WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL

Report of the meeting held in December 2011

Police Forum
There has been much concern about the way in which people park around the station, and in particular about cars parked dangerously at the entrance to Three Oaks Lane. PCSO Matt Neve reported that the police continue to contact drivers parked there, and to ticket cars causing an obstruction. The county council has since placed wooden bollards along the verge. Work is continuing to set up a Community Speed Watch scheme in Wadhurst. There is to be a meeting on Tues 24th January (1900, Fire Station). For more information or to volunteer members of the public should attend, or contact Mr Neve.

Supermarket Story
Another supermarket rumour, this time prompted by a secret source giving information to the Courier, prompted a member of the public to urge the council to act. Councillors continue to feel that a national supermarket chain opening in the village would damage other shops on the High Street. However, as so often before, this rumour proved to be just that and nothing more. The council approved a resolution proposed by members of the planning committee stating its intention to resist any such proposal.

Tennis Courts - the full story
Cllr Matthews brought good news from the Junior Football Club: the Voelcker field pitches are now in full use and over the coming football season hundreds of local children will benefit from them. Readers will recall that the cost of the Voelcker field improvements ran to nearly £40000, and that the parish council contributed £7000 of this with the club raising the rest.

Members were then asked to consider a proposal from the Recreation Ground Management Committee to re-surface the tennis courts at Sparrows Green. The surface, which was laid 11 years ago, is becoming frayed. The cost of replacing it would be just over £40000 – not the £50000 expected. Moreover, members of the council had, year after year, approved the transfer of part of the rent paid by Wadhurst Tennis Club into a “Tennis Court Sinking Fund”. This fund stood at £42500. And so it was with great satisfaction that your council agreed to the resurfacing of the courts, funded not by your taxes, but by income from the tennis courts.

War Memorial
The council agreed to take on the maintenance of the memorial from the Royal British Legion last year, since when two volunteers have carefully cleaned it. But there’s more work to be done, and the council approved spending £530 this year on minor repairs to the structure. Some of the inscriptions are beginning to fade, and the Environment committee will discuss whether and how to renew them in the years ahead. The council, in general, felt that the inscriptions should be renewed, and that this would be an appropriate way to spend public money. Members are interested to hear your views on this subject.

Budget for 2012/13
Councillors approved the draft budget presented in November without alteration. The parish council’s share of your council tax will therefore fall by 5.3% next year. The budget is similar to this year’s, but with small amounts put aside to set up a Youth Bank, to begin work on a Neighbourhood plan, and to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

The budget is available to see on the parish council website, on the notice board, and from the clerk.

Working Parties
The High Street working party was pleased to report that the Italian Market planned for Saturday 24th March in St James’ Square has been confirmed.

The Youth working party reported that 35 children were now enrolled in the senior Youth Club, and that a permanent volunteer had come forward to help. The club is supported by the parish council, Uplands Community College and the county council.

Cllr Browne explained working party’s proposal to set up a Youth Council. Its members – young people from Wadhurst - would participate in parish council meetings, perhaps twice a year. They would run, under the supervision of the parish council and an officer from East Sussex County Council, a Wadhurst Youth Bank. This is a scheme whereby young people from organisations like scout groups, or junior sports clubs make bids for grants towards specific projects.
There is a formal process, with written applications and public discussions – but with young people making decisions on what projects merit support. Councillors agreed to support the scheme for one year.

Next meeting: Thursday 9th February 2012 at 7:30 pm, Sparrow’s Green Pavilion.

www.wadhurstpc.info: for full minutes, agendas, news and archives.

December Focus report

A report from the December meeting of the council will appear in the February edition of the Focus.
The council would like to use this month to publicise its plans in case of snow, and to ask for residents' help. For more information please contact the clerk or the chairman of the Highways committee, Cllr Meredith-Hardy.
Next meeting: Thursday 9th February 2012 at 7:30 pm, Sparrow's Green Pavilion.
www.wadhurstpc.info: for full minutes, agendas, news and archives.
@wadhurstpc: follow the parish council on Twitter
Parish Clerk: Malcolm Ramsden 01892 783442, wadhurstpc@hotrnail.co.uk.

A Snow Plan for Wadhurst
In severe weather the village cannot rely on county council workers to keep pavements clear and smaller roads safe. A plan is required to make clear where responsibility lies. The parish council can help co-ordinate snow clearance on the High Street and elsewhere, but volunteers, residents and business owners can play their part. This includes helping vulnerable neighbours.
B2100 and B2099 - Road Surface
This includes the High Street, Lower High Street, Durgates, Station Hill, Cousley Wood Road and Sparrow's Green, ESCC Highways service is responsible for keeping these roads open. These are the only roads the county council is likely to treat.

Pavements in Public areas
For areas such as the High Street and Sparrow's Green the parish council is purchasing a grit spreader and push-along snow ploughs. Volunteers from Uplands Community College and the Fire Service have already offered to clear sections between the Greyhound and the Commemoration Hall and from Costcutters to the junction with the High Street.
Can you, or your group, commit to clearing other sections around the village? Grit/salt (in addition to the grit held in grit bins used to keep the roads clear), shovels and other supplies will be provided by the parish council but what's still needed is muscle power. If you can help, please contact the clerk (01892 783442 - wadhurstpc@hotmail.co.uk) with details.
For anyone unsure about the legal position concerning liability regarding snow clearing useful guidance can be found here

The Snow Code
Tips on clearing snow and ice from pavements or public spaces
• Pay extra attention to clearing snow and ice from steps and steep pathways - you might need to use more salt on these areas.
• Don't make the pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. But don't be put off clearing paths because you're afraid someone will get injured.
• Remember, people walking on snow and ice have responsibility to be careful themselves. Follow the advice below to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively.
Clear the snow or ice early in the day
• It's easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it. So if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath.
• You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight.
Use salt or sand - not water
• If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery.
• You can prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt - a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work. Don't use the salt found in salting bins - this will be needed to keep the roads clear.
• Be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may cause them damage.
• If you don't have salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won't stop the path icing over as well as salt, but will provide good grip under foot.
Take care where you move the snow
• When you're shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn't block people's paths or drains.
• Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.
Offer to clear your neighbours' paths
• If your neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well. Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather. If you're worried about them, contact your local council.

Report of Meeting November 2011

Priorities for Community Policing
Sgt Ruth Hammerton joined councillors and two members of the public to debate the three priorities for our neighbourhood policing team. Although much of the police's time is spent responding to incidents, the local team - in Wadhurst's case PCSO Matt Neve and PC Kelly Simmons - will also work on community priorities.

Police Presence: Councillors felt strongly that seeing police on the streets deters criminals and reassures members of the public. Sgt Hammerton reported that officers often made new contacts and gathered useful information on routine patrols. Wadhurst has a full time PCSO and the community would like to see him on the streets and at public meetings. 
Speed Enforcement: "Speeding" was one of the priorities last time, but councillors felt that more emphasis should be placed on enforcement, and in particular the use of mobile speed cameras. This is an area where the community can help, by continuing to point out areas where there is a problem, and by volunteering. The Council's "Speed Tsar" would like to set up a community speed watch scheme, whereby members of the public are trained to use a speed gun, and offenders are sent warning letters. Please look out for more information, or contact the clerk to register your interest.
Parking Enforcement: Wadhurst is a congested village, with limited parking spaces. In some areas drivers have made a habit of parking inconsiderately, for example by obstructing pavements or the High Street. The police will not act as traffic wardens, but they will ticket cars causing an obstruction to the road or pavement. Please contact the council or Matt Neve if you have particular concerns.

Bewl Bridge Lane and Hook Lane
Your reporter must first thank the several parishioners who wrote to correct his error in the report of the September meeting. It is not the case that cars are officially prohibited from using the whole of Bewl Bridge Lane; rather they are, officially, to keep out of the stretch of lane beyond the turning to Hook Lane.

Readers will remember that some local residents were planning to ask the county council to close off the lay by at the end of Bewl Bridge Lane. The lay by is used by walkers, mostly local, to get to the reservoir. Your council has received letters for and against this proposal,  with good arguments on both sides. Why is the law being ignored? What would happen to the small business on Bewl Bridge Lane beyond the lay by? Would Wadhurst people be forced to drive to Ticehurst, or to pay, to get to the reservoir? How can people be deterred from parking on the verge, and so blocking Hook Lane? The council was pleased to support a compromise proposed by County Cllr Tidy. The lay by on Bewl Bridge Lane will remain open, and a gate will be put up to prevent cars (but not walkers, cyclists or horses) entering Hook Lane. The wooden posts, put up illegally, must be removed.

Committees
Councillor Meredith-Hardy revealed his Snow Plan for Wadhurst. The council will co-ordinate the clearing of pavements in busy areas of the village. Volunteers have been
sought, so far with good results. Uplands Community College has offered to clear a large part of the High Street, and the Fire Service the area around the primary school and Jardin d'Aubers. More volunteers are needed! The council is also investing in stores of grit, snow shovels and grit spreaders, and is grateful to the local business owners who have agreed to provide space for storage, and to Wadhurst Ironmongers. The council hopes that householders and business owners will clear the pavements outside their properties, and that people will work together to help their neighbours. The parish council website will carry a link to advice on how to clear snow and grit safely, and copies will be placed on the noticeboard and in Carillon Cottage.

Councillors resolved to give notice that they intend to spend just under £50 000 resurfacing the tennis courts at Sparrow's Green. The work will be discussed at a meeting of the Recreation Ground Management Committee on 1st December and a decision is likely to be made by the full council on 8th December. 

The planning committee has recommended that the village begins work on a Neighbourhood Plan, once the Localism Bill is made law. The work should be
co-ordinated by a working party with a broad membership.

Working Parties
The council is working with Uplands and the county council to improve public transport for young people and families with children. The scheme aims to make more use of the minibus drivers at the school. A grant has been applied for to cover the cost of a new minibus and to help fund the first year.

Budget 2012/13
The finance committee has completed its annual line by line review of budgets. Committee chairmen must have an eye on their plans for the coming year, and justify their proposals to their peers. Members must also take a view on the level of taxation they wish to impose on you, the voters.

Councillors reviewed the draft budget. The proposed precept (the total amount to be raised  in tax by the parish council) of approximately £115 000 is 5.3% less than last year. Modest amounts have been set aside to set up the Youth Council, to continue improvements at the recreation ground and to begin work on a new Neighbourhood Plan.

Councillors would like to hear your views on the draft budget. A copy has been placed on the notice board and on the website (News section). The clerk or chairman (782001) will be happy to answer any questions.

The final budget will be approved at the council's December meeting.

Next meeting: Thursday 8th December 2011 at 7:30 pm, Sparrow’s Green Pavilion.

Report of October 2011 meeting

Police Forum
Every monthly meeting of the parish council begins with the police forum. A member of Wadhurst’s local policing team gives a crime report, updates the meeting on progress with our local policing priorities and answers questions from councillors and members of the public. This month PCSO Matt Neve reported deer poaching, the attempted theft of home heating oil, and the theft of a small digger from the High Street during the recent road works. Next month we review our three local priorities for the police – currently Speeding and Antisocial behaviour; Drugs; and Police Presence. The council would like to hear what you think. Should Drugs be a priority in a place like Wadhurst? Would parking enforcement be a better priority? Do contact the clerk with your thoughts or better still come along and have your say

Matt also has street meetings in the village – the next one is on 18th October at 11 am outside Wealden Wholefoods. Residents can subscribe to Community Messaging – emails from the local police and Neighbourhood Watch with crime reports, up to date warnings and crime prevention advice. To join, email Matt at matthew.neve@sussex.pnn.police.uk with your postcode.

County and District Reports
The county council has been discussing its Waste Strategy with the world in general, reported County Cllr Bob Tidy, and has decided that in future there will be no land-fill and no land-raise disposal of our household waste. This is good news for the countryside, but what to do with the items of waste that cannot be recycled or burnt? Your councillors were at a loss but the county council is confident that science will provide the answer.

The parish council helps to provide a Community Bus, which connects Wadhurst High Street with Mayfield, Rotherfield and Crowborough and operates three mornings a week. It fills a gap in our public transport and helps a small number of mainly older people get to services not available in the village. Cllr Tidy pointed out another gap: access to public swimming pools and cinemas. Your councillors agreed to work with the county to decide whether a new scheme was necessary. A public swimming pool has been on the wish list of Wadhurst people for many years, but seems to be beyond our means. Perhaps a Swim Bus would be a more economical solution – let us know what you think.

Cllr Standley gave a clear account of a complicated problem: the District Council’s attempt to have its Core Strategy – the beginning of its planning policy for the coming decades – approved. The sticking point is that council’s view that Wealden’s infrastructure cannot sustain the number of homes allocated by the previous government’s South East plan – which should have been abolished, but is still law.

Committee News
Readers would be disappointed if this report didn’t feature some news on the bizarre activities of the county Highways department. Many months ago the residents of Turner’s Green Road received letters from that department ordering them to remove the painted stones that had protected their verges from being churned up for 20 years. A complaint had been made; they were a hazard to traffic, illegal, abominable – get rid, pronto. Not to be defeated the residents have persevered and after many phone calls, inspections, measurements and reviews the parish council was pleased to sign a document giving it a licence to erect new posts and flower tubs on the verges. Be reassured that these posts will be no more than 900 mm tall, no closer to the road than 450 mm, painted white with reflective boards (red and white), and will be insured against all actions, suits, claims, costs, expenses, damages and demands, whatsoever. Councillors applauded the residents, but surely the county council’s resources could be better used?

Plans are being made to resurface the tennis courts at Sparrow’s Green, at a cost of £40,000-50,000. The council has built up a reserve for this purpose using the rent paid by Wadhurst Tennis Club. Hard-working volunteers have coppiced part of the main hedge at the recreation ground. It was a much larger job than expected but has dramatically improved that part of the ground, allowing more light onto the new football field and revealing a splendid view.

The Highways committee hopes to have its snow plan completed shortly. It is studying what other villages do and would like to hear your views. East Sussex County Council will consult the village as part of its High Street – and Church Street – safety review on Thursday 10th November in the Commemoration Hall, and Sat 12th November in Uplands Hall, times to be confirmed.

Working Parties
Councillors were delighted to hear that Uplands Community College’s Duke of Edinburgh award scheme has been reinstated. The school’s PTA is providing funds; a volunteer teacher is being trained to lead the scheme and 20 places will be available. The Communications working party has approved the annual newsletter, which should reach every home in the next few weeks. Members are interested to hear what residents think of it, and in particular whether the annual cost of £1500 is justified.
 
Next meeting: Thursday 10th November 2011 at 7:30 pm, Sparrow’s Green Pavilion.

www.wadhurstpc.info: for full minutes, agendas, news and archives.
@wadhurstpc: follow the parish council on Twitter
Parish Clerk: Malcolm Ramsden 01892 783442, wadhurstpc@hotmail.co.uk.