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CATSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 8th January 2014 in Hermon Cottage
Present:Cllr. John Overall (Chair) Cllr. David Scott Mrs Carol Hodgson (Clerk/RFO)
Cllr. Beryl Bodey (Vice-Chair) Cllr. Jan Auer 1 Member of the public
Cllr. Chris Thomas Cllr. Rachel Tottman
Cllr. Julian Goodliffe Cllr. Kathryn Field / Apologies:
PCSO Daryl Holter
Cllr. Angharad Davies
The Chairman invited members of the public present to ask any appropriate questions or make comment.
A Member of the public was attending with reference to planning matters.
1. / Apologies and reasons for absence.
Cllr. Davies was attending another meeting. PCSO Holter was not on duty.
2. / Members to agree the minutes of the Parish Council meeting 4th December 2013
The minutes were agreed and signed.
3. / To receive declarations of interest on agenda items.
Cllr. Bodey declared a personal interest in:-
* Matters relating to the History Centre as a member of the group and as Parish Council’s representative.
Cllr. Goodliffe declared a personal interest in :-
* Matters relating to the Village Hall as a trustee and Parish Council’s representative.
4. / To receive any external reports.
Cllr. Field reported that County Council was working on the 2014/15 budget which was due to be set in February. The Scrutiny Committees had met to propose where cutbacks would be made.
5. / Matters arising
a. To receive any updates on the Devolution of the Village Hall Car Park from RDC to Catsfield PC.
The lease had now been received from Rother DC. Areas of concern had been identified. Members agreed to obtain independent legal advice. Hedleys – Parish / Town Council legal advisers – would be asked for the cost of a consultation to review the lease. Robertsbridge Parish Council would be contacted as they were also taking over their Car Park.
b. To receive any updates on the ‘Local Planning and Site Allocations’ project with Rother DC.
Cllr. Overall had been confirmed as attending the hearing for the Rother Local Plan Modifications Examination relating to Rural Areas on Thursday 23rd January 2014 at 10am.
c. To receive an update on the pothole repairs and road drainage maintenance.
Cllrs. Goodliffe and Scott had been regularly emailing Highways regarding the dangerous potholes through the Parish. Only extreme emergency repairs had taken place recently.
d. To receive any updates on the local Bus Service in Catsfield.
East Sussex Public Transport Services had confirmed that Renown Coaches would continue to provide the No. 95 bus service until at least the end of July 2014.
e. To discuss a letter from Marishal Thompson Group with reference to 1 Parkgate Bungalows.
A copy of this correspondence had been sent to Dr. John Feltwell who had very kindly reviewed the information, visited the Play Area and provided a report of his findings. Members asked for Dr. Feltwell’s report to be forwarded to Marishal Thompson and to also ask them for their outstanding details as referred to in their report. The deeds would be checked to confirm Parish Council’s boundaries.
6.
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4 / Planning
To consider responses to planning applications:-
a. RR/2013/2284/P - Twisly Oak Farm, Catsfield
Retrospective application. Extension to building 'f' for proprietor/stockmans changing, drying and rest room, used for drying wet clothing, equestrian's day and night rugs.
Applicant : Mr Peter Gillam
Cllr. Bodey advised that Parish Council’s planning sub-committee were denied access by the applicant for a site visit. Members reviewed the plans and local comments before them and concluded to object to the application as the site was considered already overdeveloped. There were also local concerns to the activities currently taking place on this land and a management plan + long term objectives needed to be obtained. Members supported the comments submitted by Mr and Mrs Holgate.
To ratify a decision made on planning application at the meeting of 4th December 2013 where due notice was not given:-
a. RR/2013/2437/L – 4. Broadley View, Catsfield.
Single storey rear extension to kitchen. 1st. Floor extension to form bedroom including dormer, amended design to that approved under RR/2013/1792/L (minor adjustment to dormer size)
Applicant: Mr & Mrs G Branch
Members ratified their decision on submitting a comment of ‘No objections’ to this planning application.
To receive advice of decisions on previous applications.
Permission was granted on the following application:-
* RR/2013/2156/P – Redwick, The Green, Catsfield
Proposed two storey rear extension
The following application was withdrawn:-
* RR/2013/2027/P – Eastlands Farm, Catsfield
Proposed bund and planting
To receive advice on current enforcement orders.
The following notifications had been received:-
* ENF/CAT/2013/165 – Twisly Oak, Church Road
Residential conversion of building
Current Status: Application received
* ENF/CAT/2013/24 – Brackendale, Potmans Lane
Storage of caravans
Current status: No further action – No breach of planning control
* ENF/CAT/2013/331 – Pond Cottage, Watermill Lane / Spratts Lane
Construction of fence, extension of residential cartilage and construction of residential driveway
Current status: Application requested
* ENF/CAT/2008/19 – Wylands International Angling Centre, Powdermill Lane
Stationing of caravans
Current status: No further action – No breach of planning control
* ENF/CAT/2013/519 – Chequers Mews, Church Road
Possible breach of condition 2 of RR/88/0703 (Use of building)
7.
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4 / Finance
To approve and sign the following cheques:
a. Playdale Playgrounds Ltd Final instalment for Play Area Project £13,886.05
Additional visit to site for Zip Wire £ 360.00
Post Installation Inspection £ 329.86 £14,575.91
b. Catsfield Village Hall Annual Charge £ 175.00
c. Mrs. Carol Hodgson Salary – Dec 2013 £ 360.50
2hrs for Newsletter £ 20.60 £ 381.10
d. To be drawn at meeting Sports 100 Club Winner – Jan14 £ 25.00
Item d. The cheque was raised in favour of Shirley Oliver. The payments were agreed and cheques signed.
To ratify an amount change on the following cheque paid at the meeting on 4th December 2013
* Southern Counties Fuels publicised as £640.40. Amount actually paid was £502.07
Members ratified their decision.
To receive the statement of accounts.
The accounts were received as attached.
To agree the precept for 2014/15
Members reviewed the draft precept. To be agreed at the next meeting.
8. / Newsletter
a. To receive any updates
The newsletter was waiting to report on the official opening of the children’s play area.
9. / Emergency Plan
a. To receive an update on the procedures manual for Parish Council’s Emergency Plan.
Cllr. Goodliffe had no further updates to report.
10. / Highway Matters
a. To receive a Speed Check update.
Cllr. Scott had no further updates to report.
11. / Playing Field and Pavilion
a. To receive a report from the Playing Field and Pavilion Committee.
This item should have been removed from the Agenda as the Committee had now been disbanded. Cllr. Bodey asked that Mike Davey received recognition of the work he voluntarily undertakes in overseeing the Community Pavilion and Playing Field. All Members agreed.
b. To receive an updates on hiring and Sports Clubs Fees.
Further information was being obtained from the Sports Clubs which had been slightly put back due to the Christmas break.
c. To receive an update on the Community Planting at the playing field.
This was under preparation.
12. / Playground Sub-Committee
a. To receive an update on the Children’s play area project.
Playdale’s RPII inspector had performed a post installation inspection during December and issued a report. A few a minor adjustments had been made.
b. To receive an update on the official opening of the Play Area.
The Official Opening was going ahead as planned on Friday 10th January.
13. / Hedgerows and verges
a. To receive any reports.
Cllr. Thomas reported that some verges were in a disgraceful state. Hedges were generally being well maintained. Cllr. Overall would be forwarding information to the Clerk on the more problematic hedges.
14. / Open Spaces
a. To receive any reports.
There were no updates to report.
15. / History Centre
To receive any updates.
Cllr. Bodey reported that the History Group would not be continuing with their application for the Heritage Lottery Fund – ‘First World War: then and now’ grant. The fund was generally aimed at larger projects. Other streams of funding would be looked into. Cllr. Goodliffe suggested contacting Senlac Charitable Trust. Cllr. Field suggested contacting Martin Gate at Battle Muffin Club.
16. / Village Hall
a. To receive any updates.
Cllr. Goodliffe reported that vents had recently been installed into the main hall. Alan Wilkinson the Caretaker had retired and a replacement had been appointed. There had also been changes in the cleaning staff.
b. To appoint an annual representative to the Village Hall Committee for 2014.
Cllr. Goodliffe agreed to continue as Parish Council’s representative for a further year.
c. To receive an update on the external lighting arrangements in the Village Hall Car Park.
A budget would be included in 2014/15 precept to install a street light column.
d. To receive an update on replacing the projector in the Village Hall
Due to the current set-up of the projector Cllr. Overall felt it would be advisable to ask Kave Theatre Services – who installed the audio visual equipment - for their opinion. Cllr. Goodliffe would also make enquiries.
17. / Catsfield C of E School
To receive any updates.
There were no updates received from the School.
18. / Any other business / reports
Correspondence had been received from:-
* High Weald AONB re: free advice service on Woodland Stewardship.
* ESCC Communities, Economy and Transport re: Tourist signing to Wylands Angling Centre. Members had no problems with the proposals.
19. / Future Agenda Items
a. Info: SECAMB Defibrillator for Pavilion.
b. Info: Steel Framed Apex building suitable for indoor community activities on the playing field.
c. Info: Entrance area and parking arrangements outside the Playing Field.
d. Info: To put a hard surface around the Millennium seat at The Stream.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.55pm
Chairman……………………………………………… Date………………………………………..
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