Present:

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

Also present: ESCC Cllr Reid, WDC Cllr Buck, Miss R Macklen Clerk and Mr C M Reed Clerk.

Public :

3 at the start of the meeting. Further members of the public arrived during the meeting.

01/07/08

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None

02/07/08

DECLARATION OF MEMBERS INTERESTS:

Minute No. 06/07/08 - Cllrs Chalmers, Coxon and Warner declared personal interests in any matters concerning Land west of Church Road or the Basil Ionides Memorial Centre by being members of the Ionides Memorial Trust appointed by the Council.

Minute No. 06/07/08 - Cllr Rose declared a prejudicial interested due to being the owner of the property adjoining the land west of Church Road.

03/07/08

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th June 2008 be approved and signed by the Chairman with an alteration to minute no. 04/06/08 substituting the word “Buxted” for “High Hurstwood” when referring to the 30mph speed limit.

Standing Orders were briefly suspended and the press and public excluded to allow for the Parish Council to discuss matters relating to land west of Church Road, Buxted which would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to legal proceedings as defined in paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 Section 100(A)(4)

04/07/08

ESCC REPORT

ESCC Cllr Reid reported that he had not yet received a response from Colin Clarke of ESCC regarding the Highway Department’s current review of speeds within villages along the A272.  Buxted has been included within the first wave of reviews, therefore making it even more important to receive feedback on any assessment before the survey is moved on to other parishes. Cllr Reid also reported that he had not received a response to a request by Buxted Parish Council for the installation of a 30mph speed limit outside of Buxted School.

He updated that the court case regarding highway land opposite the garage at Five Ash Down had begun and timetables of procedure for the case have been set.

In addition to the above information Cllr Reid reported that ESCC Cabinet resolved to change three high schools within Hastings to academies. The Cabinet are excited about these proposals which should attract and retain good teachers.

Cllr Dopson asked Cllr Reid why a new pole (presumably for a bus stop) had been installed near the centre of the footway outside of the Five Ash Down village hall. Concerns were expressed that this could be a danger to the public due to there being no street lighting in Five Ash Down, and if this could be located closer to the village hall exterior wall or a bus sign attached to the hall wall to avoid the need for a pole. Given this is also the area to be subject to road improvements to provide traffic calming and a centre to the village as part of the Grampian development, it is considered an unfortunate placement of a sign without any consultation or simple advice. Cllr Reid and the Clerk to Buxted Parish Council would investigate and report back to Cllr Dopson.

Standing Orders were briefly suspended to allow for PC Paul Stephens, PSCO Karen Juniper and PCSO Katie Breeds to address the meeting. PC Paul Stephens advised that to date 357 letters had been sent to drivers in association with the SpeedWatch campaign, four of which were second letters. Of the 357 letters, the majority are residents of East Sussex, with 1/5 from Buxted, 1/5 from Uckfield and 1/5 from Heathfield.

Karen Juniper reported that she is moving from being the PSCO of Buxted to concentrate on Forest Row and Hartfield and introduced Katie Breeds as her replacement for Buxted and Maresfield. She hopes to transfer all of her historical knowledge gained over the previous four years before she moves and will continue to cover for Katie during periods of absence.

The Chairman thanked Karen for her contributions to the Parish and the admiral work she has carried out building bridges between the community and the Police. The Parish Council hope to enjoy the same open dialogue with PCSO Katie Breeds and will give her all support.  It was resolved that a letter of thanks be sent to PCSO Karen Juniper expressing the above.

05/07/08

WEALDEN LDF – BRIDGING TEMPLATE FOR PARISH PLAN PRIORITIES

The Parish Council considered a completed draft of the Bridging Template which had been designed and sent by Wealden District Council to help with transferring priorities from Parish Plans into evidence for the Local Development Framework (LDF) Core Strategy. It was reported that both Clerks had completed the draft template based on transferring the information from the Parish Plan and from more recent local issues.

WDC Cllr Buck requested, and it was resolved, that ‘priority 3’ in the ‘Health and Social Care’ theme be extended to specifically include the maintenance of the Beechwood Ward at Uckfield Community Hospital which is due to be closed.

It was resolved to make further minor amendments to the themes of Community Safety and Culture/Sport/Leisure/Play. Clerk to make amendments and return completed template to WDC.

06/07/08

OUTSTANDING MATTERS

Item 1 Parish Plan:

PP/ Action 1.  Youth Council:

Cllr Warner reported that a member of the Buxted Parish Youth Council (Next Step) had won a competition to name the new ESCC Youth Website with the name “innit”. Another member had been interviewed about the Youth Council by Uckfield FM and the Youth Council have been shortlisted for a PCT grant and should find out if it has been successful within the next week.

PP/ Action 3. Public Footpaths: nothing to report

Item 2 Road Safety:

The Chairman reported that a meeting had taken place between Graeme Lake, Highways Operations Manager at ESCC, the Chairman of the Parish Council and the owner of Vernon House, Framfield Road, also attended by the Clerk to Buxted Parish Council. The meeting was to discuss a mistake on the Buxted traffic order which indicates double yellow lines to be installed three metres south of Vernon House as opposed to the intended three metres north.  Mr Lake explained that it is not possible to make additions to the order, only to delete. An entirely new traffic order would therefore be required to rectify this situation. It was reluctantly agreed by all at the site meeting that it would be unreasonable to delay the process for a further seven weeks plus in order the make the changes, as the current traffic order consultation period is to expire on 19^th July.   

A member noted that work had been carried out to repair the highway on the east side of Church Road. New tarmac has been laid without any posts as suggested to ESCC by the Parish Council. Although this work has alleviated the problem of holes in the road, it has inadvertently provided for a larger area for parking. The Clerk to investigate with ESCC the situation regarding the installation of posts and report back to the Member.

Item 3 Grampian site FAD:

Barrett homes officially purchased the site on 2^nd July 2008. Feedback from the Ward Homes drop-in session at Five Ash Down Village Hall on 5^th June 2008 as been circulated to Parish Councillors, Wealden District Council officers and Councillors and Ward homes. No response from the feedback has yet been received from Ward Homes or WDC. Chairman/Clerk to request response if not forthcoming within the next week. Further to the above, the Parish Council has become aware of discussions taking place between the developer and WDC regarding the possibility of reducing the amount of approved affordable homes at the site to make provision for a larger amount of executive homes. It was agreed this was wholly inappropriate.

The Chairman reminded Councillors and the public that Barchester Healthcare will be holding a drop in session to view proposed healthcare facility plans to be positioned to the north end of the Grampian site on Thursday 4pm to 8pm and Saturday 10.30am to 12.30pm at Five Ash Down Village Hall. Parish Councillors meeting with developers have been encouraged by their proposals and receptiveness to local input. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Item 4 Land west of Church Road / new Parish Hall & health centre:

The Chairman updated Councillors and members of the public that Rydon Homes’ current intention is to submit a planning application in accordance with policy V3 of the Non Statutory Local Plan, providing no financial contribution to community facilities. The Parish Council have written to Rydon Homes to request contributions but have had no response to date. In order to pursue this matter further it was resolved that the Parish Council move to employ a professional planning consultant with the relevant knowledge and experience to work to benefit the Parish Council and the local community.

Further to issues raised in exempt session, The Parish Council resolved to form a working party consisting of Members of both the Parish Council and Ionides Memorial Trust with a view to formally progressing discussions regarding the siting of a new parish hall and health centre on Ionides Memorial Trust land. The Parish Council’s representatives on the working party would be Councillors Warner, Sheard, Coxon, Crowe and Chalmers. The Chairman referred back to discussion in the exempt session.

Item 5 South East Plan: None

Item 6 Wealden LDF: None

Item 7 Emergency Plan: None

Item 8 Property Issues:

Councillor Chalmers, Chairman of the Properties and Recreation Grounds Committee reported that at its meeting on 18^th June 2008 is was resolved that:

·         Following Buxted Football Club’s request for financial support towards the cost of a planning application fee the committee agreed that a grant of £335, or 50% of a reduced fee be paid upon the production of a receipt

·         Following a request for financial contribution for rabbit proof fencing at Buxted allotment the Committee agreed that plot holders had the onus for dealing with pests and that no contribution from Parish Council should be made.

Item 9 McQuillen memorial: None

07/07/08

CORRESPONDENCE

Various items were noted as follows:

Item P2 Buxted Football Club request for financial contribution: resolved to cover costs for this season, but wish the Football Club to note that it will be the last time. Football Club to produce a project plan for future years and to investigate the possibility of obtaining a grant for a more permanent solution. Clerk to write.

Item P3 WDC Planning application comments from Parish Councils: noted and will be mindful in future, but Parish Council prefers to state “objection” or “no objection”.

Item P5 WDC Presentation on Affordable Housing: Mr Bob Taylor to be invited to attend the October 2008 PC meeting – Clerk to write

Item P6 FAD Village Hall Management Committee Request for grant: Resolved that a grant be provided to cover cost of Five Ash Down Village Hall’s insurance premium for 2008 of £620.90

Item P7 ESCC Bus Services in North Wealden area: noted. If comments requested from new contractors, the Parish Council will stress the need to run busses in co-ordination with others e.g. bus from High Hurstwood in time to meet with buses in Five Ash Down and beyond.

Item P8 AirS Review of District wide summary of Parish Plan actions: Clerk to respond following approval of the Bridging Template (minute 05/07/08 refers).

Item S10 Mrs. Dianne Coutts Visibility Splay at Eight Bells Close: ESCC Highways have requested current photographs of vehicles parked on visibility splay to allow them to deal with both parking on Highways land and blocking of the visibility splay. Following a site visit with Highways, the Chairman requested dialogue between police and highways to help resolve the situation.

08/07/08

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Councillor Chalmers, Chairman of the Properties and Recreation Grounds Committee advised of the meeting held on the 18^th June 2008 which reviewed the Council’s Risk Assessment and discussed issues relating to Buxted Pavilion/Buxted Football Club and Buxted Allotments. The following recommendations of the Properties and Recreation Grounds Committee Chairman were resolved by the Parish Council:

·         That the Chairman of the Recreation Grounds and Properties Committee should attend and take part in the annual review of insurance cover that takes place at the autumn Finance & Policy Committee meeting

·         That the Parish Council adopt the practice of advising of the whereabouts of the emergency exits at all public meetings

09/07/08

FINANCE

Cllr Wilkes gave an overview of the monthly and quarterly accounts. It was resolved that cheques 478 to 494 drawn on the current account totalling £9235.82 including voucher charges be authorised for payment. The month’s bank statements were verified against the bank reconciliations.

The Annual Audit Return for the Year Ended 31 March 2008, was noted and signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.

10/07/08

OTHER MEETINGS

Councillor Chalmers reported that he had attended a WDALC meeting. WDALC has appointed a new clerk, previously clerk to Arlington and Hellingly. WDC Kelvin Williams had attended the meeting to report on planning matters.

Cllr Treacher reported that she had attended a High Hurstwood Village Hall Committee which reported record takings of £8,500 from the High Hurstwood Fete. Discussions also took place regarding the recent arson attacks in the village and vandalism to the oil tank at the Village Hall.

11/07/08

MEMBERS QUESTIONS

It was asked if the Parish Council can request to WDC to include the telephone numbers of applicants of planning applications for ease of contact. The Clerk advised that the amount of information provided on the applications forms is the choice of the applicant, who often prefer to limit the information to the details of any agent used.

12/07/08

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman, on behalf of the Parish Council and community expressed deepest thanks to Colin Reed, retiring Clerk to Buxted Parish Council who has been a consummate professional during his employment and who could be relied on to always be fair and approachable and who’s genuine warmth of spirit and humour will be much missed. The Council wished him well in the next phase of his life and gave him a parting gift which all Council Members and Clerk contributed to.

The meeting closed at 9.04pm

Signed:                                                    Chairman                                                 

Date: