WADHURST
PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL
REPORT
2009/10
WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Wadhurst Parish Council is made up of 15
councillors. The current council was elected in May 2007 and will serve for a
four year term. The Chairman is elected in May each year by the councillors
present at the Annual Meeting.
| CHAIRMAN | Tom Doyle | 01892 782001 |
| VICE CHAIRMAN | Jan Pearman | 01892 782816 |
| COUNCILLORS | Bryan Bell | 01892 782845 |
| Bernard Berger | 01892 783348 | |
| Daphne Colvin | 01892 783001 | |
| Serena Gadd | 01892 784383 | |
| Melissa Gates | 01892 785677 | |
| Michael Kent | 01892 782944 | |
| Julian Mamlok | 01892 783744 | |
| Anna Monaghan | 01892 782671 | |
| John Phipson | 01892 782244 | |
| Christopher Price | 01892 783106 | |
| Bob Standley | 01892 783579 | |
| Hilary Whatmore | 01892 783508 | |
| Brian Wheeler | 01892 782566 | |
| County Councillor: | Bob Tidy | 01825 733151 |
| District Councillors: | Bob Standley | 01892 783579 |
| Graham Wells | 01892 783583 | |
Wadhurst Parish Council Tel/fax: 01892
752111 |
||
Chairman’s
Report 2010
A term of three
years seemed a daunting prospect back in May 2009, but on sitting down to write
this report I find myself wondering where the first year has gone. Once again
events (dear boy, events) have taught your councillors not to make assumptions
about how they will be spending their time.
The Unexpected
The return of
the Pedestrian Crossing took us all by surprise. Your Parish Council could not
approve the county council’s plan, and nor did the majority of you. We are working with the county on an
alternative position for the crossing, and on pavement improvements that should
open up a useful section of the High Street to the disabled. If it can be made
to work the new proposal will be put to the council and to the whole village.
Had we all been consulted before the first proposal then we might now have a
crossing.
We also had, as
those who ought to know better put it, an “extreme weather event” to contend
with over the winter. Snow fell, and fell, and didn’t melt. Your council wasn’t
satisfied that the county highways service’s plans – which were implemented
very well – were up to the challenge, and said so. We need more grit bins, and
the roads and pavements within (and not just in to) the village to be
maintained. The county should consider more what needs to be done to keep
larger villages functioning in the snow – so that, for example people can get
to the High Street shops – and perhaps we should take more responsibility for
clearing pavements outside our own homes and businesses.
Members of the
Tennis Club, our tenants have pushed ahead with their plans to floodlight two
of the courts at the Recreation Ground. This question has bounced around for
many years between the Parish Council, its own planning committee, the district
council and indeed the courts (of law, and of tennis). This time the majority
of councillors felt that enough has been done to mitigate the adverse effects
of floodlighting, and approved the plans. It is now for Wealden District
Council to decide.
Good News
One event that
we expected was the opening of the new play equipment at Sparrow’s Green. Not
since the ground was redeveloped at the beginning of this century has the
council thought so much about, consulted so much over, and spent so much on
facilities for young people. We have a recreation ground that amazes and
delights parents and children from far and wide. Not only that, but we have
achieved it without any increase in taxation, and indeed with the large
majority of the cost being met by organisations outside the parish.
In May I joined
members of the Twinning Association, Wadhurst Brass Band, the Royal British
Legion and the Royal Sussex Regiment in a trip to Aubers and
In July the
village’s new library will open. This the result of much hard work by Bob Tidy
our county councilor, the trustees of Wadhurst Institute Hall and Field and the
library service. The Parish Council has
also helped financially.
The Future
I predict
(perhaps foolishly) that this will be the year of the car park. There is much
yet to be done, but it looks like we may be able to help relieve what for most
people is one of Wadhurst’s major problems.
For years we’ve
been warned of difficult times ahead by our colleagues on the district and
county councils and this is likely to be the year when their predictions come
true. We already know, for example that there will have to be savings in adult
social care, children’s services and highways at the county council.
Our own council
will not be so directly affected, as far as we know. Our income comes almost
entirely from local taxation, and not from central government. Nor is the
amount we can raise from taxation capped. It may be that communities – and
perhaps therefore their parish councils – are asked to contribute towards the
cost of things previously provided by the county and district. I’m sure there
will be surprises and difficult decisions ahead.
Tom Doyle
SPARROWS GREEN RECREATION GROUND
This popular
venue is owned by the parish council and run by a management committee
consisting of four members of the council and representatives from the tennis
and junior football clubs.
Play equipment
The main event
at the recreation ground during the last year has been the project to improve
the play facilities. Following extensive consultation with the users, new
equipment was selected to provide excitement for all ages. The tarmac area
nearest the car park was laid out with a cycle track, hopscotch and
snakes-and-ladders, plus the markings ready for a basketball hoop which has
still to be acquired. In addition, at the far side of the football pitch is a
kicking wall in the form of a goal mouth for shooting practice and to burn off
excess energy, and an activity trail to challenge children of all ages. During the planning process there were a
number of objections from local residents to the proposed location of the
kicking wall on the tarmac area – the committee reconsidered the plans and the
alternative site was chosen.
The council was very fortunate to
receive a grant of £30,000 from the Play Pathfinder Scheme, which together with
a contribution of £28,000 from the
Tennis
The four tennis
courts continue to be well used by Wadhurst Tennis Club and Pay & Play
users.
Floodlighting
at the tennis courts has continued to be an issue. In May 2008 Wealden District
Council granted permission for the floodlighting of two tennis courts – this
decision was contested by local residents and was subsequently quashed on the
grounds that the biodiversity of the area had not been adequately considered. At
the February meeting, members agreed as landlords to allow the floodlighting of
two tennis courts subject to conditions regarding the latest time for the
lights to be switched off. The tennis club has now provided additional
information and surveys to Wealden District Council.
Casual tennis
can be arranged through the Pay & Play system with bookings taken at the
Sports Centre at
Football
Wadhurst United
Junior Football Club, which is based at the recreation ground, continues to
grow and is very successful. The parish council installed some additional
drainage near the pavilion which allowed the football club to construct a
patio; this complimented the alterations made last year to provide a kitchen
area in the referee’s room.
Bob Penny is
caretaker of the recreation ground and works hard to keep the site in good
order for all to enjoy.
The
Pavilion is available for casual bookings – enquiries to the Clerk 01892
752111.
ENVIRONMENT
The Environment
Committee is made up of six councillors and is responsible for the appearance
of the village.
The area of
land in front of the Fire Station, which is known as the Jardin d’Aubers, is
leased to the parish council and kept as a quiet garden area for all to enjoy.
Whilst the main area is kept formal with regular grass cutting, the pond area
is only subjected to a bi-annual tidy-up and it is hoped that this will
encourage wildlife.
Grass cutting
The grass cutting schedule was radically
reduced last year which saved the parish over £7000. Most of the grass that the
parish council had previously cut belongs to either East Sussex County Council
or Wealden District Council. These councils are responsible for cutting their
own grass, although their cutting schedule is not as frequent as the parish
council. Many people commented on the pleasure of seeing wild flowers growing
in the roadside verges although there were some who preferred the close shaved
look of a regular cut. The parish council has decided to continue with
the reduced grass cutting schedule this
summer.
Village centre
The committee
continues to work to improve the appearance of the High Street. Last year
further concrete litter bins were replaced with more traditional conservation
style bins. Additional hanging baskets were installed on street lamps and these
floral displays compliment the planting in the many flower tubs. Whilst the hanging
baskets are maintained under contract, we are very grateful to Gardening Club
for planting the flower tubs and the shop keepers for undertaking watering
duties. Thanks also go to Magpie as the proceeds from the sale of second hand
books go towards the floral displays.
HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT
This committee
is made up of seven members and meets every two months.
Winter maintenance
The severity of this winter’s weather
exposed problems in the way East Sussex County Council manages the village’s
roads and pavements during prolonged snow and ice. A shortage
of grit bins (and grit), treacherous pavements and lack of information caused
residents and the parish council to question the current policy. Parish
Councillors attended a meeting at the county council to review its policy, and
were heartened to hear that changes are being considered.
The repeated
cold spells this winter have caused many more potholes than usual and the
county council has allocated extra money to solving this problem. The condition
of the road surface at Station Hill has been the cause of many complaints and
we have negotiated with the county council to bring forward the resurfacing to
July.
Pedestrian crossing
Following
a review by the county council of the criteria for a pedestrian crossing, the
High Street in Wadhurst
moved up to second place in the county. Whilst the safety of pedestrians is
paramount, the parish council did not support the proposal on the grounds that
it was on the wrong part of the High Street, would result in the loss of too
much parking and might allow the speed of traffic to increase. The county
council held a well attended public meeting. The consultation resulted in the
specific proposal being rejected. The parish council is working closely with
the county council to ensure the best site is chosen and other necessary
improvements to the High Street are made.
Community Transport
The parish
council has continued to
Lighting
Maintenance of
the 159 street lights in the parish continues. The Highways, Transport &
Lighting Committee undertakes regular daylight and night-time lighting
inspections which are in addition to monthly monitoring by the contractor. Many
of the street lights away from the main roads are fitted with part-night cells
to turn off the lights in the early hours of the morning – this reduces costs
and light pollution.
Report street lighting faults on 0845
6080193 or to the Clerk on 01892 752111 – please quote the number which is
located on the column.
PARKING
The lack of parking
in the village continues to be a major problem and the parish council recognises
the importance of improving parking to ensure the health of the retail and
business life of Wadhurst.
The parish council commissioned an
The aim was to establish
The initial
results show that a large number of people using the main car park or parking
in the
The results of the survey support the council’s proposal to create
long-term parking at the Fire Station and designate some of the spaces in the
existing car parks as short-term.
PLANNING
The seven
members of the Planning Committee give up time on every other Saturday morning
to review planning applications for the parish. Over 120 planning applications were
considered by the committee during the year; comments are passed to Wealden District
Council, the Planning Authority which decides whether applications should be approved
or refused.
Details of
planning applications received are published on the parish council’s website www.wadhurstpc.info
and displayed on the council’s noticeboard by the Commemoration Hall.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
We recognise
the important work of local groups and organisations in providing services to
the community. There has been a review of the grants policy and there are two
submissions dates for applications – 31st March and 30th
September. An application form has been
introduced and is available at www.wadhurstpc.info or from the Clerk. The
following grants were made last year:
| Organisation | Amount (£) | Project |
| Wealden Citizens Advice | 1000.00 | advice for Wadhurst residents |
| Wadhurst Parochial Church Council | 2250.00 | churchyard maintenance |
| Wadhurst Institute Hall & Field | 7000.00 | hall improvements |
| Rotary Club | 300.00 | village Christmas event |
| Transition Wadhurst | 200.00 | environmental workshops |
| Wadhurst Summer Music Festival | 150.00 | initial festival |
| Wadhurst Warriors | 350.00 | village fireworks event |
| Wadhurst Brass Band | 750.00 | junior band members attendance at event to commemorate 95th anniversary of Battle of Aubers Ridge |
COMMUNICATION
Details
of all council activities plus information, contact details, minutes, agendas,
planning information and much more available at www.wadhurstpc.info.
The parish
council issues four newsletters per year. These are also available on the
website.
There is a
monthly report of parish council meetings in the Focus magazine.
DATES FOR
June 10
July 8
September 9
October 14
November 11
December 9
Meetings are held at
the Pavilion, Sparrows Green Recreation Ground at
Members of the
public are welcome to attend full council and committee meetings and will be
given an opportunity to address councillors.
INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008/09 |
|
INCOME |
|
2009/10 |
|
£ |
|
|
|
£ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105500.00 |
|
Precept |
|
106300.00 |
|
3179.61 |
|
Interest |
|
91.47 |
|
200.00 |
|
Allotments |
|
220.00 |
|
360.00 |
|
Grants/donations
|
|
58352.79 |
|
18440.11 |
|
Recreation
Ground |
|
18490.39 |
|
127.50 |
|
Parish/footpath
maps |
|
75.00 |
|
149.77 |
|
Office
equipment |
|
168.49 |
|
225.00 128181.99 |
|
Other
Total Income
|
|
26.18 183724.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPENDITURE |
|
|
|
39473.56 |
|
Administration/central
costs |
|
37631.57 |
|
460.05 |
|
S137 |
|
735.00 |
|
4500.00 |
|
Other grants |
|
11800.00 |
|
13917.77 |
|
Lighting |
|
14250.45 |
|
18797.79 |
|
Environment |
|
7954.63 |
|
6190.11 |
|
Highways |
|
2250.00 |
|
3127.75 |
|
PWLB loan
repayment |
|
3037.46 |
|
28824.67 |
|
Recreation
Ground |
|
25454.00 |
|
Nil 5235.71 2950.00 |
|
Play Project Insurance Legal advice |
|
78107.00 5317.97 1200.00 |
|
123477.41 |
|
Total Expenditure |
|
187738.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GENERAL FUND |
|
|
|
85604.18 |
|
Balance B/F 1st
April |
|
90308.76 |
|
128181.99 |
|
Add income |
|
183724.32 |
|
(123477.41) |
|
Minus expenditure |
|
(187738.08) |
|
90308.76 |
|
Balance C/F 31st March |
|
86295.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The final balance includes £56,497 which is earmarked for future projects.