Glynde and beddingham parish council
A meeting of the Glynde and Beddingham Parish Council was held at Beddingham Reading Room on Thursday 27th November 2008 at 7.00 pm.
Those present were:
Cllr Tony Fortnum (Chairman) Cllr Jean Connell
Cllr Andy Small Cllr Sam Morgan
Ten Minutes Speaking Time:
PCSO Wendy Baulcombe introduced herself as the new PCSO covering Glynde and Beddingham. Since October 1 2008 there had been two reports of criminal damage, one of 2 men in a moving vehicle firing a sling shot and damage to the Great Dane statues outside Corricollies on November 17. There had been an attempted burglary at Glynde Place on the 21st November. Advice has been given concerning CCTV, lighting and Crime Prevention to the estate. There had also been two reports of motor cycles and motor cars on private land, one incident was at Southerham and the other in the Balcombe Pit in Glynde. Registration numbers are being checked on the PNC. Cllr Fortnam had also received an email alerting the council to bogus representatives of Sussex Police calling at houses asking where residents kept their valuables and asking residents to be alert.
1. Apologies:
Received from Cllr Wilson.
2. Declaration of interests:
None were received.
3. Minutes of previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on September 25 2008 were read, approved and signed.
4. Matters arising:
4.1 The roadworks on the A27 are now complete, including Glynde junction.
4.2 Tree planting: Cllr Connell advised that the potential cost of containerised trees could be in the region of £35 with shrubs for inter-planting costing between £1 and £10. There has been no progress between the Parish Council and Glynde Estate on the combined project which will including putting back the avenue of elms (or beeches) in the village. The recreation ground scheme - the estate is to be approached to see if they are ready to start discussions.
4.3 Speed Indicator Displays: Clerk to e-mail Michael Craggs at Glynde Estate to see if the SID scheme is soon to be up and running.
4.4 Landfill site community liaison - Cllr Wilson had attended a meeting and reported that Viridor may open a facility locally, possibly another landfill site; further enquiries are to be made by Cllr Wilson for the next meeting.
5. Finance:
5.1 Precept: Cllr Wilson has proposed that for the second year the precept be set at £8000 for the year 2010. The budget covers grass cutting, insurance, expenses, chemicals for the pool, clerk’s salary and electricity with £2000 budgeted for village projects. The precept application has to be in by January 7 2009. Proposed by Cllr A Small and seconded by Cllr J Connell the motion was carried.
5.2 Bank accounts:
Current account: £2,623,54
Savings account: £3,579.29
The invoices for the playground have all been paid and the VAT has to be recovered.
6. Planning:
No applications have been received. There is a Planning and Liaison meeting on February 3 2009 in the Council Chambers at the Town Hall. The clerk will attend.
7. Recreation ground:
7.1 The playground has been opened, Cllr Morgan suggested that a vandal proof plaque be erected to commemorate the opening and the funding from Viridor and Glynde Estate. No strong views were expressed on the subject. Clerk to research and report to next meeting, including asking Glynde Forge if this is something they could do; Playdale may also know of a supplier and general plaque makers may be able to quote.
7,2 There is a branch down from one of the trees by the toilets and Lewes District Council had asked if this was for the Parish Council to deal with. They are to be contacted and advised that this is the responsibility of Glynde Estate.
7.3 Lease: A letter has been received from Glynde Estate concerning the lease of the recreation ground which ran out in 2002. Viscount Hampden is happy to renew the lease for 25 years at a new rent of £40 per annum. To be reviewed every 5 years. Cllr Small expressed concern about the wording of the letter, linking the swimming pool and the recreation ground. The lease covers the football and cricket pitches and the recreation ground but not the swimming pool which is thought to have been gifted to the village. Assuming this is correct Cllr Small felt there should be a 25% reduction in the rent. The Chairman is to discuss this with Cllr Wilson and council members are to read the lease before the next meeting.
7.4 Health and Safety: Cllr Morgan suggested that for insurance purposes the playground equipment should be checked once per week to ensure all safe as the public liability insurance with Allianz might not be valid if regular checks are not carried out. Playdale had provided a CD and some Allen keys. The bars, slide and swings are due their annual check by Wickstead who have always been cheapest, Playdale have quoted £157 for safety checks. Cllr Wilson is to be asked to check the insurance policy as Playdale have said that any insurer would expect at least monthly checks. Cllr Small suggested a vandal proof notice saying that dog fouling, broken glass and safety issues should be reported to the Parish Council. Quotations are to be obtained from three local sources asking for prices to clear rubbish and fouling and make minor repairs to the fence and equipment.
8. Emergency Plans:
The council is still waiting to hear from Glynde Estate.
9. Correspondence
9.1 A letter has been received from EDF saying the their maintenance of the street lighting in Glynde and Beddingham will end in March 2009. Clerk to contact ESCC Highways for another contractor.
9.2 The Chairman has received an email from the LTA requesting the number of tennis courts, none.
9.3 Sussex County Playing Fields Association - a letter requesting funding and donations has been received asking for £15 per annum. Clerk to request their annual accounts to see how monies are spent.
9.4 A request made via Cllr Morgan from ESCC Archaeological Department for funding via Viridor was received by the parish council and will be brought to the next meeting in more detail when members of the Archaeological department will be invited to discuss matter in time for the final panel meeting at Viridor in March 2009 after which the landfill site will close.
10. Glynde War Memorial
This is becoming difficult to read and the Parish Council felt they should improve this as a village project, perhaps another plaque next to the memorial with the names engraved.
11. Parish Clerk
Sincere appreciation was expressed to the retiring clerk, Tracey Dadswell and Barbara Knight was welcomed as the new clerk.
12. Items for next agenda:
Parish handyman.
Trees
Archaeology
13. Next meeting
January 29 2009 in the Reading Room Beddingham.
The meeting closed at 8.30 pm.
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