Plumpton Parish Council Minutes of the Meeting on 9 th September 2014 In attendance: Mr Paul Nicholson (Chair), Mr Darryl Bailey, Mrs Clare Eastwood, Mr Richard Taylor, Mrs Sue Akers, Mrs Sally George, Mr Reg Stone, Mr Chris Burgon, Ms Catherine Jackson Councillor Sarah Osborne (LDC), Councillor Jim Shepherd (ESCC) Parish Sarah Jeffers 3 members of the public (MOP) attended the meeting, a record of which has been maintained. 1. Apologies 2. Disclosure of interests 3. DPI Dispensation requests 4 Minutes of the meeting held on 9/7/14 The Minutes of the above meeting were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record. Matters arising Planning SG confirmed that the Winning Post application had received approval from Lewes District Council (LDC) and provided an update on planning applications currently being considered by LDC and those pending consideration APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BACK Planning Application LW/14/0290 Mrs Diane Aldridge, Winning Post Conversion of Winning Post to two self-contained residential dwellings with associated gardens and off-street parking PARISH COUNCIL POSITION SUPPORTIVE/ LDC APPROVED Planning Application LW/14/0515 Mr Clift, Saxon Cottage, Station Road Two story extension and demolition of existing garage PARISH COUNCIL POSITION SUPPPORTIVE/ LDC REFUSED Planning Application SDNP/14/03036 Mrs Alyson Smith, Plumpton Lane Extension and garage PARISH COUNCIL POSITION SUPPORTIVE / LDC APPROVED 1
Planning Application LW/14/0359 Mr Anthony Ransom - 2 Nornes Villas, North Barnes Lane One detached dwelling with garage PARISH COUNCIL POSITION SUPPORTIVE / LDC APPROVED APPLICATIONS PENDING Planning Application LW/14/0455 Mr Alderton, The Ridge, Ashurst Lane Replacement of existing redundant agricultural buildings with a single dwelling land adjacent to PARISH COUNCIL POSITION SUPPORTIVE Planning Application LW/14/0575 Hill Top, Station Road Proposed single storey extension to side and rear, ground and first floor internal alterations, increased off road parking and new pedestrian access PARISH COUNCIL POSITION SUPPORTIVE Planning Application LW/14/0299 Mrs Louisa Finch (Mr David Collins of Collins Planning Services is the Agent) South Road Detached dwelling with garaging and associated landscaping PARISH COUNCIL POSITION SUPPORTIVE Grit Bin At the last meeting, it was highlighted that a new grit bin was required opposite Bates Hill, Plumpton Lane. The has reported this to ESCC and it will be replaced prior to the winter. Affordable housing CE highlighted that the new affordable housing information has been advertised on the website and published in the Parish Magazine. It is anticipated that people will be moving in Nov/Dec. Please see www.housemove.org.uk 5. s Report The attached report was discussed and resulting actions and outcomes detailed below. Electric Blanket testing event - Cllr Sarah Osborne kindly offered to drive any parishioners requiring transportation to the events. to post further information on the website. Village notice boards and CE to obtain quotes for repair and restoration CE Clothing Banks Parish Council agreed not to approve request from the Lord Whiskey Animal Sanctuary to place a clothing bank outside the Village Hall. 5. Public Questions Five members of the public were present. Wivelsfield Affordable Housing Launch event Cllr Sarah Osborne (LDC) advised that Wivelsfield held a launch event for their new affordable homes and this may be something Plumpton wishes to do. Proposed Reduced Bus Services Cllr Sarah Osborne (LDC) highlighted how she had received a lot of correspondence relating to the proposed 2
reduced bus services and recognised that there was a strong feeling that Parishioners were not supportive of the cuts. Planning Consultation Cllr Sarah Osborne (LDC) discussed the recent Parker Dann planning consultation for the proposed development of 16 houses on Riddens Lane. Cllr Osborne confirmed that the planning application will be heard by the Planning Committee (through the normal process) and it is anticipated that the application will be submitted soon. Zero Heroes It was asked when the voting for Zero Heroes project concludes. Cllr Sarah Osborne (LDC) will advise. Road Resurfacing It was raised that the road outside the church was cracking following the recent road resurfacing. This will be raised at the next Strengthening Local Relationship (SLR) Liaison meeting (meeting between ESCC and Plumpton PC on 10 th September) 7. Finance Report The reported four items of expenditure over 500.00. An update on the Neighbourhood Plan was given in the Finance Report section of the meeting. Action in rural Sussex (AirS) has invoiced the Parish Council for Neighbourhood Plan services. A Locality Grant has been applied for and granted to cover this cost. The shortfall ( 237.50) will come from Parish Council reserves. An open meeting will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 16 th September (3pm-8pm) providing an opportunity for parishioners to ask questions and find out more. MOP asked whether it would be better to have one presentation rather than an open questions forum. It was explained that all feedback would be collated and made available to all and a formal presentation would not be made. Further people required to work on the Topic Groups and this is one of the main aims of the open meeting. A questionnaire is being produced to gather Parishioners valuable views. Help will be required to deliver questionnaires. PN informed the Parish Council that Mrs Hope Good (formerly of Plumpton) had recently passed away and this has unexpectedly led to a bequest from her family (Mrs Wendy Kail) of 35,177.10 to Plumpton Parish Council. The PC were delighted with this wonderful gesture and agreed that a subgroup from the PC should be created to work out how best to utilise the money. The PC agreed that CE, SA and RS will form a subgroup, and work up 5-6 ideas by the end of the year for discussion, and vote on which should be implemented. to acknowledge receipt of cheque with Solicitor. Cllr Osborne (LDC) CB CE, SA RS Agenda Items 8a Pocket Park It was proposed to send out a flyer to East View Fields and Riddens Lane residents updating them on the Pocket Park proposal and asking if they would like to be involved with the management of the woodland. Parish Council agreed to printing 800 copies of the flyer and magazine inserts as this was within the budget allowance. 3
8b. Overhanging Hedges Update SA highlighted that there were overhanging hedges in the village that required maintenance. DB agreed to walk around the village and identify addresses. Follow up with a letter requesting that they are cut back. RS advised that the Parish Council had received an offer of free help for anyone struggling to do the work themselves. 8c Lewes District Council Local Business Rates Relief Scheme LDC proposes to introduce a discretionary business rates scheme, aiming to encourage new business growth and employment opportunities in this district. Qualifying businesses will receive relief of up to 100% off their business rates bill (after statutory reliefs) and the scheme will initially run for one year. PN has received a questionnaire from LDC requesting views from the Parish Council. PN and CB to complete. 8d Discretionary function of the pension scheme PN responded to ESCC regarding producing a policy on discretionary functions for the new pension scheme. PN highlighted that similar to many Parish Councils, there will be no discretionary functions of the scheme. Each case will be considered on an individual basis. 8e No Cold Callers Scheme in Plumpton RS explained how Cold Callers to homes is becoming an increasing problem. Many areas have now implemented this scheme. The scheme is recommended by the Police. Signs would be put up to say that Plumpton is part of the No Cold Callers scheme. If persistently breached formal action can be taken by Trading Standards. Once set up, Parishioners can put forward a complaint to the Parish Council, Trading Standards or Police/ Neighbourhood Watch. There is no cost to the Parish Council. The Council voted and agreed to become part of the scheme. RS to make further enquiries 9. Committee Reports Transport and Environment/Footpaths CB reported that strong feelings have been expressed by Plumpton Parish Council regarding the proposed reduced bus services. Will be highlighted again at the next SLR meeting with ESCC. There were a number of issues that were raised at the meeting which will be discussed at the next SLR meeting with ESCC. These are: the drains by Riddens Flats are emitting a nasty odour; pavement cracking between village shop and Westgate; overgrown tree on footpath by allotments which requires cutting back. DB PN CB RS SA/ Policing and Neighbourhood Watch. This week is European national seatbelt enforcement week. RS reported Police are aware of anti-social behaviour in Plumpton and are stepping up patrols to minimise. The Parish Council agreed to waive the hire fee for the Village Hall for the community day organised by the Police. Village Hall RT advised that he is currently obtaining quotes for gardening and mowing. RT raised whether the Village Hall hire fee should be inclusive of the bar, or if the bar should be a separate item for hire. The PC decided that the 4
booking fee should include use of the bar and can be reviewed when agreeing hire fees for 2015/16. Previously, organisations holding jumble sales have had the benefit of a collection by an individual of unsold clothing. This facility is no longer available and organisers of jumble sales at the Village Hall must take away left over jumble. Organisers would be told of this arrangement at the time of booking the hall and a fee would be payable if items are left at the hall Playing Field / Pavilion CE provided an update. Following feedback, another bench has been purchased for the new play park. The last of the windows are being painted on the north side of the Pavilion. Insulation for the Pavilion has been kindly donated by Paul Johnson. The Chubb contract for fire extinguishers is invalid, so will be ended and a new supplier found. New Pavilion DB reported the New Pavilion committee will meet and develop proposals which will be reported at the next Parish Council meeting. Communications RS highlighted that there was lots of Parish Council material in the Parish Magazine this month. CE to put Neighbourhood Plan material on Facebook. DB CE 10 Date and time of Next Meeting Tuesday 14 th October at 19.45 Meeting closed at 21.20 These minutes are in draft form and, subject to any agreed amendments will be ratified at the meeting on 14/10/14 5