Guestling Parish Council

Minutes of a meeting held on Monday, 13 July 2009 at Guestling Village Hall

Chair:

Pat Beaney - Guestling Parish Council

Present:

Connie Evans - Guestling Parish Council

Paul Brown - Guestling Parish Council

Paul Fountain - Guestling Parish Council

Jo Holden - Guestling Parish Council

Marion Roberts - Guestling Parish Council

Nigel Robinson - Guestling Parish Council

Richard Suter - Guestling Parish Council

Robin Patten - Rother District Council

Six Members of the Public

Secretariat:

Paul Brown

Item / Notes / Action
Open Forum / Kieron O’Leary - Housing Development Officer Rother DC and Tom Walder Action in Rural Sussex spoke about affordable housing. The shortage and the benefits that more provision can bring to rural areas. They outlined the process by which local need can be identified and the “exceptional sites” concept by which land can be made available. This process requires Parish Council support to proceed.
1. / APOLOGIES. Roger Bird RDC, Carl Maynard ESCC, PCSO Sharon Eldridge
2. / INTERESTS. In accordance with the adopted code of conduct 2007. None
3. / PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. The chairman agreed that members of the public could speak on agenda items;
12.3 Gary Lenna Chairman Guestling Rangers FC spoke of the clubs wish to continue to be a Guestling club and the plan to move the pitches to reduce the chance of footballs being kicked on to adjoining land.
12.3 Derek Foy stated that the recovery of footballs from his field had caused damage to his property. That the playing field should not be a cost to the Parish.
Open forum. ? The concern that new houses can result in villages becoming suburbs of larger towns.
4. / MINUTES. RESOLVED: That the Chairman of the Council is authorised to sign the minutes of Council meeting, 11 May 2009.
5. / MATTERS ARISING. None
6. / MINUTES OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS. RESOLVED: The minutes of Planning Committee meetings 18 May, 8 June, 29 June, 6 July 2009 are received.
7. / CO-OPTION. RESOLVED: That Graham McPherson is co-opted to the council.
8. / REPORTS.
  1. Rother Association of Local Councils meeting on 8 July 2009. Representatives were unable to attend.
  2. MOPP. Cllr. Evans’ report on her visit had been circulated to the council.
  3. Bradshaw School. Cllr. Evans’ report on her visit had been circulated to the council.

9.
/ ACTION PLAN. Patricia Marston’s report on the findings from the gathering at the Three Oaks Inn on 24 June 2009 had been circulated to the council.
10. / FINANCE.
  1. Bank reconciliation. RESOLVED: That the bank reconciliation for 30 June 2009 is approved.
  2. Cheques. RESOLVED: That the cheques to pay the following are approved: £11.12 Mrs M Betson (playing field title documents). £524.53 Zurich (insurance cover). £8.00 Guestling Village Hall (hall hire)

11 / ROADS AND TRANSPORT.
  1. A scheme for Three Oaks. A scheme incorporating a “school run” and an hourly service was proposed. Number of passengers and cost will be the main considerations. East Sussex County Council is responsible for Community Transport. RESOLVED: That the council investigate the cost and feasibility of a community transport service.
  2. Railway. The next “track day” at Three Oaks station may be in July or August.
  3. ESCC/Highway Agency. The problems associated with traffic travelling too fast and of large HGV were again discussed. RESOLVED: That the council write to ESCC to request a reduction of the speed limit in Friars Hill/Pett Road from 40mph to 30mph. Also to request that the proposals already made for Ivyhouse/Butchers/Chowns Hill are given a higher priority.
/ Robinson
Brown
Beaney
12 / PLAYING FIELD/PAVILION.
  1. Pavilion structure. Three quotations were considered. RESOLVED: That Mark Neale be contracted to carry out the specified repairs.
  2. Rules for use. The existing licence agreement with Guestling Rangers FC, their proposal to move the west pitch further from the field boundary and the problems caused by balls being kicked off the field were considered. RESOLVED: That the existing licence should continue unchanged, and it continues to be the responsibility of users of the playing field to ensure that nuisance is not caused to neighbours.
  3. Booking of facility. There is only one user.
  4. Maintenance of septic tank. Park Cottage will arrange the emptying of the septic tank. The Parish Council will refund half the cost, the same proportion as the installation cost.
  5. Dog Warden. Rother DC’s warden can monitor the playing field on all days of the week.
  6. Access/security. A balance between access and security is necessary and the rights of all users respected. RESOLVED: That the bottom bar of the gate will be open during the day, until issues surrounding access rights are clarified.
/ Roberts
13 / TRAINING/SEMINARS/CONFERENCES.
Workshop 16 September 2009. RESOLVED: That members are encouraged to attend this workshop.
14. / CORRESPONDENCE.
  1. Crime stoppers – funding request RESOLVED: Not to fund this request.
  2. South East England Partnership Board – Provision for Gypsies, Travellers… recommendations for new policy H7. for more information www.southeast-ra.gov.uk
  3. Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group – Funding request. www.fwag.org.uk RESOLVED: Not to fund this request.
  4. Weald Forest Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme – promotion poster www.highweald.org
  5. East Sussex Safer Communities Partnership – June newsletter
  6. High Weald ANOB Unit – management plan 2004 2nd Ed. 2009. www.highweald.org
  7. ESCC – Focus on East Sussex. www.eastsusexinfigures.org.uk
  8. The Gypsy Council – setting the facts straight.
  9. ESCC- Parish Maintenance Team. Guestling work.
Receipt of this correspondence is noted.
Paul Brown (acting clerk) 16 July 2009
THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 7.30PM ON MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2009 AT THREE OAKS VILLAGE HALL
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