Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Ticehurst Parish Council held on 3 October 2006 at 19:30 in Ticehurst Village Hall
The Chairman welcomed District Councillor G Gubby, (Chairman
of Rother District Council who then addressed Councillors and public and took
questions from the floor.
Matters such as local public transport were raised. Concerns
were expressed about any attempt to reduce the 254 bus service from Hastings
to Tunbridge Wells.
The Vicarage Wall – Cllr. Gubby informed the meeting that they
are in dialogue with the developer and are trying to come to a sensible solution.
He confirmed that he would investigate why the materials were approved. Mrs
Swift informed the chairman that she had obtained a quotation of £3000 to face
the wall with sympathetic natural stone. Mrs Swift handed Cllr. Gubby the petition
which showed overwhelming support for the rebuilding of the wall with appropriate
materials. He reiterated that he will remain in dialogue with the developer.
Cllr. Gubby assured the meeting that RDC are determined to retain employment
sites when questioned about the Warrens site. He did add that
they have to be realistic about what would be granted if it went to an appeal.
Ticehurst Loos. Cllr. Gubby pointed out that from the annual
revenue of £14million, RDC currently spends £650,000.00 on public
loos. Some parishes have responded to the consultation confirming that they
might be willing to take over the running of their loos.
Drains. The drains in the high street flooded yesterday and
the Clerk reported that they will be ‘jetted’ through next week. It was felt
that the development at the Salt Depot may have exacerbated the problems. It
was resolved that the Clerk should ask A Arnold to investigate this possibility.
The Chairman thanked Cllr. Gubby for attending the meeting.
In attendance: Cllrs. Player ©, Poole, Vidal, Maynard, Cook,
Wood, Burley, Rigby, Langdown, Hughes and Goodall.
D. Cllr. Jenkins and C.Cllr. Barnes were also in attendance.
0.0 Apologies for absence: Apologies were given by Cllrs. Frances, G Cook and D.Cllr. Elliston.
1.0 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Hughes - item 10 – as sec of Sec. of Flimwell Village Trust and Cllr. Rigby on item 7- Bewl Water. Both were declared as personal interests rather than pecuniary ones.
2.0 Approval of decisions made on 5th September 2006: These were proposed by Cllr, Poole seconded by Cllr. Burley and carried. Two points about the terminology over the Vicarage Wall and the Bewl Water contamination were mentioned and the Clerk instructed to amend the notes accordingly.
3.0 Matters Arising: There were no matters arising that were not on the agenda.
4.0 Appendix of Outstanding Items:
Cllr. Hughes suggested that the Vicarage Wall be delegated to a smaller
group. Cllr. Jenkins said that he has been trying to ascertain what was on the
original plan that led to the current materials being approved. He suggested
that an individual or the Council might like to put this question to Rother
District Council’s Councillors rather than to officers. It was resolved after
much discussion that Cllr. Poole be given delegated powers to take this matter
forward – his remit being:
To co-ordinate the prices that are being collected
for replacement/facing of the wall,
To collate the facts available without intruding
on Cllr. Gubby’s work in negotiating with the developer.
To keep all interested parties aware of progress
and if necessary to put the above question to the Council.
He would report briefly to future Council meetings, but the purpose of this
delegation is to avoid this matter dominating the Parish Council meetings.
Rosemary Lane Cllr. Barnes reported that he had not received a response
regarding parking fees at Rosemary Lane.
5.0 District and County Council reports:
Cllr. Jenkins reported on a press release made today by RDC introducing a web
page for Battle Town Council. He added that this offer is being extended to
parishes who might like to take up the offer of adding a page to the site.
Cllr. Barnes gave the meeting an update on the PCT. The area now has two PCTs
with one management team. The Chief Ex is Nick Yeo. Cllr. Poole asked Cllr.
Barnes about the link road from Hastings to Bexhill as he understood that the
link road is going ahead. Cllr. Barnes said that the scheme has to go through
the legal formalities and there might be an inquiry. Cllr. Poole made the point
that this should reduce the pressure on rural villages to take further development.
The link is currently scheduled for 2008.
6.0 A21 – The Clerk informed the meeting that the Highways Agency and Inter-Route would take questions from the public and Councillors on 10th November at 12.00 noon at the Royal Oak Public House. The Clerk has asked the police to attend. It was resolved that the Clerk should write back to Inter-route to demand an evening meeting as many of those interested in attending would find it difficult to attend a lunchtime meeting.
7.0 Bewl Water Contamination: Cllr, Rigby reported that the laboratory doing the autopsy (Royal Veterinary College) would like an analysis of soil samples even though they have concluded that the deaths have probably been caused by the blue algae. Cllr. Jenkins responded on behalf of Richard Parker-Harding at RDC who said that neither authority (Environmental Agency or RDC) have been made aware of the death of another dog and feel that the Southern Water signs are sufficient. Richard Penn at the Environmental Agency has informed Cllr. Rigby that he would not take action until there was a ‘mass kill’. Cllr. Player advised that there is a Public Health Laboratory in Ashford who might be commissioned to carry out the soil analysis. Cllr. Jenkins suggested that Cllr. Rigby write to the minister for the Environment – Elliott Morley MP.
8.0 Firework Celebrations: It was resolved that the Clerk obtain a quotation (in principle) for firework celebrations at each ward of the Parish. Some doubt was raised that there would be sufficient funding for a display in Ticehurst and there is still no decision about one in Stonegate.
9.0 Car Park and Recreation Ground: Car Park - The Beatrice
Drewe Trust wish to put a tarmac hump in the car park to stop it being used
as a race track. It was resolved that Cllr. Vidal put the costings to the financial
advisory group, but in principle the idea was approved of – (5 abstentions).
Costs were likely to be in the region of £500 plus VAT.
Cllr. Langdown briefly informed meeting of the problems being encountered by
the Beatrice Drewe Trust with regard to the multi-court area and the outstanding
planning application that keeps being deferred. The reason for the deferrals
is due to the investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman, instigated
by Mrs May – neighbour to the multi-court. Mrs May is requesting that the
court only be made available at very limited times. Reports from the Environmental
Department who investigated the matter do not consider that the noise emanating
from the site constitutes a public nuisance, but the voices of those playing
there ‘could’ become a nuisance. Mrs May has to date lit bonfires when the
wind would blow the smoke over the court and taken photos of individual children
playing there. The second matter became subject to a police inquiry and the
photos taken are believed to have been destroyed. Mrs May has made eleven
999 calls this year about the noise/behaviour on the site and she has now
been told not to continue this. Cllr. Langdown felt that the Parish Council
should be aware of the problems. It was resolved that the Clerk should ascertain
whether the insurance cover would provide for legal representation if necessary.
Cllr Langdown in her capacity as Chairman of the Beatrice Drewe Trust has
written to Mrs May requesting that she retracts a statement made questioning
the integrity of the Trustees. To date she has not received a response.
10.0 Weald Woodnet: The Clerk read an email to the meeting from Woodland Enterprises Ltd. Cllr. Hughes declared a personal interest in this matter but was encouraged by colleagues to bring them up to date with the history of this agenda item. Woodland Enterprises are requesting a meeting with representatives from Ticehurst Parish Council to move forward the proposal to provide Flimwell with land and some finances towards the provision of a Village Hall. Cllr. Hughes informed the meeting that the Flimwell Village Trust had been set up (8 years ago) specifically for this purpose and as such is the only body that can run a Village Hall on this site. The Charity Commission would not allow another body to run a Hall there as the above charity has been designed for this purpose and it is illegal to have two entities set up to run the same task. As he has not been able to discuss this matter with his fellow Trustees, it was resolved that he consult with them and then communicate with Cllr. Player about having an initial meeting as suggested in the email, including representation from the Trust.
11.0 Parish Magazine: The Clerk reported that a quotation for inclusion in Ticehurst News and Views four times a year would cost between £300 and £400. An email from Cllr. Frances ( and supported by Cllr. Goodall) was circulated which stated that the News and Views would not be the right medium to use as it is not read by Stonegate parishioners. There was some discussion, but no conclusion was reached.
12.0 Vicarage Wall: Dealt with under public consultation.
13.0 B2087 Speed Limit and Flimwell Bus Station. The speed activated signs were being worked on today and should be operative by tomorrow.
14.0 Planting Week at Ticehurst School:
15.0 Speed Calming: Cllr. Vidal reported that he had met with B. Banks ESCC who is now investigating the costs of various traffic calming schemes. Four red markings at four strategic points are being costed. The proposed removal of the light would not be acceptable as it now illuminates the new footpath. Therefore can’t have 30mph repeater signs. He offered to report on progress at the next meeting.
16.0 Village Action Plan update: This item on the agenda was
moved to the top of the agenda in order that Cllr. Gubby and the public present
could contribute/listen to the Parish Council’s review of the desires and needs
of the three wards. Cllr. Poole reported that another public meeting of the
recognised groups should be called to ensure that there is as much inclusion
of up to date views as possible. Cllr. Gubby reported that there are two outreach
workers who are providing a net work group so that good practice can be shared
with a lot of learning and understanding of how the Parishes can influence what
happens in their areas. He stated that he is determined that the voice of the
Parishes will be heard and listened to at RDC. Cllr. Poole reported that he
had been to one of these meetings already. D. Cllr Jenkins added his support
for the Parish Plans and emphasised that RDC constantly looks to get comments
from Parishes and is sometimes disappointed with responses. He pointed out that
the Newington Court development is a fantastic asset for the village. Cllr.
Barnes congratulated Ticehurst on having been one of the first villages to compile
a Village Plan. He also endorsed the usefulness of a ‘design statement’ for
the village. The Clerk is currently drawing up a draft but this needs to be
done in consultation with the public. He pointed out the restrictions imposed
by Central Government on ESCC policy.
Cllr. Poole requested the formal sanction of the Council to proceed with more
consultation (£200 expenditure) to secure a final draft of the Action
Plan. Delegated powers for the working party were authorised. It became apparent
that some Cllrs. had not received emails with the attachment of the draft.
17.0 Finance Report:
18.0 Planning Committee:
19.0 Correspondence:
20.0 Date of the Next Meeting: The meeting closed at 22:43 and the date of the next meeting set for 7 November 2006.
Addendum to the minutes of a Ticehurst Parish Council meeting held on 3 October 2006.
This addendum to the minutes of a meeting of Ticehurst Parish Council, will be added to the agreed minutes of that date. This addendum is made at the request of Mrs Susan May and her solicitors Cripps Harries Hall in agreement with the Parish Council agreed at the end of the Parish Council meeting of 4 March 2008.
The minutes record that the Council were informed of various problems being encountered by The Beatrice Drewe Trust with regard to the multi-court area and the outstanding planning application. The alleged problems include the following:
Ticehurst Parish Council is happy to add the following to the Minutes of the meeting of 3.10.06:
Ticehurst Parish Council apologises for any distress that may have been caused.