Summary Notes of the Maresfield Parish Annual Assembly held on Friday 22nd May 2009

At 7.30pm in Fairwarp Village Hall

Present:           Cllr W King (Chairman), Cllr K Ogden,  Cllr P Harris, Cllr R Galley, Cllr J Handley, Cllr D Barlow, Cllr R Street, Cllr J Gutteridge, Cllr Mr A Clarke, CCllr F Whetstone, DCllr S Martin, CCllr T Reid, Clerk Mr T Allen, Asst. Clerk Mrs J Bradford.

Community Group Speakers:             Mr C Black – Parklands Residents Assoc.

Mr M Card – Fairwarp Community Society.

Mr D Hutchinson – Nutley Conservation Group.

Mr D Thompson – Maresfield Conservation Group.

Mr M Wheeler - Field End Residents Assoc.                                                

Approximately 40 members of public were in attendance including the following:

PSCO Pilston and PCSO Breeds, Ms E Boultbee, Mr & Mrs Deeks, Mrs A Thompson, Mrs M Smith, Mrs J Matthews, Mr & Mrs P Easton, Mr J Compson, Mrs H Compson, Mrs Gutteridge, Mrs J Allen, Mr & Mrs Long, Mr G Allt, Mr & Mrs Rhodes, Mr D Jenner, Mr R Benford and Mr B Keeys .

Apologies for absence were received from DCllr Buck, Cllr Mrs V Taylor, Cllr Stevenson, Cllr Mrs G Brady and Cllr Fry.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, and thanked the leaders of the Community Groups in advance for their participation.  He also thanked the team who had organised the village hall for the meeting, led by Mrs S Bergan-Gander, and Mrs E Gutteridge and other members of the Fairwarp WI for organising the interlude refreshments.

Cllr King congratulated DCllr Sylvia Martin on becoming Chairman of Wealden District Council.  He then went on to introduce the Community Group Speakers, and invited them to talk about their aims and aspirations.

Mr Michael Wheeler, Field End Residents Assoc – Reported on how the association provides a representative body for the Field End Residents, in which standards are maintained and views are discussed.  Community spirit is high on the agenda and fund raising is also a key topic. 

Mr Craig Black, Parklands Residents Assoc – Noted that this association was firstly set up to improve the play area in the estate and in doing so has lead to improved community cohesion.  The group also organises and funds community activities which have included a Halloween party, and B-B-Q’s.

Mr Dick Thompson, Maresfield Conservation Group – expressed how MCG main role is to improve, enhance and preserve the village.  It aims to work together with Maresfield Parish Council, to complement each other and to combine concerns about wider issues.  Members also do lots of practical work around the village to maintain its appearance, and they hope to maintain the ‘green space’ that surrounds the village.  Preservation and the enhancement of historic documents are also of interest.  The group endeavours to keep Maresfield’s integrity by remaining separate from Uckfield.

Mr Michael Card, Fairwarp Community Society – Noted that this was the group’s second year in operation.   The main aim of the society is to enhance the quality of life for the people who live in Fairwarp, to preserve and improve on amenities and to hold forums on all relevant topics.    They have a main notice board opposite the Foresters and have recently set up a new board in Old Forge Lane which enables villagers to see what’s happening locally, and when people move to the village they are given a ‘Welcome pack’ full of information which is provided by the society. 

Mr David Hutchinson, Nutley Conservation Group – noted that this group was originally set up in 2004, and focuses on proposed housing developments in Nutley.  It is especially interested in the siting of Affordable Housing in Nutley. There are nine members in the group that meet once a month to discuss proposed developments in and around the area.  In 2007 the group were involved in organising the Village design statement, and this year’s project is to be a part of producing a village map of Nutley.  Their Annual General Meeting is to be held on the 24^th June 2009.

The Chairman went on to discuss matters that relate to the Parish and all the community groups alike.

The following points were noted in discussion:-

·                     Mr Wheeler explained how 98% of residents pay a subscription to the group, and that everyone in Field End is a member, although only approx. 10% of members attend meetings.

·                     Mr Thompson noted that MCG have 400 members, and are financially healthy, but also do struggle to get active members at group meetings.  They have a high response rate to questionnaires that are handed out and the group does consult all members in decision making.

·                     Mr Black noted that all Parklands residents are members of the association.

·                     Mr Card noted that they have 170 members out of 300 households, from approx. 600 residents.  Members receive concessions with membership, including 10% off all food at the local pub.   Members are given the minutes of each meeting for their perusal, and other groups are invited to attend each meeting, so that good communication can be achieved.

·                     Mr Hutchinson stated that the NCG have 130 members out of 500 households, from approx. 1300 residents.  They respond to members’ issues, and aim to enhance the village as a whole.

·                     Cllr King recognised the need for these community groups to speak for their members and indeed the wider community.

Comments from the floor:-

Mr Burt Keeys (FGMC) spoke in relation to Nutley Conservation Group and emphasised the need for the group to steer away from ‘nimbyism’ Re: Affordable Housing in School Lane, and rather to aim to bring business into the village.

Cllr Street expressed the importance of the Community Groups, stating without them how many views would not be communicated through the system. 

Mr Glyn Davies asked why people in their village should have to pay a fee to be part of a community group.  Mr Wheeler explained that each group have costs to cover, and that this money gets ploughed back into the community.  Ms P Handley also spoke about Fairwarp Community Society at this time, stating that a mail shot was engaged to all households, inviting everyone to join the society, and that no one is excluded if they do not become a member.

Cllr King reported on Maresfield Parish Council matters:-

·                     He thanked the Clerk, Mr T Allen, who had survived a year without the help of an assistant, and welcomed the newly recruited Assistant Clerk Mrs J Bradford.

·                     He expressed his gratitude to the support from his fellow Councillors and District councillors.

·                     The two local PCSO’s J.Pilston and K Breeds were introduced to the meeting, and it was noted that Sussex Police are fully staffed with three PCSO’s now working in the Parish.

·                     Youth groups are both well established and supported in the villages.

·                     The Speed camera is fully operational in Nutley.

·                     There is also a proposed scheme on the B2026, and ESCC is soon to meet with MPC Cllrs to discuss the proposal.

·                     There has been a smooth transfer from the Easylink Bus service to the new Wealdlink service.

·                     Cllr Barlow and Cllr Street as NWCTP Trustees have been leading lights in pressing forward the new service and the Parish has high hopes in developing community transport throughout the area.

·                     The new bus service which is routed through Fairwarp was highlighted, noting that it’s not currently ideal, but a good start.

·                     MPC have come as far as they can on gaining a satellite surgery in Nutley, and it is now in the hands of the PCT and landowners to discover which site is suitable.  The Chairman praised Mr F Thorogood on all his hard work in reaching this stage.

·                     Two negative issues, the first is that it has not been possible to re-establish the Post Office facility in Nutley, although work is continually being undertaken to see what can be done to rectify this matter.  Also the consultation in Parklands, Maresfield with reference to the street lighting.

It was noted that the Community Governance Revue is being undertaken, with a WDC meeting being held on the 29^th June 2009.  Mr Collingridge from Nutley asked if it is Wealden District Council that makes the final decision, and Cllr King responded that it is, and that people can still write in to WDC with their views.

Major Graham Allt spoke in relation to the following:-

·                     ‘Consultation’ and ‘Community’ as buzz words.

·                     Traffic problems at School Hill, Maresfield whilst the village fete was held.

·                     The Freedom of Information Act – His question “how many police hours are spent out on the beat?” has not been answered as there are no statistics

·                     The Charles Church housing development on Maresfield Park.

PCSO J Pilston commented on the amount of time that he is out on foot in the community, and how his pocket notebook can relay the hours that he spends on the beat.  It was noted the high level of success that the police have through their visible presence in the area, and Ms Ellie Boultbee gave praise to the PSCO’s for their support and noted that they are regularly to be seen around the village.

Cllr King spoke on the topic of Consultation, noting that not enough local people are involved in the process, and that timing has had a huge part to play in keeping the public informed; too early and not enough is known or clear, and too late and people say it’s all been decided.    

It was noted that more people need to get involved in the issues as knowledge and discussion are vital.  DCllr S Martin noted that there are opportunities at all Council meetings for the general public to have their say on all relevant subjects.

The following points were made in discussion:-

·                     The Consultation on Community Transport is a hugely difficult topic to respond to.

·                     CCllr Whetstone noted that there is a large difference in the number of people that attend council meetings and we must find ways to attract the public.

·                     Ms E Boultbee noted how it can be hard for parents to attend evening meetings.

·                     On average only 10% of members attend their community group meetings.

·                     The Parish magazine could be utilised more in communicating with its parishioners on such topics.

·                     Consultation should be looked at in different ways and be carried out as early as possible.

Cllr King spoke on the topic of Money.  It was noted in discussion the difficulties the Parish Council face when utilising council tax money in various areas of the parish as it ought to be shared out between all three villages; and it is a fact of council tax that everyone has to pay regardless of ability to pay and of benefits to follow.  Is it better to generate ways for voluntary contributions rather than through council tax?

Mr D Thompson reported that MCG have raised approximately £300,000.00 over the last 18 years, which has given the group freedom to act when things need doing; i.e. hedge cutting, litter collecting and improvements to the recreation ground.

The subject of fundraising was discussed.  Mrs Allen expressed the need for as many people as possible from all three villages to participate and support all fundraising objectives.  Ms Boultbee reported that Parklands Residents Assoc. have raised a total of £20,000.00 for their play area, which is also bringing public sector money back into the community.  It was noted that there is money to be gained from outside bodies with a little bit of work and commitment.

DCllr Mrs Martin spoke to the effect that Maresfield Parish Council is one of the councils that do listen to the needs of their parishioners.

There being no further business the formal session of the meeting closed at 21.50.