Ticehurst Parish Council
The Village Hall, Lower High Street, Ticehurst, East Sussex,
TN5 7BB 01580 754 090
Present: Cllrs. Goodall ©, Burley, Mitchell, Rigby, Langdown,
Maynard, Cook, Yeo, Hastings, Seemann, Semple and Hastings.
C. Cllr. J Barnes was in attendance. Two members of
public and the press were in attendance, the public having a right to attend
and observe the meeting.
The Chairman introduced Tom Casey and Louise Simms from Amicus Horizon who showed the Councillors and those present, the recently drawn up plans for the replacement of flat 1-4 Springfields as flats for the over 50’s. Those residents at Woodroffe Lodge would get first refusal on the new accommodation and have contributed to the design. The flats are more contained, providing private accommodation with more individual facilities rather than larger communal ones. The Chairman thanked them for attending and the Clerk was given a copy of the plans.
The Chairman invited comment from those present:
A member of the public asked that the cost of the recent planning inquiry
for the ‘Warrens site’ be established as they felt it was a waste of local
tax payers' money. The Clerk reported that the question had been asked and
should be available before the next meeting. The Chairman pointed out that
the Council are trying to encourage a better working relationship with Rother’s
Planning Department
It was reported that two cases of Swine Flu had been confirmed within Ticehurst within the last 48 hours.
AGENDA
120.0 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Seemann declared an interest in any matters concerning Amicus Horizon as a member of the board and Cllr. A Cook declared a personal interest as a neighbour of the Bell Field.
121.0 Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence had been submitted by Cllr. Simmons and the two District Councillors which were duly recorded in the attendance register.
122.0 Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd June 2009: Proposed by Cllr. Hastings, seconded by Cllr. Cook and duly signed by the Chairman as a correct record of those proceedings.
123.0 Additional Agenda Items: Cllr. Langdown asked that the nursery school/children's centre application on the planning agenda be postponed as questions are being asked that do not appear to be satisfactorily answered. The Primary School had issued invitations to all Councillors to attend an information evening on 13th July about the scheme and it was felt that this might give the Planning Committee more information before making a recommendation. It was resolved that this was a good idea, and it was hoped that as many Councillors should accept the invitation to the school as possible. Cllr. Barnes added that Matt Dunkley at ESCC should be able to answer any questions as to the ownership of the site.
124.0 Chairman’s suggestion: The Chairman asked that over
the summer recess, Councillors should consider what aspects of Council work
interests them most, and what expertise they can bring to any particular aspect
of Council work. This might result in a more even distribution of the work
load as she felt that there is a lot of experience and expertise around the
table.
The Chairman also invited all Parish, District and County Councillors
with their partners for a lunch time drink at her home - Monday 31st August
at 1.30 pm.
125.0 Power of Well Being: Cllrs. Cook, Yeo, Langdown, Hastings, Goodall, Rigby, Maynard will attend the course on 29th July 4-6 pm run by SALC. Clerk to circulate the alternative dates and venues by email so that other Councillors can consider attending on a different day. Eighty per cent of Councillors need to attend so that the Council can obtain this power which enables an eligible Council to spend monies (outside the normal precept boundaries and s137 limitations) for the general good of their communities so long as the public are present when decisions are made and have the chance to comment and contribute. Any decisions must be published and recorded in the Annual Report.
126.0 Affordable Housing: Hastoe Housing are to hold a consultation day on Monday 13th July 2009 regarding plans to provide new homes on the Pashley Road at 3 pm – 7pm in the Village Hall. Mr Vidal, (present) reported that he did not own this land, it is owned by other members of his family.
127.0 Appendix of Outstanding Matters:
| Topic | Update |
| Unpaid work orders | Clerk has made contact with Lee Browning – list to be collated by Cllrs of work that could be done. |
| Dog Litter Bins | Dog bins will be installed by the end of the week. |
| Play Ground at Farthing Hill | No progress |
| Planning Permission for Cardboard Bin | Confirmed that bin is there under permitted rights. Cllr. Semple reported that 35 tonnes of cardboard had been recycled in one year. He is looking at the possibility of providing more bins around the Parish. |
| Bus Stop at Flimwell | Cllr. Langdown reported on the inadequacy of the bus stop size. It was resolved that the Clerk should ask ESCC to increase the size of the bus ‘pull-in’ as adjacent parked cars are still preventing the bus from pulling off the road, and causing road blockage from the A21 towards Ticehurst. |
| Bark Chippings | Bark chippings have been ordered for the playgrounds and are due to be delivered this week. |
| Allotments | Cllr. Maynard reported that the bid for external funding had been unsuccessful with regard to the formation of paths etc, but that funding had been acquired for garden implement boxes at Flimwell. He thanked Cllr. Mitchell for all her work and it was resolved that a further £500-£600 should be spent on shuttering materials to finish the plots to a satisfactory standard. |
| Finger Posts | New finger post has been installed at Cross Lane. |
128.0 District Council Report: No Councillors present, having given their apologies in advance.
129.0 County Council Report: Cllr. Barnes reported that all issues he would have raised were on the agenda and noted that W.E.L. was progressing well.
130.0 Litter Collection: Cllr. Langdown had circulated a report about recent litter collections within the Parish and thanked Mr Moody for his assistance in instigating this. It was resolved that the phone number for reporting fly-tipping and general rubbish should be placed on the notice boards and on the web site. It was resolved that the recent problems with litter and vermin be brought to the attention of the solicitor who acted for the Bewl License to ask if adequate bins and collections can be provided at this end of the reservoir.
131.0 Finance Report: An up to date bank reconciliation, together with list of cheques for sanctioning was tabled at the meeting and it was resolved that those cheques be signed.
| Amount | To whom | For: | |
| 2460 | £101.20 | Direct Tech | Lighting repairs – 15 Upper Platts and 20 Lavender gardens |
| 2461 | £72.00 | M Giles | Rubbish Flimwell |
| 2462 | £36.00 | M Giles | Rubbish Flimwell |
| 2463 | £51.75 | SALC | Clerks Networking Conference |
| 2464 | £299.16 | PAYE | Tax and NI |
| 2466 | £1392.13 | KCC | Grass cutting half year |
| 2465 | £27.60 | AFS | Black sacks for rubbish collections |
| 2470 | £72.45 | Lexis Nexis | Update – Arnold Baker PC Book |
| 2469 | £590.00 | D Butcher | Rubbish collection stoneg/ticehurst |
| 2468 | £1920.91 | Cornerstone Construction | Water supply and trenching at Flimwell allotments |
| 2471 | £50.00 | Crime Stoppers | Contribution to anonymous crime reporting line. |
132.0 Planning Report: Report on meeting held on 11th June
2009.
14 Hilbury Gardens – division of 7 bedroomed house to two dwellings
– recommendation for approval.
Thornbriar, Pashley Rd – replacement of outbuilding – recommendation
for approval with conditions.
Holmans, Flimwell – First Floor extension – recommendation for approval.
Bricklehurst Manor Farm – New driveway and entrance – recommendation
for approval
2 Clare House – Removal of previous conditions and change of use –
recommendation for refusal. Comments on this application need to be re-done
at the next planning meeting.
The next planning meeting will be on Thursday 9th July at 6.00 p.m.
133.0 Crimestoppers: Letter from Sussex Crimestoppers - SALC recommend that all Councils consider membership – http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/in-your-area/south-east/sussex/campaigns. £50 cheque sanctioned for payment.
134.0 Flats and grass at entrance to Springfields: It was resolved that the Clerk should write to Amicus Horizon asking for reassurance that the areas of grass, flower beds and properties will be properly maintained whilst plans are submitted for the replacement of Springfields Flats 1-4 whilst they are empty.
135.0 Village Square: Notes made at the meeting on 6th July 2009 were tabled at the meeting and those stakeholders who attended, will be sent copies.
136.0 Traffic Calming: The Clerk reported that she had met
with ESCC Highways Dept at Flimwell – they have drawn up plans for a speed
activated ‘slow down’ sign at the bend but as there has only been one serious
accident, they would not be in a position to offer funding – estimated cost
£7000. It was resolved that the Traffic Calming Group should consider this
at their next meeting. The signs on the approach to the bend should be washed
and cleared of vegetation by ESCC soon. ESCC had also responded with regard
to the hedge cutting work carried out by the Parish Maintenance Teams, and
the Clerk had asked that they correspond directly with the complainant.
Cllr. Hastings requested that a speed check be done at the western
approach to Ticehurst.
137.0 Correspondence
| 1 | AIRS | History of need for more affordable housing Ticehurst |
| 2 | C Harrison/ESCC | Re Hedge at Flimwell |
| 3 | ESCC | Area Profile of Ticehurst |
| 4 | ESCC | Vehicle signs at Flimwell Bend |
| 5 | Battle Bus | Thank you for half year donation |
| 6 | Gov Offices | Partial review of provision for gypsies and travellers in the south east. |
| 7 | Safe in E Sussex | Magasine |
| 8 | HighWeald | Management plan – 2009 update |
| 9 | Planning Insp | Warrens decision |
| 10 | Hedleys | Village Square |
| 11 | Hedleys | Village Square |
| 12 | ||
| 13 | RDC | Bulletin |
| 14 | P Langdown | Litter report 8th June |
| 15 | P Langdown | Bus Stop Flimwell |
| 16 | Giles | Bins at Flimwell |
| 17 | Centurion Traffic Management | Letter promoting their services |
| 18 | RDC | Bring empty homes back into use |
| 19 | J Poole | Letter to D Stevens |
| 20 | Crimestoppers | On agenda |
| 21 | G Reeve-Wing | Thank you for Parish Support re Warrens |
| 22 | Upper Platts | Cllr. Langdown stated that she felt the Council should respond to the letter in Ticehurst News and Views about the speed limit and possible affordable housing at Upper Platts in defence of an ex-colleague – It was resolved that as the Council must remain impartial with regard to any possible forthcoming application in order to make a recommendation, this would be unwise. The subject of the article, who was present at the meeting, thanked her for the sentiment of her intention but felt it was unnecessary to encourage a dialogue in the local paper about any issue. |
| 23 | Police Report | Laundry stolen from rear of Dry Cleaners in Church St. Landrover stolen from a farm in Ticehurst Rd (later found). Boys Bike stolen at Acres Rise – retrieved. Chainsaw, strimmer and hedge cutter stolen from a garage and a wallet stolen from car parked in Dunsters Mill Lane – window of car smashed. |
138.0 Items for the September Agenda:
Chairman’s Suggestions
Allotments
Village Club
Gifts
139.0 The Bell Field: (Confidential). The Council moved to exclude the press and public for this item on the agenda by reason of the confidential nature of the business, as stated in section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and amended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the confidentiality is due to on going litigation matters.
140.0 Date of the next meeting: 1st September 2009 – 7.30 p.m.