Parish Council Minutes 2016

Cllrs. Blandford (Chairman), Cox, Hall, Illingworth, Johnson, McQuarrie, Milner, Mulvagh, Rose, Sheard, Skinner and Warner.

Also present: ESCC Cllr Galley, WDC Cllr Lunn and Clerks Beccy Macklen and Claudine Feltham.

None

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received and accepted from Cllr Roberts

DECLARATION OF MEMBERS INTERESTS

Cllr. Blandford declared personal interests in any matters relating to the community hall by virtue of being members of the Hall or Ionides Trusts appointed by the Council.

Cllrs. McQuarrie and Skinner declared a personal interest in matters relating to the Ionides land (including the surgery/land/hall) by virtue of being a member of the Ionides Trust.

Cllr. Rose declared a prejudicial interest in any matters relating to the land west of Church Road (Taylor Wimpey site) due to having owned part of the application site and a personal interest in the Ionides Surgery/Hall site due to having a business opposite the land.

Cllr. Cox declared a personal interested in any matters relating to allotments due to being an allotment holder.

Cllr. Milner declared a personal interest in any matters relating to the parish council website due to being a personal friend of the parish council’s website consultant.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th May 2016 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record of the meeting.

ESCC/WDC REPORT

Cllr Lunn expressed his disappointment regarding the approval of a solar array at Heatherdene House by the Planning Committee North at WDC. He had ‘called in’ the application for consideration at the committee, however it was approved after a long debate. Councillors on the committee were presented information that similar, retrospective, larger arrays have previously been approved by the District Council in the Low Weald. The situation that we find ourselves in is that the National Planning Policy Framework provides guidance in favour of solar farms in policy approved areas. However, the local authority, in this case Wealden District Council, have not set a clear policy on solar farms/arrays. Cllr. Lunn had continued to challenge the officer recommendation as to whether the test of visual impact had been satisfied, but officers made it very clear that if it went to appeal, it would be approved and costs may be sought. Therefore, members of the committee approved the application.

The chairman thanked Cllr. Lunn for his support at the meeting and advised that a letter will be drafted and sent to WDC questioning the NPPF policy (para 98) and Wealden’s lack of policy on solar arrays. This raises issues which appear again and again regarding officer policy and advice verses local view, especially when members believe that a refusal would be supportable.

Members continued to discuss other policies which are considered to be missing specifically a Gypsy and Traveller and retention of pubs policy.

Representing ESCC, Cllr. Galley reported that he has received a number of queries from residents regarding grass cutting. It was advised that rural areas have three grass cuttings per year (6 in towns and 3 in rural areas) which are all completed by the end of June. Further cuts can be made if it is considered that the long grass is dangerous e.g. driving site lines. These circumstances should be reported to local Highway Stewards.

Cllr. Johnson thanked Cllr. Galley that the crossing patrol person is now in situ.

Cllr. Blandford then drew the attention of the WDC and ESCC representatives to correspondence with a local resident with regards parking in the village of Buxted.

Our local resident has been very diligent in trying to get a sensible answer, from Sussex police as to whom might be responsible for the enforcement of parking infringements (within Buxted). He has copied his numerous correspondence into Beccy, who has engaged in a dialogue with him, and Beccy has searched various websites for enlightenment. Cllr. Blandford has been copied in on the correspondence.

The local resident had contacted a [email protected] about whether the Sussex Police did have a parking policy and the initial response was:

‘Sussex Police don’t have a policy or procedure on this. It sounds more like a West Sussex County Council area of business.’

When this reply was queried, this was the reply:

‘I have spoken to a Sgt at Uckfield Police Station who has confirmed that Wealden are responsible for parking enforcements.’

To which the local resident posed the question:

‘No wonder we are going round in ever decreasing circles. Are Wealden aware of this?’

The following comments were also made:

‘As we are now well aware, nothing will be done about it, but the same vehicle, XXXX XXX was again parked in the bay this morning (presumably one opposite George Rose). The same applies to the East Sussex One Hour limit bay outside The Buxted Stores when cars are left there for some time. Since it was East Sussex that decided the bays were to be ‘Waiting Limited’ is there anything they can do about the restrictions being ignored?

The following quote was taken from the WDC website which relates to a recent meeting of the Wealden District Association of Local Councils meeting on 13^th April 2016 the Chief Executive of WDC, Charles Lant said the following:

“Mr Lant confirmed that parking enforcement is the responsibility of the Police. He said provision to decriminalise parking is the responsibility of the County Council but it could devolve that responsibility to the District Council if the District Council agrees. Wealden cannot afford to take it on and has to adhere to its Off Street Parking Policy which is to not charge for parking.” As far as the parish council are aware decrimilisation of parking within Wealden is still considered, by Wealden as too costly.

Although advised to call the police number 101 if anyone wished to report parking infringements we have been now told that unless it is considered dangerous or blocking a highway, nothing will be done. This was made very clear in emails from Sussex Police:

“All councils have been informed we no longer deal with parking, unless it is deemed to be of immediate danger. The vehicles you have photographs are not blocking any driveway or causing a danger to any persons, so not something we will actively deal with.”

So, if you have been able to follow the rather complicated precis of recent emails about this situation, we pose the following questions?

1. Is anyone responsible for enforcement?
2. Does any authority actually care about the lack of enforcement?
3. Is anything being done about this problem which can only get worse?

Cllr. Lunn advised that WDC are very aware of the current situation of illegal parking it is a district/county wide issue. At the moment it is still a Sussex Police responsibility under law, however Sussex Policy have advised it is not significant enough an issue to warrant it being a priority in terms of resources and have suggested it is a district council responsibility. WDC cannot take on the responsibility until ESCC have agreed and worked with WDC to decriminalise parking in the district. The matter of costs is paramount and it is unclear at the present time if a feasibility study has taken place as to costs and effectiveness.

Cllr. Galley also wished to advise that the main reason it has not been decriminalised to date is because Wealden’s policy is not to charge in its public car parks. To decriminalise parking and to give this responsibility to WDC would then mean that public car parks would be chargeable (in order to financially support the scheme) which would then have an effect on trade and commercial centres of our towns and villages.

Therefore in conclusion, there is no short term answer and there is no intention from ESCC and WDC to decriminalise parking at the current time.

The clerk was asked to add and article to the website which explains why we are in this situation.

COMMUNITY RIGHT TO BID NOMINATION – The Dene, Uckfield

On 10th May 2016, the parish council received notification from Wealden District Council that a community group in Uckfield has submitted a community right to bid nomination on The Dene, Browns Lane, Uckfield which is land owned by the parish council.

In essence, the community right to bid gives community groups the right to prepare and bid to buy community buildings and facilities that are important to them. It came into effect on 21 September 2012.

The right bid and subsequently buy would only take effect if the parish council resolved to dispose of the asset. At this point, the community group would have six weeks to decide if it wished to make a bid and then six months to prepare finances. The sale of the asset could therefore be delayed for up to six months if this were the case. It has however been confirmed that the community group are not entitled to first refusal on the land and it can be sold at market value in order to satisfy parish council governance rules of obtaining best value.

Members agreed that the clerk should ask for a list of those who form part of the community group and also to ask for assurance that government policy is not due to change to allow people with a bid to have first refusal if the land were to be sold.

OUTSTANDING MATTERS

Gatwick: Nothing to report

Public Footpaths: Nothing to report

Trees: Nothing to report.

Road Safety: The chairman was pleased to report that there is now a crossing patrol person outside Buxted School both ends of the school day.

Ionides New Play Equipment: Nothing to report.

New Community Hall: The hall group have begun discussions with a landscape architect. Cllr. Milner reported that the hall group has enough money to install the groundworks and thus satisfy the implementation of planning permission. The architect will be submitting plans to Building Control by the end of July and the hall group are currently obtaining the expertise to ascertain exactly how much i.e. footings, drainage can be achieved with the money currently set aside. The aim is to have Christmas Carols on the footings.

Potential New Car Park: For the time being it was decided to remove this item from the agenda.

Defibrillators: The clerk, Claudine, advised that Buxted Construction have donated a total of £1,950.00 direct to the Community Heartbeat Fund which would cover the cost of one defibrillator and heated cabinet. Members therefore agreed to commence with the purchasing of the first defibrillator to be located in Buxted on the wall of the Buxted Inn. It was also resolved that the clerk be given the authority to appoint a suitable contractor to install the defibrillator up to a cost of £500 following the sourcing of three quotes. Once the defibrillator is in place, a plaque to acknowledge the donation from Buxted Construction will be displayed alongside the equipment. It was agreed review any donations in September.

Wealden Local Development Framework: Nothing to report

Property Issues: i) War Memorial cleaning – the clerk confirmed that the contractor Derek Tourle has been appointed contractor to clean the War Memorial at St Margaret’s Church. He was highly recommended and the quote was considerably less than other quotes – noted.

ii) Proposed removal of Recycling facilities at High Hurstwood Village Hall – The clerk has been advised by Wealden District Council that the facilities are to be removed as it is no longer environmentally or financially viable to keep the site open following the additions of the glass and plastics to the kerbside collections. The High Hurstwood Village Hall Committee disagree with this choice and are in correspondence with Wealden District Council.

Whilst discussing High Hurstwood Hall, Cllr. Cox reported that she had received some complaints with regards noise up to 2am from a party at the hall. She too had heard the celebrations still going at 1.30am. Clerk to report this to the High Hurstwood Village Hall Committee and ascertain the limits of the alcohol/entertainments licence granted to the hall.

iii) Reading Room front window – The clerk requested permission to clean up the Reading Room window facing Church Road. It was agreed that the net curtains can be removed and replaced and the window cleaned. Agreed.

Communication Matters: Nothing to report.

CORRESPONDENCE

P1 Buxted Primary School: Request for councillor to liaise with school Youth Council – No volunteers at this time.

S3 – cutting back of verges on the route from Buxted to the Primary school and reduction of pavement due to slipping earth from the high bank – Cllr. Galley confirmed it is on his ‘to do’ list to discuss with the new contractors.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

None since the last meeting.

FINANCE

i) Payments: On the proposal of Cllr. Rose, seconded by Cllr. Skinner, payments totalling £8,105.04 covered by cheque numbers 775 and 789 were approved.

ii) Bank reconciliations: Due to an error in the computer system Claudine was unable to present the bank reconciliations for April and May. These would be presented at the next meeting.

OTHER MEETINGS

Cllr. Milner and the clerk were thanked for reporting back on meetings they had attended.

MEMBERS QUESTIONS

Cllr. Johnson asked if the parish council should make an application to Wealden District Council to list public houses as community assets. Cllr. Lunn advised that if there are any concerns, it would be best to list.

Agreed that the clerk investigate what process is involved

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The chairman/clerk wished to make three announcements:

1. It has been suggested that the parish council should scan all documents relating to the ownership and registration of land belonging to it. The clerk therefore requested permission to purchase an A3 document scanner and a cost of approximately £200 – agreed.
2. An update of all parish council policies will be undertaken and circulated over the summer months with a view to full council adopting/amending in the autumn - noted
3. There has been a request to use the High Hurstwood recreation ground for parking on Saturday 17^th September in association with first farmers market taking place at The Hurstwood. – This request was agreed provided the following:

· Parking on the recreation ground should only be used once the car park is full

· No parking on the recreation ground if it has been an exceptionally wet September

· Any damage to the recreation ground to be rectified