Minutes of the Strategy Committee meetings are available from here. This years minutes are accessible at this level and minutes for previous years are available by clicking the appropriate button to the left.

DRAFT Minutes of Maresfield Parish Council’s Strategy Committee Meeting held on Thursday 10^th March 2011 at 7.30pm in the Parish Office, Nutley.

Present: Cllr D Barlow (Chairman), Cllr Mrs C Reynolds, Cllr Mis A Bergan-Gander,

Cllr Mrs C Flittner, Clerk A Allen.

1. Public Session – no members of the public were present.

2. Apologies for Absence – Cllr Mrs G Brady, Cllr R Street, Cllr R Galley,

Cllr J Handley, Cllr W King, Cllr K Ogden.

3. Declarations of Interest – None

4. Minutes of Previous Meeting (13^th January 2011):-

            a. Adoption – The minutes were adopted as a true record.

            b. Matters Arising – None.

5.a.i.1 SpeedWatch – The Clerk reported that exercises had been carried out on the 3^rd and 4^th March 2011, noting an unusually high proportion of speeding vans travelling north through Nutley Village; one at over twice the speed limit. All data has been passed to Sussex Police.

It was noted that the Ashdown Forest Villages Road Safety Partnership is to hold a meeting on 31^st March 2011 to discuss this year’s action plan. ACTION: Clerk to attend.

5.a.ii Transport – Cllr Mrs Reeves’ draft letter to Stagecoach regarding the extension of the 54 bus service was approved. ACTION: Clerk to send.

5.a.ii.1 NWCTP – A report from Cllr Barlow had been circulated and is reproduced below:-

“The Trustees of North Wealden Community Transport Partnership Ltd. are pleased to report the arrival of the organisation’s first wholly-owned mini-bus.  The vehicle, which is a Peugeot Boxer 15 passenger seat, wheel chair enabled, unit has been acquired following a grant from the Social Investment Business.  The recruitment of volunteer drivers has started, with some very encouraging results to date.

Driver training up to MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) standards will commence on the 18^th of March when the first group of six people will start a two-day course. The first day is about understanding the rules and regulations in respect of these vehicles and learning how to set up for and handle wheelchairs to ensure total safety for both client and operator.

The second day is a driver vehicle handling capability assessment.

Negotiations are under way to identify a permanent garaging and servicing facility for the unit and these are at an advanced stage.

The company has placed an order for a second, pre-owned bus, also a Peugeot, which should be available to us in mid to late May.

Some private funding may also be available for a third, pre-owned unit, later in the year should the business levels require it.

As part of the Rural Social Enterprise Programme, which was competitive, NWCTP Ltd. was one of eight winners, nationwide, and further loans and funding are available to us to enable the employment of a full time business development manager for a period of one year.  If the individual is successful, not only in expanding the range of our services but also in seeking additional funding and sponsorship, this will lead to longer-term employment prospects for the manager. 

The RSEP programme will also provide various levels of training to expand the personnel’s knowledge of all aspects of the Community Transport world.

We will also be looking for volunteer staff to man our booking and office administration facilities as they come on line.

The company has a VOSA section 19 licence and is now also applying for a Section 22 in order that we might seek to be included on County Council Tender lists.

Since the arrival of the bus on March 3rd we have received a gratifying number of enquires to quote for supplying transport services.

In conclusion, we are grateful for all the support and encouragement we have received from County, District & Parish Councils and the many individuals who have offered their services. Cllr Roger Street leaves us to take up other duties and we thank him for his help.”

5.a.iii Affordable Housing - No items, issues or updates to report.

5.b.i Carers, the Elderly & Infirm – No items, issues or updates to report.

5.b.ii Development of Play Areas – The Clerk reported that Mr Stevenson has had further discussions with Veolia regarding his application for a grant to replace the festival whirl at Fords Green play area and is awaiting a decision.

The Clerk reported that the small upgrade to the Maresfield Recreation Ground play area had been completed by Visible Changes Ltd.

5.c.i Youth – No items, issues or updates to report.

5.c.ii Provision of Medical Services – No items, issues or updates to report.

5.c.ii.1 Request for assistance from Community Responder Scheme – It was noted that at the moment there is nothing that the Parish Council can do to assist with these costs; it simply does not have the budget for this. A suggestion for immediate help is for CRS to contact the Nutley War Memorial Trust which may be disposed to help with hall hire requirements and costs. In the longer term CRS could consider applying to the Parish Council for a grant in the financial year 2012/13.

6. Communications – No items, issues or updates to report.

7. Date of next meeting – To discuss a proposal that Council is asked to disband the Committee until after the new Parish Plan is adopted – It was noted that the workload of the Committee had reduced significantly as the current Parish Plan nears the end of its life. It was resolved that Council is asked to disband the Committee until after the new Parish Plan is adopted

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19:55.