MINUTES OF WADHURST ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD IN THE COMMEMORATION HALL ON WEDNESDAY 30 MAY 2007 AT 20:00
Present: Chairman of Wadhurst Parish Council in the chair, 74 members of the public, 14 Parish/District Councillors, County Cllr. Tidy, Clerk to the Council and PC Etherington.
Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and hoped they had enjoyed the informal gathering and viewing of posters setting out the work and achievements of the committees.
1. TO APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING 12.04.06
The minutes of the meeting held 12.04.06 were approved.
2. POLICE REPORT
Crime is low in Wadhurst with 185 reported crimes in the last 12 months, mainly
theft, criminal damage and burglary. PCSO Marc Simmonds will undertake home
visits to discuss security and will mark vulnerable equipment.
3. REPORT FROM CHAIRMAN OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
The first election for many years was held earlier in May.
The Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee has been focusing on speeding
issues with the use of yellow awareness posters, regular speed monitoring sessions
and the agreement for a permanent vehicle activated sign on Cousley Wood Road.
Following complaints about excessive lighting, there was a consultation and
many rural lights are to be switched off at midnight. It is recognised that
parking is an issue in the centre of the village and alternative parking areas
are being sought.
The Planning Committee meets fortnightly to discuss planning applications.
Professional advice was sought from a barrister in connection with the application
for Wadhurst College; this highlighted that the existing sewerage and water
systems would be unable to cope with the proposed 44 dwellings and the application
was withdrawn. The Parish Council recommended five large dwellings which would
be in keeping with the area.
The Environment Committee looks after the appearance of the village. During
the last year there has been amenity grass cutting, maintenance of the Jardin
D’Aubers, one new bench and the repair of another plus further bulb planting
and floral displays in the High Street. Ken Turner and the Wadhurst Gardening
Association were thanked for all their hard work and the British Legion was
thanked for the planting and tidying at the war memorial garden.
The Recreation Ground continues to be very popular, providing play equipment,
tennis courts, football pitches and the pavilion, which is let out on a regular
basis to reduce costs of running the site.
A Finance Committee has been established to review finances in detail. The
precept has remained unchanged for 2007/08.
Chairman announced that the Parish Council has just been awarded Quality Council Status, one of a small percentage of councils in the country. Clerk was thanked for the considerable amount of work involved with the submission.
Thanks also given to PC Steve Etherington, PCSO Marc Simmonds, Cllr. Bob Tidy and the Parish Councillors.
4. OPEN FORUM
Chairman explained that the Parish Meeting was for parishioners and invited
comments and questions from the floor. The following items were discussed:
Finance – How much of council tax is for the parish? District
Cllr. Standley advised that this was approximately 3%.
Swimming pool – What is happening with proposal to renovate
and improve pool? Will it be manned by volunteers? Can solar heating be used? Mr
Gordon, Chairman of Board of Governors for Uplands, responded that the results
of the consultation favoured the option of providing a low cost arch construction
but alternatives were being investigated. Uplands Community College could
not fund repairs/maintenance of the pool.
Football facilities – pitch at Sparrows Green Recreation
Ground is in need of upgrading. What had happened to Uplands proposal to
provide an all weather pitch? Mr Gordon responded that Uplands had not
proceeded with the purchase of land for additional outdoor facilities as
there had been an issue with obtaining grants. Wadhurst Parish Council
(WPC) replied that juniors were using Voelcker Land at Sparrows Green Recreation
Ground and that this site would be the focus for improvement.
Zebra crossing – Request for zebra crossing for the many
elderly residents who find it hard to cross the High Street safely. ESCC
has been asked to undertake a survey to establish crossing needs. A crossing
will reduce the amount of on-street parking.
Police – How many of the 185 crimes were cleared up? PC
Etherington did not have figures for Wadhurst but advised that Wealden had
a 30% detection rate.
Planning – Planning application for development at Queens
Cottages has been withdrawn. Could Wadhurst College be converted to a nursing
home? What is Parish Council’s view on applications for wind turbines and
solar panels? WPC replied that Wadhurst College was a private site and
owners would look to maximise revenue from redevelopment. Parish Council
considers all applications on their own merits and comments on wind turbines
and solar panels would depend on location of site. All Council meetings are
open to the public.
Parking – Concern that land at Fire Station has been identified
for car park. If new development takes place in parish how will parking be
addressed? Can Uplands staff/pupils park elsewhere? Consider introducing
permit parking. WPC replied that concerns re parking at Fire Station
should be addressed to Fire Service Property Managers. Possible introduction
of time restriction on parking could ease pressure in the centre of the village
but acknowledged that all drivers had business within the village and need
to park somewhere.
Parish Plan – What is the progress of the Plan? WPC
replied anxious to get more people involved in formulating and progressing
the Plan.
Affordable housing – how can local people afford housing? WPC
replied that new affordable housing is for people with a local connection
and will be for rent or shared ownership.
Congestion at Washwell Lane – concern that congestion is
an issue at Washwell Lane and any further development will increase the problem. WPC
replied that ESCC is aware of the issue. Police have issued parking tickets
to cars parked on the yellow line.
Traffic speeding – The only way to reduce speeding traffic
is by enforcement. One resident has kindly offered to pay £750 towards the
provision of a speed gun. PC Etherington replied that Police will be
using speed guns to monitor traffic speed and will issue enforcement notices.
The speed gun will be available for volunteer groups to assist with speed
surveillance.
Recycling – request for kerbside collection. Cllr. Standley
advised that kerbside collection will be available from 2010.
Post Bus – vital to retain this facility for the elderly
residents who would not otherwise be able to use facilities in the village.
Disabled parking – request to make disabled bay at St James’s
Square permanent and for provision for cyclists. WPC advised that disabled
bay had been marked out following complaints that disabled people found it
hard to park near doctors’ surgery – most people respected the voluntary
disabled space. Cycle rack to be installed by One Stop.
The meeting closed at 21:30