LAUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 16th September 7.30pm at
Laughton Parish Hall
Present: Cllr Alex Carey (AC), who chaired the meeting, Cllr Jackie Breeds (JB) Cllr Mike
Cook (MC) and Cllr Chris Mortimer.
Also in attendance:
Cllr Barby Dashwood-Morris - Wealden District Council
Karen Crowhurst – Clerk to Laughton Parish Council
Members of the public - 5
Item No
Minutes
LP/15/115 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Dart and Cllr Gill.
LP/15/116 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
There were no declarations of Members' interests.
LP/15/117 TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
15TH JULY
Resolved to accept the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15th
July 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting. This was proposed
by Cllr Cook and seconded by Cllr Breeds. Cllr Carey then signed the
minutes.
LP/15/118 QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC,
RELATING TO MATTERS ON THIS PUBLIC AGENDA
One member of the public requested clarification regarding item 8c on the
agenda, which was responded to accordingly.
LP/15/119 EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL AND WEALDEN DISTRICT COUNCIL
REPORTS
Cllr Dashwood- Morris advised that she did not have much to report due to
the summer holiday. Cllr Dashwood-Morris drew attention to the most
recent Wealden District Council's Parish Bulletin.
LP/15/119
PLANNING
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Action
By
a) Plans
WD/2015/1891/FA LAUGHTON COTTAGE, BRICKHURST LANE,
LAUGHTON, BN8 6DD
MINOR MATERIAL AMENDMENT TO APPLICATION WD/2015/0757/F
(EXTENSION AND REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING COTTAGE. EXTENSION
AND REFURBISHMENT OF POOL HOUSE. SOLAR PANELS TO POOL HOUSE
ROOF)- TO AMEND ROOF OF KITCHEN EXTENSION FROM SHALLOW PITCH
TO FLAT.
Comments and observations
Laughton Parish Council supports the application. Members agreed that
the amendments proposed were an improvement to the original
application.
WD/2015/1941/F FIVE TREES, POUND LANE, LAUGHTON BN8 6BE
PROPOSED FLAT ROOF PARAPET WALL SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION
Comments and observations
Laughton Parish Council has no objections to this application. Members
would like to draw attention to the planning documents as they considered
the plan(s)and elevation(s) documents were difficult to read even when
displayed through a projector. This somewhat limited full consideration by
the Parish Council.
b) To consider any planning applications that have been received after
the agenda has been published
WD/2015/1604/FA HOME FARM BUNGALOW, LEWES ROAD, LAUGHTON
BN8 6BQ
REMOVAL OF AGRICULTURAL OCCUPANCY CONDITION NO. 1
ATTACHED TO PLANNING PERMISSION WD/76/1372/X
Comments and observations
Laughton Parish Council supports this application and consider that the
request to remove agricultural occupancy a reasonable one, especially as
Home Farm has not functioned as a farm with agricultural purposes for
many years.
c) Planning applications refused, approved, referred, withdrawn or
appeals
WD/2015/0298/F CONVERSION OF REDUNDANT TIMBER FRAMED BARN
TO RESIDENTIAL. DEMOLITION OF OUTBUILDINGS.
LANDSCAPING.BACHELORS, LAUGHTON BN8 6BP - Approved
WD/2015/0299/LB CONVERSION OF REDUNDANT TIMBER FRAMED BARN
TO RESIDENTIAL. DEMOLITION OF OUTBUILDINGS. LANDSCAPING.
BACHELORS, LAUGHTON BN8 6BP-Approved
WD/2015/0900/FR ERECTION OF REPLACEMENT DWELLING IDENTICAL IN
DEVELOPMENT TO SCHEMEAPPROVED UNDER WD/2011/0570/F BUT
WITH ALTERATIONS TO FENESTRATION,
ADJUSTMENT TO USE OF SOME AREAS, REPOSITIONING OF OUTDOOR
POOL AND PROVISION OF SINGLE-STOREY POOL/GAMES ROOM (PART
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RETROSPECTIVE). (RENEWAL OF WD/2012/2498/FR).PROSPECT HOUSE,
BRICKHURST LANE, LAUGHTON BN8 6DD -Approved
Members noted the approved applications
d) To ratify decisions made regarding Planning applications:
WD/2015/1597/F BACHELORS, LAUGHTON BN8 6BP NEW ORANGERY TO
REAR ELEVATION OF ANNEXE. Refusal recommended.
WD/2015/1598/LB BACHELORS, LAUGHTON BN8 6BP NEW ORANGERY
TO REAR ELEVATION OF ANNEXE. Refusal recommended.
Members ratified the Parish Council decisions and the decision documents
sent to Wealden District Council.
e) Other planning matters – To discuss or note any other planning
matters brought to the attention of the Parish Council
An enforcement matter was discussed as a decision had been made by the
Enforcement Officer that the matter was compliant with planning
obligations. Members did not feel comfortable with the decision and
requested that Cllr Dashwood- Morris advise how to complain. Cllr
Dashwood- Morris advised clearly that the Council could not complain
about the decision but request how the Officer arose to the decision.
Members then requested the Clerk contact the Officer and copy in Cllr
Dashwood-Morris and Craig Moon as advised by her.
LP/15/121
VILLAGE GREEN WORKING GROUP - to discuss and agree next steps
including deadline for the end of the project and tender and maintenance
processes. To also agree any further actions required.
This item was discussed after item 10.
At 20.15 The Vice Chairman suspended orders to allow the representative
of the Village Green Working Group update the Council. Richard Masefield
raised a couple of questions arising from the informal meeting recently
held with himself and the Parish Council which were duly answered. Mr
Masefield requested that the Parish Council consider some minor work to
the planters. Mr Masefield also advised that he is currently working on a
tender specification document.
The Vice Chairman reinstated Standing Orders at 20.18.
Members of the Council agreed that the minor work to the planters be
carried out and also agreed that it would be prudent to hold a further
informal meeting in March to establish progress.
LP/15/122
SPEEDING THROUGHOUT THE PARISH OF LAUGHTON a) To consider a meeting of the parish to agree next steps
b) To consider establishing a Working Group with Parish Council
representation
c) To report of any outcome from the SLR meeting regarding speeding in
the village
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The
Clerk
All of the above items were covered during discussions. Cllr Mortimer
informed Members that ESCC are supportive of an initiative to reduce
speeding. After much discussion it was agreed to hold a village meeting on
22nd October inviting all residents to air their concerns about speeding on
the whole of the B2124 and perhaps to invite neighbouring Councils along
to establish their concerns. Cllr Cook agreed to confirm whether the large
hall would be free for the evening. It was also agreed in light of
correspondence received by the Council to establish the feasibility of using
a speeding indicator with volunteers.
Cllr Dashwood- Morris offered her support during these discussions. The
Vice Chairman suspended orders at various times during this item to allow
members of the public to comment and raise their concerns.
LP/15/122
PLAY EQUIPMENT – update
The Clerk reported that there has been a slight delay in replacing the goal
netting as it had to be ordered from France. Members thanked the Clerk
for dealing with this matter.
LP/15/120
BRICKHURST POND – MAINTENANCE AND OTHER MATTERS
At 20.09 The Vice Chairman suspended orders to allow a member of the
public to update the Council. Jean Mary Crozier advised that in her capacity
on the Brickhurst Pond Working Group she has now sourced 3 contractors
who have submitted verbal quotations. The member of the public
requested the Council agree which contractor should carry out the work in
line with the verbal quotations. The Clerk requested to advise the Council
of the procedure for contractor quotes which was duly granted. The Clerk
advised that the Council should consider written quotations which could
be considered by all Members of the Council carefully as the Council has an
obligation to consider best value for money as well as being compliant with
the Local Government Act 1972 and the Parish Council's Financial
Regulations and Standing Orders. The member of the public kindly agreed
to source the Parish Council with 3 written quotations in readiness for the
October Parish Council meeting.
At 20.12 Orders were reinstated by the Vice Chairman.
LP/15/123
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY - update
The Clerk reported that she has not received any expressions of interest
regarding the Parish Council vacancy.
LP/15/124
PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE – update
Cllr Mortimer reported that newly modified website is near completion. All
Members agreed that the website looks fantastic. Cllr Mortimer requested
that a flyer produced by him informing residents about the website be
displayed. Members agreed to this request.
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LP/15/125
THE BUCKLE NEWSLETTER - Autumn edition
Members discussed the next edition and agreed that the format and
content needs to be looked at. Cllr Mortimer agreed to collate items for
the newsletter. A request was made to Cllr Dashwood- Morris to submit an
item about Community Infrastructure Levy for Wealden.
LP/15/126
FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Payments and receipts – Previously circulated
Members agreed not to approve the payments and receipts list as there
was an adjustment to the list regarding the costs of the Poll the Clerk had
raised a cheque for. After requesting a breakdown from WDC about the
costs and establishing the legal cost element in the bill and the decision
not to sign the cheque. Members are pleased that the matter has now
been resolved as WDC have now agreed to remove the legal costs and resubmit a new invoice all other payments will be approved in October.
b) Bank reconciliation Statements 53 and 54 – Previously circulated
Resolved to accept bank reconciliation statements 53 and 54 previously
circulated by the Clerk. This reconciliation papers were signed by Cllr
Carey.
c) Any other Financial matters
There were none.
LP/15/127
CLERK REPORT - verbal update about attending a meeting with SSALC and
Chief Executive of National Association of Local Councils
The Clerk reported of her attendance at the above meeting where
Neighbourhood Plans and the Code of Transparency and any sanctions
were raised. Members agreed that Laughton Parish Council are on track in
displaying the required documents.
LP/15/128
REPORTS (BY LEAVE)
Cllr Carey provided an update regarding the installation of new benches on
the Village Green.
LP/15/129
ITEMS FOR REFERRAL TO NEXT AGENDA
1) Christmas tree and festivities
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.05. Date of next
meeting Wednesday 21st October 7.30pm in Laughton Parish Hall.
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