Ticehurst Parish Council

The Village Hall, Lower High Street, Ticehurst, East Sussex, TN5 7BB 01580 754 090

Minutes of Ticehurst Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 2 March  2010 at 7.30 p.m.

The first half an hour 7.30 – 8.00 p.m is reserved for public questions, thereafter the public  have a right and are welcome to stay and observe the rest of the meeting.  Fifteen members of the public were present:
Matters raised included:
Members of the public stated that during their protest at the possible exception site at Upper Platts they had become aware that they do not attend enough meetings and keep themselves up to date on local matters and had agreed that they should be more pro-active.
Exception site at Upper Platts – A member of the public stated that he felt that a recent article in Ticehurst News and Views that set out what ‘exception sites’ were, and how Hastoe had decided to pursue the Upper Platts site, should not have mentioned that the author was a Cllr.  It was pointed out that the article stated that the contents were one individual’s opinion.  It was agreed that the application had lead to cohesive community engagement.  It was reported that to date the Council was unaware of Hastoe’s intentions with regard to the appeal process but had written to them to see if a meeting could be established to re-visit all the original sites.  Similarities were drawn with regard to the potential siting of the Primary School and on re-investigation a more suitable site had been gained.

Code of Conduct –   The Chairman welcomed Mr Mark Haskell from Rother’s Standards Committee.  He addressed the meeting on what is expected from Councillors whilst in Office and clarified the difference between personal and prejudicial interests.  He assured the meeting that information packs would be provided together with information on dispensations that the Council can apply for with regard to Trust matters.  The Chairman thanked him for attending.

Present:  Cllrs.  Goodall (c), Maynard, Burley, Cocking, Mitchell, Rigby, Hastings, Cook, Yeo, Semple, Seemann and Young.  C. Cllrs. Barnes and D. Cllr. Elliston in attendance.

AGENDA

284.0 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Seemann declared a personal interest as a member of  Amicus Horizon Board in any matters pertaining to ‘affordable housing’  and Cllr. A. Cook declared a personal interest in The Bell Field as a neighbour.  Those interests were duly recorded in the register of interests book.

285.0 Apologies for absence: Apologies were received from  Cllr. Langdown.   Apologies and reasons for absence were  recorded in the  attendance register on acceptance by the Council.

286.0 Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd February  2010:  - Cllr. Cook  proposed and Cllr. Semple seconded those minutes as an accurate record of those proceedings and so authorised the Chairman to sign them.

287.0 Additional Agenda Items:   No matters had been brought to the attention of the Council to add to the agenda.

288.0  Shared  Spaces:  Piers Young briefly addressed the meeting, as requested, about shared spaces.  He explained that the principle is one of an area that is not dominated by cars, so that pedestrians, cyclists, and cars – all those wanting to access an area being equal.  The scheme appears to work in Europe and towns such as Ashford had successfully adopted this approach.  Cllr. Barnes was asked to express Ticehurst’s willingness at County level if a pilot scheme were to be suggested.  Mr Young reported that he might have found a source for further information and would continue to pursue this on the Council’s behalf – The Chairman thanked him for the work he has put into this concept so far.  

289.0   Annual Assembly:  Cllr. Mitchell gave an update of arrangements to date.  It was confirmed that  G Barker MP,  T Warder from AIRS have accepted the invitations to attend.  Hastoe housing have been invited to attend, together with any major developer in the village – such as Court Royal for the Warrens site. 

290.0  WWF  Earth Hour:  27th March 2010 – Pledge to turn off lights for one hour. Cllr. Langdown  was not present at the meeting to put forward a motion.

291.0  Bins: A new sleeve for the Flimwell Recreation ground bin has been installed and the key sent to Mr Giles who empties the bin.  A new small  bin is now available for the Flimwell bus stop when a collection service and licence have been obtained.

292.0  Appendix of Outstanding Matters:

293.0 District Council Report:  D. Cllr. Elliston had nothing to report. 

294.0 County Council Report: Cllr. Barnes reported on three matters:
1.  Declared an interest as a E Sussex Director of Woodland Enterprise with regard to agenda point   299.0. but confirmed that it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cost of a Hall at Flimwell at this time.
2.  The speed limit in Wallcrouch is to be reduced and he will be consulted about an appropriate speed in the near future.
3.  Council Tax rises have been kept down to 2.7 % for the coming year.

295.0 SALC and RALC Reports: There had been no meetings for Cllr. Cook to report on.

296.0 Dog Bins:  Wealden District Council  have been asked to move two bins – near Stonegate School and at Steelands Rise.

297.0 Finance Report:  Financial statement, together with list of cheques for sanctioning had been circulated.  It was resolved that the cheques should be signed.
Cllrs. Cook and Maynard reported on a rather unsatisfactory meeting held at Nat West on Friday 26th February. The Clerk had been instructed to seek better terms

298.0 Planning Report:  Report on meetings held on 11th  and  25th February 2010:
RR/2009/2863/P – 4 Broomden Cotts. – two storey extension and internal alterations – recommended for approval.
RR/2009/3192/P – Brookgate Farm – Porch extension and link – recommendation for approval.
RR/2009/3202/L – Ticehurst House – Improvements to rear service yard – recommendation for approval.
RR/2010/6/P – Bardown Farm -  Two storey extension for additional bedrooms and larger kitchen – recommendation for approval.
RR/2010/70/P – Cedar Farm – installation of telecommunications tower – recommendation for refusal.
PLANNING INQUIRY re:  Cross Lane House – 25th and 26th May 2010 – Ticehurst Village Hall.
RR/2009/3195/P – Cottenden Squash Court – conversion to dwelling – recommendation for approval.

299.0 Flimwell Hall:  Alan Hughes attended the meeting to provide the Council with additional information about the Trust.   He gave a brief history of the last fifteen years.  Funding that remains open for the progression of the Hall was broken down as  £50,000 pledge from the Parish Council,  £25,000 held back from the Woodland Enterprise Development, held by SEEDA, £4000  Flimwell Hall Trust and  £1000 from Flimwell Festival Group,  £50,000 matched funding from Rother District Council – (dependent upon the Parish Council pledge).  He stated that Rother criteria may have changed.  Rother have in their local plan stated that the proposed houses (12-24) are to be completed no later than the completion of a village hall – therefore the Village Hall Trust have drawn the conclusion that it would be necessary for the chosen developer to provide the balance.  He stated that local fund raising would take place to furnish and equip the Hall, once the provision was available – together with fund raising for a shop.  The Parish Council have not received any application for housing on this site, but it was understood that this might be forthcoming in the not too distant future.  The Parish Council have asked to be invited to relevant meetings at the Woodland Enterprise Centre.

300.0 Parish Maintenance Gangs:  Forms need to be completed and returned to ESCC by 12th March 2010.  It was resolved that Cllrs.  Burley, Young and Rigby would compile a list of works (roadside) to send to the Clerk by 9th March latest.

301.0 Allotments:  Cllr. Maynard  reported  on progress made at Flimwell and Stonegate allotment sites. The double gates for the Stonegate site have been erected – cheque to sanction. Council  voted to proceed with Stonegate lease  delegated responsibility to Cllr Maynard to conclude negotiations.

302.0 Traffic Calming: Report on meeting of 23rd February 2010 -  circulated with agenda.
Clerk confirmed that she had written to three consultant engineering firms, with maps of the village asking for a quotation for a feasibility study and costing that could then be put to ESCC for approval.  Costings for ‘Gateway Signs’ had been requested from Tates and the Clerk has asked ESCC for a meeting to discuss where they can go and the dimensions allowed.

303.0 Correspondence

304.0 Village Notice Boards:  Quotations obtained  and estimates included in the Precept – offer of a new board by Rother Homes in front of new Springfields unit once it is completed.  T. Casey project manager has confirmed that they will contribute £750 towards a new board on the basis that they can use it during works to update the Village on progress.  It was resolved to proceed and order the new board – The Chairman thanked Cllr. Seemann for his assistance in securing this offer.    Works should commence soon – Cllr. Semple suggested asking for some hardcore from the demolition works for a base for disabled accessto the village Institute Recreation Ground.  Clerk to check on validity of temporary storage of materials and to talks to T Casey Project Manager. 

305.0 Items for the  April Agenda:    None suggested to date.

302.0 The Bell Field:  (Confidential). There were no matters to discuss.

305.0  Date of the next meeting:  The meeting closed at  9.45 pm. and the date of the next meeting set for  6th   April    2010