WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT THE DAVID JAMES BUILDING, UPLANDS ON TUESDAY 10 JULY 2007 AT 19:30

Present: Councillors Price (Chairman), Bell, Berger, Mrs Colvin, Miss Gadd, Kent, Mrs Monaghan, Phipson,
Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler.

Also in attendance: County Cllr. Tidy, District Cllr. Wells, PC Etherington and one member of the public.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Doyle, Gates, Mamlok and Pearman; reasons noted and accepted.

2.             DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None.

3.             POLICE REPORT
PC Etherington gave a report on crime in the parish for the last month which included theft, criminal damage and burglary. A robbery at Victoria Wine is being investigated by the CID. Police are conducting a crackdown on vehicles to ensure valid tax and insurance in place.

4.             PUBLIC FORUM
None.

5.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 12.06.07 AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held 12.06.07 as a true record.

6.             TO DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING AND NOTING
Floral displays in High Street – 60/90 Committee has previously looked at possibility of hanging baskets in the High Street but this was not taken forward due to issues with watering; a grant may be available if the watering can be resolved.

7.             TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
County Council
ESCC must pay £192K for an inspection by the Audit Commission in addition to £92K for the Corporate Performance Assessment. The inspection identified the need to make significant future cost savings, new arrangements for adult social care and financial resource requirements for waste management.
A consultation is being undertaken on the closure of an old people’s home in Uckfield which does not meet requirements of modern care. Plans are being progressed to build new care homes for the elderly and renovate other facilities.
Cllr. Tidy is in contact with the Chairman of the Fire Authority concerning their property strategy and the use of the land at Wadhurst Fire Station.

District Council
WDC has been considering its Medium Term Financial Strategy 2008-2011 and how to deliver services within constraints imposed by central Government.
The Corporate Plan 2007 – 2010 has been published. WDC aims to provide a ‘Greener, Cleaner and Brighter’ Wealden by focusing on eight key priorities.
The Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation runs until 13.08.07; this sets out proposals for building 8000 new homes in Wealden by 2026. The document is available online and via a free CD. WDC is also holding a series of drop in sessions to answer questions.

8.             CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING.
To consider arrangements for Quality Council presentation and approve expenditure
A reception has been arranged 24.07.07 19:30 at Uplands for the presentation of the Quality Council award. Resolved to approve expenditure of £100 for refreshments to be paid under LGA 1972 s15 (5).

The following items of correspondence were discussed:
-               Temporary closure of B2099 for repair to railway bridge. Concern that this will cause further issues for commuters as railway line is to be closed between Wadhurst and Tunbridge Wells in August.

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

9.             TO ADOPT A REVISED CODE OF CONDUCT
It was resolved:
(1) that pursuant to section 51 of the Local Government Act 2000 the Council in place of the model code of conduct previously adopted in 2002 hereby adopts with effect from 10.07.07 the Standards Board’s version of the model code of conduct attached to the report being an amended version of the code set out in the Schedule to the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 (SI 2007/1159) to the extent that it is mandatory for parish councils and including paragraph 12 (2) of the model code and this code shall be the code expected of Members and Co-opted Members of the Council.
(2) That the ten General Principles are hereby adopted as a non-enforceable annex to the Code to remind Members and the public of the principles underlying the Code.

10.          HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
Report on Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee meeting 5.07.07
Minutes of Highways, Transport & Lighting meeting 5.07 reviewed.
Meeting to be arranged with Cllr. Wells and principal of Uplands to discuss parking issues. All-day child care is now available at the Youth Centre and this has increased parking requirements at this site.
Complaint received that the proposed position of the VAS could cause issues for pedestrians.
PC Etherington advised that the Police speed gun has arrived.

To consider arrangements for Christmas shopping proposal by Rotary Club
Rotary Club wish to build on success of last year’s Christmas event and will be applying for grants towards additional lighting. Help with setting up the event is to be sought from the community.
Many Christmas events and decorations in other areas are organised by the local Chamber of Commerce with the town/parish council providing electricity for lights. ESCC has confirmed that it is possible to provide an external socket from a street light although this is not advisable and costing is difficult.
Agreed that a grant application for lighting from the Rotary Club can be considered early. Discussion on the need for some proceeds to be retained towards expenditure for future events. Suggestion that an application is made to the Wealden Community grants scheme.

Other highways issues
Street light column 51 to be replaced; committee to consider salvage value of existing column.
Brick pavement outside Methodist Church is uneven.

To approve lighting repairs
None.

11.          PLANNING MATTERS
Report on Planning Committee meetings 16.06.07 and 30.06.07
Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held 16.06 and 30.06 reviewed and noted.

Other planning issues
Agreed the Planning Committee will hold a meeting to discuss the WDC Issues and Options paper and respond on behalf of the Parish Council.

WDC is still progressing the enforcement issues for the unauthorised camper van in Monks Lane. Report that the previous owner of site confirms that the concrete area is in excess of the original covering.

A Tree Preservation Order has been served on Wadhurst College.

12.          RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
Report on Recreation Ground Management Committee meeting 28.06.07
Report on committee meeting 28.06 reviewed. Tennis Club is to apply for floodlighting. Concern at the proposed siting of a tennis practice wall; it was considered this should be placed away from nearby dwellings.
Pay & Play cards needed urgently at the Pharmacy.
Consideration of a memorial for the gift of Voelcker Land to be considered by full council in September.

To consider quotation for alteration to referees’ room
Quotation not received.
To consider quotation for path to Voelcker Land
Quotation not received.     

To consider maintenance items/improvements and authorise expenditure
Resolved to approve expenditure of £120 to Thorpe Building Ltd for repair to wooden boundary at play equipment under LG(MP)A 1976 s19. This items was identified as medium/high risk in RoSPA report.

13.          ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
To receive Report and consider recommendations
Report reviewed and maintenance/clearance work at Jardin d’Aubers noted.

WDC has advised that kerbside recycling for Wadhurst is expected to be brought forward. Environment Committee is looking to improve facilities at the household waste site.

14.          FINANCE
To note report from Internal Auditor 2006/07 and initial report for 2007/08
Copies of final internal audit report 2006/07 and initial report 2007/08 circulated to all Cllrs. prior to the meeting; audit comments noted.

To note spend against budget
Spend to the end of June is on track at £24980.

To approve accounts payable

Payments authorised as follows:
Newsletter items for Wealden District Council and Post Office Ltd approved 12.06.07 item 14 under LGA 1972 s111.
Rotherfield Landscapes approved 12.06.07 item 13 under Open Spaces Act 1906 s 10b.
Thorpe Building Ltd approved Recreation Ground Management Committee 28.06.07 item 9 and 10.07.07 item 12 under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.
Wadhurst Country Services approved Recreation Ground Management Committee 28.06.07 item 9 under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.
East Sussex County Council approved 13.02.07 item 9 under Parish Councils Act 1957 s3.

15.          PERSONNEL – TO CONSIDER LOCAL POLICY TRAINING FOR CLERK
Clerk wishes to under take a Local Policy training course which is run by the University of Gloucestershire.
Resolved by a majority that Wadhurst Parish Council will:
i)              Meet a contribution towards the tuition fees of approximately £1400/£1500 spread over two years (i.e. £2400/£2500 less the contribution of £1000 over two years from Frant Parish Council).
ii)             Establish a budget of £500pa to meet travelling and accommodation expenses for which claims supported by bills will be met up to this figure.
iii)            Require the Clerk to give an undertaking to serve the Council for at least one further year following the completion of the course and in the event of not doing so would be required to reimburse the Council with one third of the costs of following the course which had been met by the Council.

16.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
Comment that the lollipop lady does not appear to be present at the primary school.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:05