WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL

THE MINUTES OF A MEETING OF WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE PAVILION, SPARROWS GREEN RECREATION GROUND, THURSDAY 9th JUNE, 2011 AT 7.30 P.M.

Present: Councillors Bell, Berger, Browne, Clark, Gadd, Goolden, Kent, Konrad, Martel, Martin, Matthews, Meredith-Hardy, Pearman (Vice-chairman) and Standley
Also in attendance:  County Councillor Tidy, two members of the public and one member of the press.

1.         To receive apologies and reasons for absence
Apologies received from Cllr. Doyle (Chairman); reason noted and accepted

2.          To receive declarations of interest on items on the agenda
None

3.         Police Forum
PCSO Neve highlighted from the recent report the continuing priorities of tackling speeding and anti-social behaviour, drugs and increasing police presence. A number of recent incidents were expanded upon including arrests made in respect of theft of heating oil. In all, 84 calls were received during May. Street meetings will be held on the 16th of June at 3.30 outside the library and at 7.30 at the fire station. Operation Quality Street was very successfully held and included hedge cutting, bench repairs and anti-graffiti painting with PCSO Neve detailing the various people and organizations that helped on the day as well as the many local businesses who supplied materials making the event such a success. Particular mention was made of the eight Uplands students and their effort and enthusiasm throughout the day. The clerk is to write to the Headteacher to note their work. The May newsletter was to be sent to the clerk for forwarding to members.

4.         Public Forum
A member of the public brought to the attention of members the need for Youth Club facilities in the village and mentioned conversations with Uplands regarding their ‘Oasties’ site as a possible venue and touched on funding arrangements. Discussion relating to Youth Club facilities will be included as an agenda item for the next meeting.

5.         To approve the minutes of the meeting of 19th May, 2011
Resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held 10th March, 2011 as a true record subject to :
Item 1.4 – Cllr. Gadd is not a member of the Personnel committee.
Item 8 – Wealden and Eastbourne have combined Building Control services and the developer’s application to challenge Wealden’s core strategy was rejected at the first stage by the courts.
Item 14 – The council to advertise, when setting the next precept, the 2011/1 over-claim and show the amount as a separate item in the accounts.

6.         To determine matters arising from the previous minutes
It was noted that not all working parties had yet met and that responsibility for arranging the first meeting be with Cllr. Doyle for the Business/High Street and Car Park and Cllr. Browne for the Communications and Youth working parties.
6.1       To review committee remits
It was noted that committee remits would not be defined until the various committees met.
6.2       To review new appointment to Communications working party
Resolved that Cllr. Barty Meredith-Hardy be appointed to the Communications working party.
6.3       To appoint Focus article author
Not resolved. Any volunteers to please make themselves known to the Chairman.
6.4       To appoint three substitute members for the Planning Committee
Resolved to appoint two for the time being – Cllrs. Clark and Martin in addition to the standing arrangement to call on the Chairman and Vice-chairman if required.

7.         To receive reports from the County and District Councillors
County Council
County Cllr.Tidy explained the role of the county council to the members and that their brief was to provide the best possible services at the lowest possible cost with caring for vulnerable people, both young and old being the council’s priority. As such, road and traffic issues were not the highest priority and whilst recognising that communication in these areas could be better, it was difficult with staffing number reductions in these areas. A brief account of the councils work with the police force, together with detailed budget figures were noted including the work on broadband enhancements planned for the coming two years. The community bus, including county support for officers time at the planning stage, and youth initiatives were discussed and when questioned by councillors County Cllr. Tidy explained that the ‘walkthrough school’ issue would not become live until at least after  the deficit repayment. 
District Council
District Cllr. Standley reported on the following items:-

• Transformation Prorgamme on target and, with streamlining, joint ventures had resulted in a current underspend of £500,000.
• Local Development Framework (LDF) on track.
• Wealden’s LDF core strategy housing figure of 9,600 is less than the shortly to be revoked South-east plan and is being challenged by developers who are seeking a higher housing figure.
• Waste collection authority to be county-wide with associated savings for Wealden.
• Inclusion of Wadhurst on ‘enjoysussex’ website due within eight to ten weeks.

In response to questions from members the council learnt that District savings would be retained in their general reserves and that there would be no short term changes to waste collection including lack of a separate glass collection. In conclusion the various changes were expected to prove better and, at worst, no worse than at present.

8.         Chairman’s announcements and correspondence for noting
Correspondence was reviewed and noted with Cllr. Standley and Mrs. Percival’s (WDBA chairman) contribution recognised for their work in ensuring Wadhurst’s inclusion on the ‘enjoysussex’ website. Clarification of Cllr. Bell’s comments relating to 3, Church Street were received and noted.
8.1       To discuss review of meeting room layout
Difficulties with members of the public hearing councillor’s comments were discussed with the resolution being for members of the public to be seated closer to proceedings and for councillors with their backs to the public to be mindful, when speaking, of the need to be heard by those seated behind them.
8.2       To discuss review of inventory, documents and catalogues
Resolved that committees compile inventories including, where appropriate, computer passwords.
8.3       To review ‘Blueprint for Wadhurst’, suggest amendments, and discuss consultation with residents
Background provided as to the reasons for production of the Blueprint for Wadhurst ‘straw man’ put forward for discussion by a member which was to be seen as an accompaniment to the 2008 plan and to provide a guide to the actions of committees. Much discussion followed concerning the approach taken, community input, potential for duplication of effort (neighbourhood plan), ‘bottom-up’ input and the possibility of resident questionnaires. Resolved that members and committees would feedback thoughts and comments in time for the next full council meeting.

9.         Highways, Transport and Lighting matters
9.1       To receive a report from Highways, Transport and Lighting Committee
Meeting scheduled for 24th June.
9.2       To note acknowledgement of members zebra crossing letter
Noted. Comment made that the recent tragic accident highlighted that many people cross between Nat West bank and the Ironmongers and discussion followed as to whether traffic speeded up or slowed down at zebra crossings. Resolved for Highways, Transport and Lighting committee to consider at their next meeting.

10.       Planning Matters
10.1     To adopt Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held on 28th May, 2011
Resolved to adopt the Minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 28th May, 2011.

11.       Recreation Ground Matters
11.1     To receive report from Recreation Ground Management Committee
A site meeting had been held at the Voelcker field with work on track although lack of water could become an issue. A few overhanging branches would need cutting back and a short section of barrier would be needed at one corner of the field. Two windows had been broken at the Pavilion and the provision of additional lighting, teenage shelter and sensory garden would be discussed at the next meeting.

12.       Environmental Matters
12.1     To receive report from Environmental Committee
Committee not yet met.

13.       Finance
13.1     To approve accounts paid/payable
Resolved to approve accounts for payment as listed.
13.2     To review spend against budget for 2010/1
Resolved that the budgeted amount for Community Bus would need to be transferred from general reserves. Noted that the s.137 amounts consisted mainly of repair costs for the fingerposts.
13.3     To approve transfers from 2011/12 Reserves
Resolved to approve transfers of £1,000 to Election Expenses, £9,500 to Lighting and £3,000 to Community Bus.
13.4     To approve Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Return 2010/11
Resolved to approve Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Return 2010/11
13.5     To approve amendment to Financial Regulations regarding precept process
Resolved to add section 3.7 Documents informing Wealden District Council of the precept set by the council for the coming year shall be signed by the RFO and by the chairman or vice-chairman of the Council.
13.6     To approve Zurich insurance renewal
Resolved to approve the Zurich insurance renewal. Clarification to be sought regarding cover in place for members’ personal insurance relating to Council business.

14.       Personnel matters
14.1     To receive report
In clearing the backlog of work the clerk was continuing to work over his contractual time. Resolved to employ an experienced person to spend 30-40 hours to clear some areas of the backlog. Appraisals of the clerk and caretaker are to commence shortly.
14.2     To approve costs of additional administrative costs
A PAYE/NI agent for other local councils had agreed to take on the payroll backlog element. Resolved to approve overall costs of £600.

15.       To review Annual Parish meeting (format, results, feedback)
Resolved that the Communications working party and council committees would consider and report back.
15.1     To consider Uplands chair of Governor’s comment regarding car parking
Resolved that the Car Park working group consider and report back. Uplands to be approached to seek agreement to using their parking facilities during the summer holidays when the gas companies road works would affect the centre of the village.

16.       Urgent issues at the discretion of the Chairman for noting or inclusion on future agenda
The clerk is to add a list of members, with photographs, to the notice board.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9:40 p.m.

Correspondence May/June, 2011

• NALC Conference details (Bristol, Sheffield, London)
• Invitation to view JAG minutes
• rsnonline newsletter
• Minutes  of Wadhurst Twinning Assoc. AGM
• Wealden District Commanders message 18th Apl
• Wealden District Commanders message 5th May
• Wealden District Commanders message monthly update
• Wadhurst to be included in enjoysussex.info website
• Road work affecting Wadhurst
• RSPB Weald Reserve update
• SE Rural Towns Partnership Annual Conference – Dorking
• Tunbridge Wells Local Development framework Core Strategy Review Consultation 16May to 26June
• Water Resources update – Spring 2011
• The FWAG update – May 2011
• 3View newsletter – Summer 2011
• Clerks & Councils Direct – May 2011
• Survive and Thrive invite – 23rd June
• E-mail dated 7th June from J Mamlok re. 3, Church Street

Accounts paid/payable – May/June, 2011