WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL

THE MINUTES OF A MEETING OF WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT
THE PAVILION, SPARROWS GREEN RECREATION GROUND, ON 19 May 2011 AT 7.30 P.M

Present: Councillors Bell, Berger, Browne, Clark, Doyle, Gadd, Goolden,  Martel, Matthews, Standley
Also in attendance:  District Councillor Wells, 5 members of the public and one member of the press.

1.  ANNUAL MEETING
1.1       To elect a Chairman
Resolved to elect Cllr. Doyle as Chairman. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed.
The Chairman remarked that the high number of votes needed to be elected to council at this year’s election gives the council a strong mandate to fight for the people of Wadhurst. It was clear that change was needed and he would help and encourage this. He would ensure that the voices of all members were heard, and that the monthly parish council meeting becomes a forum for debate and discussion.
1.2       To elect a Vice-Chairman
Resolved to elect Cllr. Mrs. Pearman as Vice-Chairman.
1.3       To review Committee remits
Remits are to be discussed by the various committees and put to the full council for setting. Resolved to defer to the next full council meeting
1.4       To elect Committees and Chairmen
Resolved to elect committees and chairmen as follows:-

1.4       To elect Council Representatives
Resolved to elect council representatives as follows:-

Resolved to amend bank account signatories to any two of Cllrs. Bell, Browne, Doyle, Goolden and Standley.

2.  To receive apologies and reasons for absence
Apologies received from Cllrs. Kent, Konrad, Martin, Meredith-Hardy and Pearman; reasons noted and accepted
Apologies received from County Cllr. Tidy and PSCO Neve

3.  To receive declarations of interest on items on the agenda
None

4.  Police Forum
In PSCO Neve’s absence the chairman mention how useful the monthly policing team report is. It was discussed how the street meetings might be made more effective and agreed that details of future street meetings be posted on the Parish notice board.
4.1       To note Operation Quality Street
It was noted that the Quality Street initiative was a county-wide operation and that the Wadhurst element would be concentrated in the Washwell playing field area.
4.2 To note reduction in Police Station front counter opening hours
The need for this to be better publicised was discussed and noted.

5.  Public Forum
The recent incidents of tree felling and hedge cutting around the Washwell Lane/Uplands area, some of which over the bank holiday, was raised. It was thought that DEFRA policy regarding when such work should be carried out ought to be followed by all in the village. Cllr. Kent to take up this matter as the Parish Council’s appointee on the Wadhurst Institute Hall and Field Trust.

6.  To approve the Minutes of the meeting of 14th April, 2011 as a true record
Resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held 14th April, 2011 as a true record.

7.  To determine matters arising from the previous minutes
Cllr. Standley explained that District training for new district and parish councillors would complement training provided by SALC.
Red marks painted on Station Road related to pipe laying work to be carried out at Barchester Homes.
The lighting of bonfires at the Rathronan building site has now stopped and the building is being built in the correct place.
Resolved to add to the agenda for the next council meeting the change to be made in order to amend the process regarding submission of precept amounts.

8.  To receive reports from the County and District Councillors
County Council
No county report submitted
District
District Cllr. Wells reported on the following items:-

• District Councillors  Standley and Wells had been re-elected for four further years.
• Progress being made with combining offices at Crowborough and Hailsham. The move involves phased moves out of Hailsham to enable re-furbishment work to commence with some departments now working from Eastbourne. With some staff working from home some longer response times are being experienced but the work towards a single point of contact Customer Help Point would improve  matters greatly.
• The report of Wealden DC’s position in the top ten areas for amount of council tax paid is skewed by the way the council tax support system works and the low amount of support received by Wealden DC from central government.
• Wealden and Eastbourne have combined Building Control Services and the developer’s application to challenge Wealden’s core strategy was rejected at the first stage by the courts.
• A local commercial fly-tipper has been convicted and jailed for four and a half months.

9.  Chairman’s announcements and correspondence for noting
Correspondence was reviewed and noted.
9.1  To receive paper on how the Parish Council functions
Resolved that committees should each draw up a plan of action and review their budgets to put to the full council in June or July.
9.2  To appoint Working Parties and Working Party members
Resolved to appoint the following working parties and working party members:-

All working parties will report to the full Parish Council.
9.3  To note arrangements for councillor training and approve costs
Resolved that ESCC costs of £900 +VAT be used for councillor training and that invitations be extended to other parish councils in the area.
9.4  To discuss arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting
Councillors had met and considered a format with six areas set up to draw out comments and issues from the public which, after the formal element of the meeting, would be fed back by the committee chairmen to the wider audience encouraging comments from the floor. Action list being drawn up and resolved that if more than 100 people attended the earmarked spend of £200 would need to be increased – possibly to as much as £400. Resolved spending of up to £400 on the Annual Parish Meeting.

10. Highways, Transport and Lighting matters
10.1 To receive report

• It was noted that the fire service had changed its position on providing land for a car park. The chairman expressed his regret that after so much work by members of the parish council the fire service had without warning or apology changed its mind. Enquiries are being made, and the Car Park working party will make recommendations to the council.
• Cllr Gadd reported plans by Southern Water to run a large pipeline from Bewl Bridge Reservoir to Mayfield Lane. Cllr Standley will investigate.
• A further zebra crossing safety profile had been carried out in the village by ESCC Highways service. WDBA has arranged a meeting with them. Resolved that the clerk should write to Karl Maynard (copied to Rupert Clubb and Charles Hendry MP) at county to try and learn more. Members of the council felt it was unacceptable that ESCC should again proceed with plans for a crossing without informing or consulting WPC.

10.2 To approve lighting repairs
Resolved to defer to Highways, Transport and Lighting committee
10.3 To note need for new Parish Map booklet
Resolved to defer to Highways, Transport and Lighting committee
10.4 To discuss Turners Green Road verges
Resolved to defer to Highways, Transport and Lighting committee
10.5 To discuss ‘Snow fund’
Resolved to defer to Highways, Transport and Lighting committee
10.6 To note Village Maintenance Team timetable
Resolved to defer to Highways, Transport and Lighting committee

11. Planning Matters
11.1 To adopt Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held on 16th and 30th April, 2011
It was noted that District Cllr. Wells attendance should be recorded as ‘in attendance’ and not ‘present’ and that the application for Barchester Homes illuminated signs and flagpoles was on the agenda for discussion at the next planning meeting. Generally it was felt that illuminated signs in the High Street should not be left switched on at night and that the Planning Committee should draft a letter to the relevant businesses in the village. Resolved to adopt the Minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 16th and 30th April, 2011.

12. Recreation Ground Matters
12.1 To receive report
Noted that the judicial review regarding the tennis court lighting was still in progress.
12.2 To note Minutes of RGMC held 21st April, 2011
Noted
12.3 To receive progress report for Voelcker Field Improvement project
Noted
12.4 To approve costs of repair to railings on steps to pedestrian gate
See 12.5 below
12.5 To approve costs of repair to fence in outside car park
Resolved to approve costs of repair to railings on steps to pedestrian gate and fence in outside car park of £80 +VAT

13. Environmental Matters
13.1 To receive report
Resolved to be reviewed by the Environment committee.
13.2 To note changes to domestic waste collection
Noted that Wadhurst’s caddy system would not be affected by the changes and that there are no plans to start collecting glass separately. Any incidents of separated waste materials not remaining segregated at collection should be reported to District.
13.3 To note recommendation of Wealden Parish Remuneration Panel and to approve Wadhurst Parish Council remuneration
Resolved to approve remuneration as below, in accordance with the recommendations of the Wealden Parish Remuneration Panel. Councillors allowances are unchanged; there are small adjustments to mileage and subsistence allowances.
Member’s basic allowance     £140.00
Car or van – 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles
Motor cycle – 24p per mile
Cycle – 20p per mile
Subsistence Allowance
Breakfast – up to £5.50
Lunch – up to £7.50
Tea – up to £3.50
Evening meal – up to £9.50

14. Finance
14.1 To receive report
The clerk has completed much of the work needed to restore the council’s administration, including VAT returns, updating and checking the financial record and producing invoices for the Pavilion. Cllr. Kent and the clerk were working towards preparing end of year PAYE reports. 
A more detailed budget breakdown would be available for the next meeting.
14.2 To approve accounts payable
Resolved to approve accounts for payment as listed
14.3 To review spend against budget for 2010/1
Resolved to carry forward to next meeting and to advertise, when setting the next precept, the 2010/1 over-claim and show the amounts as a separate item in the accounts.

15. Personnel Matters
None

16. 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 9:50 p.m.

Correspondence April/May, 2011

• LCR Magazine – Spring 2011
• Came&Company Parish Matters – Spring 2011
• Thank you note from R Hockney to Bob and Paul for War Memorial work
• rsnonline newsletter – May 2011
• Wealden Police report – 9th May
• Thank you note from WNW re. grant award
• Tree wardens update – 2011/2
• Borrow an energy monitor from library
• Wadhurst Footpath Society comment re. Parish Map booklet (Highways)
• Adult Social Care – Micro Market Development Project
• Young people to Shadow a Councillor
• Remittance Advice re. first portion of precept
• Request from a Mr. Smith to rent a pitch at the Recreation Ground (RGMC)
• Copy letter from Hilary Wheeler to Wadhurst Institute, Hall and Field (ENV)
• Report from Ken Turner regarding condition of trees at the Fire Station (ENV)
• Quote from Andrew Keevil regarding work at Nature Reserve (ENV)
• Safer Wealden Partnership JAG Media Release
• Jordans/Gardening club summer planting on w/e 20th May (ENV)
• Brian Harwood re. Rumours regarding Wadhurst Hall, Inst etc., developments
• NALC – Policy Consultation – Planning for Traveller Sites
• Suggestion for improvement at library
• Focus on East Sussex – 2011 annual monitor
• Wadhurst Footpaths Soc request to be involved with reprint of Parish Map (ENV)

• Accounts paid/payable - April/May, 2011

  £126.73		BW Electrical Contractors – Pavilion maintenance	964
  £300.00		Wadhurst Warriors - Grant	965
  £1,000.00		Wealden Citizens Advice – Grant	966
  £500.00		Wadhurst Neighbourhood Watch – Grant	967
  £1,265.99		SALC – Annual subscription	968
  £786.38		R Penny – Salary	969
  £101.76		C Lindfield – Litter Picking	970
  £131.00		Ashdown Garden Services – Grass cutting	971
  £411.18		Wealden DC – Dogbin emptying	972
  £36.00		B Wheeler – Reimbursement	973
  £64.20		BT – Parish line (Apl-Jne)	974
  £40.08		R Penny – Reimbursement	976
  £40.00		Signs of Style	977
  £1,439.73		Public Works Loan Board – Loan repayment instalment	978
  £186.29		BT – Old Hawkhurst Parish line	979
  £11,580.00		Charton Manor Farm Ltd. – 1st Voelcker Field instalment	980
  £372.00		Wealden DC – Pavilion rates (May)	981