Present: Councillors Crookshank (Chairman), Hall, Harris, Hewes, Mrs Howell, Mrs Myers and Rowland.
Also in attendance: County Cllr. Tidy, PC Etherington, six members of the public and one member of the press.

1.         TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Burgess, Gray and Mrs Scarborough; reasons noted and accepted.

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllr. Crookshank declared a prejudicial interest in item 10, application WD/2008/2655/F as a neighbour; he left the meeting during discussion of this item.
Cllr. Harris declared a personal interest in item 10, application WD/2008/2655/F as a nearby land owner.
Cllr. Hewes declared an interest in item 14 as husband of the Clerk.

3.         TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 15.10.08 AND PLANNING MEETING 3.11.08 AS A TRUE RECORD
Resolved to approve the Minutes of the meetings held 15.10.08 and 3.11.08 as a true record.

4.         TO DETERMINE MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES FOR UPDATING
            AND NOTING
None.

5.         OPEN FORUM
Representatives for Sunninglye Farm outlined the proposal for a Featherdown concept camp site to operate for 7 months of the year (planning application WD/2008/2655/F). The existing access is preferred for security reasons; there will be minimal additional traffic and car parking will be discreet. The external finish of the barn has not been finalised. The proposal will provide additional income, complimenting the existing farm activities.

Request for the Parish Council to support traffic calming in Eridge Green following the recent fatality near the Nevill Crest & Gun; this is the latest in a series of road traffic accidents on the A26.

Request for a safe play area to be established in Eridge; currently children have to be taken to Crowborough or Frant to access play equipment.

6.         POLICE REPORT
Report of the theft of fuel from the business centre at Bells Yew Green; Police are to meet business owners to discuss security.

There have been a number of deer related accidents. The Police need additional people who are licensed to attend to injured animals.

Report of increased Police coverage in the Crowborough area following the expansion of Neighbourhood Policing; there will be a sergeant, 2 Police Constables and 10 PCSOs.

7.         TO RECEIVE THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
County Council elections are scheduled for 4.06.09.

The waste disposal centre at Newhaven will now proceed following the success of the final appeal. Objections have delayed the project 5 years.

Applications for village green status are being submitted by communities keen to protect areas against development. Some County Cllrs. are being trained on assessing the applications; this is a separate function from the planning committee. 

Discussions are taking place regarding the Police precept for 09/10.

8.         TO RECEIVE THE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Ron Cussons has been elected Chairman of the Safer Wealden Partnership; Wealden has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.
District/Parish conference held 11.11; items covered included the promotion of sustainable communities, affordable housing and the use of the Community Probation Service for parish maintenance.
WDC is conducting a review of existing Sites of Nature Conservation and drawing up a list of possible additional sites.
A new consultative panel is being formed for independent research.
Communities are being asked to assist with emergency planning procedures.

9.         HIGHWAYS AND LIGHTING ISSUES
9.1       To consider traffic calming measures in Frant ward
Funding for village gateways has expired.
Traffic calming for the parish to be considered at the next meeting.

10        PLANNING - To make recommendations about Planning Applications received.
It was resolved to respond to the planning application as follows:

WD/2008/2655/F Sunninglye Farm, Dundale Farm, Bells Yew Green – change of use of land to Featherdown concept camp site for 6 units between April-Oct annually. Erection of Sussex barn to accommodate shower/toilet facilities/winter storage of tents and shop for campsite use only.

Frant Parish Council supports this application for diversification which is in line with Policy DC5 of the Non-Statutory Wealden Local Plan, subject to the following measures:

• ESCC Highways to be consulted on any additional safety requirements to the existing farm access.
• A condition controlling external lighting should be imposed in view of the position of the campsite in unspoilt countryside in the AONB.
• The materials for the barn to be approved before construction.

11.       PLAY EQUIPMENT
11.1     To review comments on play equipment project following public consultation.
A public consultation was held 15.11 to view the final plans for the play equipment; one member of the public attended and supported the proposal.
11.2     To approve proposal and expenditure for new play equipment.
Resolved to install new play equipment and surfacing, clear redundant equipment and incur associated costs with the project up to a total value of £36000 + VAT, subject to receipt of a revised quotation from Playdale Ltd and a Pathfinder grant of £22000. Payment permitted under LG(MP)A 1976 s19.

12.       TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON PARISH PLAN AND APPROVE EXPENDITURE FOR QUESTIONNAIRE
Questionnaire is almost finalised and will be distributed to all households in the parish.

Resolved to approve to up £1500 towards expenditure for the Parish Plan; payment authorised under LGA 1972 s111.

13.       TO CONSIDER REQUEST FOR INSTALLING DOG BIN AT BELLS YEW GREEN
Request received for a dog waste bin to be installed at Bells Yew Green. Following discussion, this proposal was not supported as it was not considered appropriate in this rural area; members of the public are to be encouraged to dispose of dog waste at home.

14.       FINANCE
14.1     To review outline budget 2009/10
Discussion on outline budget for 2009/10; this will be finalised and precept agreed at the December meeting.

14.2     To approve accounts payable.
It was resolved to pay the accounts for payment as listed in Appendix A [not here]

15.       TO APPROVE REVISED PUBLICATION SCHEME FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
A revised Publication Scheme is required to be adopted and come into force from 1.01.09 under the Freedom of Information Act.
Resolved to adopt the Model Publication Scheme as completed, including charges for copying and postage as appropriate.

16.       TO CONSIDER ANY MATTERS FOR INCLUSION IN COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE REVIEW
There are no items for inclusion under a Community Governance Review at the present time.

17.       TO CONSIDER REQUEST FROM WDC ON REVIEW OF EXISTING SITES OF NATURE CONSERVATION AND ADDITION OF POSSIBLE NEW SITES
WDC is undertaking a review of Sites of Nature Conservation (SNCI) and is drawing up a list of possible additional sites. Members suggested the following locations for consideration of SNCI status:

• Eridge Park, in particular the caves and spring.
• Rushlye Woods.
• Land at Inchbroom/Manor Farm.

18.       CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING
Correspondence reviewed and noted.

19        URGENT ISSUES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR NOTING OR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDA
Cllr. Mrs Chantal Wilson, Leader of Wealden District Council, will be attending the December meeting.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21:22