WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT THE DAVID JAMES BUILDING, UPLANDS ON TUESDAY 12 February 2008 AT 19:30

Present: Councillors Price (Chairman), Bell, Berger, Mrs Colvin, Doyle, Miss Gates, Miss Gadd, Kent, Mamlok, Mrs Monaghan, Mrs Pearman, Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler.
Also in attendance: County Cllr. Tidy, District Cllr. Wells and PC Etherington.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apology received from Cllr. Phipson; reason noted and accepted.

2.             DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllr. Doyle declared an interest in item 13 as an allotment holder.

3.             POLICE REPORT
There has been active Police surveillance in the parish following an increase in incidents since December. The vehicle number plate recognition system has been used and PCSOs have now been trained to conduct traffic speed monitoring using the hand held speed gun.
Public reminded that Police have equipment for marking equestrian tack; this has resulted in a reduction of tack theft.
A new schools liaison officer has been appointed to work with community colleges under the neighbourhood policing policy.

4.             PUBLIC FORUM
None.

5.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 11.12.07 AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held 11.12.07 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
Budget has been agreed and the increase in council tax finalised at 3.9%; this is a reduction of 0.4% from the previous year.
ESCC has announced a capital programme of £400m over the next four years; £30m will come from ESCC reserves with the remainder from government grants. Major items within the programme are the Bexhill/Hastings link road at £89m and new libraries at Newhaven and Hastings.
ESCC is looking at the possibility of relocating the Wadhurst library to the social club building.
There are plans to create a new archive centre at Falmer working in partnership with Brighton & Hove CC and the university; a bid is to be submitted for lottery funding.
Investment continues in services for older people.
An exhibition is to be held 28.02 in the Wadhurst area on Children’s Centres.
The Police budget will be finalised soon; there is a bid for growth in neighbourhood policing.
There are plans for an incinerator at Newhaven to deal with waste that cannot be recycled; local residents oppose the scheme.

District Council
The decision on a single headquarters for WDC has been postponed.
Budget increase is forecast at 4.2%. Good response to budget consultation; main comments include car park charges, lack of parking provision, recycling, increased youth services and tackling anti-social behaviour.
The Corporate Plan is to be published by the end of March.
WDC is working with other authorities on the South Downs Management Plan and guidelines covering the next 20 years; documents are available to view online
An officer has been appointed to lead rural affordable housing. Revised housing needs data to be obtained within next 12 months.

Cllr. Wells reflected on some recent issues that have affected Wealden including the closure of some rural post offices. £2.2m of WDC housing revenue goes direct to central government; funds are directed to areas outside the South of England.

8.             CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING.
To note Community Groups/Businesses event 1.03 and Funding Surgery 6.03
Parish Council to attend an event at Uplands 1.03 to raise awareness of local businesses and groups.

A funding surgery is scheduled 6.03 at the pavilion; local groups can make an appointment to discuss possible funding for their projects.

To receive update on Parish Plan
A group from different sectors of the community have been invited to meetings to take forward the initial work on parish plan and discuss any new issues.

The following items of correspondence were discussed:

1. WDC Planning Conference 4.03.
2. Update on possible development at the Fire Station.
3. WDC advises that request for designation of High Street as an ‘Area of Special Control Over Advertisements’ cannot be progressed due to impact on officer time. Parish Council’s Planning Committee will continue to progress request.
4. WDC continues to progress enforcement of unauthorised camper van in Monks Lane.
5. National Trust at Scotney Castle is looking to develop closer links with the local community – approaches to be made to Wadhurst Gardening Club and the History Society.
6. Information on the Marit and Hans Rausing fund for community projects in the Wadhurst area.

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

9.             TO NOTE PROGRESS ON SETTING UP A NO COLD CALLING ZONE
ESCC progressing licence for NCCZ signs on the four main approach roads to the village.
The Wadhurst NCCZ will be launched 13.03.08 7pm at the pavilion.

10.          HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
To review Highways, Transport & Lighting Minutes 7.02 and consider recommendations
Complaint from two residents of Little Park that street lights are too bright. Lights belong to ESCC; they are required to provide a higher standard of lighting and their current policy is for lights to remain on all night. Lights at Little Park are now 16 years old and may not be suitable for adoption by the parish.
A number of fingerposts have suffered vandalism; JAKK has been instructed to carry out repairs.
Support for ESCC proposal for a 30mph speed limit in part of Brinkers Lane.
Replacement post bus service is proving very successful with approximately 70 passengers a week.
Damaged Vehicle Activated Sign is now working.
Recent checks have shown a reduction in traffic speed.

Other highways issues
Request received for cycle lanes.
Lighting inspection round undertaken.
Suggestion for fingerpost damage to be reported in the press.
Repairs required to pavement at Best Beech Hill.
Report of pot holes in Fairglen Road and overgrown hedges at Buckland.

11.          PLANNING MATTERS
Report on Planning Committee meetings 22.12, 12.01, 26.01 and 9.02
Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held 22.12, 12.01, 26.01 and 9.02 reviewed and noted.

Other planning issues
The complainant of car maintenance work at The Marlpit has failed to complete record sheets detailing the activity.
A developer attended the meeting 9.02 to seek views on plans for nine homes on a corner plot at Washwell Lane/Townlands Road.
Report that a nursery school may be starting at the cricket pavilion, Cousley Wood; matter to be referred to WDC.

Issues and Options
No further contact since holding letter received dated 1.11.07 following Parish Council’s request for a meeting to consider possible development sites. Further letter to be sent to D Philips, Planning Policy.

12.          RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
To review Recreation Ground Report and consider recommendations
Recreation Ground report reviewed. 40 responses have been received to a consultation on possibility of an all-weather pitch; 90% are supportive of proposal. Problems have been highlighted on floodlighting and lack of on-site parking provision.

13.          ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Cllr. Mamlok attended at 9.15pm having previously sent apologies for lateness due to a Parish Planning Panel meeting.

To review Environment Committee Minutes 24.01 and consider recommendations
List of street lights for hanging baskets has been finalised.
Grass cutting to continue with Ashdown Gardens Services with no increase in costs. Cutting schedule and possible funding from ESCC to be considered during the summer.
Location of dog waste bins reviewed and considered adequate.
Commercial advertising noted at Jardin d’Aubers. Letter to be sent to D Peacock stating a maximum of five advertising posters allowed on fence for non commercial activities, no posters to be attached to trees and request for no posters to be situated in adjacent layby. There is a possibility that smaller posters could maximise available space.

To approve recommendation to fund improvements at Round Oak Allotments
Resolved to approve expenditure of up to £500 for improvements at Round Oak Allotments. Cllrs. grateful for the manual clearance work undertaken by allotment holders.

Other environmental issues
Report on litter issues in the centre of the village and hedge cutting/litter clearance scheduled 13.02.08 at Greyhound car park. Headteacher of Uplands to remind pupils not to drop litter.
Bus stop at Uplands has been cleared and is to be repainted.
Arrangements in hand to remove waste containers from social club.
Abandoned caravan has been reported to WDC.

14.          FINANCE
To review spend to end of December against budget
Spending reviewed and is on track at £77695 to 31.12.07. Forecast to year is £158007 which includes an additional loan repayment of £30K.

To approve recommendations for Members’ Allowances 2008/09
Recommendations of the Wealden Parish Remuneration Panel for 2008/09 reviewed.
Resolved to approve the following recommended allowances:

To approve accounts payable
It was resolved to pay accounts for payment as listed in appendix A.

Reconciliation at 31.01.08

Payments authorised as follows:
Public Works Loans Account agreed 11.12.07 item 14.
East Sussex County Council light repair no. 69 agreed 13.11.07 item 9 under PCA 1957 s3.
Wealden District Council grass cutting 13.02.07 item 11 under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.
A M Baurer T/A JAKK fingerpost repairs agreed 6.12.07 under LGA 1972 s137.

15.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
None.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:40