WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
THE MINUTES OF WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE DAVID JAMES BUILDING, UPLANDS ON TUESDAY 10TH JUNE 2008 AT 7.30PM

Present: Councillors Price (Chairman), Bell, Berger, Mrs Colvin, Miss Gadd, Miss Gates, Mamlok, Mrs Pearman, Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler.
Also in attendance: District Cllr. Wells and one member of the public.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Doyle, Kent, Mrs Monaghan and Phipson; reasons noted and accepted.
Apology received from County Cllr. Tidy.

2.             DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
None.

3.             POLICE REPORT
None.
The following reports/comments were made by Cllrs:

• School pupils congregating at the bottom of the field in Washwell Lane during lunch break; they appear to be meeting someone in a white van.
• A number of empty tablet packets found during litter collection.
• Groups of youths walking towards Primmers between 1am – 6am; report of damaged fence panels and uprooted ‘for sale’ signs.

Items to be referred to Police.

4.             PUBLIC FORUM
None.

5.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 13.05.08 AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held 13.05.08 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
None.

District Council
Cllr. Wells reported on the following items:

• WDC spent £600K last year picking up litter. A litter enforcement team is actively patrolling the district and fines are being issued.
• Campaign being held to reduce the numbers of plastic carrier bags used for shopping; customers to be asked to reuse existing bags. Shops to be encouraged to lobby suppliers to reduce packaging.
• Home improvement grants are available for private householders who meet the criteria.
• A series of business development clinics are being held; nearest venues are at Crowborough, Heathfield and Uckfield.
• Government has announced a change to the Local Development Framework process with the removal of the preferred options stage.

8.             CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING.
Cllr. Miss Gadd arrived at 7.50pm.

To agree arrangements for approving the Annual Report
Annual Report is being prepared. It was agreed Chairman will sign off Report in time for publication before the end of June.

Cllrs. reminded of the important SALC training event being held 17.07 at the pavilion.

Notification that a Parish Guide is to be produced. There will be no cost/work to the Council.

Rev’d James has confirmed that the Council newsletter can be delivered with the Focus Report; this has a circulation of 1000 households. Some expenses will be incurred with the distribution. Existing distribution sites for the newsletter and publication on the website/noticeboard will continue.

The following items of correspondence were discussed:

• Road closures for surface maintenance required at Blacksmiths Lane, Cousley Wood, Moseham Hill and B2100 Durgates to A267. ESCC has been asked to delay works until school holidays and to avoid scheduled High Street closure.
• Request for suggestions for naming affordable housing development off Courthope Avenue (Cllrs. to provide suggestions to Clerk for consideration at the next meeting).

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

9.             ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
To consider items raised at the Annual Parish Meeting
Criticism that the meeting did not follow the agenda and Police, County and District Cllrs. did not reports. Chairman confirmed that the format of the meeting had been tabled at the May meeting and the agenda topics were raised.

Following comments on the lack of transport, a bus company has been asked to consider running additional buses. ESCC is looking to provide further funding to extend bus services.
Cllr. Mrs Pearman to attend a meeting at Groombridge on Transition Towns.

10.          HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
To approve road closure for Scarecrow Festival
Resolved to support road closure for Scarecrow Festival.

To authorise lighting repairs
None.

Other highways issues
Fire Station sign near the war memorial has been dislodged and the edge of the brick pavement damaged.
Pot hole opposite main entrance to Uplands.
Some bollards at Washwell Lane/High Street junction have been removed as they were continually being hit by vehicles; concern about the impact this will have on pedestrian safety. Improvements are planned for this junction under an Agreement for the affordable homes development.

11.          PLANNING MATTERS

Report on Planning Committee meeting 31.05
Minutes of Planning Committee meeting held 31.05 reviewed and noted.
Cllr. Standley clarified that his interest in planning application WD/2008/1296/LB Wadhurst Institute Hall & Field was personal.

12.          RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
To receive Recreation Ground Management Committee Report and consider recommendations
Report of graffiti on the chatroom/play equipment and of cars racing in the car park during the early hours of the morning; Police were called and attended. New locking up procedures have been introduced.

The Planning application for floodlighting the tennis courts has been approved by WDC. Standing orders provide a process for reconsidering the Parish Council’s decision on floodlighting if required.

13.          ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
To review Minutes of Environment Committee meeting 22.05 and consider recommendations
Hanging baskets in the High Street have been well received.
Future pond clearance at the Jardin d’Aubers will be scheduled in the Autumn to protect pond life.
Enquiries continue on improving recycling facilities in the parish. WDC to provide kerbside collection of a minimum of two recyclables by 2010.

Other environment issues
Discussion on issues with the household waste site at Faircrouch Lane and safety implications with members of the pubic having to use narrow steps to access containers.
Report of wheelie bins not being returned to correct the properties in Church Street following refuse collection.
The History Society is to plant a tree in the war memorial garden to replace one that is dead.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council being consulted on options for reducing/removing graffiti.

14.          FINANCE
To review Financial Regulations
Financial regulations reviewed and noted. Resolved to approve amendment to item 3.4.

To approve accounts payable
It was resolved to approve accounts for payment as listed in appendix A [not attached]

Report from Internal Auditor
Report reviewed from Internal Auditor following final inspection 07/08; Section 4 of the Annual Return has been signed. Documents will now be prepared for submission to the External Auditor.

15.          TO REVIEW ASSEST REGISTER, RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE
Asset Register, risk management schedule and insurance schedule reviewed and approved.

Insurance policy to be checked for provision for legal expenses and secondary claims on Cllrs.

16.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
Report of proposal to install a multi use games area and floodlighting at Uplands.

In view of the confidential nature of the following item it was resolved to exclude the public and press under Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960.
-               Report received on action concerning Leelands, Monks Lane.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:17