THE MINUTES OF WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT UPLANDS
COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ON TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2008 AT 19:30

Present: Councillors Price (Chairman), Bell, Berger, Mrs Colvin, Doyle, Miss Gadd, Miss Gates, Kent, Mamlok,
Mrs Monaghan, Mrs Pearman, Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler,
Also in attendance: County Cllr. Tidy, PC Etherington, two members of the public and one member of the press.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apology received from Cllr. Phipson; reason noted and accepted.

2.             DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllr. Doyle declared an interest in item 11.1.2 as an allotment holder.

3.             POLICE REPORT
PCSO Marc Simmonds has been transferred to Gatwick. PC Etherington will cover the Wadhurst area until the end of the year when a new PCSO will take over.
Reported crimes in Wadhurst for the last month as follows:
road traffic accident in the High Street
two youths caught taking drugs at the recreation ground
two burglaries from outbuildings.
Wadhurst will be involved in the Christmas drink/drive campaign.
Electric blanket testing to be conducted 15.10 at the Fire Station.
Reference made to ‘smart water’ as an aid to marking equipment; it is not visible to the naked eye.

4.             PUBLIC FORUM
None.

5.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 9.09.08 AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held 9.09.08 as a true record.

6.             TO DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING AND   NOTING
None.

7.             TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
County Council
ESCC has invested money in Sussex Enterprise to provide an advice centre for small businesses affected by the current economic climate.
Discussions held with WDC and Eastbourne Borough Council on the development of the Eastbourne/Hailsham triangle; the councils will work together to promote business enterprise.
Response sent on the changes to the South East Plan and the proposed increase in housing which will have a serious effect on transport.
West Sussex CC is proposing to build a by-pass for East Grinstead. ESCC is concerned about the impact this will have on Forest Row and the Ashdown Forest.
ESCC has not been involved in the Icelandic finance issue; Sussex Police and West Sussex have funds in this source.
Ofsted has marked ESCC’s Corporate Parenting Policy as outstanding. 37 children were adopted last year in the county; the criteria have become more rigorous.

District Council
WDC has formally responded to changes in the South East Plan. Sewage works for the south of the region will not be able to cope with the proposed density of development; Government may direct that the new homes are located at other areas in the district including within the AONB. Infrastructure to support development will be an issue.
WDC has no investment in Iceland.
Free swimming will be available to people aged 60+ for two years

8.             CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING.
8.1           To consider venue/dates for future meetings
Resolved that future meeting of the full council will be held on the second Thursday of the month at the PAVILION, with the exception of January and August when the council does not meet.
Correspondence was reviewed and noted.

9.             HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
9.1           To receive Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee Report and consider recommendations
Street light energy costs will increase by 65% from 1.10.08; there will be a reduction in consumption following the installation of part night cells in some columns. The Highways Agency is considering switching off lights on major roads from midnight.
Complaint received about the problems with parking and the difficulty exiting Cockmount Lane; matter will be reviewed by the Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee.
A review of fingerposts in the parish is being undertaken.
Cllr. Mrs Monaghan attended a meeting of the Transport & Accessibility Group at Hawkhurst.
Other highways issues
Complaint that posts installed to prevent parking on the pavement at Cousley Wood are being moved and reducing the width of the pavement; PC Etherington to review and liaise with ESCC Highways if appropriate.
Problems continue with parking on the highways verge opposite the entrance to Monks Lane.
Report of possible travellers living in a caravan in Brinkers Lane.

10.           PLANNING MATTERS
10.1         Report on Planning Committee meetings 13.09, 27.09 and 11.10
Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held 13.09, 27.09 and 11.10 reviewed and noted.
Comment that two recent applications appear to have infringed on highway land.

11.           RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
11.1         To review Recreation Ground Management Committee Report and consider recommendations
Report reviewed and noted.
11.1.1      To approve expenditure for play bark
Request for additional funds in excess of budget for play bark at the recreation ground, following a recommendation in the recent RoSPA inspection report. Resolved to approve expenditure of up to £2500 + VAT on play bark; payment to be made under LG(MP)1976 s19.
11.1.2      To approve expenditure for tree work
A site meeting was held 14.10 with Mr Mellor from WDC to discuss the proposal for work to trees and hedges at the recreation ground. The removal of dead wood from trees at the site is acceptable on health and safety grounds. The proposal to reduce the boundary hedge between the main pitch and the Voelcker Land will be reviewed by the Recreation Ground Management Committee following comments and advice from WDC.
Resolved to accept quotation of £800 + VAT from Bamford Fraser Tree Management Ltd to carry out tree maintenance in accordance with their report 29.08.08; payment to be made under LG(MP)1976 s19.
Other recreation matters
11.1.3      Uplands Sports Centre has agreed to take over responsibility for booking Pay & Play tennis at the recreation ground.
The Parish Council is supporting two skatepark sessions to be held at half term.

12.           ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
12.1         To receive Environment Committee Report and consider recommendations
Final arrangements are being made for the duckhouse and bench as agreed 9.09.08.
Request from the Environment Agency to give a presentation to the Parish Council on the work of the Agency and ways to help the environment and reduce pollution.
WDC is conducting a review of Sites of Nature Conservation.
Request for consideration to be given for additional floral displays in the High Street following the success of the hanging baskets this summer.

13.           FINANCE
13.1         To review Minutes of Finance Committee meeting 2.10.08
Minutes reviewed and noted. A draft budget for 2009/10 will be considered at the November council meeting with final approval in December. Grant applications will also be considered in November.
13.2         To note spend to date against budget
Expenditure for the first six months is on track at £45430.
13.3         To consider recommendations from the Wealden Parish Remuneration Panel for member allowances  2009/10
It was resolved to adopt the recommendations for member allowances 2009/2010 from the Wealden Parish Remuneration
Panel as follows, with mileage for approved business both inside and outside the parish:

13.4         To consider subscription to Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)
It was agreed not to subscribe to Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group this year.
13.5         To approve accounts payable
It was resolved to approve accounts for payment as listed in appendix A [not included here].
Reconciliation at 30.09.08

14.           URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
The Parish Plan has been printed and will be distributed to residents and businesses as previously agreed.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:10