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 Arlington Village Hall at 7.30 pm on Thursday 17th September
2009 (Paragraphs 09.94 – 09.107))
PRESENT: Councillors Mike Garner
(Chairman), Ed Dickie, Paula Ertl, Doreen Goodchild, Carolyn McCutchan and
Helen Proctor.
In attendance: Katrina Larkin (Clerk); County
Councillor Nick Bennett (items 9.94 – 09.100); District Councillor John Blake
(items 09.94 – 09.101); and seven members of the public.
09.84 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None.
09.95 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Cllr
Dickie – part of item 09.100.
09.96 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING. The
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 9th July; the Minutes
of the Planning and Co-option meeting held on 29th July 2009; and
the Minutes of the Planning meeting held on 20th August were all
confirmed and signed.
09.97 PUBLIC ADJOURNMENT. The
Chairman warmly welcomed Dr Richard Maloney, the new Headmaster of St Bede’s
School; County Councillor Nick Bennett and District Councillor John Blake.
Cllr Bennett confirmed
that speed data measurement in Wickstreet would start soon, as a consequence of
the discussions held on site between residents and representatives of the
parish council and the county council in July.
The LDF consultation had now reached county level, chiefly because of
its implications for Transport and Environment, and discussions were in
progress between the District and the County.
Cllr
Blake reported on rising concerns about the number of pubs closing down, and
the fact that no planning permission was needed to demolish a pub unless it
happened to be listed building. Landlords could be entitled to claim a 50%
rebate on their business rates (the National Non-Domestic rate or NNDR)
collected by the District Council on behalf of the government, provided that
their establishment was the last remaining in the parish. The same applied to
village shops. The onus was on landlords to claim the rebate.
Mr
Wollaston reported that the Dicker Residents’ Association was about to appoint
a new chairman.
Mr
O’Driscoll reported on delays in the improvement of the boundary hedge and provision
of a close boarded fence along the boundary between his property and that of St
Bede’s, as specified in the conditions attached to the planning permissions for
the sports hall and vehicle workshop. Representatives of the school who were
also present explained the cause of the difficulty and gave assurances that the
improvements, though . delayed, would certainly be undertaken.
In
answer to questions it was confirmed that there was a waiting list for
allotments and that the recent removal of two beehives from plot 14 had been
undertaken as a matter of necessity and had been correctly managed.
09.98 ALLOCATION OF COUNCILLORS’ DUTIES. The Chairman with great
regret reported the resignation of Cllr Dr. Mark Yeoman due to a considerable
increase in his commitments. The vacancy would be advertised. Duties were
reallocated among the remaining councillors as follows:
The post of UDVH representative would be held open
pending the filling of the casual vacancy on the council. It was hoped that Mr
Henry McCutchan might be willing to continue as Tree Warden. Cllr McCutchan
would consult him.
09.99 CALENDAR OF MEETINGS FOR 2010. It
was resolved that the proposed calendar of meetings for 2010 be APPROVED. A
copy is attached to these Minutes.
09.100 PLANNING
(a) Proposal under s.106: St Bede’s School, The
Dicker, Hailsham. Proposed planning application for extensions
and alterations at Crossways Cottage, Camberlot Road. No objections were known
and the council expressed SUPPORT for the proposed application.
(b) New and amended applications
WD/2009/1332/MAJ. St
Bede’s School, Upper Dicker, nr. Hailsham, BN27 3QH. New
Stud Boarding Houses and car parking. Amended application – change to a
hipped roof; alterations to car park layout; provision for bat roosts. In
discussion a majority of councillors agreed that the proposed amendments were
all improvements to the original application and should be SUPPORTED; Cllr
Goodchild wished to record her objection to the amendments consequent upon her
objection to the scheme as a whole. Some concerns remained over safety issues
in Michelham Priory Road, and Cllr Goodchild proposed that ESCC Development
Control (Safety) be requested to carry out a safety survey there. This was
agreed. Cllr Goodchild also voiced concerns that a pathway running past The
White House might in future be re-opened for use by the school as a consequence
of the proposed works, but representatives of the school who were present
pointed out that the school had formally relinquished the pathway in question
and was not proposing to reopen it, and indeed that it could not be used again
without planning permission. Any permissions required were being sought through
the proper procedures, and this would continue into the future.
WD/2009/1848/F. Brenchley,
Hempstead Lane West, Hailsham BN27 3PR. Stationing of a mobile home for a
temporary period of three years whilst developing equine business. This was a reasonable application to
support a small but growing business, and should be SUPPORTED.
WD/2009/1839/LB (Listed
Building) and WD/2009/1864/F (Full), Granary, Wick Street Farm, Arlington BN26
6TN. Conversion of an existing granary within the
curtilage of a listed building into studio accommodation for use by owner’s
family; works to include renewal of roof structure, construction of mezzanine
sleeping platform, insertion of new windows and general fabric upgrading
internally. There appeared to be no objections to this application and it was
agreed that it should be SUPPORTED.
(c) Applications approved by WDC:
WD/2009/1470/F. 1 Elm
Cottages, Upper Dicker, Hailsham, BN27 3QD. Single storey extension
to south west elevation. The council took note.
WD/2009/1497/F. Hedley
House, High Barn Road, Upper Dicker BN27 3QJ. Proposed
two bay garage/cart lodge and secure garden tool store. The council took note.
(d) Application withdrawn:
WD/2009/1278/F. Field
House, Coldharbour Road, Upper Dicker, Hailsham BN27 3PY. General
refurbishment to the main house and single storey side extension to south west.
The council took note.
(e) Tree Preservation Order 2009/0022 (Arlington).
Land at St Bede’s Senior School, The Dicker, Arlington, East Sussex BN27
3QH. The council took
note that WDC had put a tree preservation order on eleven mature oaks in a
continuous line running between the school tennis courts and the gym building
and swimming pool. WDC had however refused APC’s request for Tree Preservation
Orders to be placed on twelve mature oaks to the south/east of Upper Dicker
Village Stores, with the proviso that they would re-consider the situation if
these or any other trees came under threat in the future.
(f) Adoption of red telephone kiosk. Tel no. 01323 870401,
O/S The Yew Tree Inn, Arlington, Polegate, BN26 6RX. BT had invited the council to
adopt this box for a nominal charge of £1 as part of its decommissioning
programme. The kiosk was not listed. The Clerk reported that the insurers were
likely to value the box at £6,000 which would increase the annual insurance
premium by about £75 per year. In discussion it was agreed that APC should adopt the box to keep it as part of
the village scene. It could perhaps be used for tourist information or for
notices. Sponsorship should be invited for its maintenance and periodic
redecoration, perhaps in return for free advertising space.
09.101 REPORT OF EXTERNAL AUDITOR
The council took note of the External Auditor’s
approval of the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2009. As requested by
the auditor, the council reviewed the risk assessments for the allotments,
Dicker Copse and village green. It was agreed
that no changes were needed to the assessments for the allotments and the
green, but that as the Dicker Copse was to be included in the play area a new
hazard of falling caused by children climbing trees should be added to the list
(control measure: regular inspection and maintenance). It was also agreed
that there should be a risk assessment for the recreation ground, covering such
hazards as falls due to rabbits digging holes and rough ground near the
entrance area; diseases due to fouling by dogs and rabbits; cuts to skin due to
contact with brambles; stings and bites due to contact with nettles and
insects; and being hit by cricket balls. All low risk and low frequency except
for cricket balls: high risk/low frequency. The Clerk would undertake the
revisions.
09.102 FINANCE
A bank reconciliation for the period ending 31
August 2009 was approved.
A Budget Statement for the period ending 31 March
2010 was also approved.
The following payments made in August 2009 were approved:
|
20.08.09 |
101159 |
Mrs K Larkin |
August salary |
£247.83 |
|
20.08.09 |
101160 |
Mrs K Larkin |
August expenses |
£80.56 |
The following orders were approved for
payment:
|
17.09.09 |
101161 |
SALC |
CiLCA course |
£75.00 |
|
17.09.09 |
101162 |
Mazars |
External audit |
£155.25 |
|
17.09.09 |
101163 |
RP Taylor Ltd |
Lawn mowing |
£80.00 |
|
17.09.09 |
101164 |
Mrs K Larkin |
Sept. expenses |
£76.97 |
A grant of £150 for Hailsham CAB which had been
included in the precept was approved for payment.
A quotation from Mr Warren for repairs to the
memorial bench at Arlington reservoir was received and referred to LARAC for
consideration when a second quotation had been obtained. It was however agreed
that in principle it would be better to renew all the timbers rather than
simply the missing two, as none were in good condition.
09.103 LARAC
The timing of the next RoSPA safety inspection
of the Upper Dicker play area was considered.
The last report had been prepared in June 2008 and extensive repairs had
been carried out over the following winter. It was agreed that the next
report should be sought in June 2010 when the Dicker Copse might have been
added to the existing play area and the plans for the new play area would be
further advanced.
Removal of asbestos from the recreation ground.
A second quotation had been received from P Allison and Sons in the sum of £600
plus VAT. It was agreed that this should be accepted. Because very
little of the shed would remain after the asbestos was removed, it was further agreed
that the Clerk should request the contractor to demolish and remove it all. It
was hoped that this could be done at no extra cost.
09.104 CLERK’S REPORT
District and Parish Conference, 04.11.09 – Cllr
Goodchild and Cllr McCutchan would attend.
SALC AGM and Conference 06.11.09 – Cllr Goodchild
would attend.
WDC Road Safety Review – Cllr Goodchild as Highways
Officer had completed the questionnaire and it was agreed that her
responses should be adopted as those of the council as a whole.
09.105 PARISH COUNCIL OUTREACH
Cllr Dickie proposed that the parish council should
hold bimonthly events in the local pubs so as to build up good community
relationships and the role of councillors as the first line of communication
between residents and local government. This was agreed
unanimously. Cllr Dickie would make the
starting arrangements.
09.106 ITEMS OF INFORMATION
The next Newsletter would
go out at the beginning of October. It would carry information about events or
facilities at St Bede’s which were open to the community.
A planning training event
organised by WDC for parish councils in the Arlington Cluster would be hosted
by APC in Arlington Village Hall on Tuesday 13th October starting at
6.30pm. All councillors would be most welcome to attend. Cllr McCutchan and
Cllr Goodchild kindly offered to organise refreshments.
09.107 CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS
The council had before them a quotation from Mr
Warren for works on the green: remedial work to Armitage memorial seat;
remedial work to Silver Jubilee seat; repairs to guard chains; erection of Slow
Down sign. The quotation was referred to LARAC for consideration when a
second quote had been obtained. The Armitage seat should be repaired because it had been specially made. However,
the Silver Jubilee seat should be let go because it would be uneconomic to
repair. The other repairs quoted for
should all be carried out. Cllr Dickie would consult the shop owner about the
placing of the Slow Down sign. He would also consult St Bede’s about the
possibility of tarmacing the surface of the road outside the shop.
The meeting closed at 10.00 pm
Katrina Larkin, Parish Clerk, 22nd
September 2009 Signed…………………………………………Chairman
ARLINGTON PARISH
COUNCIL
|
Date of Meeting |
Venue |
Type of Meeting |
|
Thursday 17 September 09 Thursday 15 October 09 Thursday 19 November 09 ?Thursday 17 December ? Thursday 21 January 2010 Thursday 18 February 2010 Thursday 18 March 2010 Thursday 15 April 2010 Thursday 20 May 2010 Thursday 17 June 2010 Thursday 15 July 2010 ?Thurs 19 August 2010? Thurs 16 September 2010 Thurs 21 October 2010 Thurs 18 November 2010 ?Thurs 16 December 2010? |
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Meetings are subject
to change – telephone the Clerk, Katrina Larkin, 01323 811870
Or email: arlingtonclerk@btinternet.com