WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
THE MINUTES OF WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE DAVID JAMES BUILDING, UPLANDS ON TUESDAY 8 JULY 2008 AT 7.30PM

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

Also in attendance: County Cllr. Tidy and three members of the public.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Miss Gates and Price; reason noted and accepted.

2.             DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllr. Berger declared a prejudicial interest in item 10 as a neighbour of Leeland, Monks Lane and left the meeting during discussion of this item.

3.             POLICE REPORT
Wealden has the highest road accident rate outside of Greater London.
The Safer Wealden Partnership advise that crime is falling faster in East Sussex than elsewhere in the country.

4.             PUBLIC FORUM
Report of local objection to the unauthorised caravan at Leeland, Monks Lane and concern that WDC may not present a strong defence at the Public Inquiry as there are insufficient gypsy/traveller sites in the area. If the Appeal is successful the whole parish will be affected; it is considered that the Parish Council should contribute towards the cost of obtaining legal advice to fight the case.

5.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 10.06.08 AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held 10.06.08 as a true record.

6.             TO DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING AND NOTING
Council’s insurance policy to be reviewed by Chairman.

7.             TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
County Council
Three secondary schools in Hastings, which have been brought together under one governing body, are to close and two new academies will be built. The proposal has gone to public consultation.
ESCC has nominated Frant and Hurst Green for new primary schools under a programme of renewal/renovation.
Partnership working has proved successful in helping to reduce crime in the county.
A feasibility study into providing a new school at Uplands College is planned to start in September.

District Council
It has been decided that WDC will operate from a single site at Hailsham. A new building will be constructed incorporating energy saving features; the running cost for the two existing sites is high. It is proposed that WDC will retain a presence in Crowborough for planning meetings and to provide a reception facility.
There are currently four depots in the district and a review is being undertaken to see if savings can be achieved by amalgamating sites/services.

WDC has benefited from windfall payments of £463K from a Local Area Business Growth Initiative from the Government and £410K from increased credit interest rates available on short term investments.

WDC has decided not to sell the land which is needed for access to the proposed development behind Queens Cottages.

8.             CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING.
Cllrs. reminded of the SALC training event being held at the pavilion Thursday 17th July 7pm.

To consider proposal by BT to remove payphones at Tidebrook and Station Hill
BT propose to remove 44 public payphones in the district. Objections to be lodged against the removal of the payphone at Tidebrook due to the rural location and lack of mobile phone coverage, and the payphone at Station Hill which provides an important facility in a residential area.

The following items of correspondence were discussed:

1. concern from businesses that the suggestion in the Draft Parish Plan of providing a local delivery service is not viable.
2. list of proposed street names for new affordable homes; the developer’s preferred choice is Styles Lane.
3. further information on why request for establishing an Area of Special Control over Advertisements has been declined; individual cases will be dealt with as appropriate.

Remaining correspondence was dealt with during the course of the meeting and detailed on a separate list circulated to councillors.

9.             HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
To receive Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee Report and consider recommendations
Cllr. Mrs Monaghan reported that she had attended a meeting of the newly formed Transport Accessibility Group and is now on the committee. The group is hoping to achieve more bus services and increase cohesion between the services provided in Kent and East Sussex. Cllr. Mrs Monaghan will also liaise with the Wealden Easy Link group.

Disruption at Sparrows Green due to works by BT. Some pavement bricks have been removed; situation to be monitored to ensure bricks are replaced.

A letter warning of fixed penalty notices is being placed on vehicles parking on the pavement in the Lower High Street. The letter has been adapted from a genuine letter from ESCC and is being used without permission.

To authorise lighting repairs
None.

Other highways issues
Pothole opposite the entrance to Uplands College.
Overhanging trees in the Lower High Street and Church Street.

10.          PLANNING MATTERS

Report on Planning Committee meeting 14.06 and 28.06

Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held 14.06 and 28.06 reviewed and noted.

To consider further action in relation to the Planning Appeal for Leeland, Monks Lane, including a contribution towards legal costs
Cllr. Berger made a representation under section 12(2) of the Code of Conduct. He stated that it was unfair for local residents to fund professional advice as the issue at Monks Lane will affect all residents. It was not considered that WDC had responded quickly enough when a camper van first materialised and it is uncertain if they will be in a position to defend the Appeal in a robust manner. Funds should be available towards legal advice under the Parish Council’s grants policy.
Cllr. Berger left the meeting room at 8.32pm.

There was a detailed discussion about the unauthorised caravan at Monks Lane, WDC’s actions in enforcing planning decisions and the possibility of the Parish Council contributing towards legal costs. The Wadhurst Area Trust is to consider making a payment to residents to help towards the expense of legal advice. Clerk advised that contesting the Appeal was not a Parish Council function and was between Leeland and WDC as the Planning Authority. There is no power for the Parish Council to fund legal advice in this instance except through a payment under LGA 1972 S137 which allows funds to be used for the good of the area or inhabitants; the expenditure incurred must be proportionate to the number of people benefited in the parish.

The situation will be reviewed at the next meeting (9th September) when there will be more information on the WDC defence strategy.

Cllr. Berger returned at 9.02pm.

11.          RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
To receive Recreation Ground Management Committee Report and consider recommendations
Report reviewed and noted.
Complaint received of cars using the access road and parking outside the pavilion on Sunday 6.07, causing a hazard to children on the field and play equipment.

It was confirmed that Pay & Play is excluded between 2.30pm – 4pm on Saturday afternoons in addition to certain tournament events.

12.          ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
To receive Environment Committee Report and consider recommendations
Cllr. Mrs Pearman reported on a meeting attended in Groombridge on Transition Towns following a request at the Annual Parish Meeting that Wadhurst be involved in this initiative. There is an established group in Forest Row. It was suggested that a group in Wadhurst should be led by residents with the support of the Parish Council.

A review of grass cutting in the parish is being undertaken.

Other environment issues
Complaint of a vehicle parked on B2100 opposite entrance to Monks Lane.  Police do not consider that the vehicle is causing an obstruction and ESCC advise that it is not unlawful to park on the verge.

Proposal for additional planting at the Jardin d’Aubers presented to the Twinning Association by two residents. Matter to be considered by the Environment Committee at meeting 4.09.

13.          FINANCE
To review Grants Policy
Grants Policy reviewed and noted. No changes required for 2008/09 allocation of funds.

To review spend against budget
Spending to 30.06 is on track at £26161 with a further £8185 from earmarked reserves.

To approve accounts payable

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

Reconciliation at 30.06.08

14.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
None.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:33