Ticehurst Parish Council
The Village Hall, Lower High Street, Ticehurst, East Sussex,
TN5 7BB 01580 754 090
Present: Cllrs. Goodall ©, Maynard, Cook, Hastings, Semple, Young, Seemann, Yeo, Burley, Simmons, Mitchell, Langdown and Rigby.
PRESENTATION BY ROTHER HOMES/AMICUS HORIZON WITH REGARD TO WOODROFFE
LODGE AND SPRINGFIELDS.
The Chairman welcomed Tom Casey and Mark Milesly from Amicus Horizon
and invited them to address those present.
They explained that they had accepted the invitation to address Councillors
as there has been some confusion and distress caused by comments made by
Rother District Council at the recent planning inquiry about the future of
Woodroffe Lodge. They explained that the proposed new build to the left
hand side of the Springfields entrance was progressing and that when funding
is in place this will be built, but will be for 9 units and not the original
10. Those residents in Woodroffe Lodge will be re-housed there if they so
wish. Criteria for residency has not yet been established, other than it
will be for those aged over fifty. The Chairman requested for there to be
a strong commitment to local occupancy and an involvement of the Council
in the selection procedure to ensure this. They did add that although more
detailed information was available, they wanted to speak to the residents
before anyone else – a meeting is set for two weeks time.
Woodroffe Lodge – There had been some internal (not with RDC) discussions
about the merits of selling this building to fund the new one but this route
is not being pursued, and whilst the current standards of Amicus Horizon
are not met within this building for any sort of tenant, Councillors were
emphatic in their message to Mr Casey and Milesly that the village would
not want to lose Woodroffe Lodge as it had been left to the village and that
it should remain within the ‘affordable housing stock’ as originally promised
by Rother Homes. They stated that it was unlikely that it would be refurbished
or replaced as a unit exclusively for the elderly.
They assured those present that they would keep the Council up to
date with any progress made and the Chairman thanked them for attending.
The Clerk had circulated an e-mail from Kieran O’Leary (RDC) explaining
that there are no plans to sell Woodroffe Lodge and that in the long term
the building will not be used as housing for older people.
A resident of Sunny Bank Cottages attended the meeting stating that she was unhappy at the severity of the hedge cutting away from the pavement done by ESCC Parish Maintenance teams. The Clerk explained that the Council have received many complaints about the encroachment of hedges leaving little or no pavement and that she has asked ESCC to send a small digger out to scrape the accumulated earth off the pavement surface, but would inform residents if this is to be done.
AGENDA
101.0 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Cook declared a personal interest in the Bell Field as a neighbour to that property and Cllr. Seemann an interest in any matters of affordable housing as a member of Rother Homes, a Board Member of Casa Support and Member Designate of the Amicus Horizon Board
102.0 Apologies for absence: All Cllrs. were present and
signed the attendance register.
D. Cllr. Elliston, D. Cllr. Jenkins and C. Cllr. Barnes sent their
103.0 Minutes of the meeting held on 5th May 2009: - Proposed by Cllr. Semple, seconded by Cllr. Burley as a true record of those proceedings
104.0 Additional Agenda Items: To consider such other items as the Chairman decides are urgent and due notice of which has been given to the Clerk by 12 noon on the day. No decisions/resolutions can be made under this agenda point.
105.0 Complaints Procedure: Cllr. Maynard proposed and Cllr. Seemann seconded the motion to adopt the draft complaints procedure, (circulated with the agenda) based on the NALC Legal Topic Note and notes on the SALC web site. The Chairman then signed the Procedural Notes as adopted by the Council.
106.0 Financial Interests: Cllr. Young confirmed that she would give the Clerk the registration of Financial Interests to be forwarded to Rother District Council as soon as possible.
107.0 Appendix of Outstanding Matters:
| Topic | Update |
| Unpaid work orders | Clerk has made contact with Lee Browning – and is waiting for him to ascertain if work could be done in the Parish. |
| Village Square | Village Square Advisory Committee to report on meeting held 21st May 2009 – circulated – on agenda |
| Traffic Calming | Traffic Calming Advisory Group to report on results of questionnaires completed at Annual Assembly and on meeting of 26th May 2009 - circulated |
| Street Lights | No 5 Springfields – light reported as not working 11.5.09 2 Steelands Rise and at Singehurst –have both been reported to DTS and the Clerk informed the meeting that Rod Stewart is inspecting all the lights and will report back soon. Cllr. Semple reported that the light in the car park has been vandalised again. |
| Dog Litter Bins | It was resolved to install the two bins – one outside the Recreation Ground and one at Farthing Hill. £40 per month for emptying. |
| War Memorial Trust | Clerk reported that charity is now wound up – and is awaiting information from bank to close the account. |
| Japanese Knotweed | Clerk meeting with specialist 3.6.09 11.00 am |
| Planning Permission for Cardboard Bin | Clerk has re-written to Mr Searle RDC – no response to date. |
| Bus Stop | Bus Stop at Flimwell has now been marked for no parking within restricted hours which should alleviate congestion on the road because the bus will be able to pull in. |
| Playground Farthing Hill | No progress to date |
108.0 District Council Report: District Councillors had give their apologies – no report supplied.
109.0 County Council Report: Cllr. Barnes had given his apologies – he had reported that he is still pressing for speed restrictions at Wallcrouch and at the bad bend on the Hawkhurst Road. The Clerk reported that a provisional meeting with Paul Ward ESCC has been set for 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday 10th June at Sunny-Bank Car Park. Cllr. Seemann asked that the Finger Post at the end of Cross Lane be replaced and the Clerk informed the meeting that it is on ESCC to be done soon.
110.0 Allotments: Cllr. Maynard reported that the Flimwell Allotments were awaiting their water connection and Cllr. Mitchell informed the meeting that there were two large tanks of water there as a temporary measure. Cllr. Maynard reported that the Allotment Holders Ass. were applying for a grant from ‘Grass Roots’ towards the cost of fencing and paths at the new site.
111.0 Finance Report: End of Year accounts 2008/09 were
tabled and cheques listed for sanctioning: It was resolved to send accounts
and supporting documentation to King and Co for the internal audit.
Cllr. Semple proposed that interest be sought from Rother District
Council for the mistake in providing the Council’s precept. Clerk was instructed
| Cheque | Amount | To whom | For: |
| 2446 | £105.80 | Pear Tech | Maps of village |
| 2447 | £138.00 | SALC | New Cllr. Packs |
| 2448 | £33.75 | RBS | Vat |
| 2449 | £15 | SLCC | Sub |
| 2450 | £5500 | BDT | Half precept |
| 2451 | £905.04 | SE Water | Allotments Flimwell |
| 2454 | £115 | NALC | Cilca |
| 2453 | £400 | Battle Bus | Half year contribution |
| 2455 | £1267 | R Studholme | Ramp for cardboard recycling bin |
| 2456 | £897.48 | I Revenue | PAYE Three months |
| 2457 | £120 | RDC | Printing annual report |
| 2458 | £46 | M Yeo | Telephone costs – Comm Bus |
| 2459 | £5 | A Cole | Overpaid on allotment |
112.0 Planning Report: Report on meeting held on 21st
May 2009.
Unit one Parsonage Farm – recommendation for approval for change
of use for dental surgery.
Pickforde Lodge – recommendation for approval – single storey side
extension.
Rosehill – land at – erection of dwelling – recommendation for approval
3 Overys Farm Cottages – replacement roof over family room – recommendation
for approval.
Longbranch, Flimwell – recommendation for approval for removal of
garage and erection of new garage.
12B Gibbs Reed Farm – recommendation for approval for MOT station.
Stableyard Cottage – modifications to add glazed panels to door –
recommendation for approval.
Stonegate Primary School – recommendation
for refusal of flat panel antenna to chimney due to it being untried technology.
Letter sent to ESCC and Chairman of Governors. There was some discussion
about the merits of endeavouring to contact parents and children at the school,
Cllr. Rigby reported that he had tried to get in touch with the Headmistress.
No resolution for any action was made.
113.0 Bewl Reservoir Applications: No update at present – awaiting first residents/ applicants meeting.
114.0 Village Square: Report on meeting held on 21st May – circulated – It was resolved that the Clerk should instruct Hedleys Solicitors to act on behalf of the Council to register the Square as PC land with the Land Registry. Invitations for 6th July 2009 at 7.30 p.m. Stakeholders meeting have been sent to Piers Young for distribution.
115.0 Traffic Calming: Report on meeting held on 26th May 2009 – circulated. Cllr. Semple gave retrospective apologies for having mistaken the venue of the meeting and therefore not attended. Cllr. Young was thanked for her work in drafting a response to recent comments in Ticehurst News and Views. It was felt that it would be helpful to put approximate prices against each type of traffic calming measure and it was resolved that the Clerk would ask B Banks ESCC to give a price on each, which could be added to the article.
116.0 Correspondence:
| 1 | Invitation | For Stake-Holders Village Square meeting in July |
| 2 | King and Co | Appointment to do audit |
| 3 | Charity Commission | War Memorial letters to wind up and directions to bank |
| 4 | Direct Tech Services | 27 Church St – new ss6cell fitted 31 Church St – new relay fitted Flimwell Post Box – re-terminated burnt out wiring in lantern Pashley Rd – RTV in hand Steelands Rise – more information needed |
| 5 | ESCC | Continued maintenance of Springfields – mid June 2009 – Clerk instructed to write saying that the work should have been done last year with the rest of the project and this will cause great disruption to residents |
| 6 | Inter-route | Red surfacing at Cross Roads A21 |
| 7 | ESCC | Flimwell bend – meeting 10 th June 3 pm |
| 8 | Police | April report Damage to garage door in Springfields Theft of wheelie bin Upper Platts Theft of strimmer Wardsbrook Rd Lawnmower theft – Wards Lane Car broken into in Pickforde Lane – CD Player + CDs Plant pots stolen from Eden Court Borders Lane – house breakin – wallet etc stolen Farthing Hill – Gold paint sprayed on car Londis Shop – male stole meat and cheese. |
| 9 | Action in Rural Sussex | FREE Roving Play sessions |
| 10 | Nichols Bros | Will spray path – he did not lay foundations |
| 11 | Maintenance Team | Good works – write to thank them |
| 12 | Arnold Baker | New book ordered for June 2009 |
| 13 | Mr Giles | Invoice problems – awaiting response |
| 14 | RDC | Enforcment – Ballards Wood |
| 15 | ROSPA | Order Play Inspection |
| 16 | S Water | Will not sponsor planters |
| 17 | ESCC | Public Rights of Way – network survey |
| 18 | Demelza House | Asking for money |
117.0 Items for the July Agenda: Nil to date
118.0 The Bell Field: (Confidential). The Council moved to exclude the press and public for this item on the agenda by reason of the confidential nature of the business, as stated in section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and amended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the confidentiality is due to on going litigation matters. The one member of the public (The Courier) left the meeting at this point.
119.0 Date of the next meeting: The meeting closed at 9.31 pm. and the date of the next meeting was set for 7th July 2009.