Minutes of the Maresfield Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 18th November 2008

At 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Nutley

Present:        Cllr K Ogden (Chairman), Cllr W King, Cllr D Barlow, Cllr R Galley, Cllr J Handley,

Cllr P Harris, Cllr C Stevenson, Cllr A Clarke, Cllr J Gutteridge, Cllr D Finch, Cllr H Fry, Cllr R Street,

Cllr Mrs V Taylor, DCllr Mrs S Martin, CCllr F Whetstone, Clerk T Allen.

A.        Public Session – None.

1501.   To approve apologies for absence and to note other non-attendance – CCllr A Reid,

DCllr N Buck, DCllr M Hoy, Cllr Mrs J Penfold.

1502.   Declarations of Interests – Cllr King re. Item 1513, as Secretary of Nutley PCC.

Cllr Ogden, Cllr Gutteridge and Cllr Mrs Taylor as members of the Maresfield Conservation Group.

1503.   Minutes of the previous meeting held on 21st October 2008:-

1.            For adoption – Re. Page 4/Item 5 – 6th bullet point to read “An approach directly to Mrs Watts by the Sub-Committee would be helpful.”

The minutes were adopted as amended.

2.         Matters arising from these minutes – It was noted that this year's Annual Dinner will be held on Wednesday 17^th December at Barnsgate Manor Vineyard, 7.30pm for 8.00pm; the Chairman thanked Cllr Finch for making the arrangements.

Re. Page 1/Item 1491 – 5th bullet point, Cllr King enquired if CCllr Reid had responded; the Clerk stated that he had received no response to date. The Chairman stated that, as Persimmon has withdrawn its option on the Park Farm site, he expects that the S.106 commitment will be renegotiated with any new developer.

1504.   Reports by and questions to:-

1. County Councillors – CCllr Whetstone made the following report:-

·  With the withdrawal of Brighton & Hove Community Transport from the EasyLink service at the end of March 2009, the County Council will do all it can to help find a replacement service provider. CCllr Whetstone to help ensure that Cllr Barlow, as Chairman NWCTP, works with the Officers concerned in a joint approach.

·  In the responses received to the Accessibility Study for Lewes & North Wealden, there were three times as many comments from Maresfield Parish than from other Parishes.

·  The Central Rail Corridor consultation body is to be suspended until there is a change on railways policy in this matter.

2.            District Councillors – DCllr Mrs Martin reported that the Government has relaxed the planning laws and is allowing certain small planning applications to be dealt with as Permitted Development Rights in order to speed up the planning process. DCllr Mrs Martin detailed the circumstances under which this change would apply and noted that, as there has been no Government guidance, WDC is working with the other East Sussex Districts to ensure a consistent approach.

The Chairman stated that WDC had expected to be consulted further. In answer to a question from Cllr King, DCllr Mrs Martin agreed that this could be seen as a mistake by the Government, but noted that this change is now Law; however Members and Enforcement Officers are concerned about what is now possible.

1505.   Council bodies - To receive minutes and decisions, followed by reports from Chairmen and any questions:-
1. Environment:-

                        I.          Minutes of the meeting held on 18th September 2008 – Received.

II.         Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 28th October 2008 – Noted.

III.        Recommendation that Council adopts a policy of ‘part night lighting’ for its

street lights – The Chairman and Cllr Barlow related the background to this matter. It was resolved that Council adopts a policy of ‘part night lighting’ for its street lights.

The Chairman stated that he will soon be installing the new solar battery charger for the CE generator, and will be taking over its routine maintenance from Mr Easton.

            2. Finance & Administration:-

                        I.          Month 7 – 2008/09 Financial Reports – Cllr Handley reported that expenditure against budget was as expected and that there were no issues to report.

II.         Minutes of the meeting held on 7th October 2008 – Received.

III.        Funding for play area works - Cllr Handley reported that that until the research being conducted by Cllr Stevenson, Cllr Barlow and Cllr Harris into the exact type and costs of the equipment needed and the likely amount to be obtained from grants and lottery funding, and the subsequent need to look at loan options, had been completed, the Committee was not able to recommend any commitment to this project in the 25009/10 Budget and Precept.

IV.        Request that Council authorises the virement of reserves funds to enable the streetlight replacement at the Memorial Hall car park, Nutley, to proceed – The Clerk related the background to this matter. It was resolved that this virement should be allowed.

            3. Planning:-

                        I.          Minutes of the meetings held on 6th October and 20th October 2008 – Received.

                        II.         Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd November 2008 – Noted.

Cllr Stevenson stated that the changes to Permitted Development Rights signalled the clear failure of WDC to deliver adequate affordable housing for those in need Cllr Stevenson stated that he had no other matters to raise in addition to those covered by the circulated meeting minutes.

            4. Strategy:-

I.          Minutes of the meeting held on 29th September 2008 – Received.       

II.         Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 27th October 2008 – Noted.

Cllr Galley praised Cllr Barlow for his hard work in relation to the establishment of a GP surgery in the Parish. Cllr Barlow reported on a recent site visit to the portacabin surgery in Hartfield, and stated that it now seems that PCT funding will be available as no further development is possible at the Forest Row surgery site. It was noted that Dr Baxter would be leading a talk on this matter on the 19th November 2008 in Nutley Church Hall, following which further meaningful discussions would be held, particularly concerning suitable locations. To help gauge the size of the proposed facility, Cllr Stevenson showed example maps for the Nutley School playing field.

            5. Maresfield Recreation Ground Access Sub-Committee – Cllr Mrs Taylor reported that she and the Chairman had visited the Land Registry Offices in Tunbridge Wells and had discovered that there is in fact no additional strip of land to be claimed between the edge of the Recreation Ground and the Watts’ drive; although concern was expressed that the Recreation Ground as a whole was not registered. Cllr King advised against registering the Recreation Ground at the present time, as it could indicate that the Council has no access rights.

Cllr Mrs Taylor stated that she had been in touch with Mrs Watts who is going to instruct her solicitor to draw up a new agreement for access to the Recreation Ground. It was resolved that further discussion of this matter would take place following the receipt of the new agreement from Mrs Watts.

            6. Working Party on development of the Parish Office – The Clerk noted that a reply had been received to the letter he had written to Nutley Social Club Ltd expressing concern regarding the lack of progress in this matter, and indicating that the Council will need to consider other options; with Nutley Social Club Ltd expressing its apologies and seeking a meeting to move things forward. It was resolved that the Working Party members should meet with Nutley Social Club Ltd. ACTION: Clerk to arrange.

The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Lawson Commercial regarding other possible facilities within the Parish, but it seems that offices on the scale required are only mainly found in areas such as Uckfield and Crowborough.

The Clerk noted that a previous quote for the development of the existing Parish Office amounted to approximately £2000.00. It was resolved that this amount should be included in the draft Budget for 2009/10.

1506.   Outside bodies matters – No reports.

1507.   Consultation by the East Sussex Fire Authority on its Integrated Risk Management Plan – The Clerk gave an overview of this Plan and Cllr King stated that the Fire Authority should be applauded for its good work in calls to fires, reducing road accidents and working with young people. ACTION: Cllr Fry and the Clerk to study the consultation document and make a response.

1508.   Consultation by Communities and Local Government on Codes of Conduct for Members and Employees - The Clerk gave an overview of the proposed changes. ACTION: Councillors to review this document and respond individually if felt necessary.

1509.   Consultation by WDC on Community Governance Review – The Clerk related the background to this consultation. It was noted that, should the application for a separate Parish Council for Maresfield Village be approved, separate arrangements for Nutley and Fairwarp will be dealt with at the time.

1510.   Consultation by WDC on Areas of Natural Resource and Biodiversity – The Chairman noted that he is a member of the WDC Sub-Committee that deals with natural resources and wildlife.

It was noted that it is not clear exactly what information is required, although this may be an opportunity to identify patches of land not otherwise classified.

A list of responses received so far was circulated with the meeting papers; ACTION: All to send any further input to the Clerk by 30th November 2008.

1511.   Chairman’s Report followed by questions to Chairman – The Chairman reported that an area in School Lane, Nutley, which had been proposed to WDC for affordable housing  by its owner, is being seriously investigated; with the RSL in contact with the owner. It was noted that it is essential that consultation with parishioners is held as soon as possible. ACTION: Chairman to agree this action with Bob Taylor, WDC. Cllr Galley noted that WDC has a protocol in place for taking such matters forward.

The Chairman stated that he and Cllr King had conducted a site visit for a planning application for a replacement dwelling at Burnside cottage, Old Forge Lane, noting that the existing dwelling is part of the local heritage and should be recorded before it is demolished. ACTION: Clerk to speak to the Nutley Historical Society.

The Chairman informed the meeting about new Sussex Police initiatives for combating drink-driving.

1512.   Clerk’s Report followed by questions to Clerk – The Clerk reminded Councillors that the Chairman of WDC’s visit to the Parish is on 27th November, 6-8pm in Fairwarp Village Hall.

1513.   Payments to be made: for approval – It was resolved to approve payments amounting to £5714.40.

1514.   Communications:-

            1.         ‘The Parish Matters’ Winter 2008 edition – The Clerk stated that outstanding articles are required urgently if this newsletter is to be published by the end of the year.

1515.   Date of next meeting – 16th December 2008 (Fairwarp) – DCllr Mrs martin gave her apologies, as she will be absent from this meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20:47.