Pett Parish Council

Minutes of the Virtual Meeting of Parish Council duly convened and

held on Tuesday 15th September 2020 7.30pm

Present: Councillors D. Penfold (Chairman), A. Crouch, J. Leeson, S. Ware and M. Wilkins. In attendance: County Councillor K. Glazier, District Councillor A. Mier, the Clerk and 1 member of the public.

2743. Notices The chairman advised that the meeting was being recorded.

Formalities

2744. Apologies Councillor Dunlop due to urgent farm business (LGA1972 schedule12, 12) Councillor Dean due to internet problems Councillor Bird had sent his apologies Declarations of interest: None Dispensations requested: None (Code of Conduct)

2745 Co-option of a New Councillor This item was defered to the next meeting as another resident had come forward.

2746. Agreement of the Minutes of the previous Meeting Following a minor amendment it was resolved to agree the minutes of the 17th July 2020 as a true record.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.36pm

Road Congestion Resulting from Increased Summer Visitors due to Covid The inter agency meeting of Police, County Council, Highways, , Camber and Pett Parish Councils met earlier in September to discuss how Icklesham and Pett needed to be included in the scheme for Camber dealing with the redirection of visitors away from there. An early meeting next year would be ready to discuss plans to alleviate congestion and resulting road hazards. The sign in diverting traffic to Pett Level and Beach has already been removed.

Battery Hill Road Work Closure A series of different signs had been put up by highways to reduce speeding local drivers not using the main road diversion but passing through Pett. Some additional temporary speeding signs that can be used ad hoc for a few months at a time were handed over to the parish council by highways were also put up. It was highlighted that signs Pett Parish Council Meeting Minutes 15th September 2020 pettnet.org.uk

become less effective the longer they remain in place but it was worth making use of whatever means were available. There had been a justifiable reason for no works on site over the last couple of weeks, works would be resuming very shortly.

White Lining for Friars Hill to Chapel Lane Residents there had requested the immediate repainting of the white lines down Friars Hill to Chapel Lane. This would be carried out shortly out of peak hours in the evening with a stop and go boards to direct drivers

Pannel Lane Road Closure for the Creation of Passing Places – Anticipated 12 October to 23 October Highways had granted a licence (Section 278 notice) and money had been deposited as a bond to cover the contractor going bust or any incompleted work.

Strengthening Local Relations Meeting 23rd September Pett Parish Council would meet with Highways officers and County Councillor Keith Glazier to review progress on issues and discuss any new problems.

Covid-19 Testing Stations Testing in and around was being limited to ensure that results would be returned in the required time as the delays are in the laboratories. The County Council is working with borough and district councils to look after the most vulnerable.

Planning Committee Site Visits These had been resumed using larger buses to comply with social distancing. These visits are essential to understand the applications’ proposals.

Rother District Council Senior Management Restructuring Subject to the approval of the next council meeting, the two executive directors will be replaced with one Chief Executive Officer (Malcom Johnson) to allow effective reorganisation of procedures.

Rother District Council Housing Company The Housing Company was now incorporated. The council aims to build 1000 new homes by 2035. The Housing Company would become involved in moving forward on longstanding sites such as Blackfriars in Battle. Compulsory purchase would be used to supply the land required.

Civil Parking Enforcement Starting 29th September The success of civil enforcement would only become clear after some time. Will not initially affect the villages.

Beach Cleaning A third of a ton of rubbish had been collected from Fairlight Beach. Pett Independent Rescue Boat had assisted by moving the bags of rubbish to Pett Level for removal.

Rother District Committee Meetings Now Available on YouTube Viewing numbers were over 100 which may be more than used to physically attend meetings.

Local Plan Review – Early Engagement Form to be completed by 9th October The head of Planning Jonathan Vine-Hall is asking councils to respond.

Bexhill Town Council Bexhill Town Council is going forward and it is hoped there will be elections in 2021.

Pett Parish Council Meeting Minutes 15th September 2020 pettnet.org.uk

The Chairman thanked Councillor Mier for all his work on the problems of the traffic and litter at Pett Level over the summer.

The meeting was reconvened at 7.50pm

2747 Policy Statement regarding Council Communication In accordance with the council’s Communication and Media Policy, the public are reminded to address any queries, in writing, to the Clerk. Any replies are confidential to the addressee as per Data Protection Legislation and should not published. The council will only respond to enquiries made in this way and will not respond to comments on social media. The council policy does allow the use of social media as a method to provide residents with information, but any representations to the council should be made in the correct manner.

The Clerk was checking that she was the administrator for the old council Facebook page, which has been superseded by the Pett Community Facebook originally created as part of Council Communications. The Clerk was instructed to leave a message on the page that the use of the site will be under discussion and the use of it decided at the next meeting.

2748 Delegation to the Clerk during Coronavirus 19 It was resolved to renew the delegation to the Clerk the day to day running of the parish council and delegation to the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman responding to planning applications and any other major issue, till 17th November 2020. (Local Government Act 1972 section 101)

2749 Decisions made under delegation (for information only): Agreed to add new play bark under the climbing tower in the playground Agreed to obtain traffic safety signs from Highways and put them up in the village.

Planning

2750 Enforcements ENF/98/19/PET 4 Arthurs Close: Material Change of use of residential land to mixed use – Permitted development

2751 Appeals 2676 Warren Cottage, Land at Pett Level Road: Erection of two detached houses together with detached garages and associated works – Dismissed.

2752 Planning Decisions RR/2020/200/P Fernleigh, Pett Road: Proposed extension of rear dormer window, single storey rear extension, demolition of existing garage and construction of a new single storey side extension, open porch to front elevation and extended revised patio area – Approved Conditionally RR/2020/438/P 3 New Coastguard Cottage, Toot Rock: Proposed improvements to existing loft accommodation including the addition of a front dormer and enlarged rear dormer with Juliette balcony – Approved Conditionally RR/2020/459/p High Elms Farm, Pett Road: Proposed single storey rear extension to form study and utility area along with internal alterations. Flue for wood burning stove. 2 no. sun pipes and 1 no. Velux window. Proposed replacement roof tiles with slates to property. Proposed detached workshop – Approved Conditionally RR/2020/486/P The Lookout Chick Hill: Demolition of existing bungalow dwelling, terrace, annex and garage and erection of replacement dwelling with lower ground floor garage, bin store and terrace landscaping – Approved conditionally RR/2019/2622/P Elmara, Pett level Road: Demolition of dwelling and creation of replacement – Approved conditionally RR/2019/2623/P Ketlock Farm, Watermill Lane: Demolition of agricultural building and construction of replacement agricultural building (part retrospective) – Approved conditionally Pett Parish Council Meeting Minutes 15th September 2020 pettnet.org.uk

RR/2020/340/P Stone Sea and Loveshack, Pett Level Road: variation of condition 2 imposed on RR/2017/1457/P to allow the addition of a wood burning stove and flue to Stone sea – Approved conditionally RR/2020/280/P 6 Watermill Lane Cottages, Watermill Lane: Excavation of an area of land within the garden to form new reduced level are with embankment to accommodate an outbuilding to be used as occasional family room – Approved conditionally. RR/2020/438/P 3 New coastguard Cottage, Toot Rock: Proposed improvements to existing loft accommodation including the addition of a front dormer and enlarged rear dormer with Juliette balcony – Approved Conditionally RR/2020/533/P Toot rise, Toot rock: Demolish existing storage building and replace with garage building – Approved conditionally

2753 RR/2020/1402/P Stone Sea and Love Shack: Variation of condition 2 imposed on RR/2017/1457/P to amend location of external stairs. It was resolved to support this application. It was noted that there was no location plan with the application.

2754 RR/2020/1496/P Watermill House, Watermill Lane: Single storey timber orangery to replace existing conservatory. It was resolved to support the application.

2755 RR/2020/1429/PN Glen View, Pett Level Road: Notification for Prior Approval for the erection of an extension which would extend beyond the rear wall of the original dwelling by 6 metres, for which the maximum height would be 3 metres and for which the height for the eaves would not exceed 3 metres

Finances

2756 First Quarters Financial Report 2020-2021 The normal pattern of expenditure (payments) and income (receipts) was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 23 March saw the country go into lock down till the end of May with a limited and steady relaxation of guidelines since then. The council was reduced to basic running but it played a part in the setting up the Pett arm of Rye Mutual Aid which helped the vulnerable who were required to shield and other residents in isolation. The group will continue to run whilst needed. Pett PC donated £500 to the group back in April but the donation has since been recovered from the Hastings Direct Fund. Residents were kept up to date with how to stay safe and changes on guidelines through the website while the Pett and Pett Level News went online only. On the recreation ground the play area and pavilion were closed but the ground was kept mown and pleasant for those out taking their daily walk. At first, the council was unable to hold any meetings but once virtual meetings for parish council were made legal, Pett PC delegated the daily running of the council to the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and has held shorter virtual meetings to deal with priority matters.

Current Account Total receipts for the quarter are £12,639 principally made up of the first half of the Pett Parish Council share of council tax £11,500 and £760 from the Pett Allotment Society being the annual hire charge for the plots. The numbers of those interested in allotments has been boosted as a result of the virus and the opportunity it provides for a safe outdoor past time. While the magazine was not delivered advertisers were given time in lieu so receipts are down. Total Payments for the quarter are £6,159 with £1,624 still to be cleared for the period making a total of £7,783. £1637.67 being outstanding payment to id verde for the 2019 village maintenance contract and £120 for 2019 payroll. Large still outstanding costs from the previous financial year include the repairs to the play area £520; cost for the surface water drainage easement (reserve of £2,000); £100 for the 2019 allotment lease rental charge to Mr Pardii. Some progress has been made on both of the latter but final papers are still to be signed. Charges for the current quarter of this financial year have been much as expected. Pett Parish Council Meeting Minutes 15th September 2020 pettnet.org.uk

As at the 30th June 2020 the bank balance stood at £32,250 (taking into consideration unpresented amounts). In addition to outstanding invoices the council holds within the current account the following ring fenced sums: Noticeboard military canal (1,800.00) Noticeboard Wreck post (£1,000.00) Pavilion works (2,100.00) Community Infrastructure Levy (2,506.14) Reserve 50% precept (£10,000.00)

Project Remember The Roll of Honour in the Methodist Church was repainted at a cost of £60 bringing the balance to £1,458.

2757 Bank Balances Current Account Balance as at 31st July £32,318.53. and as at 31st August £30,878.18. Since April Project Remember £1,458.50.

2758 July and August Receipts £500.00 Grant from Hastings Direct for Covid-19 assistance £50.00 Magazine Advert: Funnell & Perring £9.33 Iden PC: share of Clerk’s Mobile Phone £100.00 Magazine Advert: Surelock £100.00 Magazine Advert: Five Villages Home Association £50.00 Magazine Advert: 1066 Garden Services £15.00 Magazine Subscription £100.00 Magazine Advert: Complementary Therapist

2759 July and August Payments £33.58 EE Mobile: Phone for Clerk (vat £5.04) £648.68 Staff: Salaries £9.37 P Felton: Refund for materials for bench repair £285.00 Impression IT : August Print invoice 13990 £39.07 P Felton: Refund for materials for pavilion and gate at recreation ground £34.13 EE Mobile phone for the Clerk (vat £5.04) £30.00 B Kirkham: Delivery petty cash £648.68 Staff: Salaries

2760 Payments authorised £285.50 Impression IT: September Magazine print invoice 14013 £648.68 Staff: Salaries £189.60 RoSPA: Safety inspections for play area and recreation ground £80.00 JLC Country Landscapes Limited: Moving and spreading bark under cargo net £220.00 JLC Country Landscapes Limited: repairing gates to allotments £3.33 Appledore Parish Council: A share of a box of paper £520.80 Safeplay ground Services: repair to horseback rider and skate ramp safety surface. Councillor Meir was enlisted to assist with obtaining combined litter and dog waste bins for the village hall and recreation ground

Other Issues considered

2761 Pett Sports Association – Tennis Court Drainage Issue A quote for replacing the drainage pipes and a retaining wall had been received the day of the meeting. The clerk was requested to check the financial regulations and obtain any further quotes required. Following advice that Little

Pett Parish Council Meeting Minutes 15th September 2020 pettnet.org.uk

Cheyne Wind Farm had received few applications for funding the Clerk had applied for funding for the drainage. During inspection of the drainage pipe connection to the surface water drain it was discovered that some sand and stone had part filled the chamber. The source of the sediment needed to be traced and resolved. The possibility of clearing some of the ditch on the Gatehurst Farm side of the hedge had been discussed with the owners of the farm.

2762 Community Infrastructure Levy The council had received £ 2,506.42 from the levy to be spent on infrastructure for the village which covers play areas, footpaths, bins. etc. The money would have to be spent appropriately otherwise it may have to be returned to the district council. After discussion it was considered that the sum was too small to require a survey of all residents but that a request for suggestions from residents should be made in the Chairman’s monthly report in the parish magazine.

2763 Update on Council Business Temporary Highways signs stating ‘Remember 30mph’, ‘Speed Kills’ and ‘Slow’ Following a suggestion by a resident, a majority decision under delegation was made to trial the idea. The posters were ordered. They were none in stock but 12 signs were delivered the first week in September and these have been put up to further enhance those already put in place by highways as a result of the current Fairlight closure . Highways recommend that these are on display for a few months at a time and can only be placed on street furniture. When Battery Hill is reopened these signs will be put up in Pett Level. There are only two places on Chick Hill and limited places through Pett and Pett Level. . Summer Traffic Congestion at Pett Level Parish and District Councillors have contacted the Police Commissioner, Highways and the Police about the congestion at Pett Level at the weekends with increased visitor numbers. A virtual meeting involving Pett, Camber and Icklesham councillors, District and County Councillors, the Police (Highways gave apologies) was held to discuss the overall situation. A further meeting will be held to consider what actions might be taken in 2021. The increase in litter was also discussed. Allotments Repair of the allotments gate posts completed. Work is ongoing on renewing the lease. Recreation Ground Peter Felton has completed repair work to the sports pavilion, a piece of play equipment and to one of the main gates to the recreation ground. Bark underneath the cargo net in the play area has been replenished as required by the safety inspection. Mr A Dunlop has kindly removed the pile of grass etc. from the corner of the recreation ground. The bowls club have erected the new fence along the western boundary. A new noticeboard for the recreation ground is being purchased. It will be placed outside the fence between the vehicle and pedestrian gates. Mr and Mrs Barker are to sign final copies of the easement. A quote has been requested for improving the drainage around the tennis court. The waste soil from the tennis court drainage can be used to level the south-east corner of the ground Pannel Lane Road Closure anticpated between the 12 to 23 October. The council would request that the proposed diversion route was reconsidered as Watermill Lane is a very narrow road. Report from Pett Village Hall The AGM should have been held in April but was delayed for obvious reasons. The Chair and Treasurer’s reports are available on the village website. The Chair reported that despite the difficult times the village hall had withstood the crisis reasonably well because of its sound financial footing, backed up by a small business grant of £10,000. After a lot of advice and hard work the hall has been able to reopen and most of the regular bookings had returned having agreed to the new Covid-19 requirements and adapted their activities accordingly. . People are also beginning to make bookings for big events (weddings, parties etc) for next year. Sadly POPPS has ceased to operate after the retirement of Ann Nichols and no replacement coming forward to take over. The major expenditure on maintenance in the 2019/20 year has been on repairs to the sewage system and sump. The committee has offered the village the use of the village hall car park to try to alleviate some of the on-road parking problems in the area but unfortunately take-up has been limited. The committee has decided to provide better signage to indicate that free parking is available to all. They also propose to produce a leaflet, possibly in conjunction with the Parish Council, to inform people that parking is available.

Pett Parish Council Meeting Minutes 15th September 2020 pettnet.org.uk

The committee was re-elected as were the three officers. However the Chair said that because of the very demanding and time-consuming nature of the role of both chair and bookings secretary he was looking at another solution. To this end there was a decision made to investigate the appointment of an administrative officer to handle bookings and the day to day running of the hall and some of the financial work, the full details, hours and job description to be finalised soon in order to advertise and appoint. Depending on costs this may mean a rise in booking fees to help cover this. The Chair and Treasurer felt that unless such an appointment was made the hall might have to close because no-one would be willing to do the tasks voluntarily. The meeting closed with a discussion on how to attract some more, and hopefully younger, committee members. It was suggested that being a Trustee was off-putting but the meeting was advised that committee members do not automatically have to become Trustees. Work on other noticeboards is ongoing Strengthening Local Relations Meeting 23rd September with Highways. A report on the meeting would published in the November edition of Pett and Pett Level News. Revised proposals for changes to the Fire Service had been approved. 2 appliances would remain in Rye. The bus service through Pett has returned to full service. Report on virtual meeting with Community Led housing team Previous records had shown that there was sufficient need for about 13 affordable homes but it was recommended that a new housing needs survey be carried out.as part of the early stage of investigation, possibly together with parish council. The team had covered possible ways to set up and deliver a scheme but it would be a lengthy process. The parish council would not be leading it.

2764 Date of Next Meeting 17th November 2020 7.30pm

The chairman closed the meeting at 8.42 pm.

Signed By Chairman ……………………………………………….. Date…………………..

Pett Parish Council Meeting Minutes 15th September 2020 pettnet.org.uk