Author: Irene - Parish Clerk

Ultrafast broadband – Dallington and Mountfield

This is an update to my post (yesterday) about Ultrafast broadband in Dallington and Mountfield.

I jumped the gun somewhat after getting the flyer yesterday when the parishes of Netherfield, Ninfield, Brightling, Ashburnham, Penhurst, Catsfield, Dallington and Mountfield were mentioned.  However, Openreach work on telephone exchanges and not parish boundaries, all these parishes were noted on the flyer (only delivered to certain post codes) as some residents of the parishes are connected to the Brightling and Ashburnham telephone exchanges.

I have spoken to Andrew Wedmore (Chair of Brightling PC) today – who has worked tirelessly over the past few years on this project – please click on the link below to see an email from Andrew which shows the post codes that can be connected, through the voucher scheme, at the present time.

  • Brightling telephone exchange – Brightling + Netherfield Village + Dallington Woods Corner area.
  • Ashburnham telephone exchange – Ashburnham + Penhurst + Ninfield.

There is also a link from Andrew’s email showing FAQs.

1 Broadband in Netherfield and Brightling and Dallington Woods Corner

Ultrafast broadband voucher scheme FAQs

I believe that we cannot have a two tier system for broadband and every resident of Dallington and Mountfield must have the opportunity to apply for this voucher scheme.  I intend to pursue this matter with Openreach – “the next hill that I die on.”

Just as an aside, you can find out which telephone exchange you are connected to by going to the following site – just put your post code in.

Find out which telephone exchange you are connected to

Irene – Parish Clerk

Ultrafast broadband is coming to our area for all!

Very excited about this.  There has been tremendous work by Brightling and Ashburnham & Penhurst Parish Councils on this issue for a long time and they deserve a massive shout out.

There are many of us in our parishes who get what is not exactly Ultrafast Broadband, although it may well be called that.  I have just tested my broadband (on my laptop) and I get 35.29Mbps download and 6.54Mbps download – not what I would call Ultrafast!

You can check your broadband speed by going to the site below

BT Wholesale Broadband Speed Checker

This offer guarantees Ultrafast and FIBRE TO PREMISES, most of us have fibre to cabinet.  I’ve just pooled my voucher into the scheme and have classed myself as a business (parish clerk to two councils).

I know for a fact that there are graphic designers, architects, draughtspersons etc., who have real problems working from home without Ultrafast broadband (fibre to premises).

Please do read the document below, it will give you full details on how to pool your voucher and IT WON’T COST YOU A PENNY!

Ultrafast broadband full details

To pool your voucher, go to the link below

Click on this link to pool your voucher

Even if you don’t see the benefit of Ultrafast broadband for your particular circumstances – please do pool your voucher into the scheme, it will benefit so many others.

Irene – Parish Clerk

Additional Compensation for recent power outages

Please see the statement below from Basil Scarsella, CEO of UK Power Networks, more details on the link below.

Statement from UK Power Networks CEO Basil Scarsella

I appreciate what a difficult time this is, for our many customers who have experienced a power cut caused by Storm Eunice which saw record wind speeds and damage across the South East and East of England.

While we work hard to get everybody back on supply, we have decided to make goodwill payments to our customers who were worst affected by power cuts caused by Storm Eunice and have been without power for 24 hours.

We recognise that being without power for this extended period affects your daily life so we have decided to make an extra £50 payment, earlier than payments would normally apply which would be after 48 hours.  This means that if you were impacted by Storm Eunice you will be eligible to receive £50 after 24 hours without electricity, an additional £70 when you reach 48 hours, and an additional £70 thereafter for every 12 hours without power. 

There is no need for you to call us – we’ll contact everyone who is entitled to a payment by text message, email or letter in the coming days. If you prefer you can fill in our online claim form.

I hope you and your families are safe and well. Please rest assured it’s our top priority to get your power back on as quickly as we can.

Basil Scarsella

New planning application for Mountfield

RR/2022/111/P – Keepers Cottage, Mountfield Lane
Two-storey extension to rear, demolition of existing porch, internal alterations.
Deadline for comments is 11.03.22.
This application and it’s listed building consent will be on the agenda at the MPC meeting on 08.03.22.

Click on this link to see full details on the RDC planning website

Click on this link to see full details on the RDC planning website – listed building consent

 

Agenda for the Mountfield Parish Council Meeting on 18th January 2022

12th January 2022

Parish Council Members are summoned to a meeting of Mountfield Parish Council to be held on 18th January 2022 at 7.30pm in Mountfield Village Hall.
Members of the press and public are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Irene Marchant – Parish Clerk/RFO
St. Giles, Woods Corner, Dallington, East Sussex TN21 9LA
01424 838414/07711224150 – clerk@mountfield.org.uk

1. Disclosure of Interests

To receive any disclosures by Members of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any such interest and whether the Member regards the interest as a disclosable pecuniary interest under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

2. Dispensations

3. Council Vacancy

To consider any application for co-option and if a suitable candidate is agreed to proceed to fill the vacancy immediately.

4. Apologies for absence

5. Accuracy of the minutes of previous meetings

6. Open Forum

6.1 County Council report (ESCC)

6.2 District Council report (RDC)

6.3 Public Question Time – to receive any questions or concerns from members of the public on matters on the agenda

7. MPC Budget 2022-23

To approve, by resolution, the MPC draft revenue budget for 2022-23 as presented by the Clerk.

8. MPC Precept 2022-23

To resolve the MPC precept amount for 2022-23.

9. The Queen’s 70th Jubilee

To discuss and plan any events/celebrations/other actions to celebrate the jubilee.

10. MPC Environmental Policy

To consider an MPC Environmental Policy (Councillor P. Miles)

11. Attendance at regular third party meetings

To consider an attendance rota for MPC meetings for such meetings, e.g. Police, RALC.

12. Phone box in New Cut

To finally decide what use is to be made of this historic phone box.

13. Consultations/Responses

Rother District Council Budget and Council Tax Consultation (response by 31.01.22)

14. Planning

14.1 Planning applications for consideration

None.

14.2 Any other planning matters for discussion

15. Enforcement

15.1 RDC Weekly Enforcement list

15.2 Any other enforcement matters for discussion

16. Finance

16.1 Bank balances at 31.12.21

  • MPC deposit account – £20,825.89
  • MPC current account – £2,110.23
  • KGF current account – £4,089.91

16.2 Payments for approval

  • Clerk (Dec 21-Jan 22) salary, home office, expenses – £947.62

16.3 Approval of third quarter accounts at 31.12.21

To approve the third quarter accounts at 31.12.21 as presented by the Clerk.

17. Dates of next meetings

  • 08.02.22 – planning meeting (provisional, will only be held if required)
  • 08.03.22 – KGF meeting (starts 7.00pm)
  • 08.03.22 – full council meeting
    All to start at 7.30pm in Mountfield Village Hall, unless otherwise stated above

 

 

 

 

VACANCY FOR A MOUNTFIELD COUNCILLOR

Mountfield Parish Council have a vacancy for a Councillor due to the resignation of Caroline Hollamby, she gave great service to the Mountfield community and will be missed.
We hope to co-opt a new Councillor at our meeting on 18.01.22 (agenda to be published shortly).
If anyone is interested in applying, please download the application below and for any further information, contact the Clerk on – clerk@mountfield.org.uk – or phone me on 01424 838414.
All application forms must be received by the Clerk by 4.00pm on 14.01.22.
Irene – Parish Clerk

MPC Casual Vacancy Application Form

 

Draft Minutes of the Mountfield Parish Council Planning/Enforcement Meeting held on 14.12.21

Present
Councillors S. Rickman-Smith (Chair), P. Miles, J. Ray
Mrs. I. Marchant (Parish Clerk/RFO)

1. Disclosures of Interest

None declared.

2. Dispensations

None requested.

3. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Councillors Hardy, Taylor and Whines.

4.  Open Forum

Public Question Time – No members of the public were present.

5. Planning

5.1 Planning applications for  consideration

RR/2021/2586/P – 2 Crossing Farm, land at Eatenden Lane
Application for reserved matters for the approval of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings (outline application approved on appeal APP/U1430/W/18/3218578).
Agreed – to support this application.  The Chair and Councillor Miles agreed support, Councillor Ray objected.

RR/2021/2386/P – 9 Mountfield Villas, Solomons Lane
Demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement detached garage.
Agreed – to object to this application on the following grounds:

  • The current building line must be maintained, so it does not protrude by approximately 3.3 metres as proposed.
  • Ideally the ridge height should be reviewed so it becomes less overbearing.

RR/2021/2700/P – 1 Mountfield Villas, Hoath Hill
Proposed demolition of existing storage building and erection of replacement detached garage building.
Agreed – to support this application.

5.2 Other planning matters for discussion

  • Resolved – to confirm the Clerk’s delegated authority to respond, on behalf of MPC,  to planning applications when it is not possible to hold a meeting.  This authority will only be used when absolutely necessary.  The Chair proposed and Councillor Miles seconded, the voting was unanimous.
  • Concern was expressed by Members at the number of undecided planning applications still held by RDC.  At 14.12.21 (includes all Rother applications) the number was 170.  Mountfield had 15 application still undecided.
  • In spite of the above numbers causing concern, the Members agreed that things were improving, albeit very slowly.

6. Enforcement

  • No Mountfield items on recent RDC weekly enforcement list.
  • There are major concerns regarding enforcement issues at Baldwins Farm and RDC’s enforcement action is noted.

7. Dates of next meetings

  • 18.01.22 – Full Council Meeting
  • 08.02.22 – Planning Meeting (provisional, will only be held if required)

 

 

Agenda for MPC Planning Meeting on 14.12.21

8th December 2021

Parish Council Members are summoned to a meeting of Mountfield Parish Council (planning), to be held on 14th December 2021, at 7.30pm in Mountfield Village Hall.
Members of the public and press are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Irene Marchant, Parish Clerk/RFO
St. Giles, Woods Corner, Dallington, East Sussex T21 9LA
01424 838414/07711224150
clerk@mountfield.org.uk

1. Disclosure of Interests

To receive any disclosures by Members of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any such interest and whether the Member regards the interest as a disclosable pecuniary interest under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

2. Dispensations

3. Apologies for Absence

4. Open Forum

Public Question Time – to receive any questions or concerns from members of the public on matters on the agenda.

5. Planning

5.1 Planning applications for consideration

RR/2021/1586/P – 2 Crossing Farm, land at Eatenden Lane
Application for reserved matters for the approval of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings (outline application approved on appeal APP/U1430/W/18/3218578).

Click on this link to see full details on the RDC planning website

RR/2021/2836/P – 9 Mountfield Villas, Solomons Lane
Demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement detached garage.

Click on this link to see full details on the RDC planning website

RR/2021/2700/P – 1 Mountfield Villas, Hoath Hill
Proposed demolition of existing storage building and erection of replacement detached  garage building.

Click on this link to see full details on the RDC planning website

5.2 Other planning matters for discussion

  • To ratify, by resolution, the Clerk’s delegated authority to respond to planning applications on behalf of MPC, when a formal meeting is impossible.
  • A brief review of progress/outcomes (planning/enforcement) since previous MPC meetings (Councillor P. Miles).

6. Enforcement

  • Enforcement issues at Baldwins Farm (Councillor P. Miles).
  • Any Mountfield items on RDC’s recent enforcement lists.
  • Any other enforcement matters for discussion.

7. Dates of next meetings

  • 11.01.22 – Full council meeting.
  • 08.02.22 – Planning meeting (provisional, will only be held if required)
  • Both to start at 7.30pm in Mountfield Village Hall

 

 

Parish Council of Mountfield – Vacancy for a Councillor

  1. In accordance with Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a CASUAL VACANCY has occurred in the office of PARISH COUNCILLOR of the above named Parish in the Ward of Burwash and the Weald, due to the resignation of Councillor Caroline Hollamby.
  2. An election to fill this vacancy will be held if, within 14 days (not counting Saturdays and Sundays and certain days) from the date below, TEN electors for the Parish give notice in writing claiming such an election to the Returning Officer.
  3. The name and address of the Returning Officer is:
    MALCOLM JOHNSON
    RETURNING OFFICER
    ROTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL
    TOWN HALL
    BEXHILL-ON-SEA
    EAST SUSSEX TN39 3JX
  4. In accordance with Rule 5(4) of the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) Rules 2006, if the vacancy is not filled by election, it shall be filled by the Parish Council as soon as practicable.
  5. For further information about the co-option process, which the Parish Council will follow if not valid request for an election is received, please contact the Parish Clerk.

Signed: Irene Marchant – Parish Clerk
Dated: 6th December 2021
Address: St. Giles, Woods Corner, Dallington, East Sussex TN21 9LA
01424 838414/07711224150
clerk@mountfield.org.uk