MARESFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Maresfield Parish Council held at the War Memorial Hall, Nutley on Tuesday 15^th July 2008 at 7.30 pm

Present: Councillors K. Ogden (Chairman), D. Barlow, A. Clarke, D. Finch, H. Fry, J. Gutteridge,  P. Harris, W. King,  C. Stevenson, R. Street and V. Taylor

In attendance:  County Councillor F. Whetstone.

Clerk for the meeting: Mr D. Harris

Public Session: A parishioner, Mrs Alison Smith, of School Lane, Nutley interested in the work of the Parish Council and in particular matters concerning the Ashdown Forest was also in attendance.

1466.    Apologies:  Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillors: J. Handley and J. Penfold, County Councillor A. Reid and District Councillors R. Galley and S. Martin

1467.   Declarations of Interest:  Declarations of interest are recorded in respect of Councillors V. Taylor and K. Ogden on matters concerning the Maresfield Conservation Group.

1468.   Minutes:  Having been previously circulated the Minutes of the Meeting held on the 17^th June 2008 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising:

Attendance: It was stated by Councillor Street that Councillors Ogden  and King were not present at the 17^th June meeting and that the meeting had been chaired by Councillor Gutteridge – a check would be undertaken and the minutes amended as and if appropriate.

Minute 1457.2 paragraph 3: Councillor Stevenson advised that the first line should read as follows: Cllr Stevenson said that Mid Sussex District Council had commissioned impact assessments and that the third line should be deleted.

Minute 1458.3.1 Planning: Delete the last word ‘recently’ – insert ‘dramatically’.

Minute 1459.1 paragraph 2: ACTION: Councillor Stevenson to set up this independent website. Councillor Stevenson confirmed that he had completed this task using The Local Channel and passed it to the control of Fred Taylor.

Reports of County and District Councillors:

1469  County Councillor Whetstone reported that he had attended the Maresfield Waste Site planning meeting where concern had been expressed regarding the fencing of the Batts Bridge Road boundary – he would check to see if the fence was to remain and report to Mr Salter; the application had been approved.

He confirmed that the entrance to the Travellers’ site would be from the main road.  The question regarding higher bunding should be re-addressed by the MPC.

He further reported that County Council was to make a determined effort to sort out the Hasting Schools problem.  Three secondary schools in Hastings were to be federated and put into the hands of contractors to improve standards; after a period of three years two academies were to be established to replace them.  The lead sponsor was to be B.T., followed by Brighton University and the East Sussex County Council.

In answer to a question from Councillor Clarke, he advised that sponsorship monies would used for the administration of the academies independent of the L.E.A.

Heathland Restoration Zones had been set for 2008/2009; parish council involvement was encouraged.

Reporting on behalf of County Councillor Reid, Councillor King said that the provision of a speed camera at Nutley High Street was proceeding, that the ESCC was attempting to find sponsors for other A22 round-a-bouts (Blackdown has a sponsor) and it was hoped that Maresfield PC could be involved in a forthcoming Community Transport Study pilot scheme; possibly within six moths time.

County Councillor Whetstone noted that a local golf club had de facto maintained the round-about north of Crowborough, but that the ‘sponsor boards’ related to another organisation; he hoped that there was someone at County Hall keeping a record of who sponsored what!  Answering a question from Councillor Stevenson, he suggested that sponsor money should be used for the maintenance/upkeep of roads; he didn’t really know and would find out.

1469.1        The Chairman reported that District Councillor R. Galley was now a member of Wealden Cabinet holding the Planning Strategy and Housing Delivery portfolio.

Councillor Street noted that Central Government had stated its intent to legislate for bus passes to be used on community transport; Lewes DC already permitted this.

He asked that Wealden be asked to consider permitting passes to be used on Easylink and any future community service.

Councillor Fry asked if affordable housing had been discussed with Councillor Galley; the answer was affirmative.

1469.2        Anti-Social Behaviour:  Councillor King reported upon various acts of minor vandalism and bad behaviour in Nutley involving local youths; rowdyism in Clockhouse Lane, motorcycles being driven too fast, helmets not being worn etc; drug paraphernalia in a tent in a field off Clockhouse Lane; incidents at the church (graffiti) and vandalism; and theft at Bell Lane, all of which had been reported to the police; several of the miscreants were known to the police. 

No reports from the local PCSO had been received.

A new local PCSO had been appointed; the Council had not been officially informed although contact had been made with her. Councillor King would arrange with the PSCO for local reports to be made available to the Council.

Councillor Barlow expressed concern that 30 police officers from the area had been transferred elsewhere to the possible detriment of this area; should Crowborough and Uckfield be undermanned it would take longer to respond to emergencies.

1470.   Council Bodies – Minutes, decisions and reports of Chairmen and any questions:

1470.1        Environment: The draft minutes of the meeting held on the 24^th June 2008 were presented by Councillor D. Barlow and were adopted.

Referring to Minute 7.1members were advised that one quote for £450 plus material had been received, thus the £500 provision was likely to be exceeded; it was noted that, in the event of the total cost being greater than the allocation, the matter should have to be referred back.

1470.2        Finance & Administration

1470.2(i)     Month 3 - 2008/09 Financial Reports: Due to the absence of the Chairman it was agreed that any issues Councillors wished to raise be held over until the September meeting

1470.2(ii) Draft Minutes of 8th July 2008 meeting: Due to the absence of the Chairman it was agreed that any issues Councillors wished to raise be held over until the September meeting.

1470.2(iii) Unbudgeted Tree Works: There was much discussion concerning the request of the F & A Committee for urgent unbudgeted tree works at the Maresfield Recreation Ground upon receipt of three quotations. Councillor Street expressed concern that the original works have caused the present problem and, whilst a resolution was urgent, careful consideration had to be given as to how to proceed; it may well be that a claim could be made against the original contractor on the basis that the resultant work had unbalanced the trees which has lead to the present problem. It was agreed that advice be sought from an independent expert, preferably the Wealden District Council’s arboriculturist; Councillor Ogden would take appropriate action.

With regard to expenditure it was resolved nem con that the F & A Committee be authorised to spend up to £2500 on the works subject to the receipt of expert advice and quotations from three reputable contractors; being unbudgeted it was further resolved nem con that the following virements be effected:

£1000                   Traffic and Transport

£1000                   Parkland Street lighting

£500                     Youth Provision

1470.3        Planning: The draft minutes of the 30^th June 2008 meeting were presented by Councillor Stevenson with nothing to report; there were no questions.

1470.4        Strategy: Councillor Barlow advised that North Wealden Community Transport (NWCT) was to take responsibility for Easylink and that banking arrangements were currently being set up; the current balance stood at £5700 – Hartfield had dropped out which reduced income by £780 – there were expenses totalling £1200 to pay.

In a letter dated 10^th July the Crowborough TC had advised that it would provide a grant not exceeding £15,000, subject to matched funding coming from East Sussex County Council.  It was agreed that a copy of the letter advising of the resolution be forwarded to County Councillor Reid; the Clerk to the Meeting undertook to do this.

1470.5        Maresfield Recreation Ground Access Sub-Committee:  Councillor Taylor reported that the survey had been completed free of charge by C.J. Thorne and the map delivered.  It was agreed that a suitable letter of appreciation be sent to C.J. Thorne

1470.6        Development of the Parish Office Working Party:  It was reported that there had been no progress with the negotiations and it was the general view that the process should be placed on a more formal basis.  There were issues to be resolved with regard to Fire Risk Assessment and Health & Safety.  It was resolved that the precise position of the Council be set out in a letter to the Club Secretary and seek a response no later than the 31^st August.

1471.   Outside Body matters: Councillor Taylor reported that a large metal storage container had been sited on the Maresfield Recreation Ground without the permission of the Council and contrary to the lease.  It was resolved that Councillor Ogden and Councillor Taylor attend the next meeting of the MRGC. [Clerk’s Note:- Advised by Cllr Ogden that subsequently a letter was sent to the MRG and the Cricket Club drawing attention to the terms of the lease and requesting that the container be removed forthwith failing which further action will be considered}.

1472.   Chairman’s Report and Questions:  The Chairman was pleased to report that all parish fetes had taken place – thanks to all those who had organised them; Persimmon Homes had not attended a recent meeting regarding aspects of the proposed housing development in Maresfield and was not going forward with its planning application [Clerk’s note: Advised by Cllr Ogden that Persimmon Homes had subsequently withdrawn its planning application]; and the letter concerning the separation of Maresfield from the other parishes had been circulated to the residents of Maresfield; after one month an evaluation would be undertaken.

It was suggested by Councillor Fry that the letter stated that a reason for the split is that ward councillors work for their wards and that Maresfield ward has a minority; and that four of the Maresfield ward councillors had put their names to this letter, thereby confirming that statement – which indicated a breach of the Code of Conduct; he was assured it did not - the Chairman undertook to check the situation. In the event of Councillor Fry being correct as to the content of the letter, the Chairman suggested that an appropriate statement would be issued by the Maresfield Ward Members. The letter would be circulated to all Council members for information.

1473.  Clerk’s Report and Questions: There were none.

1474. Payments to be made:  The list of payments was approved nem con.

1475.   Communications: None required

1476.   Date of next meeting: Wednesday 16^th September 2008 at Fairwarp.

1477. Close of Meeting:  There being no further business to discuss the Chairman declared the meting closed at 9.05 pm