Issues should be raised at the forthcoming WDC Annual Conference on the 28^th September 2012.

1948. Parish Wards – issues, needs and Councillors’ reports:-

1. Fairwarp Ward – Cllr Mrs. Reeves reported on the following matters:-

1. Vandalism has taken place at the play area on the village green, and lead was stolen from the roof of the village hall.  It was noted that both incidents were reported to the local PCSO and repairs have been carried out.
2. Consultation on the Fairwarp Village Hall has gone well with the architect nearing completion of the plans which will be submitted to WDC.
3. A resident of Fairwarp has suggested arranging a meeting with the local MP and WDC Planning dept. to discuss the proposed land development changes.  It was noted that this topic does not relate solely to Fairwarp, but requests that the Parish Council may consider organising such a meeting for the whole Parish.
4. The Sports Field Committee trustees have passed on their gratitude to the Parish Council for their support.  It was noted that their Common Rights have been reinstated as well as having the Access Licence.  This has meant that the Sports Field are now ready to move forward with the design, and funding applications will take shape soon. 

Re item No.3, the Chairman noted that a meeting including residents of the whole Parish would be a positive step; however this would not be realistic until the Government’s Localism Bill was finalised; and therefore the Parish Council would be more objective to which direction it proposes to take.

It was noted that this matter should come under the remit of the Planning Committee for action and community engagement as soon as possible.  It was thought that an acknowledgement letter should be sent to the resident concerned informing them of these facts.  ACTION: A letter should be written to the Fairwarp resident re. item 3 above.

2. Maresfield Ward ­– Cllr Mrs. Reynolds updated Councillors to the Maresfield Recreation Ground Committee meeting.  It was noted that Cllr Mrs. Reynolds had been made aware of a suggestion that Mr M Wheeler would like to extend the car parking area at the front of the grounds.  It was thought that if this proposal were to take place that the football pitch area would greatly be reduced in size.

ACTION: Cllr Mrs. Reynolds to obtain a letter from the Dynamo Football Club stating the current situation.

Cllr Ogden informed Councillors of the WDC Housing meeting he attended on the 21^st September 2011.

Cllr Mrs Reynolds noted that there was nothing to report at this time with regards to the Maresfield Recreation Ground (MRG), and requested that a rota between herself and Cllr Mrs. Brady be set up which will enable both parties to inspect the recreation ground at regular times.

Cllr Mrs. Brady reported that water and gas works have taken place along Batts Bridge Road in Maresfield.  It was noted that although the works appears to have finished that the ‘making good’ of the road and pavement has not been carried out to a satisfactory standard, with verges being left in an unkempt way.  Cllr Mrs. Brady noted that she had reported this fact to ESCC.

3. Nutley Ward – Cllr Watson requested that a letter of gratitude be written and sent to both contractors Southern Water and Clancy Docwra; who carried out water main replacement works along the main High Street in Nutley.  It was noted that their employees were very helpful, and the work was carried out to a high standard.  ACTION: Clerk to compose a letter to the above contractors.

Cllr Mrs. Reynolds reported on the good work carried out by ESCC Highways dept. in reference to the making good of a large pot hole that had surfaced at the entrance to Parklands Estate in Maresfield.

1949. Council bodies - To receive minutes and decisions, followed by reports from Chairmen and any questions:-

1. Finance & Administration Committee – Cllr Ogden reported that the meeting of the F&A Committee on the 15^th September had to be cancelled as it was inquorate.

It was noted that this Committees work load would now increase monthly as it got nearer to important budget making decisions.

The Chairman recognised the need to strengthen this Committee by increasing its members.  It was resolved that Cllr D Watson becomes a member of the F&A committee.

i. Month 5 –2011/12 Financial Reports – Noted.

2. Planning Committee:-

i. Minutes of the meeting held on 1^st August 2011 – Received.

ii. Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd August 2011– Received.

iii. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th September 2011 – Noted.

Cllr Ogden reported on the updated Planning Agenda procedure which entails adding the web link planning application details on to each planning application.  Cllr Ogden stated that this system worked well and sped up the whole viewing process.

3. Environment Committee:-

i. Recommendation to Council re. WDC’s proposals with regard to closed churchyards – It was noted that this matter was discussed in depth at the Environment Committee meeting on 6^th September 2011, for the consideration of this Full meeting of Council.  It was reported that after having examined the options in detail, Councillors resolved to recommend to WDC that there should be no change to current practices i.e. Option 1 from the WDC meeting held on 27^th June 2011, as discussed and minuted.

ii. Fords Green play area development and allocation of budget – The following points were noted in discussion:-

• The festival whirl roundabout in the play area was discussed; it was noted that this play item

is currently in working order, but is out dated and tired and may need to be removed/replaced in the near future.  Cllr Mrs. Reeves informed Councillors that she would research grants/funding that may be applicable for this site.

·         The Assistant Clerk reported that the main gate into the play area has been broken and may need to be fixed or replaced.  Cllr Watson reported that he visually inspects this site weekly and he informed Councillors that the gate seems to be shutting well at present.  It was noted that there is £2k set aside in a budget heading for the Fords Green play area which was aimed at being used as match funding for a new roundabout.   

·         Councillors took time to discuss the details and various fund raising ideas to replace the obsolete play items in the site.  It was thought that a ‘Project Team’ incorporating schools and parents may help to open the doors to more funding ideas.

Cllr Ogden suggested that some monies may possibly be available from developer’s contributions in Maresfield for the usage of upgrading play areas.

ACTION: It was agreed that this item should be referred back to the Environment Committee for it’s future development.

iii. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th September 2011 – Noted.

iv. To arrange the next SLR meeting with ESCC – The Clerk gave the background history to Councillors regarding the ‘Strengthening Local Relationships’ meetings; noting that they incorporate live agenda issues with Parish Councillors and ESCC Officers.  The Chairman noted that the new ESCC Highway Stewards will attend these future SLR meetings.

It was noted that both Cllr Street and Cllr Mrs. Reynolds will be able to attend the next meeting.  Dates are to be confirmed forthwith, either 31^st October or 1^st November 2011.

4. Maresfield Recreation Ground Access Sub-Committee – Cllr Ogden reported that Mr and Mrs. Watts have recently changed their solicitor who has been dealing with this issue.  It was noted that this factor may incur a slight delay in gaining the required agreements, however it is thought that this issue could be finalised very soon.

5. Parish Plan Development Working Party – The Clerk reported that only a small number of additional questionnaires (28 in total) have been received into the Parish Office over the last few months.  The following Councillors are involved in this Working Party:-

• Cllr Mrs. Reeves        
• Cllr Mrs Reynolds
• Cllr Miss Bergan-Gander

It was resolved to make Cllr Craddock a member of this Working Party.

ACTION: The members of the Working Party will liaise and bring their findings to the next Full Council meeting on 18^th October 2011.

6. Parklands Play Area Working Party – The Asst. Clerk updated Councillors to the following points:-

• The front gateway to the site has now been fixed.
• New netting has been put up near the football area which it is thought should limit the amount of stray footballs going into neighbouring gardens.
• The new play area signs have been installed.
• The metal cages for the cat scarers have been ordered and the Asst Clerk is awaiting delivery.

7. Outside bodies matters:-

i. AiRS re. 2011 AGM to be shared with SALC on 4^th November 2011 – The Chairman reported that he will be attending this meeting, and noted that other Councillors could also attend if they wished.

ACTION:  Any Councillor that wished to attend this meeting should liaise with the Clerk.

The Clerk noted that the North Wealden Community Transport Partnership (NWCTP) was holding a WealdLink Forum Meeting on September 22^nd 2011.  The Chairman noted that he is the Representative to the NWCTP and requested that a fellow Councillor attended this meeting as he could not do so.  It was resolved that Cllr Mrs. Brady becomes a Deputy Member Representative for the NWCTP on behalf of the Parish Council.

Cllr Mrs. Brady noted that she would attend this meeting.

1950. To receive a report from, and put questions to the Chairman – The Chairman’s report was noted.  He updated Councillors to the ESCC Annual Parish and Town Council Meeting held on the 16^th September 2011 that he attended.  The following points were raised and discussed from that meeting:-

• Trading Standards gave a presentation describing how the number of scams via telephone and email are rising sharply, which could affect vulnerable and elderly members of our society.  It was thought that a positive step would be to incorporate the Trading Standards web site to the Parish Council web site so that members of the community could have a point of contact if they had any information or further questions surrounding ‘scamming’ issues.  ACTION: A web site link from the Trading Standards Board on to the Parish Council’s web site will be added.

Cllr Mrs. Reeves noted that she knows Louise Baxter from her work at the Citizens Advice Bureau, and noted that she would request more information through this source regarding ways in which incidents should be reported. ACTION Cllr Mrs. Reeves to gain information regarding ways to report scamming incidents. 

Cllr Mrs Reeves also informed Councillors that she would pass on this important information regarding ‘scamming’ and the Trading Standards web site to the Fairwarp Community Society and the Fairwarp Echo for their information.  ACTION: Cllr Mrs. Reeves to pass on the information regarding ‘scamming’ to the FCG and the Fairwarp Echo.

• ESCC are looking into Broadband services in the county, and are aiming to promote a major initiative to strengthen Broadband services throughout the rural area.
• ESCC are looking at street lighting and energy charges in the county, and reported that an inspector could come and assess the efficiency of the Parishes street lighting; noting that there may be possibilities of finding cheaper sources.  ACTION: This item to be passed on to the Environment Committee for further discussion.

1951. To receive a report from, and put questions to the Clerk – The Clerk reported that he would be Tuesday, 27 September 2011on annual leave from 26^th September – 12^th October 2011.

1952. Payments to be made - for approval - Payments amounting to £6,633.75 were approved.

1953. Response to ESFRS re. its potential merger with WSFRS – The potential merger between East Sussex Fire Authority and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was considered and discussed and it included the known views of our County Councilors and ESFRS colleagues, which were all positive. Councillors noted good reasons for this merger to take place. It was noted that Parish Council can therefore see no reason to oppose this proposed merger.  ACTION: Clerk to respond to the Fire Authorities stating the Parish Councils thought on this merger.

1954. Recruiting to fill the remaining Councillor Vacancies ­– Cllr Ogden reported that he had approached two individuals regarding the Councillor vacancies, but it was reported that both parties had too large a work load to take on the role at this time.  The Chairman noted that he would place an article in the next Parish magazine emphasising the requirement of filling the Nutley Councillor vacancies.

1955. Recognising Parishioners for their contributions to the Parish – The Clerk reported that this initiative has been raised by Cllr Mrs. Reeves, and noted that this type of undertaking had formerly been accomplished at Parish Council Annual Assemblies in the form of ‘Certificated Awards’.  It was noted that that such awards would be greatly received, and Councillors were requested to think of future candidates for such an award.

The ‘Marjorie Pegg’ Salver was noted as being the perfect principle award for a Parishioner who has contributed the most in the Parish throughout the year, and therefore the prospect of awarding such a person at the forthcoming Annual Assembly in May 2012 could therefore become a possibility.

1956. Communications – web site; ‘Your Parish Brief’; Parish Mag’s –The next edition of the Parish Magazines (YPB) will be circulated in November 2011.  Cllr Unruh gave Councillors a brief outline of other possible methods of communication i.e. the ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’ websites, and noted that these communication portals may be a way in which the Parish Council could speak to its community.

The Chairman noted that this concept has previously been discussed by the Strategy Committee and at Full Council, and requested that Cllr Unruh review these websites with a view to reporting on the possibility of the Parish Council connecting with such web sites.  ACTION: Cllr Unruh to review the possibilities of linking the Parish Council to a communication web site.

1957. Correspondence:-

1. Nutley Village Day Committee re. 2012 Village Party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – The Clerk noted he would represent the Parish Council on this Committee as he was already a member of the Nutley Village Day Committee.  It was noted that the Clerk would therefore report back any matters of interest to Council regarding the 2012 Village Party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  ACTION: Clerk.

1958. Date of next meeting – 18^th October 2011 (Nutley).

(CCllr Reid and CCllr Whetstone left the meeting).

To give consideration to the next items being discussed in closed session; that in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, i.e. employment matters, it is advisable that the public and press be temporarily excluded and that they are instructed to withdraw.

1959. Employment Costs Review Working Party - It was resolved that this item should be taken in close session. The Clerk and the Asst. Clerk left the room.

The Chairman reminded the Committee of the contents of minute 1943 of the Council Meeting on 19th July 2011. Councillor Mrs. Brady informed Council of the current position in respect of the working party's consultations and deliberations. A discussion among councillors then took place.  It was resolved unanimously to disband the working party.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20.50.