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HERSTMONCEUX PARISH COUNCILMinutes of Herstmonceux Parish Council held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 13 December 2005 at the Village Hall, Herstmonceux.
Present: Councillors J Angear, J Bingham, D Goldman, M Goodsell, D Gordon, W Gower, F Preedy and J Tate.
Also present were Councillor A. Long (Wealden District Council), Councillor R. Thomas (East Sussex County) and five members of the public, including Rev Su Marshall, Rev B.C. Osborne and Barbara Stillwell (representing the Village Information Centre). Mr Goacher, the RFO, took the meeting as Acting Clerk.
05.136. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received and accepted from Parish Councillors Mrs J. Crittenden (another engagement), J. Crouch (on holiday), B. Naish (another engagement), W. Bentley (East Sussex County Council) and Mrs J. E. McInnes (Clerk, Herstmonceux Parish Council — rehabilitation following operation).
05.137. MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2005 have been circulated. It was then resolved that the minutes be approved, adopted and signed as the correct record, proposed by Councillor Preedy, seconded by Councillor Tate.
05.138. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: The following items were raised:
05.123 Dog Bin – in answer to a query as to whether Wealden District Council had been contacted regarding the provision of the additional dog bin to be funded by the Extravaganza Committee, the Acting Clerk confirmed this would be done as soon a possible and that Councillor Crouch would be contacted regarding its siting.
05.125 Hamper to Mr T. Miller — the Acting Clerk reported that Mr Miller had been given the hamper and extended his thanks to all Members of the Parish Council for their thoughts.
05.132 (17) Studdens Lane – it was reported that the lane had been completely ruined by heavy plant employed by ESCC and that additional repairs had been required.
05.132 East Sussex Village of the Year Competition – the meeting requested that the matter of the allocation / spending of the £150 should be adjourned until the January meeting. This was agreed.
05.132 Merrie Harriers Bonfire Society – Councillor Goodsell reported that the Society had reached the final 13 organisations to be considered for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2005.
05.133 Blanshard Factory site – Councillor Bingham said that the flint wall at the site was now thought to have been a “party wall”, and that there was to be a further meeting regarding the wall, which he would attend on behalf of the Parish Council.
05.133 Footpath opposite Castle Cottage – Councillor Tate asked if the occupier could be informed by letter that the Parish Council had investigated the matter and that there was nothing that could be done to curb the water running down the footpath. This was agreed.
05.133 Bagham Lane twitten – Councillor Gower reported that after investigation with the ESCC work to the twitten was not considered to be viable, and asked that the resident, concerned about the state of the twitten, be so informed. This was agreed.
Councillor J. Angear asked if Wealden District Council could be written to in respect of work being carried out at The Plantation, Church Road, Herstmonceux, so that the nature of the work being carried out can be investigated by the District Council’s Enforcement Officers, if necessary. This was agreed.
05.139. DECLARATION of INTERESTS: Councillor Goodsell declared a prejudicial interest on respect of work on the recreation ground.
05.140. FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT & PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS: The meeting having been presented with the Payment of Account Report and accompanying vouchers, authorised expenditure totalling £2,804.46 proposed by Councillor Preedy, seconded by Councillor Tate.
05.141. DOCTOR’S SURGERY: The Acting Clerk informed the meeting that there was nothing further to report.
05.142. QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS: Councillor Goldman reported that Mrs McInnes had heard that she had passed her exams and that she had received her certificate. The meeting recorded its warm congratulations and thanked the Clerk for all the effort that she had put in to achieve this valuable qualification.
05.143. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: No further information to report.
05.144. MUGA Artificial Pitch: no further information to report.
05.145. CLERK’S REPORT
Correspondence
1. Wealden District Council – Forward Plan of Key and Other Decisions.
2. Wealden District Council (Kelly Harris) – Details required of Skateboard Park. WDC requesting confirmation of Skateboard facilities.
3. Playwork South East – Voluntary contribution request on behalf of South East Regional Play Association (SERPA). Refer to F&GP (August 2006).
4. Wealden District Council – Notification of Management Changes.
5. Action in Rural Sussex – “Projects for People” event.
6. Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) – Conference notes following the “Local Planning – the New System” conference held in West Sussex on 6 October 2005.
7. East Sussex County Council – Traffic Matters, Herstmonceux – Slope from Monceux Road to Bagham Lane (Disabled Access) and Signing. Copies forwarded to Councillor Gower – dealt with under Minute 05.138 (above).
8. Herstmonceux Cricket Club – Tender for mowing the Recreation ground in the sum of £575.00 (price as per 2005 season). Figure built into the Estimates for 2006/07 by RFO.
9. South East Water – An update.
10. East Sussex County Council – Parish Maintenance Teams. Questionnaire for completion by 31 January 2006. Copies forwarded to Councillor Gower – the completion of the questionnaire was referred back to the Clerk, who would have records of any work carried out by these teams. It was agreed that the Maintenance Teams should be used again.
11. Nigel Yeo, Assistant Chief Constable, Sussex Police – Police Community Support Officers. Reassuring that the number of PCSO’s will not be reduced.
12. Copy of letter from Chris Walker (“Overleas”, Stunts Green) to Simon Crew (ESCC) regarding the A271, Herstmonceux – Traffic Calming Scheme. Copies forwarded to Councillor Gower – all correspondence to be considered with other comments on the proposed traffic calming measures.
13. Copy of letters between Mr Laurence Keeley and ESCC & Mrs Nichola Levett – Proposals for A271 Herstmonceux Traffic calming. Mr Keeley’s proposals for a “one-way” system. Copies forwarded to Councillor Gower – as above.
14. .ROSPA – Safety Inspection Dates – Sussex June 2005. The Chairman informed the meeting that the Chair of Berwick Parish Council had approached her asking if the possibility of several parish councils could undertake a safety inspection, during the same period of time, with the view of obtaining a reduction in the inspection fees. The Acting Clerk agreed to look into this possibility.
15. ESCC – Completion of Questionnaire evaluating the Parish Tree Warden Scheme. Copy sent to Cllr Goodsell (Parish Tree Warden) – completed at the meeting.
16. Herstmonceux Village Hall – Confirmation of Hall bookings for 2006 meetings of the Parish Council and its committees. The Clerk had booked the Hall during December, as part of the normal cycle of meetings, to overcome the accommodation difficulties now being experienced.
05.133. REPORTS:
Planning: report of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday 13 December 2005, noted the following:
Present: Councillors J Angear, J Bingham, D Goldman, M Goodsell, D Gordon, W Gower, F Preedy and J Tate.
Applications considered:
PC.1.12.05 WD/2005/2687/F
Location: 2 Forge Cottages, Bodle Street Green, Nr Hailsham.
Description: Replacement of Existing Gates
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Kilduff, 2 Forge Cottages, Bodle Street Green, Nr Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 4RE.
PC Comments: Not within the Herstmonceux Parish
PC.2.12.05 WD/2005/1808/F
Location: The Old Bakery, Windmill Hill, Nr Herstmonceux.
Description: Demolition of small outbuilding and the formation of a lager extension to form bedroom for holiday unit. Amended plans showing deletion of former porch/lobby to east elevation. Drawing No: 263/002 (two plans) dated 15 November 2005.
Applicant: Dr & Mrs P. Frost, The Old Bakery, Windmill Hill, Nr Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 4RT.
PC Comments: The Parish Council would wish to re-iterate all the comments made before on the original application
PC.3.12.05 WD/2004/2812/RM
Location: Former Monkey Puzzle Garage Site, Victoria Road, Windmill Hill, Nr Herstmonceux.
Description: Reservation Matters – Residential Development of 12 no. terraced houses with new access road – discharge of conditions 1, 5, 17, 19, 21, 24 & 28. Amended plans showing modification to parking/turning area, landscaping details, foul/surface water drainage details, clarification regarding levels adjacent to trees, impact upon public sewer confirmation re conditions 4, 14, 15, 23, 30, & 31. Drawing nos. 6973/3B dated 9 November 2005, and 6973/4 dated 25 October 2005.
Applicant: A & E Nicholls (Builders) Ltd, 19 Hawthylands Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 1EX.
PC Comments: The Parish Council have no objections, as the matter of whether the conditions mentioned, have been complied with will be a matter of the Wealden District Council’s Officers to ensure, as explained and backed up by District Councillor Andy Long.
The Parish Council, however, would insist that the monkey puzzle tree, which is now dead, is replaced by the Contractors, and that it should be of the same species and should be of a fairly mature specimen. Please make sure that the District Council’s Aboriculturist is involved in this matter.
PC.4.12.05 WD/2005/3019/F
Location: Land at Church Road, OS Field No. 6100, Herstmonceux. Description: Erection of Agricultural Building and Creation of Access Track.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs A. Dyer, 2 Waterworks Cottages, Amberstone, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 1PM.
PC Comments: The Parish Council would request more time on this application, as they would wish to undertake a site visit.
PC.5.12.05 WD/2005/1083/O
Location: Rear of Butchers Shop, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux. Description: Demolition of old timber abattoir and ancillary buildings and erection of one detached town house within existing curtilage. Applicant: Mr D. Ricketts, The Butchers Shop, Gardner Street Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 4LE.
PC Comments: The Parish Council would request more time on this application, as they would wish to undertake a site visit.
PC.6.12.05 WD/2005/3131/F
Location: 2 Chestnut Close, Herstmonceux.
Description: Two storey side extension and new access.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs B Hobden, 2 Chestnut Close, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 4PV.
PC Comments: No Objections
PC.7.12.05 WD/2005/2601/F
Location: Brick Farm, Windmill Hill, Nr Herstmonceux.
Description: Construction of new fishing lake for existing fishing club members.
Applicant: Mr G. Martin, Brick Farm, Windmill Hill, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 4RS.
PC Comments: The detail of the planning application, as submitted to the Parish Council for comment, is so poor that the members could not determine the position, size, and any environmental affects on the site. The Parish Council would ask for much better plans of the proposed lake, together with the proposed size and position of the lake in comparison with those lakes already in being, before being able to make any comment whatsoever.
PC.8.12.05 WD/2005/2913/FR
Location: Sackville and Chantlers Farms, Lower Road, Herstmonceux. Description: Retrospective application for change of use of 7 no. former farm buildings to B8 uses and I no. former farm building for the storage of up to 50 no, caravans. Proposed change of use of 1 no. former farm building to B8 use and I no. former farm building to B1 use and the retention of 5 no. containers.
Applicant: J. C. Gower & Sons, Sackville Farm, Lower Road, Herstmonceux.
PC Comments: The Parish Council would request more time on this application. Because of numerous declaration of interest by Parish Councillors the planning application will be required to be referred to the next Planning Sub-Committee or the next Full meeting of the Parish Council. Subsequent to the meeting it was discovered that the application was to be discussed by the Wealden Development Plan (South) Sub-Committee on 5 January 2006 and that an extraordinary meeting of the Parish Council’s Planning Sub-Committee was to be held to discuss this application.
Planning Correspondence:
PC.9.12.05 The following correspondence has been received in respect of planning matters, and is brought to the attention of the Planning Committee:
1. WD/2005/1571/F & WD/2005/1571/LDP – removal of interconnecting door in party wall. Letter, dated 18 October 2005, from WDC to Mr & Mrs Styles.
2. WD/2005/1571/F & WD/2005/1571/LDP – removal of interconnecting door in party wall. Letter, dated 15 November 2005, from Mr & Mrs C. P. Styles to Mr Charles Lant, Chief Executive, Wealden DC.
3. WD/2004/1246/F Former Blanshard Works, West End, Herstmonceux. E-mail, dated 17 November 2005, from Julie Bolton, Planning Officer, WDC to Herstmonceux Parish Council.
4. WD/2005/3019 Land at Church Road, Herstmonceux. Letter, dated 21 November 2005, from Holmans to Herstmonceux Parish Council forwarding a copy of their letter dated 1 November 2005 to Wealden DC.
5. TM/2005/0306/TPC remove deadwood from two oak trees, subject to conditions, related to planning permission WD/2005/2374/F – Gingers Green Farm, Gingers Green, Herstmonceux. Letter, dated 21 November 2005, from Wealden DC to Mr A. Cherry.
6. Mr Laurence Keeley - letter, dated 2 December 2005, regarding a company trying to purchase local village businesses for possible housing redevelopment. The Chairman read out Mr Keeley’s letter to the meeting and permitted Mr Keeley to relay the incident that prompted him to write to the Parish Council.
7. Eastern promise Restaurant: Letter, dated 8 December 2005, from Mrs G. Meads regarding the replacement of a front light on the Restaurant from Left to Right. The Chairman read out the letter from Mrs Meads and the matter was discussed at length by the meeting. The Parish Council agreed to ask the Clerk to write opposing the re-siting of the street light on the grounds of traffic safety and the danger of light pollution to the next door neighbours.
8. Wealden DC – Planning and Environment News – Autumn issue.
Planning Consents – Notification received from Wealden District Council:
PC.10.12.05 WD/2005/2679/F
Location: The Butchers Shop, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux. Description: Conversion of loft into bedrooms and bathroom incorporating two front dormers.
PC.11.12.05 WD/2005/1431/F
Location: The Butchers Shop, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux.
Description: Change of use from A1 (retail) to A3 café/sandwich shop selling fresh sandwiches, snacks, and hot and cold food, operating from around 0800 to 1700 hours Monday to Saturday.
PC.12.12.05 WD/2004/2833/LBR
Location: Cowbeech House, Cowbeech, Nr Hailsham.
Description: Retention of plaster repair works (internally) to front room.
PC.13.12.05 WD/2005/1767/F
Location: Puckridge, Under Road, Magham Down.
Description: Erection of a new kitchen and utility, with bedrooms and bathroom over.
PC.14.12.05 WD/2005/2841/F
Location: Space Geodesy Facility, Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham.
Description: General repairs and maintenance including replacement of existing windows with PVCU, new oil tank, external access ramp, and alteration of existing bunker to provide new meeting room.
PC.15.12.05 WD/2005/0181/LB
Location: The Keys, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux.
Description: Erection of replacement conservatory and retention of replacement window.
PC.16.12.05 WD/2005/0180/F
Location: The Keys, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux.
Description: Erection of replacement conservatory and retention of replacement window.
Planning Refusals – Notification received from Wealden District Council:
PC.17.12.05 WD/2005/2675/F
Location: The Merrie Harriers Barn, Cowbeech.
Description: Dormer window to landing.
PC.18.12.05 WD/2005/2784/F
Location: Tree Tops, Victoria Road, Windmill Hill, Nr Herstmonceux.
Description: Change of use from residential to a rural doctor’s surgery for one G.P.
General Interest;
Copy of the Minutes of the Wealden District Council Development Control South Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 November 2005.
Footpaths: Councillor Tate distributed copies the following written report:
It was reported to me that a member of the Herstmonceux Walkers Club was quite badly bruised when a footbridge failed. The incident happened on Tuesday 6 December on the footbridge that crosses Chilsham Stream in Ruffit Wood on the 19a footpath that runs from Bemzells Farm to Chilsham Farm. I have reported the matter to Rights of Way at ESCC who promise me they will deal with it promptly and if necessary close the footpath until the bridge can be repaired or replaced. Please note that all footbridges are the responsibility of ESCC not the landowner.
School Governor: No report.
Village Hall: No report.
Wealden Association of Local Councils: No meeting.
Neighbourhood Watch: No Report.
Herstmonceux Castle Liaison: No report.
Tree Warden: No report.
Emergency Plan: No report.
Ground Committee: The Chairman read a brief report from Councillor Crouch who reported that there had been no apparent or reported vandalism in the last month. The hedges have all been cut, and the small bin, at the car park, has been emptied but not the large one.
Street Lighting: Councillor Bingham reported that a light at Windmill Hill needed to be swung around by 10˚ so that it correctly illuminates the footway.
Highways and Traffic: Councillor Preedy informed Councillor Gower reported that a drain had sunk in the carriageway at Stunts Green.
Herstmonceux Parish Plan: No report.
Youth and Young People: Councillor Gordon reported that the Youth Group meets each week and that they will be holding another “gig” in Herstmonceux in the new year.
Information Centre: Councillor Preedy confirmed that the runner up certificate in respect of the “East Sussex Village of the Year” competition, had been displayed in the Herstmonceux Information Centre.
South East in Bloom: No report
East Sussex County Councillor: No report
District Councillor: Councillor Long informed the meeting that he would be attending the meeting of the District Council, to be held the next day, at which the local Plan will be adopted as the District Council’s Strategic Framework.
District / Parish Conference: Councillor Goldman circulated a report of the District / Parish Conference, attended by Councillor Crouch and herself, at Wealden District Council.
1. We attended this conference on 23.11.05 along with some other 90 delegates, including a larger than usual number of clerks. As usual, one of the significant benefits was the opportunity to speak to colleagues facing similar issues.
The day was divided into three sessions each consisting of a speaker from WDC (officer / councillor) followed by group discussion, reporting back in plenary and responses from the main speaker.
2. The first session, on Change Management, was perhaps the least useful being rather too inwardly focused on WDC’s own changes. However there was further information on:
• Community Help Points, which are staffed
• Kiosks, which are not (one may be placed in the Information Centre)
• the possibility of “telephony partnerships with parish and town councils” which would allow the direct transfer of calls.
3 The second session was on Local Action Teams, which are ad hoc groups formed to combat a particular criminal / illegal activity. They are supported by WDC’s “Safer Wealden Partnership” and have advice from the police. There are currently three, in Hailsham, Wadhurst (to address anti-social behaviour) and Nutley (to address speeding). Useful information on the cost of PCSOs (£27,000 per annum full time) and the opportunity for Councils to pay for them pro rata was forthcoming.
4 The final session, on Resilience, was the most useful; its explanatory title was “Emergency Response and Recovery”.
Possible items for the Emergency Plan Committee to discuss were:
• the involvement of voluntary organisations (Neighbourhood Watch, the Church’s Waywarden scheme)
• participation in the Wealden emergency radio system, which is free
• how businesses, schools etc can be helped to recover from an emergency (“business continuity”)
• future involvement in the “Community Risk Register” when “local input will be required”
• putting information about the Plan on noticeboards
• sending the plan to John Wood (WDC) for comment / advice
• the impact of avian flu on a rural economy (slaughter, traffic restrictions etc.)
and pandemic flu on the community
• whether the list of resources etc extends beyond the village proper?
Finance & General Purposes: The Chairman reported on the meeting of the Committee held earlier that evening. The matters discussed were: a) The Statement of Community Involvement – Questionnaire, b) Herstmonceux Village Information Centre, c) The Estimates Report and level of Precept for 2006/07.
a The Statement of Community Involvement – Questionnaire: The Chairman informed the meeting that she had agreed to complete the questionnaire on behalf of the Parish Council.
b. Herstmonceux Village Information Centre (VIC):
1 Subsequent to a public meeting and correspondence to the Parish Council, the future of the VIC was discussed.
2 Issues were identified which included:
future funding (immediate and long term)
lease (who holds it? how long is it for?)
future management
different entities:
[a] Rural Community Support Society (the registered charity);
[b] Rural Sunrise Mission (a former subtenant);
[c] Information Centre
trustees (number? of the Rural Community Support Society or of Information Centre?)
Advisory Board’s position
use of second room (PIP).
3 Consideration was given to:
[a] a grant towards the next six months’ rent to ensure that the Centre stays open for that period;
[b] an amount to be put into the estimates for 2006/2007;
[c] the setting up of a working group to resolve the issues identified above and to make with proposals for long term viability.
It was agreed that these three considerations were interdependent (i.e. a grant would be dependent on the setting up of the working party and the use of the money set aside in the estimates would be dependent on agreement being achieved by the working group and accepted by the Parish Council).
4 In view of the financial insecurity of the VIC, F&GP recommends the following measures to protect this acknowledged community asset and secure its future financial viability:
[a] £1,500 to be made available towards the rent from January 2006, to help ensure that the Centre stays open for the coming months.
[b] That during this time a working group to be set up to consist of F&GP, Councillor Gordon, two members of the Advisory Board (to include Councillor Preedy) and the trustees (to include Barbara Stidwell). Its remit to be to resolve the issues identified above and produce proposals for long term viability of the VIC. It should meet as soon as possible in the New Year when paperwork including the audited accounts, the Charity Commission’s Scheme and the lease would be made available.
[c] £2,500 to be put into the estimates for 2006/2007.
Councillor Goodsell proposed that the proposed arrangements be accepted and that the financial proposals be included in the estimates. Councillor Tate seconded the proposal. All members of the parish council were in favour.
c. The Estimates Report and level of Precept for 2006/07:
Councillor Tate proposed that the Estimate report be accepted and that the Parish Council levy a Precept in the sum of £54,000 on the Wealden District Council, for the financial year 2006/07. Councillor Gordon seconded the proposal. All members of the parish council were in favour.
05.134. AGENDA ITEMS:
Planning Committee – Requirement to refer Planning Application WD/2005/2913/FR back to the planning committee and due to the number of declaration in interests being declared by parish councillors, it would be essential for the Clerk to contact all Councillors to ensure that the meeting is properly “Quorate” to discuss the application.
Finance & General Purposes Committee: The allocation / spending of the award of £150.
05.135. CLOSE OF MEETING: The business of the meeting being concluded, the Chairman closed the meeting at 20.59.
Signed as a true record
Chairman………………………………… Date……………………..
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