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HERSTMONCEUX PARISH COUNCILMinutes of Herstmonceux Parish Council held at 7.30pm on Monday 17th October at the Village Hall, Herstmonceux.
Present: Councillors J Angear, J Bingham, J Crittenden, J Crouch, M Goodsell, D Goldman, D Gordon, W Gower, B Naish, F Preedy and J Tate.
Also present was Mr W Bentley, East Sussex County Councillor and nine members of the public.
Mr Goacher, the RFO and Mrs J McInnes, the clerk were in attendance.
05.107 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Mr Thomas, East Sussex County Councillor.
05.108 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 19th September 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.
05.109 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
05.97 Traffic Calming - three dates in November were suggested by Mr Crew of ESCC, for the public consultation of the proposed traffic calming measures. It was suggested that a bus, manned by ESCC personnel
could be parked in the village hall car park. However, due to the high number of bookings for the hall in November, this was not acceptable to the Village Hall Committee. Dates in December were suggested as an alternative. It was then proposed to investigate the possibility of locating the bus in the car park of the Woolpack Inn during a weekend in November. The clerk will discuss the proposal with Mr Crew and contact the licensee of the Woolpack. Councillors also discussed the possibility of having a public meeting after the consultation weekend; it was agreed to wait until the results of the consultation are known.
Councillor Angear wished to record her abstention to this proposal.
05.101 Quality Status – a draft copy of the newsletter has been received. A number of corrections need to be made.
05.103 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Organisations – the bid was submitted within the deadline.
05.104 Clerk’s Report (part one) item 12 – the bid was submitted within the deadline.
05.104 Clerk’s Report (part two) item 3 – Councillor Preedy reported on ESCC Consultation Document on new housing in the South East 2006 -2026. Councillors agreed not to complete questionnaire.
05.105 Ground Committee – a new small bin has been delivered to the Recreation Ground but the large one has not been removed. The large bin has still not been emptied. Mr Goacher will contact the appropriate department at WDC again.
Highways and Traffic – the holes reported at Cowbeech and Stunts Green have not yet been repaired.
05.110 FINANCIAL OFFICERS REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The meeting having been presented with the Payment of Account Report and accompanying vouchers, authorised expenditure totalling £1697.73 (copy attached [not attached to webpage copy - see Parish Clerk]) proposed by Councillor Tate, seconded by Councillor Preedy.
A Statement of Accounts 1.07.05 – 30.09.05 was circulated to all councillors.
05.111 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Goodsell Declared a Prejudicial Interest in respect of work on the Recreation Ground. Councillor Goodsell left the room whilst these items were discussed.
Application: WD/2005/2675/F – Councillor Goodsell Declared an Interest as he is a friend of the applicant.
05.112 PRESENTATION OF AWARDS IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST IN BLOOM COMPETTITION
Herstmonceux was awarded a silver gilt award in the competition and a special award was made at the presentation of the awards at Horsham to the co-ordinator, Mr D Creasey to acknowledge his work for Herstmonceux
in Bloom.
Certificates of Excellence were awarded by the Chairman to the following residents:
Mr and Mrs Gibbs
Mr and Mrs Green
Mr and Mrs Hanks – the Brewers Arms
Mrs Knight
Mrs Kingston
Mrs Mays
Mr and Mrs Tester
Mr and Mrs Croft
The Chairman thanked the Gardeners Club and the individual contributors
for their efforts in making the village look so colourful and
congratulated them on their success.
05.112 DOCTORS SURGERY
The Clerk informed the meeting that the architects are now working with project partners to cost and draw up plans.
05.113 QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS
Nothing further to report.
05.114 MUGA ARTIFICIAL PITCH
Report from F & G P 12.10.05
A copy of letter from the Parish Council and Herstmonceux School to Mr Dunkley at ESCC, expressing their serious concerns at the reduction in funding of the MUGA project and the response from Mr Woodland to an earlier letter from the Council was circulated to the councillors
present. A copy of the letter has been forwarded to Mrs Hunter, Head Teacher at Herstmonceux School. It was agreed that the letter should be sent.
Councillor Bentley, East Sussex County Councillor, has informed the Clerk that he understands that a meeting will be arranged in the near future between Parish Council representatives, Mrs Hunter, Mr Farmer, Chairman of the School Governors and Mr R Simmonds of ESCC to discuss this matter further.
05.115 PARISH PLAN IMPLEMENTATION GROUP REPORT
The following report was circulated to all councillors. It was proposed by Councillor Bingham, seconded by Councillor Crittenden to accept the report with the following changes. All councillors in favour.
i) 2.2 – the two new dog bins will be funded by Herstmonceux
Extravaganza Committee see Clerk’s Report item 10.
ii) 3 – the leaflet for local attractions should include mention of the Science Centre.
Report
1 The group, as constituted in June of this year, met on
27.09.05; its next meeting will be on 08.11.05.
2 Recommendations
It recommend that the following are be paid for from the 2005-2006 allocation for Parish Plan implementation:
2.1 the Clerk to progress the enquiries as to who is
responsible for renewing the Parking sign in Herstmonceux Village and the Rushlake Green sign in Cowbeech. If it is ESCC we press them to replace them: the first does not giving adequate signage, the second is almost unreadable. If they refuse responsibility, the signs be replaced by Herstmonceux PC.
2.2 the Clerk to get three estimates for a new Recreation
Ground sign and order it.
2.3 the Clerk to arrange for two new dog bins be installed,
one near the Horseshoe Inn and the other near the fire station.
NB these proposals have already been approved by the Parish Council.
3 Leaflet of local attractions and information
The major item for discussion was the production of the brochure of local information and attractions (already approved by the Parish Council). The following proposals were agreed:
3.1 David Gordon to obtain three quotations for 1000 and
20000 copies of an A5 leaflet: 4 cover pages, 16 pages, one colour.
3.2 The leaflet should not include advertising; if a second
edition is undertaken this decision will be revisited.
3.3 The following were identified as possible contents:
[contents missing in copy provided to webmaster]All suggestions welcome.
3.4 Depending on the date of printing, it may be possible to
include a copy of the Village Directory in the brochure.
3.5 Costs will determine the use of art work / photographs
and whether to employ a designer. Both will be left until later.
4 Financing
We expect the leaflet to be printed and distributed in the next financial year and request £1,000 to be put into the estimates for this purpose. This will keep all costs within the £2,000 estimate agreed for implementing Parish Plan proposals.
5 Our next report will be at the January 2006 Council meeting.
05.116 ESTIMATES 2006/7
Requests for items to be included in the Estimates, together with a rough estimate of the cost should be forwarded to the RFO by 31.10.05.
05.117 AFFORDABLE HOUSING
This was a confidential item and members of the press and public were asked to leave the room whilst this item was discussed.
05.118 CLERK’S REPORTS – part one
Correspondence
1. WDC Agenda and Reports from meeting on 28.09.05.
2. WDC details of consultation events on the South East Plan. Copied to Councillor Angear.
3. WDC forward Plan of Key Decisions.
4. WDC Planning – informing the Council that applicants for the
planning application for Brow Cottage, Trolliloes which was refused by WDC have submitted an appeal. Any comments on this appeal should be sent to the Planning Inspectorate by 22.11.05.
5. WDC District Parish Conference will be held from 9.30 – 4pm in Weald Hall, Uckfield Civic Centre.
6. WDC copy of letter to Mrs B Frost concerning a visit by Weald and Rother Regeneration Board to the windmill at Windmill Hill re the wind generator.
7. WDC informing the Council that the Electoral Commission is
undertaking an evaluation of the periodic electoral review process in England. Consultation paper can be downloaded from
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/your-say/
ecconsultations.cfm.
8. Sussex Police Authority – notification of Safer Wealden Partnership Meeting at 7pm on 25.10.05 at Maresfield Village Hall.
Copied to Mr Creasey.
9. Land Registry – informing the Council that they are looking to increase the amount of land held on the register.
10. Herstmonceux Extravaganza Committee – informing the Council that they would like to offer to have two new dog bins installed in Herstmonceux. They are willing to pay to have these dog bins emptied
for two years. Councillors agreed to accept this offer. The Clerk will contact the committee.
11. FWAG requesting a donation for 2005/6. Referred to F & GP.
12. WRVS thanking the Council for its donation.
13. Mr Goulder PCC thanking the Council for its donation.
14. Sussex Ambulance Appeal thanking the Council for its donation.
15. Viewcraft thanking the Council for its donation.
16. Information Centre thanking the Council for its donation.
17. East Sussex Association for the Blind – thanking the Council for its donation and copy of Annual Report and Accounts for 2004/5.
18. Anchor Staying Put thanking the Council for its donation.
19. ESCC Health Scrutiny Newsletter.
20. SALC – report and accounts for AGM at Ardingly 18.11.05 and notification of clerk’s’ Information Day at Hassocks on 30.11.05.
21. Lepra asking the Council to support world Leprosy Week 22nd – 29th January 2006.
22. AiRS Wealden Action Plans Network – details of meeting at Rotherfield Village Hall on 5.12.05.
Circulation
1. Bus timetables North Wealden.
2. CPRE Voice.
3. Glasdon street furniture leaflet
PART TWO
Correspondence
1. Wealden Association of Local Councils – minutes of meeting held on 21.09.05. Copied to Councillors Goldman and Gordon.
2. WDC – information regarding an application for Public Entertainment Licence for an event at Herstmonceux Castle organised by Isaac Newton Arts Trust.
3. WDC- informing the Council that the application for a Public Entertainment Licence at Herstmonceux Castle had been withdrawn.
4. ESC informing the Council that Butlers Lane, Herstmonceux will be closed temporarily from its junction with Church Road, Herstmonceux from 21st – 25th November to allow essential carriageway patching.
5. ESCC giving contact details of the Fair Trading Officer for this area. Information leaflets are available or an Information Officer available to talk about consumer rights.
6. Mr P White, Town and Country Housing with background details of the affordable housing sites in Herstmonceux.
7. East Sussex Fire Authority – consultation on the Fire Authority’s new Integrated Risk Management Plan. Comments by 22.12.05. Councillor Tate will consider document and report to November Council Meeting.
05.119 REPORTS
Planning
Councillors noted the comments of the planning committee report, which has been circulated to all councillors. Following a site meeting the following application was discussed:
Application: WD/2005/2554/F
Applicant: Mr G Priest
Location: Beeches, Joes Lane, Windmill Hill
Description: New drive, retaining wall, oil tank and boundary fence
Parish Council Comments to WDC: No objection.
Footpaths
Mr Edwards, Castle Cottage, Church Road, Herstmonceux reported that there are problems with water and debris running off the footpath opposite to his house. Councillor Tate will inspect and report to the November meeting.
School governor
No report.
Village Hall
No report.
Wealden Association of Local Councils
Report circulated to all councillors.
Neighbourhood Watch
No report – detailed report will be circulated next month.
Herstmonceux Castle
No report.
Tree Warden
Nothing to report.
Emergency Plan
No report.
Ground Committee
The smaller waste bin is now in place, alongside the still unemptied larger one.
The dog bin has been replaced and situated further up the path.
Vandalism
Friday 30th September 2005 - the cricket sheds were broken into, the tractor started and driven around the recreation ground and cricket square, Police informed.
Monday 3rd October – cricket sheds broken into again, mower removed and left by children’s playground. Police informed and attended with Scenes of Crime Officers.
Friday 7th October 1pm – youths reported by Mrs Hunter (Headteacher) for climbing on Tennis Club hut. Police attended. Police CCTV cameras were operating in the village.
Sunday 9th October – fire in Tennis Club hut. Fire Brigade attended.
The state of the grass was unsatisfactory. Councillor Bingham has cut it at the Cricket Club’s expense. It is now tidy for the winter.
Mr Miller, who clears the litter on the recreation ground, will be paid for two hours [a] week at the minimum wage.
Street Lighting
Problems reported in Fiennes Road and there are still two lights (both working!) in Queens Road.
Highways and Traffic
All previous problems reported.
A new sign has been erected at the Magham Down end of the Under Road informing drivers that the road is unsuitable for large vehicles. This is causing problems for delivery lorries that are now driving down Cricketing Lane or Church Road. ESCC has informed Councillor Gower that this sign was put up at the request of a resident. The Clerk will contact ESCC for more information about this sign, the criteria and procedures for erecting similar signs and requesting that the Council be informed in the future.
Youth and Young People
Report circulated to all councillors.
Information Centre
No report.
South East in Bloom
See agenda item 6.
ESCC Councillor
No report.
WDC Councillor
No report.
F & G P
Minutes circulated to all councillors.
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.
05.120 AGENDA [of the next meeting]
Chairman………………………………… Date……………………..
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