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EWHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held at the Arthur Herdman Pavilion, Village Street, Ewhurst Green on
Thursday 12 October 2017
PRESENT Councillors Bill Hooper, Jacqui Hyett, Ian Stephenson (Vice-Chairman), Maggie Whitaker, Dave Young (Chairman)
IN ATTENDANCE Richard Farhall – Parish Clerk; District Councillor Tony Ganly; County Councillor Angharad Davies [part]; 1 member of the public
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The meeting commenced at 7.30pm.
17.63 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence – and the reasons as lodged with the Clerk – were accepted from Cllrs Brigitte Fifield and Anne Reed.
17.64 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST
There was none.
17.65 ADJOURNMENT
The Chairman adjourned the meeting to receive the District and County Councillor Reports and contributions from members of the public. (See APPENDIX A.)
The meeting reconvened.
17.66 COUNCIL MINUTES – ACCURACY OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2017
RESOLVED To adopt the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2017 as a correct record of the proceedings.
17.67 COUNCIL MINUTES - MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2017
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Bodiam Rd (School Hill) – vegetation encroaching on pavements Danielle Georgeson (Highways Customer Services Manager for Rother & Hastings) had advised that siding and cutting back vegetation had been completed. Unfortunately the photos she had included to evidence the work were dated March 2017.
The Chairman reported that the hedges had been cut back; however, Cllr Hyett considered that the siding work had not been completed.
17.05c) PQT, last para (making representations to Inspector Russell regarding the recent shop robbery) Inspector Russell had now met with the owners and staff at the shop and has accepted that the Police should have taken the incident more seriously. He had offered advice on how to respond in the event of a similar incident.
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17.28 Verge NE of the White Dog (Cllr Fifield emailing the Clark with a specification for crown raising – with a view to obtaining quotes) Outstanding.
17.29 K6 Telephone Kiosk (‘Telephone’ panels replacement and repainting) The telephone apparatus had now been removed – quotes for the work are being sought.
17.50(a) (Responses to planning applications) Submitted.
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17.50 Planning, Resolved 2 (establishing the minimum distance between a telegraph pole and carriageway edge) Highways had advised that a telegraph pole must be at least 400mm from the edge of the carriageway.
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17.53 Ewhurst Green Bus Shelter (Cllrs Stephenson and Hooper – and the Clerk drawing up a specification for an oak-framed replacement) Outstanding.
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17.55 AiRS AGM - 19 October (Asking if small contingent could attend the new Bolney Village Hall Guided Tour) AiRS had now advised that there would be space on the tour; however, a week is probably too short notice to identify attendees.
Cllr Davies arrived.
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17.57 Development adjacent to Bowls Club, Resolved (To arrange a public meeting on 26 September – and to invite the developer) Actioned.
17.59(a) Village Hall – Fencing (Grant) A cheque had been raised.
17.59(a) Village Hall – Hedging (Quotes) Derek Catt would be undertaking the work w/c 16.10.17.
17.61 Bowls Club – Renewal of Lease, Resolved 1 (1) (Obtaining a valuation and insurance premium) The Clerk had received a valuation which had been estimated by one of the Club’s members who is a builder. The Club had recently taken out a 3-year buildings and contents insurance policy. If EPC took over the buildings cover it might not be able to amend its policy without a financial penalty.
RESOLVED To take over the provision of the Club’s buildings cover upon the expiry of the Club’s current insurance policy and, in the meantime, to ask it to provided EPC with a copy of the current policy. Clerk
17.61 Bowls Club – Renewal of Lease, Resolved 2 (Instructing EPC’s solicitor to proceed to draft a new lease) Actioned.
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17.47c) Adjourned Section – Public Question Time (Investigating the ‘Chirria Cottage – Private Lane’ sign) (With the approval of the owners of Chirria) The Staplecross Playing Field charity would be installing a suitable sign.
The meeting adjourned for the County Councillor’s Report. (See APPENDICES A and B).
The meeting reconvened.
RESOLVED To bring forward consideration of item 17.73.
17.73 CRIPPS CORNER TO STAPLECROSS FOOTPATH
Cllr Hyett suggested that EPC should investigate the possibility of starting a scheme that utilised land believed to be owned by ESCC – for example, the strip behind the hedge just south of the Staplecross gateway, to the west of Cripps Corner Road.
(See APPENDIX C – the route between the crosses.) The hedge could be cut back to improve visibility – with stock fencing installed to stop pedestrians from encroaching on to the field. A suitable surface would need to be provided.
The Chairman advised that, some time ago, EPC had raised its precept towards the purchase of plots of land between Cripps Corner and Staplecross; however, no acquisitions were made. He added that EPC backed proceeding with the route suggested by Cllr Hyett some years ago but it was not taken forward because ESCC did not have the funding.
Cllr Davies agreed to put the suggestion to Highways - adding that it might be eligible for the Community Match scheme. Cllr Davies
17.68 PLANNING
(a) For consideration
RESOLVED To submit the responses following to the Local Planning Authority:
RR/2017/1896/P 6 Udiam Cottages, Junction Road, Ewhurst TN32 5XB
Single storey extension and alterations.
Applicant: Mandy O’Nion, 1 Little Park Farm Cottages, Mount Street, Battle
SUPPORT APPROVAL
RR/2017/2067/P Manor Cottage, Cripps Corner Road, Staplecross TN32 5QA
Proposed replacement garage.
Applicant: Mr J Lederer, Manor Cottage, Cripps Corner Road, Staplecross
SUPPORT APPROVAL
RR/2017/2112/P 2 North Cottage, Cripps Corner Road, Staplecross TN32 5QS
Rood amendments to garage (retrospective).
Applicant: Mr Garrett, The Bull Inn, Linton, Maidstone
NO COMMENT
b) Delegated authority
RESOLVED To note that the response following had been submitted to the Local Planning Authority:
RR/2017/2020/T Hillside, Cripps Corner Road, Cripps Corner
T1 – walnut – reduce by 30%.
Applicant: Mr J Harrison, Cripps Corner Road, Cripps Corner
SUPPORT APPROVAL
17.69 FINANCE REPORT
RESOLVED 1 To note the receipts and payments following:
Receipts (August 2017)
Hodge Bank - interest £26.51
£26.51
Payments (August 2017)
Ewhurst & SX Bonfire Society – grant £1,000.00
R Farhall - pay July 2017 £648.53
Post Office Ltd [HMRC] – PAYE July 2017 £222.04
R Farhall expenses – July 2017 £99.97
East Sussex Pension Fund – July 2017 £226.76
Getmapping plc – sub renewal (incl VAT £5.60) £33.60
Rother Assoc of Local Councils – sub renewal £30.00
£2260.90
RESOLVED 2 To receive and adopt the Unity Trust bank reconciliation as at 31 August 2017.
RESOLVED 3 To receive and adopt the Budget Monitor as at 31 August 2017.
RESOLVED 4 To receive and adopt the Earmarked Reserves Statement as at 31 August 2017.
RESOLVED 5 To receive and adopt the Cash Flow Statement as at 31 August 2017.
RESOLVED 6 To note the reconciled account balances as at 31 August 2017:
Unity Trust bank £54,730.45
Co-op current account £2,846.38
Hodge Bank Fixed Rate bond (to 25.7.17) £31,209.73
£88,786.56
RESOLVED 7 To ratify/approve the payments following:
R Farhall - pay September 2017 £653.47
HMRC – PAYE September 2017 £225.29
R Farhall expenses – September 2017 £315.12
East Sussex Pension Fund – September 2017 £226.76
Herdman Association – pavilion hire £100.00 Ewhurst & Staplecross Village Hall – grant (fencing) £930.00
Ewhurst & Staplecross Village Hall – public meeting £18.00
PKF Littlejohn LLP – audit 2016-17 (incl VAT £60.00) £360.00 £2,828.64
17.70 OUTSIDE BODIES AND EVENTS
(Reports on meetings/events attended on behalf of the Council.)
Herdman Association Cllr Hooper reported that the main issues discussed at the last meeting were the need to cut the front hedge – and to raise the crowns of a number of the boundary trees.
The Chairman had observed the Association preventing parking on the verge opposite the playing field by using metal stakes and barrier tape. Inhibiting access is technically unlawful – and if the metal stakes caused injury/damage the Association would be liable.
Cllr Stephenson suggested that white plastic electric fencing stakes would be safer and more visible.
Ewhurst Parish Allotments Association Cllr Hyett reported that one tree had fallen at the perimeter and others had shed boughs – damaging the fencing. The Association had undertaken repairs but is concerned that other trees may be unsafe – particularly the oak trees at the northern boundary. It is not clear who is responsible for the trees bordering the site.
Larry Hyett (EPAA Chairman) reported that the landowner, Nick Hedges had advised him informally that he did not mind what was done with the trees.
Cllr Stephenson suggested that the trees could be examined in conjunction with those at the Herdman Playing Field. Clerk
ESALC AGM The Chairman reported that he attended this and it was noted that the presentations had been emailed to Members. He had been appointed Vice President for the coming year. At the meeting, the Police had advised that anti-terrorism was taking up more of its resources.
PART B - SPECIAL BUSINESS
17.71 STOCKWOOD MEADOW DEVELOPMENT
Members were invited to consider any action items arising from the public meeting.
RESOLVED To note that attempts to utilise some/all of the s106 education contribution for the benefit of Staplecross MCP are in hand.
17.72 LIBRARY CONSULTATION
Members were invited to consider whether to submit a response to the consultation (deadline: 14.12.17). It was noted that ESCC was proposing to withdraw the Mobile Library service.
Cllr Stephenson reported that he had visited recently the refurbished Battle Library and had found the staff to be both welcoming and very helpful. If the Mobile service is to end he suggested that the Home Library service needed to be more widely publicised.
The Chairman observed that there is a trend towards public/community services sharing accommodation in order to reduce operating costs.
Cllr Davies suggested that the Parish might like to consider setting up a community library. Given the difficulties EPC had recruiting volunteers to run a community hub, the Chairman doubted that this would be feasible.
Cllr Hyett asked what the monies saved by cutting library services would be used for. Cllr Davies responded that ESCC’s continuing substantial Central Government grant reductions mean that there is less funding available.
Cllr Davies highlighted ESCC’s Stand UP for East Sussex Petition: https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/consultation/stand-up-for-east-sussex/
The petition calls on the Prime Minister to rethink the resources it gives to East Sussex. ESCC was reaching the point of being unable to afford to deliver statutory services. Revenue from business rates is insufficient and ESCC is considering investing further in commercial property. It would welcome greater devolved responsibility.
Referring to the recent business rates revaluation, Cllr Ganly advised that RDC has a scheme to compensate businesses who had found themselves with larger than average increases.
17.74 VERGE OPPOSITE SOLOMONS GARDEN, CRIPPS CORNER ROAD
RESOLVED To note the latest progress report provided by ZAK Infrastructure.
The meeting ended at 9pm.
Date ……………………………… Chairman …………………………………
APPENDIX A
17.65 ADJOURNED SECTION
(a) District Council Report
Cllr Ganly reported that:
Settlement Grant Central Government funding for principal authorities is due to end by March 2020. Consequently, RDC needs to find other sources of revenue. On 2 October the Cabinet considered a property investment strategy and £7m will be made available.
Public Space Protection Orders A Dog Control PSPO was now in place and RDC is consulting on a General PSPO – suggesting 6 forms of ASB that could be incorporated. Officers had originally put forward 18; however, Members took the view that this would raise the public’s expectations that they would all be enforced.
Responding to questions Cllr Ganly advised that: the intention is to acquire commercial property (in order to generate rental income); from memory, the return is expected to be c5%; the £7m would be funded from capital reserves; planning officers would be trained to support the work of RDC’s enforcement officers.
Larry Hyett suggested that it was ironic that the Conservatives nationally had encouraged the disposal of public assets (including Council housing) but RDC was now intending to acquire property.
Cllr Hyett asked what happens to the receipts from the sale of Council housing.
Responding to a question put by Cllr Stephenson, Cllr Ganly advised that he would need to find out the RDC’s current settlement grant. Cllr Ganly
c) Public Question Time
There was none.
(b) County Council Report
Cllr Davies added to her written report (APPENDIX B):
Library Service ESCC needs to save £3m over a 3-year period. There is currently just one (aging) mobile library vehicle. A replacement would cost £250.000. In some communities with libraries proposed for closure, volunteers had expressed interest in running them (the stock of books would remain). The Home Library scheme will be improved.
Highways Steward The Steward for the area, Jon Copp had been promoted to Head Highways Steward. His successor is Isla Dacey
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Stockwood Meadow s106 Agreement (c £68,000 allocated for Robertsbridge College) Liz Avard had advised Cllr Davies that Staplecross MCP was in need of an additional building for use (primarily) as a classroom. Cllr Davies advised that County would be prioritising – and funding - refurbishment of the toilets and was working up a business plan. Regarding the s106 Agreement, she was having discussions at a senior level. For reasons currently unknown, the Admissions department had decided to restrict the Year 7 Robertsbridge College intake to 130. Officers had advised her that the £68,000 allocated to Robertsbridge would benefit children from Staplecross. She suspected that it would not be possible to amend the s106 but acknowledged that it might be possible to identify funds from other sources to improve the facilities at Staplecross MCP.
Cllr Ganly had discussed the drafting of s106 Agreements with RDC officers. They had acknowledged that it would be appropriate for Ward Members to have an input into this process.
The Clerk added that the Planning Authority generally drafts s106’s and parish/town councils are typically excluded; however, County is usually invited to suggest local highways/education improvements that could usefully be funded by the developer. The current Stockwood s106 includes a modest provision for new play equipment.