Minutes of a meeting of Ticehurst Parish Council
held on Tuesday 7th October at
7.30 p.m. in The Village Institute, Ticehurst, East Sussex
Present:
Cllrs. Burley ©, Langdown, Rigby, Mitchell, Simmons, A Cook, G Cook, Yeo,
Semple and Seemann.
In attendance C. Cllr. J Barnes.
Members of the public attending:
The Chairman invited questions or comment from those present:
1. PCSO T MacAspurn addressed the meeting, informing those
present that there is to be a Neighbourhood Policing meeting in the Village
Hall on 8th October at 1 p.m.
He asked that people should ring the PCSO’s about any concerns that they have
and the purpose of the meeting is to address local concerns.
2. He was pleased to report that last month’s crime figures for the area were
much lower than the August ones.
Mrs P Maynard pointed out that the cars parked near the Flimwell cross roads were creating a grid lock at busy times and that the purpose built bus lay-by was continually full of local cars, making it very dangerous for the school children waiting there. It was resolved that the Clerk should take this up with ESCC.
The agenda was then followed from this point:
0.0 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Seemann – Affordable Homes – personal interest as a member of the Board of Amicus Horizon. A Cook – personal interest in the Bell Field agenda item 25 – as a neighbour of the land. These interests were duly recorded.
1.0 Apologies for absence: Cllrs. signed the attendance register – apologies for absence had been given by Cllrs. Goodall, Maynard, Hastings, and D. Cllrs Elliston and Jenkins.
2.0 Approval of the minutes of 2nd September 2008: These were proposed by Cllr.Simmons, seconded by Cllr. Semple as a true record of those proceedings and duly signed by the acting Chairman, Cllr. S Burley.
3.0 Additional Agenda Items: No additional items had been received by the Clerk prior to twelve noon.
4.0 Appendix of Outstanding
Matters:
Core Strategy Meeting – Clerk reported that there will be
a twelve week consultation period and RDC will attend individual village meetings
to address local concerns.
Playground at Farthing Hill – External sources of funding
are being investigated to provide a toddlers play ground at Farthing Hill.
Playground at Flimwell – It was resolved that the Clerk
should order the new seats for the swings from Levercrest and get them installed
as soon as possible.
Bus Stop at Flimwell - Clerk has asked for repairs to be
carried out to the bus stop on the Hawkhurst side of the cross roads.
Tarmacing footpath from Upper Platts: No quotes received
to date – C. Cllr. Barnes reported that he was following this up and hoped
that ESCC would provide this much needed walkway.
Memorial at Ticehurst - Clerk was authorised to go ahead
with the necessary repairs prior to Remembrance Sunday following the accident
on 26.9.08.
Village of the Year - Cllr. Langdown reported that the
WI have been given an Oak tree which they would like to plant on the Recreation
Ground and coupled with the resolution to plant a Tulip tree with the prize
money from the Village of the Year event, she asked that a meeting between
the Beatrice Drewe Trust, the WI and the Clerk be arranged to decide on appropriate
positions. It was resolved that if she sets a date people would try to accommodate
it.
5.0 District and County Reports:
No report from the District Councillors.
Cllr Barnes reported that pressure was being brought to bear about improvements
to the A21 and it was resolved that the Parish Council should support this
pressure movement and write to the Highways Agency.
6.0 Affordable Housing:
Cllr. Seemann reiterated his personal interest, and pointed out that the
current Credit crisis would increase the demand for more affordable housing.
There has been no further up date on possible sites – Cllr. Maynard had spoken
to Hastoe Housing last week and there should be an update for November’s meeting.
7.0 The Village Square:
Memorial Railings: The Clerk was authorised to go ahead
with the repairs to the railings – total amount is likely to be in the region
of £2000 – NFU Mutual have accepted the claimants claim and spoken to the Council
agreeing to cover the costs.
Bus Stop: It was resolved that the Clerk should chase up
a quotation for sand blasting the graffiti off the wooden bus stop pillars.
8.0 Planting of Bulbs:
Cllr Langdown proposed that bulbs should be planted at various points around
the village, and had spoken to ESCC to be told that a license would also be
needed for this. Clerk to apply. Areas identified were those where the wooden
bollards are proposed. Clerk to simultaneously apply for permission to plant
replacement trees to the front of Marlpit Gardens to replace the Cherry trees
lost in this area. It was suggested that Bloms might sponsor the proposal.
9.0 Dog Waste Bins and Collections: The Clerk reported that permission has been granted for a dog waste bin in the grass verge outside the Village Institute car park. It was resolved that a bin be placed there and a regular collection service organised – Clerk to action. Cllr. Rigby reported that he will need authorisation from Rother District Council with regard to the Cleaner Neighbourhood Act training that he underwent before he is able to act with authority. He explained that whilst the idea is good, the practicalities of having the evidential back up to issue a ticket will make the implementation very difficult. It was resolved to mention the fact that there is now authority to issue tickets in the next Parish Council magazine, as it is hoped this will be a deterrent to those who persistently drop litter or fail to clear up after their dogs. Clerk to follow up.
10.0 Open Space at Farthing Hill:
Quotations have been received for ‘toddler playgrounds’ at Farthing Hill –
funding is now being sought – The Parish Council resolved that £2000.00 be
contributed to the scheme.
11.0 Safety Matting in the Playgrounds:
Cllr. Langdown reported that following a public meeting held by the Beatrice
Drewe Trust she is drawing up proposals for improving the play ground facilities
at Ticehurst. There was some discussion about replacing the bark wood chips
with alternative types of safety surfacing and it was resolved that the Council
would like more information about types of surfacing and the cost implications.
12.0 Cardboard Recycling: Cllr. Semple reported that the bin was being well used and nearly six tonnes of cardboard waste has been collected from the site and the Clerk reported that she had got the forms to apply for planning permission but had not had time to fill them in yet. Cllr. Semple added that he felt that consideration should now be given to where bins could be sited in Flimwell and Stonegate. Advartex have asked if they could have a re-cycling unit on their proposed extended site, which would also be available to the public when open. He reported that 60 – 70% of the cardboard collected was commercial.
13.0 Sign by the Multi-Court: Cllr. Langdown reported that a sign is to be erected setting out the restrictions on the use of the multi-court to comply with planning permission conditions. It was resolved that the Parish Council would pay for the erection of the sign. It was resolved that the more formal wording was preferable and that Cllr. Cook would work with the Clerk to determine the final specification.
14.0 Phone Box Adoption: No further news to date. It was noted that the only calls that are able to be made from the Village Phone Box was emergency or reverse call charges. It was resolved that Cllr. Langdown would work with the Clerk to find out if British Telecom do intend to remove it and if so, put proposals forward for its retention.
15.0 Rother – Core Strategy – Local Development Framework:
There had been no response to the letter requesting a visit from Mr Marlowe
to discuss this. The Clerk reported that she had rung him and there is to
be a twelve week consultation period, during which each village would be visited
to discuss individual concerns. Mr Marlowe had indicated that he or another
officer would attend the November meeting.
16.0 Rosemary Lane – theft from cars:
Notices that had been put in place to warn vehicle drivers that thefts
are common from parked cars have been removed – it was resolved to ask the PCSO’s
to replace
them at the Neighbourhood Policing meeting on 8.10.08 – item to be left off
future agendas.
17.0 Japanese Knotweed: The Clerk has obtained a quotation for £80 an hour to visit the site and report on a system to rid the ground of the problem. It was resolved to ask Cllr. Maynard to visit the site with the Clerk to assess how severe the problem is and put a proposal to the Council at the November meeting.
18.0 Traffic Calming:
Cllr. Rigby and the Clerk had met to discuss the various traffic calming issues:
Wooden Bollards: Wooden bollards can now be erected in the
areas down Church Street, the corner of Lower High Street and Lower Platts,
and along the frontage of the grass verge by the Village Institute Car Park.
It was resolved that Oak posts be installed. Clerk to action.
Old Wardsdown: It was resolved to ask ESCC to install white
lines to at least cover the extent of the dropped kerbs which is all they would
be authorised to do. It is an offence to park within 10m of a junction and
ESCC advise that the Police should be contacted with the number plates of offending
vehicles if they persistently park there.
Gateway Signs: ESCC feel that the verges are not wide enough
at Upper Platts for the installation of a gateway system. The Clerk has requested
a meeting to discuss this with them.
Tinkers Lane: Cllr. Langdown reported that she had been asked
if the area of road, currently with an unrestricted speed limit outside Coronation
Cottages (where many children play) could be reduced to 20 – 30 mph. It was
resolved to bring this to the attention of the PCSO’s at the meeting on 8th
October and ask for warning signs to go up. Clerk to investigate the possibility
of Tinkers Lane being designated a ‘quiet lane’ through ESCC.
Bend on the A268 – Flimwell This area has been approved for
signing and lining and the traffic team are awaiting confirmation from the
Traffic and Safety Team at their head office for funding to proceed with these
works.
Village Square: The two dropped kerbs across the ‘island’
will be protected by white access protection marking as soon as possible.
Upper Platts – Road Signage: The markings denoting the speed
limits at Upper Platts will be painted on the road soon.
White Lines – The Clerk confirmed that she had asked ESCC
to remark the village white lines. Cllrs. Rigby, Semple and Mitchell
to be informed of any ESCC visit.
19.0 Finance Report:
A reconciled bank statement was circulated to the Council with the following
cheques for sanctioning – these were approved and signed:
Kent County Council 2370 £1354.67 Grass cutting
AFS Ltd 2371 £ 31.61 Black bin liners
D Butcher 2372 £ 400.00 Clearing recreation ground.
EDF Energy 2373 £ 12.81 Repairs to lamp
Kent County Council 2375 £ 240.00 Strimming edges of Recreation
grounds
Mazars 2376 £ 493.50 Audit
RBS Solutions 2377 £ 470.00 Planning Programme
RDC Allotments 2378 £ 80.00 Rent for allotments
It was resolved to set up a Finance meeting to start to formulate next years
budget and the Clerk should put a notice in Ticehurst News and Views and on
the notice boards inviting bids for funding. Meeting date of 11th November
7.30 p.m.
20.0 Planning Committee Report:
Cllr. Burley reported that there had been two planning meetings since the
last full Council meeting (18.9.08 and 7.10.08) and those minutes had been
circulated and put on the web site.
21.0 Correspondence:
The correspondence list had been
circulated to all Councillors:
Resolutions
Hedleys Training Day - £75 cost at Farnham - 14th November
2008.
Neighbourhood Policing - Clerk to attend 8th October
1pm in the Village Hall
Cllr. Seeman offered to look at the review of the traveller accommodation
consultation paper and respond on behalf of the Council.
Comments on the Planning Appeal for 32 Rose Hill – dormer
windows – need to be in by 7th October.
Charlton Athletic – It was resolved to send this invitation
on to the Football Club and there was a suggestion that tickets such as these
could be used as incentives for voluntary work within the community by young
people.
The Making and enforcement of byelaws – Comments needed by
20th November.
SALC AGM is on 7th November at Ardingly - Cllrs. A Cook
will be attending and was given the necessary registration forms to send off.
Environment Agency – It was resolved that they be invited
to attend the December meeting – Clerk to action.
Inter-route – notification of resurfacing works on A21 from
Wed 8th Oct to Friday 10th October and Monday 13th October from 8.00 pm
to 6.00 am
RALC Cllr. A Cook will attend the meeting on 8th October.
22.0 Items for the November Meeting:
Articles for the next Parish Council Magasine
Dog Litter - Cleaner Neighbourhood Act
Traffic Calming – Build Outs and Gateways.
23.0 The Bell Field - The Chairman asked the public to withdraw – minutes on confidential pink paper with the original minutes.
24.0 Date of the next meeting: The meeting closed at 8.57p.m. and the date of the next meeting was set for 4th November 2008.