Willingdon and Jevington Parish Council

The draft minutes of the Amenities Committee held on 9th July 2007 at the Parish Office 3 Gorringe Valley Road Willingdon Eastbourne

Present: Councillor Cllr J Martin (Chairman)
Councillors Trish Delaney, Linda Francis, Jim Gleeson, Ray Ingram, John Pritchett, Yvonne Puttee ( Present from A07/1 - A07/15 inclusive) Stephen Shing.
Also present:
Mrs Carol Adams - Clerk
Mrs Lorraine Powell - Finance Officer
Mrs C Page - Tree Warden
Mrs L Baxter - Retiring Clerk

A07/1 Apologies and substitutes
Councillors G Broom (Vice-Chairman), Richard Broady
A07/2 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd April 2007 had already been agreed at Council.
A07/3 Declaration of Interests
382 - Cllr J Pritchett - Jubilee Gardens and Foulride Green - WDC Employee contractor for grass cutting - Personal and non-prejudicial.
383- Cllr J Pritchett - Wannock Gardens/The Paragon Fields - Personal and non-prejudicial.
384 - Cllr S Shing - Siting of Street Lamp at The Triangle - Business owner in the vicinity- Personal and non-prejudicial
385- Cllr S Shing - Town and Village Gateways - East Sussex County Councillor - Personal and non-prejudicial
386 - Cllr S Shing - St Andrew's Church path lighting - East Sussex County Councillor
A07/4 Matters Arising
" Siting of new street lamp at The Triangle
The site chosen by the Parish was on private ground, Brains forecourt and is not an appropriate site. Councillor Pritchett suggested another site for the lamp, as it would give more light in a dark position.
Resolved:
That the new lamp would be sited elsewhere and EDF Energy to be approached to see if the re-position would cost anymore than the existing quote of £928.71 + VAT
" Town and Village Gateways
This is on-going with both ESCC/WDC, the funding has been agreed and allocated by WDC, but ESCC did not agree with the village name placing of the wording, which on the sample sign goes around the edge of the sign, they would like the wording to go straight across, but the final design plans have not as yet happened. Brian Kemp of ESCC is finalising this.
The four sites agreed by the Parish are Southfields, by Tesco's , by the Memorial Hall and at the eastern end of Jevington.
The Clerk will contact David Palmer WDC who is the contact at Wealden to progress this initiative further.
" Christmas Lights around The Triangle
This needs to be followed up by the Clerk.
" Hanging Baskets and planters provision for 2007
The troughs have been very successful this year, further sites will be considered next year.
" Bus shelter to incorporate Parish notice board at Farmlands Avenue
The notice board has now been fitted and the notices are now being displayed in it. Cllr Stephen Shing has received two complaints that the bus shelter is the wrong way round and that parishioners get wet when rain and wind prevail. A notice to be installed on the bus shelter asking for residents to pass any comments to the Parish Office.
A07/5 To consider request for a new dog bin to be sited in the Church Street area
The dog warden has spoken to the owner who she felt was responsible for the majority of the mess, and no longer feels that a bin maybe necessary. It had been an issue to find a suitable site for the new bin.
Resolved:
No further action is necessary at this time.
A07/6 Wannock Gardens/Paragon Fields
Mrs Baxter gave the committee a resumé of the history on this issue and explained that as a Parish Council we have few legal powers to be able to solve the problems.
Resolved:
Members agreed unanimously to close this item.
A07/7 Willingdon in Bloom Competition 2007
10 entries have been received in the office and judges to be appointed. Cllr Graham Broom has shown an interest in judging. 3 judges required. Cllr's G.Broom, J.Martin and
F. Pritchett agreed to be judges. JM will discuss with other judges suitable dates for the judging. The prizes would be £25 1st prize, £10 2nd prize and £5 3rd prize. Prize-winners would also receive a certificate, which would be presented and publicised. Clerk to arrange for it to be advertised in the local press.
A07/8 To consider a request from St Andrew's Church Jevington, for new lighting for the path from C40 into the churchyard (Ref: St Andrew's Parochial Church Council/Jevington Residents' Association).
The matter was discussed and it was suggested that a solar light/row of solar lights might be suitable. This is church land, but the footpath is maintained by ESCC. Clerk to contact EDF Energy for a quote. This request is also supported by the Jevington Association.
A07/9 Litter bin request on Eastbourne Road footpath, up from the Total Garage by Tascombe Way. (Ref: Cllr Stephen Shing)
A resident in Tascombe Way had complained of increasing litter in the area. Cllr Ray Ingram suggested that a sign referring to a littering fine may be a deterrent and is cheaper that the cost of an additional bin at £3.85 per week. It was then suggested that in the first place, the clerk would ask the Wednesday litter picker, who works in the area, to visit the site an monitor the situation and report back as to how much extra litter they pick up here. The situation will then be discussed further as to whether an additional litter bin or sign is required.
A07/10 To consider twice weekly collections for dog bin in Farmlands Avenue (Ref: Cllr Stephen Shing)
Cllr S Shing advised the committee that he has received 2 complaints that the dog bin becomes full and overflowing. Discussed options and it was decided that we ask WDC for a bigger bin, rather that the additional cost of twice weekly emptying. Clerk to speak to WDC ref larger bin.
A07/11 To consider making a request to ESCC for a reduction in the speed limit to 40 mph on the C40 Wannock - Jevington Road. (Ref: Cllr Ray Ingram)
Speed surveys have been carried out on Jevington - copies available in the office - this
road does not meet the criteria laid down by ESCC for reducing speed- it has been
discussed many times at Strengthening Local Relationships meeting with ESCC but to no
avail. Discussion ensued over speeds and speed limits and it was highlighted that many walkers use this area. Results of previous surveys were announced and it was pointed out that the Police would not support a speed reduction in this area. It was suggested that the item be put back to the SLR Committee and that councillors read the Speed Management Strategy for their information. Cllr Stephen Shing made the point that accident figures are important in order to back up our concerns.
Resolved:
Agreement to put on Septembers SLR Agenda.
A07/12 To discuss further bulb planting sites around the village. (Ref: Cllr Ray Ingram)
It was suggested that a list of suggestions be compiled as to where extra bulbs should be planted. Councillors are to report back to the Clerk their suggestions, in time for the next meeting.
A07/13 To consider the cost of street lighting energy contract. (Ref: Cllr Ray Ingram)
Cllr Ingram reported that he believed that Seeboard are cheaper than our present supplier EDF Energy. Lin Baxter explained that EDF had been a good price when the contract had been negotiated in 2006, and that they supply us with both energy and maintenance.
The maintenance side runs extremely well as the contractor knows the lamps in this area
very well. The price of the electricity was renegotiated after extensive research with other
clerks around the country in 2006 the contract runs until June 2008 perhaps it
should be looked at again after that time.
A07/14 To review the speeding Traffic and Traffic calming in Seven Sisters Road. (Ref: Cllr Stephen Shing)
We have the results of a traffic survey which has been carried out, which shows the speed of vehicles travelling in this are - average speed 40 miles per hour (30mph limit) so something does need to be done. A discussion ensued on speed limits and the means of decreasing the speed and dangers associated. It was decided to speak to the PCSO, Ritchie Davidson and refer to SLR, and to get the costing for a SID (Speed Indicator Display).
A07/15 To consider a bus shelter adjacent to 262 Seven Sisters Road Lower Willingdon
This was considered by the Amenities Committee last year and was turned down as the bus routes had changed and the person who lives at 262 is very much opposed to shelter being sited near their house. It can be re-discussed but no monies have been precepted for this in this years budget, as a new shelter was put in Farmlands Avenue.
The proposition was discussed at length and Lin Baxter reported that there are no spaces for a bus shelter on the other side of the road. Cllr Shing reported that 109 residents wanted a bus shelter, of which 95 use the buses. Cllr Jim Gleeson advised the committee that he had visited the site and that the bus stop would not be able to be sited in the existing lay-by. Lin Baxter stated that 56 surveys had been sent out, 45 returned with 38 of those returned were in favour. It was suggested that we need to ascertain more evidence. Councillors were advised to take a look at the site and the Clerk would look at the bus route and the matter would be put on 'Matters arising' at the next meeting for further discussion.

Resolved:
Research further and add to next meeting agenda on 'Matters arising'.

A07/16 To consider request from residents in Broad Road (109, Broad Road) - Wannock Avenue end - for more tree planting at that end. (Ref: Cllr Stephen Shing)
Christine Page gave the tree report, commenting on issues within the area such as power cables and street signs that would prevent the planting of trees and that alternative sites need to be found that are feasible and not just a 'nice' site for a tree. Cllr John Pritchett informed members that extensive resarch of all tree planting sites within the parish had been undertaken during the Millennium tree planting. Cllr Stephen Shing is to ask the resident who had requested trees , to write into the Parish Council, outlining her plans.

A07/17 To confirm necessary emergency expenditure for street lighting maintenance work on:- Lamp at 10 Millstream Gardens, Lamp B Oldfield Road

Resolved:
Members agreed that these works could be carried out in line with financial regulations.

A07/18 Any Other Business- for noting or referral for the next Agenda for Council or appropriate Committee
Copies of the precept for Amenities for 2007/2008 were given to each member for reference and information.

Meeting Closed at 9.50pm