WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
THE MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
HELD AT THE PAVILION, SPARROWS GREEN ON THURSDAY 27 Sept 2007 AT 19:30

Present: Cllrs. Mrs Pearman (Chairman), Kent and Mamlok.

1.            TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Miss Gadd and Miss Gates: reasons noted and accepted.

2.             PUBLIC FORUM
None.

3.             JARDIN D’AUBERS AND WAR MEMORIAL AREA
To approve further maintenance at the Jardin d’Aubers
Site visit held with Rotherfield Landscapes to discuss additional maintenance work. Resolved to accept quotation of £1620 + VAT dated 13.08.07 for maintenance at the Jardin d’Aubers to be undertaken in October and April; payment to be made under Open Spaces Act 1906 s10b.

4.             TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL FOR HANGING BASKETS IN THE HIGH STREET
Meeting held with Amberol to discuss options for floral displays using a self watering system. Preferred method is to fix two units to a scroll bracket at the top of a street light. Europlants at Framfield provide a planting and watering service; initial quote is £120 for planting 12 baskets (six street lights) with weekly watering at £25/£30 per visit. Resolved to spend £500 + VAT on purchasing containers and brackets and £700 + VAT on planting/maintenance; payment to be made under LGA 1972 s144. The expenditure will be offset against the grant from Magpie for floral displays.

5.             TO REVIEW SPEND AGAINST BUDGET 2007/08
Expenditure to date reviewed and is on track at £9714.

6.             TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON KERBSIDE RECYCLING AND IMPROVMENTS AT THE HOUSEHOLD WASTE SITE
Deferred to next meeting.

7.             TO REVIEW HEALTH & SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF JARDIN D’AUBERS AND ROUND OAK ALLOTMENTS
Health & safety inspections undertaken 23.08.07; reports reviewed. The path around the pond at the Jardin d’Aubers needs to be cut and Ashdown Garden Services has been instructed. The allotments were in good order.

8.             TO CONSIDER REQUEST FOR A LITTER BIN OUTSIDE CARILLON COTTAGE AND ADDITIONAL DOG WASTE BINS
An additional bin has recently been installed outside the baker’s shop. Committee considers there to be sufficient litter bins in the High Street.
There are six dog waste bins in the parish which are emptied weekly at a cost of £4.05 + VAT per bin. A review of the location of existing bins to be undertaken.

9.             TO CONSIDER BUDGET FOR 2008/09
Discussion on budget for next year and funding for projects including hanging baskets and replacement of concrete litter bins in the High Street. A budget to £18K to be put to Finance Committee.

10.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
Comment from resident to install a life-ring at the hammer pond; it was noted that previous equipment had been vandalised. Insurance company is aware of council’s existing safety measures.
Consideration to be given to a bio-diversity map for the centre of the village.

The meeting closed at 20:30

Next meeting 24.01.08 19:30