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HERSTMONCEUX PARISH COUNCILMinutes of Herstmonceux Parish Council held at 7.30pm on MONDAY 21 November 2005 at the Village Hall, Herstmonceux.
Present: Councillors J Angear, J Bingham, J Crittenden, J Crouch, D Goldman, M Goodsell, D Gordon, W Gower, B Naish, F Preedy and J Tate.
Also present were Mr W Bentley, East Sussex County Councillor, Mrs N. Levett (Wealden District Council) and Paul White. Mr Goacher, the RFO, took the meeting as Acting Clerk.
05.121. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor A. Long (Wealden District Council), Mrs J. E. McInnes (Clerk, Herstmonceux Parish Council), and Councillor R. Thomas (East Sussex County Council).
05.122. MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 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 Crouch.
05.123. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: The following items were raised:
05.109 Traffic Calming – the meeting discussed the recent exhibition, mounted by the East Sussex County Council, in respect of the proposed Traffic Calming for Herstmonceux. Some concerns were raised that the County Officers had appeared to favour having all the proposed calming measures agreed by members of the public, but this was refuted by Councillor Bentley as “stimulating” debate amongst the public. There was little mention of the affects of the proposals on traffic flow, and comments had been made on the loss of parking spaces in Gardener Street. Councillor Goldman informed the meeting that the East Sussex County Council had indicated that only one “legal” parking space would be lost. Councillor Bentley thanked the Landlord of the Woolpack Public House for accommodating the exhibition at short notice.
05.115 Parish Plan Implementation – The Clerk had noted that the offer from the Extravaganza Committee was to pay for one dog bin for two years, not as stated in the October minutes. The suggested sites for this bin were (1) Fiennes Road, (2) the end of the Twitten, or (3) near to the Cricket Pavilion.
05.124. HOPE SITE & NORTH LODGE – AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Mrs N. Levett (Wealden District Council) enquired why the Parish Council had asked for all the proposed units to be let under a “shared ownership” arrangement. Councillor Gower replied that young people in the village would be afforded the opportunity to get onto the first rung of the property ladder, under shared ownership, in an area where this opportunity did not currently exist. Mrs Levett was able to inform the meeting that there were units of “shared ownership” in the village already, owned by various other organisations, not necessarily “new build” but of the older type of property. The Housing Needs Survey indicated that there was little need for “shared ownership” property, and based on this, the proposed development would consist of five units (shared ownership) and twelve units (rented accommodation), totalling seventeen units. Mr Paul White informed the meeting of the economical implications of the Council’s requests and stated that this was not at all economical from the Housing Association’s point of view, leading to reduced grant availability, or from the tenant’s point of view, requirements for mortgages, credit rating checks, etc. Mrs Levett informed the meeting that the Housing Association had stated that there were approximately 20 cases from nearby Hailsham parish, interested in such a scheme.
Mr White gave illustrations of the levels of mortgage payments, required under shared ownership, plus the rental element, which ranged from a total of £120.29 per week (one bedroom), to £172.69 per week (two bedroom). This would be on top of the normal other outgoings on a property e.g. Council Tax and other utility expenditure. Mrs Levett agreed that shared ownership was a more affordable option than “outright purchase” on the open market, but, in itself, was not a cheap option.
Councillor Mrs Angear read out a statement made by Mr Phillips, Principal Planning Officer of Wealden District Council which indicated the problems of placing Affordable Housing in rural areas where there was little infrastructure. Councillor Angear commented on the additional pressure that would be exerted on the school and the doctor’s surgery etc, all of which were at full capacity at present, if the proposed affordable housing development was introduced to Herstmonceux in isolation to the consideration of the extension to current facilities.
Councillor Preedy proposed that in the circumstances the decision should be left to the discretion of Wealden District Council, seconded by Councillor Bingham. Seven Councillors voted in favour, and Councillor Mrs Angear wished the minutes to record her total disagreement with the proposal on the grounds that no additional infrastructure was being considered in association with the proposed development.
Mrs Levett informed the meeting that a Public Consultation would take place as soon as possible (before Christmas, optimally) on the design aspects of the proposed development. This would take place at, either, the Village Hall or the Woolpack Public House. The Parish Council would aim to ensure that at least one Parish Councillor would be available at all times.
05.125. FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT & PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS: The meeting having been presented with the Payment of Account Report and accompanying vouchers, authorised expenditure totalling £1 , 693.05 (copy attached) proposed by Councillor Tate, seconded by Councillor Bingham.
The RFO brought to the attention of the meeting that Mr Miller (employed as the “litter picker” at the recreation ground) had informed Councillor Crouch, Grounds Committee, of his willingness to carry out his duties as a “volunteer”. This being the case, the RFO had reversed all entries in the Council’s accounting system, alluding to the payment under Minute 05.110 (Financial Officer’s Report), and recovered the amount of Tax deducted, from the Inland Revenue. The meeting wished to recognise Mr Miller’s voluntary work and it was RESOLVED to agree that a food hamper in the sum of approx. £100 be given. Proposed Councillor Crouch, seconded by Councillor Bingham – all in favour. Councillor Naish questioned Mr Miller’s position in relation to be covered by insurance. The RFO assured the meeting that the insurance covered any person who, with the prior agreement of the Parish Council, undertook voluntary duties on its behalf.
05.126. BANK SIGNATORIES: The RFO informed the meeting that Barclays Bank plc, banking providers to the Parish Council, had written regarding the current number of signatories to the Parish Council’s current account. The current account, being a “Community Account” and not attracting any bank charges, can only have three designated signatories. If more are required by the Parish Council, then the Community Account must be re-designated as a “Small Business Account” which would attract a charge on each and every transaction, carried out by the Parish Council, through the account. The meeting discussed the matter and RESOLVED that the account should remain a “Community Account” and that only three Councillors should be designated as a signatory on behalf of the parish Council. The meeting nominated Councillors Crouch, Gordon, and Gower for this purpose. It was noted that an amendment to Standing Orders may need to be made.
05.127. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillor Goodsell Declared a prejudicial interest in respect of work on the Recreation Ground.
05.128. DOCTOR’S SURGERY: The Clerk informed the meeting that the architects are now working with project partners to cost and draw up plans, and that these were expected for discussion by January 2006. The Clerk was asked to follow up this matter.
05.129. QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS: Nothing further to report.
05.130. MUGA ARTIFICIAL PITCH: The Chairman, Councillor Dr Goldman, reported that the 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 not sent; the delay was caused by the Chair of governors waiting to receive the views of all school governors. Subsequently Mr R. Lake (ESCC) had contacted the school and a meeting was held at which the following project detail was outlined:
1. Only an all weather surface would be acceptable
2. That there was provision of floodlighting
3. That a Grant of £30,000 from the Lottery was to be made available
4. That a further £13,000 was to be made available by the East Sussex County Council
5. That the project to be re-designated as a “Community Partnership” project – between the School, Parish Council, and the public. The Parish Council to be responsible for the administration of lettings outside of school hours.
Councillor Bentley (East Sussex County Council) confirmed that the available sum was £43,000, some from the County Council and from the New Lottery Grant Scheme. The project would be a Community Project and would use local builders and other localised organisations. The Lottery organisation needed to be awakened to the problems of lighting pollution, caused by floodlighting, in rural areas. It was the intention to organise a meeting of representatives from the East Sussex County Council and the Parish Council to determine the detail of the project, and that such a meeting should take place prior to Christmas.
Councillor Bingham reported that the intention was that the School would oversee (project manage) the MUGA project. It was recognised that there were numerous types of “all weather” surfaces on the market, currently, some cheaper than others.
05.131. ESTIMATES REPORT: The RFO, having circulated the Estimates report for 2006/07, commented that this report had not been debated by the Finance & General Purposes Committee, which had not held its scheduled meting at the beginning of November. The RFO asked if there were any initial questions regarding the content of the report, and reminded Committee Chairman to ensure that they have regard to the provisions made, in respect of their committee’s areas, prior to the report being discussed at the December meeting of F&GP.
05.132. CLERK’S REPORT
Correspondence
1. WDC Agenda and Report for the Extra-ordinary Council Meeting 9.11.05.
2. WDC Planning asking if the Council is interested in taking part in a Parish Forum to discuss planning issues. Copied to Councillors Angear and Goldman.
3. WDC Forward Plan of Key Decisions.
4. WDC update on HOPE project. Copied to Councillor Goldman.
5. WDC details of Wealden Emergency Group Workshops 2005. Copied to Emergency Planning Committee.
6. WDC timetable of forthcoming meetings.
7. WDC Business Focus newsletter.
8. SALC Autumn newsletter, details of Clerk’s Networking Day on 30.11.05, training event for councillors from 2-4 December 2005, Annual Report 2004/5 and details of Parish Action Plan surgeries.
9. ESCC details of temporary closure of Cowbeech Road from 5-9 December 2005.
10. ESCC details of preparation for draft Statement of Community Involvement.
11. ESCC consultation draft of Statement of Community Involvement. Questionnaire to complete and return by 23.12.05. To be referred to the next meeting of F&GP (December 2005)
12. ESCC Traffic Calming Drawings – circulated to all councillors.
13. ESCC copy of letter circulated to residents to inform them of proposed traffic calming in Herstmonceux.
14. ESCC details of proposed change in speed limit in Cowbeech.
15. ESCC details of work to be carried out in Butlers Lane, Herstmonceux starting 21.11.05.
16. ESCC details of temporary road closures in Victoria Road, Windmill Hill, Bodle Street Green from 19–24 December 2005 for carriageway repairs.
17. ESCC details of temporary road closure of Studdens Lane, Cowbeech from 5–10 December to carry out carriageway repairs.
18. ESCC details of the implications of the changes in the Government formula to distribute funding to local authorities.
19. Rother District Council details of the Statement of Community Involvement.
20. Mrs J Woodcock expressing concern at the destruction of the monkey puzzle tree at the site of the new development at the Monkey Puzzle Garage, Windmill Hill. She is also concerned at glass on the footpath from Windmill Hill to Herstmonceux. The meeting RESOLVED that the developers of the site should replace the Monkey Puzzle Tree with a plant of the same species.
21. Sussex Safer Camera Partnership informing the Council that speed enforcement will be undertaken by a mobile camera at Hailsham Road, Herstmonceux.
22. Sussex Police/SALC information on Police Community Support Officers.
23. Mr McBurney asking for the Council’s support for help in respect of the changes in domestic rates for community sports clubs. Copied to Mr Goacher and Councillor Crouch. The meeting acknowledged that it was outside their remit to comment on this particular matter but agreed that a sympathetic reply should be sent from the Parish Council.
24. Anchor Staying Put requesting a donation for the scheme. This application would be referred to F&GP for consideration with other grants to be made in September 2006.
25. Environmental Resources Management asking for the Council’s comments on a Municipal Waste Management Strategy. Comments by 18.11.05 (extended to 22.11.05 Clerk). Councillor Preedy was asked to complete the comments and submit this on behalf of the Council.
26. Sussex Playing Fields Annual Report 2004/5.
27. Countrywise (Consultants to the Countryside Agency) questionnaire re statutory duty of authorities in respect of National Parks, the Broads and AONB sites. Questionnaire to complete by 29.11.05. Despite the documentation being circulated, not all members of the Parish Council had seen this, and it was regretted that, on this occasion, it was not possible to meet the deadline for comments.
28. Vitalise request for grant. To be retained for referral at August 2006 F&GP meeting, dealing with Grants from the Parish Council.
Circulation:
1. CPRE Voice.
2. CPRE Sussex Review.
3. Farming and Wildlife Conservation.
4. Local Council Review.
5. Community Safety and Crime Prevention Products.
6. Clerks and Councils Direct.
7. The Clerk.
The Chairman brought the following items to the attention of the meeting:
1. The Parish Council had been awarded a framed Certificate as Runner Up in the “East Sussex Village of the Year Competition” and had received a cheque in the sum of £150. The meeting RESOLVED to agree that matter of what the £150 should be designated for should be placed on the Agenda for the December meeting. The meeting agreed that the framed Certificate should be displayed in the Information Centre for a period of time. Councillor Preedy undertook to carry this out.
2. The Merrie Harriers Bonfire Society’s nomination had been accepted as eligible for consideration for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
3. The arrangements for the December cycle of meetings, all to be held on Tuesday 13 December 2005, are as follows:
7.00pm - Finance & General Purposes Committee; 7.30pm - Planning Committee, followed by Full Council Meeting.
4. The bid for funding from the ESCC Community Fund to “address crime and the fear of crime” was rejected. The Chairman thanked Derek Creasey and Councillor Naish for their assistance in formulating the bid.
05.133. REPORTS:
Planning: Councillors, having been circulated with the report of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 9 November 2005, noted the following:
Present: Councillors J Angear, J Bingham, M Goodsell, D Gordon, W Gower, F Preedy and J Tate.
Applications considered:
Application: WD/2005/2658/F
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Blair
Location: Lookers Cottage, New Bridge, Magham Down.
Description: Construction of a 20m x 40m outdoor riding arena with surrounding timber fence for private use only.
Parish Council Comments to Wealden District Council: No objection as long as it complies with the SSSI Regulations and it is restricted to private use.
Application: WD/2005/2784/F
Applicant: Dr G Singh and Dr D Warden
Location: Treetops, Victoria Road, Windmill Hill.
Description: Change of use from residential to a rural doctor’s surgery for one GP.
Parish Council Comments to Wealden District Council: The Council supports the need for a surgery in Windmill Hill but objects to this application because of its close proximity to the A271, the poor parking on the site and the fact that it is a shared access.
Application: WD/2005/2841/F
Applicant: National Environment Research Council
Location: Space Geodesy Facility, Herstmonceux Castle.
Description: General repairs and maintenance including replacement of existing windows with PVCU, new oil tank, external access ramp and alteration of existing bunker to provide new meeting room.
Parish Council Comments to Wealden District Council: No objection.
Notification of Planning Refusals by Wealden District Council
1. Meadow View, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux – roof extension with rooms in roof and new front porch.
Notification of Planning Consents by Wealden District Council
1. International Study Centre, Herstmonceux Castle – use of land for public events not to exceed four events per calendar year and each event not to exceed three days duration, such use to include stationing of marquees and other non-permanent structures.
2. Little Gingers, Gingers Green, Herstmonceux – tractor shed.
3. Lower Stunts Green Farm, Stunts Green – closure of existing vehicular access and provision of new vehicular access.
4. Winslow House, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux – proposed change of use from antique shop to estate agents (without complying with condition one of planning permission WD/2004/2353/FT).
5. Pond Cottage, West End, Herstmonceux – conversion of exiting outbuilding into additional living accommodation ancillary to Pond Cottage.
6. Little Hollingwood, Chilsham Lane, Herstmonceux – general purpose building for storage.
Correspondence
1. Mrs B Style’s letter of complaint concerning the Planning Committee’s decision to approve application WD/2005/2013/F Rose Cottage, Victoria Road, Windmill Hill to change dwelling from one into two dwellings. Copied to all councillors. The clerk will draft a response to the complaint and circulate to councillors.
2. WDC re street naming and numbering of new development in Monceux Road. Herstmonceux. Copied to all councillors. It was resolved that the new development should be known as Blanshard Close. As Planning Committee has delegated powers only in relation to comments to WDC on planning applications, the Parish Council formally endorsed this recommendation.
3. Minutes of Development Control South sub-committee Meeting held on 13.10.05.
4. WDC statement in respect of the decision by the Court of Appeal that Wealden District Council was right to move towards a Non-statutory Local Plan. Copied to all councillors.
Reports
1. Councillor Bingham had been contacted by Mrs Harris of 6 Sussex Place, West End, Herstmonceux in respect of the development of Blanshard Factory Site WD/2004/1246/F. She had been notified by the developers that the flint wall adjacent to her property would be underpinned on the development side but she must make provision for it to be underpinned on her side. he had employed a surveyor to carry out an inspection of the wall. His report indicated that he considered that work to dig out soil from below the wall, has destabilised it.
The clerk will contact the Planning Officer, Mrs J Bolton. Mrs Bolton will contact developers to remind them of planning conditions in respect of existing boundary walls. Copy of Planning Conditions copied to Councillor Bingham.
Councillor Bingham was able to inform the meeting that the flint wall was thought to be one side of a barn that existed on the site, but that the wall was not included on the deeds of the property.
2. Councillor Angear reported concerns expressed by Mr D Phillips (WDC Planning) at the recent planning seminar that affordable housing in rural areas needs to be supported by input into the local infrastructure. She expressed concerns at the impact of affordable housing on the school and the surgery.
It was reported that works were to being carried out at The Plantation, Church Road, Herstmonceux and the Acting Clerk was asked to contact the Wealden District Council Enforcement Section, Planning Department with a view of checking out the matter.
Footpaths: Councillor Tate referred to Minute 05.119 (October 2005) regarding the problem of water and debris running off the footpath opposite to Castle Cottage, Church Road, Herstmonceux and informed that he had looked at the matter and that there was little that could be done.
School Governor: Councillor Bingham reported that the building of the staff room had been deferred pending further architectural advice being required. Discussions were being taken on the use of the original staff room, which may be partly used for the disabled.
Village Hall: No report.
Wealden Association of Local Councils: No meeting.
Neighbourhood Watch: Report circulated to all Councillors.
Herstmonceux Castle Liaison: No report.
Tree Warden: No report.
Emergency Plan: The meeting wished to record their appreciation for the work undertaken by Mr Alan McInnes in assisting the preparation of Emergency Plans.
Ground Committee: Councillor Crouch was able to report that there had been no incidences of vandalism since the last meeting. Mr Miller had been undertaking litter picking and had added various black sacks of rubbish to the, already, increasing pile of rubbish around the bins at the car park. The Acting Clerk said that he would, again, endeavour to get WDC to empty the bins as soon as possible.
Street Lighting: Councillor Bingham reported that there was one light out in West End, and contractors had been asked to look at the light at Windmill Hill as soon as possible.
Highways and Traffic: Councillor Gower reported that the Herstmonceux village sign was still awaited from East Sussex County Council.
The Bagham Lane twitten is to be investigated to see if this can be made into a decent slope for people. The Acting clerk was asked to write to the Company of the lorry which had recently knocked down the sign at Windmill Hill.
Councillor Gower referred to Minute 05.119 – Reports – Highways and Traffic (October 2005) and asked whether a letter had been to the ESCC regarding the “Unsuitable for Lorries” sign at Magham down. Councillor Gower had recently assisted another large articulated lorry along Lower Road to its destination.
Councillor Gower was asked to investigate the path outside the Trinity Trees bungalow which was stated as being very narrow.
Youth and Young People: Councillor Gordon had prepared a written report which had been circulated to all Councillors.
Information Centre: Councillor Preedy informed the meeting that there was an Information Centre meeting to be held on 23 November 2005, and that she would prepare a report for presentation at the December meeting.
South East in Bloom: No report
East Sussex County Councillor: No report
District Councillor: No report
Finance & General Purposes: There had been no meeting in November 2005.
An extraordinary meeting of the Committee took place there and then to consider the matter of the erection of the Christmas festive lights in the village. Councillor Goodsell was not in a position to be able to erect the lights this year owing to the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act. he Committee recommended to the Council that a quotation be sought from other local electrical contractors and that the Chairman and other members of the F&GP Committee should be permitted to accept such a quotation on behalf of the Parish Council. This was put to the Full Council and it was RESOLVED to permit this on this occasion.
05.134. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE — STANDING ORDERS:
A complaint by a resident against Councillor Preedy had been received; Councillor Preedy had apologised and the matter was now satisfactorily resolved. The Chairman brought to the attention of the meeting the need to revise the “Complaints” procedure against Councillors in the Council’s Standing Orders. The Acting Clerk was asked to ensure that this was noted and that the May 2006 meeting of Council would discuss aspects of the current procedure.
05.135. AGENDA ITEMS:
Finance & General Purposes Committee (December 2005) – Estimates Report.
Finance & General Purposes Committee (December 2005) – ESCC Statement of Community Involvement (Questionnaire).
Signed as a true record
Chairman………………………………… Date……………………..
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