MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARESFIELD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 19^th APRIL 2005 in the Memorial Hall, Nutley.

Present: Cllr P. Tester (Acting Chairman), Cllr K. Ogden, Cllr R. Tester, Cllr T Sparrow, Cllr R. Street, Cllr H. Fry, Cllr J. Gutteridge, Cllr G. Hardy, Cllr A. Wallace, Cllr S. Leaney, DCllr Mrs. P. Kennedy and CCllr A. Reid, Clerk Mr. T. Allen, Assistant Clerk Mrs. C. Goossens.

Public In Attendance:           PCSO Karen Juniper and two colleagues,

Mrs. C. Flittner (to observe the meeting)

A.         Public Session:-  

Mrs P Kennedy voiced her concern in relation to the state of the trees around Maresfield Recreation Ground.  The trunks of many of these trees are covered in creepers and the numerous dead branches are a danger to those passing beneath them should they fall.

ACTION:  Cllr Hardy to investigate.

Mrs P Kennedy stated that the climbing apparatus in the Parklands Play Area is a serious problem for some Forest Park Residents. Mrs Kennedy said that Wealden District Council leased this land to the Parish Council, together with permitted development rights on that land; however, she didn’t feel the Parish Council had been vigilant enough in its consideration of the type of apparatus and the positioning of it within the play area.  Mrs Kennedy had met on-site with Ian Kay, Head of Development at Wealden District Council, and it was his opinion that the equipment could be lowered further into the ground or moved away from the proximity of the Forest Park properties and closer to the gate.  Cllr P Tester said that the apparatus and the screening of it is currently under review by the Parklands Play Area Sub-Committee (PPASC) which includes Forest Park residents.  Mrs  Kennedy asked the Parish Council to consult further with the residents of Forest Park and Cllr P Tester agreed that the matter would be addressed by the relevant committee.  ACTION:  Clerk to refer Mrs Kennedy’s concerns to the PPASC.

B.        The role of the Police Community Support Officers:-

PCSO Karen Juniper ran through her responsibilities as the PCSO for the Maresfield Parish and highlighted the following:

• High visibility foot patrol therefore giving people the opportunity to approach an officer and discuss matters which otherwise may have gone unreported.
• Dealing with lower level crime situations which occur e.g. troublesome youths.
• Provision of a link between the community and the rest of the Police Force.
• Dealing with matters such as: - criminal damage, graffiti, littering, cycling on footpaths, dogs fouling footpaths and under-age drinking.
• Working in conjunction with School’s Liaison Officers to teach younger children about the role and approachability of Police Officers.

In response to questions from Councillors, PSCO Juniper made the following points:-

• She has responsibility for Fletching, Maresfield, Nutley, Buxted and Fairwarp. 
• That “communication” was an area currently under development and that regular contact with the Parish Office is essential.
• Traffic issues are an area of serious concern to her, in fact she is currently in consultation with East Sussex County Council with reference to the crossing outside Nutley School.
• Should anyone wish to contact PSCO Juniper, her voicemail number is  19463, reached via 0845 6070999.
• It would be useful if she could have contact information to enable her to talk with the relevant bodies concerning ‘live’ issues, e.g. recent spate of petty crime in Maresfield Village.  ACTION:  Clerk to provide PSCO Juniper with the appropriate Neighbourhood Watch contact information. ACTION:  Clerk to provide PSCO Juniper with contact information for all groups, clubs and societies in the Parish.

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• She didn’t have specific information as to the intended total number PCSO’s planned for the region, although numbers are still increasing.
• Since her arrival last October, problems dealt with had predominantly been anti-social behaviour and petty crime. Crime figures are available on the internet for all to see.  Cllr Sparrow said specifically that they could be found on a system called CADDIE.ACTION:  Clerk to learn how to use CADDIE system.

Cllr Sparrow mentioned that Chief Inspector Rex Matthews has been looking at grant aided work and suggested that the Council may want to consider looking at traffic issues within the Parish and making an application in that regard.

The Police Officers left the meeting.

                                                            Council Meeting 

1.                  Apologies for Absence were received from Cllrs King, Thomas, Weekes and DCllr Buck.   

2.                  Declarations of Interest – None.

3.                  Minutes:-

3.1      Minutes of the last meeting held on 15^th March 2005 were Adopted.

3.2      Matters Arising from the Minutes – None.

4.                  Reports by and questions to:-

4.1.    County Councillor:-

CCllr Reid made the following report:-

·         There are currently 44 councillors in ESCC and there will be 49 elected in the forthcoming election due to boundary changes, e.g. Fairwarp is no longer included in CCllr Reid’s ward.  He continued by saying that there has been some public confusion in regard to these boundary changes and that the press have been engaged with a view to rectifying this problem.

·         Post-election he stressed that funding would be a big issue and that spending will be tight.  The Government’s expected spend review will raise four key issues at local level: 
(i)   Property value and Council Tax review
(ii)  Local funding review
(iii) Proposed direct funding to schools (50% of ESCC budget allocated in this area)
(iv) County Councils required to plan three years ahead  including Council Tax levels
CCllr Reid continued by stressing that there will be 3 specific spending challenges:

(i)   The poor Government grant currently received by ESCC.
(ii)  The cost of caring for the elderly through the social services                                    which is currently increasing at a rapid rate (whereas the increase in Government funding has been less than 1% over the last three years).
(iii) Waste and the cost of its management.  There is no clear policy in this area.         Furthermore, there is a suggestion that in eighteen months time we will face           fines if we don’t deal with waste efficiently by using the new technologies     available.

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·         South East Plan – there will be local consultation in relation to District housing             numbers.

·         Community Fund – there is an allocation of £500,000 in place.  Applications can be made by Parish Councils for funding to assist with “Quality of Life” issues.  The criteria for applications will be available by June 2005 and the first awards are expected to be made in September 2005.  ACTION:  Council to put together Business Plan for grant application.

In response to questions, CCllr Reid made the following points:-

·         The costs of waste handling would be absorbed as part of the current 20 year contract but that incremental provision for future spending needs to be built into Council Tax charges.

·         He will  look into the matter of whether the double white lines at the lower end of School Hill, on the approach to Budletts Roundabout, could be removed as part of the current resurfacing work.

4.2 District Councillor:-

DCllr Mrs P Kennedy made the following report:-

·         Judicial Review re: Planning Process – The Cabinet is supported by members to progress an Appeal against the Courts decision on the Local Plan.  The Government’s QC has now also joined forces in this regard.  In the meantime, the Local Plan continues to progress.

·         On the 18^th April 2005, DCllr Mrs P Kennedy and other District and Parish Councillors, met with Mick Oldham and a representative from Persimmon homes and agreed an increase in the size of the retained green area in Maresfield, in relation to the proposed Park Farm development.  This decision will need to be verified by the WDC Planning Committee and DCllr Mrs P Kennedy urged Councillors to begin considering conditions to be applied to any future planning application.

5.          Council bodies actions, minutes and reports by, and questions to, Chairmen:-

5.1.   Business Park Development sub-committee:   Cllr P Tester stated that there was nothing to report while the waste site is under consideration.  Cllr Sparrow asked whether consultation had been maintained with local landowners in this regard.  ACTION:  Clerk to follow-up.

5.2.   Civil Protection:   Cllr Gutteridge stated there has been no meeting since 23^rd February and had nothing additional to report.  The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 27^th April 2005.

5.3.   Communications Team:  The Clerk reported that “Parish Matters” will be ready for collection from the printers on Friday 22^nd April.  He said that any assistance with regard to distribution of this document would be gratefully received.

 

DCllr Mrs P Kennedy left the meeting

Cllr Wallace reported that the website is up and running and requested the instigation of a formal process for putting news or pressing issues on the website.  Cllr Leaney asked whether this was covered by the Strategy Sub-Committee.  Cllr Sparrow agreed that it was.

Cllr Street said a review of the Communications team would be potentially beneficial.  It was agreed that this would be addressed at a later date.  Cllr Leaney said that he felt Councillors had insufficient time for the ever-increasing number of Sub-Committees.

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5.4.   Environment & Maintenance:   Cllr P Tester reported that he had received correspondence suggesting the repairs to Nether Lane had not been done properly and that there had been some damage to private property in the process.  He assured the Council that this was not the case.

5.5.   Finance and Administration:  

·         Financial Regulations – As a Quality Council and at the suggestion of the auditors, the Parish is required to update its existing Financial Matters document.  NALC have provided a model to which the F&A Committee have made the appropriate changes to ensure that it relates to the Maresfield Parish Council.  Cllr Street asked the Council to approve the document with some minor amendments.  Cllr Sparrow said he had every faith in the work of the F&A Sub-Committee, but felt that due to the important nature of this document, it should be taken away by all Councillors for consideration and ratified at the next Council meeting.  This was Agreed.  In the meantime the auditors will be presented with a draft of this document.  ACTION:  Cllrs to review Financial Regulations document.

·         Contract of Employment for Assistant Clerk – Cllr Street reported that NALC have provided a model contract which will be amended accordingly for the part-time role.  Regulations dictate that the contract must be finalised within six weeks of commencement of work by the Assistant Clerk.  Cllr Sparrow proposed that Cllr Street with the assistance of Cllr King is permitted to proceed with drawing up the contract.  This was Agreed.  It was also agreed that the Clerk’s contract will be looked at in due course, although there is no immediate urgency.  ACTION:  Cllrs Street and King to finalise Contracts of Employment for Clerk and Assistant Clerk.

·         Accounting Management Reports – Cllr Street reported that the Month 12 report is still in hand.  A meeting scheduled for Thursday 21^st April 2005 will deal with the closure of accounts for the financial year 2004/2005.  No major issues are expected to result from this meeting and finalisation of accounts.

·         WDC Consultation on Corporate Plan – Cllr Street proposed that the Chairmen of all Committees and all other Councillors should put together their responses to this document.  It was agreed that Cllr Street and the Clerk would pull together final responses in time for required submission by 28^th April 2005.
ACTION:  Clerk and Cllr Street to produce final response to WDC consult

5.6.                     Parklands Play Area Sub Committee:  Cllr Gutteridge said the PPASC members were fully aware of the issues/concerns of some residents on the East side of Forest Park, concerning the points raised by Mrs Kennedy in the public session.  Forest Park residents have been included in the work of the PPASC and decisions made, including the screening proposal agreed at the last meeting. The District Council Health and Safety expert has approved the screening proposal and there will be a review of the situation six weeks after installation.

5.7            Planning:

·         Park Farm - Cllr Ogden gave the Council an update further to his meeting with Mick Oldham on 18^th April 2005.  Yes, the green area will be extended but houses can’t just be added to compensate in an area not previously considered as part of the current local plan.  It was agreed that the matter will be referred to the Planning Committee at the next meeting on Monday 25^th April 2005.

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·         29 Parklands, Park Farm, Maresfield – Cllr Ogden stated that the WDC had made an error regarding the construction of a garage at this property.  The owners of the existing garages cannot park their cars as it obstructs the entrance to the new garage.  This has lead to neighbourhood arguments which in turn has resulted in police involvement.  Cllr Sparrow stated that upon original inspection, Councillors had expressed concern with regard to this application.

·         Onyx waste site – Cllr Gutteridge delivered a petition with 1200 signatures to ESCC and received excellent press coverage in the process.  CCllr A Reid added that he thought Maresfield Parish Council and the Conservation Group should be congratulated for its professional and dignified input with regard to the Onyx application.

·         Telecommunications masts -  CCllr A Reid enquired as to whether the Parish Council was involved in the appeals against telecom masts and whether it was familiar with Wealden’s strategy?  The Clerk stated that the Parish Council would be fully involved in any appeals relating to proposed installations in the Parish and that the Planning Committee are putting together a policy statement for mobile phone masts.  ACTION:  Planning Committee to look at possibility of county level policy response as part of the SE Plan.

5.8.   Policy Committee:  The Clerk stated that he is still awaiting feedback from SALC with regard to Councillors expenses and that some further work needed to be carried out in relation to the Freedom of Information Act and that a meeting of the Committee be called within the next few weeks.

5.9.   Strategy sub-committee:  Cllr Sparrow spoke of the EDEAL presentation at the last Strategy meeting to which a number of local business representatives were invited. 

ACTION:  Councillors to provide feedback with regard to business issues and ideas for development.

Cllr Sparrow proposed that Council endorse the approval of Stage 1 of website development.  This was seconded by Cllr Gutteridge and Agreed unanimously.

Cllr Sparrow encouraged all Councillors to attend the LSP “Making the Link” networking event on 13^th May 2005.  ACTION:  All to advise Clerk if attending.

Cllr Fry raised the question of previous discussions about inviting candidates from the three political main parties to a Q&A session and the fact that nothing had come of this.  The Chairman said that such a meeting is currently being advertised at Wych Cross.  Cllr Sparrow added that advice had been sought in this regard after the last Full Council meeting and that it would have been inappropriate for the PC to host such an event.

Mrs C Flittner left the meeting.

5.10          Traffic & Transport Committee: 

Maresfield By-Pass – Cllr Fry stated that he had met with Colin Clerk ESCC and has subsequently received a letter from him regarding the re-organisation of this road.  He acknowledges the sentiments of the Parish Council but informed Cllr Fry that the road markings will remain as they are until such a time as the road is re-surfaced and there is no current time frame for such works.

Public Transport – Cllr Fry is meeting Matthew Lock ESCC on 10^th May 2005 to discuss this issue.  Cllr Sparrow said that he would also be interested in attending the meeting.

CCllr Reid left the meeting

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6.         Outside bodies and Reports:

6.1.   Fords Green Management Committee:   Cllr R. Tester reported that the recent Bingo Night had raised £450 for the Pavillion fund.

The mower has now been serviced & wood chips have been placed in the play area.

6.2.   Maresfield Conservation Group:   Cllr Gutteridge said that there hadn’t been a meeting since last Council and that the next meeting would take place next week when the key issues for discussion would be the waste site and Park Farm.

There will be an art exhibition and sale on 30^th April 2005.  Quotes are currently being sought for gates to mark the village boundaries, similar to those in Lindfield.

6.3.   Maresfield Recreation Ground Committee:  Cllr R. Tester said that he remained dissatisfied with the replanting of the hedge.  It will be looked at this winter and any dead sections will be replaced.  The Chairman noted that in the shorter term the hedge also needed filling in.  Cllr Hardy has also raised the issue with John Mason.

Cllr P Tester asked whether repairs for the roadside and playground fence were in the Parish Council budget (as per the minutes of the MRG meeting on 10^th January 2005).  Cllr Street confirmed that these items are in the budget for the new financial year.

Cllr Ogden mentioned the issue of commercial vehicles parking in MRG over-night.  The barrier which is the responsibility of MRG is once again broken.

6.4.   Wealden District Association of Local Councils:  Members referred to paper circulated with Agenda, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

6.5.   Action in Rural Sussex:  Members referred to paper circulated with Agenda, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

6.6.   Local Strategic Partnership:  Members referred to paper circulated with Agenda, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.  The LSP now offers grants to Parishes for the implementation of Parish Plans.  ACTION:  Clerk & Cllr Sparrow to follow-up.

6.7.  Sussex Association for Local Councils:  Members referred to paper circulated with Agenda, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

7.         Clerk’s Report:  The Clerk highlighted the forthcoming Forest Area Community Networking Event on 26^th April 2005.  ACTION:  Cllrs to inform Clerk if interested in attending.

8.         Payments to be made:   The list of payments to be made, as previously circulated, was Approved.  

9.         Annual Assembly:  The Clerk reported that this event will take place on Friday 20^th May 2005 at the Nutley Memorial Hall, with the theme of “Quality Council”, and that he is awaiting feedback from SALC, DEFRA and the Countryside Agency with regard to invited guest speakers and display materials.  Furthermore, Cllr Sparrow has suggested the use of

8 boards – one for each of the LSP themes, attendees are then invited to add their comments to each of these on post-it notes.  ACTION:  Clerk to work with Cllr Sparrow to advance this project.

ACTION:  Forward of the Parish Annual Report to be written by Chairman of Maresfield Parish Council.

ACTION:  Parish Annual Report to be available in advance on the MPC website and in hard copy.

ACTION:  Committee and Sub-Committee Chairmen to provide input  for the Parish Annual Report by early May.

ACTION:  Clerk to request assistance of Women’s Institute for catering.

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10.       AIRS – Crowborough Healthcheck and Action Plan: The Clerk reported that a  response is due by Friday 22^nd April.  ACTION:  Cllrs Street and Sparrow to work in conjunction with the Clerk to formulate a response.

11.       Safer Wealden Partnership/Sussex Police Authority public meeting in Hailsham on 26^th April 2005:  Cllr Fry will be in attendance.

12.       Freedom of information Act – request for information by Nutley Conservation Group:  The Clerk gave a brief description of the history of this issue.  Cllr Fry stated that he felt that the handwriting might be recognisable even with the removal of names and addresses from the documents.  It was agreed that the forms would need to be transcribed if the Nutley Conservation Group still want the information and that any costs incurred will be charged to them.  ACTION:  Clerk to write to Mr Compson of NCG to see if they still wish to proceed.

13.       Date of next meeting including AGM:-   17^th May 2005 (Maresfield).    

There being no further business, the meeting finished at 21.50.

Signed………………………..Chairman  

                                                              Date………………………….