Chairman: …………………………………………………………….. Date: ………………………………..
HORAM PARISH COUNCIL
The Horam Centre
3 Bank Buildings
High Street, Horam
TN21 0EH
Tel: 07900 576236
e-mail:
Sally Blades
Sally Blades - Clerk
Horam Parish Council Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8th November 2017
from 7.30 p.m. until 9.01 p.m. in The Horam Centre
In Attendance: Cllrs Michael Cousins (Chairman), Michael Elphick, Graham Knight, Sue Lane, Andrew Lee, Len Parkyn, Virginia Roberts, Susan Stedman, Alison Surridge, Dave Thurston and Jonathan Webb.
Recording, including filming, audio recording, photography and using social media sites is permitted at Council meetings which are open to the public
PUBLIC SESSION – 7.30pm. Peter Tolhurst in attendance, but did not wish to speak.
751/11/17. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: All Members present.
752/11/17 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST –
§ Councillor Lee disclosed a personal interest in agenda item 12, as he is the Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee.
§ Councillor Parkyn declared a personal interest as he is a Governor of Maynard’s Green School.
§ Councillor Stedman declared a personal interest in agenda item 12, as she knows the Contractor
753/11/17. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11th October 2017 (previously circulated) were confirmed and signed as a true record.
754/11/17. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: None.
755/11/17. TREE AND SHRUB PROJECT – UPDATE
AL reported that:
· The positioning of the planters had been marked out and the angle of the slopes had been measured today - will forward to manufacturer of planter.
· Thorpe’s Nurseries will fill with seasonal flowers and carry out ongoing maintenance of flowers.
· Thorpe’s will also change displays on a seasonal basis.
756/11/17. MEMORIAL GARDEN PROJECT – UPDATE
SS, reported that:
· Four plaques had been positioned on the stone. Three more have been ordered.
· Three quotes will need to be obtained from tree surgeons to deal with overhanging branches in the memorial garden. Have already met with one, another one tomorrow morning with the final on Friday.
· Wooden bench will need to be cleaned. Clerk will ask PC to carry out.
757/11/17. ACTION PLAN: QUESTIONNAIRE UPDATE
· The Clerk reported that, to date, only one response has been received.
758/11/17 APPOINTMENT OF NEW RFO
· The Chairman announced that Mrs. Jenny Hoodless has been appointed as the new RFO with effect from 2nd November. Unfortunately, she is indisposed for 10 days due to an operation.
· In her absence the Chairman welcomed her to the Parish Council.
759/11/17. RFO’S REPORT AND FINANCE:
[Note: Councillor Stedman abstained from voting on the amount for JAKK Rail – Memorial Garden, as she knows the contractor.]
· Council approved the signing of cheques, as listed below:
The following payments were approved and the signing of cheques was authorised as listed below,
Payee £ cheque number
M Curtis 72.00 201275
SBG Computers 100.00 201276
SSALC (invoice 11365) 132.00 201277
Michael Cousins ink cartridges 69.99 201278
SSALC invoice 11414 78.00 201279
The Horam Club Rooms 160.00 201280
Peter Carter 201281
SJ Blades 201282
Cheques from the Community Fund.
[Note: Councillor Stedman abstained from voting on the rail for the Memorial Garden as she knows the contractor.]
S Stedman - Flowers etc 17.49 100029
JAKK – Rail - Memorial Gdn 72.00 100030
D Tourle - New Plaques Mem Gdn 255.00 100031
760/11/17. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
The Chairman reported that:
· both he and Councillor Lee had attended a Briefing and Awareness Training Session on 26th October organised by SALC. He advised other Members to attend such a training event in the future as he had found it useful. He thought it would be especially beneficial to new members.
· WDC are chasing Beech Homes for the Section 106 monies.
· There will be a short Remembrance Service held outside of Magpies on Saturday, 11th November at 11.00 .am. There was also going to be a parade by the Scouts followed by wreath laying on Sunday, 12th November at the Church in Horebeech Lane. He urged Members to attend if they were able.
761/11/17. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES:
· Planning: Report from Councillor Michael Cousins: Two meetings have been held with four applications having been considered:
Please note that Minutes of all meetings are published independently.
· Finance: Report from Councillor Len Parkyn:
· Councillor ME had been co-opted as a member of the Committee.
· Grants totalling £5,250 recommended to full Council for approval (see Minute 762/11/17).
· Next meeting to be held on Wednesday, 6th December 2017 at 7.00p.m.
Please note that Minutes of all meetings are published independently.
· Enhancing Horam: Report from Councillor Andrew Lee:
· Confirmed a Christmas Late Night event will be held from 5.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. on Thursday, 7th December.
· He would speak to the Co-Op about erecting a Christmas tree on the slope at the side of the building.
· He would also speak to JF about advertising the event.
Please note that Minutes of all meetings are published independently.
762/11/17. COUNCIL TO APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REGARDING GRANTS AND DONATIONS
[Note: Councillor Lee declared a personal interest in this item as he is the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee.]
The recommendations of the Finance Committee for grant applications were agreed.
763/11/17. REPORT OF THE WEALDEN PARISH REMUNERATION PANEL ON TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILLOR ALLOWANCES FOR 2017/2018
Council formally approved and adopted the report of the Remuneration Panel for 2017/2018.
764/11/17. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR BILL BENTLEY reported that:
· A “Get a Grip Campaign” had been launched to address poor attendance at school.
· Child Flu vaccination and the effects on health.
· A meeting had been held with Inspection Officer and SS regarding the crossover at Cowden Hall Lane.
· He had recently attended various seminars and training events to deal with Police and Terrorism.
765/11/17. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR SUSAN STEDMAN reported:
· on the latest position regarding the crossing at Cowden Hall Lane.
· The Boundary Commission had revised their boundaries to include Horam in the Battle and Bexhill Ward.
766/11/17. HIGHWAYS, FOOTPATHS & RIGHTS OF WAY: Next meeting Friday, 12th January 2018.
767/11/17. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES: see attached reports
· Horam Centre - Cllr M Cousins reported that:
· The Horam Centre would be open on 7th December with Father Christmas, refreshments by the Scouts and a tombola.
· The Book Swap is now being held once a month.
· Emergency Officer - Cllr L Parkyn – Nothing to report.
· Communications Officer - Clerk to the Council – Nothing to report.
· Views of the Elderly - Cllr V Roberts – nothing to report.
· Views of the Youth - Cllr A Surridge – nothing to report.
· WDALC - Cllr G Knight reported that
· He and Councillor Lane will be meeting with Inspector Tony Wakefield on 22nd November. Asked Members to notify the Clerk if they had any questions they wish to be asked.
· Village Hall - Cllr A Lee reported that:
· The AGM on 7th November was poorly attended but considered to be a productive and positive meeting.
· Allotments - Cllr A Lee – nothing to report.
· Speedwatch - Cllr S Lane – nothing to report.
· Wealden Works – MC had attended first meeting last week. Very worthwhile project.
Report from Cllr Parkyn as School Governor of Maynards Green School –
· A Governors meeting is being held next week.
768/11/17. CLERK'S REPORT:
The Clerk reported that:
· she had attended a Clerks Networking Day in East Grinstead. Sessions included AtoI and the introduction of GDP.
· One positive response received to Feasibility Study (Little London Road). No other feedback received.
· Looking into the cost of Air Quality Monitor, as suggested by a resident of the village.
769/11/17. INFORMATION FOR/FROM COUNCILLORS (for noting or inclusion on future agendas):
· The introduction of Generic E-mails for Horam Parish Council.
770/11/17. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS (all held in The Horam Centre unless otherwise stated): 2017
Planning Committee Monday, 27th November 2017 at 7.30 p.m.
Enhancing Horam Committee Wednesday, 29th November 2017 at 7.30 p.m.
Finance Committee Wednesday, 6th December 2017 at 7.00 p.m.
Planning Committee Wednesday, 13th December 2017 at 6.45 p.m.
Full Council Wednesday, 13th December 2017 at 7.30 p.m.
Horam Parish Council – NoVEMBER 2017 Reports
CHAIRMANS REPORT.
Attended fewer meetings this month.
Andrew Lee and I attended a training session held by SSALC in Crowborough. Notes and printouts are available.
A further request to all councillors to attend as many training sessions as possible.
Planning
Since the last meeting the planning committee has met twice and considered 4 applications
Please keep an eye on future agendas/minutes to keep abreast of planning in our Parish.
Highways/ Footpaths
Issue with signage on rights of way footpath in Vines Cross.
Clerk to update Council regarding letters to the residents of Little London Road.
The Horam Centre
The Centre Committee has had a meeting. Robin was unwell so Michael Cousins chaired the meeting at his request.
Plans for the Christmas night in the centre was the main topic.
Book swap/coffee/Computer morning is now being held on the first Monday of the month.
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