DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

       MINUTES of DEDHAM PARISH ASSEMBLY
HELD IN THE Assemblv Rooms on Wednesdav. 12th Mav. 2005.

Present: In the Chair        Cllr. Mrs. V. Guglielmi

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

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

Ward Councillor C. Garnett

Parish Clerk      Mrs. J. Flewin

Electors            16

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr. Clover. ECC Cllr.

Clover. and Mr. D. Bower.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The Minutes of the meeting held on 12th May, 2004, were read to the meeting and approved.

3. MATTERS ARISING

Car park lighting had fínally been changed from low level to standard

lighting. It was disappointing that neither the design nor the colour of the

lighting was what had been requested and were out of keeping with the

conservation area. What had been put up was what CBC provided within the

constraints of their fínances and it was unfortunate that CBC had not fully

consulted the Parish Council before erectíng the present lights. They had since

put in timers which meant that the lights went out at approximately 9 p.m.

Residents and some members were still unhappy with the lights although some

felt that the amount of light provided was essential to safety in the car park at

night. Members were asked to look at the lights in the car park once more and

give an opinion at the next Parish Council meeting.

The question of extra public toilets for Dedham had slipped from the agenda

so far as CBC was concerned and, in fact, the Parish Council had hired extra

toilets for the August Bank Holiday to which CBC had contributed half the

cost. However, in víew of the fact that over 60,000 people were recorded as

having visited the church in Dedham it was felt that CBC should again be

asked to consider the matter. It was suggested that a letter to this effect be sent

to CBC with a request for extra toilets for this year's August Bank Holiday

event.

4. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Having now completed my fírst year as Chair I would

like to thank all my fellow Councillors and the public for being so supportive,

thus making my job easier. We lost one of our Councillors this year when Alan

Drummond left due to a change of job and location and 1 would like to thank

Robert Cort for stepping in when co-opted and fílling the gap.

This year has been a very busy one for our Planning Committee with many

controversial issues including the redevelopment of the Anchor Inn site which

is still ongoing. They have worked extremely hard in the interests of the

village.

The provision of the Medical Centre ís still progressing but at the moment

funding is a big problem and any ideas to raise money will be very welcome.

We have seen the village pump restored and back in place in the High Street.

We have also, with the help of two grants, had the roundabout restored.

Following an unfortunate accident the roundabout has been inspected by

ROSPA and will shortly be reopened for all to enjoy.

The Village Design Statement is still in its early stages but is progressing very

well in the right directíon. A workshop in the Assembly Rooms is to take

place which it is hoped will be well attended. We have also had a very

informative talk about Neighbourhood Watch which we would like to revive.

A public meetíng is to be held in June when we hope to move forward with

this project.

The problem with HGV lorries and speeding in the village is constant and

Cllr. Garnett and ECC Cllr. Clover continue to do battle on this front.

Finally 1 would like to thank our Clerk without whom we would be lost and

Cllr. Garnett for all the very hard work he has done, and ís still doing, for the

benefit of our village.

5. ACCOUNTS The Income and Expenditure Accounts for 2004/2005 were

presented to the meetíng. These were approved subject to audit.

6. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR Following a visit to the village in

company with Cllr. Garnett, Sergeant Middleton had promised that there

would be police spot speeding checks on an irregular basis in different parts of

the village. Cllr. Garnett suggested that perhaps local villages could combine

their efforts in respect of SIDS and this will be discussed at the next Parish

Council meeting. The school parking problems were ongoing and the

situation in Crown Street during certain hours was impossible. The Parish

Council has invited Essex C.C. Schools Service to a site meeting to discuss

with all interested parties the possibilities of using a piece of land beside the

primary school as a drop off and pick up point.

Street Services were now under the auspices of Essex County Council and

operated out of Colchester Business Park. So far as Councíl housing was

concerned there was a new choice system which hopefully meant that urban

people could be housed in urban areas, etc., which should make life a great

deal easier by placing residents where they want to be.

The Planning team has worked hard. So far as the Anchor Inn is concemed

there is every reason to assume that the recommendation will be that the

present planning application be refused as it is a listed building. The

containers being housed on land behind Sundowne on The Heath will be

inspected,

Cllr. Garnett said that the residents were his eyes and ears and he hoped this would continue. The visit of the Chief Executive, Adrian Pritchard, had gone well and he had enjoyed meeting several residents over coffee in The Duchy Barn, taking on board the points made about lorries, speeding and several other problems. Grass verges will in future only be cut twice a year.

7. DEDHAM SURGERY Cllr. Osborn gave a resume of the present situation in respect of       the proposed new medical centre. The shortfall in funding was

worrying particularly as every other hurdle had seemed to be overcome.

There were still some avenues to be explored and all was not lost, but funding

through charities is not available for projects considered to be the

responsibility of a statutory authority, in this case Suffolk PCT. Colchester

PCT cannot provide funding but have agreed to meet half the cost of the rent

for the next ten years. Cllr. Garnett said the situation would be helped if the

Parish Council, as a recognised body, was prepared to sign applicatíons, etc.

It was unanimously agreed that this was quite acceptable. Other suggestions

included a fund raising appeal through the magazine, further discussion with

Colne Housing and the possibilities of having a surgery without flats.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr. Moorhouse asked if a letter of sympathy on

behalf of all the Parish Council could be sent to the Milsom family and this

was agreed.
 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.