| Minutes Jan 09
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| Minutes Jan 09
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At this level              beneath this item |
Minutes of the Maresfield Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 20th January 2009 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Nutley
Present: Councillors Ogden (Chairman), Barlow, Clarke, Finch, Fry, Galley, Gutteridge, Handley, Harris, King, Street, Stevenson and Mrs Taylor. Also in attendance: County Councillors Reid and Whetstone, District Councillor Mrs Martin, PCSO Pilston, P Hewes (locum Clerk) and one member of the public. A. Public Session Request for information on replacement of the burnt out bus shelter. Resident was advised that the contractor selected for the work had withdrawn; matter is being dealt with by the insurance company. PCSO Pilston advised that he has recently taken over responsibility for Maresfield Parish and will soon be trained to use a traffic speed gun. Recent reported incidents include 3 burglaries from isolated dwellings in Nutley and a number of deer related road traffic accidents. PCSO Pilston can be contacted for non emergency items on 0845 6070999 ext 26443 or jim.pilston@sussex.pnn.police.uk. 1531. To approve apologies for absence and to note other non-attendance Apology received from the Clerk. 1532. Declarations of Interests Cllr Street declared an interest in item 1542 as his wife is bookings manager for Fairwarp Village Hall. 1533. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 16th December 2008 1. For adoption Resolved to adopt the Minutes of meeting 16.12.08.
2. Matters arising from these minutes Wealden District Council (WDC) has advised that councillor vacancy for Maresfield Ward can be filled by co-option.
1534. Reports by and questions to: 1. County Councillors Cllr. Reid gave the following report: · Finance - Proposed council tax rise of 3.5% for East Sussex County Council (ESCC). - Reduction in credit interest rates will affect income. - Additional costs may be incurred in child protection services following the case of ‘Baby P’. - Increase in demand for advice/support due to current economic situation. - Medium term budget being reviewed. Government grants may reduce further. · Political groups working on manifestos for elections 4.06.09 · The change of access at the waste site in Maresfield has been resolved and ground work on the roundabout is scheduled to start mid-February. Drainage work is subject to planning permission. Cllr. Whetstone advised that an improvement in Adult Social Services had been noted at a recent inspection. 2. District Councillors Cllr. Mrs Martin gave the following report: · Finance - Proposed council tax rise of 3.9% for WDC. - Wealden is to receive the lowest Government grant for East Sussex at £54.80 per head of population. - Current economic climate will impact pension fund performance and credit interest on reserves. Business failures may reduce income from commercial waste charges. - Reduction in price of selling recyclable materials; provision to be made to store until markets return. · An increase has been noted in council tenant rent arrears and applications for benefit payments and housing. Affordable housing delivery is below target. A community ‘Come and Meet Us’ event is scheduled for 21.03.09 and sponsored by Charles Hendry MP. Cllrs. did not consider it was appropriate for Maresfield Parish Council to attend this event, which might be perceived by the public as political. Cllr. Galley reported on the progress of the Local Development Framework; the next public consultation is due at the end of May. Cllr. Galley is setting up a personal petition for the community to try and influence the number of new dwellings to be built. Question on the proposed high level of expenditure on IT equipment to be referred to WDC. Cllr. Ogden advised that the value of the land at the Lawson site had reduced. A burst water pipe had resulted in a flood at the WDC Hailsham site. 25 homes have been brought into the rental housing stock from the private sector. 1535. Council bodies - To receive minutes and decisions, followed by reports from Chairmen and any questions. 1. Environment I. Adoption of new ESCC Street Lighting Maintenance Contract Standard ESCC contract received for signature by 31.01.09 for commencement of Agreement 1.04.09. Concern at discrepancy between annual price review 1st April and clause 4 requiring 6 months notice to terminate contract. Resolved to sign the Street Lighting Agreement with East Sussex County Council subject to clarification on termination clause and price increase review. Clerk and Cllr. Barlow to action.
2. Finance & Administration I. Month 9 – 2008/09 Financial Reports Reviewed and noted.
II. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 9th December 2008 Reviewed and noted.
3. Planning I. Minutes of the meeting held on 1st December 2008 Received.
II. Minutes of meeting held 15th December 2008 Received.
III. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 5th January 2009 Review and Noted. No information on request for a comparison of parish recommendations/WDC decisions (1521.3); it was considered that the Parish Council should focus on important planning issues affecting the parish, for example, telecom masts. It was noted that council minutes are not made available to the public until adopted. 4. Strategy I. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 8th December 2008 Review and noted. It was suggested that a meeting be held of community groups to review existing community space and consider possible options for the future. Ground work for the speed camera is scheduled to commence at the end of January.
5. Maresfield Recreation Ground Access Sub-Committee Contact has been made with the insurance company concerning an indemnity clause for the access track; further report to be made at the next meeting.
6. Maresfield Recreation Ground Improvement Working Party A working party has been established and will meet 7.02.09.
7. Working Party on development of the Parish Office Nutley Social Club Ltd (NSC) has agreed in principle to developing the Parish Office. Progress may be delayed due to the resignation of the NSC Chairman.
1536. Outside bodies matters None.
1537. Community Governance Review for Maresfield Parish Heather Blanshard, WDC has yet to take advice from Electoral Reform Services on the format of questions for the forthcoming ballot. It was resolved to formally request that the three villages within Maresfield Parish be given the opportunity in the ballot of becoming separate councils. Clerk to action.
1538. Communities and Local Government – Consultation on Code of recommended practice on local authority publicity Document is more appropriate to principal authorities and covers publicity campaigns, political issues and cost effectiveness. No comment to be made.
1539. ESCC – Consultation on Draft Cycling Strategy Noted.
1540. Chairman’s Report followed by questions to Chairman In order to enhance the visual appearance of the parish it was suggested that councillors take responsibility for designated areas within their ward and monitor highways and other issues; possibly with the appointment of a Ward Chairman.
1541. Clerk’s Report followed by questions to Clerk Report reviewed and noted.
1542. Payments to be made: for approval It was resolved to approve payments amounting to £5259.34.
1543. Communications:- 1. ‘The Parish Matters’ Winter 2008 edition Newsletter has been produced and will be proof read prior to publication.
1544. Urgent tree works required at Maresfield Recreation Ground Report of a site meeting with ESCC; advice received that top 30% of trees should be removed and investigation required on possible creatures/bats. Contractors need £10m public liability insurance. It was agreed that a revised tender document be drawn up and contractors asked to resubmit a tender. Clerk to action.
1545. Date of next meeting – 17th February 2009 (Fairwarp)
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.12pm |
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