Minutes of the Maresfield Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 17^th June 2008

 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Maresfield

Present:        Cllr K Ogden (Chairman), Cllr W King, Cllr D Barlow, Cllr Mrs V Taylor,

Cllr J Handley, Cllr D Finch, Cllr P Harris, Cllr C Stevenson, Cllr Mrs J Penfold,

DCllr Mrs S Martin, CCllr F Whetstone, Clerk T Allen and Minutes Secretary Julie Best.

A.        Public Session – none.

1454.   To approve apologies for absence and to note other non-attendance – Cllr R Galley,

Cllr H Fry, Cllr R Street, Cllr J Gutteridge, Cllr A Clarke, CCllr A Reid, DCllr N Buck, DCllr M Hoy.

1455.   Declarations of Interests – None.

1456.   Minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th May 2008:-

1.    For adoption – It was resolved that the minutes should be adopted.

2.    Matters arising from these minutes – None.

1457.   Reports by and questions to:-

1.            County Councillors – CCllr Whetstone encouraged the Parish Council to participate in the new Forest Liaison Panel that is definitely being established.  CCllr Whetstone also spoke about new proposals for ‘open’ schools; schools will be open from 8 am to 6 pm to allow for after school clubs and breakfast clubs; concerns are getting people to run/supervise the extra time and wear and tear on the school building.

2.            District Councillors – DCllr Martin also encouraged the Parish Council to participate in the new Forest Liaison Panel, and spoke about the history, geography management and use of the Forest.

Cllr King raised concerns regarding the lack of WDC, ESCC and Conservators involvement in the application Habitat Regulations; his concerns centre around planning approval for developments i.e. the waste site, Grampian housing and Park Farm housing in this area and not having appropriate assessments carried out on the impact on the Ashdown Forest.

Cllr Ogden stated that Wealden DC Planning Department does look at the local habitat of the site but not the overall surrounding area; he is awaiting an answer from Wealden DC on the impact to the Forest situation. 

Cllr Stevenson said that West Sussex County Council are carrying out these impact assessments in particular re. the East Grinstead Area Action Plan and effect of proposed relief road options; the results were that the relief road would have an adverse affect on the Ashdown Forest. 

Cllr Whetstone stated that ESCC carries out its legal duty to look after what happens within the Forest in liaison with English Nature, and expects WDC as the Planning Authority to assess the impact from developments.

Cllr Mrs Penfold raised the question of culling deer and why this is not being addressed.  DCllr Martin stated that this is a difficult process as it has to be carried out at night and to strict regulations.  CCllr Whetstone said individual farmers are allowed to shoot wild animals on their own land, and that deer are wild animals and not the property of the Forest but are good for the Forest for grazing; deer numbers could be balanced out naturally.

Cllr Stevenson asked about the ‘close shepherding project’ on the Ashdown Forest.  DCllr Martin stated that this is seen as a good project, particularly for children’s education and that there are discussions taking place with the aim of increasing the number of Hebridean sheep from the current flock of 50.  

1458. Council bodies - To receive minutes and decisions, followed by reports from Chairmen and any questions:-
      1. Environment – Cllr Barlow reported that the play area on Fords Green had to be closed recently due to vandalism resulting in broken glass being spread over the site; the Clerk has now cleared as much of the glass as possible and following an inspection the site is now ready to be opened again.

Cllr Barlow stated that due to difficulties finding craftsmen no progress has been made on the repair of the springer horses at Fords Green play area, and that problems with hedges etc. overlapping paths and obscuring road signs are being investigated. 

It was noted that lead and oil have been stolen from some Church and village hall premises in Nutley and Danehill.

            2. Finance & Administration:-

                        I.          Approval of 2007/08 Annual Return of accounts – It was resolved to approve the accounts and annual government statement comprising the 2007/08 Annual Return.

II.            Month 2 – 2008/09 Financial Reports – Cllr Handley stated that there were no issues to report at this early stage in the financial year, noting that minus figures indicate accruals.

                        III.        Authority is sought for the virement of budgeted funds for conducting a

            survey of the Maresfield Recreation Ground boundary – It was resolved to utilise the budget heading 4065 ’Legal Fees’ for the survey.

                        IV.        Draft minutes of the meeting held on 10th June 2008 – Noted.

            3. Planning:-

                        I.          Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th May 2008 – Noted. Cllr Stevenson noted that Maresfield Village is affected by large developments, but that at present developers are not building and their share prices have been falling recently.

                        II.         Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd June 2008 – Noted.

            4. Strategy:-

                        I.          Draft minutes of the meeting held on 27th May 2008 – The Clerk reported that these minutes are an accurate reflection of the current work of this Committee.

                        II.         EasyLink Agreement with NWCTP – It was noted that Cllr King had asked for an amendment to the first draft of this Agreement, to ensure that the Operators could not automatically increase charges to partner Councils as a result of increased operating costs.

A meeting of the EasyLink/NWCTP Forum is taking place on 25 June 2008

It was resolved that the Chairman is authorised to sign this agreement subject to only minor amendments to this version before Council.

            5. Maresfield Recreation Ground Access Sub-Committee – Cllr Mrs Taylor reported that a meeting with the surveyor will go ahead on Monday 23rd June 2008 to pinpoint the exact boundary; a quote of £400 - £450 having been received for this work.

6. Working Party on development of the Parish Office – Cllr Finch reported that the Treasurer of the Social Club has been unwell and until her return progress cannot be made

1459.   Outside bodies matters:-

            1. Forest Conservators – establishment of a Parishes Liaison Committee – It was resolved that Cllr Street and Cllr Mrs Penfold should represent Council on this Committee.

Cllr Mrs Taylor reported on the Maresfield Renaissance Group and the difficulty of making the work of the Group more transparent to all parishioners, suggesting that its minutes could be put on the Parish Council’s website.  Cllr Stevenson suggested using a free website with a link to it from Parish Council’s website, to overcome the issue of the Council being seen to endorse the project at this stage.  ACTION: Cllr Stevenson to set up this independent web site.

The Clerk reported that the AGM of the Nutley War Memorial Trust will take place on 10 July 2008 at 7.30 p.m. to which Nutley Councillors are invited to attend. The Chairman and Cllr King indicated that they would be attending.

1460.    Consideration of changes to the structure of Council – The Clerk referred to his report contained in the meeting papers, noting that this item had been deferred from the last meeting of Council

The observations in the Clerk’s paper were discussed and the background to the consideration of this matter by Council was reiterated.

       Cllr Mrs Taylor reported that she understood that the private petition from a group in Maresfield Village was proceeding, and subject to agreement by WDC, all parishioners will be surveyed.

Cllr Finch proposed that Council’s consideration of this matter is suspended pending the outcome of this private initiative; this was seconded by Cllr Mrs Taylor and resolved by majority.

1461.            Chairman’s Report followed by questions to Chairman – Cllr Ogden reported on the recent WDC Housing Summit which he attended with Cllr King. Cllr Ogden summarised the two main subjects discussed at this Summit, which were the need for Travellers sites and Government policy and lack of building by developers.

Cllr Ogden noted that Cllr Mrs Taylor and Cllr Gutteridge have had a meeting at the Waste Site with Mr. Patterson, ESCC, and Veolia Waste Management to discuss the cutting down of trees at this site and the need for screening to obscure the Travellers site. CCllr Whetstone stated that he will report on this matter to CCllr Reid. It was noted that the footpath/pavement provision from the Travellers site into Maresfield Village is unsatisfactory and currently this route is very dangerous.

Cllr Ogden stated that he will raise the issue of the removal of rubbish that has collected next to the Travellers site at his forthcoming meeting with Veolia Waste Management.

1462.        Clerk’s Report followed by questions to Clerk - The Clerk stated that he was pleased to report that he has managed to arrange cover for the main tasks that need addressing during his absence on annual leave in early July 2008.

1463.        Payments to be made: for approval – Payments amounting to £7,716.25 were approved.

1464.        Communications – No items.

1465.        Date of next meeting – 15^th July 2008 (Nutley).

There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:50 hours.