CATSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

Annual Parish Assembly

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 28th April 2011 in The Village Hall

Present:
Cllr. John Overall (Chair) PCSO Georghiou
Cllr. Beryl Bodey (Vice-Chair) Mrs. Jane Overall
Cllr. Peter Josling Mrs. Ann Davey
Cllr. Julian Goodliffe Mr. Mike Davey
Cllr. Chris Thomas Mr. Scott Lavocah
Cllr. David Scott Mr. Mike Cooper
Mrs Carol Hodgson (The Clerk & RFO) Mrs. Carol Collins
Cllr. Kathryn Field (East Sussex C C) Father Michael Brydon
Cllr. Angharad Davies (Rother D C) 6 members of the public / Apologies:
Cllr. Jan Auer
PCSO Maureen Baker
Mrs. Jacqueline Kemp
Mrs. Pat Speedy
Mrs. Janet Woolf
Agenda Item / Action
1 / Welcome and apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr. Jan Auer, PCSO Maureen Baker, Mrs. Jacqueline Kemp, Mrs. Pat Speedy and Mrs. Janet Woolf
2 / Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the last Parish Assembly held on 20th May, 2010 had been agreed by the Councillors and signed at the Parish Council meeting on 9th June 2010. There were no comments on last year’s minutes.
3 / Catsfield Parish Council Annual Report:
The Chairman, Cllr. John Overall
The Chairman gave his report as attached. Questions were invited from members of the public.
·  To improve road safety at Catsfield School, could additional signs warning that there is a school ahead be put-up?
Cllrs. Overall and Goodliffe advised that further signs would probably not help as the majority of passing traffic is aware that they are approaching a school. The school is struggling to recruit a Lollipop person, adding to the dangerous crossing. The School will be asked if their warning lights under the School Sign could be put back into operation.
·  Mrs. Ann Davey thanked Cllr. Overall for being a dedicated Chairman to the Parish Council.
4 / County Council Report:
Cllr. Kathryn Field
Cllr. Field gave her report as attached.
Questions were invited from the members of the public:
·  No questions were received.
5 / District Council Report:
Cllr. Angharad Davies
Cllr. Davies gave her report as attached.
Questions were taken from the members of the public:
·  No questions were received.
6 / Reports from the groups and societies of Catsfield
·  Sussex Police
PCSO Georghiou reported on behalf of PCSO Maureen Baker. The past year had seen good contact with the Community. The PCSO’s had worked with Cllr. Scott to address speeding, parking and traffic issues. Through the Neighbourhood Police Panel 4 priorities had been identified.
§  Anti-Social behaviour at the Playing Field. This was being closely monitored and appeared to decline during the last year.
§  Parking in Church Road during school drop-off and pick-up time. Frequent ‘Hi-Vis’ visits and speed checks were undertaken.
§  Speeding and parking. Speed Watch weeks were held. Around 10 warning letters per month were issued for speeding, parking, not wearing a seat belt etc.
§  Lamping and poaching. There had been a good response to the formation of Farm Watch and Horse Watch. Frequent ‘Hi-Vis’ patrols were undertaken at known hotspots.
Crime reports from the Rother area remained low for the second year.
Questions were taken from the members of the public:
§  Could something be done about the speeding motorbikes on the ‘Parkgate Bends’ on Sunday mornings?
PCSO Georghiou recommended contacting PCSO Baker to organise a speed check.
§  We experience a high volume of speeding traffic through the Village early in the morning. Would it be possible to do Speed Checking at 07:00/07:30?
PCSO Georghiou recommended contacting PCSO Baker to suggest other times to do speed checks.
·  Catsfield History Group
Carol Collins reported that the History Group continue to meet once a fortnight in the History Room. During last year they held a display at the Summer Fete and helped Catsfield Primary School with their Brassey Family research. They frequently receive enquiries from people researching their families and properties in Catsfield. They continue to research new materials and update the records.
·  St. Laurence Church
Father Michael reported that St Laurence Church had just celebrated a busy Easter. Work had now taken place on the Church Organ. The addition of doors in the Church Tower had provided a much needed room for the Sunday School and would have many other beneficial uses. Seven confirmations had taken place. The annual Flower Festival had been yet another great success. The Church was currently undergoing a Stewardship Campaign to raise much needed funds to run and maintain the Church.
Ann Davey complemented how well St Laurence’s Church was looked after and cared for.
·  Catsfield W.I.
Ann Davey reported that WI had a good Committee, which included Beryl Bodey as their Secretary. There are 43 members. 24 are from the Village and of those 7 are under 70! All the WI’s work is for the benefit the Village. They have a full programme as well as 12 monthly meetings where various speakers attend. More members are always needed and it would be good to see a few more from the 30 – 60 age range. There is an annual Resolutions Meeting which campaigns on issues of importance to the WI. At a national WI level these proposals can also pass to government for adoption.
·  Village Hall Committee
Mike Cooper reported another successful year. Grants had been obtained to update the audio and lighting equipment and also to repair the flat roof over the kitchen area. Work had started on the audio/lighting and was due to be completed in May. The flat roof had been replaced by fibreglass and just in time according to the roofers!
·  Catsfield Cricket Club
Mike Davey reported that there is still a continuing problem with dog fouling on the Playing Field, which has to be cleared away before matches can commence. Cricket was due to start at the beginning of May with new players coming forward this season. New storage facilities will shortly be replacing the Cricket Clubs old sheds. Moles and their hills were still an ongoing issue.
·  Catsfield Football Club
Mike Davey reported that the drainage project had been a success and no matches had been cancelled through water logged pitches. Mike thanked Scott Lavocah for all his work in securing the grants. Catsfield FC is currently in seventh place – league 1. Catsfield II FC is currently in second place - league 5.
·  Catsfield Stoolball Club
Scott Lavocah reported at the AGM in March 2011 Jess Gower had been appointed Chair, Scott as Secretary and Mike Cooper remained as Treasurer. Stoolball play / meet each Tuesday and Thursday May to August. There is a ladies team and a mixed team. They were the winners of the Brightling Stoolball Tournament in 2009 and 2010. New players are always welcome.
·  Catsfield School PTA
Scott Lavocah reported that the PTA is currently raising funds for the Outdoor Classroom – a wooden bandstand type structure. Thanks were given to Catsfield Horticultural Society for their generous donation and Awards for All had also awarded a grant. On completion the facility will be open to the wider community.
·  Sports 100 Club
Scott Lavocah reported that The Sports 100 Club had been set-up to help raise money towards the running costs of the Catsfield Community Pavilion. The first draw took place in April. Thirty-one numbers were still available.
7 / Open Forum.
·  Vehicles parking on either side of the Village Car Park access road were restricting the visibility of exiting vehicles. What can be done to keep this area clear?
Cllr. Overall requested the Clerk to look into the situation.
·  The central green down Skinners Lane is being damaged by turning vehicles. Could the grass be removed to provide a wider turning circle?
Cllr. Overall would investigate the matter further.
There being no further business the Parish Assembly closed at 9.15pm
Those present were invited to stay for refreshments.

Chairman……………………………………………… Date………………………………………..

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