Ticehurst Parish Council

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

The Council  met on Tuesday 6th July  2010 at 7.30 p.m. (30 minutes were  allowed at the start of the meeting for public questions and comments on relevant matters on the following agenda). The Chairman reminded the  public that they had a right and were welcome to stay and observe the rest of the meeting. 

Matters Raised:
Fifty six members of the public were present, and a photo was taken by the Courier Newspaper, although when asked if the Courier were present, no-one raised their hand.

1.  MULTI-COURT:

   Persons present requested that the Parish Council issue a statement in the Courier to counter-act the inaccuracies contained in last Friday’s edition, with regard to the multi-court.  The Chairman explained that the removal of the skate ramps was due to having worked with Rother District Council to remain within the confines of the law and to avoid enforcement procedures that could have put the whole multi-court at risk.  Rother District Council had supplied the gates and a report has been requested from ROSPA to ascertain their views about the limited entrances/exits.  This report should be forthcoming within the next few weeks.  Chains have been purchased to hold the two gates back in position whilst open.  It was confirmed that the gates are being locked at the time stipulated by the curfew.  The strength of feeling exhibited by those present, (adults and youngsters alike) at the adherence to any curfew or removal of facilities due to one individual’s complaints, was overwhelming.  The complainant has been told by Rother District Council that any disturbance suffered should be reported on a local level so that it can be verified at the time, and to the Police.  To date, no local contact has been made.  Mr Lloyd pointed out that individual letters were more effective than collective petitions. A question was asked as to whether an anti-social behavioural order could be issued with regard to the complainant – the Clerk suggested that he speak to D. Cllr. Jenkins who sits on such a panel.

2. UPPER PLATTS EXCEPTION SITE:

   Anger was expressed that an exception site application was being made in the same place as a few months ago, with very little difference from the original, other than the entrance had moved slightly and that the established hedge line would be taken out to satisfy ESCC Highways objections. Persons present asked what the Council felt about the new plans, and it was explained that the hard copy of the plans had not yet been received and the likely date of a Planning Committee meeting would be 15th July at 6.00 p.m. in the Institute when a recommendation to District would be made.  There was some discussion about visits to other exception sites undertaken during June and concerns expressed about the quality of on-going maintenance of properties managed by Hastoe Housing Association.

Present:  Cllrs. Goodall (c), Maynard, Yeo, Young, Mitchell, Rigby, Langdown, Cook, and Cocking.

AGENDA

Tribute to  Cllr. Tom  Semple:  The Chairman called for a two minute silence as a sign of respect for Cllr. Semple who died suddenly on Sunday 27th June 2010.  His funeral will be held at St. Mary’s Church Ticehurst on 16th July at 10.45 a.m.

374.0 Declarations of Interest: Cllr. Cook declared a personal interest in item 393.0 of the agenda – the Bell Field as a neighbour to that site.

375.0 Apologies for absence:  Apologies for absence were sent from Cllr. Burley, Hastings and Seemann and accepted by their colleagues and duly recorded in the attendance register.

376.0 Minutes of the meeting held on 1st June  2010:  - Proposed by Cllr. Maynard  Seconded by Cllr.Young  and  the Chairman signed them as a correct record of those proceedings.

377.0 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.
Post Box:  It was resolved that a second post box be purchased and installed to ensure that Parish Council matters remained secure and that Tonbridge Royal Mail be informed.

378.0  Shared  Spaces:  No update available.

379.0   Rubbish Bin in Recreation Ground Car Park:  It was resolved that an additional matching bin be purchased and installed over the summer for the car park.

380.0  Bin in Pickforde Lane:   Clerk informed the meeting that Amicus Horizon/Newington Court have to date, not  responded to a request for a ‘buy in’ to their refuse collection service.

381.0  Appendix of Outstanding Matters:

382.0 District Council Report:  A written report was circulated with the agenda for Councillors’ consideration and attachment to Council minutes.
Cllr. Jenkins added that he was disappointed not to have been given the opportunity of answering public questions prior to the start of the meeting.
He reported that the siting of the multi-court had been against officer recommendation at the time.
He confirmed that he and D Cllr. Elliston would be visiting Mrs May this month.  He added that, despite previous mediation, he felt that this might, if tried again, secure some sort of reasonable compromise.  He added that Rother District Council have expended considerable time and resources to this problem.  He has been in touch with the CSPO’s and as the Chairman pointed out earlier in the meeting, compliance with the law had to be observed.
Exception Site – D. Cllr. Jenkins reported that he has asked for the latest application to be ‘called in’ and that he is opposed to the current site and has asked that Etchingham Parish Council be included as a ‘consultee’.

383.0 County Council Report: A written report was circulated  with the agenda for Councillors’ consideration and attachment to Council minutes.

384.0 SALC and RALC Reports: No report to date, although Cllr. Cook did state that she felt it was a shame that the forthcoming meeting on Playground provision this Thursday had been cancelled due to lack of take up by the Parishes with only Ticehurst and Camber willing to attend.

385.0 Traffic Calming Report:  Clerk circulated  the response from ESCC Highways to various issues throughout the Parish – copy attached and the matters will be considered by the Traffic Calming Group.

386.0 Finance Report:  A list of  list of cheques for sanctioning was attached to the agenda. It was resolved that these be signed.
Internal Audit recommendations for consideration – circulated to all and to be considered by the financial advisory group for a report to the September Meeting.
Adoption of new Asset Register for 2010/11 – adopted and signed by the Chairman
Quotations for terraced area and resolution – It was resolved to send the sealed bids to the Chairman of the Financial Advisory Group to open and discuss with the group.
Alternative Banking Options   - not yet received in full – internal auditor has recommended the Co—op.

387.0 Planning Report: Plans and recommendations since the last meeting:
RR/2010/1121/P  Cherry Tree Nursery – permission to live on site – recommendation for refusal.
RR/2010/1282/P  Steelands Farm House – extension of permission for replacement dwelling – recommendation for approval.
RR/2010/1342/T – To remove Holly at 7 Steelands Rise – recommendation for refusal.
The next Planning Meeting will be 15th July 2010 – 6.00 p.m.  The Village Institute.

Possible Meeting with Rother District Council – Cherry Tree Nursery – delegated authority to Cllr Langdown to attend if a meeting takes place with local residents.

388.0 Playground  and  Pond Inspections:  It was reported that replacement swing seats/bolts have been ordered from Wicksteed and SMP playgrounds –it was resolved to sanction cheques and install the necessary items and to implement  works at ponds.

389.0 Allotments:  Cllr. Maynard reported that the water supply should be installed at Stonegate soon.   The pest problems at Farthing Hill continue, although not attributable to the allotments.  Clerk is working with RDC and S Water to ascertain the reason, but it may be due to badly laid waste disposal systems installed for the most recent housing at Farthing Hill.   

390.0 Recreation Ground clearance:  It was resolved that as D Butcher will be away from 5th July for two weeks  Cllrs.  Young,(Mon)  Cook (Wed)and Langdown (Fri)  would regularly visit the site to clear rubbish.  The Clerk has carried out this task on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th July to date.

391.0 Correspondence list to end June 2010

392.0 Items for the September Agenda:    
Tribute to Cllr. Tom Semple.
Knotweed on the Bell Field and grass maintenance issues.

393.0 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 was due to on- going litigation matters.

394.0  The Chairman closed the meeting with an invitation to all Councillors and their partners for drinks at  1 pm on August Bank Holiday Monday. Date of the next meeting  The meeting closed at  9.25  p.m. and the date of the next meeting set for 1st September 2010.