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HERSTMONCEUX PARISH COUNCIL

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Minutes of Herstmonceux Parish Council held at 7.30pm on Thursday 17 January 2005 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, B Naish, Miss F Preedy and J Tate.

Also present was County Councillor R. Thomas (arrived 20.30), District Councillor A. Long and five members of the public.

Mr Goacher, Responsible Financial Officer, took the meeting as Acting Clerk.

04.166 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Councillor W. Gower and Mrs J.E. McInnes, Clerk to the Council, who was absent due to a recent operation.

04.167 MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 9 December 2004 having been circulated were signed as a true record, after the following amendments had been made:

04.160 Dr Goldman pointed out that her personal friendship was with both Mr and Mrs Vaughan of Woodcote Farm, Cowbeech and that both she and Councillor Crittenden had left the room during the discussion of the proposals in which they had declared a prejudicial interest. Councillor Miss Preedy had voted against the planning application re Woodcote Farm, Cowbeech, and had abstained from voting in respect of the planning application on Bemzells Lane, Cowbeech. Councillor Goodsell had declared a prejudicial interest in respect of the planning application for Higham Farm, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux, due to renting land at the farm, and had left the meeting during all such discussions.

04.161 The Minutes were [also] amended to read:

In the time allocated for public comments two residents of Cowbeech spoke expressing concern at application WD/04/2822/F. The points raised were:

  • it is not in keeping with the surroundings.
  • it is contrary to the local policy on traffic movements.
  • the increase in traffic will be dangerous for other road users - walkers, horse riders and children catching the school bus. Two other applications for similar proposals have been turned down.
  • WDC is promoting the Cowbeech Walk from Trolliloes to Bemzells Lane and the extra traffic movements will conflict this.

The applicant spoke in favour of the proposal. The points raised were:

  • poultry production has had to cease at the site as the companies involved had moved production out of the area.
  • WDC is supporting diversification of farms.
  • advice has been sought on the possible traffic flow and an independent survey was carried out. The farm was a commercial unit and there was a level of traffic associated with the operation.

These comments related to the following planning application:

Application: WD/04/2822/F
Applicant: Mr and Mrs T Vaughan
Location and Description: Woodcote Farm, Cowbeech. Change of use of two former poultry barns to 5 B1 and 3 B8 units.
Parish Council Comments: After making a site visit, the Council recommend that only one poultry unit be changed for B8 use. The Council also draw attention to the neighbours concerns about the traffic and noise.

[other applications]

Application: WD/04/2786/F
Applicant: Mrs R Allen
Location and Description: Laburnhams, Church Road, Herstmonceux. Garage roof alterations to form artist's studio.
Parish Council Comments: No objection.

Application: WD/04/2845/F
Applicant: Mr M Sales
Location and Description: The Old Stable Yard, Bemzells Lane, Cowbeech. Three bedroom House.
Parish Council Comments: The Council strongly objects - there is no justification for a new residential building in an area of AONB.

It was then resolved that the minutes be approved, adopted and signed as the correct record, proposed by Miss Preedy, seconded by Mrs Crittenden.

04.168 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES

    04.165 Emergency Planning Committee: Councillor Miss Preedy stated that she would convene a meeting of the Emergency Committee and prepare a report for the February meeting

04.169 Declarations of Interest: Councillor M. Goodsell; Recreation Ground and Planning Applications, Councillors J.H. Bingham, Miss F. Preedy, and J. Tate; Planning Applications.

04.170 Parish Plan: Councillors J. Angear, J. Crittenden, Dr Goldman, and Miss F. Preedy declared their respective prejudicial interests as members of the Parish Plan Steering Committee and left the room. Vice Chairman J. H. Bingham took the chair. Mrs Louise Schweitzer, member of the public and Parish Plan Steering Committee Member, commented on the excellent production of the Parish Plan and wished to have recorded a vote of thanks to Councillor Dr Goldman as Chairman of the Parish Plan Steering Committee. Councillor Bingham extended the Parish Council’s thanks to everyone who comprised the Parish Plan Steering Committee. The meeting formally adopted the Herstmonceux Parish Plan and its recommendations, as proposed by Councillor J. Tate, and seconded by Councillor J. Crouch.

Councillor Dr Goldman resumed the Chairmanship of the meeting.

04.171 Wealden District Council – Litter Collection: Mr M. Pashler, Area Works Manager, Wealden District Council addressed the meeting on the issues of litter and street cleansing in Wealden, with special reference to Herstmonceux Parish.

    Wealden District Council had reviewed its cleansing services in 2000 / 2001, and had offered to devolve some of the services to Town / Parish Councils, but this was not taken up. Town and Parish Councils agreed that the main issue of concern was the clearing of litter. In 2003 / 2004 under CPA , Wealden were required to work harder on the issue of litter and were asked to liaise with Town and Parish Councils as to how litter should be dealt with. The ESCC introduced a Visible Roads Imitative, starting with the A22. Wealden has worked closely with the ESCC on regular grass cutting and litter picking / collection from verges and lay-bys along the A22. This has been very successful.

    Mr Pashler stated that Wealden has advertised that it will not increase the level of Council Tax by more than 3.5% in 2005 / 2006. To achieve this some District Council services must suffer. However, Cleansing Services are to receive a further £24,000 which will be spent on other stretches of highway, to include the A271 which passes through Herstmonceux.

    Wealden is prioritising the communication and partnerships with its Town and Parish Councils. It aims to assist with Community Litter Picks, requests regular feedback from local councils on litter problems, and assistance in trying to stop people actually dropping litter in the first place.

    The meeting raised various points on methods of assistance and litter issues with Mr Pashler. Councillor Dr Goldman thanked Mr Pashler for his time and briefing the Council on a subject of constant concern.

04.172 FINANCIAL OFFICERS REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

    The meeting having been presented with the Payment of Account Report and accompanying vouchers, authorised expenditure totalling £969.70 (copy attached) proposed by Councillor Miss F. Preedy, seconded by Councillor J. Crouch.

    The Responsible Finance Officer presented a Statement of Accounts for the period 1 October 2004 to 31 December 2004, which showed that the Council’s balances as at 31 December 2004 amounted to £67,974.63.

04.173 PLANNING MATTERS

    The recommendations of the Planning Sub-Committee meeting held on Wednesday 5 January 2005, having been circulated, were accepted by the meeting. Proposed: Councillor J. Tate; Seconded: Councillor J. Crouch.

    The Chairman informed the meeting regarding receipt of a copy of a letter addressed to an individual Councillor, the contents of which may be the subject of legal action. The Chairman would be dealing with this as a "confidential" item and it would, therefore, not be the subject of open discussion at the meeting.

    The following applications were considered by the Parish Council meeting:

    Application Number: WD/04/2833/LBR
    Location: Cowbeech House, Cowbeech, Nr Hailsham
    Description: Retention of plaster repair work (internally) to front room.
    Applicant: Mr A Hepburn
    Parish Comments: No Objections.

    Councillors Mrs J. Crittenden, M. Goodsell and J. Tate all declared a prejudicial interest and left the meeting, whilst the following application was discussed.
    Application Number: WD/04/3073/F
    Location: Higham Farm, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux
    Description: Conversion of outbuildings to form offices with some minor external alterations.
    Applicant: Mr and Mrs Wheatley.
    [Referred by Planning Committee (05/01/2005)]
    Parish Comments: The Parish Council expresses concerns in respect of the access onto the highway, but otherwise has no objections to the application.

    The meeting received notification of the following Planning Consents:

    Application Number: WD/04/1389/RM
    Location: Former Monkey Puzzle Garage, Victoria Road, Windmill Hill, Herstmonceux.
    Description: Residential development of 12 terraced houses – details of the siting, design and external appearance of the buildings.

    Application Number: WD/04/1282/F
    Location: The Malthouse, Hailsham Road, Herstmonceux.
    Description: The change of use from a shop which sells pine furniture to the formation of a tea room to the front of the building and a new evening bistro to the rear of the ground floor, and retention of the first floor flat.

    Application Number: WD/04/2654/F
    Location: 9 Nursery Lane, Herstmonceux.
    Description: Conservatory to rear elevation.

    Application Number: WD/04/2353/FT
    Location: Winslow House, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux.
    Description: Proposed change of use from Antique shop to Estate Agents (without complying with condition 1 of the previous approval WD/03/2174/F).

    Application Number: WD/04/2446/LB
    Location: Flats 5 & 5, Herstmonceux Place, Church Road, Herstmonceux.
    Description: Formation of a new door opening between flats 4 & 5 with reinstatement of a new original door and associated works.

    Application Number: WD/04/2930/F
    Location: Teckel Cottage, Bodle Street Green, Herstmonceux.
    Description: Conservatory on rear elevation.

    Application Number: WD/04/2522/F
    Location: Connemara, Hailsham Road, Herstmonceux.
    Description: Two hipped dormers to front elevation and single dormer to rear replacement porch and loft conversion

    The meeting received notification of the following Planning Refusals:

    Application Number: WD/04/2588/F
    Location: Brow Cottage, Trolliloes, Cowbeech, Nr Hailsham.
    Description: Detached garage and external alterations to existing dwelling.

    Application Number: WD/04/2786/F
    Location: Laburnhams, Church Road, Herstmonceux.
    Description: Garage roof alterations to form artist’s studio.

04.174 DOCTOR'S SURGERY

    The Acting Clerk read a letter received from Mr David May, Head of Primary Care, which set out the Primary Care Trust’s agreement to:

    1. the Primary Care Trust (PCT) acceptance of the increased rental figure of £35,000 per annum. This is subject to a design which fully meets the PCT’s requirements.

    2. the PCT is also agreeable to a 20 year term, but would expect there to be review periods and break clauses.

    3. PCT would commission the necessary work to produce plans etc.

04.175 QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS

    Nothing to report

04.176 CLERK'S REPORT

    1. SALC – County Circular
    2. SALC – Casual Vacancies and Co-Option Procedures
    3. SALC – The Church of England Table of Parochial Fees
    4. SALC – Advanced Councillors’ Course – 18 to 20 February 2005 (Midhurst)
    5. SALC – Initial Councillors’ Course – 28 to 30 January 2005 (Midhurst)
    6. NALC – Legal Update – Freedom of Information Act – general right of access – January 2005.
    7. NALC – Employment Update – New Statutory Disciplinary & Grievance procedures in the workplace
    8. WDC – Forward Plan of Key and Other Decisions
    9. WDC – Local Government and Rating Act 1997 – Review of Parish Boundaries and Parish Electoral Arrangements.
    10. WDC – Confirmation of Parish Council Information – Chairman, Clerk & Tree Warden
    11. WDC – The Safer Wealden – Reconnecting the community with its police.
    12. ROSPA – County inspection Dates 2005 – (Sussex – June 2005)
    13. South & South East in Bloom – Starter Pack application
    14. Herstmonceux Tennis Club – Letter of thanks for the grant of £500.
    15. PCSO Gareth Hollister, Sussex Police – Date of Annual Parish Meeting – for attending.

    The Chairman invited the meeting to comment on the format of the forthcoming Annual Parish Meeting, to be held on Monday 21 March 2005 commencing at 8pm. After discussion the meeting agreed that there should a "Focus" subject and agreed that for the 2005 APM this should be Neighbourhood Watch and the Police. The Acting Clerk was asked to write to Mr Creasey and the Sussex Police accordingly.

04.177 REPORTS

    Finance and General Purpose – To receive the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 5 January 2005.

    The Chairman briefed the meeting on the Committee’s views on the Wealden Council’s budget consultation paper and it was agreed that the committee’s responses should be adopted. The Chairman was delegated responsibility to add any further responses after attending the WDC budget briefing to be held on Friday 21 January 2005.

    The All Weather Court: The Chairman read from proposals received from Ian Woodland , ESCC, in particular to the Parish Council responsibilities, Community Use, Planning Status and Partnership Funding. The meeting wanted to be assured that the Parish Council were not subsidising the Education funds and that the Parish Council would not be providing equipment for school use. It was evident from the proposals that the Parish Council, as part of its responsibilities, would have to act as the booking agent. This would allow the Parish Council to monitor and control the use of the court outside school hours. The matter of lighting came up in discussion and it was considered that in phase 1 of the project lighting should be omitted, and only considered as part of a projected phase. In doing so the latter would meet the concerns of neighbouring property owners to some extent.

    It was agreed to copy Ian Woodland’s memo to all ask Councillors, and to ask the Recreation Ground Committee to keep it under consideration.

    Councillors Mrs Angear proposed and Councillor Crouch seconded that the Finance & General Purposes recommendation be accepted by the meeting.

    Footpaths - no report on footpaths. Councillor Mrs Angear outlined the Herstmonceux Gardeners’ Club request to place "post and rail" fencing behind the bus shelter on Hailsham Road (A271) and generally tidy up the immediate area, planting this with bulbs, shrubs, etc. The Chairman suggested that the Acting Clerk write to Wealden District Council to ask if there was any objection to this being permitted prior to the Parish Council being assigned the adjacent greensward as a village green.

    School Governor - no report.

    Village Hall – no report

    Wealden District Association of Local Councils - no meeting.

    Neighbourhood Watch – no report

    Herstmonceux Castle Liaison - no report.

    Tree Warden - no report.

    Emergency Planning Committee – no report.

    Ground Committee - no report.

    Street Lighting – Councillor Bingham reported that the occupiers of Praise the Lord, The Wells, and Bazaar House had agreed in December to cut back the hedges under the lamp posts in Victory Path. There has been no action. Councillor Bingham stated that the owner of Praise the Lord had requested a ladder which Councillor Bingham would be able to assist once recovered from his hand operation. The Acting Clerk was asked to write to the residents concerned.

    The Council‘s request to change various bulbs to white from orange, as previously reported, had not yet been carried out. The Acting Clerk was asked to write a reminder letter. Mr Stewart had reported that lamp no 7 opposite the Firs, West End was not working.

    Highways – It was reported that the seat adjacent the telephone box at Stunts Green had a broken back. Councillor Bingham stated that he would have a look at this. It was proposed by Councillor Bingham and seconded by Councillor Tate that the seat opposite The Wells would not be replaced for a period of one year, when the situation would be reviewed. The Acting Clerk was asked to publish this decision in the Parish Council bulletin. The Acting Clerk informed the meeting that an estimate for repairs to the fingerpost at the junction of Chapel Row / A271 in the sum of £219.60, plus VAT, had been received from Jakk Country Furniture Designs. A copy had been forwarded to Councillor Gower.

    Pevensey Levels – Rights of Way: Councillor Bingham declared a prejudicial interest, as he owns land which will be affected by improvements to a bridleway, and left the meeting for the duration of the subsequent discussion. Councillor Tate had prepared a response setting out the Council’s comments on the proposed Rights of Way on the Pevensey Levels. Councillor Tate circulated a copy and read the content to the meeting. After further discussion on the matter it was proposed by Councillor Goodsell and seconded by Councillor Crouch that the Acting Clerk should forward Councillor Tate’s responses to the East Sussex County Council as the Council’s formal comments.

04.178 AGENDA ITEMS – for next meeting.

Councillor Naish asked that an item be included on the next Agenda to discuss the possibility of an event to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Chairman ………………………  date................

     

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