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WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL

THE MINUTES OF WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE PAVILION, SPARROWS GREEN RECREATION GROUND
ON THURSDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2010 AT 19:30
UNCONFIRMED

Present: Councillors Doyle (Chairman), Bell, Berger, Mrs Colvin, Miss Gadd, Miss Gates, Kent, Mamlok, Mrs Monaghan, Mrs Pearman, Phipson, Price, Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler.

Also in attendance: County Cllr. Tidy, PCSO Bennett, 45 members of the public and one member of the press.

1. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apology received from District Cllr. Wells.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllr. Bell declared a prejudicial interest in item 13.1 in view of work in his professional capacity with Wadhurst Institute Hall and Field; Cllr. Bell left the meeting during discussion of this item.

Cllr. Kent declared a personal interest in item 11.2 as a member of Wadhurst Tennis Club.

Cllr. Mrs Pearman declared a prejudicial interest in item 11.2 as her son lives opposite the recreation ground; Cllr. Mrs Pearman left the meeting during discussion of this item.

Cllr. Price declared a prejudicial interest in item 13.1 as a Trustee of Wadhurst Institute Hall and Field. Cllr. Price remained in the meeting but did not vote.

Cllr. Standley declared a prejudicial interest in item 13.1 as a Trustee of Wadhurst Institute Hall and Field. Cllr. Standley made a representation as permitted under 12 (2) of the Code on Conduct and left the meeting during discussion of this item.

3. POLICE REPORT
PCSO Tamara Bennett gave a report of incidents in the parish for the last month.
Speeding traffic continues to be an issue and monitoring has been undertaken in Lower Cousley Wood, Pell Green and Frant Road. Anti-social driving has caused disturbance in the main car park.
Report of a partnership initiative being led by WDC to involve youths in an arts project.

4. PUBLIC FORUM
Parking
Representatives from the business community spoke in support of the proposal to provide additional car parking in the village. There was concern at the proposed zebra crossing and the loss of on-street parking. It was considered that parking restrictions should operate in the High Street and existing car parks.
Comment that the disabled parking space at St James’s Square was not always observed; it was explained that this is an advisory space only.

Floodlighting
Paul Warley, Chairman of the Residents’ Association spoke against the proposal. Documents from Wadhurst Tennis Club accompanying the agenda for the meeting had been examined; it was understood that additional information had been submitted which had not been reviewed and this was considered by the residents to hinder their representations. Report given on the history of the site. The proposal for floodlighting 2 tennis courts would create unacceptable noise and light pollution; the impact of the lights was equated to 54 county council street lights. Lighting at Hawkenbury 7.2km away is visible in Wadhurst. The existing use of the courts had been monitored and the need for additional usage was questioned. The installation of floodlighting would provide the tennis club with a long term lease and the positioning of lighting columns would restrict the use of the courts for other sports. Bats have been identified at the site; comprehensive surveys can only be undertaken during the summer months. The council, as landlord, has a duty towards biodiversity conservation and management.

Ralph Miller, Chairman of Wadhurst Tennis Club spoke in support of floodlighting with representations being made by a youth player and an older club member. Youth members need to be able to play after school all year round to improve performance and commuters would like to play after work; without floodlighting members are leaving to join other clubs. There has been a decline in membership from 450 to 260. Planning permission for floodlighting had been granted as the benefits outweighed the minimal environmental impact; this decision was quashed due to a technicality. A bat survey has now been undertaken. The proposal is different to the one considered by the parish council two years ago; there are fewer lighting columns and the lighting specification has altered. Further improvements are proposed to lighting and planting around the courts following recommendations from the bat survey.

5. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 10.12.09
Resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held 10.12.09 as a true record.

6. TO DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING AND NOTING
None.

7 . TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
County Council
A council tax increase of 2.7% has been agreed. Transport & Environment is to borrow £8.5m for major road reconstruction. £1m has been allocated for repairing pot holes and £900k for child care services. There is concern regarding a central government plan to provide free personal care for the elderly, regardless of income. The proposal to rebuild Uplands Community College is not expected to be achieved due to the current economic climate; provision has been made to purchase some land adjacent to the college.
A meeting is to be held 10.03 to review the highways issues caused during the recent snow.
An increase of 2.74% has been agreed for the Police budget 2010/11.

District Council
There has been a public consultation on budgets and the transformation programme has been supported. It is expected that the government support grant will be reduced.
Work is progressing on the project for a single site for the district council with staff expected to the relocated to Hailsham by 2012. A presence will be retained in Crowborough.
Kerbside recycling is scheduled to commence in Wadhurst in March.
A report from a working party on road safety has been submitted to the council.

8. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING
8.1 To consider format and advertising for Annual Parish Meeting 24.03.10
An informal working party will be established to consider the format for the parish meeting.

Correspondence was reviewed and noted.

9. HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
9.1 To adopt Minutes of Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee meeting 14.01.10
Resolved to adopt the Minutes of the Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee meeting 14.01.10

9.1.1 To receive report on winter maintenance
Many requests were received by the parish council during the recent snow for grit bins to be installed; ESCC had diverted requests to the parish council in accordance with policy. This approach was taken up with Matthew Lock, Lead Member for Transport & Environment, as ESCC has a duty to ensure ‘so far as is practicable that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice’. The Committee is reviewing the location of existing grit bins in the parish and considering the possible location of additional bins.

9.2 To receive report from the Car Park Working Party
Report had been circulated prior to the meeting setting out the issues of parking in the village. An extensive car park survey is to be undertaken in March to establish parking requirements. The fire service is to redevelop the site at Wadhurst fire station; the proposal includes a public parking facility for approximately 30 cars and improved safety egress for fire engines. The parish council would be expected to contribute a capital cost in the region of £50,000; a loan would be required for this payment. Discussion on the need to create short-term parking spaces in the main car park to encourage motorists to use long-term parking at the fire station.

9.2.1 To respond to the proposals from the Fire Service, including the approval of costs.
Resolved by a majority to proceed with the car park project subject to finalisation of the details, results of the parking survey in March, and acceptable financial implications.

9.3 To receive update on proposal for Wealden Walks
Frant and Wadhurst parishes will launch the Wealden Walks project 24.04.10.

9.4 To approve street lighting repairs
Resolved to approve a replacement street light at Washwell Lane for £1067.59 + VAT under PCA 1957 s3.

Pedestrian crossing
ESCC's pedestrian crossing questionnaire found that 45.1% of respondents considered that there was a need for a pedestrian crossing in the High Street and 50.3% considered there was not. 63% of people completing a questionnaire did not support the current proposal of a crossing between Columbine dry cleaners and Wealden Wholefood Shop. A 92 signature petition in favour of the proposal had been received. It was noted that a petition was not part of the formal consultation. Members referred to comments made at the full council meeting 9.07.09 that the crossing would not be used as it was in the wrong location.

Cllr. Tidy stated that he was keen to see a crossing in Wadhurst and that he would try and persuade Cllr. Lock, Lead Member for Transport and Environment, to postpone a decision and review alternative locations.

A letter to be sent from the parish council supporting a review for an alternative location for the crossing.

10. PLANNING MATTERS
10.1 To adopt Minutes of Planning Committee meeting 30.01.10
Resolved to adopt Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held 30.01.10.

Comment that another planning application is to be submitted by Uplands Community College for a multi games area.

11. RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
11.1 To adopt Minutes of Recreation Ground Management Committee meeting 14.01.10.
Resolved to adopt the Minutes of the Recreation Ground Management Committee meeting held 14.01.10.

The installation of the play equipment has commenced. A site meeting was held with the chairman of the junior football club to agree the position for the kicking wall. A shelter is proposed near the pavilion as part of phase two of improvements. Charges for hiring the pavilion are to be increased from 1.04.10.

11.1.1 To approve recommendation to extend the existing Agreement with Wadhurst Tennis Club.
Resolved to approve the recommendation to extend the existing Agreement until 31.03.11 at the same rent.

11.2 To consider support of proposal for floodlighting tennis courts
Discussion on whether to support the principle of floodlighting two tennis courts. The pay & play facility will not be affected.

A signed ballot was requested in accordance with standing order no. 30.

It was resolved for Wadhurst Parish Council as landlord, to allow Wadhurst Tennis Club to install floodlighting on two courts at Sparrows Green Recreation Ground subject to Wadhurst Tennis Club obtaining necessary planning consents. Not withstanding any planning conditions, floodlights to be switched off no later than 9pm Monday to Saturday and 6pm on Sundays.
Voting: 8 votes in favour, 6 against.

12. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
12.1 To adopt Minutes of Environment Committee meeting 5.02.10
Resolved to adopt Minutes of Environment Committee meeting 5.02.10.

Enquiries to be made for planting by the existing village signs and installing a new sign near Brinkers Lane. Work continues on the proposal to tidy up the pavement area by The Greyhound. A site meeting has been arranged with a representative from Hailsham Town Council to quote for removing chewing gum from the pavements in the High Street. Estimate to be obtained to disconnect the electricity supply to the telephone kiosk at Durgates.

13. FINANCE
13.1 To consider response from Wadhurst Institute Hall & Field Trust regarding governance and a request to alter a condition of the second grant payment
In accordance with standing order no. 26(a), a request was received from seven members to reconsider a condition within a resolution taken 10.12.09 item 13.1.

The condition for the parish council to have equal representation on the committee managing the hall was not considered feasible as it would result in a committee of 32 members. A revised proposal received to set up a joint committee consisting of 2 members of the parish council and 2 members plus Chairman from Wadhurst Institute Hall & Field to consider finance and the long term future of the hall.

Resolved by a majority to alter the governance condition (10.12.09 item 13.1) and agree to participate in a committee comprised of two members of the parish council, two members of Wadhurst Institute Hall and Field Trust (WIHFT) and chaired by the Chairman of WIHFT; the committee will have oversight of financial and future planning of WIHFT.

Cllr Standley undertook, as the parish council's representative on WIHFT, to make regular reports to the council on the trust's financial position.

13.2 To approve accounts payable
It was resolved to approve accounts for payment as listed in appendix A.

14. URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
Power of Well-being training to be held at Mayfield 15.02.10.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 22:00.