Present: Councillors Crookshank (Chairman), Burgess, Harris, Hewes, Mrs Howell,
Mrs Myers, Rowland and
Mrs Scarborough.
Also in attendance: Two members of the public 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.
Apology received from County Cllr. Tidy.
2. DECLARATIONS
OF INTERESTS
Cllrs. Crookshank, Harris and Hewes declared interests in item 14 as Trustees
of Bells Yew Green Village Hall.
Cllr. Hewes declared a prejudicial interest in item 16 and left the meeting
during discussion on Clerk’s salary review.
3. TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 20.02.08 AND PLANNING MEETING 5.03.08
AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the minutes of the meetings held 20.02.08 and 5.03.08 as
a true record.
4. TO
DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING AND NOTING
Lime tree outside The George – tree to be pollarded.
5. OPEN
FORUM
Comment from a resident that he considers his property to be in the wrong council
tax band. The Valuation Office has advised that tax bands were based on valuations
undertaken in 1991 and that there is no right of appeal. Cllrs. suggested that
he contacts Charles Hendry MP.
6. POLICE
REPORT
None.
7. TO
RECEIVE THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
None.
8. TO
RECEIVE THE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
WDC budget has been finalised at 4.2% increase.
The Appeal for mobile homes at Barelands has been dismissed; occupants have
six months to vacate the site.
The planning application for staff accommodation at Tyburn is to be approved.
The application for a take-away unit at the former Rawsons site is scheduled
for refusal.
Cllr. Mrs Howell advised cllrs. of the need to give careful consideration to
planning applications and to suggest conditions to control development where
appropriate.
9. TO
CONSIDER COMMENTS MADE AT THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Unconfirmed minutes of the Parish Meeting held 5.03.08 were reviewed. The meeting
was well attended and many parish matters were discussed.
There was a complaint about raised bricks in the High Street; ESCC to be notified.
10. HIGHWAYS
AND LIGHTING ISSUES
Installation of the Vehicle Activated Signs has been delayed to the end of
March.
Cllr. Myers reported that the Headteacher at Frant School was concerned that the proposed yellow markings on the highway will not work as they are non-enforceable. Cllrs. reiterated that they support the proposal for markings as a safety measure to aid pupils crossing the road; it was suggested that the Headteacher addresses his concerns to ESCC.
Report of a light out on A26 at Eridge.
11. TO CONSIDER
REQUEST FROM ESCC FOR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS TREE WARDEN SCHEME
Request from ESCC for a payment of £50 to support the existing tree warden
scheme. The association with the ESCC scheme was not considered to be as valuable
as the advice and help received from WDC and it was decided not to pay the £50.
12 PLANNING
To make recommendations about Planning Applications received.
It is resolved to approve the following recommendation:
WD/2008/0394/LB 42 High Street, Frant – resiting of
downstairs cloakroom.
No objection subject to the agreement of the Conservation Officer.
13. TO REVIEW
UPDATE ON PARISH PLAN AND AGREE EXPENDITURE
Letters to be sent inviting people to join the Parish Plan working party; list
to circulated to Cllrs. Mark McTaggart from Action in Rural Sussex will come
and talk to the working party about the process to be followed; he will also
give an indication of the costs involved in the consultation exercise and production
of the Plan.
14. BELLS YEW
GREEN VILLAGE HALL
Update on Lottery application
The Lottery application for the extension at Bells Yew Green Village Hall has
been rejected; this is the second Lottery application that has been turned
down for the site. The Management Committee has been put in contact with Karl
Parks, funding expert at the Eastbourne Association of Voluntary Services.
The Parish Council considers grant applications in February.
To consider payment of further fess associated with new Lease
Resolved to approve additional fees of £125 + VAT for Stamp Duty Land
Tax and £40 Land Registry fees associated with the new Lease.
A photographic record of the condition of hall was undertaken by Sarah Hodgson of the Management Committee and Cllr. Harris; this will be forwarded to Hedleys for incorporation in the Lease.
15. TO EXAMINE
WEEKLY INSPECTION RECORDS FOR PLAY EQUIPMENT AND ALLOTMENTS
Weekly inspection record of the allotments examined and in order.
Inspection record of play equipment to be examined at the next meeting.
Replacement of equipment to be placed on agenda for consideration at the next
meeting.
16. FINANCE
To approve re-appointment of Internal Auditor 2008/09
Resolved to reappoint John Roberts as Internal Auditor for 2008/09.
To review Clerk’s salary
Resolved to exclude the public and press under the Public Bodies (Admission
to Meetings) Act 1960 s2 in view of the confidential nature of the discussion.
Resolved to increase Clerk’s salary to SCP 29 + 1 point for CiLCA qualification
for 12 hrs pw wef 1.04.08.
| To approve accounts payable | ||
| It was resolved to pay the following accounts: | £ | <|
| Auto | Nat West – voucher charge | 3.25 |
| DD | EDF Energy – street light maintenance charge | 122.87 |
| 041 | Frant Stores – further payment Henry Smith | 592.00 |
| 044 | Frant Stores – final payment Henry Smith | 24.00 |
| 045 | Frant Memorial Hall – hire 5.03 | 15.00 |
| 046 | Frant Cricket Club – grant for grass cutting | 300.00 |
| 047 | Sussex Air Ambulance – grant | 100.00 |
| 048 | Wealden Citizens Advice – grant | 150.00 |
| 049 | Wadhurst Parish Council – use of computer to 31.03 | 29.37 |
| 050 | Frant Memorial Hal – hire 19.03 | 15.50 |
| 051 | CPRE – subscription | 28.00 |
| 052 | S Crookshank – goods for APM 5.03 | 22.74 |
| 053 | Sussex Association of Local Councils – training | 17.63 |
| 054 | P Hewes – tuition fees 07/08 for university course | 500.00 |
| 055 | Z McGregor-Gould – cleaning duties | 86.66 |
| 056 | P Hewes – salary + quarterly expenses | 589.61 |
| 057 | Post Office Ltd – tax/NICs | 190.42 |
| 058 | Frant Memorial Hall – re-issue of chq 035 (lost in post) | 9.00 |
| 059 | L Myers – goods for APM 5.03 | 15.69 |
| Bank reconciliation at 3.03.08 | |
| Balance B/F | 22899.42 |
| Receipts | 32946.17 |
| Payments | (27198.86) |
| 28646.73 | |
| Current account | 400.00 |
| Business Reserve | 28357.39 |
31693.86 | |
| unpresented items | |
| 035 | (9.00) |
| 038 | (86.66) |
| 043 | (15.00) |
| 28646.73 | |
Payments authorised as follows:
Grant payments authorised 20.02.08 item 14.
Hewes tuition fees authorised 20.06.07 item 14 under LGA 1972 s111.
17. CORRESPONDENCE
FOR NOTING
The following items of correspondence were reviewed:
Remaining correspondence was dealt with during the course of the meeting and detailed on a separate list circulated to councillors.
18. URGENT ISSUES
AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
Cllrs. need to undertake regular training to be aware of procedures and latest
legislation. Wadhurst Parish Council aims to set up an evening training session
with SALC and this will be open to neighbouring parish councils.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 20:35