WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF WADHURST ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD AT THE COMMEMORATION HALL ON WEDNESDAY 27TH MAY 2009 AT 8PM.

Present: Chairman of Wadhurst Parish Council in the chair, 43 members of the public, 12 Parish/District Councillors, County Cllr. Tidy, Clerk to the Council, 5 representatives from Uplands Community College, PC Etherington and PCSO Bennett.

Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting after the informal gathering and viewing of posters setting out the work and achievements of the committees.

PRESENTATION BY UPLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Jayne Edmonds, Principal of Uplands Community College, gave a report on the work and achievements of the college and extended an invitation to show members of the community around the college. There was a presentation on the college’s new website. This was followed by a showing of an historical film entitled ‘iWadhurst’ which was made by pupils for a competition. The representatives from Uplands were thanked for attending the parish meeting.

TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 28.05.08
The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held 28.05.08 were approved and signed.

REPORT FROM PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
Chairman gave a report on the activities and achievements of the council during the last year which included saving the red telephone kiosk at Durgates, a review of grass cutting, contributing towards a community bus service, funding additional anti-speeding measures, providing allotments, responding to planning applications and liaising with the district council on affordable housing. There were consultations with children on improvements to the play equipment at the recreation ground; a grant of £30,000 has been awarded for this project.

Wealden District Council will be consulting on proposals for housing within the district as part of the Local Development Framework. Residents were urged to review and respond to the proposals to help influence how the parish will develop over the next 20 years.

Parking continues to be a major problem in the centre of the village and a working party is considering options to address this issue.

Chairman thanked the many groups and organisations that work for the benefit of the community.

POLICE REPORT
Report on Police activities in the parish and the regular street meetings held to liaise with residents. Traffic speed continues to be a problem and regular monitoring is undertaken to try and address this issue. Members of the public can get involved under a Community Speed Watch programme.

OPEN FORUM
Complaint about the speed of traffic in the Lower High Street and a request for an increase in traffic calming measures and a reduction in the speed limit. Response that a request for a permanent speed camera at this location was declined as it did not meet the criteria. Report of a proposal for a zebra crossing in the High Street and an initiative to install 20mph speed restrictions outside all schools. The County Council is also considering a 50mph speed limit on the B2099 between Wadhurst and Frant.

Enquiry about how residents will be consulted on the district council’s housing proposals. Every household will receive a leaflet advising of the consultation and how to review the proposals and respond.

Enquiry about the future of the commemoration hall. Response that the trustees are looking at proposals for the future of the site; income has been lost following the closure of the social club. East Sussex County Council is working towards relocating the library into the social club area.

Chairman thanked everyone for attending.

The meeting closed at 9.05pm.