The
following is a summary of the main points discussed at the Council meeting on 6th
February.
Items for decision
Business
in Progress (Report 6)
A memorial
bench has been donated by a local family and will be installed next to Friston
Pond.
Budget
Monitoring
Council
likely to underspend this year’s budget by around £6300, due to savings on War
Memorial railings and income from Infrastructure Levy.
Defibrillators
(Report 8)
£7000
received from winding up of First Responders. To be used for installation of
seven units around Parish. Three sites initially identified. Portable unit to
be given to Beachy Head Chaplaincy.
Cricket
Club Hire Agreement 2020
Approved
under the same terms as 2019.
Payments
and Receipts
Christmas Tree
lighting event raised £127.59 for charity of the year (JPK project)
Urgent
item
Use of the
village car park for the weekly Community Market could be under threat as WDC
(landowners) require prior permission
for this and have said it will be refused, despite the market having
operated for 15 years. The PC and District Councillor agreed to support the
market organiser in applying for a licence and to lobby WDC for this to be
granted.
Councillor Reports
a)
Local MP (written report)
Maria Caulfield reported that work on a new Exceat
bridge could begin in May. Discussions
are also ongoing with a prospective new Post Office operator.
b)
County Councillor
Cllr. Shing
reported transfer of Seven Sisters Country Park to SDNPA.
Temporary traffic lights
at Exceat bridge have been installed while Alfriston High Street is closed for
water main repair works.
c)
District Councillor
Cllr. Lunn
requested PC help in getting new waste collection calendar to residents not on
line as no printed copies will be provided, saving WDC £35000.
Cuckmere flooding
discussed by local drainage board, but Environment Agency did not participate.
d)
Finance
Tree Warden
submitted estimates for digital mapping of trees and public information
material.
e)
Village events
Clubs and societies invited to a meeting on 25th
Feb to consider a coordinated response to VE day 75 comemorations.
f)
Fund Raising
Interpretation boards are likely to cost around £6000
and will require permission from ESCC, Gilbert Estate and Village Hall Trust.
g)
Rights of Way
Meeting with Hon.
Solicitor and Roads Company to be held on 11 Feb to consider legal position
with use of precept to maintain unadopted roads.
h)
Recreation Ground
New gate closures and four replacement swings to be
provided for playground. Additional work carried out to treat woodworm and
paint kitchen ceiling in Pavilion.
The following is a
summary of the main points discussed at the Council meeting on 7th
January
Co-option
of Councillor
Daniel Wild was
co-opted to the council to fill the remaining vacancy.
Items for decision
Business in Progress
(Report 7)
a)
Parish
walking maps to be added to the “Healthy Wealden” website.
b)
Meeting
to be arranged with village groups to co-ordinate activities to commemorate “VE
Day 75”.
c)
Interpretation
boards similar to those at Seaford Head to be considered for installation
around the village.
d)
Permission
from EBC to be sought for replanting of trees along verge by Downsview Lane.
e)
Presentation
of cheque to charity of the year to be made when final amounts in.
Tree Warden Terms of
Reference
Updated document
adopted. Future digital mapping of flora within the Parish to be considered by
Neighbourhood Plan Group.
Budget Development
2020/21 to 2022/23
Precept to be
increased by 2% (a rise of £1.60 for Band D properties) to cover statutory
costs and allow up to £22,969 to be spent on capital projects during 2020/21.
Code of Conduct
Amendments proposed by
ESCC to cover cases of harassment and bullying adopted.
Email & Internet
Usage Policy
Policy concerning
confidentiality of communications between councillors, lay advisors and the
public adopted.
Parish Councillor
Allowances
Independent Panel have
recommended that blanket opting out of allowances should be replaced by
individual councillors’ choice communicated to the clerk.
Urgent
Item
Concern expressed by
residents of drone flying around village and on recreation ground within 50m of
properties. CAA drones code of practice to be published on website and in
magazine.
Councillor Reports
a)
County Councillor
ESCC budget cuts
now reduced to £5 million. 2020/21 Council Tax likely to rise by about £57 for
Band D property.
b)
District Councillor
Formal complaint
raised with ESCC over lack of response to Cuckmere flooding. WDC local plan has
been rejected by Planning Inspector.
c)
Chair of Council
MP Maria
Caulfield had written to say she was pursuing Post Office for local villages
with PO management.
PC has now taken
delivery of defibrillators and will be installing in secure housings around the
Parish.
d)
Bank
Account – the end of
month balance was £71,930.
e)
Rights of Way
Investigations
continuing into abandoned Waterworks Cottage. Footpaths that cross A259 halfway
up Friston Hill should remain unsigned for safety reasons.
f)
Recreation
Ground
Meeting with play equipment company to discuss future
enhancement of play area. Woodworm found in roof of Pavilion during work has
been treated.
Next
Meetings
Parish Council
meeting; 6th February
Planning Committee: 18th
February
The
following is a summary of the main points discussed at the Council meeting on 5th
December.
Items for decision
Business in Progress
(Report 6)
a)
Council
to support village events on 75th Anniversary of VE Day (8th
May). Cllr Wheatley to coordinate.
b)
Friston
Safety kerb realignment to proceed in New Year.
c)
Friston
(North) bus shelter currently being rebuilt.
d)
Hon
Solicitor agreed to seek legal opinion on PC including unadopted road
maintenance costs in the precept.
e)
Bollards
between Gore Farm Close and shops now fitted with safety reflectors.
Planning Matters
Council ratified and enhanced
decisions from the 19th Nov Planning Committee that had been delayed
to allow for consultations. For details see the full minutes.
Budget Development
2020/21 (Report 7)
Existing budget was in
good condition with some capital spend held over to next year. Cllrs. are to review
and submit proposals for next year at a working group prior to draft budget
being set at the Jan PC meeting.
Interpretation Boards
(Report 8)
Lead member for
communications reported on meetings with SDNPA on producing a number of
information boards around the village, as has been done elsewhere in the park.
Work is continuing on costings and permission needed to erect boards.
Downsview Lane Verge
After requests from
residents the PC had paid for a
contractor to clear undergrowth from the south side of the road. Some
complaints had been received that clearance was too radical while other
residents supported the work. Future work will be limited to mowing a 1.5 m
strip and tree planting will be considered next year.
Notice Boards and Road
Signs
New notice boards for
Downlands Way shops have been obtained. The Horsefield Car Park Notice Board is
to be repaired and the Friston one removed. Two damaged road name boards are
also to be repaired.
Rude Mechanical
Theatre Co.
Licence granted for
another performance on the Rec. on 10th June 2020.
Councillor Reports
a)
County Councillor/District Councillor
Both Cllrs.
reported on the flooding at Cuckmere Haven in November. They are both working
to get the Environment Agency to change policy on dredging the river and
clearing beach shingle.
b)
Chair of Council
Tree lighting
& Carol singing event on 1st Dec had raised £112 for the PC’s
2019 charity. Wine had been provided by the PC to the Dec Village Lunch.
c)
Neighbourhood
Plan
Working Group to be relaunched in Jan.
d)
Finance
Bank Balance was
£78,754.37
e)
Rights of Way
Bark chips laid
on 7 footpaths. Footpath signs awaiting repair by ESCC. Gullies at top of
Downsview Lane now cleared.
f)
Recreation
Ground
Insulation Work on Pavillion Roof delayed until
January. Request from cricket club for permanent picket fence around pavilion
not agreed.