DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MOUNTFIELD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, HELD ON 8th JULY 2025
Present: Councillors R. Farhall (Chair), N. Whines (Vice-Chair), J. Giles, M. Hardy, S. O’Sullivan, R. Purdie
Mrs. I. Marchant (Parish Clerk/RFO)
County Councillor K. Field
Members of the public
1. Disclosures of Interests
None declared.
2. Dispensations
None requested.
3. Apologies for absence
None
4. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting
RESOLVED: that the draft minutes of the MPC annual meeting held 13.05.25 be confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor Hardy seconded; the voting was unanimous.
5. Open Forum
5.1 County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor K. Field
- ESCC has referred itself to CIPFA for a resilience report.
- There has been an increase in the elderly having falls.
- ESCC has asked Central Government to strengthen environmental protection in the planning and infrastructure bill.
5.2 District Council report (RDC) – Councillor Kirby-Green sent apologies, Councillor Field reported that:
- There is a dispute between Sedlescombe and Icklesham PCs and RDC regarding the parish council taking over public toilets.
- RDC has become sixth in UK improving environmental measures.
5.3 Public Question Time
- A resident mentioned ongoing litter problems and asked if there was the possibility of a street cleaner to dispose of litter from the bins (not yet installed) in New Cut.
- This item will be discussed in full at the September meeting. The issue will be the collection of waste from the proposed bins and disposed of legally.
- Councillor Purdie said the A21 (John’s Cross area) is badly littered. The Clerk is to contact RDC regarding this. (CLERK)
6. Memorial for Peter Miles
RESOLVED: to donate the sum of £500.00 to All Saints Church and £500.00 to St Michaels Hospice (Hastings) in memory of Peter Miles and his contribution to Mountfield. Councillor Hardy proposed and Councillor Giles seconded, the voting was unanimous. (CLERK).
His family have also asked that a service tree be planted in his memory and a suitable site is to be found.
7. Playground equipment
After some discussion, Councillor Whines is to contact Sovereign Play Equipment again regarding some queries on their quotation. This item will be on the agenda at the September meeting.
8. Wastebin for New Cut
This item will be deferred until the September meeting.
9. Mountfield Village Hall Rest Centre/Resilience Plan
Councillor Whines is to establish likely costs. It is expected that this project will be deferred until council year 2026-27.
British Gypsum have very generously offer assistance on this matter:
- Provision of PPE (such as Hi-Vis, safety boots, gloves etc).
- Provision of radios to assist with local communication.
- Assistance with transportation using BG 4×4 vehicles.
- Sharing contacts with local partners who may be able to assist with tree/road clearance.
- BG have multiple First Aiders who may be able to support emergency services.
- BG will endeavour to ensure that the BG private Mine Road is kept clear and available for emergency services.
- They have provided a phone number which is staffed 24/7.
(COUNCILLOR WHINES)
10. Highways England John’s Cross speed limits
Councillor Purdie reported that motor bikes are speeding excessively and are very noisy. The Clerk is to investigate borrowing a Black Cat speed detection device from another parish council. (CLERK)
11. Southern Water Solar Array
Councillor O’Sullivan reported that:
- Southern Water have requested a meeting to walk around the reservoir and discuss the permissive path.
- Southern Water have sent a layout of their new plan. (COUNCILLOR O’SULLIVAN)
12. Change of MPC email suffixes to .gov.uk
The Clerk reported that these are nearly complete.
Post meeting note: all .gov.uk email suffixes are now complete and are being used by all Councillors and the Clerk.
13. Devolution/Local Government Reorganisation
- The Chair has replied on behalf of MPC to the national survey.
- A plan from ESCC and RDC is expected by the end of September 2025.
14. Matters Outstanding
14.1 Defibrillator for Eatenden Lane. The backboard and post are complete and the defibrillator will be ordered and installed very shortly. (CLERK)
14.2 Telephone Box. The contractor to do the work is now unable to do so, the Clerk will investigate other contractors who have recently done such work. (CLERK)
14.3 AGAR 2024-25 Certificate of Exemption.
RESOLVED: as our internal auditor (PKF Littlejohn) recently informed MPC that they are exempt from a limited assurance review and can exempt themselves, the Certificate of Exemption was completed and signed by the RFO and Chair. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor Purdie seconded, the voting was unanimous.
15. Planning
15.1 Planning application for consideration:
- RR/2025/712/P – London Road, land west of Mountfield
Variation of condition 2 imposed on RR/2024/198/P for the provision of glamping pods with solar panels and wheelchair access.
RESOLVED: to object to this application on the following grounds: It is over-development and the pods look like holiday park homes and not glamping pods, it is completely inappropriate for the area. Councillor O’Sullivan proposed and Councillor Giles seconded, the voting was unanimous.
15.2 Comments made under delegated authority:
- RR/2025/667/P – 8 Mountfield Villas, Solomon’s Lane
Erection of detached garage.
MPC objected to this application on the following grounds: they consider the roof height to be far too high; the roof height is higher than the eaves unlike the adjoining properties. MPC consider this will have an overbearing impact on adjoining properties. It will distract from the character and appearance of the wider street scene, settlement and countryside location.
15.3 No other planning matters for discussion.
16. Enforcement
16.1 No Mountfield items on RDC’s most recent enforcement list
15.2 No other enforcement matters for discussion.
17. Highways/Rights of Way
17.1 The Highways Steward did not attend the meeting set up recently and MPC have received an apology from ESCC.
The Clerk is to arrange another meeting, on a Friday at 11.30, she will contact all concerned regarding suitable dates. (CLERK)
17.2 There have been complaints from residents regarding vehicles using Eatenden Lane (due to a recent diversion). MPC will continue to monitor the situation.
17.2 No other urgent highways matters for discussion.
18. Finance
18.1 Bank balances at 30.06.25
- MPC deposit account – £19,594.59
- MPC current account – £3,802.22
- KGF current account – £4,770.86
18.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payments. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor Hardy seconded, the voting was unanimous.
- Clerk, salary/home office (Jul/Jul 2025) – £1,117.40
- Satswana, DPO services 2025-26 – £90.00
- * Godaddy, website security 1 year – £143.86
- * ICO registration 2025-26 – £52.00
- * Marmax picnic tables – £1,045.20
- * Uniserve, IT support – £310.80
* already paid
18.3 RESOLVED: to approve the first quarter accounts at 30.06.25 as presented by the Clerk. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor Purdie seconded, the voting was unanimous.
18.4 After some discussion, it was decided not to raise the monthly limit on the MPC credit card.
19. Dates of next meetings
- 12.08.25 – full council meeting/planning meeting (provisional)
- 09.09.25 – King George’s Field meeting (starts 7.00pm)
- 09.09.25 – full council meeting (starts 7.30pm)