THE MINUTES OF FRANT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT FRANT MEMORIAL HALL ON WEDNESDAY 19 DECEMBER 2007 AT 19:30

Present: Councillors Crookshank (Chairman), Harris, Jeal, Rowland and Mrs Scarborough.
Also in attendance: County Cllr. Tidy, District Cllr. Padfield, PC Etherington, four members of the public and one member of the press.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Burgess, Gray, Hall, Hewes, Mrs Howell and Mrs Myers; reasons noted and accepted.

2.             DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllr. Mrs Scarborough declared a prejudicial interest in item 14 as an allotment holder and left the meeting during discussion of this item.
Cllr. Mrs Scarborough declared a prejudicial interest in item 13 as proprietor of Frant Stores and the connection with Henry Smiths’ Charity and left the room during discussion of this item.
Cllr. Jeal declared a personal interest in item 9 as a Governor of Frant School.
Cllr. Jeal declared a personal interest in item 10 application WD/2007/3532/F South Lodge as an acquaintance of the owner.
Cllrs. Crookshank and Harris declared prejudicial interests in item 11 as trustees of Bells Yew Green Village Hall.
Clerk has written formally under LGA 1972 s117 to advise of a prejudicial interest in the proposed lease for Bells Yew Green Village Hall due to her position as a Trustee of the hall.

3.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 21.11.07 AS A TRUE RECORD
The minutes of the meeting held 21.11.07 were approved as a true record and signed.

4.             TO DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING
AND NOTING
None.

5.             OPEN FORUM    
Owner of the Old Post House thanked the Parish Council for referring traffic issues at the Bells Yew Green crossroads to ESCC.
Representatives from the Eridge Estate were present to answer questions on the current licence application.

6.             POLICE REPORT
Road traffic accidents involving deer continue to be an issue at this time of year.
Police are undertaking speed checks in the area; PCSOs to be trained in January to assist with this task.
Two generators have been stolen from the former Rawsons site and a pair of metal gates from a domestic property on the Bells Yew Green Road.
Residents reminded to secure outbuildings.
The sum of £500 has been awarded to Bells Yew Green Cricket Club for improvements to the nets.

7.             TO RECEIVE THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
The Local Government Grant has been announced at a 3.2% increase for 2008/09; this is the first time in five years that East Sussex has not been classified as a floor authority.
A grant of £5m has been awarded over three years to provide a support programme for elderly people. Instead of ESCC looking after the elderly, they will be eligible for a grant to arrange their own care.
A recent assessment of children’s services has rated it as ‘excellent’; the fifth best nationally and the top in the South East.
Financial management at ESCC has also been assessed as excellent.
There are high numbers of accidents involving deer in the Ashdown Forest and a support programme has been established.
Following a government requirement for speed limits to be reviewed, the Wadhurst division is to be the first area in East Sussex to be assessed.

8.             TO RECEIVE THE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
A planning application for a gypsy/traveller site at Danegate has been approved.
Six post offices have been identified for closure in the Wealden.
Parish Councils need to work towards producing a parish plan. Rotherfield had a parish plan working group consisting of two Cllrs and community members.
Work on the budget continues at WDC. The increase in council tax 2008/09 is expected to be approximately 2.4% and rents 5%.
The Environment Scrutiny Committee is to meet to review the Cuckmere Estuary and concerns over flooding.

9.             HIGHWAYS AND LIGHTING ISSUES
To consider letter from Frant School re traffic issues
Request received from Frant School asking for consideration of the following measures to reduce congestion and improve road safety:

• One way traffic through the High Street either permanently or at peak times.
• Parking restrictions outside school.
• Cycle paths.

Cllrs. are aware that parking generally is an issue and would be reluctant to lose parking in the High Street. The one way system could increase the speed of traffic as drivers know that nothing is coming in the opposite direction.

A letter has been written to ESCC and their reply is awaited.
 
10           PLANNING
Licence application WK/2007/11792 Eridge Park
Application submitted for an event to be held 5-7 September 2008 for 800 people at Eridge Park. Police and other emergency services have attended the site and given advice on access and other issues.

To make recommendations about Planning Applications received
WD/2007/3503/F Court Lodge, Bells Yew Green – replacement garage with adjoining games room.
Frant Parish Council recommends approval.
WD/2007/3490/F Wayside, Ely Grange – first floor extension above existing utility room, lot conversion to create bedroom and bathroom with 1 dormer and 2 rooflights, machine room extension to existing detached garage.
The application still includes an extension over the utility room; this was one of the reasons for the refusal of application WD/2007/2661 as it unbalanced the symmetry with the adjoining property. Therefore, Frant Parish Council objects to this application.
The removal of dormer windows from the previous application and alterations to the garage extension are welcomed.
WD/2007/3532/F South Lodge, Ely Grange – Demolish utility room, wc stores. Construct two storey extension to create lounge, utility room with master bedroom and on-suite above detached 3 bay garage.
Frant Parish Council objects to the proposed garage which is considered too large for this site and out of keeping with the size of the property. The garage also lends itself to conversion to ancillary accommodation in the future and if permission is granted for this current application then a condition should be attached tying the garage to the main dwelling.
No objection to the proposed alterations to the main house.
WD/207/3569/F 20, Broomfield, Bells Yew Green – amendments to internal layout (as approved under WD/2005/3255/F) to combine kitchens.
Frant Parish Council objects to this application as the proposed alterations would erode the intention of the live/work use and make the unit more in keeping with a traditional domestic dwelling.
Planning permission for the site was granted on the condition that some business use was retained.
WD/2007/3432/FR Former Rawsons Site, Bells Yew Green – retention of solar heating panels to roofs of plots 1-21 and 30.34.
Frant Parish Council recommends approval of this application.

To note planning approval from WDC:
WD/2007/2933/F greenhouse, wall and gardener’s wc at Frant Place, Wadhurst Road.

To note planning refusal from WDC:
WD/2007/2661/F extension over utility room, loft conversion and extension to garage at Wayside, Ely Grange.

11.          TO REVIEW PROGRESS OF LEASE FOR BELLS YEW GREEN VILLAGE HALL
As Cllrs. Crookshank and Harris would have left the room due to prejudicial interests, the meeting would not have been quorate. Item deferred until next meeting.

12.          FINANCE
To approve budget 2008/09 and agree precept
Resolved to approve budget of £30080 for 2008/09 (appendix A) and a precept of £30,000.

To approve accounts payable

13.          HENRY SMITH’S CHARITY
To consider distribution of funds received
Payment of £1360 received from the Trustees of Henry Smith’s Charity. Resolved to distribute funds from a list to be agreed by ward Cllrs.

14.          TO CONSIDER PAYING FOR ALLOTMENT INSURANCE
Resolved to pay £79.50 for public liability insurance to cover the allotments; payment to be made under Small Holdings & Allotments Act 1908 s26. Allotment association to be advised that it must make provision for insurance payment in future.

15.          CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING
Correspondence was dealt with during the course of the meeting and detailed on a separate list circulated to councillors.

16.          TO CONSIDER LETTER FROM INSUARNCE COMPANY ON PLAY EQUIPMENT INJURY
Resolved to confirm agreement to proposed action by Allianz in their letter dated 28.11.07.

17.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
Chairman wished to record thanks to PC Etherington for his work in the parish.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:50