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HERSTMONCEUX PARISH COUNCILMinutes of Herstmonceux Parish Council held at 7.30pm on Monday 17th July 2006 at the Village Hall, Herstmonceux.
Present: Councillors J Angear, J Bingham, J Crittenden, J Crouch, M Goodsell, D Gordon, W Gower, B Naish and J Tate.
Mr S Goacher, the Responsible Financial Officer and Mrs J McInnes, the clerk were in attendance.There were six members of the public present.
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Preedy and Mr R Thomas, East Sussex County Councillor.
06.76 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 19th June 2006 have been circulated.
It was then resolved that the minutes be approved, adopted and signed as the correct record, proposed by Councillor Bingham, seconded by Councillor Gordon.
06.77 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
06.73 Planning – application WD/2006/1476/F The Old Stable Yard, Bemzells Lane, Cowbeech – comments to WDC should read, “No objection as removal of the redundant outbuildings would improve the site. The Council wishes to see the removal of the mobile home after the completion of the bungalow.”
06.60 re request to remove the bench at the end of The Ridgeway – letters were sent to residents asking for their views on the removal of the bench. Twenty-two responses were received, with seventeen against the removal and five in favour; the Council agreed that the bench will remain. Councillor Naish will deliver a letter to residents informing them of the decision.
06.78 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Goodsell – re minor maintenance work on the Recreation Ground and other Council sites.
06.79 FINANCIAL OFFICERS REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The meeting having been presented with the Payment of Account Report and accompanying vouchers, authorised expenditure totalling £2,192.68 (copy attached) proposed by Councillor Bingham, seconded by Councillor Gower.
A Statement of Accounts for 1.04.06 – 30.06.06 was circulated to all councillors.
06.80 FINAL ACCOUNTS
The F & G P Committee recommended that the Parish Council accept the Final Accounts as prepared by the RFO, and that the Chairman or Vice-chairman be authourised to sign the Annual Return, the Statement of Assurance and the Final Accounts on behalf of the Parish Council.
The RFO brought the Internal Auditor’s Report (circulated to all councillors) to the attention of the meeting, in particular, the comments regarding Risk Assessment. A Risk Assessment Report will be drawn up by the RFO, in co-operation with the Committee Chairmen and presented to the Council by November 2006. It was resolved at accept the Internal Auditor’s Report, proposed by Councillor Gower, seconded by Councillor Tate. All councillors in favour.
It was resolved to agree the Final Accounts, proposed by Councillor Gower, seconded by Councillor Tate. All councillors in favour.
06.81 DOCTORS SURGERY
Nothing to report.
06.82 QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS
The clerk has met with Mr T Leggo of Sussex Association of Local Councils to discuss the Council’s application.
06.83 AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Nothing to report.
06.84 ALLOTMENTS
The Council agreed to investigate potential sites in the village for allotments; approximately an acre of land is required. The clerk will send an article to the Parish News and posters will be put on the notice boards and in the Information Centre.
06.85 CLERK’S REPORTS – part one
1. Mr Keeley – (a) proposal re traffic calming in Herstmonceux and copy of letter to ESCC regarding the press release in the Hailsham Gazette in respect of his leaflets on traffic calming; (b) copy of a discussion paper on youth work at Herstmonceux Free Church. Copied to Councillor Gordon. Councillor Gordon has requested more information on the meeting re youth work.
2. Mr and Mrs Pelling – informing the Council that Herstmonceux Tennis Club no longer wishes to be responsible for the upkeep of the tennis courts on the Recreation Ground, together with a copy of the minutes of the club’s AGM when this decision was taken. Copied to Councillor Gower. Members of the Ground Committee informed the Council that they had been informally notified that the Tennis Club wishes to use the tennis courts as a communal facility without the responsibility for the maintenance of the courts and the hut. It was proposed by Councillor Bingham, seconded by Councillor Gower that the Ground Committee will arrange a meeting with the Tennis Club to discuss the issue and report to the August Council Meeting. All councillors in favour. Members of the Tennis Club had commented that the Council’s grants for the renovation of the tennis courts and clubhouse had not been spent and could be returned to the Council. It was proposed by Councillor Angear, seconded by Councillor Goodsell that the clerk should contact the Tennis Club to ask for the return of the money to carry out the work on the courts.
3. WDC – Forward Plan of Key Decisions.
4. WDC – Benefit Newsletter.
5. ESCC – informing the Council of temporary road closures of: Butlers Lane from its junction with Church Road southwards to its junction with Lower Road for two days between 3rd – 31st July; and Squab Lane, Magham Down from its junction with Cowbeech Road southwards to its junction with Old Road for two days between 3rd -31st July.
6. ESCC – results of questionnaire on the Tree Warden scheme and request for funding for the scheme. Details of training programme available. Copied to Councillor Goodsell.
7. WDC – request for information on contact details for the Council. Completed and returned.
8. WDC – request for information on staffing availability for the 2007 elections.
9. WDC – informing the Council that the postal address of Monkey Puzzle Close has been confirmed for the development at the Monkey Puzzle Garage site.
10. WDC – details of improving parish liaison and details of cluster groups, which will be used to facilitate consultation on the Local Development Framework.
11. AiRS newsletter and questionnaire on the Defra Social Inclusion Programme.
12. WDC – requesting suggestion for applicants to undertake canvassing duties for the autumn canvass.
13. Mr Hall, Highways Lighting Manager – copy of letter in respect of lighting column at the Old Trug Shop House. Copied to Councillor Bingham.
14. Mr Williamson – asking if the gate on the access track to the recreation ground will be locked again. The Council agreed that the gate should be left open for the summer months. The situation will be reviewed in the autumn.
15. AiRS – asking for information on local markets. Forwarded to Mrs Foreman via Mr Clatworthy.
16. SALC – informing the Council that the 2006 questionnaire is available on the web site ww.salc.org.uk, closing date 1.09.06. Completed and returned.
17. AiRS – details of Wealden Parish Action Plan Network meeting at Herstmonceux Village Hall on 27.07.06.
18. WDC – forwarding a message from a resident of Herstmonceux asking why the recreation ground is closed due to dog fouling. Clerk contacted resident who was concerned that the school children were not allowed on the Recreation Ground because of the problems with dog fouling. The dog warden has been informed and new signs will be put up, asking that people clear up after their dogs.
19. WRVS – application for a grant. Forwarded to August F & G P Meeting when grants are considered.
20. Mr Hoole - asking for more information on the Book of Remembrance in the Village Hall. Forwarded contact details of Mr Clatworthy.
21. RoSPA – play area inspection report. Forwarded to Councillor Gower. The main problem reported is that the train in the children’s play area is not fixed to the ground. The Ground Committee will discuss the report in detail and deal with any other issues that arise.
22. SLCC – details of conference in October.
CLERK’S REPORT - Part two
23. ESCC – East Sussex Rights of Way Questionnaire and Rights of Way Improvement Plan Survey; to be returned by 31.07.06. Copied to Councillor Tate.
24. Mrs P Morley, Clerk to Wartling Parish Council – informing the Council that Councillors Stevens and White are nominated to represent Wartling in discussions on the Tarmac Topblock application and that Councillor Stevens will also be attending meetings on the proposed parish clustering.
25. CPRE – reminding the Council that its membership will shortly be due for renewal.
26. Dr A Goldman – informing the Council that in the future, it will be possible to access the Herstmonceux Parish web site from the PIP in the Information Centre.
27. Mr P Moon, Clerk to Hellingly Parish Council – informing the Council that Hellingly Parish Council supports the recommendation from Herstmonceux that rural parishes should be clustered together rather than with town councils.
28. Mrs A Laing, Clerk to Ninfield Parish Council informing the Council that Ninfield Parish Council has concerns at the proposed clustering of parish councils and town councils together. It also has requested more information from Wealden on the purpose of the cluster groups.
29. SALC – summary of the recommendations of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission.
30. Mr I Stewart – informing the Council that the Village Hall Committee does not agree with the Council’s minutes of the meeting on 5.06.06 as they are misleading. He also requests details of all parish councillors from 1994 -2000. Details of councillors forwarded as requested.
Circulation
1. Local Council Review.
2. The Clerk.
3. Clerks and Councils Direct.
4. Eibe play equipment.
5. CPRE Voice.
6. Directory of Community Transport.
06.86 REPORTS
Planning – it was resolved to accept the recommendations of the Planning Committee, proposed by Councillor Bingham, seconded by Councillor Naish. All councillors in favour.
Footpaths – the following problems were reported:
· The footbridge over Nunningham Stream is dangerous. Councillor Tate will report to ESCC.
· The stile on the footpath from Cowbeech through Little Gensing Wood needs another step. The clerk will contact Dr Emslie.
· Hammer Lane footpath is very overgrown. Councillor Tate will investigate.
School Governor – the fencing around the school playground will be completed during the summer holidays.
Village Hall – no report.
WDALC – no meeting.
Neighbourhood Watch – report circulated
Herstmonceux Castle – no report.
Tree Warden – nothing to report.
Emergency Plan – nothing to report.
Ground Committee
· RoSPA report will be considered, see item 21 Clerk’s Report part one.
· Concrete litterbin near the children’s play area is broken – the RFO will order another one.
· One of the seats has been broken – the clerk will contact the manufacturers.
· Maintenance Team have carried out work as requested.
· Seat at Cowbeech has been repaired.
Street Lighting – it was resolved to accept the quotation for the new light at the Trug Shop site.
Highways
· New 30mph limit in Cowbeech is being monitored by ESCC.
· Problems with vehicles parked on the pavement in the village has been reported to the PCSO.
Parish Plan Implementation Group Report – no report this month.
Youth and Young People – no report.
Information Centre – business plan is nearly ready for consideration by the Working Group.
South East In Bloom – nothing to report.
ESCC Councillors
· MUGA pitch – source for the outstanding funding has been identified and work will be carried out by ESCC contractors. The Chairman thanked Mr Bentley for his help in achieving the final funding for the project.
WDC Councillor – no report.
F & GP – attached. [not attached to website copy. Webmaster.]
06.87 AGENDA [for next meeting. webmaster]
Chairman………………………………… Date……………………..
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