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Dedham |
Minutes of meeting held on 11 November 2009
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DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting held on 11h November, 2009, In the Assembly Rooms Present: In the Chair Mr. R. LaverickCouncillors 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 PCSO Mark Hibben Electors 9 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Stock. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. 3. MATTERS ARISING (a) 106 Agreement Money Two items for the play area have been chosen from Park Leisure at a cost of £2,407 plus VAT. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has been advised by Mr. Kirby of CBC to apply for the money under the 106 Agreement before making the purchase as a safeguard against the chance that the money might not be released. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will start proceedings with a formal approach to CBC. Cllr. Dempsey advised that the grant application for the Fitness Trail under the Town & Parish Council/CIF Scheme has now been submitted. An application under Awards for All will be sent in very shortly. (b) Parish Plan Cllr. Stock had prepared an update following the second meeting of the Steering Committee which in his absence was advised by Cllr. Dempsey. This Committee had been augmented by two new members. It had been agreed that a Terms of Reference for the Group should be drawn up and a Draft Outline Programme based on many of the other successfully completed Village Plans should be produced. For councillors’ information a copy of Cllr. Stock’s update is appended. (c) Duchy Barn Shed The Chairman and Cllr. Mrs. Cannon had met with the vicar to discuss this matter. It was obvious that funding for the repair of this building would be hard to find. There were little or no unallocated funds for such a project and raising money from any source would be difficult in view of the fact that the use of the shed is simply to store Sports Club equipment. The Chairman proposed writing to the Sports Club advising them that the building is technically unsafe, explaining the general position and inviting comment. He will send a copy to the Duchy Barn Committee. Cllr. Garnett suggested that an approach could be made to the Joint Advisory Committee of the Dedham Vale & Stour Valley project who just might help if their own funding sources permitted. (d) VAS Unit Highways have been asked to action the installation of the VAS in Long Road East. (e) Sports Field Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has contacted CBC regarding the trimming of the Limes along The Drift and the TPO Officer will inspect the trees on 16th November. Meanwhile she has completed the necessary forms to obtain permission to proceed. CBC are conducting a review of Dog Control Orders and a letter outlining the proposals has been received. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will reply to the effect that Dedham concurs with Control Order (a) Failing to remove dog faeces and (b) Not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer. To this end the Parish Council will be putting up new signs on the sports field stating that dogs must be kept under control at all times and not allowed to foul the area. |
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The metal frames complained of by Mr. Hodson are the property of the Cricket Club and as such he should make an initial approach to them, if necessary through the Sports Club, for their removal. Approval of the Parish Council to the request from the Sports Club for a leaf blower was based on the assumption that this was to be shared by Mr. Hodson. It transpires that Mr. Hodson has his own leaf blower and under these circumstances it was agreed it was unnecessary to purchase another. Having given further thought to the matter of cricket nets it was a majority view that these could be accommodated where they used to be so long as they were side and roof netted. Cllr. Appleby wished for assurance that Public Liability Insurance cover was held by the Cricket Club. (f) Sports Club Quiz It was confirmed that this would take place on Saturday, 21st November in the pavilion at 7.30 p.m. 4. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Adopt a Kiosk – BT Cllr. Mrs. Cannon had received a further letter on this matter but this time from CBC. She has replied re-stating that the Parish Council feel it essential that a fully functional telephone kiosk is available in the High Street/Royal Square. A letter of acknowledgement to our earlier response has been received from BT. (b) Dickensian Market A request for permission to use Royal Square during this event on Saturday, 5th December, has been received. There are no objections to this. Arrangements have been made for the road to be swept on 4th December between 7 and 9 a.m. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon has prepared notices which will be displayed locally and residents advised in the hope that vehicles will be parked elsewhere during this period. 5. REPORT OF PCSO Mark Hibben was pleased to report that there have been few problems within the village during the month. Speed watches had been carried out in Long Road East and Brook Street. He had visited the residents in the Lamb Corner vicinity regarding parking. Some building contractors are working in the area making parking difficult and they have been asked to park more carefully and safely. It was unfortunate and annoying the a red post van had been parked in Royal Square overnight and unable to be moved for the Service of Remembrance. This should not happen again. There was some discussion on the subject of parking in Royal Square which was supposed to be “Short Term” but which was used by drivers for all day and overnight parking. Some concerns had also been expressed that the 2-hr. waiting restriction in Royal Square/High Street was not being observed, particularly by local employees. Our PCSO asked for some guidance on this matter and it was agreed that this should be put on the Agenda for the December meeting. |
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6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA Nothing major to report on the footpaths. Cllr. Laverick has advised neighbouring parishes of the fact that Dedham has just released a significant enhancement of our website offering advice and information on walks within our parish which inevitably tend to spill over into adjoining parishes. He has asked to be contacted should they require any amendments to be made as affecting their parish. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon had obtained three quotations for the installation of safety rails on the steps of the pavilion. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr. Appleby, seconded by Cllr. White, with all in favour, THAT Armour Engineering be contracted to fit safety rails to the steps of the pavilion at a cost of £1,260, plus VAT. A small working party will clean out the gutters of the pavilion during the week. 7. ACCOUNTS It was agreed that the following accounts be paid: £ Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in October – Maintenance 144.00 PPP 300.00 Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter 210.00 Royal British Legion – Poppy Wreath 25.00 Mr. R. Laverick – Expenses re domain name and transport meeting 7.46 St. Helena Hospice 50.00
8. PLANNING The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following applications: COL/1329 Honeysuckle Cottage, Ardleigh Road, Dedham. Proposed garden room. Comments: Recommend approval after discussion with near neighbours. High level windows to be opaque on north elevation.
COL/1366 Old Church House, The Heath, Dedham. (Listed) Conversion of existing garage into living accommodation and new detached garage. ((Re-sub.of 081679) Comments: Recommend refusal as before. Garage would be more suited to other side of plot. Would recommend pantiles instead of slates for garage roof to match house.
COL/1395/1398 Jupes Hill House, Long Road East, Dedham. (Listed) Single storey side extension. Comments: Recommend refusal – CO2 – CO3 – UEA 1, UEA 2, UEA5, UEA11
The following applications have been approved by Colchester Borough Council. COL/0965 Blackbrook House, Gun Hill, Dedham. Internal alterations and single storey extension.
COL/1139 Shorelands, Coggeshall Road, Dedham. Demolish existing property and erect 2 x 4 bed. houses. A (closed) meeting of the Planning sub-Committee will take place on 17th November when the proposal to provide allotments at Bridges Farm will be discussed following the 21 day consultation period. This will be minuted and details placed in the public domain with copies supplied to all those who have raised objections to the proposal. |
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9. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR Under the Colchester Borough Decent Homes scheme repairs have now been completed with gas replacing the old solid fuel boilers. Discussions have been taking place with the Environmental Control office of CBC about the bad drainage/sewage smells in the High Street. A copy of a further petition to the Chief Executive of Anglian Water from residents and businesses had been handed to the meeting by Cllr. White. This reflected the frustration and annoyance of those residents at the lack of action by this company. Louise Parkin of Environmental Control will attend the January 2010 meeting but in the meantime it is hoped that there will be some positive response from Anglian Water and other agencies involved. The condition of the road surface in Princel Lane has again been brought to the attention of Highways having first been reported during the village walkabout earlier this year. Cllr. Garnett advised that it is now to be on the list for repairs.
CBC had advised Cllr. Garnett of their proposal to close public conveniences at an earlier time, i.e. 18.00 hrs. in the summer and 17.00 hrs. in the winter. This is to try to reduce the amount of vandalism taking place throughout the Borough. Cllr. Garnett has responded that the earlier time for the winter months is acceptable, but not for the summer. Dedham Parish Council will write supporting his statement.
10. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION Residents from Jupes Hill expressed great concern at the speeding taking place in this area, particularly from under the railway bridge towards Manningtree Station. The last traffic survey some time ago had shown that the average speed of traffic towards Manningtree was 50.l mph and 45 mph towards Dedham which increases as cars come up the hill. The SLOW sign is now very worn, there is no footpath and nowhere for horse and rider or cyclists to go when faced with speeding traffic along a particularly narrow lane. A 30 mph restriction exists for Long Road West (a long, straight vision free road) which ends as the road becomes narrow and twisting and residents have made a plea for the speed restriction to be extended to include Jupes Hill. The matter was raised at the recent NAP meeting and it was agreed that Highways be requested to conduct a further survey. 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr. Mrs. Cannon wished to thank Mr. & Mrs. Gallifant for their patience and understanding in dealing with the shrine on Jupes Hill. This had now been tidied and what was left was acceptable. The vicar had invited Cllr. Laverick to visit the Muniment Room in the church on 2lst November at 10 a.m. Should anyone care to accompany him perhaps they would meet him at the church door just prior to 10 a.m. Cllr. Laverick had attended the recent bus meeting in Colchester. A pilot scheme offering a bus pass for 5 – 19 year olds has been launched giving half fare travel at any time of the day. Information may be obtained from Angel Court. Cllr. Laverick had noticed that some road signs, etc. needed cleaning and in some cases vegetation cut back. He will contact the clean-up force. If any members wished to add to the list would they please inform him as soon as possible. Cllr. Mrs. Cannon was pleased to report that after constant prodding CBC will this week install another gully by the telephone kiosk by the Craft Centre. It is hoped that this will help to alleviate the flooding which occurs after heavy rain. At the NAP meeting dog walkers were advised that for their own safety high visibility clothing should be worn, particularly when walking after dark 12. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 9th December, 2009, at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms. Superintendent Jason Bloom, Essex Police, will attend. There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.50 p.m. |