Ticehurst Parish Council

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

Draft Minutes of Ticehurst Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 6 March 2012 

The Council met on Tuesday 6th March 2012 at 7.30 p.m. Thirty minutes were allowed at the start of the meeting for public questions and comments on relevant matters on the agenda. The Chairman then reminded the public  that they have a right and were welcome to stay and observe the rest of the meeting. 

Present:   Cllr Goodall (c),  Maynard, Cook, Langdown, Spencer, Young, Yeo, Crees, Burnham, Rigby, Burley and  Hastings.
In attendance:   C. Cllr. J Barnes    D. Cllrs  Elliston and Barnes.

Matters raised by the public:

• Cost of new notice boards last year.
• Height of Police Notice board.
• Dunsters Mill path to the reservoir.
• Posters being attached to lamp posts.
• Youth Forum volunteered to do rubbish collection at Recreation Ground.
• Complaints re Multi-court useage – none received.
• Date for hearing with regard to the lifting of the curfew for a year.
• Light on post outside No 53 Springfields is intrusive.
• Appreciative comment about the work done at Ticehurst Pond.

AGENDA

758.0 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Cook declared an interest in any matters relating to the Beatrice Drewe Trust and as a neighbour to the Bell Field.

759.0 Apologies for absence:  Cllr. Cocking had sent her apologies and the reason was accepted by Councillors and recorded in the attendance register.

760.0 Minutes of the meeting held on 7th February 2012:  - Proposed by Cllr. Maynard,  seconded by Cllr Langdown as a true record of those proceedings and signed by the Chairman.

761.0 Additional Agenda Items:  Cllr. Rigby to report on Broadband provision.

762.0 Devolution of services to Parish Councils:  Report circulated on meeting 24th February 2012 and Clerk reported on a good meeting with RDC Officer – Malcolm Johnston for resources on 5th March .   D. Cllr. M Barnes reported that the RDC Officer had reported that he had felt this had been a useful meeting.  Determination of RDC group awaited.

763.0  Flimwell Hall:  Specification requested from Flimwell Trust – no report. Clerk to contact Graham Peters.  They have been asked to attend the Annual Assembly.

764.0 Neighbourhood Plan:  Report on meeting with Tim Hickling, David Marlow and Roger Comerford from the Planning Department Rother District Council on 1st March 2012  - report circulated.  Cllr. Maynard reported that it was a useful meeting and that they are proposing to consult with each Parish about the housing allocation numbers and sites, to produce a report, which could be viewed as the ‘building blocks’ towards a Neighbourhood Plan.  Ticehurst have requested that RDC put the parish forward as a Vanguard Scheme if more national funding becomes available.  Cllr. Maynard reported that there were two large sites that RDC considered suitable for development – Banky Field and to the rear of Hilbury.  He was disappointed to learn from RDC that any allocations that had been planned before April 2011 were not included in the 45-60 that Ticehurst will need to accept before 2026.

765.0  Traffic Calming Group: Report on meeting held on 16th February – final plans for village square tabled.  Cllr. Young summarised the current position and the necessity to provide ESCC with a clear resolution to ensure that the costings and safety audits are included in their rolling programme.  It was resolved to move ahead with the proposal to proceed with the ‘buffing’ of the roads and pavements and the one way system and planting in the Square.  Cllr. Langdown added that means of calming traffic had been talked about since the 1920’s and it was time to do something with the monies collated for this purpose.  Clerk to action.

766.0  Appendix of Outstanding Matters:

767.0 District Council Report:  No report.

768.0 County Council Report: Cllr. Barnes advised that the ESCC details all matters of importance.  He pointed out that £496 million was being put aside over the next four years for capital projects that would improve the local economy and that £6m was to be allocated to regeneration projects – especially those that lead to employment for local youths.

769.0 SALC and RALC Reports: Cllr. Cook circulated the minutes of the latest RALC meeting

770.0 Map: Quotation for village map was acceptable to Cllrs. and Clerk was asked to place the order.  It was suggested that an ordnance survey map could be added below the artistic map providing accurate information on footpath routes.

771.0 Finance Report: 
Bank Reconciliation circulated showing clear balance. Cheques sanctioned for payment.
Update on Co-operative Bank – copy of letter of instruction has been requested.

772.0  Diamond Jubilee:  An offer of funding for a pig roast to celebration the Jubilee had been sent to the Clerk.  Cllr. Langdown reported that various groups seem to be organising their own events.  She offered to talk to the Village Club about what they were planning.   

773.0  New Occupiers Pack: Cllr. Young to report when drafted.

774.0 Planning Report:
Planning applications considered since the last meeting and the recommendations forwarded to RDC:
RR/2012/125/P – 17 Sunnybank – erection of garage – recommendation for approval
RR/2012/170/P – The Hollies Three Leg Cross – garden room – recommendation for refusal.
RR/2012/275/P – The Bull Inn – Installation of woodburner and improvements to bar and restaurant – recommendation for approval.

775.0  Annual Assembly – Clerk reported that invitations had been sent out – to date Youth Forum and TRIP,  Allotment Holders, British Legion, Planning Department at RDC, News and Views and the Village Club have confirmed that they will host a table.

776.0 Correspondence: 

777.0 Water Poverty: Report from Cllr. Langdown had been circulated.  It was resolved that Cllr. Langdown should continue to monitor the low local water reserves and make the Council aware of any groups and seminars that might have an influence on national strategies.

778.0   Bewl Water proposals: Cllr. Rigby reported that there are plans to house 24 holiday homes at Bewl – it is felt by those living around the area, that if permission is granted it will be followed by a larger application.
Broad Band -   Cllr Rigby reported that it is important to the area to provide ESCC with a list of all the businesses in the Parish.  Preferred method of delivery of Broadband, although the most expensive is  fibre optic.  He reported that Katie Thomas at the conference had confirmed that they were worried about consequential litigation as a result of any ill health that might occur.

779.0  Youth Forum:  It was resolved that the Clerk should book Basket Ball Training and filming for the Easter Holidays.  Youth Forum to attract attendees.  Chairman to talk to Wadhurst Parish Council and Uplands Community College.

780.0 Items for the April Agenda:    
Allotments – resolution to formalise sizes and prices of allotments.

781.0 The Bell Field:  (Confidential). The Chairman asked the public to leave whilst the Council were updated on the Bell Field  - the Clerk also notified the Council of a possible claim.