MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HARTFIELD PARISH COUNCIL, HELD ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH 2009 AT 7.30PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL, HARTFIELD
Present: Cllr J Chalke, Cllr N Holmes, Cllr C Simmons, Cllr A Higgins, Cllr C Park, Cllr T Mitchell, Cllr J Edwarde, Cllr J Smith, Cllr G Korbel, Cllr P Crane
Apologies: Cllr K Hawes, Cllr S van Maurik, District Cllr D Jonas
In Attendance: Mrs D Little (Clerk), County Cllr F Whetstone, District Cllr M Hoy and Public
Mandie Hales and Vicky Postlethwaite. Castlefields and Mottefield Community Association, gave a short talk about the various projects they had undertaken within the village and ideas for future projects, prior to commencement of the Parish Council meeting
Questions were taken from members of the public and reports given by District
Councillors prior to commencement of the Parish Council meeting (please see separate report).
27. To Accept Apologies for Absence – Cllr K Hawes, Cllr S van Maurik and District Cllr D Jonas
28. Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interest in respect of matters to be discussed – None
29. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on July 6th 2009 – Item 25 – Correction: Cllr Crane highlighted the article in Sussex Life by Alan Morris a member of the Ashdown Forest Deer Group. He is campaigning……..
Minutes were then approved and duly signed.
30. To report on Matters Arising from Meeting held on July 6th 2009 – Item 24 c) -Cllr Mitchell reported that he had finished painting the youth hut and replaced the broken windows. Wires to be replaced around windows and drain covers still missing.
31. To Report on Correspondence Received – Cllr Chalke drew attention to the following items:
Item 3 - AIRS Annual General Meeting and Annual Conference to be held at South of England Showground, Ardingly on Friday 6th November 2009 – to be attended by Cllr Chalke and Cllr Holmes
Item 23 - Head of Public Health and Community Development, WDC – Community Scrutiny Review of Road Safety - Cllr Korbel to complete questionnaire in conjunction with Cllr Chalke
Item 26 - Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign – request for HPC to write letter of objection to GOSE against planning application for an extension to North Terminal and other works – it was agreed that HPC was not in a position to put in an objection as they would not necessarily be expressing the views of the Parish. An article to be placed in Hartfield Chronicle inviting parishioners to respond if they so desire.
Item 32 - Email to John Chalke from Ray Johnstone regarding the restricted parking at Holtye Golf Club, which is supposed to be common land – Clerk read out email and response from Cllr Chalke. It was agreed that current signs indicating that parking is Private for Golf club Members and Visitors is misleading. Planning Committee to investigate further and ascertain whether planning permission was required to erect signs.
Item 33 - Letter from BT – invitation to adopt telephone kiosks at Colestock Crossroads, Colemans Hatch and Holtye common – Cllr Simmons to investigate further, to be an agenda item at next PC meeting.
32. Update on Coalyard – Cllr Holmes reported that planning permission was granted on the 30th July to build nine units of affordable houses, five three and four two bed houses in the attractive railway cottage style as shown at the exhibition in June. Most of the reports have been completed and Town and Country advise that tenders have gone out to four builders. Once grant funding is in place, we will hopefully be ready to complete and building is expected to commence as early as January 2010. HPC has written today to Town and Country for an update.
Cllr Chalke thanked Cllr Holmes for all her hard work to reach this point and also Cllr Hoy for ensuring that Councillors from DCN had an opportunity to view the site.
33. To Approve revised Terms of Business from solicitors Vance Harris who have now become a Limited Liability Partnership – Clerk had circulated prior to meeting.
Proposed by Cllr Edwarde, Seconded by Cllr Mitchell. Approved unanimously
34. To Approve Reparation Work to the Oak Posts around Memorial and that Parish Council pay for half of the total price of £380.00 + VAT. The remainder to be paid by British Legion – Cllr Chalke reported that a car had damaged one post and they had all rotted. Cllr Mitchell has found someone to carry out work and approached British Legion who agreed to pay for half of total cost.
Proposed by Cllr Holmes, Seconded by Cllr Korbel. Approved unanimously.
35. Committee Reports
a) Strategy – No meeting held since last PC meeting
b) Planning – As per minutes, which had been distributed.
c) Town Croft & Parish Assets – Cllr Holmes reported that
i) There will be a Town Croft Committee meeting on September 15th. Grant funding to be investigated to help with the costs of renovation of the Pavilion and possibly the Youth Hut.
ii) The Guides are delighted to be using the Youth Hut. Further plans to be discussed at next meeting.
iii) Work on the fingerposts appears to have stopped – Cllr Holmes to chase.
iv) New bark has been delivered and laid on childrens playground.
d) Finance
i) Update of Account 2009/10 – Clerk had circulated August Account summary prior to meeting. She confirmed that second half of precept was expected end September/beginning October.
ii) To approve expenditure as itemized on schedule
Payments made since last Parish Council Meeting held on July 6th 2009
(Figures inc. VAT)
Beckys Cleaning Services Pavilion cleaning £ 101.20
M J Carpentry Storage boxes for pavilion £ 690.00 (S139)
EDF Energy Supply for street lights Apr – Jun 09 £ 71.87
Wych Cross Nursery Supply/fitting of new bench (insurance claim) £ 514.00
Hartfield Village Hall Hire of hall for housing exhibition £ 63.00
D Little Salary – June 09 £ 841.60
Post Office Tax/NI – June 09 £ 211.08
D Little Expenses May – July 09 £ 244.53
John Roberts Mid year/end year internal audit £ 224.40
John Chalke Varnish/paintbrush for Pavilion storage boxes £ 31.05
John Chalke Brackets for hanging baskets on bus shelter £ 16.16
Skip Express Hire of skip, agreed grant to Community Assoc. £ 164.45
Verdant Solution Agreed refurb work to Pavilion £3379.85 (S139)
British Telecom 01342 834409 £ 88.92
WDC Dog Bin Emptying Apr-Jun £ 130.07
Tiscali Office Broadband £ 32.18
EDF Supply to Pavilion £ 95.26
EDF Supply to Youth Hut £ 26.96
Hartfield Village Hall Hire of Hall for Parish Plan Exhibition £ 31.50
Mick Argent Gardening Memorial Garden £ 197.00
Verdant Solution New water tank/electrical work £ 994.35
Beckys Cleaning Services Pavilion Cleaning £ 135.40
Amadeus Paper towels for pavilion £ 36.67
Mrs S van Maurik Grant for S & SE in Bloom £ 110.68
Tiscali Office Broadband £ 16.09
British Telecom 01892 771140 £ 61.17
D Little Salary for July 09 £ 841.40
Post Office Tax/NI for July 09 £ 211.28
Beckys Cleaning Service Pavilion Cleaning £ 111.69
Playsafety Ltd RoSPA Report £ 79.35
Proposed by Cllr J Smith Seconded by Cllr T Mitchell – Approved unanimously
e) Rights of Way – Cllr Edwarde reported that:
i) the July Working Party had cleared the footpaths between Colemans Hatch church and Parrock Lane. The path is blocked at one point by a locked gate – working to get this resolved. Rachel Solomons from ESCC was accompanying the group and suggested a referral to County if the path was not made accessible.
ii) August Working Party cleared the footpaths behind the Croft towards Chartners. The Medway Bridge has still not been repaired and will be put into the East Sussex 2010/11 schedule. Repair put back due to more urgent work at Bewl Reservoir.
iii) A footpath running across a field at Great Cansiron Farm has been ploughed, fenced and a crop planted for pheasant cover. The landowner, when contacted, was apologetic and the footpath immediately reinstated.
iv) The stile at the back of the Croft has become dangerous and it is being suggested to the Estate that it is removed as there is no livestock in the field – a gate would be preferable to allow greater accessibility.
v) Various reports of overgrown paths, which will be cleared in due course.
vi) Lamberts – East Sussex have inspected the new path and asked for additional fencing on the left hand side as riders come off the road. The landowners’ fencer cannot undertake this work until the end of this month. Top end of the path onto the Forest will be cleared when East Sussex give their approval of the new fencing.
vii) Pooh Bridge Path – East Sussex DMT group met on 25th August and the finances associated with the new bridleway were approved. The legal teams on both sides are now drawing up an agreement prior to the diversion order being made.
viii) Footpath 15, across the sandschool at Faircote Hall – Joanna Howitt, Wealden Enforcement, was contacted end July for an update – case is still with the legal team and ESCC are still of the opinion that the footpath is not obstructed. Walkers can still cross over the sandschool unhindered although some parishioners would prefer not to do this while there are horses present. Ms Howitt was contacted again recently for update but is currently on holiday.
f) Playschool Trustees – Cllr Edwarde reported that there had not been a meeting since last PC meeting. Playschool would be holding their AGM on 30th September, when they will discuss their Constitution to accommodate the Deed of Trust.
g) Transport & Environment – no meeting since last PC meeting. As Mike Burbridge has left HPC, need to elect a new Chairman.
h) Tree Warden – Cllr Park had nothing to report.
36. Items for Reporting or Inclusion in Future Agendas
i) Cllr Chalke reported that Hartfield had been awarded Silver Gilt in South & South East in Bloom competition. He gave thanks to Cllr van Maurik and her team for all their hard work. The Memorial Garden had been awarded the Champion of Community Gardens and Cllr Chalke thanked Cllr Edwarde and her team for all their hard work also.
ii) Wealden Senior Citizens Partnership will be holding a Full of Life Day on October 1st in Uckfield.
iii) Electric blanket testing day – 15th October
iv) Cllr Edwarde reported that she had received the pallets for the compost bags from Jim Seeds.
Requested help in putting them in.
v) Cllr Park attended the Ashdown Forest Parish Liaison Panel meeting held on 2nd September 2009 and reported back. (Separate report)
37. Date of Next Meeting – 5th October 2009
Meeting closed at 9.35pm
HARTFIELD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 7th 2009 AT 7.30pm IN THE VILLAGE HALL
The following reports and questions from the public took place before the Parish Council meeting was formally opened and do not form part of the Minutes.
Questions from the Public
1. Mrs Calvocoressi, Hook Farm House – reported that the beginning of the footpath leading to Pooh Bridge was in a very bad state and had not been cleared this year. Cllr Edwarde confirmed that she had looked at this path, along with others, which had become overgrown. She confirmed that the path will be cleared by the ROW Working Party and explained that the Parish has 79 footpaths, so it takes time but most are cleared within the year. She will liaise with PCSO with a view to receiving some help from the Payback Team.
2. Jim Lusted inquired about the progress on the application for a double white line on the Edenbridge Road outside Perryhill. County Cllr Whetstone confirmed that it is in the queue and will be dealt with. Cllr Chalke confirmed that HPC would write to chase if there was no response within three months.
3. Adrian Fenton reported that top of road surface had gone on roads towards Forest Row and bikers could sue. Inspectors due to look at roads around this area.
4. Adrian Fenton once again reported the loose kerbstone outside Oaklea. County Cllr Whetstone to inspect the following day with Cllr Chalke.
5. Lionel Green voiced concern about the negative approach taken by County Council to getting anything done. County Cllr Whetstone responded that County does do a lot, but it is currently very short of money. Confirmed that the hole outside Stairs Farm had been filled and the holes around pinch points.
6. Cllr Mitchell complained about the number of cars parking on pavements. PCSO to monitor and in the first instance, place message on windscreens of offending cars.
County Cllr Whetstone reported that:
i) the area between Castle Farm and Hewkins Bridge will be done up in the year 2010/11 – extra curbing and resurfacing.
ii) ESCC has taken on and will look after the Pooh Bridge car park. Rangers to maintain.
iii) Local food week in Forest Row, first full week in October.
iv) Standing Orders for the Forest are being discussed.
District Cllr Michael Hoy reported that:
i) he had not been at last PC meeting and apologised.
ii) KPS – open day on 19th September in Uckfield
iii) British Telecom are inviting Parish councils to adopt old telephone kiosks for £1.00
iv) Wealden has commenced a new housing service aimed at homeless. Those in limited circumstances to be given guaranteed financial assistance.
v) British Heritage Awards – Wealden granted 6 out of possible 26. Somptings Farm received small-scale residential award.
vi) Old Crown Farm – building due to start in November and finish in April 2011.
vii) LDF – reports that there will be 150 new houses in Hartfield are not true. AONB to be preserved and 26 – 50 houses expected in Hartfield. 18 already planned for Old Crown Farm and old Coal yard site.