DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MOUNTFIELD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 10th MARCH 2026
Present: Councillors R. Farhall (Chair), N, Whines (Vice-Chair), J. Giles, M. Hardy, S. O’Sullivan
Mrs. I. Marchant (Parish Clerk/RFO)
Members of the public
1. Disclosure 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 meeting held on 20.01.26 be confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings. The Chair proposed and Councillor Hardy seconded, the voting was unanimous. The minutes were signed by the Chair.
5. Open Forum
5.1 County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor Field sent apologies and the following information:
- The County Council has submitted its report to Government about Local Government Reorganisation. It supports a single unitary authority on the current East Sussex boundaries and has asked for the suspension of County Council elections next May.
- Adult Social Care has been inspected by CQC and rated Good.
5.2 District Council report (RDC) – Councillor Kirby-Green sent apologies and the following information:
- Food waste bins have been rolled out, which is a National Government initiative. Collections will be starting from the beginning of April.
- The draft Local Plan with housing allocations is out for consideration. Mountfield does not have a housing allocation. The consultation can be found here – https://rother.oc2.uk/document/184
- We have managed to produce a balanced budget for the forthcoming year. This is largely due to the new Finance Director who has done an impressive job.
5.3 Public Question Time:
- A member of the public asked if Network Rail have to get permission to close a road (A2100). The answer is yes, but it is really tick-box exercise.
- Complaints about HGVs using Solomon’s Lane during the recent A2100 closure.
- A banks person should be available at the John’s Cross entrance to the A2100 to direct HGVs aways from the Village.
- A considerable about of litter has been left by Network Rail contractors.
- ESCC must consider verge repair/restoration in Solomon’s Lane after the recent A2100 road closure.
THE MEETING RECONVENED
6. King George’s Field
RESOLVED: to accept the quotation from H&T Building Services for the sum £5,800 plus VAT. The Chair proposed and Councillor Whines seconded, the voting was unanimous.
The timescale for this work is to be agreed.
This sum will be split between the KGF Trust and MPC, MPC will claim the VAT back from HMRC.
7. Parish Profile
A decision on initiating a Parish Profile and the work involved will be deferred to the MPC May meeting.
8. Southern Water Solar Array
Councillor O’Sullivan reported that a detailed plan has been received. Trees are to be planted at the top end and camera positions have been slightly lowered.
9. Village Waste Collection
After some discussion it was agreed that most of the litter is due to drivers throwing their litter out of their windows. There was further discussion on the best way to handle this and it will be revisited at the May meeting.
10. Mountfield Parish Assembly 2026
The Mountfield PA will be held on 14.04.26 at 7.30pm in Mountfield Village Hall. It will follow the same friendly and informal pattern as previously. We are still waiting to see if a representative from Dark Skies will be available to give a small presentation.
11. Refurbishment of Telephone Box
We expect to receive at least one quotation shortly.
12. Grit Bins replacement and refill
With so many damaged/broken grit bins, the Chair will undertake a survey of all Mountfield grit bins, their condition/filling etc. (CHAIR)
13. Planning
13.1 Planning applications for consideration
- RR/2026/0233/PIP – Woodland Cottage, Mountfield Lane
Permission in Principle for proposed conversion of existing ancillary living unit into 1no. dwelling.
AGREED: to object to this application as MPC consider it over-development.
- Extension to Traveller Site at Valentine Ridge (Rother Local Plan 2025-2042)
AGREED: to object to this extension of the traveller site at Valentine Ridge (Policy GYP6). We consider it to be over-development and there will be a severe lack of services.
13.2 No other planning matters for discussion.
14. Enforcement
14.1 RDC Enforcement are to visit the site at Walters Wood on the A21.
14.2 There has been a complaint regarding the glamping site on the A2100 (Fox Earth). MPC will continue to monitor this issue.
15 Highways/Rights of Way
- A2100, the Highways Steward will report the temporary pond and broken drains after the meeting with MPC. There has been no formal response from ESCC Highways after this meeting.
- The Clerk will report all the issues/complaints regarding the recent A2100 road closure due to Network Rail works (see item 5.3) (CLERK)
16. Finance
16.1 Bank balances at 28.02.26
- MPC deposit account – £8,382.69
- MPC current account – £3,193.41
- KGF current account – £4,520.05
16.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payments. Councillor Giles proposed and Councillor Hardy seconded, the voting was unanimous.
- Clerk salary/HO, expenses Feb/Mar 2026 – £1,160.25
- *Parish Online domain name – £120.00
- *RALC subscription – £32.00
* already paid
16.3 The Unity Trust mandate will be updated at a later date.
17. Dates of next meetings
- 14.04.26 – Full Council Meeting/Planning Meeting (provisional only, starts 6.45pm)
- 14.04.26 – Mountfield Parish Assembly 2026
- 12.05.26 – Annual Council Meeting