Minutes of the Maresfield Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 16^th February 2010

at 7.30pm in Nutley War Memorial Hall.

Present:       Cllr K Ogden (Chairman), Cllr D Barlow, Cllr J Gutteridge, Cllr P Harris, Cllr R Galley,

Cllr C Stevenson, Cllr D Finch, Cllr Mrs. P Palmer, CCllr A Reid, CCllr F Whetstone, Clerk T Allen,

Asst. Clerk J Bradford.

A.   Public Session – In attendance Mrs. Clarke, to observe the meeting regarding Planning Application WD/2010/0038/F, Fairwarp Farmhouse, Fairwarp.

(The Chairman closed the public session and opened the meeting).

It was resolved to review and make recommendation on planning application WD/2010/0038/F, Fairwarp Farmhouse, Fairwarp, during this Full Meeting of Council, as Cllr Clarke’s prejudicial interest in this application meant that the Planning Committee was non quorate at its meeting held on the 15^th February 2010 and thus unable to take a vote at that time.  It was also felt that a site visit would be beneficial to the decision making process and this was carried out by Cllr Ogden and Cllr Harris on the morning of16^th February 2010.

1694.    To approve apologies for absence and to note other non-attendance – Cllr King,

Cllr Clarke, Cllr Mrs. Brady, Cllr Handley, Cllr Street, Cllr Mrs. Taylor and DCllr Mrs. Martin, DCllr Buck and DCllr Hoy.

1695.   Declarations of Interests – None.

It was resolved to consider Planning Application WD/2010/0038/F, Fairwarp Farmhouse, Fairwarp, at this point in the meeting.

Cllr Ogden and Cllr Harris reported on their site visit and after discussion it was resolved to recommend refusal to this planning application due to over development of the site.  It was noted that the proposed extension by reason of its mass, bulk and siting adjacent to the neighbouring property is likely to have an overbearing and oppressive effect on the neighbours and is likely to cause loss of light and amenity.

(Mrs. Clarke left the meeting).

1696.   Minutes of the previous meeting held on 19^th January 2010:-

1.    For adoption - It was resolved to adopt the minutes as a true record.

2.    Matters arising from these minutes – None.

1697.   Reports by and questions to:-

1. County Councillors – CCllr Reid covered the following areas:-

·                    Budget allocations and figures.

·                    The Council Tax figure has been set at an increase of 2.7%.

·                    It was noted that £9.5 million is to be spent over the next two to three years on highways improvements; £8.5 million on improving road standards and immediately £1 million on repairing potholes and damaged road surfaces.

·                    The land at Normans Pond, Maresfield, has been declared surplus by ESCC, and an agent is to be assigned in due course for selling this land. Discussions have been had with two residents of Queens Drive.

·                    Retirement of the Chief Executive.

CCllr Whetstone made note of the Ashdown Forest Liaison Groups meeting to be held on the 17^th February 2010 and the proposed topic of EU Habitats Regulations for discussion.

CCllr Whetstone referred to the Habitats Regulations policy and its application by WDC, expressing the view that it is a duty to conserve the Ashdown Forest and surrounding area.  Cllr Stevenson said DCllr Whetstone was confusing the issues of cumulative impact on the forest as an SPA/SAC from large scale development in the surrounding areas, and localised impact on the Forest from development within the Parish.

2.            District Councillors – DCllr Mrs. Martin’s circulated report was noted; covering the topics of Efficiencies and Budget Transformations and Recycling and Waste Minimisation.

a.                WDC Housing Needs Survey 2009 – DCllr Galley spoke at length on the outcome of the WDC Housing Survey 2009.  The following points were covered in discussion:-

·                    It was explained that the survey is not an indication of how many Affordable Houses are required to be built in the District, more a guide to the amount of households that are in need in the Wealden District.

·                    A wealth of information has been attained from the survey which reveals the make-up of households throughout the Wealden District.

·                    There is not currently a great demand for shared housing.

·                    Individual households in need are mostly handled by WDC supported private sector rental.

·                    The Strategic Housing Land Effective Assessment was noted, which is aimed to assess land availability for future development that has not been currently earmarked.

·                    The LDF is seen as an important feed for housing requirements in the future.  All guidance is set by local Government.

·                    EU Habitats Regulations state that no housing development should take place within 400 metres of the AONB and SSSI.  DCllr Galley noted that this is only a working hypothesis, and is a live and ongoing matter which WDC continues to work on with Natural England.

Cllr Stevenson stated that in the past it didn’t appear as if WDC had made any impact assessments on the Forest with respect to major local developments, unlike WSCC for example who had produced a thorough and detailed assessment document which included the proposed East Grinstead ring road.

Cllr Stevenson stated that Cllr King had asked WDC what their approach was with regard to carrying out cumulative impact on the Forest as per the EU Habitats Regulations, and WDC’s response was that they consulted Natural England on all applications.

However, Cllr King had asked Natural England if they had made assessments on the Grampian site , Park Farm and a couple of other real sites , but he also included one totally fictitious development , and Natural England said they had assessed them all

The Clerk also raised the current issues of “the real life need for Affordable Housing”.  The School Lane, Nutley site was acknowledged by WDC Officers as being an area suitable for affordable housing, which only now needs an Appropriate Assessment to be carried out by WDC.

Cllr Finch recognised the requirement of maintaining areas of land for agricultural purposes, and noted that this should be a consideration when land assessments are carried out.

1698.   Council bodies - To receive minutes and decisions, followed by reports from Chairmen and any questions:-
            1. Environment Committee - Cllr Mrs. Taylor’s Chairman’s report was noted.  The Clerk reported that the Environment Committee will be meeting on the 23^rd February 2010, and that there were no major issues to report.

            2. Finance & Administration Committee – The Clerk made note of the F&A Committee meeting held on the 8^th February 2010, the draft minutes of which were circulated to Councillors by email.

I.          Month 10 - 2009/10 Financial Reports - The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Cllr Handley and that there were no issues to raise, with expenditure on track.

II.         To appoint two additional bank signatories as reserves – The Clerk explained the background of requiring three signatories for all Parish Council payments, and proposed that it would be a positive step to appoint two reserve signatories, to allow for holiday/sickness cover.  It was resolved to appoint Cllr Stevenson and Cllr Gutteridge.

            3. Planning Committee - Cllr Harris made note of his Chairman’s report, and explained that the three weekly meeting cycles are working well, with an increasing number of planning applications being currently reviewed.

I.          Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th January 2010 – Received.

II.         Draft minutes of the meeting held on 25^th January 2010 – Noted.

            4. Strategy Committee – Cllr Barlow reported that the previous two Committee meetings had to be cancelled; due to bad weather conditions in January 2010 and being non quorate meeting in February 2010. 

The Clerk gave a summary of progress on the Committee’s ongoing actions, noting that these were also summarised in the last edition of the new ‘Your Parish Brief’ newsletter.

The Chairman queried the new speed camera equipment that has been placed in Nutley High Street, in front of the existing camera.  Cllr Stevenson explained that a new flash light is required by the SSRP due to a digital camera being installed at this location.  It was speculated that this is due to the high number of vehicles that are travelling through Nutley Village above the national speed limit.

Cllr Stevenson enquired as to the amount of Civil Emergency questionnaires that have been completed via the MPC web site.  It was noted that currently only four questionnaires had been completed in this format, but that this facility was being advertised to Parishioners in the March monthly Parish Magazines.

            5. Maresfield Recreation Ground Access Sub-Committee report – The Clerk noted that this case has been taken up with our solicitor Ms Helen Bell, in order to liaise with Mrs. Watts’s solicitor in the hope of finding a conclusion to the proposed Agreement. 

            6. Development of the Parish Office Working Party report – The Clerk noted that the new lease for the Parish Office is near to completion; electrical works being undertaken at the premises on the 17^th February 2010; and decorating and making good to follow.

            7. Parish Plan Development Working Party report – The summary notes of the meeting held on 2^nd February were noted.  It was noted that the Parish Plan questionnaires are currently being developed, with the next meeting to discuss these planned for early March 2010.

            8. Maresfield Village Development Working Party report – The Chairman made note of the report, explaining that around 150 people attended the public meetings that were held in Maresfield on the 5^th and 6^th February 2010.  It was noted that this proposal is a broad plan which aims for around two hundred new homes to be built in Maresfield Village, which it is hoped will offer some benefits to the local community e.g. traffic calming. The Clerk noted that the Working Party is set to meet soon to consider its thoughts and review feedback from the public consultations, following which it will meet with the developers again, and also engage with WDC. 

1699.   To receive a report from, and put questions to the Chairman – Cllr Galley made note of the Chairman’s report, and raised the issue of the Chairman’s response to the paper on Development Control, concerning parishes involvement in S106 agreements.  Cllr Galley noted that it had not previously been policy for parishes to be consulted in S106 matters affecting them, but that WDC is committed to full consultation with parishes to try to resolve these matters before a determination on applications is made.

1700.   To receive a report from, and put questions to the Clerk – The clerk’s report was noted.

1701.   To consider appointing additional Councillors onto Committees – The Chairman noted recent problems with low attendance at some meetings and therefore the difficulties in keeping Committee meetings quorate, as many Councillors have important work and private life commitments.  It was resolved that Cllr Mrs. Palmer would join both the Strategy Committee and the Environment Committee. 

1702.   Payments to be made - for approval - Payments amounting to £6761.00 were approved.

1703.   Communications – web site; ‘Your Parish Brief’; ‘The Parish Matters’; Parish mag’s – The Clerk gave an update on the second dry run of the ‘Your Parish Brief’ new electronic newsletter.  It was noted that it is hoped that the newsletter will be distributed fortnightly, hopefully with relevant information/news being driven by all Councillors.  The Clerk emphasised that this ‘dry run’ issue was very well received by many.  The Clerk thanked Cllr Stevenson for all his work in setting up the electronic Civil Emergency questionnaire on the web site.

1704.   Date of next meeting – 16^th March 2010 (Fairwarp).

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20.44.