1.            To receive apologies and reason for absence
Apologies received from Cllr. Brown; reason noted and accepted.

2.            To receive declarations of interests on items on the Agenda
None.

3.            To approve the minutes of the meeting held 20th January, 2011
Approved.

4.            To determine matters arising from the previous minutes
Snow clearing team (item 10.3), Fingerposts (item 10.6) and Community Bus.

5.            Public Forum – time limit 15 minutes
A member of the public stated how the recent accident at The Best Beech had highlighted the poor signage, lack of footpath and enforcement of speeding restrictions and asked that the Council do what it could to improve the situation. Discussion followed regarding a number of improvements and Cllr. Martel is to cover at the next Joint Action Group (JAG).

6.            To report and review the following:
6.1          Committee remit
Resolved that the committee’s remit remain unchanged.

6.2          Allocation of responsibilities and roles
Resolved that responsibilities be:
Street Lighting – Cllrs. Martel and Meredith-Hardy to patrol Aug/Spt
Trees/hedges – Cllrs. Pearman and Meredith-Hardy
Speeding  issues – Cllr. Martin
Snow group – Cllrs. Martel and Meredith-Hardy

6.3          Parish partners (Highways, Sub-contractors, enforcement, etc., etc)
Cllr. Pearman agreed to update the current contact list before passing to the clerk to maintain.

6.4          Schedule for future committee meetings
Resolved that meetings be held quarterly with the next being at 7.45 p.m. on the 22nd September at The Pavilion.
               
6.5          Communication channels (emergencies, etc.)
Cllrs. Kent and Martel already have responsibility for this area.

6.6          Public Sector mapping
The clerk has submitted an application to subscribe to Public Sector mapping and is to chase progress.

7.            Highway matters
7.1          To discuss communication of future notified roadworks
Resolved that all roadworks notified to the Council be published on the notice board and website with the clerk to add that parking is permitted in Uplands during the school holiday period when gas replacement work will reduce the number of parking spaces available in the High Street. Cllr. Martin is to discuss notification of roadworks with her contact at County.

7.2          To review progress regarding Turners Green verges
County’s offer for a site meeting to be taken forward with the clerk to obtain new dates in July from County. The question of FOI request to be made to be referred to next full council meeting.

7.3          To discuss High Street and station zebra crossing
Resolved to pass to High Street/Business working party

7.4          To discuss 20 m.p.h. speed restriction
Generally agreed by councillors that a reduced speed limit would be beneficial. Resolved that, after consultation with the three school ‘heads’, Cllr. Martin would take up with County.

7.5          To discuss speeding issues and possible ‘slow’ sign in Cousley Wood, beyond Best Beech and Station Road
Discussion regarding numerous options including moveable signs and road painting. Resolved that
Cllr.Martin would investigate and report back.

7.6          To discuss speed gun issues
Councillors learnt that speed indicators could be obtained from the JAG although training would be required. Resolved that Cllr. Martel would make enquiries regarding the training and whether, or not, the use of a ‘dummy’ policeman would be appropriate.

7.7          To discuss damage to verges by parked cars between the station and Faircrouch Lane
Members heard that as many as twenty cars have been seen parked on the verges by the station and whilst It was thought that not much could be done it was resolved that Cllr. Martel would discuss with the PCSO.

7.8          To discuss footpath damage Sparrows Green Road/Marlpit
Whilst it is not known who owns the damaged footpath Cllr. Meredith-Hardy would forward an e-mail recently received to the clerk who would take up the matter with County highways.

7.9          To discuss weight limit/restrictions in High Street and Balaclava Lane
Discussions concluded that a direct approach to County might not be productive.

7.10        To discuss potholes
Resolved to add a link on the Parish website and place details on the notice board for residents to contact the County hotline direct [over the internet]

7.11        To discuss parking in Lower High Street
Car Park working party to consider and report back.

7.12        To discuss possible use of yellow lines at Uplands and Greyhound
Car Park working party to consider and report back.

7.13        To discuss traffic calming solutions for Sparrows Green Road
Cllr. Martin to consider and report back.

7.14        To discuss the request for speed cameras on Station Road and Cousley Wood Road
Cllr. Martin to consider and report back.

7.15        To discuss possible remedial action for trees rooted in rocks opposite Best Beech pub
Cllr. Pearman to mention the concern of the Council to the owner.

7.16        To note notified road works
Noted. Clerk to obtain latest position regarding dates of gas replacement works in the High Street.

7.17        To discuss complaint from South View Road resident regarding grass/mud road side.
Clerk to contact County for response.

8.            Transport matters
8.1          To discuss car parking (residents parking scheme, size of existing marked spaces, two hour restrictions, shopping spaces, usage of Uplands facilities at weekends, etc., etc.)  Car Park working party to consider and report back.

8.2          To note progress regarding recent bus stop sightings
Noted that the bus stops had been put in place using an out of date bus route map and that they were now
being removed.

8.3          To discuss request for secure bike parking facility
Discussions concluded that the existing facilities were not fully utilized and that, as such, adequate provision currently exists.

9.            Lighting matters
9.1          To discuss existing street lamp positions and repairs required
Cllrs. Martel and Meredith-Hardy to investigate and report back.

9.2          To note No. 40 reported as not working on 6th June
Noted.

9.3          To approve lighting repairs to Nos. 20, 33 and 68
Cllr. Meredith-Hardy to examine and prioritize before making recommendation to full council.

10.          To consider maintenance/operating issues and improvements and authorise expenditure.
10.1        To note village maintenance
Noted. Response to clerk’s e-mail requesting when remaining work will be completed is awaited.

10.2        To discuss outstanding maintenance requirements
Covered by earlier items in the agenda.

10.3        To discuss snow plan
Clerk to contact Mayfield clerk with a view to the two Parish Snow Teams meeting in order to share best practice.

10.4        To note damage to Courthope Ave.  grit bin (Crime No. EW1/049924/11)
Noted. Police advise that there has been damage to the hinge.

10.5        To discuss the requirement to provide more ‘Wadhurst Parish Footpath Maps’
Cllr. Meredith-Hardy to follow up with the possibility of using ‘Jubilee’ funding.

10.6        To discuss inspection and repair/maintenance of finger posts
Members learnt that replacing signposts is a District responsibility but that the Parish took on the repairs as District would replace with metal signs and not retain the existing wooden fingerposts. In view of the high cost of repairs and replacement it was resolved that Cllr. Meredith-Hardy investigate alternatives and report back.

11.          Budget.
11.1        To note 2011/12 budget
Noted.

12.          Urgent issues at the discretion of the Chairman for noting or inclusion on future agenda.
Resolved that Cllr. Martel investigate and report back findings regarding overhanging branches and hedgerows that had been reported in three areas of the village.

The meeting closed at 10.35 p.m.