| Minutes Nov 05
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| Minutes Nov 05
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At this level              beneath this item |
Minutes of the meeting of Maresfield Parish Council held on Tuesday 15th November 2005 in the Village Hall, Maresfield
Present: Cllr W King, Cllr K Ogden, Cllr J Gutteridge, Cllr S Leaney, Cllr C Stevenson, Cllr R Street, Cllr P Tester, Cllr G Hardy, Cllr H Fry, DCllr J Hollins, DCllr Mrs S Martin, CCllr T Reid, CCllr F Whetstone. T Allen (Clerk), Mrs C Goossens (Assistant Clerk).
Ms K Mira, Sussex Courier; Mrs C Flittner and Mr Tony Salter (Public)
1001 Public Session Mr Salter left a petition to the County Council seeking road improvements at Piltdown on the A272, following a recent accident where Mrs Bridget Pullan was badly injured when crossing the road. The Chairman stated that it was for individual Councillors to sign if they wish, not a Council matter, and that the incident had occurred outside of the Parish boundary. Mrs Flittner attended to observe the meeting.
CCllr Whetstone joins the meeting.
In opening the meeting, the Chairman announced the sudden death of Cllr Weekes’ husband on Sunday 13th November 2005. Condolences were expressed by all present.
1002 Apologies for absence – Cllr T Sparrow, Cllr Mrs S Weekes, Cllr C Stephens, Cllr R Tester, DCllr F Brown and DCllr N Buck.
1003 Declarations of Interest – Cllr King as an Officer of Nutley PCC which is a payee in the payments for approval.
1004 Minutes:- 1. Minutes of the Council meeting (18 October 2005) for adoption – These were adopted. 2. Matters arising from these minutes – Re. Item 3.2, the Chairman confirmed that he had written to the Leader of ESCC, concerning some of CCllr Whetstone’s comments at the Council meeting on 20th September 2005, and that a copy of this letter would be circulated to Councillors. ACTION: Chairman.
Re Item 4. (top
of Page 2) Cllr Fry reported that, at the Police Authority
Meeting on 25th October 2005, he and the Chairman had
linked with a number of other PC’s to put forward a common view
and that this had resulted in the agreement of Chief Inspector
Rex Matthews to focus on speeding enforcement. A meeting is to
be held soon with the Police Authority to talk about wishes and
needs of rural parishes and with a view to these being
incorporated in the forthcoming Police Plan, to be attended by
Cllr King and Alison Crowe, Chairman of Buxted PC.
1005 Reports by and questions to:- 1. County Councillors – CCllr Reid stated that ESCC had been able to meet with the Minister for Local Government regarding improved Government funding, and that the outcome of this meeting would be known soon when grants were distributed. CCllr Reid stated that he was disturbed that seeking road improvements from ESCC at Piltdown on the A272, following the recent accident, was the reaction of Parishioners, when in fact the lack of Police enforcement in that area should be the main focus. CCllr Reid stated that there was little chance of ESCC road engineering works at this site, as the problems were minor when compared to many other roads. It was noted that the petition may be useful for ESCC to take this issue up with the Police. CCllr Reid stated that the use of temporary barriers as a means of assessing traffic calming measures would only be in those areas where permanent solutions had already been proposed. CCllr Whetstone stated that he recently attended a meeting regarding East Grinstead housing development and the relief road, noting that the effect of the relief road would be to channel additional traffic into Forest Row and by consequence then into Nutley. He urged the Council to become involved in resisting these effects - it was noted that the Parish Council was monitoring this development, but that information obtained to date is that Forest Row does have a real problem, and that Nutley wasn’t expected to be affected to the same level. ACTION: CCllr Whetstone to ask ESCC Officers to provide the traffic calculations that support this estimated increase in traffic. Council Minutes 15 November 2005 Page 2
2. District Councillors – The following points were noted in discussions with DCllr Mrs S Martin:- · WDC had won their Judicial Review and a Council meeting was held last week regarding the Non-Statutory Wealden Local Plan (RDLP) – to be ratified at a full Council meeting on 14th December. DCllr Mrs P Kennedy had tabled two amendments for Maresfield:-
o
Derelict sheds at Park Farm to be used for a new Village
Community Centre. It was noted that this proposal had not been
discussed with the Parish Council. It was noted that DCllr Mrs P
Kennedy and DCllr Buck had been asked to table an amendment to
remove the Park Farm housing allocation from the RDLP, to be
considered as part of the Local Development Framework (LDF), but
that they had stated that they were unable to respond to this
request as this would result in an imbalance of the overall
housing numbers required. It was noted that there were no other
similar amendments tabled, and that only Maresfield Ward DCllrs
could act in this respect, and that in recognition of Mrs P
Kennedy’s position as Chairman, DCllr Buck should again be asked
to move the requested amendment. It was agreed to
urgently request DCllr Buck to put an amendment forward for the
removal of the Park Farm housing allocation from the RDLP, in
advance of the deadline of 16th November 2005. Park
Farm allocation to be considered as part of the LDF in a
holistic approach taking into account the Grampian site, the
proposed waste site at Maresfield Camp and the Ashdown Business
Park. o The ‘green’ area retained under the Revised draft Local Plan to be retained in perpetuity for the Village · Licensing Act comes into effect on 24th November 2005 · Scrutiny Committee had been looking into sustainability in the environment · Select Committee had been looking at WDC grants system hopefully looking to improve accessibility and administration of grants · WDC had participated at ‘Democracy Days’ in colleges
The following points were noted in discussions with DCllr J Hollins:- · The Director of Environmental Services, Lesley Barakchizadeh had left and now Mike Fleming would look after Planning as one of a three person Directorship, with Daniel Goodwin as Technical Services Director and Mary Claire-Deane as Community Services Director. · The Foresters Arms extended licence application was under appeal and it was noted that the Nutley Arms had also applied for an extension to its licensing hours. · 700 premises had applied for licences – most of which have gone through on delegated powers – changes had been minimal. · The Clerk asked DCllr Hollins if he can get Officers to electronically attach notices of licence applications on the advice emails to Clerks so that the details are known straight away, and to ensure that accurate information is provided by Officers, as there had been a case recently where incorrect information had been given out. It was noted that Parish Councils can raise objections if a nuisance is caused by new licences. · Groombridge Place, Llama Park, Buxted Park Hotel and Ashdown Park Hotel had all won tourist awards.
DCllr Hollins leaves the meeting.
1006 Council bodies: Actions, minutes and reports by, and questions to, Chairmen:- 1. Business Park Development Sub-Committee – No report. No meeting currently scheduled, awaiting ESCC consideration of Onyx waste facility application.
2. Civil Protection – Generator shed needs securing prior to installation of generator. ACTION: Cllr Gutteridge and Cllr P Tester. It was noted that an in-house installation of the cabling to connect the generator to the Parish office may contravene new regulations regarding electrical installations. ACTION: Clerk to investigate.
3. Communications Team – It was noted that this function had completely migrated to the Parish Office. It was agreed to remove from this item from future Agendas.
Council Minutes 15 November 2005 Page 3
4. Environment & Maintenance – Cllr P Tester reported that the issue of the Forest Park Residents Association’s problems with the large piece of climbing equipment at the Parklands Play Area was still ongoing. It was noted that the Finance & Administration Committee was making no significant financial provisions for resolving this matter and that the equipment was considered too large for use in the new Fairwarp play area. The Chairman confirmed that all councillors were aware of the problem and that the solution must be identified by E&M and then brought before full Council. Cllr P Tester reported that, with regard to future Councillors Footpath inspections, it was decided that this should be an August activity and all reports should be back in time for the September Committee meeting. i. Access to Maresfield Recreation Ground – latest position – Cllr Street gave a short history of the issue of Mr Watts threatening to block access to the Park Farm driveway for unexplained reasons. It was noted that advice of solicitors was being taken, and that in response, they were suggesting a way forward of registering the land and right of access. The Clerk stated that he would be calling a second meeting of the Sub-Committee, set up by Council to address the issue, so that next steps can be agreed.
5. Finance & Administration – Regarding Item 8. in the minutes of the Committee’s meeting held on 3rd November 2005, Cllr Street confirmed that the existing copier/printer could be upgraded with no increase in costs, including taking into account ink cartridges. The Clerk stated that this assumed minimal colour printing. It was noted that costs would reduce if the existing machine was retained as the Parish Council would own it from April 2006, and that the only costs would be for maintenance; however the existing machine cannot print colour and is three years old and working at full capacity. The Clerk stated that the next meeting of the Committee had been moved forward to 7th December 2005, to allow more time to prepare the budget/precept report for Council and to circulate it in advance of the next Council meeting. ACTION: All Committee/Sub-Committee Chairmen to attend this meeting. i. Month 7 Financial Reports – Cllr Street reported that there were no causes for concern with many large payments, such as insurance, having been made. Regarding Item 4023 – Telephone Fax & Internet – Cllr Street reported that an amount of £500.00 had been accrued to this heading in this year’s budget for web site development costs, but that the corresponding payment had in fact been debited from Item 4411- ‘Web Site’. ii. Grants and donations policy final version – The adopted Grants and Donations Policy had been circulated with the Council papers for information. iii. 2006/07 Budget/Precept report – Cllr Street reported that the increase in Precept was likely to be about 5%, but that this was dependent on current projections for underspend and did not take into account expenditure for dealing with the Maresfield Recreation Ground access.
6. Planning Cllr Ogden stated that Hillmead in Nutley was still on the agenda for the recent WDC meeting to discuss the RDLP and that he had informed the Nutley Conservation Group of this. The Clerk stated that he had been visited by Mr Watts at the Parish Office who had stated that he had appointed an agent to develop some of the area around the Maresfield Recreation Ground, and that he intends to hold a meeting on 23rd November 2005 with interested parties. ACTION: Clerk to attend this meeting. i. Proposal for the referral of Local Development Framework policy and definitions development for affordable/social housing to be referred to the Policy Committee – It was agreed to refer development of this policy to the Policy Committee.
7. Policy Committee – No report. Next meeting of this Committee is on 23rd November 2005.
8. Strategy Sub-Committee – The ongoing actions were noted from the minutes circulated. A written report by Cllr Sparrow on the Wealden EasyLink service was circulated. This is reproduced below in italics for completeness.
Council Minutes 15 November 2005 Page 4
The combination of four of the six Parishes is providing supporting finance until the end of March 2006 has meant that the service has been saved. Wealden District Council is producing, as a matter of urgency, some short term marketing material to encourage current usage. The Parish Group meets again tomorrow (Wednesday 16th November) to start building a longer term solution, part of which will inevitably also mean a continued financial input by the community (Parish Councils) though, hopefully at no higher level than currently
i. Web site development report – Cllr Fry reported that the development of the web site was proceeding as planned and that training was being arranged prior to handover to the Parish Council. It was noted that full documentation and back-ups must be obtained prior to final payment being made.
9. Traffic & Transport Committee - Cllr Leaney reported that the draft Integrated Traffic Management Plan (ITMP) was being updated for review at the Committee’s next meeting as it needed some additional editing and formatting. It was noted that some additional costings also needed to be obtained. It was hoped that the full document could be presented to Full Council and be circulated with the papers prior to the December meeting. It was noted that following comments from ESCC at the September 2005 meeting of the Committee, the cost of implementing the overall Plan would be quite substantial and difficult to forecast, thus possible means of finding funding would have to come before Council at some point. Cllr Leaney reported that the operation of a Speedwatch exercise was not currently supported by the Committee due to the doubts over firm Police enforcement, and safety issues in operating the Scheme. The Chairman stated that Chief Inspector Rex Matthews had indicated that Speedwatch enforcement may be improved. Cllr Fry stated that he objected to Cllr Leaney’s report – i.e. that T&T had essentially agreed not to carry on with Speedwatch. Cllr Fry stated that the he thought that the Committee was out of order in taking this decision and had put the case to the Clerk in writing. The Clerk stated that he had already replied to Cllr Fry on the matter and briefly outlined his response. ACTION: Cllr Fry to discuss further with the Clerk.
Mrs Flittner leaves the meeting.
The Chairman stated that Cllr Leaney’s report had been accurate according to the minutes and felt it would be unfortunate if Councillors feel they must bring committee decisions to Full Council.
CCllr Whetstone and CCllr Reid leave the meeting.
Cllr Fry noted that the Committee had rejected his suggestion to use Owen Williams as consultants for the ITMP.
1007 Outside bodies’ reports:- 1. Ford's Green Management Committee - Minutes of the last meeting were circulated with the papers. 2. Maresfield Conservation Group – Cllr Gutteridge reported that the Working party had been reviewing the Onyx application for a waste facility at Maresfield Camp, and had again consulted Steven Bowley. The initial reaction was that there had been no substantial change from the original application. The Chairman stated that he would be unavailable for the ESCC Plans Sub-Committee meeting on 21st December 2005; Cllr Gutteridge indicated that it may be possible to ask ESCC to defer the decision on the Onyx application until January 2006. Cllr Gutteridge stated that the Group were also looking at traffic management issues and had been asked to prioritise the options given in the Integrated Traffic Management Plan. 3. Maresfield Recreation Ground Committee – no report or questions. A written report by Cllr Sparrow on Items 1007/4-7 was circulated. This is reproduced in the relevant sections below in italics for completeness.
Council Minutes 15 November 2005 Page 5
4. Wealden District Association of Local Councils - The joint efforts to get ESCC to review all speed limits and introduce 30mph wherever possible in all East Sussex villages is bearing fruit with a considerable number now covered. However, WDALC needs to continue to pressurise the Police Authority (and hence the Police) to enforce those speed limits.
5. Action in rural Sussex - The AGM is at the end of this week when the work of AIRS over the last year will be presented to members and stakeholders. The spread of activity is now very wide – transport, youth, children, business, health, village halls, village appraisals, volunteers and many partnerships. The quality of staff is high but they are often, inevitably stretched. As members, our Parish Council needs to ensure that it does get good and prompt help when it needs it and alerts the trustees if it feels that things are not as good as they should be. 6. Wealden Local Strategic Partnership - There has been very good progress over the year of villages (parishes) carrying out village appraisals. Now half of Wealden Parishes have done or are doing appraisals, a percentage rarely matched elsewhere in England. This has been due to the LSP funding the work of AIRS and core Parishes and this process will continue. The LSP’s objective is to have all Parishes completing Village Appraisals. These then can link with the Wealden objectives and make for a stronger platform to achieve improvement across Wealden. The LSP now intends to focus on fewer, more strategic objectives, whilst the now well developed theme partnerships continue to work on a wider range of issues. 7. Sussex Association of Local Councils – It may be appropriate for Maresfield Parish Council to comment to the Chairman of the East Sussex Executive Committee of SALC that, while it fully realises that Trevor Leggo has had inordinate difficulties over the summer with administration support, the executive have not put in place adequate support facility for Trevor to do his job. ACTION: Cllr Sparrow and the Clerk to write to the Chairman of SALC concerning improving resources available to Parish Councils. The Clerk reported that SALC were running a course over weekend 2nd-4th December 2005 for new and advanced Councillor training and new Clerks training. ACTION: Anyone interested please let the Clerk know.
1008 Chairman’s Report The Chairman stated that, at the Sussex Police Authority meeting on 25th October 2005, seven Parish Councils had banded together, representing approximately 15,000 Parishioners, to pursue the issue of effective policing for traffic speeding offences. The response indicated that Sussex Police are sympathetic to this and are working on a proposal which could satisfy us. The Chairman stated that the LDF meetings in the three villages had not produced big turnouts, but in terms of practical effectiveness it had been a worthwhile consultation, when taken into account with the feedback received at the three fetes, the Annual Assembly and from The Parish Matters. The Chairman stated that he was investigating work done on a local voluntary basis in South Exeter, where a range of local activities had been pulled together by a charity (including supporting carers, IT training, gymnastics), and that he would report on this in due course.
1. Sending Christmas cards - The Chairman noted that cards had been sent in past years and that this was a useful PR exercise, the estimated cost being £150.00 from the Chairman’s Allowance. It was agreed to send cards this year. 2. New licensing rules – monitoring impact and applications in the Parish – ACTION: All Keep eyes and ears open over Christmas period for noise and disruption etc.
1009 Clerk's Report – The Clerk’s report on the need for an additional process to appeal decisions taken by Committees/Sub Committees was discussed. It was agreed to follow the Clerk’s recommendation that no additional process should be put in place, and that Full Council could handle such cases where necessary. The Clerk’s report on the effect of an epidemic/pandemic on Council operations was noted and it was agreed that accordingly no further action is required.
DCllr Sylvia Martin leaves the meeting.
Council Minutes 15 November 2005 Page 6
The Clerk’s report on a suitable quorum and construction of Committees was noted. It was agreed that the Clerk should discuss this further with Committee Chairmen to produce a proposal for discussion in advance of the next AGM. ACTION: Clerk.
The Clerk circulated a letter to Council concerning his training and development needs. This was noted.
1010 Payments to be made for approval - Payments totalling £5,579.48 were Approved.
1011 Quality Council submission – progress update – The Clerk reported that the CiLCA preparation was on target.
1012 Proposal for the adoption of a Code of Practice for handling complaints – The Clerk stated that Quality Council criteria stipulate such a Code was needed and that the draft circulated was based on NALC model. It was agreed to adopt the Code as circulated.
1013 Police Community Support Officers – SALC/Sussex Police proposals for funding by Parish Councils – The following points were noted in discussion:-
· Should be given support as Sussex Police cannot be relied upon to give the Parish the policing it requires, e.g. on speeding enforcement, but PCSO time paid for must be allocated to work agreed with the Parish Council · Other expensive physical traffic calming measures had been ineffective and the money would be better spent on PCSO’s · Would be a means of keeping PCSO’s in the Villages and stop them being taken away for other work · PCSO’s could be trained in speeding control, but this is expensive and we can’t be sure how long a trained PCSO will remain in place · Effective policing is important to Parishioners, but if the Council pays directly towards PCSO’s then a proper contract must be put in place and PCSO’s must be allowed the powers to prosecute offences · PCSO’s have been funded by the Home Office/Police budget and Parishioners contribute via their Council Tax. This will still be true if PCSO’s are financed from the Council’s Precept and an element of double taxation may exist. · All members of the public are entitled to the same level of policing, but this proposal means that the more wealthy areas would be policed better It was agreed to respond to this proposal by stating that the Parish Council may be prepared to pay for part of the funding for a PCSO, but this would have to be contracted to work specified by the Parish Council which must include an element of traffic speed enforcement. However, the Parish Council required that the need for its financial support of PCSO’s should first be demonstrated. ACTION: Clerk.
1014 Communications 1. The Parish Matters – autumn edition – The Assistant Clerk reported that The Parish Matters timetable had slipped but expected to have it sent out by the end of November 2005; assistance with envelope stuffing etc would be gratefully received. ACTION: Assistant Clerk to advise Councillors when help is required. Date of next meeting, 20 December 2005 (Fairwarp) – The Chairman apologised in advance, as he would be absent from this meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21:53. |
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