ARLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
A
QUALITY COUNCIL
(QC-12-06-00359)
Tel:
01323 811870
www.arlington-parish-council.org.uk
Minutes of a
meeting of Arlington Parish Council held in Upper Dicker Village Hall at 7.30
pm on Thursday 14th May 2009. (Paragraphs 09.39 – 09.55)
PRESENT: Councillors Paula Ertl, Mike Garner, Doreen
Goodchild, Carolyn McCutchan and Helen Proctor.
In attendance:
Katrina Larkin (Clerk); Wealden District Councillor David White, and eight
members of the public.
09.39 APOLOGIES
FOR ABSENCE: Cllr Mark
Yeoman.
09.40 ELECTION
OF CHAIRMAN. It was
proposed by Cllr Ertl that Cllr Garner be elected to the Chair. Carried
unanimously. Cllr Garner signed the declaration of acceptance of the office of
Chairman, and assumed the chair.
09.41
RESIGNATION OF PARISH COUNCILLOR. Cllr John Turton had now formally resigned.
The Clerk had informed Electoral Services at Wealden District Council so that
the vacancy could be formally advertised.
09.42 DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST. None.
09.43 MINUTES OF
PREVIOUS MEETINGS. The Minutes of the meeting held on 12th
March 2009 were confirmed and signed. The Minutes of the Planning Meeting held
on 23rd April 2009 were confirmed and signed. The Minutes of the informal
s.106 consultation meeting held on 1st May were noted and received.
09.44 MATTERS
OUTSTANDING. St Bede’s
security lighting: the time clock had been readjusted and the problem
resolved. Astroturf lighting: the Clerk
had yet to report to WDC about the lights remaining on after 9.00pm on a
particular occasion.
Affordable housing:
APC’s willingness to host a Cluster meeting should be notified to WDC.
Fingerpost: Mr
Anderson had completed the repairs and 50% of the cost of £100 could be
reclaimed from ESCC Highways.
Village green:
Kings Signs would supply a sign with a symbol of an adult and child crossing
the road, and the words ‘Slow down’, the cost not to exceed £40. Fixing would
need to be done by a different contractor. Cllr Proctor and Cllr Goodchild
would meet the contractor on site to consider the best location for the sign.
The Clerk should request St Bede’s to replace the lost cover to the bin on the
top corner of the green.
Payback
work/village maintenance. Nothing had yet happened under either scheme this
year. The Clerk would make enquiries.
09.45 PUBLIC
ADJOURNMENT. District Cllr
White reported that the Secretary of State had adopted the South East Plan,
thereby confirming the government’s intention to see 11,000 new houses built in
the region. However, this figure was no longer a minimum. Emphasis had been
placed on the Eastbourne/Hailsham Triangle which was seen as underperforming
economically. A step change was required, i.e. economic growth to justify the
housing growth already planned. WDC saw no such demand and had pointed out that
there was no infrastructure to support it. Central government also wanted
‘regeneration’ along the A22, which would probably also translate into a demand
for housing. The Plan recognised the limitations on development along the A27
and A259, but this could place Berwick under threat because it had a railway
station.
The LDF process was
back on track and the Core Strategy would be ready by mid June. This would
herald a consultation process covering six possible options for development –
different philosophies for coping with the extra housing requirement and
employment opportunities already outlined. It would be crucial for parishes to
respond as fully as possible, as the process would fix the main development
framework for the next twenty years. Once complete, there would be very little
chance of changing its provisions. The Strategy would be judged by central
government on its ‘soundness’ i.e. its evidence base, its deliverability; its
conformity with government legislation (the SE Plan); and on its underlying
consultation process.
The finances of WDC
had been adversely affected by the banking crisis. The District Council had
been used to receiving interest as a substantial addition to its finances, and with
the collapse in interest rates it would lose £500,000 - £600,000 in the current
year, and might do so for the next two or three years. Consequently a
Transformation Programme had begun, to make the necessary savings through
reductions in staffing and possibly services. The single site headquarters for
the Council remained an ambition, but could not be achieved in present
circumstances. It would have been partially financed by the sale of the
Crowborough site which had now lost value. A modest extension of the Hailsham offices was all that could be
contemplated.
The Dicker
Residents reported on a meeting with St Bede’s. The school had resolved to
proceed with the Stud House scheme, and was not satisfied with the results of
the survey compiled at the Open Day presentation of the plans, because the
timing of the session on a Saturday morning had made it impossible for some
school employees to attend. [The Parish
Council had acknowledged that this was a mistake, and had apologised for it at
the s.106 meeting held on 1st May]. The school therefore intended to circulate another
survey to every household, containing drawings of the elevations about which
concerns had been expressed, and asking open questions. Regarding car parking, St
Bede’s acknowledged that if the Stud House scheme went ahead there would be
temporary problems, but had given assurances that an all-embracing longer term
plan was in preparation.
SID had been back
in the village and a report was in course of preparation by the Safety and Environment
Group. It was thought that the team was now short of trained operatives. A new
traffic problem was reported in Wick Street, where vehicles escaping from the
30 mph limit in Upper Dicker now routinely came through at greater speed,
taking the dangerous bend in the centre of the road and bumping along the cats’
eyes, disturbing residents. This should be a future location for SID. It was agreed
that the Clerk should write to ESCC Highways about the possible extension of
the 40 mph limit.
Recycling: District
Cllr White confirmed that doorstep recycling should be rolled out across the
District by 2010 unless this timetable were affected by the Transformation
Programme.
09.46 PLANNING
(a) Applications
in hand:
WD/2009/0926/FT
– Great Barn, Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, nr. Hailsham BN27 3QS. Renewal of temporary planning permission for
a limited number of private and/or corporate cultural dinners for a further two
years. It was noted that the conditions attached to the previous permission
(noise control, maximum numbers, permitted hours etc) would also be attached to
any renewed permission. Approved.
WD/2008/1619/F –
Hedley House, High Barn Road, Upper Dicker, Hailsham, BN27 3QJ. New oak framed double bay garage and log
store. Demolition of existing shed. Previously approved 21.07.08. Revised
garage elevations. Approved.
(b) Applications
approved by WDC:
WD/2009/0461/FR
– 2 The Nurseries, Coldharbour Road, Upper Dicker BN27 3PY. Retention rear extension (retrospective).
WD/2009/0263/FR
– Ruffetts Wood, Knockhatch Farm, Hempstead Lane, Hailsham BN27 3PR. Retrospective application for construction
of two timber dry composting toilet blocks on land owned by Knockhatch Leisure
Ltd for use in connection with the Out of the Ordinary Festival. (Permission expires
not later than 15.03.11).
WD/2009/0574/F –
Bramber, Hempstead Lane, Hailsham BN27 3PR. Adaptation to existing bungalow and proposed construction of
carers accommodation for disabled person, and orangery. (The carer’s
accommodation not to be occupied as a separate dwelling).
Eleven applications
to re-conductor existing low voltage overhead lines had also been approved by
WDC, as follows: WD/2009/0146, 0147; 0148; 0150; 0151; 0154; 0155; 0156; 0157;
0159; 0160. Locations: Polhills Farm, Arlington; Ruffets Wood, Arlington;
Sessingham Farm, Berwick; Wickstreet Farm, Arlington; Wilbees, Arlington; Yew
Tree Inn, Arlington; Bates Green Farm, Arlington; Caneheath, Arlington; Chilver
Bridge, Berwick; Old Oak Inn, Arlington; Plackets Corner, Arlington.
(c) Stud House: a letter had been received from St Bede’s
containing questions which arose from the meeting held on 1st May.
In discussion the point was made that whilst the school had fulfilled its
obligation under the s.106 Agreement to notify the Parish Council of the
details of the proposed scheme, and indeed had sent representatives to an
informal discussion meeting with members of the Parish Council – a helpful gesture
which was much appreciated – the Council was aware that it was not necessarily
able to influence the content of the scheme. It was agreed that the Council
could not properly come to a collective view on any hypothetical amendment of
the scheme. The opinions so far expressed by parish councillors were personal
opinions voiced at an informal meeting and did not constitute the collective
view of the Council. APC would now await the receipt of concrete proposals in
the form of a planning application referred down by WDC before forming a
collective judgment.
(d) Enforcement.
Weald Way: following
representations made to ESCC Rights of Way concerning use of sports pitches
affecting public access to the Weald Way, St Bede’s school had confirmed that
walkers would be given appropriate access. This was much appreciated. APC had
also queried whether permission had been given for the change of use of this
agricultural land to recreational use, and WDC in reply had requested further
information as to the timing of the change. A reply was still awaited from ESCC
Rights of Way as to the related problem of the footpath being moved and a new
high stile being installed where the Weald Way crosses the golf course.
Alleged unauthorised cricket nets
and Astroturf in the field at St. Bede’s School, Michelham Priory Road: WDC had
advised that this development was historic and therefore immune from
enforcement action.
Mobile home at High Barn, Upper
Dicker: WDC had confirmed that this was temporary and permissible.
Plough Inn: WDC had confirmed that
works taking place had received planning permission in 2006.
09.47 ALLOCATION
OF DUTIES. It was resolved
unanimously that Cllr Ertl should be re-appointed as Vice Chairman of the
Council. Cllr Garner would become the
Finance Representative. Further redistribution of duties would be undertaken
when there was a full complement of councillors.
09.48 PATTERN OF
MEETINGS. It was resolved
that Parish Council meetings should be moved to the third Thursday in the
month from September 2009 onwards.
09.49 FINANCE. The following payments were approved. April 2009:-
|
23.04.09 |
101130 |
SALC |
Annual
subscription |
£161.53 |
|
23.04.09 |
101131 |
Information
Commissioner’s Office |
Renewal of
register entry |
£35.00 |
|
23.04.09 |
101132 |
Dicker Village
Hall |
Hire charges
2008-09 |
£ 105.00 |
|
23.04.09 |
101133 |
Polegate Town
Council |
Photocopying |
£29.96 |
|
23.04.09 |
101134 |
Wealden District
Council |
Dog bin emptying |
£62.04 |
|
23.04.09 |
101135 |
WDALC |
Subscription
2009-10 |
£17.00 |
|
23.04.09 |
101136 |
Mrs K Larkin |
Salary – April
2009 |
£247.83 |
|
23.04.09 |
101137 |
Mrs K Larkin |
Expenses – April
2009 |
£ 112.06 |
May 2009:-
|
14.05.09 |
101138 |
WDC |
Hire of bins |
£35.88 |
|
14.05.09 |
101139 |
Damara Fencing |
Fencing repairs |
£77.00 |
|
14.05.09 |
101140 |
RP Taylor Ltd |
Lawn mowing |
£60.00 |
|
14.05.09 |
101141 |
Phil Signs |
Finger post
repairs |
£100.00 |
|
14.05.09 |
101142 |
Mr P Green |
Refund rent on
plot 3a |
£3.75 |
|
14.05.09 |
101143 |
Allianz |
Insurance renewal |
£432.97 |
|
14.05.09 |
101144 |
Cllr J Turton |
Heating UDVH |
£6.00 |
|
14.05.09 |
101145 |
South East Water |
Allotment supply |
£26.42 |
|
14.05.09 |
101146 |
GJ Parish |
Internal Audit
fee |
£80.00 |
|
14.05.09 |
101147 |
Mrs K Larkin |
Salary – May 2009 |
£247.83 |
|
14.05.09 |
101148 |
Mrs K Larkin |
Expenses – May
2009 |
£83.49 |
|
14.05.09 |
101149 |
SLCC-CiLCA Management |
CiLCA Registration fee |
£150.00 |
The Council took
note of the bank reconciliation for the period 1 April 2009 – 30 April
2009.
09.50 LARAC. The Council took note of the Minutes of
the LARAC meeting held on 22nd April 2009. There had not been many
entries for the play competition, so the deadline had been extended. Park Mead
School would be requested to encourage participation. There would be prizes. It
was agreed in principle that some extra space could be made available
for the play area, and that Cllr Proctor and Cllr Goodchild should hold a site
meeting to make detailed recommendations. It was also agreed that a
phased replacement of the equipment would be undertaken, chiefly for financial
reasons. The consultation phase was a prior condition of making a grant
application in February 2010. Finally it was agreed in principle that
funding could be made available to clear some scrub from Dicker Copse as part
of the extended play area. Cllr Proctor and Cllr Goodchild would hold a site
meeting to obtain an estimate.
09.51 REMOVAL OF
DERELICT SHED. Following a
survey it had been established that asbestos was present in the roofing sheet
and roofing tiles of the derelict shed, and that debris had become scattered in
a localised area. Someone had stacked the detached roofing tiles by the
adjacent pavilion. One quotation for removal had so far been obtained. The
Clerk was requested to find another.
09.52 VILLAGE
GREEN. It was agreed
that the Village Shop should have
permission to put a marquee on the green, plus tables and chairs, for the
proposed Dicker Day on 28th June.
09.52 REPORTS. Town and Parish Planning Conference: this
had included training on permitted development rights. Any information sheets
should be circulated by the Clerk.
ESCC Community Transport
Development: a draft CT strategy was in production and ESCC was looking to
identify suitable pilot projects. The Cuckmere Community Bus could be
suggested.
Flood Forum: there was concern that the A259 would continue to be a
‘pinch point’.
WDALC: efforts were in progress to
raise the number of Quality Councils. Looking to the future, there might
eventually be fewer and larger councils.
09.53 ITEMS OF
INFORMATION. WDC Standards
Committee training visit. Cllr Carter would visit APC to give a presentation on
Standards at the June meeting.
Public Sector Equality Duties: the
new Equality Bill might become law by the end of 2011. Guidance and resources
could be found at www.equalityhumanrights.com/publicsectorduties.
ESCC Rights of Way Network Survey:
now complete, and ESCC would begin reporting to parishes. APC would wish to
receive as much information as possible in whatever format was available.
09.54 ALLOTMENT
SAFETY. A letter had been
received from the holder of allotment plot 5 (in the middle of the site)
reporting that a cricket ball had recently smashed through the glass of his
greenhouse, and that in the short period since he had taken occupation of the
plot six other balls had arrived, though not causing actual damage. He asked whether
high fencing could be provided along the boundary hedge for protection. In
discussion it was agreed that in the interest of public safety both St
Bede’s school and the Cricket Club could be asked to consider putting nets up
when matches were in progress. The Clerk would write.
09.55 DATE OF
NEXT MEETING. Thursday 11th
June at 7.30 pm in Arlington Village Hall.
The meeting closed
at 10.05 pm.
Katrina Larkin,
Clerk, 20th May 2009
Signed……………………………………………………..Chairman