Minutes of Maresfield Parish Council’s Strategy Committee meeting held on

Monday 31^st March 2008, at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Nutley

Present;         Cllr R Galley (Chairman), Cllr Mrs V Taylor, Cllr D Barlow, Cllr R Street,  Cllr H Fry, Cllr P Harris, Mrs M Smith, Clerk Tony Allen, Minutes Secretary Julie Best

A.        Public Session

            Nicholas Harris – interested in Youth matters (arrived after meeting had commenced to observe).

1.         Apologies for absence – Cllr K Ogden, Cllr W King, Cllr J Penfold, Cllr C Stevenson.

2.         Declarations of interest – None.

3.         Minutes of previous meeting (3^rd March 2008):-

            3.1       Adoption – The minutes were adopted.

            3.2       Matters arising from these minutes not elsewhere on the Agenda – Re. Item 5., the Chairman stated that the WDC Corporate Plan had now been approved and will be published shortly.

4.            Parish Plan – Carnegie Project update – The email from Mark McTaggart dated 25^th March 2008 was noted. It was resolved that a further meeting with him is appropriate to follow up on LSP issues and to look at initiatives relating to the delivery of the Parish Plan.

5.         Portfolio Holders reports (additional to written reports submitted):-

            5.1       Top Level Priorities:-

5.1.1    Youth – The email from Rev. Hobbs dated 31^st March 2008, and containing the constitutions for the Xtreme and Pulse youth groups, was noted. Concern was expressed that the requirement for Leaders still stipulated that people must be members of the Parish Churches, whereas the Council had asked that all helping and leading positions should be open to all, particularly with regard to the Council making grants to these groups. It was resolved that the Chairman should raise this matter with Rev. Hobbs.

Cllr Harris reported that he is now in contact with the new Committee of the Nutley Social Club, which is keen to encourage activities for young people, and it will discuss this further at its meeting on 1^st April 2008.

Mrs Smith reported that a Mr & Mrs Pemberton form Crowborough Road are keen to start a gardening club and a model aircraft club for young people. It was resolved to support these activities. ACTION: Mrs Smith to develop this further with Mr & Mrs Pemberton.

The Clerk reported that Cllr Mrs Penfold is to meet with Ali Cardosi, AiRS, for the last visit of the youth bus in the current programme to Maresfield Village; Ali Cardosi will  be producing a report in due course.

It was resolved that the next Item should remain in open session.

5.1.2    Affordable Housing – An email to the Chairman of Council, from a Mr Hunter, dated 30^th March 2008, offering a site for affordable housing in School Lane, Nutley, was noted. It was resolved that this site should be referred to Amanda Hodge, WDC, for assessment, and that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Hunter. ACTION: Clerk.

5.1.3    Road Safety – Speed Issues – It was noted that Cllr King had still to set a date for the Speedwatch exercise that he is to coordinate. ACTION: Clerk to chase.

Cllr Fry reported that a number of Crowborough Road residents had been trained on the use of the ‘speed gun’, with more training planned, and that a three week exercise will be carried out shortly.

Cllr Fry reported that he has written to the Sussex Police Authority concerning the criteria which sets the vehicle speed threshold levels above which enforcement will take place, asking that these be reduced in Sussex, and is awaiting a reply.

Cllr Mrs Taylor stated that a request for Speedwatch volunteers had been published in the Maresfield Conservation Group’s magazine, and Cllr Street stated that the Fairwarp Community Society is also seeking volunteers.

The Chairman noted that arrangements are now in place for the AFVRSP ‘SID day’ on 23^rd April 2008.

Concerning the Village Gateways project, the Chairman stated the a meeting is to be held with Michael Oates, ESCC on 11^th April 2008.

·         Road ‘loops’ survey results – The results of the surveys conducted from 4^th to 12^th March 2008 were discussed. It was noted that there is a high incidence of speeding on the B2026, and that there were also issues for Nutley High Street, as, although the speed levels are lower, it has different characteristics to the B2026. It was resolved that the Chairman should raise these issues at a meeting he is having with CCllr Reid and Ian Johnson of ESCC. ACTION: Chairman.

It was noted that the survey results would also prove useful in future discussions with CI Honnor of Sussex Police.

·         Response from CI Neil Honnor re. effectiveness of Speedwatch – CI Honnor’s letter dated 4^th march 2008 was discussed. It was noted that the letter did not really address the original question regarding the effectiveness of Speedwatch. It was resolved that CI Honnor should be invited to a meeting of the Committee, following the next round of Speedwatch exercises. ACTION: Cllr Fry.

·         Proposed speed limits – A272 Piltdown to Maresfield – The letter and plan received from ESCC, dated 4^th March 2008, was discussed. It was resolved that ESCC should be asked to make the whole section from Old Spot Farm to Batts Bridge roundabout a 40mph zone,  bearing in mind how dangerous the road is along this section, and in relation to past accidents and even fatalities. It was noted that frequent changes in speed limits will not be effective and will largely be ignored and that clearer markings and signs are needed at the junction of the A272 with Golf Club Lane and Down Street.

It was noted that a new roundabout is, after all, to be installed to serve the new waste site. ACTION: Clerk.

            5.1.4    Road Safety – Reduction in Traffic Volumes – No additional items.

5.1.5    Community Transport – Cllr Barlow reported that there had been no change in the issues affecting the establishment of NWCTP, with no help or funding coming forward from ESCC or WDC; grant applications are to be made to the Argus Newspaper’s minibus fund and the ESCC ‘seed corn’ fund.

It was resolved that no further action was currently required in relation to voluntary driver schemes.

Mrs Smith reported on changes to the 54 bus service, noting that these include re-routing and have caused delays and problems for people making connections to other services. ACTION: Clerk and Mrs Smith to raise with ESCC.

            5.2       Medium Level Priorities:-

            5.2.1    Mothers & Young Children – Cllr Barlow reported that the Nutley groups would like to make use of the Fords Green play area for children’s outdoor activities, but that the play area needs major updating to allow this, and therefore major funding is required; Cllr Barlow is reviewing a list of potential funding sources. The Chairman noted that the expertise exists in the Parish for the setting up of play areas and that this should be tapped into. It was resolved to ask Cllr Mrs Penfold to work with Cllr Barlow on this matter, forming a project team with parents. ACTION: Clerk.

·         Response form PCT re. Health Visitors – The PCT letter dated 13^th March 2008, stating that the matter is to be discussed, was noted

5.2.2    Carers & the Cared For – The Chairman reported that Cllr King has raised the issue of Care for the Carers operations in the western area of the District with WDALC, noting that the issue for the Committee is to try to identify any unmet needs. It was resolved to revisit this issue at a later date, to see if there are any responses to Mrs Smith’s carers article in the current edition of ‘The Parish Matters’.

            5.3       Monitor Level Priorities:-

            5.3.1    Provision of Medical Services – Cllr Mrs Taylor stated that she hoped to have a review of the West Sussex PCT’s response to ‘Fit for the Future’ available for the next meeting.

It was noted that East Sussex PCT is holding a Stakeholders Day on 28^th April.

            5.3.2    Police Presence – No items.

            5.3.3    Road Safety – Threat of Increased Volumes – No items.

5.3.4    Post Offices – The Chairman reported that the Postmistress at Maresfield Post Office has declined to run an outreach service in Nutley, and that Caroline Hoare, Post Office Ltd, is to talk to other Postmasters.

6.         Local Development Framework Working Party

6.1       WDC on-line consultation system – The WDC letter dated 5^th March 2008 was noted.

7.         Communications:-

7.1       Review of Parish Council web site – It was noted that this matter is in hand with Cllr Stevenson and that greater promotion of local clubs and organisations is planned. ACTION: Clerk to seek input from local clubs and organisations through the Parish magazines. ACTION: Cllr Stevenson to provide a plan for updating the web site for the next meeting.

7.2       Reformatting of ‘The Parish Matters’ – It was noted that this matter is in hand with Cllr Harris and Mrs Smith who are looking at a single A4 sheet for the newsletter, possibly in colour, and using actual pictures compared to the current use of clip art images. It was resolved that this change is approved in principle, but needs further research into options and costs. ACTION: Cllr Harris and Mrs Smith. ACTION: Clerk to ask Di Miles if she wishes to continue to help with the newsletter production.

8.            Date of next meeting – Monday 28^th April 2008

The Chairman closed the meeting.

Nicholas Harris was asked if he would like to speak to the meeting. Mr Harris stated that he is a Yoga teacher and is currently learning to teach it to young people, and wondered if this may be useful in relation to the Council’s youth development efforts.  ACTION: Cllr Harris, Cllr Mrs Penfold and Mrs Smith to raise with youth groups.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.27 hours.