ACTION

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HARTFIELD PARISH COUNCIL, HELD ON MONDAY 6th OCTOBER 2008 AT 8.00 PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL, HARTFIELD

Present: Cllr J Chalke, Cllr N Holmes, Cllr K Hawes, Cllr C Simmons, Cllr A Higgins, Cllr C Park, Cllr T Mitchell, Cllr S van Maurik, Cllr J Edwarde, Cllr G Korbel, Cllr J Smith, Cllr P Crane Apologies: Cllr P Crane, Cllr M Burbridge In Attendance: Mrs D Little (Clerk), County Cllr F Whetstone, District Cllr M Hoy, District Cllr D Jonas and Public

Questions from members of the public and reports from District Councillors were taken prior to commencement of the Parish Council meeting (please see separate report).

41. To Accept Apologies for Absence – Cllr P Crane and Cllr M Burbridge

42. Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interest in respect of matters to be discussed – None

43. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on September 1st 2008 – These were approved and duly signed.

44. To report on Matters Arising from Meeting held on September 1st 2008 – None

45. To Report on Correspondence Received – i. Item 5 - South East England Regional Assembly – Partial Review of the South East Plan: gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs. www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/consultations.html. Tel: 01483 555 202 for copy of consultation pack ii. Item 7 - Sussex Association of Local Councils – agenda for AGM to take place on Friday 7th November at 10.00am Ardingly + Annual Report & Accounts iii. Item 14 - Communities and Local government – Consultation paper on the making and enforcement of byelaws (copy to be passed to Cllr Holmes). iv. Item 15 - Uckfield Police Station responding to letter from HPC regarding PCSO transport: Inspector Allum explained that best was being done with limited resources available. v. Item 18 - WDC – Notice of District/Parish Conference to be held on 11 November 2008 in Uckfield 9.30 am to 4.00pm. Two representatives invited. Cllr Holmes volunteered to attend. vi. Item 16 - EDF – Notice of Termination of Public Lighting Maintenance Contract as of 31 March 2009 Item 23 - Agenda for meeting of Ashdown Forest villages road Safety Partnership Wednesday 8 October 2008 1000-1200, Ashdown Forest Centre – Mike Colenutt to be asked to attend. vii. Item 23 - Agenda for meeting of Ashdown Forest villages road Safety Partnership Wednesday 8 October 2008 1000-1200, Ashdown Forest Centre – Mike Colenutt to be asked to attend

46. Update on Coal yard i) To authorise Chairman/Vice Chairman in conjunction with the Clerk, to enter into agreement with ESCC with a Deed of Variation to lay surfaces and upgrade and maintain access road. Since writing the agenda, further communication from Vance Harris solicitors suggested that Deed of Variation should read Deed Granting New Easement. Cllr Hawes explained that this entailed East Sussex County Council granting extra rights to allow for the laying of surfaces and future maintenance to the access to the coal yard site. Proposed by Cllr C Simmons Seconded by Cllr A Higgins Approved unanimously.

ii) To approve appointment of Woodward Ambrose as architects to undertake design work relating to a) the access road b) car parking for playschool/public and office conversion of good shed c) future rear access to Playschool and d) services to Goods Shed. Proposed by Cllr J Chalke Seconded by Cllr K Hawes Approved unanimously

47. Committee Reports a) Strategy – Meeting to be held on Monday 13th October 2008 b) Planning – Cllr Hawes reported that statistically, Hartfield seemed to fare worse than other Parishes for having recommendations from the Planning Committee overturned by Wealden. Applications received: i) Burlings Farm – resubmission supported by HPC. ii) Drive way across tank field at Bolebroke – to be discussed on Thursday 9th October. A couple of letters had been received from neighbours and Cllr Hawes encouraged residents to make views known. Meeting of Perryhill residents to be held on Wednesday 8th October, to be attended by Cllr Holmes. Cllr Hawes reported that he had received an Enforcement notice against his own property in Parrock Lane requiring him to demolish his house and wind down his business. This had been a delegated decision and had not gone to North Development Sub Committee. Under the circumstances Cllr Hawes announced that he would be retiring from the Planning Committee after the meeting on the 9th October 2008. Cllr Chalke gave thanks for all his hard work. c) Town Croft & Parish Assets – Cllr Holmes reported that a meeting had been held on 9th September 2008. i) Lee Farren wants to start a youth team in Hartfield and will be bringing under 9s and under 10s from club called East Grinstead Athletic currently playing in the Horsham League. Advertising for Hartfield players and hopes to change the name to Hartfield Youth next season and join the Crowborough League. Concerns that additional drainage required as the pitch near the Croft Barn gets very wet but insufficient funds in Croft budget for more than one lot of verti-draining. ii) Cllr Mitchell is working on the RoSPA report carried out on the playground and it may have to be closed for a couple of days for refurbishment. Cricket club to purchase new protective netting by next season. iii) The golf day at the royal Ashdown Hotel on 2nd September 2008 added £805 to Pavilion Fund – thanks given to Chris Hardy for organizing and to those who supported. iv) At the 20:20 cricket match on the 21st September 2008 between Hartfield football and Cricket Club and their sponsors MK Airlines, Ken and Karen Thompson in the Anchor, presented a cheque in the sum of £1000 as a result of a bonus ball competition. The day raised a further £220. Sports clubs to explore further funding. v) There was a blockage to the drains on the Croft between the two barns and allotments, which was a collapsed pipe. Martin Donner’s building company hired necessary equipment to dig the trench and repair the pipe. vi) Horticultural Society to supply bluebell bulbs for the school children to plant in the allotment area behind the barns. Cllr Tom Mitchell reported that the RoSPA report had suggested moving seats one metre away from fence. On telephoning Inspector named at top of report, Cllr Mitchell ascertained that report had been carried out be somebody completely different who subsequently informed him to ignore that recommendation as it applied to new play areas only. Report also recommended that fence be placed round the electric box and a danger sign erected. EDF to be contacted. Cllr Mitchell suggested that playground equipment needs painting. Hole beneath swings needs filling with dirt and two top steps of slide are rusty. d) Finance - i) To approve adoption of NALC Financial Regulations, as adapted for Hartfield Parish Council Proposed by Cllr Edwarde Seconded by Cllr Korbel Approved unanimously ii) To Approve expenditure as itemised on schedule

Payments made since last Parish Council Meeting held on 1st September 2008 (Figures inc. VAT)

Playsafety RoSPA Report £ 77.55 Beckys Cleaning Service Pavilion Cleaning August 08 £ 88.00 Ashdown Forest Golf Club Fund raising golf day/dinner £2322.30 (S139) Bradford Electrical New fridge for pavilion £ 199.00 (S139) Amadeus Stationery Stationery £ 42.97 EMS Printing of Newsletter £ 153.00 BT 01342 834409 £ 77.99 Payments to be approved at Parish Council Meeting to be held on 6th October 2008 (Figures inc. VAT)

EMS Redraw in AutoCAD (Pavilion) £ 88.13 Colin Lutley Clearing blocked urinals (Pavilion) £ 94.00 EDF Maintenance st lights £ 65.28 WDC Dog bin emptying Jul – Sept 08 £ 126.78 D Little Expenses £ 378.94 D Little Salary Sept 08 £ 864.89 Post Office Tax/NI Sept 08 £ 163.38 J Edwarde Refund for payments made Concert £ 40.00 (S139) On Croft Beckys Cleaning Service Cleaning Pavilion Sept 08 £ 110.00 Ashurst Wood PC Cllr Training £ 120.00

Proposed by Cllr Edwarde Seconded by Cllr Park Approved unanimously iii) Update on 2008/09 Accounts – September account summary had been circulated prior to meeting. Cllr Edwarde confirmed that expenditure was on course with budget. e) Rights of Way – Cllr Park reported that i) the Working party met last month and carried out a satisfactory clearing and way marking along footpaths leading to the Sussex Border Path. Also a stile has been fixed near Bassetts Manor. ii) Cllrs Park and Edwarde had a positive meeting with Mark Weaver of CLM on proposals for the footpaths earmarked for leaflet iii) There is now an application for a diversion of FP33A in front of North Clays Farm which will be considered by County Council. While there is some loss of view, the ROW Cttee, after inspection with Mr Calcutt of CLM and a report, had no objection. iv) the ROW Cttee have written officially saying no objection to the proposed diversion of FP38 at Old Crown Farm v) new ROW Officer for North Wealden is Mr. Tim Squires. f) Playschool Trustee i) To approve letter to be written to the Clerk from Cllr Edwarde, Chairman of Playschool Trustees, regarding the development of the coal yard site and access across Playschool land. Proposed by Cllr Edwarde Seconded by Cllr van Maurik Approved unanimously g) Environment – Cllr Burbridge not present, but some points from Minutes of last Environment meeting brought up I) Cllr Simmons mentioned that school had been awarded funds to erect cycle shed but this would not be used by school children. Cllr Edwarde said that primary school children were not allowed to cycle to school as they did not take cycling proficiency until at least year 5 and often year 6. ii) Cllr Higgins queried role of Parish Maintenance Team and Cllr Chalke confirmed that ESCC allocates two people to carry out maintenance jobs on highways and pavements, not other village maintenance. iii) Council to write to Cllr Whetstone regarding possibility of double white lines down Perry hill, Edenbridge Road. h) Tree Warden – Cllr Park reported that i) various suggestion were made at ROW meeting as to how Walk in Woods could go forward next year in view of rising costs and a reduction in sponsors. ii) Tree Wardens Forum will be held in Alton, Hampshire this year, with the theme Act locally, Think globally. iii) Tree Council is asking tree wardens to target parish councils, farmers and landowners on awareness of hedge trees, which screen eyesores and unsightly developments and protect privacy. They provide nesting sites and stepping stones between woodlands, shade for grazing animals, farm buildings and people. Tree planting could be carried out in gaps in hedges or beside hedges rather than in them. Also need to tag saplings in hedges to protect them from hedge cutters.

48. Items for Reporting and Inclusion in Future Agendas i) Cllr van Maurik reported a good turn out for the drinks to celebrate Hartfield success in South and South East in Bloom. Tubs in High Street to be done week starting October 13th 2008 and a Working Party scheduled for November 1st 2008. ii) Cllr Korbel reported that he and Cllrs Mitchell and Park had attended the first Ashdown Forest Parish Liaison Panel meeting. These to be held quarterly and views to be communicated by Parishes to Conservators. Did not want public to attend as they felt meetings would be overrun. Conservators have statutory liability to restore ratio of 60%/40% heathland/woodland and claim that mature trees have never been touched, only brush and birch is cleared. Future clearing programme to take place at Wrens Warren, clearing brush round main trees. iii) Cllr Park mentioned that at the Commoners Meeting, only one person was supportive of allowing mountain bikes in forest. A group had now been formed in support. iv) Cllr Hawes reported that the auction of Stairs Farm would take place in three days time.

49. Date of Next Meeting – November 3rd 2008

Meeting Closed at 10.20 pm HARTFIELD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 6TH 2008 AT 8.00PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL

The following reports and questions from the public took place before the Parish Council meeting was formally opened and do not form part of the Minutes.

1. Kathy Green apologised for not attending S & SE in Bloom celebratory drinks and had heard that Hartfield had not received a Gold award as the field had not been cut. Expressed disappointment that the Buckhurst Estate showed no interest and asked if HPC had made representations to them. After some debate Cllr Holmes confirmed that the field had been cut prior to SE in Bloom except for the area that was too wet/muddy. Cllr van Maurik confirmed that she had written to Buckhurst Estate asking for the removal of barbed wire, but this had been refused as they intend to put cattle in field. The field belongs to the Estate but has Village Green status.

Mid Sussex Core Strategy

District Cllr David Jonas had previously spoken to PC about the Mid Sussex Core Strategy and the proposed development of 2.5 thousand houses in East Grinstead and the East Grinstead Relief Road. He reported at this PC meeting that on the 17th July, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, published recommended changes to the South East Plan. These included a paragraph specifically relating to Forest Row: “Where development is planned close to administrative boundaries, for example East Grinstead, neighbouring authorities will take the necessary steps to ensure that essential infrastructure is put in place to support development”. Cllr Jonas has distributed leaflets/petitions throughout North Wealden strongly opposing this requirement. He asked for Parish Council to respond also – deadline 22nd October. County Cllr Whetstone said he was in a difficult position as he works closely with Parish Councils and did not want to become involved. He suggested that we speak to Forest Row Parish Council who had already presented a petition to County Council. Cllr Simmons asked if the housing development was likely, given current economic climate. Cllr Hoy confirmed that it would definitely happen sometime and we need to be prepared. After some discussion it was agreed that Clerk should obtain copy of petition submitted by Forest Row. Cllr Hawes proposed modelling HPC response on WDC response, Forest Row input and our original response. Seconded by Cllr Korbel and approved unanimously.

District Cllr Hoy reported that i) the new Wealden Design guide can be found on the website. ii) SE Regional Assembly to meet on 21st October at Uckfield Civic Centre to discuss provision of gypsy and traveller sites. iii) Nationwide survey to take place – 3000 random questionnaires on quality of life. iv) Local Democracy Session to take place on 13th October at Uckfield Community Technical College. v) Electric blanket testing on October 15th 10.00am – 12.00pm at Groombridge. vi) Regarding the proposed removal of telephone boxes, it was decided that 35 should be kept. Parishes can adopt a phone box at a charge of £1.00 with no telephone or for £500 with a telephone. vii) Of the 48 planning applications received from Hartfield District, or those that PC objected to, 3 were approved; of those that PC approved, 4 were rejected.

County Cllr Whetstone reported that i) inspection of adult services in East Sussex found to be adequate scoring 2 out of 4. Many people queuing to receive anything out of Social Services. Strong possibility of improvement with each person being allocated a care package, but this is dependent on resources. ii) drain has been replaced at the bottom of Newtons Hill. iii) First meeting of Ashdown Forest Parish Liaison Panel was productive . Programme of winter work to take place in Wrens Warren valley with scrub to be cut back , clumps left to increase heathland.