The
following is a summary of the main points discussed at the Council meeting on 6th
June.
Public Session
Resident
complained about Estate Agents’ adverts promoting unrealistic house extension
possibilities. Cllrs. agreed to send copies of the VDS to agents.
Items for decision
Co-option
of Councillors
Councillors
approved the co-option of Mrs Joyce Walker. She joins Ms Beatrice Wheatley, who
was co-opted at the May meeting.
Business
in Progress (Report 4)
a)
Cllrs have queried final cost of the Friston kerb build out after
receiving an estimate of £3074 for the design stage.
b)
Cllrs. repeated request to ESCC for warning signs of pedestrians in road
along Birling Gap road.
c)
Contractor has been found to clear undergrowth from Downsview Lane.
d)
“No Parking on Pavement” signs to be installed opposite Downlands Way
shops.
Annual
Audit 2019
Internal
auditor has passed the accounts with no concerns. Recommended to keep formal
records of play area inspections. Accounts now go to external auditor.
Admin
Assistant
a)
Post to be re-advertised following resignation. Closing date of 15th
July.
b)
Temporary contract for service of NPSG admin. work agreed.
Downlands
Way Improvements
Cllrs.
approved outline plans to tidy up and improve the shopping precinct parking
area.
Cost to be
shared with shops and RA.
Council
Grant Scheme
Grants
were awarded to the Bowls Club, Community Watch and Hedgehog Street. Also, donations
would be made to the PCC for the churchyards, to the Parish Magazine and to the
charity of the year (JPK Project).
Tree
Warden Report
Proposal
for digital mapping of local land resources passed to NPSG for consideration.
Other
points raised were Micheldene Road tree safety, ash dieback and Greensward trees
damage by grass strimming.
Urgent Business
Vandalism
on footpath 24 has severely damaged sign and squeeze gate. Offers received to
pay towards repair of latter.
Councillor Reports
a)
County Councillor
Cllr. Shing
reported ESCC cuts to meals on wheels subsidy, and targeting of disabled adults
support. Also delay to Exceat bridge rebuild and opposition to Seven Sisters
park transfer.
b)
Chair of Council
Organizers of a
cycle race on 27/28th July have advised that parking in Gilberts
Drive may be restricted.
c)
Bank Account –
the end of month balance was £76298.10.
d)
Fund Raising
Application made to Big Lottery Fund for grant towards
moving cricket pitch.
e)
Rights of Way
Letters sent to properties next to Footpath 8 asking
them to cut hedges.
f)
Recreation Ground
Quotes for replacing play area fence being obtained.
Warning signs now being deployed during cricket matches.
Next Meetings
Parish
Council meeting; 4th July
Planning
Committee: 16th July
No Summary minutes are available for the Council meeting on 16th May. The full minutes can be found here.
The following is a summary of the main points discussed at the Council meeting on 4th April.
Items for decision
Business in Progress (Report 4)
a) Council’s mowing contractor cannot clear verge in Downsview Lane as too overgrown. Eastbourne to be asked to carry out one-off clearance after nesting season is over.
b) Quotes obtained for clearing dead wood from trees at the bottom of Micheldene Rd. Again work delayed until after nesting season.
c) Downlands Way “No Parking” notices delayed due to production difficulties.
d) Pavilion repairs to be begun on 9th April. Water usage to be monitored following increase in bill.
e) Village Car Park site map to be queried regarding registered ownership of triangle adjacent to Gilberts Drive.
Media Policy Update (Report 5)
National Association of Local Councils’ media policy to be adopted with warning to be added to future PC meeting agendas concerning recording of public session.
Annual Village Meeting (Report 6)
Progress on arrangements for this event on 17th May reviewed. Main topic is to be launch of Neighbourhood Plan process.
Village Fete
Council to donate £250 towards costs of staging this. Two pitches to be requested, one for PC regular stall and one for Neighbourhood Plan Information Centre.
Insurance 20129/20
Three year deal for Council Liability Insurance accepted. Additional cover for cyber crime (recommended by auditor) to be taken up.
Final Accounts 2018/19
These have been completed and are due for internal audit on 13 May.
Urgent items
Residents had queried if landscaping work adjacent to Fridays was compliant with Planning conditions. Matter referred to Planning Committee.
Councillor Reports
a) County Councillor
ESCC negotiating with bidder for Seven Sisters Park contract. Cllr. Shing was aware of bidder and was opposed but was unable to publicly name.
b) District Councillor
Following a nightime accident in the village car park, Wealden were being asked to consider low level lighting. PC would not object in principle to this provided it was appropriate and complied with Dark Skies.
c) Chair of Council
New charity of the year to be chosen at PC meeting next month. As this was the last PC meeting before election of a new council, Chair thanked all members for their hard work and support during the past years.
d) Bank Account – End of year bank balance was £57,168.23
e) Fund Raising
Grant of £425 obtained from WDC for litter clearing equipment. Application for £13,000 for relocation of cricket square lodged with SDNPA.
f) Rights of Way
The next County liaison meeting will be held on 16th April.
g) Recreation Ground
Quotes to be obtained for replacing play area fencing.
Next Meetings
Parish Council meeting; 16th May
Planning Committee: 21st May
The following is a summary of the main points discussed at the Council meeting on 7th March.
Items for decision
Business in Progress (Report 4)
a) Deed of Easement for drain on recreation ground agreed by County Council.
b) Information on Friston build-out still awaited from ESCC highways.
c) Further quotes to be obtained for strimming verge in Downsview Lane now that EBC are refusing to do this.
d) Documents signed off including Village Hall and Cricket Club hire agreements.
e) Annual Village Meeting invitations to village groups and clubs to be sent out shortly.
Neighbourhood Plan (Report 5)
Inaugural meeting of Steering Group had been held and minutes issued (these are available on PC website). Terms of Reference for the group have also been agreed and Cllr. Bryant elected chair with Cllr. D’Urso as deputy. Formal application to SDNPA to register the Parish as a Neighbourhood Plan area will now be made.
Trees at south end of Micheldene Road (Report 6)
Tree Warden reported dead branches on these trees which could be a health and safety hazard. These are on Crown land following demise of original property development company. Agreed to obtain quotes with a view to removing dead branches once the nesting season is over.
Councillor Reports
a) District Councillor – Local MP has sent out survey including suggestions for village Post Office. Wealden Council have turned down request for funding to move the cricket square. The new housing units obtained by WDC at The Fridays have now been occupied. A new waste contractor (Biffa) will take over from Kier in the summer. A £50 annual charge is to be introduced for all garden waste collections.
b) Planning – Application for an access track at Crowlink Corner is to be heard by SDNPA planning committee on 14th March. Cllr. D’Urso to attend and speak on behalf of the PC.
c) Bank Account – the end of month balance was £58775.36.
d) Rights of Way – Councillors have had a meeting with Mr Davies-Gilbert regarding closure of the Drove. As there is now a proper footpath linking Lower Street with the recreation ground, the safety issue of access to the play area has been addressed. The council still believes that the Drove should be considered a public right of way but feels it would not be a good use of public funds to pursue legal action at this point. However, the council would not oppose any residents who wished to continue independent action for recognition of a right of way.
e) Recreation Ground – Quote of £800 has been received for repair of the pavilion kitchen ceiling and damaged wall panels in the male changing rooms. Agreed to proceed without delay. Further work to bring insulation up to modern standards would cost £3500 and this should be deferred pending applications for community grant funding.
Next Meetings
Parish Council meeting; 4th April
Planning Committee: 16th April