularly from sheds, garages, barns, and Industrial sites. Residents are once again reminded to report any suspicious vehicles and HGV lorries using our small lanes, particularly with regard to numbers, names of companies, etc. 6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA The recent extreme weather had cause several ditches to flood and the bridge across the stream on the Essex Way (Footpath 21) has disappeared. Cllr. Appleby will be meeting with Lisa Cross, Public Rights of Way Officer, this week. 7. DEDHAM SURGERY Subject to final approval by NHS North East Essex Ardleigh Surgery have agreed to extend their practice to the Dedham Surgery for two or three sessions a week with a GP and a receptionist. This is very welcome news and all concerned have been praised for their commitment over six years to getting a medical surgery established in Manningtree Road. Cllr. White felt it would be appropriate to have a “special opening” on that occasion. 8. ACCOUNTS It was agreed that the following accounts be paid: £ Mr. A. Hodson – hours worked in January 132.00 Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 162.00 Mr. R. Cannon – Expenses (Planning) 88.49 R. Laverick – Web Hosting 70.36 CBC – Litter collection (sports field) 35.35 Mr.P. Moorhouse – Cones 39.02
Income VAT Refund £1,428.28 PPP 2,350.00 Quiz tickets 36.00 Horticultural Soc. 25.00 |
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9. PLANNING The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following COL/08/2068 Land adj. Shire Horse Centre, East Lane, Dedham. Clean water wildlife pond. Comments: No objections.
COL/09/0041 Rusty Tiles, Coggeshall Road, Dedham. Single storey rear ext. and loft conversion. Comments: No objections.
COL/09/010l/ Winterflood House, Anchor Lane, Dedham. 0102 Alterations to Listed Building (re-sub of 08/1294 & 1297) Comments: No objections.
COL/09/0097 Beech House, High Street, Dedham. Demolition of Garage (re-sub. Of 08/1784) Comments: Recommend refusal as before.
COL/09/0111 Dedham Car Park, Mill Lane, Dedham. Information board. Comments No objections.
COL/09/0119/ The Octagon, Mill Lane, Dedham. 0120 Demolish wall and pier and re-build to match. Comments: No objections.
Colchester Borough Council has approved the following applications: COL/09/2084/ Alfred Munnings, Castle House, Dedham. 200801 Change of use to facilitate kitchen/refreshments
COL/08/1869 * Wyvern and Maytree, Crown Street, Dedham. Demolish existing buildings
COL/09/1868 *Wyvern and Maytree, Crown Street, Dedham. Erection of replacement dwellings.
· A letter of appreciation from the architects concerned with this application for the input of the planning sub-committee and the positive manner with which matters were dealt was read to the meeting.
COL/08/2018 Hillcrest, East Lane, Dedham. Erection of bungalow with garage (revision of 07/3151)
COL/2122 Coppins, Ardleigh Road, Dedham. Erection of conservatory at rear of property.
Colchester Borough Council has refused the following application: COL/08/1947 4 Victoria Cottages, Long Road West, Dedham. Conversion of garage into dwelling with revised access.
Cllr. Cannon reported that following an approach from a developer (via Colchester Borough Council) who was interested in affordable homes on a plot of land at the end of Coopers Lane he had referred the developer to the Rural Community Council of Essex. As a result a representative from RCCE visited the site and declared that it was not suitable for the purpose. The Chairman asked that this matter be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. |
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10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR Serious potholes in Mill Lane, Bargate Lane, Birchwood Road and Long Road had been reported and in most cases had already been filled. Mill Lane bottle banks were overflowing. Cllr. Garnett was still waiting for news regarding dog waste bins and was handed a map of Dedham Meade where bins would be appreciated. The offending cockerel in Monks Lane had gone and residents advised that it is illegal to cause an obstruction by placing logs across the road. The Chairman queried whether mobile toilets would again be considered for the car park this summer because this year no water supply would be available. Cllr. Garnett will make enquiries. 11. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION C.Cllr. Clover advised that the serious flooding in Stratford Road was due to a blocked drain and that he had discussed the matter with The National Trust. There had been accidents in the area during previous bouts of inclement weather and it was a simple matter to correct this hazard. The matter would be properly dealt with in the spring, but meantime all that was needed was for someone with a shovel to clear the debris from the drain. So far as the problem in Crown Street was concerned C.Cllr. Clover felt that speed was the main cause and that some form of signage or perhaps flashing lights on the “School” sign might do away with the perceived need for a crossing of some sort. Some Councillors disagreed with this opinion as parked cars the length of Crown Street prevented passage, let alone speeding. C.Cllr. Clover said he intended to ask Highways to look at the area and give their views. Attention has already been drawn to parents parking at Forge Street during school delivery and collection times. A resident of Southfields complained that persistent parking in Crown Street on the corner of Southfields completely obscured the sightline of cars coming down Crown Street and this was extremely dangerous. C.Cllr.Clover said that all the residents of the Barfield Almshouses had cars and arrangements were being made for these cars to be parked at the rear of the properties. A resident complained that the condition of Mill Lane was to a great extent due to the heavy lorries which used it, particularly the Co-op delivery vehicles. He felt that eventually someone will be hurt by a vehicle mounting the narrow pavement which is often quite crowded. |
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12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Parking at the pavilion during matches was again causing a nuisance blocking the public footpath and causing difficulties for pedestrians, particularly those with small children in pushchairs. This was an ongoing problem with no obvious solution. The telephone box at The Heath which had been removed in error will be reinstated by BT. Complaints about dog fouling have increased, particularly in the area of Dedham Meade where it is hoped dog bins will be soon provided. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will once again post notices to dog owners in the area asking that they clear up after their animals. It was suggested that an appeal be placed in the parish magazine and this will be discussed further when Cllr. Laverick returns. Although Mr. Gallifant had written to the families concerned about the shrine in Jupes Hill nothing seems to have been done and it was suggested that he be contacted again to see if the Parish Council could assist in any way. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will follow this up. 13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 11th March, 2009, in the Assembly Rooms at 7 p.m. Please note the earlier time. This is because Samantha Drummond of CCVS has asked to attend to talk to the Parish Council on the subject of volunteer transport. There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.50 p.m. |