Minutes of Maresfield Parish Council’s Strategy Committee meeting held on Thursday 10^th June 2010 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Nutley

Present: Cllr D Barlow (Chairman), Cllr K Ogden, Cllr W King, Cllr Mrs P Palmer,

Clerk T Allen.

1. Public Session – Mr F Thorogood expressed his concern over the lack of progress concerning the siting of a satellite surgery in Nutley, noting that he had not seen any recent correspondence with the PCT or AFHC.

The Chairman stated that there had been no correspondence recently; he had spoken to Dr Baxter who had stated that the AFHC Project Manager, Ian Foster was still off work, but that he (Dr Baxter) hopes to have discussions with the PCT next month.

It was noted that the matter must continue to be pursued with urgency and that the support of the AFHC will be strong as it has outgrown its current site in Forest Row.

There was a brief discussion on the possible impact of impending Government spending cuts and changes to regional planning.

(Mr Thorogood left the meeting)

2. Apologies for absence – Cllr R Street, Cllr R Galley, Cllr Mrs G Brady,

Cllr C Stevenson, Cllr J Handley.

3. Declarations of interest – None.

4. Election of a Vice-Chairman – It was resolved to defer this item to the Committee’s next meeting.

5. Minutes of previous meeting (15^th April 2010):-

a. Adoption – It was resolved to adopt the minutes as a true record.

b. Matters arising from these minutes not elsewhere on the Agenda – Re. Item 6.b.i, Cllr Mrs Palmer reported that no funding streams had been found for the placing of a handrail at the entrance to the Maresfield Village shop, but that Mr Patel, the owner, has agreed to do this himself.

6.a.i.1. Scheme for the B2026 at Fairwarp – The Clerk reported that the County Council will be presenting its final plans for these safety measures at a meeting to be held on 15^th June 2010.

6.a.i.2. Speedwatch – The Clerk reported that it is still hoped that a coordinator can be found for these exercises while the Assistant Clerk is on maternity leave, but that it should be possible to continue to organise these from the Parish Office from next month onwards. Cllr Ogden volunteered to take this work on temporarily if required.

6.a.i.3. To nominate a representative for the Ashdown Forest Villages Road Safety Partnership – It was resolved that the Clerk should circulate the details of theses meetings to Cllr King, Cllr Ogden and Cllr Street, one of whom will attend.

6.a.ii.1. NWCTP report – Cllr Barlow reported that since the move of the WealdLink service to CTLA in 2009, passenger numbers had increased by 70%, necessitating double-runs on the Crowborough route: the Tunbridge Wells route could be improved and this is being looked at.

Cllr Barlow noted that a potential benefactor has been identified for funding the new NWCTP bus; arrangements need to be finalised with ESCC and the Charity Commission.

Cllr Barlow stated that there have been 20 positive responses from groups seeking the use of the proposed new NWCTP services.

6.a.iii. Affordable Housing – Cllr Ogden stated that he has chastised WDC Officers and Members for the lack of delivery of truly affordable housing in the Parish, noting that WDC seems content from the 30 affordable homes that will result from the Park farm development, should it be built, instead of promoting exception sites.

It was noted that Government funding in this area may now reduce, despite more powers being promised for local communities to be able to deliver affordable housing.

Cllr King referred to the circulated breakdown of the 2009 WDC Housing Needs Survey data, noting that there is a requirement of 176 people needing affordable homes over the next five years in the Parish. Cllr King noted that it was still not known as to what extent the market (churn) will reduce this figure, and what WDC’s plan is for meeting the overall need. Cllr King noted that he will shortly be meeting Cllr R Galley to discuss the matter.

6.a.iv. Post Offices – It was noted that there is now no Post Offices in Danehill, Isfield and Nutley, with the Chelwood Gate Post Office due to close imminently. Cllr Ogden noted that one of the Assistants working with Mrs Bougon at the Maresfield Post Office may be willing to help if a suitable solution was authorized by Post Office Services Ltd in the Parish.

It was resolved that the support of Danehill PC, Isfield PC and DCllr Mrs S Martin should be sought for a joint approach to Charles Hendry MP seeking a solution to rural Post Office needs. ACTION: Clerk.

6.a.v. Satellite/branch doctors surgery – No items in addition to those minuted in the public session above.

6.b.i. Carers, the Elderly & Infirm – No new reports; work in these areas is ongoing with Cllr Mrs Brady.

6.b.ii. Development of Play Areas – It was noted that only a couple of Parishioners had come forward so far to volunteer to be part of a project team to address the need for new equipment, particularly for smaller children in the Fords Green and Maresfield Recreation Ground (MRG) play areas. It was noted that it is crucial to set up effective project teams, members for which can be canvassed from the Schools, sports groups, play groups, youth groups, etc; a lot of funding for such projects is not available to Parish Councils.

The Clerk noted that Cllr Stevenson and Cllr Harris, who are leading on this matter, had previously sought direction and terms of reference from the Committee, and had been told that this would come out of the new Parish Plan.

It was noted that whilst a complete overhaul of a play area may cost in the region of £40K, the Council does have a small budget of £2K set aside this year for both MRG and Fords Green play areas, which should allow the replacement of one or two items in each.

ACTION: Clerk to update Cllr Stevenson and Cllr Harris.

6.c.i. Youth – The Clerk reported that John Hacker had produced a professional DVD showing the recent activities of the Nutley ‘Xtreme’ Youth Group. ACTION: Clerk to give a screening of the DVD at the next meeting of the Committee.

Mrs Dexter’s email dated 6^th May 2010, requesting funding support for childrens fitness classes, was noted and discussed. It was noted that an assurance is needed that this is a non profit making venture, i.e. non-commercial, and details of the exact equipment needed, its uses and costs, and the required level of contribution needed from the Council should be ascertained. ACTION: Clerk.

7. Communications – An update on the latest position regarding the satellite surgery should be given in the magazines and newsletters to reassure Parishioners that this project is still live.

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