Parish Meeting

Clerk & RFO Elizabeth Bennett 18 Luxford Road, Lindfield, West , RH16 2LZ

Tel 07437 703411 Email:[email protected]

The minutes of the Streat Parish Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday 15th October 2019 at 8.00 pm at Parish Hall

Committee members present: Tim Gaynor, Mike Sandercock, Tony Gedge, Brian Clifford, Liz Bennett (Clerk).

Villagers on the electoral roll: Mike Sewell, Margaret Brown, Tim Leigh, Kate Leigh, Richard Keys, Lesley Briggs, Nick Briggs, Sue Hancock, George Swaine, Deborah Swaine.

1. Election of Chairman. The Clerk took the chair for this item. Tim Gaynor was elected as Chairman.

2. Apologies for absence. Apologies were received from Deborah Grubb, Ray Whorlow, Carol Owen, Melanie Lawson. Clive Lawson, Danielle Gaynor. Julie Sandercock, Caroline Jannoun, Sue Sewell

3. Matters arising from the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 2nd April 2019. There were no matters arising.

4. Traffic calming measures in Spatham Lane. Rob Mills, the Chairman of Westmeston Parish Council was unable to attend the meeting, so Tony Gedge provided an update. The Beacon Parishes Traffic Group was formed with representatives from and Westmeston Parish Councils, Streat Parish Meeting, County Council (ESCC), Lewis District Council and the MP. The group is considering traffic issues in Ditchling and Spatham Lane. The Ditchling work is not progressing at present because there is insufficient funding for a consultant. In Spatham Lane they are hoping to introduce a 40mph speed limit with appropriate signage and coloured tarmac. The work is expected to cost £35k which will be match funded by ESCC if Ditchling and Westmeston Parish Councils can each raise £8750. Tony suggested that as Streat residents will benefit from this work

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it could offer a small sum of around £250 to Westmeston Parish Council as a gesture of support.

The Clerk was asked to put minutes of the recent Beacon Parishes Traffic Group meeting on the Streat PM website.

5. Donation to Westmeston Parish Council to help with their traffic calming proposals. It was agreed that as the work is not imminent, a possible donation can be discussed at the next Streat Parish Meeting when the full implications will have been investigated.

6. Statement of Accounts 1/4/2019-30/10/2019. The clerk talked through the statement of accounts. The committee were asked whether the reserves of £3500 are sufficient and whether additional reserves should be built up for possible traffic calming measures or fighting a planning application. It was agreed that the reserves are adequate for the time being.

7. Budget and precept for 2020/2021. The Clerk presented the draft budget and precept for the financial year 2020/2021. It was resolved to adopt the budget and precept of £3600.

8. Updates

a. Strip of land/ new bridleway at B2116. Tony Gedge reported that the project to create a new bridleway on land south of the B2216 that would link Streat and Westmeston bostals has been halted because the land owned by East Sussex County Council is not wide enough to create a safe crossing. Tony was asked whether Streat Parish could do anything to progress this. Highways have already spent a great deal of time and effort exploring the options but although it cannot see an immediate way forward, it will endeavour to find a solution to the present problems, and the project should not be regarded as dead.

A laurel hedge has also appeared on the strip of land owned by ESCC. The people who planted the hedge have applied for planning permission.

b. Planning. The planning update circulated by the Clerk was noted.

An application has been submitted for improvements at Streat Church, including a kitchenette in the south aisle with a movable island and an accessible toilet in the vestry, behind the organ. A new sewage treatment plant is also proposed. The Committee visited the church and welcome the idea of upgrading the church to secure its long-term use but feel that the opportunity should be taken to make the church more accessible as there is

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currently no easy access to the church for those in wheelchairs. Access to the toilet should also be made possible via the side door in case it is needed during a service. These comments have already been made to the Beacon Parishes Parochial Church Council (PCC) who are consulting with the architect. It was agreed that the Committee will respond to the planning application with these comments.

It is understood that the PCC will be using some of the money from the Streat Barn Fund and it is hoped that the remaining funds will also be used to the benefit of Streat.

c. Monday Group. An update will be provided at the next meeting.

d. Neighbourhood Watch. Mike Sewell provided an update. Fly tipping and campervans/ wild camping are a problem on the land near Ducks Bridge. The area has been identified as a suitable spot for wild camping in some online forums, but as the area is in a national park wild camping there is illegal. Mike has spoken to the police and ESCC who do not have the resources to deal with the problem. The Clerk was asked to write to ESCC on behalf of Streat Parish Meeting to see if they can be persuaded to act.

Network Rail is seeking permission to gain access to a railway embankment by creating a track across the land of a resident. It was suggested that Network Rail could gain access to the embankment by rail rather than creating new tracks. The Clerk was asked to get an update from the resident and, if appropriate, write to Network Rail with this suggestion.

e. Possible traveller site at Plumpton. The Chairman provided an updated on the potential traveller site, north of The Plough at Plumpton. The site is currently being considered by the Planning Inspectorate. Residents have written to the Inspectorate because they believe the site to be unsuitable due to lack of access and infrastructure. The landowner has yet to confirm whether he will sell the land for use as a traveller site.

9. New Standing Orders. It was resolved to adopt the revised Standing Orders, which now incorporate comments made by residents.

10. Fly tipping issues in Streat Lane. There have been several instances of fly tipping in Streat Lane recently, although they are becoming less frequent. Brian Clifford has been reporting them and will continue to monitor the situation.

11. Any other minor matters, for noting. Plumpton College have agreed to warn their students about the dangers of driving down Streat Lane at speed. This follows an incident where two cars became jammed up against

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each other on a narrow stretch because a car full of students was unable to brake in time. It was agreed that the Clerk will keep a log of any road traffic incidents on the lane in case it is useful in the future. Residents should report instances to the Clerk and can also report poor driving to the police via Operation Crackdown. Details are on the website

Thanks were passed on to the litter wardens, Tim and Kate Leigh, who, together with other volunteers, are doing a great job of keeping Streat tidy.

12. To agree a date for the next meeting. The next meeting will be held on 28th April 2020.

MEETING CLOSED

DRAFT MINUTES SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION

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