WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL

THE MINUTES OF WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE PAVILION, SPARROWS GREEN RECREATION GROUND,
ON THURSDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2009 AT 7.30PM

Present: Councillors Doyle (Chairman), Bell, Berger, Mrs Colvin, Miss Gadd, Miss Gates, Kent, Mamlok,
Mrs Monaghan, Mrs Pearman, Phipson, Price, Standley, Miss Whatmore and Wheeler.

Also in attendance: PCSO Bennett and one other member of the Police, two members of the public and one member of the press.

1.            TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE
Apology received from District Cllr. Wells.

2.            DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllr. Bell declared a prejudicial interest in item 13.1 in view of work in his professional capacity with Wadhurst Institute Hall and Field; Cllr. Bell left the meeting during discussion of this item.

Cllr. Price declared a prejudicial interest in item 13.1 as a Trustee of Wadhurst Institute Hall and Field. Cllr. Price made a representation as permitted under 12 (2) of the Code on Conduct and left the meeting during discussion of this item.

Cllr. Standley declared a prejudicial interest in item 13.1 as a Trustee of Wadhurst Institute Hall and Field. Cllr. Standley made a representation as permitted under 12 (2) of the Code on Conduct and left the meeting during discussion of this item.

Cllr. Miss Whatmore declared a prejudicial interest in item 10 Planning as her property is close to 1 Townlands Road; she did not leave the meeting as there was no discussion on this item.

3.            POLICE REPORT
PCSO Tamara Bennett gave the following report:

• Neighbourhood Panel meeting held; the priority areas of speeding, anti-social behaviour and parking remain unchanged. Items from the panel will be taken forward to a district meeting to be attended by a range of different sector agencies.
• Arrests have been made in connection with graffiti in Durgates.
• Local Policing Unit has commenced campaign to stop drink/driving. A request has been made for data relating to Wadhurst.
• Farm Watch has been launched.
• A review of vulnerable rural properties is being undertaken with a view to providing crime prevention advice.

4.            PUBLIC FORUM
None.

5.            TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MEETING 12.11.09
Resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held 12.11.09 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.
District Council
WDC budget has been approved for consultation; it is an increase of 2.74% on 2009/10. There is a deficit in the budget of £650K which will be made up from Reserves. It is expected that the Government Revenue Support Grant will decrease by 10% over the next three years.

Wadhurst is in the first phase of the new kerbside recycling scheme. All residents will receive information on the scheme and a public meeting will be held to explain the process and answer questions.

During the last year, WDC received 101 complaints and 72 compliments.

8.            CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING
8.1          Report on ESCC consultation on proposed pedestrian crossing
Report given on the public consultation held by ESCC on 25.11 on the proposed pedestrian crossing.  Comments on the proposal must be forwarded to ESCC by the closing date for the consultation of 31.12.09. Further questionnaires have been requested; forms can be download via the ESCC website.

Correspondence was reviewed and noted.

9.            HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND LIGHTING MATTERS
9.1          To receive report from Highways, Transport & Lighting Committee
Quotation received for fingerpost maintenance; this will be reviewed by the committee.

9.2          To consider parking survey and approve expenditure
Discussions continue with representatives from the Fire Service to progress the proposal for long term parking at the Fire Station site. In order to assess the extent of the parking problem in Wadhurst and the type of parking that is required, it is proposed to undertake a comprehensive survey on two separate days in March. To contain costs to £1300 per day, it is proposed to use volunteers for the initial shift starting at 6am.
Resolved to approve expenditure of £2600 + VAT for car park surveys; expenditure permitted under LGA 1972 s111. 

9.3          To receive update on proposal for Wealden Walk event
It is proposed to arrange a walk for the Spring involving all ages and sectors of the community. A route between parish boundaries and joining up with Frant and Mayfield is being considered.

9.4          To receive update on proposal to stop Cannon Street trains
Report of the conference held to review the proposal to stop Cannon Street trains. The event was well attended by council representatives and Network Rail, only 1 MP attended out of the 4 invited and there was no-one from the Department of Transport. There is no negotiation on the proposal to stop Cannon Street trains from the Hastings Line and Tunbridge Wells in view of the Government priority for the Thameslink service. It appears that the only way forward is for MPs to try and address the issue and it was agreed to write to Charles Hendry MP.

9.5          To approve street lighting repairs
None.

10.          PLANNING MATTERS

10.1        To adopt Minutes of Planning Committee meetings 14.11.09 and 28.11.09

Resolved to adopt Minutes of Planning Committee meetings held 14.11 and 28.11.09.

Other planning matters
A further planning application has been received for development at 1 Townlands Road (WD/2009/2490/F); the previous application has gone to appeal due to non-determination. WDC has agreed that comments from the previous application will be considered for the current application.

11.          RECREATION GROUND MATTERS
11.1        To receive report from Recreation Ground Management Committee
Report that the first half of the Play Pathfinder grant and the S106 funds have been received. The new play equipment has been ordered and a site meeting held with the supplier and with Graham Thorpe who is to remove the old equipment and undertake ground preparation. The work is scheduled to start in January.

11.2        To ratify signing of Agreement to release S106 funding for play project
Resolved to ratify the signing of the Agreement for the release of the S106 funding from the development at Styles Lane.

12.          ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
12.1        To receive report from the Environment Committee
Permission for installing a tree in the pavement outside The Greyhound has been refused by ESCC due to the presence of underground services.

13.          FINANCE
13.1        To consider making a capital grant to Wadhurst Institute Hall & Field Trust facilitate refurbishment of annex building for community use

The former social club is to be refurbished for use as a library at a cost of £128,650. A grant of £61,369 has been obtained from SEEDA and other funding has been arranged including a loan to cover the shortfall.
The Parish Council has been asked for a grant of £14,000 to provide a new roof as this is an essential repair for the hall complex.
Resolved to grant Wadhurst Institute Hall & Field £14,000 for the installation of a new roof to facilitate the refurbishment of the former social club area for community use. £7000 to be paid immediately and the remaining £7000 to be paid after April 2010 subject to the following conditions:

• Wadhurst Parish Council to have equal representation on the committee that manages the hall.
• Wadhurst Institute Hall & Field Trust to have improved financial planning.

13.2        To approve budget 2010/11 and precept
Resolved to approve budget for 2010/11 of £110,060 (appendix A - not attached).

Resolved to approve a precept request for 2010/11 of £110,060.

13.3        To approve accounts payable

It was resolved to approve accounts for payment as listed in appendix B - not attached.

14.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
None.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15 pm.