WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT THE DAVID JAMES BUILDING, UPLANDS ON TUESDAY 11 September 2007 AT 19:30

Present: Councillors Standley (Vice-Chairman), Bell, Berger, Mrs Colvin, Doyle, Miss Gates, Miss Gadd, Kent, Mamlok, Mrs Monaghan, Phipson, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler.
Also in attendance: Chief Inspector Neil Honnor, PC Etherington, County Cllr. Tidy and four members of the public.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Mrs Pearman and Price; reasons noted and accepted.
Apology received from District Cllr. Wells.

2.             DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None.

3.             POLICE REPORT
CI Neil Honnor, District Commander for Wealden, gave a general report of Policing in the district. Neighbour policing was set up in response to public opinion and has proved very successful. Although Wealden is a low crime area, there has been a focus to reduce crime and a 20% reduction in burglary was achieved last year and 15% so far this year. There has also been a campaign to reduce antisocial behaviour by targeting outlets selling alcohol to young people. The Crime Reduction Partnership meets fortnightly to discuss and address antisocial behaviour issues.

PC Etherington reported on recent issues in Wadhurst including graffiti, car damage and the theft of a tent from a garden. A telephone call about a suspicious caller resulted in an arrest. There have been road traffic accidents in Cousley Wood and Sparrows Green and a bus had got stuck under the railway bridge. Police patrols in Wadhurst were increased in August to try and combat antisocial behaviour and the monitoring will continue. PCSO cover in Wadhurst is higher than in other areas.
Four areas have been identified as being suitable for traffic speed checks; this monitoring is in addition to the work of the Traffic Police.
Information given on the Property Act Fund which provides community grants of up to £500 to non-profit making organisations.
Police and WDC have visited pubs following complaints of noise issues. It is recognised that no smoking legislation has affected the number of people socialising outside licensed premises.

Cllrs. reported on the continuing problem of vehicles parking in the restricted area at the top of Washwell Lane and parking on the pavement in the Lower High Street. Police confirmed these areas will be kept under review.

To consider establishing zones for ‘no cold calling’.
Information received from Trading Standards on establishing ‘no cold calling’ zones. Cllr. Tidy confirmed that the zones  have been successful and have helped to identify sellers trading without a licence.
It was resolved to make further enquiries into establishing ‘no cold calling’ zones in Wadhurst.

4.             PUBLIC FORUM
Residents asked for Parish Council’s view on affordable housing proposal at Courthope Avenue; response to planning application was read out. There is concern that the development will increase traffic movement in Washwell Lane and at the junction with the High Street and residents were urged to write to WDC expressing their views.

Questions on recent changes in tenancy in WDC and Housing Association properties and the need to ensure local connection criterion is observed.

5.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 10.07.07 AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held 10.07.07 as a true record.

6.             TO DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING AND NOTING
None.

7.             TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
County Council
A review has identified the need for 47 permanent gypsy/traveller pitches in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove; this recommendation will be submitted to SEERA. 14 pitches are required in Brighton & Hove and 33 in East Sussex of which 16 will be in Wealden. Government advice supports establishing small sites in the AONB. Transit sites still need to be considered.

ESCC has persuaded the Post Office to continue the post bus service until the end of 2007. Quotes for providing an alterative service are too high. Agreed to arrange a meeting with Don Benn of ESCC and other affected parishes to discuss possible transport methods.
The Lottery decision on library funding has been delayed.

District Council
11K responses were received to the WDC Issues and Options consultation on future housing allocations and sites. An Independent Panel has recommended an increase from 8000 new homes in Wealden to 9600; infrastructure does not have to be in place prior to development. It has been suggested that the timescale for new development may be brought forward from 2026 to 2016. It is unclear whether development of windfall sites counts towards the total of new homes.

WDC has achieved £237K funding for a play bus which includes a mobile skate park and climbing wall; the bus has been provisionally booked for a session in Wadhurst in October half term.

WDC is holding an Open Day on affordable housing 25.09.07 10:30 – 15:00 at Pine Grove, Crowborough.
Free electric blanket testing is taking place in October with a session at Wadhurst Fire Station 17.10.07.
The District/Parish conference is being held 21.11.07 – Cllrs. to contact Clerk if they wish to attend.

8.             CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING.
A usage summary of Council’s website confirms that residents continue to use this method for information, with the section on planning being particularly well used as this has a direct link to WDC to view applications. Committee Chairmen reminded to forward news items as appropriate.

The following item of correspondence was discussed:

1. ESCC advise that resurfacing of the High Street from the junction with Sparrows Green Road to Uplands will commence next year and be done in sections to minimise disruption.

        Cllrs. concerned that the surface in the middle of the road opposite the Fire Station is very uneven and is a hazard to cyclists; ESCC to be asked to either bring forward resurfacing or to carry out a temporary repair.

Remaining correspondence was dealt with during the course of the meeting and detailed on a separate list circulated to councillors.

9.             HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
Report on Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee meeting 23.08.07
Minutes of Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee meeting 23.08 reviewed.
A lighting round was undertaken at night and faults reported to ESCC. Some lights are on all day and these have also been reported.
There has been a review of fingerposts and a list of maintenance work will be discussed with ESCC.
Following a review of Jonas Lane, ESCC has confirmed that new bollards on a footway must be set back at least 450mm from the road.
Kebab van is operating on Mondays and appears to be parked permanently at the site. Activities to be reported to WDC planning and licensing departments.

To approve additional expenditure for cycle racks
Resolved to approve £200 for the purchase of cycle racks to be installed by WDC behind One Stop; this is in addition to the £200 agreed at the Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee meeting 5.07.07. Expenditure to be made under Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 s57.

Other highways issues
Yellow signs advertising housing developments are being placed on street lights. Letter to be send to Daniel Homes asking for signs for Great Durgates to be removed or a fee will be incurred.

To approve lighting repairs
None.

10.          PLANNING MATTERS

Report on Planning Committee meetings 14.07, 28.07, 11.08  and 1.09.07
Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held 14.07, 28.07, 11.08 and 1.09 reviewed and noted.

Other planning issues
WDC Enforcement Section has been consulted about the sign for the kebab/pizza shop; no action proposed as the sign is no larger than the previous one and is not illuminated. The Draft Wealden Design Guide has reference to shop fronts.
Legal action against the unauthorised caravan in Monks Lane is now moving to the next stage of the legal proceedings.
WDC Planning Questionnaire has been completed and returned.
Letter sent in response to the Issues and Options consultation. A meeting has been requested with the Planning Department to discuss possible sites for development.

11.          RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
To review Recreation Ground Report and Minutes of meeting 6.09.07 and consider recommendations
There have been incidents of antisocial behaviour with youths causing a disturbance at night; graffiti continues to be an issue. The security of the site is to be reviewed. Enquiries being made into a new recorder for the CCTV system.
A working party is to be established to look at improvements to the Voelcker Land.

To consider memorial for gift of Voelcker Land
Deferred pending a decision on a path to the Voelcker Land.

To consider maintenance items/improvements and authorise expenditure
Resolved to approve expenditure of up to £250 for materials to clear graffiti from the site; payment to be made under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.

12.          ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
To receive Report and consider recommendations
Report reviewed. Enquiries continue into the possibility of floral displays on street lights; a local contractor has been identified for the planting and watering.

Other environmental issues
-               Delivery lorry at One Stop is causing an obstruction (Cllr. Standley to find previous contact for reporting the issue).
-               Uplands students/staff should park on school site (being dealt with by Highways Committee).
-               Litter bin requested by the seat at Carillon Cottage.
-               More dog bins required.
-               Kebab van operative has suffered harassment.
-               Dead tree by Hill House is overhanging the pavement (letter to be sent to owner).
-               Bus timetable required for stop at The Greyhound.

Remaining items to be considered by Environment Committee.

13.          FINANCE
To consider grant request from The Rotary Club
The Rotary Club wish to purchase additional Christmas lights to extend the display in the High Street. It was suggested that a grant request be submitted to the Charter Committee and the WDC Community Grant scheme; the Parish Council may consider match funding a WDC grant.

To approve accounts payable

Payments authorised as follows:
Gardenscape Direct approved 25.01.07 item 11 under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.
Longridge Print approved 12.06.07 item 14 under LGA 1972 s111.
East Sussex County Council for SID approved Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee meeting 7.03.07 under Local Government Rating Act 1997 s31.
Thorpe Building Ltd approved at Recreation Ground Management Committee meeting 28.06.07 under LG(MP)A s19.

14.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
Report of brambles in Washwell Lane car park .

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:50