WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
THE MINUTES OF WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE DAVID JAMES BUILDING, UPLANDS ON TUESDAY 13 MAY 2008 AT 19:30

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

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

1.             ANNUAL MEETING
To elect a Chairman – Declaration of Acceptance of Office to be signed.
Cllr. Price was unanimously elected as Chairman and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office signed.

To elect a Vice-Chairman – Declaration of Acceptance of Office to be signed
Cllr. Doyle was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office signed.

To Elect Committees
Resolved to elect Committees as follows;
Environment – Cllrs. Mrs Pearman (Chairman), Miss Gadd, Miss Gates, Kent, Mamlok and Miss Whatmore.
Finance Committee – Cllrs. Price (Chairman), Doyle, Mrs Monaghan, Mrs Pearman, Standley and Wheeler.
Highways & Lighting – Cllrs. Mrs Monaghan (Chairman), Berger, Mrs Colvin, Doyle, Miss Gadd, Phipson and Miss Whatmore.
Planning – Cllrs. Berger (Chairman), Bell, Kent, Mamlok, Mrs Monaghan, Standley and Miss Whatmore.
Recreation Ground Management – Cllrs. Doyle (Chairman), Phipson, Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler.
Personnel – Cllrs. Wheeler (Chairman), Bell, Kent and Mrs Monaghan.

To Elect Council Representatives
Resolved to confirm Council representatives on other bodies as follows:

Belmont Surgery – Cllr. Mrs Colvin.
Link Cllr. for Wealden Strategic Partnership – Cllr. Mamlok.
Wadhurst Partnership – Cllr. Phipson.
Emergency Co-ordinator – Cllrs. Miss Gates and Miss Gadd.
Institute, Hall and Field – Cllr. Standley.
St. George’s Hall – Cllr. Miss Whatmore.
Police Representative – Cllr. Phipson.
Wadhurst Local Action Team – Cllrs. Doyle, Mrs  Monaghan and Standley.
Wealden District Association of Local Councils – Cllr. Mamlok as the cluster planning representative.
Uplands Governors Development Sub Committee – Cllr. Mamlok.

Cllrs. Bell and Mrs Colvin are Councillor Trustees of the Bocking Collection.

2.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apology received from Cllr. Phipson; reason noted and accepted.

3.             DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllr. Kent declared an interest in item 11, application WD/2008/0765/F as a member of Wadhurst Tennis Club.
Cllr. Standley declared an interest in item 14 as WDC Cllr. responsible for finance.

4.             POLICE REPORT
Crime information for the last year has been received and will be presented by PC Etherington at the Annual Parish meeting.
Report that contractor vehicles are blocking the pavement outside Wayside, Lower High Street; PCSO Simmonds to be informed.

5.             PUBLIC FORUM
Comment from a resident that a letter to WDC from a Parish Cllr. refers to the tacit agreement of floodlighting. Request for an amendment to item 7 of the Agreement between the Parish Council and Wadhurst Tennis Club to exclude floodlighting permanently.

6.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 8.04.08 AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held 8.04.08 as a true record.

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

8.             TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
County Council
Report of a three year programme focusing on further improvements and cost efficiency measures in adult social care. Many council care homes are converted private dwellings catering for a small number of residents; it has been agreed that three of these homes will be closed to save costs. Elderly people now have the option of receiving funds towards providing care and remaining in their own homes; this has resulted in a reduction of the number of new people entering care homes.

There has been a scrutiny review into the misuse of alcohol by young people and the resulting problems with behaviour and health.

Report of a new communications strategy. The website plays a vital part in communication with considerable business being conducted online.

District Council
A review of the Housing Department has resulted in a favourable report. Improvement required in the delivery of housing; many affordable homes are linked to private development which has slowed down due to the economic climate.

WDC has been successful in achieving a grant for improving standards of homes under a joint bid with other service providers. Funds will be available either by grant or loan for energy initiatives and home improvements.

A review is being undertaken of sheltered housing. Many bed-sits are unoccupied as people prefer a 1/2 bedroom home; the possibility of converting existing housing stock is being examined.

11.          PLANNING MATTERS
This item was brought forward.

Report on Planning Committee meetings 12.04, 26.04 and 10.05
Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held 12.04, 26.04 and 10.05 reviewed and noted.

It was noted that an amended application WD/2008/0765/F had been received for floodlighting tennis courts at the recreation ground.

Other planning issues
The Planning Committee supports Lamberhurst Parish Council in objecting to a mobile home.
Letter received from a resident criticising the short timescale between receipt of the planning application for Wadhurst Conference Centre and consideration by the Planning Committee.
Questionnaire received on dealing with planning applications by electronic means.

9.             CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING.
To receive update on Parish Plan
Draft Parish Plan circulated prior to the meeting. The Plan will be launched at the Annual Parish Meeting 28.05 where there will also be a consultation on the document. Cllr. Mamlok considered that the Parish Council should have nomination rights for affordable homes or be given the opportunity to comment on prospective tenants.
Cllrs. reminded of the local connection criteria and that people must be pro-active and bid for properties under the new Choice Based lettings system.

The following items of correspondence were discussed:

1. Copy of a letter to WDC expressing an interest in one of the new affordable homes to be built off Courthope Avenue.
2. Concern at the hazard of fast cyclists around Bewl Water and surrounding lanes.

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

10.          HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
To review Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee Minutes 1.05.08 and consider recommendations
Minutes of meeting 1.05.08 reviewed. A new street light is required outside the White Hart; this has been deferred pending details of the improvements to be carried out at this junction. ESCC has advised that the request for a 20mph limit outside Uplands Community College and the primary school cannot be considered at the present time. Cllr. Tidy considered that the matter should be pursued.

To continue funding for bus service from Fazan Court for a further six months
Resolved to approve funding of £1250 for the continuation of the community transport service from Fazan Court for a further six months; payment to be made under Transport Act 1985 s106 (a).

Report of an approach from the Crowborough Partnership to consider linking the Wadhurst service to an existing service in the Hartfield area.

To authorise lighting repairs
None.

Other highways issues
Report of damage to a property near the Old Vine caused by a large vehicle turning onto the B2100. Satellite navigation equipment may direct traffic through roads which are unsuitable for heavy vehicles. Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee to consult ESCC.    

12.          RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
To review Recreation Ground Management Committee Minutes 8.05 and consider recommendations
Minutes of meeting held 8.05 reviewed. It was noted that there continues to be problems with youths causing disturbance at the recreation ground late evening/night. The new caretaker will be providing increased security with locking up and monitoring the site. Additional CCTV coverage is being considered. The number of people visiting the recreation ground on a Saturday morning is causing problems for local residents with users parking on the highway verge.
The Junior Football Club is looking at ways to improve the pitches/playing facilities at the recreation ground. The Committee will review removing some hedge/undergrowth between the pitches to open up the area. Resolved to permit spraying of the pitches with weed killer, fertiliser and grass growth regulator, subject to health and safety procedures being followed and documentation being in order.
Application for a grant from Awards for All has not been successful.

13.          ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
To receive Report from Environment Committee
Rotherfield Landscapes has undertaken further maintenance work at the Jardin d’Aubers as agreed 27.09.07.
Brackets have been installed on some street lights in the High Street in preparation for the hanging baskets.
A donation of £160 towards floral displays in the High Street has been received from Magpie from the sale of second hand books
A tree audit has been undertaken at the Jardin d’Aubers and will be reviewed at the Committee meeting scheduled 22.05.

Other environment issues
Comment that the condition of the grass at the Jardin d’Aubers is being affected by the number of trees.

14.          To consider suggestion from Wealden District Council to take over responsibility for public conveniences
Consultation received from WDC on the possibility of taking over responsibility for public conveniences. The facilities belong to Wadhurst Institute Hall & Field (WIH&F) and are leased to WDC; matter to be referred to WIH&F. Cllrs. agreed that facilities should remain open.

15.          FINANCE
To approve Sections 1 & 2 of the Annual Report 2007/08
Resolved to approve Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Return 2007/08.

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

Payments authorised as follows:
East Sussex County Council (vehicle activated sign) authorised 13.02.07 item 9 under Local Government & Rating Act 1997 s30.
B&W Electrical Contractors authorised at Recreation Ground Management Committee meeting 21.02.08 item 11 under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.
Rotherfield Landscapes authorised at Environment Committee meeting 27.09.07 item 3 under Open spaces Act 1906 s10b.

16.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
Concern that large vehicles will try to use Blacksmiths Lane when the High Street is closed for two weekends in August.
Increased distribution of newsletter required; possibility of including within Focus publication to be considered. One newsletter a year is posted to all household.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:28