4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman
delivered the following report of the year's activities:
"As always, the
work of the Parish Council over the last year may be summarised as
that which is routine, and those matters that only confront us on a
one-off or intermittent basis.
On the routine
front, we have continued to try to ensure that the Parish
footpaths are well maintained and complement the superb scenery
of the Vale. During the year, with the significant assistance of
Essex County Council’s Parish Paths Partnership and volunteer help,
we have continued the policy of replacing stiles with gates, thereby
making the paths more accessible to older users. In an attempt to
publicize our path network the year has seen the release of an
internet-based footpath guide. It is sad to report that
dog-fouling, which has always been something of a problem, seems now
to have reached epidemic proportions, and in an attempt to address
this anti-social unpleasantness the Council is striving to ensure
that “dog poo bins” are readily available at key locations, and
particularly in the area of the Mill Lane Car Parks.
The year has
seen a renegotiation of the financial support provided by the PPP
and this involved a significant amount of work to provide a “cutting
schedule”. At the moment it looks as if we should be able to
continue our previous standards without any charge to the precept,
and we thank the Dedham Footpath Group for their assistance in this
matter.
Much time has
been devoted to ensuring that the recreation ground continues
to be maintained to a high standard. Besides ensuring that the
children’s equipment is professionally checked on a regular basis to
ensure its safe condition, the year has seen initiatives to:
·
Replace ageing
play equipment with new rides (which were purchased from our Section
106 development fund);
·
Apply
replacement bark to the play area and prune the trees beside the
footpath;
·
Provide improved
railings for the Sports Pavilion steps, thereby reducing a potential
fall hazard;
·
Install new
signs that more correctly reflect the policy of the Parish Council
with regard to dogs in this area.
Work has also
been progressing on the acquisition of a “Fitness Trail” for the
Recreation Ground. Most of the funding for this project is now in
place, and installation should follow soon.
As always,
during the year, the Parish Council has tried to ensure that the
appropriate authorities are kept “up to speed” in their duties
towards road maintenance, and despite the adverse conditions
that prevailed for much of the winter, this routine work has
progressed well. It is disappointing to record, however, that
formally requested enhancements (such as the extension of double
yellow lining in Crown Street) do not seem to have advanced at all,
and there is clearly a need to progress these matters with more
vigour.
During the year
vehicle activated speed warning signs were introduced in
Ardleigh Road and at the Dedham Heath cross roads, and it is hoped
that these will provide a significant contribution to road safety.
On the Planning
front, the Planning Sub-Committee has dealt with 48
applications (down from 60 last year). The Counsellors involved in
this activity have now enjoyed several years experience, allowing
them to perform this task in an efficient and even-handed manner.
Important contacts have been established with Colchester Borough
Council (whose planning officers now confer with the Planning
Sub-Committee on a quarterly basis) and with the Dedham Vale
Society, whose input on planning matters we greatly value. The
trend towards replacing small- or medium-sized dwellings with large
ones continues unabated, and we are concerned that the scope for
down-sizing within the Parish is becoming ever more limited.
During the year
much time and effort has been devoted to identifying a suitable site
for allotments, and we believe that the land offered by the
National Trust at Bridges Farm admirably meets the requirements of
the village. Considerable time has been spent in meeting
neighbouring residents, and in trying to ensure that their
objections are adequately addressed. It is disappointing to record
that although various concessions were made by the National Trust in
an attempt to meet the objections of neighbours, there are still
several residents who are not happy with the outcome. I understand
that the lease with the National Trust has just been signed, and we
offer our congratulations to those involved at this exciting time.
Now that work on implementing the allotment scheme is due to start
imminently, the Parish Council will be carefully monitoring that the
undertakings given by the Allotment Society during the negotiations
are adhered to.
Work has
commenced on our Parish Plan, a government-sponsored
initiative to ensure that the views of residents are identified, and
feature in local government’s on-going aims and aspirations. The
strong Team who are progressing this matter (which includes
non-councillors) are to be commended on their excellent progress.
Of late it has
become clear that the condition of the Duchy Barn Shed has
now deteriorated to an extent where it threatens the safety of those
using it, and the public walking by. Accordingly, after exploring
various potential courses, the Council has resolved to set up a
sub-committee to address the shortcomings. This action has been
endorsed by the Vicar (the Church is the freeholder) and we are now
ready to start this major project, which is likely to take at least
two years.
During the year
under review the village was allocated a new Police Community
Support Officer to replace Natalie King, who has moved onto new
duties. We welcome Mark Hibben who has made a sound start in the
role, and has displayed commendable eagerness to become involved in
a range of village activities. We look forward to working with him
for the good of the village in the future.
The village
faces a number of ongoing, seemingly insoluble problems. Our growth
into a significant tourist centre renders our public toilets,
even in their newly-refurbished state, quite inadequate, and
Colchester Borough Council cuts have denied us the funds to provide
enhanced toilets in the car park area. Given the current economic
climate this situation looks unlikely to improve in the foreseeable
future.
Pressure for
car parking seems always to be with us, to the general detriment
of the village scene. Embryonic moves by Colchester Borough Council
to introduce car parking charges is an unwelcome development, and is
one that the Parish Council plans to oppose.
It is also a
matter for regret that we have still not managed to secure
signposting at the B1029 junction on the A12 advising of the
unsuitability of this road for heavy lorries, notwithstanding
the limited road width through the village and the formal 7.5 tonne
limits at Lamb Corner and the Heath.
Over the year I
have been privileged to work with a group who offer a wide spread of
skills, and who represent a diverse range of factions within the
village. Everyone on the Council has offered their services
enthusiastically and freely to the community, and I thank them all
for their involvement, as should the residents of Dedham.
We much
appreciate the excellent service provided by Christopher Garnett,
our ward councillor, who despite the unpleasantness of a
malfunctioning hip joint has relentlessly continued to pursue the
interests of our village, and we wish him a speedy recovery from his
recent operation.
In closing I
would like to thank our Parish Clerk, Mrs. Jean Flewin for
the invaluable assistance that she has rendered, both in terms of
organising the clerical and procedural affairs of the Council, and
also in serving as the fount of all knowledge with regard to
historical precedent within the village. We have heard with shock
and sadness of the problems that now confront her and her husband,
and we all stand ready to offer whatever assistance we can at this
difficult time."