WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT THE DAVID JAMES BUILDING, UPLANDS ON TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2007 AT 19:30

Present: Councillors Price (Chairman), Bell, Berger, Mrs Colvin, Doyle, Miss Gadd, Miss Gates, Mamlok, Mrs Monaghan
Mrs Pearman, Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler.

Also in attendance: County Cllr. Tidy and one member of the public.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Kent and Phipson; reasons noted and accepted.

2.             DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None.

3.             POLICE REPORT
Report of Wadhurst Local Action Team meeting. There has been a 10% rise in reported crime in last three months; this is mainly due to people leaving doors/windows open in the warmer weather. There have been issues with contacting PCSO Simmonds; only the official Police telephone number can be used and the facility to leave messages at the office at the Fire Station is no longer available. A list of graffiti has been sent to Martyn Garrett at WDC who co-ordinates work for the Payback Team. The Emergency Day at the Fire Station was well supported. The Police speed gun should be available soon; training can then be given to local volunteers. Primary School to start a ‘walking bus’ scheme. Discussion on possibility of a zebra crossing on Sparrows Green Road; ESCC to be chased for promised pedestrian count at this location and the High Street.

The Neighbourhood Watch AGM is to be held 20.06.07 15:00 at the Fire Station.

4.             PUBLIC FORUM
Problem of parking and speeding in the Lower High Street; to be considered at Highways meeting 5.07.

5.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL AND ORDINARY MEETINGS 8.05.07 AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the minutes of the Annual and ordinary meetings held 8.05.07 as a true record.

6.             TO DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING AND NOTING
Overgrown hedge between Church and allotments – Footpaths Society to be contacted for advice.

7.             TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
County Council
Government has announced there will be a reduction of 14% in the ‘Building Safer Communities’ fund. This will result in a reduction of £20K for the Safer Wealden Partnership and there are concerns that community projects will be affected.
The Neighbourhood Watch email alert system is proving successful.
Domestic violence is the most common crime in East Sussex. There is a network of support in place and victims now have increased confidence in the system. The number of repeat requests for help has reduced.

District Council
WDC is entering the second stage of its Medium Term Financial Strategy and is looking to achieve 3% efficiency savings; this will be difficult as most expenditure is fixed eg. benefits.
There is to be a public consultation starting in July on the Issues and Options paper which forms part of the Local Development Framework. Discussion on how to engage residents in this important document which will address how Wealden will look until 2026. It is acknowledged that some housing will have to be incorporated within the villages.
In the recent Wealden sustainability development survey, Wadhurst was identified as the village that provided the most services. Cllrs are concerned that the capacity of the local infrastructure has not been taken into consideration.
WDC has been asked to clarify which new dwellings count towards the Government target.
Some new developments which have been granted planning permission have been called in by the Government as the density is not sufficient.
Change of use to a kebab shop at the former Joe’s Motors has been approved on Appeal.
The recycling trial at Forest Row and Danehill has been successful.

8.             CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING.
To elect Cllr. Mrs Monaghan as a representative for the Wadhurst Local Action Team
Cllr. Mrs Monaghan was elected as a representative for the Wadhurst Local Action Team.

To consider new role of publicity/media representative
Discussion of how to manage news, publicity and communication with the media. It was agreed that Chairman should be the liaison point with the press and refer to committee chairmen as appropriate.

Update on library project
ESCC has supplied further information as requested by the Lottery; results are expected in September.

To agree arrangements for approving Annual Report
Draft Annual Report has been produced. It was agreed Report will be signed off by Chairman and published by the end of June.

The following items of correspondence were discussed:

1. Complaint received on traffic speed and parking in the Lower High Street.
2. ESCC has issued a draft speed management policy (to be considered by Highways Committee).
3. TPO has been issued on an Oak tree near 65 Queens Cottages.

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
The Annual Parish Meeting was very successful with 74 members of the public in attendance. A number of items were raised by the public including Police attendance, football facilities, congestion in Washwell Lane, traffic speeding and recycling. Concern that the Post Bus may be withdrawn; the matter has been referred to Charles Hendry MP. Suggestion that Uplands mini bus could be used during the day to transport local residents.  Cllr. Miss Gates to attend a meeting 14.07 to look at improvements to rural bus services.

To approve expenditure for refreshments
Resolved to approve expenditure of £122.98 for refreshments/display material for the Annual Parish Meeting to be paid under LGA 1972 s150 (2).

10.          HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
Uplands College has formed an Eco Travel Group. Report received on their concerns about traffic and parking in the village.
Several roads are scheduled to be closed in the next few weeks for carriageway repairs. Drainage works opposite the Fire Station will commence 13.08 and last for three weeks; the resurfacing of this area will be delayed until 2008 to allow for settlement and to minimise the disruption.

Other highways issues
An abandoned car in the main car park has been reported to WDC. Report of a further abandoned car in a car park at Durgates.
Complaint received that the footpath at Townsland Road is uneven – Highways Committee to review.

To approve lighting repairs
Quotation received for £764.21 + VAT for replacement column/lantern for column 51 Station Road. Committee to ensure proposed style is acceptable and agree work at the committee meeting 5.07.

11.          PLANNING MATTERS

Report on Planning Committee meetings 12.05.07 and 2.06.07
Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held 12.05 and 2.06 reviewed and noted.

Other planning issues
Some Cllrs. attended a site meeting at FTA in Station Road concerning possible re-development of the site. Sale of the site is by closed bids.
Still no enforcement action on the camper van and hardstanding in Monks Lane; the enforcement order was issued in February 2006. Chairman to write to WDC expressing disappointment.

12.          RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
Additional strengthening/support to tennis courts perimeter fence to be considered at the Recreation Ground Management Meeting 28.06.07.

To consider maintenance items/improvements and authorise expenditure
Resolved to approve expenditure of bulk fuel/supplies for grass cutting equipment under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.

13.          ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Report on Environment Committee meeting 17.05.07
Minutes of Environment Committee meeting reviewed.

To approve maintenance at Jardin d’Aubers and war memorial area
Quote received from Rotherfield Landscapes for £1429.99 including VAT for the following work:

1. repair of paving at war memorial area
2. removal of weeds in gravel and boundary and treat gravel with herbicide
3. remove pond weed to give 70% water clearance
4. remove clumps of poliganum and cut branches overhanging path around pond
5. cut Viburnum to ground level and remove.

Resolved to accept quotation of £1429.99 from Rotherfield Landscapes subject to confirmation that the removal of pond weed will not endanger pond life at this time of year – payment to be made under Open Spaces Act 1906 s10b. Copy insurance certificate seen and final Health and Safety assessment to be agreed before works commence.

Environment Committee asked to investigate possible bonded gravel surface.
Ken Turner has attended a meeting on improvements at the Jardin d’Aubers and has suggested working towards entering the Village in Bloom competition.

To consider additional floral displays in the High Street
Environment Committee considering fixing flower baskets to some light columns in the High Street to complement the existing flower tubs. Cllrs. supportive of the principle if watering issues can be overcome.

Other Environment issues
Wadhurst is not yet scheduled for kerbside recycling. Enquiries have been made about the possibility of providing containers which residents could drop off at the waste collection centre and receive an empty container in return. Defra offer grants for educating and encouraging recycling and have indicated that a grant should cover initial cost of providing boxes, information leaflets and a collection service for residents without transport. The idea will be further considered at the Environment Committee meeting 26.07.07.
Complaint that trees need trimming outside the old Police houses, butchers shop and at The Walk.

14.          FINANCE
To approve expenditure for newsletters
It was agreed that one newsletter a year should be posted to all households to raise awareness of the work of the Parish Council. Resolved to spend up to £2000 on the production and distribution of newsletter to be paid under LGA 1972 s111.

To approve expenditure for ‘smokefree’ signs for bus shelters
No smoking signs are required in bus shelters from 1.07.07. Smokefree signs have been ordered via the internet and it is hoped these will be sufficiently durable. Aluminium signs cost £19 each.

To review Financial Regulations
Financial Regulations reviewed and confirmed.

To consider Grants Policy
Resolved to adopt revised grants policy.

To approve accounts payable

Payments authorised as follows:
TVR, Insulation Services and R Clarke agreed at Recreation Ground Management Committee meeting 19.04.07 item 9 under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.
BL Jordan and K Turner agreed at Environment Committee meeting 17.05.07 item 6 under Highways Act 1980 s96.

15.          TO REVIEW ASSET REGISTER, RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE
Asset Register, Risk Management document and insurance schedule reviewed and accepted.

16.          PARISH PLAN
A new group is being formed to progress the Parish Plan. The issues of infrastructure will need to be addressed.

17.          PERSONNEL – TO APPROVE TRAINING FOR CLERK
Resolved to approve Clerk’s training course 3.07.07 £30 + VAT with half cost being met by Frant Parish Council – payment to made under LGA 1972 s111.

18.          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 22:15