Parish Council Meeting Minutes December 2009

Also present: Miss B Macklen Clerk to Parish Council.

Apologies received and accepted from Cllrs. Chalmers, Daniel, Dopson, Treacher, ESCC Cllr. Reid and WCD Cllr. Buck

Cllr. Warner declared a personal interest in any matters concerning the Basil Ionides Memorial Centre by being a member of the Ionides Memorial Trust appointed by the Council.

Cllr. Rose declared a prejudicial interest in any matter relating Land west of Church Road by being the owner of the property adjoining the land.

Cllr. Downing declared a prejudicial interest in any matter relating Land west of Church Road by virtue of living close to the site.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th November 2009 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record of the meeting.

Nothing to report in the absence of ESCC Cllr. Reid.

The Chairman reported positive feedback following the issuing of the latest edition of the Community Voice newsletter (No.7). It was also reported that Cllr. Daniel will be resinding her retirement from the Parish Council as she has decided not to relocate to Holland. All Members were very pleased to hear this news.

Item 1 Parish Plan Objectives:

PP/ Action 1. Youth Council:

Cllr. Warner advised that the Youth Council will be meeting the following evening at Buxted School for the cross generational communication evening.  Unfortunately no one had registered a formal interest in attending at the time of the meeting, but it is hoped that some members of the community would attend the session.  Members thought that a lack of commitment may be due to the dark evenings, so a further session perhaps during the spring/summer is encouraged.  Cllr. Harding showed an interest in attending and the Chairman considered sending her partner if he is free.

PP/ Action 3. Public Footpaths:

Following the receipt of a telephone call and subsequent letter circulated to Members, the Clerk reported that concern has been raised with regards to Buxted Park and the gradual reduction in available walking space.  Historically, on the most part, the community has been able to enjoy the vast majority of the park however changes are being made which is having the effect of reducing the public open space.  Anglers are now utilising some areas in addition to the renting out of some areas of land for local smallholders to keep sheep.  Unfortunately, to add to the situation, there have been incidents of sheep worrying and mauling which have led to the smallholder being present on site with a gun (the Police are aware).

Members discussed that although the land has been widely utilised by the community over many numbers of years, the park is privately owned and the owners are well within their rights to restrict visitors to the public footpaths.  It is unfortunate, however, that past communication with the Parish Council and community seems to have deteriorated to little or no information being passed on.

Members considered it appropriate for the Parish Council to make contact with Buxted Park to enquire as to what further changes will be made. This will then allow the Clerk to be in a better position to advise members of the community when asked. It was agreed that Cllr. Blandford would informally contact the manager of Buxted Park and report back to the Clerk.

The Chairman advised that some time ago, the now retired chairman of the Footpath Committee had undertaken work with regards to footpaths within the park and had approached ESCC with regards to formally recognising further paths that were being created through historical precedence by those who walk in the grounds.  Unfortunately, this process is very lengthy and requires a substantial amount of evidence to support the formalisation of new paths.  It was therefore suggested, that if the community were minded, they could collectively collate and provide all evidence required so that a formal approach to ESCC could be made. Even with this work it had however to be recognised that it may not result in a successful formalising of paths that the community have been using.

Item 2 Road Safety:

It was reported that it is understood through a representative of the Heron’s Gyhll community that on the 15^th December, a meeting will be taking place between ESCC officers and the Police which will discuss the recent fatalities at Heron’s Ghyll.  As the Parish Council has not been formally notified of the meeting or requested to provide any input, the Chairman has contacted Cllr. Reid to ask that this matter is not considered in isolation, but part of joined up thinking to include all interested parties to ensure the best outcome. The Chairman noted there had been some discussion in the local press on the issue of the A26 and speed limits.

Item 3 Grampian site FAD:

The Clerk is to attend a site meeting on 16^th December with representatives from ESCC and ESCC Cllr. Reid in connection with ongoing issues relating to a neighbour of the site.  The Clerk is attending purely as an observer.

Item 4 Land west of Church Road:

It was reported that the farmhouse has now been sold.

Item 5 New Parish Hall & Health Centre:

Cllr.Warner advised that a meeting of the HOBI (Heart of Buxted Initiative) group together with the chosen architect had taken place the previous week at which the group discussed the submitted Community Grants Application to Wealden District Council which could award up to £15,000 to the project.  The group then went on to discuss proposals by the architect of how best to engage the community in the project.  It was agreed that the community’s input could best be obtained via two days of workshops with both the architect and his associate artist.  The workshops would be held at the Reading Room and would consist of a first day comprising of an invitation to existing organisations i.e. primary school children, Scouts, Art Group, W.I. to attend and take part in organised activities including the marking out of the proposed hall on site and the making of models and sharing of ideas.  The second session would be half a day on Saturday 16^th January and would be open to all members of the community to attend and ask questions, to see the outputs from the invited groups and particularly the school, put forward their own ideas, make models, share any concerns and to ask general questions of the architect.

It is also hoped that from the public session, some further members of the community may come forward who wish to become part of the HOBI group.  Following the workshops it will also be necessary for the HOBI group to become a formal charity in order to be able to receive funds, make expenditures and be eligible to apply for grants.  A constitution has already been drawn up and circulated to all existing members of the HOBI group with two members already committing to the charity and taking on tasks required for the workshops.

The Chairman advised that costs associated with publicity and catering for the two public sessions were kindly being covered by the Ionides Trust through monies made from the recent Autumn Fayre.

Cllr. Warner reported that progress on the Health Centre is slow with the both Ryhurst and Ionides Trust solicitors working through points of the legal agreement.  The architect engaged by the HOBI group has had a viewing of the initial plans for the health centre.  From viewing these plans, the architect, with the approval of Ionides Trust members will approach ESCC and WDC to discuss how best the hall could be designed in order to ensure it leads the design on the site.

Item 6 South East Plan: Nothing to report.

Item 7 Wealden LDF: Nothing to report.

Item 8 Emergency Plan: Nothing to report.

Item 9 Property Issues:

Cllr. Downing raised three issues regarding the Reading Room:

1) The vacuum cleaner does not work efficiently – Agreed that Cllr. Crowe would donate a vacuum cleaner.  If not considered suitable by the caretaker a new vacuum cleaner will be purchased.

2) Guttering above door to under stage storage – Agreed the Clerk to organise repairs

3) Waste bin lid broken – Clerk advised a new bin has been ordered from WDC.

Item 11 Parish Council Website

Cllr. Blandford updated that work is ongoing on the new website with a new test homepage already available to view on the web.

P1 ESCC: Third Local Transport Plan 2011-2026 – Clerk to contact ESCC Cllr. Reid to ascertain parish council involvement, as it was understood at a Buxted Action Group meeting that the intent was to engage to local community through the parish council asking what locally is required.

P2 Rural Services Network: Survey regarding public transport, affordable housing, primary schools, facilities for your people and support services for older people – Members collectively completed the questionnaire. Clerk to return to ESCC.

P3 Horticultural Society: Request for replacement tables – Clerk to write and advise that the Parish Council would not be replacing the old wooden tables at this time.

P4 Unlock Democracy: Request for Parish Councils to help campaign to ensure Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill is adopted by Parliament – Clerk to send standard template letter on behalf of Buxted Parish Council.  Other Members encouraged to respond individually.

P5 Samaritans: Request for grant – Resolved that a grant of £50.00 be awarded, as previously awarded in 2008/09.

None since previous meeting.

Councillor Wilkes reviewed the income and expenditure in November 2009 advising of all necessary payments in December. It was resolved that cheques 744 to 752 be drawn on the current account totalling £7043.20 including voucher charges be authorised for payment. The month’s banks statements were verified against the bank reconciliations.

Cllr. Seddon reported that she had attended the Power of Well Being training at Uckfield Civic Centre but was surprised that there was a test at the end of the session.  Other Members who have also attended the training were surprised as they had not had a test.

Following a question from Cllr. Rose, the Clerk confirmed that a report had been received by EDF following the Reading Room wire testing which did include the storage area under the stage and which did not highlight any urgent works required.

All at the meeting were invited  to share some mince pies and sherry courtesy of the Chairman.