Ticehurst Parish Council

The Village Hall, Lower High Street, Ticehurst, East Sussex, TN5 7BB 01580 754 090

Draft Minutes of Ticehurst Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 7 June  2011 

Thirty  minutes were allowed at the start of the meeting for public questions and comments on relevant matters on the agenda. The chairman reminded the public that they  had a right and were welcome to stay and observe the rest of the meeting. 

Present:  Cllrs. Goodall (c), Maynard, Cook, Langdown, Yeo, Jones, Young, Hastings, Spencer, Rigby, Burley and Cocking.
In attendance  D. Cllr. Barnes and Elliston  and C. Cllr. Barnes.
The Chairman welcomed D. Cllr. Barnes as the new Councillor for the area.

Matters Raised by the Public:

• The Bell Field – a request for a public update.
• The Horse Chestnut trees in the square  - longevity.
• Traffic Calming progress.
• Curfew – deferment of decision at Rother District Council.
• Village Club – request for Cllrs. Langdown and Jones to judge ‘logo’ competition.
• Economic well-being of the village.
• Revision of the Local Plan – offer of assistance.

AGENDA

582.0 Declarations of Interest: Cllr A. Cook declared a personal interest in the Bell Field as a neighbour and on any matters relating to the Beatrice Drewe Trust.  Cllr. Langdown declared a personal interest in any matters related to the Beatrice Drewe Trust.
Councillors were reminded to fill in their election expenses forms and their declarations of financial interests for Rother District Council.

583.0 Apologies for absence:  Full Council present.

584.0 Minutes of the meeting held on 18th May 2011:  Proposed by Cllr. Jones and seconded by Cllr. Langdown and signed by the Chairman as a true record of those proceedings.

585.0 Additional Agenda Items:  Cllr. Rigby reported that Wealden District Council had not contacted Ticehurst Parish Council about a recent application for Bewl –  to run activities for 23 days which exceeds their license.  It was resolved that the Clerk should liaise with Lamberhurst and Wadhurst Councils to voice objection and should write to Wealden District Council requesting that any applications relating to Bewl be copied to Ticehurst Parish Council for consultation.

586.0  Co-option of new Councillor for Flimwell:  Brigid Burnham  was co-opted to the Council and welcomed by her colleagues.  Clerk to supply her with the necessary documentation.

587.0  Traffic Calming Group: Cllr. young reported that traffic calming and village square plans are expected soon which will be widely advertised to seek public opinion.

588.0  Appendix of Outstanding Matters:

589.0 District Council Report:  D. Cllrs. Elliston and Barnes reported that 79 houses have been built in Ticehurst Parish over the last 5 years.  Housing allocations are dependent upon the Hastings to Bexhill link road. They reminded the Council and public that they are not allowed to show any personal prejudice with regard to any local planning matter – to do so would stop them being allowed to vote on  the Planning Committee. There was much debate about the number of houses and the Council had been told that recent developments did not count towards the ‘total allocation’ because they had been agreed prior to the draft core strategy.  Concerns were expressed about the long term economic vitality of the village.

590.0 County Council Report:  Cllr. Barnes reported that two bids to the Regional Fund for Hastings regeneration and the Link Road had been unsuccessful.  It is felt that the link road is crucial to housing need and economic well being of the area and ESCC have applied to the Government to take over the responsibility of providing the road from the Highways Agency.

591.0 SALC and RALC Reports:  No reports.

592.0 Environmental Report: Cllr. Young reported that the unpaid work team organised by the Probation Service will be starting on 21st June 2011 clearing the ground in Farthing Hill that leads to the footpath through Banky Field to the primary school.

593.0 Finance Report: 
Security – It was unanimously agreed to look, in principle, at providing a CCTV system at the recreation ground – Finance Committee to consider financial implications. Cllrs. Cook and Langdown reiterated their personal interest as members of the Beatrice Drewe Trust.

The Chairman requested that the Finance Group meet to discuss the number of hours the Clerk spends dealing with complaints to the Council to consider an increase in remuneration.

594.0 Planning Report:  Next planning meeting to be held at 6pm on 16th June 2011.
Planning applications considered since the last meeting and the recommendations forwarded to RDC:
RR/2011/807/P Ketleys Farm – Erection of stables and sand school – recommendation for approval.
RR/2011/840/P Burlesdon, The Mount – singe storey extension – recommendation for approval.
RR/2011/951/P Wallcrouch Farm – Conversion of Oast – recommendation for approval.

595.0  CIC:  It was resolved that Cllr. langdown invite Colin Philips to the next meeting to address the Council and public on what CIC (Community Interest Co.) have done for the Etchingham community

596.0 Correspondence

597.0 Recreation Grounds –  D Butcher has resumed clearing of the recreation grounds at Ticehurst and Stonegate for the summer months.  Bark chippings have been delivered and spread on all three playgrounds.  Rudimentary repairs done where seen.

598.0 Items for the July Agenda:    
Bewl application
Traffic calming.

599.0 The Bell Field:  (Confidential). There were no matters for discussion.

600.0  Date of the next meeting: 5th  July 2011