THE MINUTES OF FRANT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT BELLS YEW GREEN VILLAGE HALL ON WEDNESDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2005 AT 19:30
Present: Councillors Jeal (Chairman), Burgess, Crookshank,
Freestone, Hall, Mrs Harris, Miles, Mrs Myers and Rowland.
In attendance: Two members of the public.
1. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Hewes and Mrs Howell; reasons noted and accepted.
2. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AS A TRUE RECORD
The minutes of the last meeting were approved as a true record and signed.
3. TO DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING
AND NOTING
Letters sent to Eridge residents affected by the proposed boundary change with
Rotherfield ward.
4. OPEN FORUM
Owner of Leafwood Oast concerned that WDC and ESCC had been in contact about
works carried out to the drive at his property.
Request for update on the possible development of Rawsons site. Public meeting
being held by the Bells Yew Green Society 25.02.05 to examine latest plans before
submission to WDC.
5. POLICE REPORT
No Police report received.
Known incidents in the parish include damage to a tractor, break-ins to outbuildings
and a report of suspicious people on the Bells Yew Green Road.
6. TO RECEIVE THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
None.
7. TO RECEIVE THE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Council tax increase expected to be set at 4.5%. Car park charging will not
be introduced this financial year.
Frant Court residents are to take over the maintenance of the grounds; detailed
plans of the restoration have been drawn up.
Charles Hendry, MP has highlighted plans to reduce the rail service from 2009
with the introduction of the channel tunnel link. Concern that Frant Station
would lose peak trains to Cannon Street and London Bridge.
8. HIGHWAYS
TO CONSIDER ROAD SAFETY AT RIVERHALL HILL
There have been a number of road accidents at Riverhall Hill. Request to be
made to ESCC for a site visit to consider possible safety improvements.
9. PLANNING
TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST
MEETING.
Resolved to respond to the planning applications received since the last meeting
as follows:
WD/05/0085/F Nettlestead House, Eridge Road – two storey
extension.
This Council does not object to this planning application. The proposed two
storey extension appears to be in proportion to the existing dwelling both in
terms of scale and massing.
WD/05/0011/F 0012/LB Nevill Crest & Gun, Eridge Green –
provision of eternal ramp for disabled access.
This Council supports this application for the following reasons:
• the alterations are necessary and are required to comply with The Disabled
Discrimination Act 1995 and
• they appear to reflect the appropriate design requirements that fit
in with both internal and external architecture.
WD/05/0057/F East Lodge, The Green – addition to existing
outbuilding.
This Council supports this planning application for an addition(s) to an existing
outbuilding in the Frant Conservation Area for the following reasons:
• it is upgrading the outbuilding to a better usable and secure standard
• the materials will match the existing style and character of the property
• the building footprint will not materially increase and the space between
adjacent buildings will be preserved.
However, to reduce the possibility of light pollution in this sensitive rural
location on the edge of the village within the Conservation Area and in the
High Weald AONB, the need to comply with EN29 of the Wealden Local Plan should
be considered when determining this planning application.
WD/05/0028/F Stubbygrove Works, Bells Yew Green – temporary
radio base station and 15m mast. Site has already been build but not in exact
position granted under temporary consent WD/03/2732/F which expired 30.09.04.
This Council recommends refusal of this planning application for a temporary
radio base station for the following reasons:
• The proposal is considered to be an unjustified development within this
rural setting which lies within the High Weald AONB, contrary to sections EN6,
EN27 and EN31 of the Wealden Local Plan 1998.
• The plans appear to differ with what actually exists on the site.
• There is no definition of ‘temporary’ as a timescale.
WD/05/0203/F & 0204/LB Mastingate, The Green, Frant –
extension to existing kitchen and ground floor bedroom.
This Council supports this planning application for an extension to a Grade
11 Listed Building. It is, however, concerned about the potential light spillage
from the proposed roof-light in this sensitive area adjacent to Frant Green;
the upward light from the kitchen could be considered intrusive. It is felt
that a suitable solution to his problem can be achieved without jeopardising
the project.
The dwelling is in the designated Frant Conservation Area. Therefore WDC Designation
Report on the Frant Conservation Area dated June 2003 and Sections EN19 and
EN29 of the Wealden Local Plan apply.
The following planning applications have been approved by WDC:
WD/04/31100/AN & 2972/LB width restriction notices to pillars
at Ely Grange.
WD/04/1805/AI & 1906LB changes to external lighting and
signage at The Nevill Crest & Gun, Eridge Green.
The following planning application was refused by WDC:
WD/04/3153/FA residential occupation by caretaker at Reflex
Printed Plastics.
10. FINANCE
TO CONSIDER GRANT REQUESTS
Request received from Frant Nursery School for a grant to replace their broken
sign at an estimated cost of £154.75. Resolved to pay £155 to Frant
Nursery School for a replacement sign under LGA 1972 s.137.
Request received from Anchor Staying Put for a grant towards their handyperson scheme aimed at providing assistance to vulnerable groups at a reasonable cost. This service could be of great use to some local residents. Resolved to pay £50 to Anchor Staying Put under LGA 1972 s. 137 and to promote awareness of the service in Parish Plus.
WDC organising electric blanket testing in October. Request for contribution towards the service and information on possible venues. Resolved to pay £50 towards cost of providing electric blanket testing under LGA 1972 s 137 and to request Frant Memorial Hall as a local venue.
TO APPROVE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
It was resolved to pay the following accounts:
| £ |
||
| Auto | Nat West – voucher charge | 3.25 |
| DD | Seeboard – maintenance charge | 113.01 |
| 714 | Wadhurst Parish Council – photocopier supplies, use of computer equipment to 31.12.05 | 75.00 |
| 715 | SALC – stationery | 7.05 |
| 716 | EDF Energy Contracting Ltd – new lantern col 18/repair col 12 199.11 | |
| 717 | David Peacock – APM posters | 93.41 |
| 718 | Bells Yew Green Village Hall – hire 16.02.05 | 15.00 |
| 719 | Frant Memorial Hall – hire 2.03.05 for APM | 14.00 |
| 720 | salary & expenses incl. postage for Boundary & Henry Smith letters | 427.74 |
| 721 | Post Office Ltd – tax/NIC | 121.01 |
| 722 | Frant Nursery School – grant | 155.00 |
| 723 | Anchor Staying Put – grant | 50.00 |
| 724 | Wealden District Council – grant | 50.00 |
| Bank reconciliation at 3.02.05 | |
| Balance B/F | 15930.98 |
| Receipts | 26098.91 |
| Payments | (28816.86) |
| 13213.03 |
|
| Current account | 400.00 |
| Business Reserve | 13063.03 |
13463.03 |
|
| Less unpresented items | |
| 508 | 250.00 |
13213.04 |
|
11. ACTION POINTS
TO EXAMINE RECORDS FOR INSPECTION OF PLAY EQUIPMENT AND ALLOTMENTS/FOOTBALL
AREA.
Inspection record examined for allotment/football area; no incidents to report.
Play equipment inspection record to be examined next meeting.
TO REVIEW CLEANING REQUIREMENTS
Advertisement for parish cleaner to be placed in Parish Plus.
Comments that the corner at Sleeches Cross is untidy and the path across Frant Green is slippery; quote being obtained for resurfacing of path.
12. CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING
The following items of correspondence were discussed:
- satellite dish has been removed from Virginia Cottage, High Street.
- Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill introduced 7.12.04 giving new powers
to Parish Councils to issue fixed penalty notices for litter, dog control, graffiti
and fly posting.
- ESCC consultation meeting 1.03.05 on the South East Plan.
Remaining correspondence was dealt with during the course of the meeting and
detailed on a separate list circulated to councillors.
13. TO CONSIDER FORMAT FOR PARISH MEETING AND RAFTIFY EXPENDITURE FOR
ADVERTISING
Format and agenda items discussed for Parish Meeting 2.03.05. Police to be invited
to attend.
Expenditure ratified for advertising posters of £79.50 + VAT.
14. AFFORDABLE HOMES
UPDATE ON PROPOSAL FOR DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO MASSONS YARD
Planning application expected to be submitted shortly.
15. PERSONNEL – TO CONSIDER NATIONAL AGREEMENT AND TERMS AND
CONDITIONS FOR CLERKS
Details of revised terms and conditions circulated prior to the meeting.
SALC is holding a briefing meeting 25.02.05 – pend to next meeting.
16. URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION
ON FUTURE AGENDA
None.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm.