Present:

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

Also present: ESCC Cllr. Reid, WDC Cllr N Buck and Miss R Macklen Clerk elect.

Public :

5.  Mr D Speight questioned why after numerous requests, had he not received the Speedwatch raw data in order to ascertain the success of the initiative.  The Chairman advised that his emails had been sent to the Police with a copy sent to him.  The Parish Council would again endeavour to chase the Police for a response.  He was also advised that the Parish Council does not receive the raw data as the statistics have to be assessed at the Police station.  The Chairman took this opportunity to request for further volunteers for Speedwatch which is considered to be a successful campaign as reported in the Community Voice newsletter.

Mr Speight also stated that he could not find the minutes of the previous two Parish Council meetings on the Buxted Parish Council website.  He was assured that this would be checked and any missing minutes re-posted.

The Chairman introduced John Proctor, Home Energy Efficiency Officer at Wealden District Council who gave a short presentation to raise awareness about energy at home, spending less and being more energy efficient.  He also advised that Wealden District Council have recently gained a Government funding in order to assist residents who qualify for a grant.  Wealden District Council are able to provide grants in the following ways:

Ø                    Loft and cavity wall insulation

-        Discounts available to everyone

-        Free to those on benefits or over 60

Ø                    Energy efficiency heating systems

-        Up to £2,700 grant for those on qualifying benefits with broken down boiler/heating - £4,000 if off gas

-        £300 rebate scheme for over 60s

Ø                    Renewable energy (i.e. heat from the sun, wind, ground, air or water)

-        Worthwhile if all other possible energy efficiency measures taken

-        Wealden grant for those in Fuel Poverty (off gas, on qualifying benefits), grant by application and is means tested, covers 100% renewable cost

-        Grant open to all: Low Carbon Buildings Program http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/ tel: 0800 915 0990

-        Expect long payback periods, can be 10 to 15 years

For any further assistance or advice, John Proctor advised that he is available on the home energy hotline 01323 443321 or john.proctor@wealden.gov.uk

The Chairman thanked John for taking the time to visit the Parish Council and advise on this subject.

01/09/08

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None

02/09/08

DECLARATION OF MEMBERS INTERESTS.

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.

Cllr Rose declared a prejudicial interest in any matters concerning Land west of Church Road by being the owner of the property adjoining the land.

03/09/08

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Cllr. Dopson proposed and Cllr. Daniel seconded that the minutes of the meeting of 8^th July 2008 be accepted and signed. Carried.

04/09/08

ESCC REPORT

Councillor Reid advised that ESCC are carrying out a challenging budget review in the light of the recent economic climate which is having an impact on services.  For example, the energy contract for ESCC is in the process of being renewed with quotes received in the region of 60% higher than the previous year.

Following a meeting with the British Rail Residual Board to discuss parking at Uckfield Station it was reported that land issues are still not resolved.  Although land had been identified, investigations with the owner into the feasibility of using the land as a car park are still ongoing.

ESCC are one month into a comprehensive review of bus services in the district.  Cllr Reid expressed a hope that ESCC would look to communities to identify services required which would then result in community buses providing services to feed into the mainstream bus routes.  It is envisaged that a trial period could take place in the new year.

Cllr Reid referred to the publication of the review of the viability of reinstating the rail link between Uckfield and Lewes.  Although feasible, the proposals fall short of funding in accordance with Government formula.

Members suggested an alternative use of the line such as electric buses.  Cllr Reid agreed that other forms of transport such as light rail needs to be investigated.

05/09/08

PARISH COUNCIL NEWLSETTER: 

Cllr Daniel was pleased to circulate the newly published Community Voice Newsletter (Issue 4) at the meeting.  It was assured that Issue 5 will be published before Christmas and requested ideas for articles from Members.

06/09/08

OUTSTANDING MATTERS

Item 1 Parish Plan:

PP/ Action 1.  Youth Council:

Cllr Warner reported that no meetings have taken place since the previous Parish Council meeting in July; however, a meeting has been set for the following week. In the meantime, Cllr Warner had visited Buxted School in July to inform school leavers of the Next Step Youth Council.  She was encourage that some had heard of Next Step and showed an interest in joining the Youth Council.

The Chairman also informed the Committee that Waitrose are currently running a scheme whereby when shopping in the store you receive a voucher on which you respond by recommending a local organisation to receive £100 funding for a project.  The project most recommended wins the £100.  All Members were encouraged to participate and suggest the Youth Council as worthy recipients if shopping in Waitrose.  This item would also be an agenda item for the Youth Council at its forthcoming meeting.

PP/ Action 3. Public Footpaths: None

Item 2 Road Safety:

Previously referred to during Public speaking.

Item 3 Grampian site FAD:

Referred to at length during the Planning Committee, nothing more to report.

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

The Chairman updated the Parish Council, at length, on the progress of this subject since the previous Parish Council meeting in July.  The Parish Council have set up a working party who met initially with a working party from the Ionides Trust.  These two working parities then met with representatives from Ryhurst, Dr Wright, C.Fable and J.Smith to work collectively on the visions and aspirations for the Ionides Trust land.  The representatives from Ryhurst tabled a layout plan of the site showing a doctors surgery, a village hall, a children’s play area and associated driveway, landscaping and parking.  The working party, on the whole, accepted the new layout only suggesting minor changes.  It was also requested that Ryhurst supply the Ionides Trust with a proposal containing legal and financial information from which they could then base a decision on how, or if, to move forward with the project.

To assist the Parish Council with this and other planning matters including the Local Development Framework (LDF) process, it was resolved that the services of a planning consultant (Liz Wrigley) are required.  Subsequent to the above meeting, Mrs Wrigley met with David Phillips, Head of Planning and Environmental Policy, Wealden District Council to gauge views on the proposed layout.  He considered the plans good visioning and will forward them to a planning officer within Development Control for further views.

Since this date, it has become apparent that Rydon Homes have the intention of submitting a planning application on the land allocated within the Non Statutory Local Plan for housing behind the Buxted Inn.  It is therefore hoped that, within the forthcoming weeks, the Ionides Trust will be in a position to make a positive decision regarding the use of the land, which would allow the Parish Council to draw up plans for a Community Hall, resulting in a public consultation period before Rydon Homes submits a formal planning application.  If public feedback is positive, this would enable the Parish Council to enter into negotiations with Rydon Homes to gain community contributions within a Section 106 planning agreement thus securing further financing for the community hall.

During discussions, it was suggested that the Ionides Trust would be better positioned to make a decision if the Parish Council could produce a project timeline and how the community hall is to be funded.  It was agreed that both of these pieces of information would be available for the Ionides Trust meeting the following evening.

Concerns were raised regarding the speed in which the project could now move forwards without having all financial aspects of the project in place.  It was also questioned as to whether a new community hall would be required and utilised.  The Chairman advised that, at this stage, the Parish Council does not have to commit to any financing.  The current objective is to establish, in principle that the project can go ahead.  If then public feedback from a consultation is positive, the Parish Council would then be required to secure the funding for the building.  Without an agreed and established visioning for the Ionides Trust land however, it will not be possible to set in place principles on which to gain community contributions from developers who wish to build on the land to the rear of  the Buxted Inn. 

Item 5 South East Plan: None

Item 6 Wealden LDF: None

Item 7 Emergency Plan: None

Item 8 Property Issues:

A Recreation Ground and Properties Committee meeting has been arranged for 3^rd October.  Time of meeting to be confirmed.

Item 9 McQuillen memorial:

Cllr Treacher advised that the High Hurstwood Village Committee would be meeting the following evening and would subsequently be making a request for a donation in writing to the Clerk to the Parish Council.

07/09/08

CORRESPONDENCE

Various items were noted as follows:

P4 Cynthia Greenwood Retirement:  resolved that Cllr Warner should write a letter and arrange flowers to be sent to Mrs Greenwood and that she would ask the High Hurstwood Village Hall Committee if a plaque to list those who have made a significant contribution to the community is an appropriate recognition of Mrs Greenwoods commitment over the past 45 years.

P6 SALC Regional Legal & Finance Day:  Cllr Wilkes requested details of the course.  Clerk to email

P7 Application for Preliminary Consent to be included in the Pharmaceutical List:  Since receiving the application, it has been established that the applicants are the current doctors surgery who have applied to safeguard their dispensing of medication following the publishing of a Government White Paper which suggested that GPs may not be able to dispense medication from a surgery in the future. Clerk to respond to consultation

P9 Quote for grass cutting of verge at Eight Bells Close:  Following a long running battle to stop the parking of vehicles on the grass verge at Eight Bells Close, the Parish Council requested that ESCC install wooden posts.  This suggestion was not warmly received by ESCC as it would interfere with the grass cutting of the visibility splay. Any gap big enough to let the grass cutter through is big enough for a car to get through. Therefore ESCC would have to hire smaller machines or "strim" it every time the grass needed to be cut which is considered a long term maintenance cost.  The Parish Council therefore received an independent quote of £100 to cut the grass five times a year.  Since this date and due to police action the parking on the verge has almost ceased.  It was therefore resolved that if the parking problem worsens, the Parish Council would request that ESCC install wooden post in return for the Parish Council taking responsibility for cutting the verge.

P11 High Hurstwood Village Hall Committee request for grant for CCTV security system:  resolved that the Parish Council submit and pay for the CCTV system and the High Hurstwood Village Hall Committee make a donation of 50% of the cost to the Parish Council.  Cllr Warner to advise High Hurstwood Village Hall Committee, Clerk to place order.

08/09/08

COMMITTEE MEETINGS None

09/09/08

FINANCE

Cllr Wilkes gave an overview of the monthly accounts. It was resolved that cheques 516 to 525 drawn on the current account totalling £5677.70 including voucher charges be authorised for payment. The month’s bank statements were verified against the bank reconciliations.

10/09/08

OTHER MEETINGS

Cllrs Dowing and Treacher reported that they had attended a Buxted, Maresfield and Hadlow Down community meeting with the Police.  Issues were listed with speeding, metal theft, crime prevention and parking being of most concern.  These issues will become Police initiatives within the Parishes.

Cllr Downing had attended a meeting at the Uckfield Civic Centre to hear guest speaker Peter Frost of a development group who considers that adequate funding to reinstate the rail line between Uckfield and Lewes can be achieved from funding from existing housing allocations.  This, however, could only be accomplished if all stakeholders agree.  The Wealden Line Campaign will continue to pursue the project.

11/09/08

MEMBERS QUESTIONS

The Clerk clarified that missing and damaged fingerposts should be reinstated within the next two weeks.

12/09/08

ANNOUNCEMENTS None

The meeting closed at 9.42pm.

Signed:                                                    Chairman                                                 

Date: