| Minutes Nov 06
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| Minutes Nov 06
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At this level            beneath this item |
Minutes of the Maresfield Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 21st November 2006 in the Village Hall, Fairwarp
Present:
Cllr W King (Chairman), Cllr K Ogden, Cllr R Street,
Cllr G Hardy, Cllr H Fry, DCllr F Brown, CCllr T Reid, CCllr F Whetstone and Mrs C Goossens (Asst Clerk)
Mr Dan Frost (Kent & Sussex Courier – Uckfield Edition)
A. Public Session:-
1173. To approve apologies for absence and to note other non-attendance. DCllr Mrs P Kennedy, DCllr Mrs S Martin, DCllr Buck, DCllr Hollins, Cllr Mrs V Taylor and Clerk. The Chairman read an email from Cllr Cranfield regarding his recently increasing work commitments.
1. Update on Nutley Councillor election and Fairwarp Councillor co-option. Nutley Councillor Election There are two candidates for this position, Mairede Thomas and Roy Galley although both still have time to withdraw if they wish. The date of the election is Thursday 14th December. Fairwarp Councillor No requests for an election have been received therefore a new Councillor will be appointed by co-option by the Parish Council as soon as practicable. Applicants must register their interest with the Clerk before Friday 1st December.
1174. Declarations of interest – None. 1175. Minutes:- 1. Minutes of the previous Meeting (17th October 2006) for adoption. The minutes were Adopted. 2. Matters arising from those minutes.
·
Cllr
Stevenson reported that as advised at the last Council meeting,
he had contacted · Reference Item 1164 – Cllr Fry reported that has not as yet carried out this review but intends to do so. · Maresfield Recreation Ground Access – Cllr Street reported that the Clerk has sought advice from the Land Registry who confirm that it is feasible for the Parish Council to proceed without legal representation, although representation may be required if there is a further challenge in the future. 1176. Reports by and questions to:- 1. County Councillors. CCllr Reid reported the following: · The examination in public of the South East Plan begins on Monday 27th November 2006. The broad policies of the plan will be looked at between now and Christmas. The examination of the Sussex Coast and Sub-Regions begins on 14th January 2007, with the Sussex Coast element being the first to be considered. Both ESCC and WDC will be there to support those policies already adopted in the Plan. The purpose of the public examination is for technical analysis rather than taking into account political considerations. · County Councils Network Annual Conference - The Hon Phil Woolas, MP spoke about the White Paper and the opportunities it provides for local government to look at the way it works and highlights the possibility for clusters of local governments to work together to achieve cost savings. If local governments don’t want to make the move to Unitary Style, which most don’t, they need to prove that they can make cost savings regardless. It was noted that the Police and Primary Care Trusts are all also endeavouring to work more closely with each other. CCllr Whetstone joins the meeting. · Whereas Government has tended to work on a one size fits all basis, the emphasis is now on local needs i.e. enabling local government to customise how it wants to work and what its key values are. CCllr Whetstone reported the following: · The former Chairman of East Sussex County Council, Derek Norcross died under very sad circumstances following a collision in Robertsbridge last week. · CCllr Reid is currently seeing the head of each department within ESCC to fix budgets for the coming financial year. This is an extremely difficult task when one considers the current budgetary pressures faced by County Council.
·
The issue of
HGV’s passing through Fairwarp will be discussed at ESCC’s
Transport and Environment meeting on Monday 4th
December. It was noted that Cllr Street will attend and make a
representation on behalf of Maresfield Parish Council. Papers
for this meeting should be sent to the Parish Office
approximately five days in advance. Cllr Fry expressed concern that at a recent meeting relating to people over 55 it was highlighted that Adult Social Services are examining their commissioning strategy and are excluding from this consideration the issue of transport. ESCC reports that transport will be considered by the Director of Transport. CCllr Reid confirmed that the decisions regarding funding and provision of service will still be advised and paid for by Adult Social Care but that all transport provided by ESCC is coordinated through the department of Transport & Environment. A review of all County transport needs is currently being carried out under the Chairmanship of CCllr Reid. 2. District Councillors. DCllr F Brown reported on a recent event at Heathfield College, the aim of which was to get young people interested in Local Government. This event was highly successful and most encouraging. The Assistant Clerk reported that DCllr Hollins had provided a written report as circulated with the meeting papers. As requested by DCllr Hollins, she also alerted Councillors of a postal scam currently operating in the area. A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on a given number. This number is a premium rate number and you will be billed £15 for the telephone call. DO NOT CALL. Concerns should be reported to Royal Mail Fraud.
1177. Council bodies: Actions, minutes and reports by, and questions to, Chairmen:- 1. Environment:- I. Parklands Play Area (to receive report on progress) Cllr Ogden reported the following: · After numerous meetings with representatives of both the New Parklands Residents Association (NPRA) and Forest Park Ltd, the Parish Council now has agreement from both parties. The Greystoke climbing apparatus will be removed from Parklands Play Area and re-sited at Maresfield Recreation Ground play area. The replacement equipment at Parklands Play Area will be a much lower profile. · Efforts will be made to encourage the older youths to go to the recreation ground. · A letter is to be sent to Forest Park Ltd and NPRA, agreeing the terms of the replacement play equipment. ACTION: Asst Clerk and Cllr Ogden to draft. · Mr & Mrs Woodgate would like the work to be carried out before Christmas but this is not considered feasible. ACTION: Clerk check with WDC that they are happy with the height of the new apparatus.
The Assistant Clerk reported that the Parish Council has made a bid to WDC for funds allocated via the Big Lottery to improve play opportunities for 0-16 year olds. The submission relates to the proposed development of the woodland at Calves Shaw next to the Business Park, Maresfield. This would provide an opportunity for children to engage with the natural environment, pursue multi-activity outdoor sports and enjoy a “naturalistic” play area.
II. Maresfield Bowls Club The Assistant Clerk reported the following: · The lease stipulates that the ground should be kept as a recreation area and public park for Parishioners. The Clerk intends to carry out a site visit just to make sure that he was happy with the plans being within the spirit of the Parish Council being trustees. · This issue has been superseded by the intended planning application by the Lawn Bowls Club to build a new pavilion. A copy of the informal plan has been sent to the Parish Office and the Clerk will forward a copy to Maresfield Recreation Ground Committee for their consideration. A site visit will then need to be carried out to ensure that Councillors agree in principle to the proposal. If this is indeed the case, the Lawn Bowls Club will make a formal planning application which will be considered as per Parish Council procedure, i.e. by the Planning Committee.
The Assistant Clerk reported that a specification of works has been drawn up by the Clerk and Cllrs Hardy and Stephens for the trees at Maresfield Recreation Ground. Within the next couple of weeks, a letter is to be sent together with the specification to three companies requesting quotations.
Cllr P
Tester reported that the small roundabout is now repaired and
ready for installation at Fords Green Play Area. This job will
take some time to complete due to the requirement for a concrete
slab to be installed underneath the apparatus. Once the
roundabout is back in situ, work will begin on the big slide.
2. Finance & Administration:- I. Month 7 Financial Reports. Cllr Street reported the following: · There has been a slight overspend in several areas, the most significant being “Wages, Tax and NI”. At the end of the financial year the budget will be slightly more overspent in progression terms than at present. · NI, IT and Salaries are at approx 59% of the cycle when they should be at 58.3%, the ratchet effect means that this has far greater long term implications than apparent at present. There will be under-spend in other parts of the budget which will cover this problem. · The cost of the election at Nutley will be approximately £1600, funding for which will have to come from reserves, the current budgeted amount being only £500. This has served as a useful reminder budget setting in future years. · The Parish Matters has been more expensive this year than in previous years possibly due to the inclusion of a number of inserts in 2006. · The tree works at Maresfield Recreation Ground may come in over the budgeted amount of £2000. · Under-spend this year is expected to be far less than in the past and will therefore be unable to subsidise the precept. · There are still some outstanding items regarding spending in this financial year. All spending Committees and Chairman have made their bids for the 2007/08 budget and it is expected to be finalised by the middle of December. Final figures are hoped to be available for Council to approval at its meeting on 19th December 2006.
3. Planning:- I. Development at Park Farm, Maresfield (update on current situation). The following points were noted in discussion: · Cllr Stevenson, Cllr King and the Maresfield Ward Councillors recently had an informal meeting with Phil Hull (Persimmon) and Harry Hudson (Green Issues). · The general tone at the meeting suggested that the development would provide little benefit for the Parish. · Cllr Ogden noted that this development will enlarge the village by around 15% and that this will inevitably have a significant impact on the roads in and around Maresfield. · Councillors were informed that the developer will under the S106 agreement contribute the minimum amount as advised by government i.e. a total of £120,000 or £1500 per house. · This £120,000 will only be sufficient to provide a mini roundabout at the junction of Field End and Batts Bridge Road and traffic calming in the new development itself. There is no financial provision towards reducing the impact of the development in terms of traffic within the village itself. · CCllr Reid confirmed that he would immediately speak with Officers as he felt sure there was still time to influence WDC with regard to the detail of the S106 agreement and what it should contain when it is submitted with the Persimmon Planning Application. ACTION: CCllr Reid.
In relation to the development of the Waste Site at Maresfield Camp, Cllr Gutteridge reported that the Parish Council now has a copy of the S106 agreement as signed by all the relevant parties. Having read through the document, Cllr Gutteridge noted there are a number of interesting requirements which Veolia must fulfil both prior to the commencement of work on site i.e. completion of roadworks and installation of necessary signage and also once the development work has been completed as follows: · Travel Plan must be approved by ESCC before the site can be occupied · Land Management Plan to be submitted within 3 months of completion of work The following points were also noted in discussion: · ESCC must repay the financial contribution for the roundabout if it is not spent within 10 years of the developer having paid it. · The Parish Council should have notice of the start date for development works. · Results of noise insulation tests are of significance for local residents. · The S106 document should be compared with the Planning Permission and the conditions set out within it. · Will ESCC enforce the planning conditions and the S106 agreement i.e. ensure that all activities are carried out in the correct order as stipulated by both of these the planning permission and the S106 agreement?
4. Strategy (to receive reports on Traffic, Youth, Health & Transport) Thanks were expressed to Cllr Ogden who has kindly agreed to take on the Chairmanship of this committee in the short term. Traffic: The following points were noted in discussion: · The traffic portfolio holders continue work on the Integrated Traffic Management Assessment for the whole of the parish and are currently putting together costings. · It is intended that the £3775 still in the “Roads & Traffic” budget will be spent. · Maresfield Conservation Group has provided the Parish Council with data relating to traffic movements through Maresfield Village over a seven day period. The Strategy Committee would like to make a contribution of £275 to the Conservation Group towards the cost of the exercise. It was noted from the last Finance & Administration meeting when this matter was discussed, that the Parish Council cannot process this matter as a mid-term grant application, but that if the Strategy Committee has sufficient money in its “Roads & Traffic” budget it may wish to provide funding from that. The Parish Council can purchase the data from MCG and ask them to issue an invoice. ACTION: Clerk to add to agenda for Strategy Committee meeting on 11th December 2006. · Cllr Ogden and the traffic portfolio holders recently met with traffic consultant Mr Robert De’Ath who considered the Integrated Traffic Management Assessment to be a very good document. He recommended that traffic platforms would be the best method of slowing traffic down and in Maresfield Village could be used in conjunction with the existing traffic build-outs. · Cllr Stevenson reported that the Sussex Safety Camera Partnership (SSCP) plans to install another traffic measurement device at a second location in Nutley further to its previous recordings at the Northern end of the village last month. SSCP is reviewing Nutley High Street as a possible site to install a mobile speed camera. Clarification is being sought as to what form the “mobile” speed camera will take i.e. police car or unmarked van etc. Health: · Cllr Mrs Taylor is working with Mr Fred Thorogood towards a Branch Surgery and Dentist within the Parish. The only dentist within this area currently taking NHS patients is located in Crowborough. · Cllr King and Mr Thorogood will attend a meeting on Wednesday 22nd November at County Hall with representatives of the Health Overview Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) - the watchdog of Primary Care Trusts, to further discuss a branch surgery within the Parish. Youth: · The Nutley Youth group will meet again this week. · The Youth Bus is currently running in Maresfield on Friday’s until 22nd December 2006. · CCllr Reid stated that ESCC has no mobile classrooms immediately available. · It was noted that a recent edition of the Friday Ad carried an advertisement for prefabricated classrooms. ACTION: Asst Clerk to research.
Cllr Street reported that the Chairman of the Environment Committee is amenable to the issue of Democracy in the Ashdown Forest being added to the agenda for the next meeting on 29th November 2006. This item will then need to be referred to the Policy committee to make a recommendation back to Council. The Policy Committee will consider the potential for people other than commoners being taken account of and being involved with regard to the governance of the Forest i.e. people who live, work and have a stake in the Forest.
1178. Outside bodies’ reports:- 1. NALC Shaping Communities Event – 13th February 2007. Details of this event were circulated with meeting papers. It was noted that there are a great number of local meetings informing Parish Councils and Councillors about the White Paper. It was Agreed that the Parish Council would not be represented at this NALC event. 2. SALC County Circular – Autumn 2006. As circulated with meeting the papers to note. WSCC has identified £75,000 to be paid out if they achieve 35 Quality Council’s but ESCC has made no such pledge. Additional comments: Cllr Fry reported that at a recent Police meeting, the Deputy Chief Constable announced that contrary to the national trend he would support Speedwatch, although he did not provide a date for its commencement. Consequently, Cllr Fry and Cllr King consider it appropriate to write a letter to both ESCC and the Police expressing the concerns of this Parish Council and others in this regard. Cllr King stated that this correspondence is currently on hold at the request of the Chairman of the Safer Wealden Partnership. Cllr Fry will attend the forthcoming Safer Wealden Partnership meeting. Cllr Fry reported that he has submitted an E-petition to the Prime Minister requesting that speeding be considered a recordable offence. If this were to become the case, it would mean that crime figures could not be recorded as falling. Cllr King left the meeting and Cllr P Tester took over Chairmanship of the meeting. Cllr Street commented that he couldn’t see why making speeding a recordable offence would reduce number of speeding incidents.
WDALC
Representation – Cllr Street as the sole representative requires
a deputy. This is extremely important in light of the
consultation work currently being carried out in relation to
“clustering”. The issue will be on the Agenda of the next
Planning meeting on 4th December and on the Council
Agenda for December.
· There will be a half yearly meeting in December, between ESALC and WSALC, Trevor Leggo and the Chief Constable. Any matters Councillors wish to raise must be sent to Jacqui Simes by no later than 4th December.
·
There will
be a training weekend at Dunsford House on 9-11 February 2007
for Experienced Councillors and New Clerks, anyone interested in
attending should alert the Clerk as soon as possible. Cllr
Street expressed an interest.
1179. Chairman’s Report – followed by questions to Chairman. Noted.
1180. Clerk's Report – followed by questions to Clerk. Noted.
CCllrs Reid and Whetstone left the meeting. 1181. Approval of payments to be made. Payments totalling £4543.65 were Agreed.
1182. Communications:- 1. Winter edition of The Parish Matters. The Assistant Clerk reported the following: · A need to move from the current A4 format to A5, in line with the recently revised postal charging structure. ACTION: Asst Clerk to speak to printers re cost implications and feasibility of creating TPM in A5 format. · The deadline for submissions for the winter edition of TPM is 31st January 2007. · Suggested articles include: o Election o Budget / Precept o White Paper o Police / speeding o Environment o Park Farm development
· Cllr P Tester reported that his father would be happy to help put labels and stamps on envelopes. There may be people other individuals throughout the Parish who would be similarly willing. 2. Quality Council function. The Assistant Clerk reported that she is awaiting confirmation from Trevor Leggo of The Lord Lytton’s availability in January or February of next year. Due to the timing of the election for the new Nutley Councillor it was considered appropriate to delay the function until the beginning of 2007. 3. Other communication matters. None.
1183. To review the payment of Councillors Basic Allowances – response from NALC. It was noted as being surprising that Co-opted Councillors are not eligible for an allowance but Elected Councillors are. ACTION: Clerk to revert to NALC and request an agreement of the guidelines between themselves and the Government Officer.
Cllr Ogden
suggested that the Parish Council should be given a sum from
WDC’s Planning Fees for its work in considering local planning
applications and related site visits etc.
Cllr Fry reverted to Clerk’s Report and enquired whether ex-Cllr Tim Sparrow had indeed approached SALC with a view to the added responsibilities bestowed upon Quality Councils. Cllr King reported that this had been done and that the response was a little vague. ACTION: Clerk to report. It was noted that it may for the Parish Council to ask what it can do rather than wait to be told.
1184. Date of next meeting, 19th December 2006 (Nutley).
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.16. |
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