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HERSTMONCEUX PARISH COUNCIL [for disclaimer, click here] Minutes of Herstmonceux Parish Council held at 7.30pm on Monday 15th November 2004 at the Village Hall, Herstmonceux. Present: Councillors Mrs J Angear, J H Bingham, Mrs J Crittenden, J Crouch, Dr D Goldman, M Goodsell, D Gordon, W Gower, B Naish, Miss F Preedy and J Tate. Also present was one member of the public. Mr Goacher, the Responsible Financial Officer and Mrs J McInnes, the clerk were in attendance. 04.142 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Mr Thomas, East Sussex County Councillor who was lecturing in York. 04.143 MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 18th October 2004 have been circulated. Correction to 04.137 Parish Plan final paragraph - After discussion the Council indicated that it would accept these proposals with the following changes: item six –it is recommended that the recycling bins are moved elsewhere and item ten – the Parish Council would support the planning policies in principle. It was then resolved that the corrected minutes be approved, adopted and signed as the correct record, proposed by Miss Preedy, seconded by Mrs Crittenden. 04.144 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES 04.139 item 1 – report on the Parish Conference held on 15.10.04 was noted. 03.139 item 3 – Mr Crouch gave his apologies that he would be unable to attend the HOPE consultation session at Herstmonceux village hall on 19.11.04. 04.140 WALC report – a suggestion that councils should consider creating a sub-committee to liaise with the Police at quarterly consultation meetings of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, was discussed by councillors. Mr Gordon informed councillors that Polegate Council had a Police Liaison sub-committee and a representative from the committee would be willing to come and give a short presentation to the Council. Councillors felt that as the parish has a new and successful Neighbourhood Watch Committee another committee would be unnecessary. However, it was proposed by Mrs Angear, seconded by Mrs Crittenden that a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee could be co-opted as the Council’s representative to attend these meetings and report back to the Council. The clerk will contact Mr Creasey, the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator. 04.126 (Clerk’s Report September) item 23 - Cuckmere and Sussex Havens Catchment Flood Management Plan – Report from Mr Gower. General view of the Pevensey levels flood catchment plan is: to use the levels as a water holding area in case of flooding to protect housing on the Flood Plain, in Pevensey, Eastbourne, Stone Cross and Hailsham, at the same time holding water levels at high levels for environmental reasons. These measures are supposed to be achieved somehow without the use of the present drainage pumps. This will be detrimental to the environment and agriculture. If the area is to be flooded it will be vital for both that the water is moved quickly once the threat has passed. This will also be more difficult to manage using the policy of holding high water levels anyway. As the "bucket" is half full before the threat arises it therefore makes the drainage pumps more important. I would therefore like the Parish council to endorse the following: Herstmonceux Parish Council is concerned that proposed flood catchment plans for Pevensey Levels would have an adverse affect on their environmental and agricultural status. This would be exaggerated should the present drainage pumps be decommissioned and urge that this facility be maintained to enable flexibility of water management in an uncertain future for the Levels. 04.126 (Clerk’s Report September) item 11 - WDC Leisure Development – creation of circular route linking Pevensey, Herstmonceux and Hailsham. Mr Tate’s report on the meeting held on 29.10.04 was circulated to all councillors. It was proposed by Mr Gower, seconded by Miss Preedy that this item should be put on the January agenda to receive a report from the footpath committee. All councillors in favour. 04.145 FINANCIAL OFFICERS REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT The meeting having been presented with the Payment of Account Report and accompanying vouchers, authorised expenditure totalling £1610.32 (copy attached) proposed by Mr Crouch, seconded by Mr Goodsell. Following the recommendation from the F & G P Committee Mr Gower proposed that a grant of £500 be made to Herstmonceux Tennis Club, seconded by Mrs Crittenden. All councillors in favour. The clerk informed councillors that a licence of £47.50 is required to reproduce Ordnance Survey maps for the councillor’s information folders. Councillors resolved that the clerk could apply for the licence. A Statement of Accounts for the period 1.07.04 – 30.09.04 was circulated to all councillors. 04.146 ESTIMATES Councillors had all received copies of the Estimates and considered them in detail. It was resolved to accept the proposed Precept of £50,000, proposed by Mr Crouch, seconded by Miss Preedy. All councillors in favour. Mr Gower wished to register his concern the projected rental income of £2150 from Herstmonceux Village Hall as the issue of rent has not yet been resolved. 04.147 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Mr Gower – Chairman and Trustee of Herstmonceux Village Hall – Prejudicial Interest and Mr Gower left the room for the Village Hall Report item 04.140 Mrs Angear – Trustee of Herstmonceux Village Hall - Prejudicial Interest and Mrs Angear left the room for the Village Hall Report item 04.140 Mr Goodsell – Matters in respect of work on the recreation ground, the erection of the village sign and the Christmas lights. Mr Bingham – work on and erection of village sign. Dr Goldman - Wealden Independent Mediation Service requesting a grant. Dr Goldman is helping the Mediation Service with a lottery bid. 04.148 PLANNING MATTERS The following Planning Applications have been considered by the Parish Council: Application: WD/04/2522/F Applicant: Mr and Mrs N Hobden Location and Description: Connemara, Hailsham Road, Herstmonceux. Two hipped dormers to front elevation and single dormer to rear, replacement porch and loft conversion. Parish Council Comments: No objection. Application: WD/04/2588/F Applicant: Mr and Mrs A Beadle Location and Description: Brow Cottage, Trolliloes, Cowbeech. Detached garage and external alterations to existing dwelling. Parish Council Comments: No objection. Application: WD/04/2500/F Applicant: Mrs M Thompson and Mr S Goslin Location and Description: Coopers Croft Cattery, New Road, Herstmonceux. Additional runs to cattery, resiting of reception, kitchen, sluice and isolation facilities. Parish Council Comments: No objection. Application: WD/04/2654/F Applicant: Mr R Hodgkinson Location and Description: 9 Nursery Lane, Windmill Hill. Conservatory to rear elevation. Parish Council Comments: No objection. Application: WD/04/2387/F Applicant: Mr P Puplett Location and Description: Wargrove Farm Barn Cottage, Church Road, Herstmonceux. Proposed alterations and additions to previously approved barn conversion with three chalets to incorporate "Barn Cottage" adjoining and new access drive and parking to existing garage. Parish Council Comments: After a site visit, the Parish Council objects to the drive as currently proposed but understands from Mr Puplett’s agent a new application will be submitted in the near future. Correspondence Letter from Mr M Mullis in support of a planning application for the Wild Flower Barn (formerly known as the Egg Plantation) Church Road, Herstmonceux – contents noted. The Council has not yet received the application to which the letter refers. It was reported to the Council that two field shelters have been built at Stunts Green Farm without the necessary planning permission being granted. The clerk will contact the planning department. 04.149 DOCTOR’S SURGERY As recommended in the F & G P Committee report, the RFO will contact Mr May of the Primary Care Trust for details of plans and costings of the proposed extension to the surgery, so that an application can be made to the Public Works Loans Board. 04.150 PARISH PLAN Dr Goldman reported that, at the suggestion of Cllr Andy Long, the following recommendation had been adopted by the Parish Plan Committee for inclusion in the Parish Plan: "It is recommended that the Parish Council seek a development contribution from builders / construction companies engaged in significant developments within the parish. Initially this will be to facilitate the objectives identified in the plan for the benefit of the parish". This proposal had been approved at the extended meeting of the F & G P Committee but as all the other recommendations had been approved in principle by the full Council, it was thought appropriate to present it formally to the full Parish Council. It was approved in principle by a majority vote. Mr Gower expressed concern that a fundraising event in the village on behalf of the Parish Plan was arranged without the apparent knowledge of the committee. He questioned whether this sort of fundraising would continue in the future. Dr Goldman confirmed that this event was arranged without the knowledge of the Committee and the money raised will come to the Parish Council and be used to support the objectives identified in the Parish Plan. 04.151 QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS The clerk gave a short report on the two courses she is studying: the Society of Local Councils scheme. a portfolio of work demonstrating a basic understanding of the roles and principles of local council administration. 04.152 AFFORDABLE HOUSING The WDC HOPE project, for the provision of affordable housing in rural areas to meet the needs of local people is continuing. After much discussion, the Council completed a questionnaire on how local connections will be defined for the purpose of the allocation process. The proposals for rewording and renumbering were decided on a majority vote. A copy of the completed questionnaire is attached to the minutes. 04.153 CLERK’S REPORT – PART ONE Correspondence WDC details of HOPE (affordable housing) exhibitions. WDC Review of ESCC Electoral Arrangements – adaptation of the Electoral Register. WDC Electoral Commissioners’ final decision on the Electoral Review. WDC Minutes of Development Control South Sub-committee Meeting held on 14.10.04. WDC Planning to Mrs Galitzine – confirming that permission is granted for the removal of branches of oak trees at 18 Fairfield, Herstmonceux. WDC Planning – correspondence to and from Mr Harffey concerning the stationing of a trailer at Ruffit Wood Farm, Chilsham Lane, Herstmonceux. WDC Planning – informing the Council that the application for the change of use of restaurant to dwellings at Sundial, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux will be considered on 11.11.04. Wealden Independent Mediation Service requesting a grant. Referred to F & G P Committee. WDALC – minutes of meeting held on 22.09.04. Copied to Dr Goldman and Mr Gordon. ODPM informing the Council that the Local Authorities (Code of Conduct)(Local Determination)(Amendment) Regulations were laid before Parliament on 14.10.04 and the Standards Board for England (Functions) Order 2004. They will come into force on 4.11.04, copies can be found on HMSO website www.hmso.gov.uk ESCC details of the provision of street lighting and illuminated signs. Copied to Mr Bingham. East Sussex Fire Brigade – consultation papers on the Fire Authority’s new Integrated Risk Management Plan, closing date 24.12.04. Mr R Norman – copy of letter to ESCC concerning the Register of Common Land. Sussex Playing Fields Association – copy of Annual Report 2003/4. CPRE asking if Parish Council wish to renew membership. Referred to F & G P Committee. Vitalise (formerly known as Winged Fellowship Trust) requesting grant. Referred to F & G P Committee. SALC copy of Annual Report, details of course for councillors in December and copy of book produced by the Countryside Agency on how to become a Quality Council. Circulation John Bourne (small works division) newsletter. J Southern - sports field drainage contractors. FWAG newsletter. Sussex Review. Clerks and Councils Direct. Guide to local health services. CLERK’S REPORT – PART TWO Correspondence WDC notification of Development control South Sub-committee site meeting at the Sundial, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux at 2pm on 16.11.04. Mr Bingham will attend this meeting. WDC copy of recommendations for Members allowances from the Wealden Parish Remuneration Panel. WDC Planning – informing the Council that the appeal in respect of the Rocks, Victoria Road, Windmill Hill will be held at the Council Offices at 10am on 1.03.05. WDC timetable of forthcoming meetings. Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2004. 04.154 REPORTS Highways – problems with the pavement in Monceux Road have been reported. The fingerpost at the junction has been damaged. The clerk will contact Jakk Services for an estimate of the cost of repairs. Finance and General Purpose – attached. Correction to item 7 – Litter clearing on Recreation Ground should read Litter clearing in parish – Councillors were informed that Mr Pashler of the Waste Management Department of WDC had indicated that money might be available for clearing litter from the roads in the parish. The clerk will check for more details. Item 7- re money available from WDC for litter clearing in the parish. It was proposed that this item is put on the F & G P agenda for January. Item 3 re traffic claming proposals –Mr Naish wishes to record his objection to the proposals as detailed in the F & G P report. Footpaths - no report. School Governor – no report. Village Hall – no report. Wealden Association of Local Councils – no meeting. Neighbourhood Watch –circulated at meeting. Herstmonceux Castle Liaison – no report. Tree Warden – no report. Ground Committee – Latest Wheelie Bin still intact!!!!!!!!!! The litterbins are not being emptied and the Wheelie Bin is now full so is that not being emptied as well? Jim will speak to Will Freeman again. We may have to consider alternative arrangements for litter collection. Mr Freeman has indicated that he is no longer able to clear the litter. Mr Crouch will arrange for bins around the Recreation Ground to be emptied. The clerk will contact Waste Management WDC to check why large bin is not being emptied. The uprights put up ready for the football nets have been vandalised and pulled down. Mick has taken them out of harms way One of the small football goals has been pulled back disturbing the sockets, which take the uprights. The school caretaker has made a temporary repair and Jim has advised the school to take them in after use. Council should discuss whether this should be a Permanent arrangement. Councillors decided that the goal posts should be left out. This can be reviewed if there is further damage. The Cricket club have cleared around the pavilion and cut the outfield so the ground is looking reasonably tidy at present. Ground sub-committee – The Council has not yet received a reply to the funding application for the all weather pitch but Ms Jones for ESCC has made a site visit to the Recreation Ground. Street Lighting – problems reported in: Buckwell Rise the car park the surgery light has been vandalised. A request has been made for lighting in the bus stop at Windmill Hill. It was agreed that a request should be made to the developers of the Monkey Puzzle site for development contribution. Clerk will contact planning department. Information Centre Board Meeting – Miss Preedy as Council representative will attend meeting on 8.12.04 and report to the council at the January meeting. Councillors requested that Miss Preedy raises the issue of improving communication with parishioners via the Information Centre, as this is an important element in the tests for Quality Parish Status. 04.155 AGENDA Chairman………………………………… Date……………………..
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