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HERSTMONCEUX PARISH COUNCILMinutes of Herstmonceux Parish Council held at 7.30pm on Monday 16th January at the Village Hall, Herstmonceux.
Present: Councillors J Angear, J Bingham, J Crittenden, J Crouch, M Goodsell, D Goldman, D Gordon, B Naish, F Preedy and J Tate.
Also present were Mr W Bentley, East Sussex County Councillor and Mr A Long, Wealden District Councillor.
Mr Goacher, the RFO and Mrs J McInnes, the clerk were in attendance.
06.01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor W Gower and Mr Thomas, East Sussex County Councillor.
06.02 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 13th December 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 Bingham.
06.03 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
05.144 MUGA All-weather pitch – the Chairman gave the following report to the Council.
1 There was a meeting on 12.01.06 where the Council, the School and its governors and ESCC were represented.
2 £43k (£30k from the BLF and £13k from ESCC) was now earmarked and ring-fenced for the project.
3 It would be possible to achieve a fenced all weather pitch with a path to the school on the original site with ducting for flood lighting (but no floodlights) for £48k if local firms’ goodwill and local labour were employed. The School Governors were willing to undertake this.
4 I was asked, and agreed to pursue a bid to the ESCC Community Fund for the additional £5k. This must be in by the end of the month and I have a meeting arranged with the Chair of Governors and Jan Koops.
5 I made it clear that the PC would be under no obligation to provide flood lighting in future.
6 It was confirmed that monitoring by the BLF would be minimal for a project of £30k.
7 It was suggested by Bob Lake that maintenance could be provided by Hailsham Community College which will have a similar pitch and the equipment to look after it.
8 The School was willing to oversee the booking system and the returns which would be required. The Council will, however, have to have some input (charges? providing info on who is using it in the community etc.)
9 It is hoped/expected that the project would be completed by this summer.
10 Sue Hunter agreed to circulate the action notes of the meeting (this includes such things as Bob Lake checking the planning permission situation, and Sports Match for additional funding).
Councillors agreed that copies of this report should be circulated to the three families who live in Park View who have expressed concerns about the project.
The Chairman expressed the Council’s thanks for the help and support received from Mr Bentley in progressing the project.
06.04 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Goodsell Declared an Interest in respect of work on the Recreation Ground.
06.05 FINANCIAL OFFICERS REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The meeting having been presented with the Payment of Account Report and accompanying vouchers, authorised expenditure totalling £1140.32 (copy attached) proposed by Councillor Tate, seconded by Councillor Preedy.
A Statement of Accounts 1.10.05 – 31.12.05 was circulated to all councillors.
06.06 DOCTORS SURGERY
The Clerk informed the meeting that the PCT was ready to progress the project. The Council agreed that the clerk should contact Mr May with details of the conditions required by the Council, including those of the Public Works Loans Board and planning requirements.
The gate to the garden of the surgery was not locking properly and Councillor Bingham has made temporary repairs.
06.07 QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS
Clerk is working on compiling documents for the application. The Chairman confirmed that councillors would offer any help which the clerk required.
06.08 AFFORDABLE HOUSING
See report in the F & G P Committee Report.
06.09 VILLAGE INFORMATION CENTRE – WORKING PARTY UPDATE
Trustees – more trustees are required and a public meeting has been arranged for 7pm on 1.02.06. Insurance will be taken out to protect trustees from third party liability.
Grant – an application to Action in Rural Sussex was unsuccessful but other sources are being investigated.
Public Appeal – approximately £1800 was raised by the appeal.
The Information Centre expressed their thanks to the Council for their help.
06.10 HERSTMONCEUX TRAFFIC CALMING UPDATE
Mr Bentley reported that there had been over 200 replies to the questionnaire and the results would be available at the end of January.
06.11 CLERK’S REPORTS – part one
Part I – Correspondence to Wednesday 4 January 2006.
1. “Aimhigher” ... Sussex: Higher Education for community groups
2. Wealden District Council – Extra-ordinary Council Meeting 14/12/2005
3. East Sussex Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee – Annual Report
4. ESCC – Changes to local bus services.
5. Wealden District Council – Street Naming and Numbering – development of 7 new houses, Monceux Road.
6. Eastbourne Downs NHS – Patient Advice & Liaison Service.
7. Cabinet Office – Planning for a colder than average winter.
8. ESCC – Trading Standard Service.
9. Consumer Direct – South East.
10. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) – Standards of Conduct in English Local Government: The Future.
11. Wealden District Council – Forward plan of key and other decisions.
12. Wealden District Council – Emergency Planning. Copy sent to Mr Alan McInnes. No action required.
13. Wealden District Council 2006/07 Budget Consultation – Half day workshop on 1 February 2006 at Crowborough. Representatives required.
Clerk’s Report - Part two
Correspondence
1. WARR (Wealden and Rother Rural) Partnership News.
2. Mr D May, Eastbourne Primary Care Trust – response to Council’s letter for meeting date. Copied to Mr Goacher.
3. ESCC informing the Council of a proposed diversion of Public Bridleways 15B and 15 C. Comments required by 3.02.06. Copied to Footpath Committee. The Footpath Committee has considered the proposal and it recommends that the Council supports this proposal. The proposed diversion merely legalises the route that has been used for a number of years. The clerk will contact ESCC.
4. ESCC informing the Council of the temporary Closure of Footpath 30A, from the main road towards the recreation ground for 120metres for essential water mains work. Copied to Footpath Committee.
5. ESCC re the former lighting column at the Old Trug Shop House – informing the Council that ESCC was not informed of the removal or replacement of this lighting column. Copied to Councillor Bingham. Clerk will copy letter to Mr P White of the Housing Association.
6. ESCC re the street lighting bracket at the Eastern Promise Restaurant in Herstmonceux – confirming that this light will not be repositioned without the authorisation of the Parish Council. Copied to Councillor Bingham. Clerk will inform resident of adjoining property.
7. Mr Bell – copy of letter sent to WDC concerning the damage to a litter bin and seat at Cow beech Hill crossroads.
8. WDC – copy of weekly planning application list.
Circulation
1. Glasdon street furniture leaflet.
2. Konica Minolta photocopiers leaflet.
3. Steps to Action – school travel plan information leaflet.
4. ESCC Adult Social Care – information leaflet.
5. A & J Projects – electrical contractors leaflet.
06.12 REPORTS
Planning
WD/2005/3334/F and WD/2005/3334/LB
Location: Buckwell Place, Hailsham Road, Herstmonceux.
Description: Alterations and conversion of garage to living accommodation
Applicant: Mr & Mrs J. Braxton, Buckwell Place, Hailsham Road, Herstmonceux, East Sussex.
PC Comments: No objections, but as this planning application refers to a property designated as a “Listed Building”, that all materials use should be in keeping.
WD/2005/3404/F
Location: Broadacres, Cowbeech, BN27 4JF.
Description: Proposes dormer window to front elevation.
Applicant: Mr P. W. Benians, Broadacres, Cowbeech, East Sussex, BN27 4JF.
PC Comments: No Objections.
WD/2005/3460/F
Location: 20 Fairfield, Herstmonceux, BN27 4NE.
Description: Proposed rear extension – single storey to form new dining room.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Maycock, 20 Fairfield, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 4NE.
PC Comments: No Objections in principle, but neighbours observations should be given consideration.
WD/2005/3481/F
Location: Moietie’s Farm, Cowbeech, Nr Hailsham, BN27 4JJ.
Description: Conversion of redundant farm buildings to B1 business use with domestic accommodation. Resubmission of WD/2005/0970/F.
Applicant: Mr & Mrs N. Gleadow, Moietie’s Farm, Cowbeech, Nr Hailsham, east Sussex, BN27 4JJ.
PC Comments: No Objections, but previous comments from this Parish Council should apply. Subsequent to the meeting the Acting Clerk found that the Parish Council’s previous comments [Minute 05.47 16 May 2005] “The Parish Council considers that this site is more suited to domestic accommodation rather than business use, which would cause an increase in traffic, which is already a problem in Cowbeech”
WD/2005/3512/FE
Location: The Old Forge, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux
Description: Conversion of roof space and associated alterations (renewal of planning permission WD/2000/0796/F).
Applicant: Mrs P. Mayfield, Holly Trees, Redpale, Dallington, Nr Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 9NR.
PC Comments: No Objections
The Council resolved to approve the above recommendations from the Planning Committee as the meeting was inquorate, proposed by Councillor Angear, seconded by Councillor Bingham. All councillors in favour.
The following application was considered at an Extraordinary Planning Committee Meeting.
WD/2005/2913/FR
Location: Sackville and Chantlers Farms, Lower Road, Herstmonceux
Description: Retrospective application for change of use of seven former farm buildings to B8 uses and one former farm building for the storage of up to 50 no, caravans. Proposed change of use of one former farm building to B8 use and one former farm building to B1 use and the retention of five containers.
Applicant: J. C. Gower & Sons, Sackville Farm, Lower Road, Herstmonceux.
PC Comments: The Parish Council have no objections to this planning application, but in coming to this decision would draw the District Councillor’s attention to the following:
a. Fully support the concerns of the residents in respect of increased traffic along the adjacent lanes, leading to the farms, and would ask the Wealden District Council to recommend to the Highway Authority that restrictions to traffic passing along Butler’s Lane should be imposed by the installation of signs indicating that the maximum width of the lane is no greater than 6’ 6”, to be placed at each end of the lane,
b. That Wealden District Council note that Herstmonceux Parish Council are completely at “unease” when having to consider planning applications which are “Retrospective” and especially where there has been a considerably length of time elapsed, up to five years in the case of this particular application, and would urge that retrospection should be curtailed.
Planning Correspondence:
1. WD/2005/1083/O– demolition of old timber abattoir and ancillary buildings and erection of one detached town house within existing curtilage. Letter, dated 18 December 2005, from Laurence Keeley.
2. Planning Town Conference for Town and Parish Councils: Invitation for Parish Councillors to attend WDC Planning Conference to be held on 16 February 2006. – Nominations to Full Council please. Councillors Angear and Tate will attend.
3. Preparation of the Statement of Community Involvement related to Local Development Framework processes: For information.
4. Revised Wealden Building Control Folder: For information.
5. Appeal by Mr & Mrs Wright: Meadow View, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux: Roof extension with rooms in roof and new front porch. – DTLR Ref: APP/C1435/A/05/1195567: Letter from WDC informing of Appeal and asking for any views or comments.
6. WD/04/2822/F – Woodcote Farm, Trolliloes, Cowbeech: letter from WDC to Dr Arnold Goldman.
7. General Interest and WD/2005/3019/F: E-mail from Miss J. Bolton, Planning Officer, WDC to Acting Clerk regarding granting of extensions to PC comments periods. The Planning Committee will discuss the schedule of Planning Committee Meetings at the February meeting.
8. WD/2004/1246/F – Proposed demolition of the existing industrial buildings and redevelopment with seven houses (together with their garages and parking) and a new rear garden, garage and car space for Fairseat, all with access from Monceux Road. Plus the change of use only of Fairseat to one dwelling – Former works (Blanshard Products Ltd) including Faiseat, West End, Herstmonceux. Letter dated 23 December 2005 from WDC to Mr R. G. Smale, Michael Cook Associates, Worthing.
9. Extract from Weekly Planning List: detailing planning applications received. 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.
10. WD/2004/1246/F – Proposed demolition of the existing industrial buildings and redevelopment with 7 no. houses (together with their garages and parking) and a new rear garden, garage and car space for Fairseat, all with access from Monceux Road. Plus the change of use only of Fairseat to 1 no. dwelling – Former works (Blanshard Products Ltd) including Faiseat, West End, Herstmonceux. Letter dated 29 December 2005 from WDC to Mr R. G. Smale, Michael Cook Associates, Worthing.
11. WD/2005/2913/FR – Retrospective Application for change of use of seven former farm buildings to B8 uses and one former farm building for the storage of up to 50 no. caravans. Proposed change of use of one former farm building to B8 use and one former farm building to B1 use and the retention of five containers. – Sackville and Chantlers Farms, Lower Road, Herstmonceux: letter dated 22 December 2005 from WDC notifying that the planning application is to be considered on 5 January 2006.
12. The Plantation, Church Road, Herstmonceux: letter dated 30 December 2005 to WDC from HPC concerning works being undertaken. The meeting asks that the Clerk continue to follow up this matter.
13. WD/2004/2812/RM – Former Monkey Puzzle Garage site: letter dated 30 December 2005 to WDC (Arboriculturist) from HPC concerning the replacement of the monkey puzzle tree at this development.
14. Street Lighting Bracket at the Eastern Promise Restaurant, Herstmonceux: Letter dated 31 December 2005 to Mrs G. Meades notify her of the HPC support for leaving the street lighting bracket in situ.
15. Street Lighting Bracket at the Eastern Promise Restaurant, Herstmonceux: Letter dated 31 December 2005 to ESCC (Mr D. E. Cox) from HPC objecting to the street lighting bracket, at the restaurant, being moved.
16. The Plantation, Church Road, Herstmonceux: E-mail from WDC (Mr C. Bradshaw) dated 5 January 2006 informing HPC that WDC will need to look into the matter. The Acting Clerk is asked to obtain formal confirmation that this matter is under investigation by the Wealden District Council, Planning Enforcement Officers.
17. WD/04/2822/F – Woodcote Farm, Trolliloes, Cowbeech: Copy of E-mail from Dr Arnold Goldman to WDC concerning the planning application.
18. Copy of the Minutes of the Wealden District Council Development Control South Sub-Committee meeting held on 8 December 2005.
19. Copy of the Planning Applications list received during the week-ending 27 December 2005.
Planning Consents – Notification received from Wealden District Council:
WD/2005/3043/LB
Location: Broyle Cottage, Stunts Green, Herstmonceux
Description: To fit a washroom & shower unit into small existing ground floor WC. room.
WD/2005/2554/F
Location: Beeches, Joes Lane, Herstmonceux
Description: New drive, retaining wall, oil tank and boundary
Planning Refusals – Notification received from Wealden District Council:
WD/2005/2883/LDP
Location: 6 Fiennes Road, Herstmonceux.
Description: Proposed alterations and loft conversion including new dormer window.
Footpaths
ESCC proposes to divert bridleway 15B and 15C in Cowbeech – the footpath committee has considered the proposal and it recommends that the Council supports this proposal. The proposed diversion merely legalises the route that has been used for a number of years. The clerk will contact ESCC.
School governor
Report was circulated to all councillors.
Village Hall
No report.
Wealden Association of Local Councils
No meeting.
Neighbourhood Watch
Report circulated to all councillors.
Herstmonceux Castle
No report.
Tree Warden
Nothing to report.
Emergency Plan
No report.
Ground Committee
• The large bin on the Recreation Ground still has not been removed in spite of assurances from WDC. Mr Goacher will contact Waste Services again.
• A post and rail at the car park on the Recreation Ground have been damaged.
• A new dog bin has been installed on Denefield Green.
Street Lighting
Trug Shop Site
The lamp at this site has been replaced with a low density lamp at the back of the first house. This lights up the car park but not the pavement, leaving this area pitch dark.
The distance between the street lamps on either side of the site are approximately 155 paces, which the Council considers is unacceptable as the distance between other lamps on this road is about 85 paces.
ESCC has confirmed that permission was not granted for the removal of the lamp post at the entrance of Park View.
The Council agreed that the clerk should write to the Housing Association and request that a lamp be reinstated at the entrance to Park View.
Highways and Traffic
C15 Cowbeech to Rushlake Green – long standing sunken/blocked drain on the north side of the road past the Merrie harriers.
C15 Cowbeech to Cowbeech Hill – broken metal Water Board access cover on south side of road approximately 20 metres west of Cowbeech sign.
A271 outside Woolpack – raised manhole cover.
Youth and Young People
Report circulated to all councillors.
Information Centre
No report.
South East in Bloom
There have been recent, successful fundraising events for the summer flower displays.
Parish Plan Implementation Group
1. Group met on 10.01.06.
2. Estimates – quotations have been received from three printers.
3. contents – work has begun on creating the contents and this practical exercise stimulated a useful discussion. As a result it was agree to investigated employing a designer/editor to work on material taken from the parish council website and prepare it for printing. This will require the preparation of a written brief.
The group will meet again on 16.02.06 and report to the April Council Meeting.
ESCC Councillor
Concern had been expressed at the recent publicity about teachers with convictions or cautions for sexual offences working in schools. No teachers at local schools were implicated in these reports.
WDC Councillor
No report.
F & G P
Minutes circulated to all councillors.
Item 1 - The award of £150 from East Sussex Village of the Year Competition – it was agreed by a majority decision to postpone the allocation of this money.
Item 2 Herstmonceux Information Centre – a meeting was held on 9.01.06; see report at 06.09 above.
Confidential item - Councillors Angear, Gower and Naish Declared a Prejudicial Interest in the discussion on the lease between the Council and the Village Hall, as they are trustees of the hall. The councillors left the room whilst this item was discussed.
06.13 AGENDA
Chairman………………………………… Date……………………..
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