Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL 

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 12^th October, 2011, in the Assembly Rooms

Present:  In the Chair:  Cllr. Dempsey

                Councillors     R. Appleby, R. Cannon, B. Hindley, A. Stock, S. White

                Ward  Cllr.     C. Garnett

                Parish Clerk   Mrs. J. Flewin

                Local electors         6

 Prior to the start of the council meeting Moira Groborz, Rural Housing Enabler for RCCE, had kindly greed to discuss and advise on the current procedure necessary when considering the possibilities of affordable housing in rural areas.  It was pointed out that Dedham’s interest was not so much focused on affordable housing as on housing for local downsizing. a need for which had been highlighted in the Parish Plan.  Ms. Groborz explained the necessity for an official independent housing survey to indicate the needs of the parish and showed an example of  an RCCE questionnaire which could go to every household in the village, the cost of which would be negligible..  She was confident that a questionnaire could be designed to cover all housing requirements, the results of which would be passed to the Parish Council.  After lengthy discussion it was agreed that she would contact Cllr. Stock in respect of the compilation of a questionnaire in order to take the matter forward.

 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllrs. Mrs. Cannon and R. Laverick.

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

 3.  REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR  Cllr. Garnett had attended a CBC presentation on the new planning consultation document.  This had been interesting but it seemed as if the Village Design Statement and the Parish Plan could be pushed aside in favour of the new Neighbourhood Plan and he feared that the AONB may not receive the same protection as in the past.   The meeting about the Hallfields site had been productive and following the visit of Moira Groboz the matter will move forward.  So far as the Decent Homes programme was concerned there were a few residents who had not responded.  The CBC Housing Officer is still unwell but on her return it is hoped that all housing stock will b brought up to standard.   In response to a query regarding the bad state of Mill Lane and Princel Lane Cllr. Garnett said that unfortunately the matter had not progressed despite the fact that Highways were very aware of the situation.

4. MATTERS ARISING

    (a)  Bad Smells    Cllr. White had nothing new to report from Veolia but stated there seemed to have been no improvement and that the bad odours had been very noticeable over recent weeks.

  (b)  Duchy Barn Shed  Building work will commence in the New Year.  Essex Playing Fields Association have awarded £500 to the project and Cllr. Dempsey will formally receive this at Essex County Cricket Club.  Some private donations have been received and the current deficit is in the region, of £2,500.

  (c)  Broadband Service Cllr. Hindley continues to investigate how the broadband reception in Dedham can be improved.  He suggested it would be helpful if Mr. Lloyd Felton of County Broadband was invited to attend the next meeting, and this was unanimously approved. .

 (d)  Blackbrook   The Environment Agency has cleared the Blackbrook and has agreed to provide a specification for future work together with a plan of the river.

 (e)  Bus Stop   The installation of the new bus stop in Crown Street is imminent.

 (f)  Winter Salt  Cllr. White has agreed to be the initial point of contact when the winter salt bags are delivered.

 5. HAVE YOUR SAY  Local residents expressed concern at the speed of traffic in both directions in the area of  the junction of Stratford Road with Colchester Road.  PCSO Mark Hibben agreed to carry out a 45 min. on the spot survey and Cllr. Hindley will contact Highways with a view to arranging for a 24 hour traffic survey.

Cllr. Gaarnett was asked if CBC had a schedule for clearing paths of leaves or whether this was only carried out by request.  He will look into the matter.

 6.  PARISH PLAN – Action Progress Summary (11.10.11)

 MD – School Parking -  3 dates pencilled in for meetings to get this progressed.

 SW – Parking enforcement officers have doubled their visits to the village. The same officers now look after Dedham and Manningtree and are now visiting both areas on the same day instead of twice a month to each.  There are however periods when staff shortages will inhibit this, e.g. annual leave or sickness.

 AS – Community Democracy – Parish Notice Boards are regularly updated by Parish Clerk with new material as and when provided.

 SW – Footpaths – The muddy bit on the Essex Way (FP36) between Castle Hill and East Lane is currently being addressed.  This has involved improving the drainage and laying down a hard surface that will allow the grass to grow over.

 AS – Parish Mag. – Meeting to be arranged shortly with the Editor.

 Cllr. Stock asked that updates be provided the week before the monthly Council meetings in order that he may incorporate them in time for the meeting.

7.  CORRESPONDENCE 

    (a)  Review of Parliamentary Constituencies  The Boundary Commission for England published its initial proposals for new Parliamentary constituencies in England for consultation until 5^th December.  Details are published on their website.

    (b)  Review of ECC Corporate Vision  ECC consultation document is available in hard copy and on the ECC website.

   (c) Evaluation of Rough Sleeping There is no evidence of rough sleeping in Dedham

    (d)  Dedham Vale Community Health Association   An overall review of the Health Centre plus annual accounts shows that the Ardleigh Practice continues to supply patient care at a high level at the Dedham Health Centre.  The Directors are resolved to ensure that the Dedham branch continues to prosper and used to its fullest capacity.

 8. REPORT OF PCSO  Mark Hibben gave his incident report for the month of September.  He has monitored the Mill Lane car park following complaints of “joy riding”.  To date this has not occurred but he will continue to keep it under observation.. Parking problems are ongoing and a meeting with the school will be arranged.  The gate to the children’s play area has again been broken and he will speak to the Youth Club.

 9. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA/SPORTS FIELD  The recent high winds had brought down a tree branch near the roundabout and across the public footpath.  This has been dealt with by Mr. Bland.   A review of other trees in the vicinity will be made at his convenience.  The broken gate to the play area has been returned to Armour Engineering for repair.

10. ACCOUNTS  It was agreed that the following accounts be paid:

                                                                                                                    £

A.P. Hodson – Hours worked in September                                             150.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter                                                                            168.00

Essex Police Authority                                                                          3,916.00

R. Laverick - Web hosting                                                                           5.98

 Income  Precept – 2^nd half year                               £15,500.00

              Duchy Barn Shed Appeal – Mr. Fabig                20.00

                     “                “                  Mrs. Langton          50.00

                     “                “         Mr. & Mrs. Cannon         50.00

 The external auditors have certified the accounts for the year ending 3lst March, 2011.

 11. PLANNING  The Planning sub-Committee has dealt with the following applications:

 COL/111699  4 Dedham Meade, Dedham.

                        Proposed side fireplace extension and rear sun room extension.

  Comments:    No objections.

COL/111529   Barratts Farm, East Lane, Dedham.

                         Proposed Training Centre for horses for recreational carriage driving

                        and livery, with Manager’s accommodation.

  Comments:    No objection subject to Accounts being viewed.

COL/111679  Hillside, The Heath, Dedham.

                        Erection of detached garden room in rear garden.

  Comments:  No objections.

COL/111615  Gun Hill Garage Site, Ipswich Road, Dedham.

                        Revised visibility splays in proposed new access.

  Comments:   No objections as long as previous Conditions are adhered to.

Colchester Borough Council has approved the following applications.

COL/1368  25 Forge Street, Dedham.

                     Loft conversion and dormer windows to rear. (No plans received for

                    this Application –  ?Lost in the post)

COL/1450   Twigs, Ardleigh Road, Dedham.

                     Replacement garage. Revised plan.

 Land to rear The Limes, Brook Street   Cllr. Cannon reported that a letter approved by the Chairman supporting the LPA enforcement notice has been sent to the Planning Inspectorate, Bristol.

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS  Cllr. Stock has repaired the seat at The Heath crossroads.  A request for a 10 mph sign at each end of the approach road to Dedham Hall has been received.  As Mr. Peter Moorhouse is the landowner Cllr. Cannon has suggested he be approached first of all to see if he has any objections .to signs being erected.   It was agreed that the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on 4^th June, 2012 should be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. 

13.  DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING  The next meeting will be held on

Wednesday, 9^th November, 2011, at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms, Dedham.

Mr. Felton of County Broadband will attend. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.