PRESENT - Councillor A Watkins (Chairman),
Councillors A Seabrook (Vice Chairman), Ms J Carr, H Coote, B Hillman, R King, Ms C Page, E. Thompson
FP 267 Apologies and Substitutes
Cllr E Thompson substituted for Cllr R Noden
FP 268 Minutes
It was noted the minutes of the meeting held on 8th January 2007 had already been agreed at Council.
FP269 Declaration of Interests: To receive notice of declarations of personal and prejudicial
interests in respect of items on this agenda.
376 - Cllr A Seabrook - Item 5(g) Funding of improvements to Willingdon Memorial Hall - personal and prejudicial. This item was moved with members' permission to the end of the agenda.
Cllr Seabrook left the meeting after FP276 when this item was discussed.
FP 270 Matters Arising
a) Cold Calling Zone
Trading Standards have now confirmed that Wannock Neighbourhood Watch will be the next area to be designated a Cold Calling Zone. In co-operation with Wannock Neighbourhood Watch, the details of siting of the signing for the area have been confirmed and are now awaiting approval from East Sussex Highways. Once approval has been gained, a launch date would be set.
b) Neighbourhood Watch Signs
Four new signs have been ordered for Church Street, The Triangle, Broad Road/A2270 and St Anne's Road
The Clerk had received from the Neighbourhood Watch Treasurer the balances for February 2007. Taking this into consideration Members agreed that the grant of £100 should go ahead.
c) Jevington Safety Audit
Two speed surveys have been ordered which will measure not only the number of vehicles but also their speed
The sites of these surveys have been agreed between the Clerk and Cllr Ms J Carr.
d) Commemorative Plaques - RNAS
The plaque was now on order and the date for its unveiling by the Chairman had been agreed as 23rd April 2007 at 12.00 noon followed by a light buffet lunch in the Library. It was agreed that Cllr Hillman would arrange the television coverage and the Clerk would send out the invitations and arrange local press coverage. A list of proposed invitees had been supplied by the Library service.
e) Football Tournament
Resolved:
That up to £150 be spent on medals and cups for this tournament when it takes place.
Expenditure: LG(MP)ACT76 Section 19
f) Tott Yew Road footpath
The Clerk had obtained four estimates for these works
Resolved:
The estimate from P Crocombe be accepted by the Council
Expenditure: Delegated by the County Council HA 1980
FP271 Report of Responsible Finance Officer
a) Budgetary Control - monitoring of Committee Budgets to end of January 2007
Budgetary control figures were discussed and noted by Committee Chairmen
b) Street Lamps - additional maintenance highlighted by Annual Maintenance Check
Resolved:
That the necessary works under Reference PL15629BR- costing £27191.23 + VAT be authorised.
Expenditure: PCA 1957: Section 3 & 1A

c) Cemetery to confirm the action on cemetery entrance - urgent repair works
When inspecting the Cemetery the Chairman, Vice - Chairman, Chairman of Finance and Policy accompanied by the Clerk found that the crossover from Gorringe Valley Road was in need of urgent repairs due to two large potholes.
Resolved:
This work was so authorised. The Clerk had contacted P Crocombe to expediate these urgent repairs.
Expenditure: LGA 72 Section 214
d) Cemetery - Flooding
The Clerk had received several complaints regarding flooding in the lower field of the cemetery which was preventing people from visiting their relatives' graves. The Clerk read out a letter from the son of one grave owner who was expressing his concerns. The Clerk had carried out extensive research with drainage engineers etc. to try and find a solution to this problem which is caused by both surface water and underground springs. Unfortunately all the papers relating to the previous drainage works at the cemetery had been sent to the Archives at Lewes. Richard Sheppard of Consultants EAR Sheppard has informed the Clerk that to carry out a survey of the area would cost £475 + VAT and to have a CCTV carry to examine the drains would cost £175.00 +VAT. Members agreed that the Clerk would request the relevant papers urgently from the Archives at Lewes. Once these had been studied, the Chairman of in conjunction with the Vice-Chairman, Chairman of Finance & Policy, and Chairman of Cemeteries would make the necessary decision of whether or not to proceed with this survey of the lower field.
e) Request from Polegate Town Council for funding legal fees for footpath transfer
The Clerk had received a letter from Polegate Town Council requesting that Willingdon and Jevington Parish Council cover all the legal costs for transferring a footpath in Watermill Ward at present in Polegate's ownership to Willingdon. Previously it had been agreed by both parties to share any costs.
Resolved:
The Council should not pay all the costs and therefore the Clerk should respond to Polegate Town Council that Willingdon and Jevington Parish Council do not wish to have ownership of this path. It may remain in the Town Council's ownership and they would be expected to continue to maintain this path to a satisfactory standard.
f) Completion of Oldfield Road kerbing project
Members agreed that the Clerk should send a recorded delivery letter to Dale Foden ESCC to obtain a response from him regarding how the moving of the electricity cable which will enable the kerbing in this area to be completed is progressing. The Clerk had supplied him at the SLR meeting with the plan from EDF Energy which showed that the cable was not the responsibility of the Parish Council but in fact fed houses in the area. The cost quoted to move this cable was £3000.
h) Request for replacement equipment of Huggetts Lane Recreation Ground
The Recreation Ground had discussed at length the multi play equipment at Huggetts Lane and the fact that spares where very difficult to obtain and the equipment was becoming beyond economic repair.
The Recreation Ground Committee had selected suitable replacement equipment and had instructed the Clerk to obtain an estimate from Wickstead Leisure for new equipment for Huggetts Lane, - the reason for using this company and one estimate was that they were a nationally established company which could provide spares and service to the equipment in future years.
Resolved:
That the estimate from Wickstead Leisure to provide the selected multi play equipment and provide a 'Springy Cockerel' be accepted. Financial Regulations be waived due to the nature of the installation.
i) Request for pedestrian crossing in Seven Sisters Road
This agenda item had been referred from SLR Sub Committee where Cllr S Shing had asked for a pedestrian crossing to help slow the traffic in Seven Sisters Road. The County Council would not fund this, however, and it would have to be funded by the Parish Council at a possible cost of some £7,000. The Clerk advised that she had received no requests for a crossing through the Parish Office. Members felt that this was not a project which would give best value to the resources of the Parish.
j) Speed Management - Mobile SID's
Members discussed at length the benefits of purchasing portable SID's, and other forms of speed management, following the SLR meeting when it had been stated that residents were very concerned over speeding in Seven Sisters Road, Meadows Road and Wannock Road. It was felt more data should be obtained.

Resolved:
East Sussex County Council be asked to provide three speed surveys to collect the volume and speed of traffic in these areas.
k) Relate - the organisation which is closing in Eastbourne wishes to put the annual £100 grant towards their Relateen Project - members agreed that they did not wish to use their grant for this specific project at this time.
FP 272 Parish Administration - Parish Clerk
Audit Commission - Mazars have been reappointed as the external auditor
JPK Project - thank you letter for the grant
WDC - dog bin emptying service increased to £4.05 per week
ESCC - Road and Safety Management Conference at Uckfield on 4 April 2007 - the Clerk will attend
AIRS - Village Shops and Post Office Survey - the Clerk will respond two post offices in this Parish
ESCC - Changes to Bus Services - the Parish is not affected by these changes
Consultation on Amendments to the Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members
Review of South East Plan - Revised Apportionment of Primary Land- won aggregates
WDC - Statement of Community Involvement - Adopted 2007
FP 273 Police Community Support Officer
The Clerk had met with the new PCSO Laura Butcher who would soon finish her training and be based at Polegate in order to service Willingdon and Jevington.
FP 274 Clustering of Parish Councils - consultation from WDALC
The Clerk and the Chairman had attended the WDALC meeting on 21st February 2007 - Clustering which is now called Groupings was accepted by WDALC's Management Committee although our comments were noted. The Groupings did not affect our ability to attend meetings etc. The Clerk urged Members to ensure that a member is appointed to be the Parish Council's representative to WDALC after the election in May and to attend future meetings so that the Parish is aware of what is occurring.
FP 275 Minutes of Sub Committees:-
a) Personnel
b) Property
c) SLR
The minutes of these sub committees were accepted by Members.
FP 276Any Other Urgent Business to be noted or for referral to relevant Committee or Council
None
P277 Funding of improvements to Willingdon Memorial Hall
The Hall Management Committee had applied to Wealden District Council along with the Parish Council for funding for improvements to the Hall. These improvements include new wiring, new heating and decorations. Estimates had been obtained from local contractors to carry out this work and the estimate was for £20000. The District Council had refused this grant even though the Hall had raised one third of the total and the Parish had granted already the other third.
Resolved:
In view of the grant application to Wealden having been refused and the importance of the Hall to the community the Parish grants a further £6666 towards these necessary works
Vote: 7 in favour 1 against. Motion carried.
Cllr Watkins recorded his thanks to all members of committee and the Parish Clerk for all their work over the previous 4 years.
Meeting closed at 9.45p.m.