Present:

Cllrs. Crowe (Chairman), Chalmers, Coxon, Daniel, Dopson, Downing, Sheard, Treacher and Warner.

Also present: ESCC Cllr. Reid, WDC Cllr. Buck.

Public :

None this meeting.

01/04/08

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received and accepted from Cllrs. Harding and Rose. Cllr. Wilkes did not attend.

02/04/08

DECLARATION OF MEMBERS INTERESTS.

Cllrs. Chalmers, Coxon and Warner declared personal interests in matters concerning Land west of Church Road by being members of the Ionides Memorial Trust appointed by the Council.

03/04/08

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Cllr. Warner proposed and Cllr. Dopson seconded that the minutes of the meeting of 11 March 2008 be accepted and signed. Carried.

04/04/08

ESCC REPORT

ESCC Cllr. Reid said that in this year’s ESCC budget provision had been made for master planning and the development of a master strategy for climate change including an implementation plan. Buxted PC deserves some credit for the stimulating the master planning initiative; Uckfield and Buxted were leading on three tier working. Some parishes had some concerns about the Highways budget but this had now been cascaded down to Areas. The papers concerning the Five Ash Down garage parking situation had now been delivered to the Court. A High Hurstwood resident had written to Cllr. Reid about the parking problems at Maypole Cottages and Highways were involved.

Cllr. Crowe asked if there was any news about the A272 road review – Cllr. Reid said that he would make enquiries.

05/04/08

PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

Cllr. Daniel said that she was aiming for publication of the next edition in the second or third week in May 2008.

06/04/08

OUTSTANDING MATTERS

Item 1 Parish Plan:

PP/ Action 1.  Youth Council: Cllr. Warner reported that she had visited Bolnore Village play park and said that it had good layout and equipment much of it landscaped into the site. The Youth Council were considering the requirements for the play area at the Grampian site. The Youth Council wanted to join Sussex Clubs for Young People which would make them eligible for training, activities and grants. Cllr Warner proposed and Cllr. Sheard seconded that the Council pay the affiliation fee of £54 – agreed.

PP/ Action 3. Public Footpaths: Nothing to report.

PP/ Action 6. New Parish Hall: Cllr. Chalmers reported that the Basil Ionides Memorial Centre Committee had met to consider the proposals for the new hall and health centre. The Committee was receptive to the idea subject to the Charity Commission’s consent, approval of the design, the participation of the Trust, the lease terms and public consultation on the project.

It was agreed that the Outstanding Matters item 1.6 on the new parish hall should be removed and the item 4 should be expanded to include the new hall and the health centre.

Item 4 Land west of Church Road: Cllr. Crowe said that a three tier meeting had been arranged for 2 May 2008. It was understood that the land owners involved had signed with Rydons and that an application was to be submitted shortly. There would be a follow up meeting with Rydons after 2 May. The Council would continue to have separate discussions with Rydons and Ryhurst. The Council would want to meet again with Ryhurst, now that the Ionides Trust have indicated their conditional acceptance, so they can develop and communicate their proposals. All parties involved agreed that the Ionides site would be the best location for both the healthcare centre and the new hall. Cllr. Downing asked, given the current housing market climate, if the Section 106 money would be released in time. Cllr. Crowe replied that while there would be uncertainties it was necessary to work positively to put all the elements in place. Cllr. Sheard asked how many extra houses were likely to be put on the site if the health centre was put on the Ionides site. Cllr. Crowe said she would anticipate that the application would be for 70 units and that the new surgery site would be left free until the Ionides site was resolved. In the Wealden Non Statutory Local Plan a maximum of 40 was indicated but the government required densities for land use would not be met by this number now. The purpose of all the discussions was that it was expected that WDC would take account of any extra in the LDF process.

Item 2 Road Safety: Cllr. Crowe said that once the ESCC member (Cllr Reid) had had sight of the initial feedback, it was hoped that the Buxted Traffic Order would be introduced in July 2008 – unless there were any public objections which may well result in a 2 – 3 months delay. Graeme Lake at Highways had advised he will look at the ‘mud bath’ situation in Church Road. PC Paul Stephens had said that he was pleased with the progress of Buxted Speedwatch and passed on his thanks to the volunteers. Since the commencement on 29 November 2007 the Buxted team had gone out 31 times and 100 letters had been sent out to speeding motorists. One third of those caught were Buxted residents – which was concerning. The Police were visiting individuals who had displayed any unacceptable or untoward behaviour towards the volunteers – and other locals driving at speed. The volunteers and Police felt it was apparent that the initiative was having a good effect in reducing speeding. Cllr. Crowe said that she had indicated to Highways we would wish a speed monitoring survey in the village later in the year. It was hoped that the volunteers would be able to support the Buxted ‘Walk to School’ week. Cllr. Reid said that he would like to see an article go in the ESCC magazine to support Speedwatch.

Item 3 Grampian site FAD: Cllr. Crowe reported that there was to be another meeting with Ward Homes/ Barratts on 17 April 2008. WDC knew the Council’s view about the current proposals. The Council working group had had an excellent meeting with Barchester Healthcare, who have options on the north end of the site for a 60 bed residential care home, with Cllr. Buck and Dr. Wright present. They were willing to operate the care home flexibly so as to meet local concerns. They would take Social Services referrals with top ups. There would also be 10 independent units linked to the care home. Dr. Wright had been invited to visit an existing Barchester care home without appointment to see how they function – this was a test of their quality. There would be a need to assess landscaping for the site. The developers appeared sensitive to the need to use local materials. It seemed that the Barchester team were also not entirely happy with the Ward Homes proposals although they would need to work with them on the site plan. There had been no takers so far for the business units but some thought would be given to attracting businesses ancillary to the care home. It was understood that Barratts were to carry out the demolition next month and then the site would be cleared and the access roads put in. Barchester plan to build in 2009 and to be ready in 2010. Barchester had said that they were keen to see buses going in to the site. Another meeting with Barchester was to be arranged.

Cllr. Coxon asked what the effect of the earlier applications for the Grampian site would be. Cllr. Crowe said that she had hoped that Barratts would be respectful of the previous permissions but they don’t appear to be which was very disappointing. They were opposed to having the proposed village green in the preferred location.

Item 5 South East Plan: Nothing to report

Item 6 Wealden LDF: Nothing to report.

Item 7 Emergency Plan: Cllr. Crowe said that it would be good if Cllrs. gave feedback to George Claydon. Cllr. Coxon said that he was willing to pull the final document together. The Council expressed their sincere thanks to Mr. Claydon for his work on the Emergency Plan.

Item 8 Property Issues: The Clerk reported that the contractor had advised that he would do the Nevill Road fencing job shortly. Buxted Football Club had advised him that they had had a set of plans prepared for their proposals for changes to Buxted Pavilion and he had arranged to see Derek McDougall the next day to discuss them.

Item 9 Clerk recruitment: Cllr. Crowe reported that the first candidate had been interviewed and arrangements were in place for further interviews. Cllr. Crowe proposed and Cllr. Downing seconded that the appointment panel be given delegated authority to appoint the selected candidate in order to avoid delay as the next full Council meeting was not until 13 May 2008 - agreed

07/04/08

CORRESPONDENCE

The various items were noted as follows:

Item P4 Buxted FC request for permission for 2 events: Cllr. Chalmers proposed and Cllr. Daniel seconded that permission be granted – agreed. The Clerk to write.

Item P5 Mr. M Kettell request for PC support to re-start NHW in Five Ash Down: - Cllr. Dopson to speak to Mr. Kettell. Cllr. Crowe reported that David Price of Sussex Police had said that he wanted to hold a NHW session in the parish. Cllr. Crowe had indicated that the Council would be willing to host if required.

Item P6 WDC Standards Committee request for visit: - agreed. The Clerk to write and invite WDC Cllr. Primrose to attend a Council meeting early in 2009.

Item P8 SEERA Regional Housing Strategy 2008-11: Cllr. Sheard to review.

Items P9 Mr. David Waddington request for Reading Room to be used free of charge for charity event for St. Peter & St. James Hospice: - Cllr. Chalmers proposed & Cllr. Warner seconded that this be granted – agreed. The Clerk to write.

Item P10 Mazars Notice of Audit of Accounts: The Clerk advised that the timescale for the Annual Accounts and Audit in 2009 had been reduced by one month.

Item P12 Dr. Harrison / suggestion that a piece of playground equipment be installed in the Ionides playground as memorial for Mrs. Christina Harrison: Cllr. Crowe read out Dr. Harrison’s letter. She suggested that the Youth Council consider. Cllr. Chalmers said that the Ionides Memorial Centre Committee should also consider if it was to be on the Ionides site. Cllr. Crowe said that a seat or some equipment on a turf bund as Cllr Warner had seen at Bolnore might be a longer lasting memorial. Cllr. Crowe to reply.

Item P13 SALC Councils non eligibility for financial compensation: - the Finance & Policy Committee to consider at 21 October 2008 Finance Committee meeting.

Item P14 & 15 WDC Street Trading consultation / Forest Row PC background to street trading consultation: The Council agreed that the introduction of the provisions be supported. The Clerk to write.

8/04/08

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

No meetings this month.

9/04/08

FINANCE

The Clerk gave an overview of the Accounts for the 4^th quarter and year end and noted that the main variations for the additional income against budget was the commuted sum for the Littlewood Lane triangle and the increase in interest rates. The expenditure budget had been slightly underspent for the year. Cllr. Sheard proposed and Cllr. Warner seconded that cheques 434 to 441 drawn on the current account totalling £3,520. 46 including voucher charges – and correction to amount for cheque 434 - be authorised for payment - Carried.  The month’s bank statements were verified against the bank reconciliations.

10/04/08

OTHER MEETINGS

Cllr. Downing reported that she had attended a Railway Parishes meeting. Matters were marking time as far as the renewal of the franchise was concerned and there had been no movement with the Uckfield station parking situation which was very disappointing. Cllr. Treacher reported that she had attended a High Hurstwood School Governors meeting. Tenders and surveys were currently being considered for Phase 2 and it was hoped that the works would start in November 2008 and be completed by August 2009.

11/04/08

MEMBERS QUESTIONS.

Cllr. Warner had spoken to Mr. Tony Wright, who had suggested a separate High Hurstwood Parish Council, and had discussed the current levels of representation within the Parish. Mr. Wright had decided he would not now pursue the idea but would try to find people willing to be High Hurstwood Councillors. Cllr. Crowe suggested a Council column for High Hurstwood, perhaps making use of some of the material that Cllr. Chalmers produced for the Buxted Messenger so that High Hurstwood residents understand the Council works for the entire Parish. Cllr. Crowe suggested contacting the Vicar and the High Hurstwood magazine editor  and asked Cllr. Warner and Cllr. Treacher to pursue. Cllr. Warner reported that she had been contacted by Miss Knapp about the condition of the pavement between Maypole Cottages and High Hurstwood School – the Clerk to report to Highways. Cllr. Downing asked if there had been any progress in siting the notice board – the Clerk replied that there had been no progress. Cllr. Treacher said that she had noticed that the Wheelwrights property in High Hurstwood had recently changed hands and that there was machinery on the site. Cllr. Warner said she would investigate.

12/04/08

ANNOUNCEMENTS

No announcements this meeting.

The meeting closed at 9.25 p.m.

Signed:                                                    Chairman                                                  

Date: