THE MINUTES OF FRANT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT FRANT MEMORIAL HALL ON WEDNESDAY 16 JANUARY 2008 AT 19:30

Present: Councillors Crookshank (Chairman), Burgess, Harris, Hewes, Mrs Howell, Mrs Myers, Rowland and Mrs Scarborough.
Also in attendance: County Cllr. Tidy and one member of the press.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Gray, Hall and Jeal; reasons noted and accepted.

2.             DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllrs. Crookshank, Harris and Hewes declared prejudicial interests in item 11 as trustees of Bells Yew Green Village Hall and left the meeting during the discussion of this item.

3.             TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 19.12.07 AND PLANNING MEETING 7.01.08 AS A TRUE RECORD
The minutes of the meetings held 19.12.07 and 7.01.08 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    
None.

6.             POLICE REPORT
PC Etherington had forwarded the following report:

• PCSOs now trained in use of speed gun for traffic monitoring.
• North Wealden now has a designated Sergeant following restructuring of neighbourhood specialist teams. It is hoped that Sgt. David Price will visit all parish councils in his area in the next few months.

Deer related road traffic accidents
The following number of deer related accidents in the parish have been reported to the Police:
August                     5
October                   6
November              9
to 18.12.07             5

Cllr. Tidy forwarded information on the ESCC Deer Warden Scheme which aims to provide specialist personnel to deal with injured animals.
Cllrs. concerned that members of the public are encouraging deer by feeding them.

7.             TO RECEIVE THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
ESCC has issued a public consultation document entitled Pride of Place which details an integrated sustainable community strategy for the county.  Comments required by 12.02.08.

8.             TO RECEIVE THE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr. Mrs Howell gave the following report:

• WDC has issued information to Parish Councils on how to respond to planning applications.
• Central government will not improve road infrastructure as it is considered there is capacity for more vehicle movements.
• Concern about possible changes to the planning system which could undermine the public consultation process.
• Parish Councils to be asked to consider sites for affordable housing.
• Sub-Committee established to review leisure in the community.

Planning appeal for the traveller site at Barelands to be heard 24.01.08.

9.             HIGHWAYS AND LIGHTING ISSUES
To consider letter from Frant School re traffic issues
ESCC has considered the request from Frant School for various traffic measures. A one-way system will not be considered as there is no accident record for the site. Funding is not available for new cycle paths. The proposal for road markings to deter parking outside the school has been approved for safety reasons; the markings will be advisory only.

Enquiries were made in 1998 about a cycle path between Frant and Bells Yew Green and the cost was estimated at £110 per meter of cycle/footpath.

10           PLANNING
None.

11.          TO REVIEW DRAFT LEASE FOR BELLS YEW GREEN VILLAGE HALL
Draft lease reviewed. Resolved to approve the draft lease for Bells Yew Green Village Hall between the Parish Council and the Trustees of the hall, subject to the provision of a photographic record providing a schedule of the current condition of the hall.

12.          TO CONSIDER ACTION REQUIRED FOR PARISH PLAN
Discussion on how to progress a parish plan; the suggestion of an initial open meeting for members of the public to put forward ideas/comments was not considered workable. Agreed to establish a working party of Cllrs. Burgess and Mrs Myers for Frant, Cllr. Mrs Scarborough for Eridge and Cllr. Harris for Bells Yew Green.

13.          TO APPROVE PAYMENT FOR PARISH PLUS
Parish Plus is a free publication with a circulation of 800 and provides a vital link and news for the community. Resolved to approve the sum of £570 for the support of Parish Plus which includes the council’s bi-monthly newsletter; payment to be made under LGA 1972 s111.

14.          FINANCE
To approve recommendations for Members’ Allowances 2008/09
Resolved to approve the following recommendations from Wealden Parish Remuneration Panel for allowances for 2008/09

Payments authorised as follows:
Newspace Insurance Services agreed 19.12.07 item 14 under Small Holdings & Allotments Act 1908 s26.
Wealden District Council agreed 17.01.07 item 13 under Open Spaces Act 1906 s 10 (b).

15.          CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING
The following items of correspondence were reviewed:

• Parish Planning Conference 4.03.08.
• Request for Morris Dancers to perform on village green 7.06.08 for wedding celebration. Trustees of the Green have confirmed that they have no objection.

Remaining correspondence was dealt with during the course of the meeting and detailed on a separate list circulated to councillors.

16.          URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
Report of a further post knocked out of the green at Frant.
Abandoned car in the layby at The Abergavenny Arms and a white van parked on a permanent basis near the green.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:30