Minutes of the Maresfield Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 18^th July 2006

 in the Memorial Hall, Nutley

Present:         Cllr W King (Chairman), Cllr P Tester, Cllr K Ogden, Cllr C Stevenson, Cllr G Hardy, Cllr H Fry, Cllr R Tester, Cllr C Stephens, Cllr T Sparrow, CCllr T Reid, CCllr F Whetstone, Mr T Allen (Clerk),

Mrs C Goossens (Asst Clerk).

In Attendance: Mrs C Flittner, Mrs V Taylor.

 A.         Public Session

A.1       Co-option of Councillor to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Cllr Mrs Sandra Weekes .

The Chairman informed the meeting that Mr D Finch had withdrawn from the co-option process, and that Mrs V Taylor would be late to the meeting as she was returning form a long-standing appointment in London. It was agreed to postpone this Item until later in the meeting.

            A.2       Any other public matters – None.

1131.   To vote for the co-option of a new Councillor to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Cllr Mrs Sandra Weekes - It was agreed to postpone this Item until later in the meeting.

1132.   To approve apologies for absence and to note other non-attendance - Cllr M Cranfield,

Cllr J Gutteridge, Cllr R Street, Cllr S Leaney, DCllr Mrs S Martin, DCllr F Brown, DCllr J Hollins, DCllr N Buck. The Chairman informed the meeting that Cllr Leaney’s health situation may mean his retirement as a Councillor; position to be confirmed at the September 2006 Council meeting.

1133.   Declarations of interest – None.

1134.   Minutes:-

1.      Minutes of the previous Meeting (20^th June 2006) for adoption – These minutes were Adopted.

2.      Matters arising from those minutes – None.

Mrs V Taylor joined the meeting.

1135.   Reports by and questions to:-

1.      County Councillors – CCllr Reid reported on the following items:-

·         The Municipal Journal has awarded ESCC first place in their Effective Top Team Leadership Achievement for 2006

·         Sir Michael Lyons’ review  of the future of Local Government is looking positive with good engagement on all sides, economic development moving up the agenda and recognition of the need for business/wealth creation

·         It would be helpful for Parish Councils to alert ESCC Officers to potential development so as to maximise the Section 106 possibilities

·         Parish Councils and local groups must liaise with ESCC Officers when placing advertising signs for local events near the highway

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

·         CCllr Reid will look into the current working at the Millpond Depot, Maresfield, where heavy lorries are operating from 05:30 to 21:00

·         CCllr Reid will look into why ESCC Officers have not responded positively to the Parish Council’s requests over the last two years for the restriction of access to large vehicles through Fairwarp. It was noted that this route is being used to access the A26 with vehicles often getting stuck; recently part of a Parishioner's garden was destroyed by an articulated lorry reversing over it.

2.      District Councillors – No reports

 The Chairman closed the meeting and reverted to Public Session

A.         Public Session

A.1       Co-option of Councillor to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of

Cllr Mrs Sandra Weekes.

Mrs Flittner addressed the meeting and spoke about current issues affecting the Parish that are of interest to her, and answered questions on what actions she thought could be taken to progress them.

CCllr F Whetstone joined the meeting.

Mrs Taylor referred to her ‘CV’ that had been circulated with the meeting papers, referring to her long service in the public sector/health service, noting her main interests as health and carers, and answered questions on a local GP surgery in the Parish, Council’s financial accounts and use of the internet.

The Chairman closed the Public Session and re-opened the meeting.

1131.   To vote for the co-option of a new Councillor to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Cllr Mrs Sandra Weekes – A paper ballot was requested by Councillors. By a majority vote, Mrs Val Taylor was co-opted onto the Council.

Mrs V Taylor left the meeting.

The meeting reverted to Item 1135,1:-

1135.   Reports by and questions to:-

1. County Councillors – CCllr Whetstone referred to the issue of restricting access to heavy vehicles through Fairwarp, stating that the best approach for the Parish Council is to present a petition to the next meeting of ESCC on 25^th July 2006, as this method of approach had, in the past, proved a good means of getting an issue out into the open.

The Chairman noted his disappointment that ESCC Officers had failed to grasp this issue, particularly as it was being submitted by one Authority to another. CCllr Whetstone stated that he had referred the matter to Ian Johnson, Traffic Manager, ESCC. ACTION: Cllr P Tester, the Clerk and the Assistant Clerk to organise a petition to be presented at the meeting of ESCC on 25^th July 2006.

CCllr Whetstone informed the meeting that the current dog walking restrictions on the Ashdown Forest, where dogs must be kept on leads until 31^st July 2006, were based on the Countryside & Rights of Way Act (CROW), and not simply an initiative by the Conservators.

CCllr Reid stated that he was pleased to announce that ESCC had been successful in its bid to get the Travellers site at Maresfield refurbished, noting that there are two types of Travellers sites; semi-permanent and transitory.  The Chairman questioned the wisdom of ESCC spending £255,000 to refurbish this site, in view of the plans for a waste transfer site and public utility on the adjacent grounds; surely it would be better to re-house the Travellers? CCllr Reid stated that these concerns had been considered, noting that the East Sussex Fire & Rescue facility also exists at the site.

1136.   Council bodies:  Actions, minutes and reports by, and questions to, Chairmen:-

1.                  Environment – Cllr Ogden stated that the Committee next meets on 26^th July 2006, noting that the environmental impact on the Parish from the forthcoming developments at the Grampian site and at Temple Grove School will need to be watched closely.

The Clerk reported that the recent Annual Inspection of play areas had revealed three Category A faults that needed urgent attention:-

1.      The large slide at Fords Green, Nutley, has loose steps, head and torso traps, and is generally in a poor state of repair.

2.      The swings at Fords Green, Nutley, are at the wrong height and need new bushes etc., the parts for which are in the Parish Office.

3.      At the Maresfield Recreation Ground there are protruding bolts from the new fencing which need to be made safe.

It was agreed that the resolution[W L K2]  of these faults should be detailed at the Committee’s meeting on 26^th July 2006.

                                                                    I.      Parklands Play Area – Cllr P Tester reported that the Working Group, set up at the last meeting of Council, had met to discuss the new issues presented by the New Parklands Residents Association (NPRA), and is awaiting NPRA to agree a meeting date.

2.                  Finance & Administration.

                                                                    I.      Month 3 Financial Reports – In the absence of Cllr Street, Cllr Sparrow stated that the Month 3 accounts had been reviewed at the last meeting of the Finance & Administration Committee, held on the 11^th July 2006, noting that overall expenditure is on target, and that the accounts for 2005/06 had been sent for External Audit.

                                                                  II.      Maresfield Recreation Ground access – The Clerk reported that a date was still awaited from Mr Watts’s solicitors for the planned ‘without prejudice’ meeting. It was agreed that the Parish Council should be represented by the Chairman, Cllr Street and the Clerk.

3.                  Planning – Cllr Stevenson stated that the proposed development at the Grampian site will affect Maresfield Parish, and that Cllr Ogden is leading on these issues and keeping a watching brief on developments.

Cllr Stevenson stated that the recent application by O2 to upgrade their mast in Maresfield to 3G posed a number of questions as to the need and suitability of this site, and to the location of related sites. There was a general discussion regarding technical issues.

4.                  Policy – The Clerk confirmed that he was not aware of any pressing items for referral to this Committee.

Mrs Flittner left the meeting.

5.                  Strategy – Cllr Sparrow gave the following report:-

·         Primary Care Trust (PCT) consultations were taking place regarding services provided to the public and what facilities are needed.

·         Liaison is taking place with Sussex Police concerning traffic issues.

·         The PCT was generally in favour of placing a GP surgery branch in the Parish. The Ashdown Forest Health Centre had shown no interest in servicing this, but The Meads (Uckfield) and the Buxted surgery are interested in taking the matter further.

·         The possibility of siting a portacabin on the ESCC land next to the Social Club in Nutley is being considered as a means of setting up a youth facility.

·         Cllr Ogden is leading on the development of the Council’s affordable housing policy.

·         Parishioners' comments from the village fetes will be passed on to the Committee.

·         The North Wealden Community Transport Partnership is to be set up with the aid of the Community Grant from WDC. An additional grant from ‘Awards ForAll’ has been applied for. 

·         The Committee had agreed to select one issue for each Village concerning road safety improvements:-

1.      Nutley – Speeding on the A22.

2.      Maresfield – ‘Rat running’ at School Hill, Underhill, Millwood Lane and Nursery Lane

3.      Fairwarp – Speeding on the B2026

A discussion took place concerning the pedestrian crossings in Nutley, noting that it took three months for ESCC Officers to respond to Cllr Sparrow’s and the Clerk’s separate emails requesting additional safety measures. Cllr Sparrow stated that he will be chasing ESCC Officers hard to get these improvements on the A22, noting that a lack of ESCC budget should not be a reason for not responding ( the enquiry had specifically asked for advice to be irrespective of funding), and that it appeared that the Police had not been consulted on the matter.

The Chairman stated that in addition to issues of road safety, the poor performance of ESCC Officers (ie in failure to reply, then sending an inadequate reply) was also an issue as the Parish Council expects a much higher performance from them. CCllr Reid noted that ESCC Officers are taking this seriously, but that currently there are staffing issues in the Highways Dept; however he will chase the matter up.

                                                                    I.      To agree that the Parish Council supports Mr D Finch in assessing local demand for a Parish wide bulk-buying energy syndicate – Cllr Sparrow stated that Council’s support would be to assist in putting Mr Finch’s proposal to Parishioners, and would not involve the administration or running of this scheme. On this basis it was agreed to support Mr Finch in this matter.

                                  II.      Local Development Framework – To authorise the Chairman plus one Councillor from each Village to finalise Council’s input to WDC – this was agreed. The Chairman stated that the Council’s LDF papers for each village had been ready for some time, and that the input from the Maresfield Conservation Group was awaited, following which he hoped that the final versions would be ready within the next two months. The Chairman’s response to WDC concerning its Draft Statement of Community Involvement was approved.

1137.   Outside bodies’ reports.

1.      SALC – 2006 Questionnaire – ACTION: Clerk to complete, with assistance from Cllr Sparrow if required.

Cllr Sparrow gave the following reports:-

·         Cllr Street will attend the next meeting of the Wealden District Association of Local Councils, noting that Councils will have to decide how useful WDALC is, or whether clustering would prove more effective.

·         The Local Strategic Partnership is moving its work to align with the WDC Local Development Framework process

1138.   Chairman’s Report – followed by questions to Chairman – Under Item 4, it was noted that Mrs Renee Fry was also at the Fairwarp Fete, and had been a great help at all of the village fetes for which many thanks were due.

The Chairman stated that on Sunday 23^rd July the Maresfield Cricket Club will be celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the playing of cricket in Maresfield with a match and a special tea. It was agreed that the Chairman should write a letter of congratulation to the MCC.

1139.   Clerk's Report – followed by questions to Clerk – The Clerk stated that, in relation to the Council’s submission for Quality Status, Trevor Leggo, Chief Executive of the Sussex Association of Local Councils would be conducting an informal assessment of the Council’s portfolio on the 25^th July 2006.

1140.   Payments to be made: for approval – Regarding the payment to Wilson Builders, the Clerk stated that the Environment & Maintenance Committee had considered replacing the damaged panels in this bus stop with stronger material as a long-term cost effective solution, but decided not to as Zurich Insurance informed us that it would only reimburse us for the like-for-like costs, a difference of around £700 including a £100.00 excess. However due to a misunderstanding, the Council’s contractor , Wilson Builders, had in fact replaced the damaged panels with the stronger material after all. In good faith the Finance & Administration Committee had agreed to pay Wilson Builders the full amount, noting that the stronger panels should hopefully prove cost effective in the long-term.

CCllrs Reid & Whetstone left the meeting.

It was noted that the amount of the payment to the Inland Revenue was missing from the payments schedule. The Clerk stated this amount as £1077.39, and that the schedule would be corrected. The payments were approved.

1141.   Village Fetes – review of the effectiveness of the Council’s display/consultation – It was noted that the Council’s display at all of the village fetes had been very good, and an improvement on the previous year. The Clerk and Assistant Clerk were thanked for their hard work on this.

It was noted that further improvements were still possible and that more time should be taken in preparation for next year’s events and with greater Councillor involvement.

Cllr Fry noted that Mr David Finch was retiring as Chairman of the Nutley Fete Committee and suggested that the Council could assist in seeking a replacement, to ensure the future of this event.

Cllr P Tester stated that there was a strong Fete Committee in place and that he is confident that this fete will carry on.

1142.   WDC – Parish Liaison and access to secure online area on the WDC web site – The Clerk stated that access to a secure area on the WDC web site could prove useful – this was agreed.

It was agreed that the proposal by WDC to use clustering as part of its LDF and other liaison with Parishes should be rejected, noting that clustering was only useful when operated for a specific purpose, on an ad-hoc basis, with the member Parishes varying accordingly, and that the employment by WDC of Cluster Co-ordinators seemed a waste of resources.

1143.   Communications.

1.      Summer edition of The Parish Matters – The Assistant Clerk noted that the publication schedule had been circulated with the meeting papers, and that outstanding articles were now required.

2.      Other communication matters – The Chairman stated that the Clerk had been interviewed by the BBC as part of a special feature on the Ashdown Forest for its Countryfile programme to be aired on Sunday 23^rd July.

1144.   Date of next meeting, 19^th September 2006 (Fairwarp).

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21:35