Ticehurst Parish Council
The Village Hall, Lower High Street, Ticehurst, East Sussex, TN5 7BB 01580 754 090

Minutes of Ticehurst Parish Council Meeting held on 1st December 2009 at the above address at 7.30 p.m:

The first half an hour was reserved for public questions:
Mr Bishop addressed the meeting, presenting plans that will be discussed by the Planning Meeting on Thursday 3rd December 2009.   They explained that the scheme was unusual, contrary to PPS7 planning regulations, and that they have designed a carbon-free house that will compliment the landscape, blending in and enhancing the plot without dominating the landscape.
Mr Poole asked that the Council write to bring the flooding along the frontage of Ticehurst House to the attention of ESCC.
A member of the public asked what provision had been made about the parking that will be needed when the Bell opens and how did the Council feel about the licensing hours for the public house.  The Clerk explained that Rother District Council had approved the plans for the Bell, and that the Parish Council had asked for a 106 agreement tying the proposed new buildings to the existing, and that Rother were satisfied that there would be adequate parking provision and would be the body to consider the licensing application (D. Cllr. Elliston is on the Licensing Panel).

Present:  Cllrs.  Goodall (c), Maynard, Hastings, Rigby, Mitchell, Langdown, Cook, Yeo, Semple, Seemann, Young, Cocking and Burley.
In attendance:  C.Cllr. Barnes, D Cllrs. Jenkins and Elliston. Four members of the public.

AGENDA

211.0 Declarations of Interest:  Cllr. Seemann declared a personal interest in any matter that might concern Amicus Horizon as a member of their board and Cllr. A Cook a personal interest in the Bell Field as a neighbour if any discussion were to take place under agenda point 233.0.

212.0 Apologies for absence:  Full Council present – no apologies

213.0 Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd November 2009:  These were proposed by Cllr.  Semple Seconded by Cllr. Maynard  and signed as a true record of those proceedings by the Chairman

214.0 Additional Agenda Items:  No such matters had been received.

215.0  Delegation of Responsibilities: Consideration of draft document  - Clerk, Cllr. Young and Cllr. Goodall  had drafted a distribution of duties for discussion and these had been circulated to all Cllrs.  It was noted that Cllr. Rigby had been omitted from the ‘Planning Committee’ and Cllr. Yeo from Finance and this was rectified.  Minor amendments to spellings were pointed out to be changed.
It was resolved that the amended list be adopted by the Council (Proposed by Cllr Maynard and seconded by Cllr.  Semple.   The remit for each group and the adherence to the Code of Conduct rules were also agreed for all groups.  It was resolved that at the first meeting of any group, the leader/convenor would be nominated.  Councillors were reminded that all groups must adhere to the Members Code of Conduct at all time and cannot act independently of the Council.  Cllr. Young was thanked for all her work.

216.0 Power of Well Being:  Cllr. Burley reported that he is to attend training on 4th December 2009 and it was resolved to adopt the ‘Power of Well Being’ at the next Council meeting in January 2010.

217.0  Emergency Planning:  Cllr. Semple had circulated a draft emergency plan for discussion.  Cllr. Semple was thanked for this work in compiling the document and it was resolved that this be adopted and completed as the Council’s Plan.
Proposed by Cllr.  Hastings, seconded by Cllr.  Mitchell.  Cllr. Semple reported that he would be holding a meeting early in the new year, with those who had expressed an interest in being involved and hoped that the document would be complete by April 2010.

218.0  Affordable Housing:  The Clerk reported that no further  update  about eligibility criteria for any exception site had been received and that to date, no planning application had been received.   Cllr. Cook reported that she believed that an application had been received at Rother in the last couple of days.

219.0  Appendix of Outstanding Matters

220.0 District Council Report: 
No report from District Councillors – any topics covered in the agenda.

221.0 County Council Report:
No report from County – comments to be made at agenda point 231.0.

222.0 SALC and RALC Reports:
Cllr. Cook reported that she had attended the AGM at Ardingly on 6th November.

223.0 Dog Bins:  After much discussion it was resolved to site bins at Steelands Rise/Acres Rise crossing, near the school, Springfields entrance and by the entrance to Flimwell Recreation Ground.  Clerk to action.

224.0 Finance Report:  Financial statement, together with list of cheques for sanctioning  was tabled at the meeting.  Cheques were sanctioned for signing.
Report on Finance meeting on 20th November 2009 – Precept circulated.
It was resolved that the final precept should be adopted by the Council and forwarded to Rother District Council.  Proposed by Cllr.   Semple  Seconded by Cllr. Rigby.

225.0 Planning Report:  Report was given on the meeting held on 19th November 2009.
RR/2009/1949/P          Advartex Ltd – Proposed extensions – recommendation for approval
RR/2009/2362/P          Maxima  Flimwell – Erection of stables – recommendation for approval
RR/2009/2377/P          Hopbine House, Ticehurst – Erection of garage/home office – recommendation for approval.
RR/2009/2609/P          1 Gibbs Reed Cottages – resubmission of plans to demolish existing extension and replace with two storey side extension – recommendation for approval.
RR/2009/2613/L          Stableyard Cott. Whiligh – Replacement of porch and addition of glazing and external doors – recommendation for approval.
The date of the next planning meeting will be 3rd December 2009 at  6.00 p.m.
THE DATE OF THE PLANNING MEETING TO CONSIDER THE UPPER PLATTS APPLICATION WAS SET FOR 17TH DECEMBER – CLERK TO PUBLICISE.
D. Cllr. Elliston reported that he has asked for the Forge Yard site to be called in to Committee at Rother and expressed his concerns about the application on behalf of the parish.

226.0 Bewl Water:  Cllr. Rigby reported on the consultation and response to recent Planning Applications.  It was resolved that the Clerk should write to Wealden District Council asking to be informed and included as a consultee on any applications for this site.

227.0 Allotments:  Cllr. Maynard  reported  on progress made at Flimwell and Stonegate allotment sites.  Ticehurst – three allotments have received a letter asking them to take better care of their plots/sheds.  Flimwell – chippings for the paths to be created soon and three or four more plots created.  Stonegate – hedging has been cut, ploughing of the site will commence soon and there are 24 expressions of interest to date.  Cllr. Maynard was congratulated and thanked for all his work.

228.0 Traffic Calming: The Clerk sent copies of the ‘brief’ received from ESCC to three road consultants and asked for responses in the first week of January 2010.  One recipient had responded by email with a brief summary of his perception of the problems and possible solutions – for January meeting.

229.0 Correspondence: Tabled at meeting:

230.0 Village Notice Boards: The Clerk reported that she has asked Tom Casey if the offer of a new notice board for Ticehurst could pre-empt the re-building of the Springfield Flat block and be on the other side of the road, near the Annexe. Cllr. Seemann was thanked for his help in securing a new board for the Parish.

231.0 Community Bus:  Community Transport Review – Cllr. Barnes reported that Roger Williams at the Rural health Forum would be in touch with the Parish.

232.0 Items for the January Agenda:    Well Being – Traffic calming – Cllr. Expenses.

233.0 The Bell Field:  (Confidential). No matters to report.

234.0  Date of the next meeting  The meeting ended at 21.07  p.m. and the date for the next meeting set for  5th  January 2010.  The Chairman wished all present a Happy Christmas and New Year.