DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MOUNTFIELD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 21st JANUARY 2025
Present: Councillors R. Farhall (Chair), N. Whines (Vice-Chair), J. Giles, M. Hardy, S. O’Sullivan
Mrs. I. Marchant (Partish Clerk/RFO)
District Councillor E. Kirby-Green
31st January 2025
MPC Members and the Clerk took a few minutes as the meeting started to remember Peter Miles. His passions for and contribution to Mountfield and the High Weald National Landscape were immense. He played a leading role in the Darwell Area Conservation Society (DACS) and founded the Mountfield Residents Group (MRG) to ensure that a proper sewerage works would be built, this success was very much due to Peter’s leadership and communication skills.
MPC send their sincere condolence to Val and his family and will arrange with Val for a suitable donation/memorial.
He was an exceptional man and will be sadly missed.
1. Disclosure of interests
None declared.
2. Dispensations
None requested.
3. Apologies for absence
Councillors Hardy and Purdie sent apologies.
4. Accuracy of the minutes of the previous meeting(s)
RESOLVED: that the draft minutes of the MPC meeting held on 12.11.24 be confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor Giles seconded, the voting was unanimous. The minutes were signed by the Chair.
5. Open Forum
5.1 County Council report (ESCC) – Councillor Field send apologies.
5.2 District Council report (RDC) – Councillor E. Kirby-Green
- Devolution – possibility of a combined authority and elections may be delayed.
- RDC are working on their local plan.
- Neighbourhood plans will become important, even for small parishes.
- The budget is still under discussion.
- The saving due for 2023-24 have not been completely achieved.
- A new head of planning has been appointed.
5.3 Open Forum – no members of the public present.
6. Approval of the MPC Draft Revenue Budget 2025-26 and setting the MPC precept for 2025-26
6.1 RESOLVED: to approve the MPC Draft Revenue Budget for 2025-26. The Chair proposed and Councillor Whines seconded, the voting was unanimous.
6.2 RESOLVED: to set the MPC precept for 2025-26 at £12,000.00 (as the previous year). The Chair proposed and Councillor Whines seconded, the voting was unanimous.
7. CIL Expenditure 2025-26
The Members will consider this before the March meeting, likely expenditure will be on the playground – new play equipment, picnic tables and chairs etc. (ALL)
8. RR/2024/2467/O – SW Solar Array
- SW are still finalising their landscape plan.
- SW are considering the possibility of moving one of the array rows further down, to improve views for neighbouring properties.
- Updated plans for panels and landscaping have been received.
- The deer fencing will be 1.8/2m height.
- The hedge along the land is to be 3m height. It was noted that this has just been trimmed, no knowledge of contractor.
- SW will not give any information regarding solar panels in adjoining fields.
- It is considered that SW are installing an inappropriate gate in a rural area.
- SW have agreed to 3m poles for their CCTV camera, instead of 4m.
- SW have agreed to the tree planting scheme endorsed by MPC – no planting as yet.
- MPC/BPC are trying to get a follow-up meeting with SW to discuss the permissive path around the reservoir.
- Another meeting, on site with SW is needed.
- A traffic management plan will be needed during the construction phase.
9. Highways England/John’s Cross speed limits
This item was deferred as Councillor Purdie was not present. It will be discussed at the MPC March meeting.
10. Mountfield Village Hall Rest Centre/Resilience Plan
This item was deferred and will be on the agenda at the MPC March meeting.
11. New Playground Equipment
The Members discussed the removal of the rocking horse and new equipment to be installed. The Clerk is to send Members details of suitable equipment. (CLERK)
12. Matters Outstanding
- Defibrillator for Eatenden Lane – the Clerk is to contact another contractor to build and install the post and board for this defibrillator, once installed she will then order the defibrillator. (CLERK)
- Telephone Box refurbishment – in progress. (CHAIR)
- Change of MPC domain name – the Clerk to investigate other email providers apart from Zoho, looking at cost and security. (CLERK)
13. Devolution/Local Government Reorganisation
Please see below a report from County Councillor E. Kirby-Green, giving details on the above.
In December, a week before Christmas, the government published a paper on Devolution. Unusually they did not choose to publish a consultative Green Paper but a White Paper which sets out what they plan to do. It was much more specific than expected and with a tight timetable. This note sets out the facts and corrects some of the widespread misunderstanding about Devolution.
In the White Paper the government invited councils, including East Sussex, to submit expressions of interest to be considered for the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme indicating support for a Sussex Mayoral Strategic Authority. This could unlock new money and powers for the region.
The expression of interest, which was sent on Friday 10th January, is from the leaders of East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove. East and West Sussex would each have a unitary authority, taking on responsibility for the services provided by the Districts and Boroughs which, along with the county council, would cease to exist. (Brighton is already a unitary authority). Staff from the Districts and Boroughs are expected to transfer across.
The Government’s White Paper sets out in detail the key areas that a strategic authority would be in control of to drive growth and provide support on shaping public services. These include:
- Transport and local infrastructure
- Skills and employment support
- Housing and strategic planning
- Economic development and regeneration
- Environment and climate change
- Health, wellbeing and public service reform
- Public safety
The most likely model is that the Mayoral Strategic Authority would be ‘light touch’ with most of the services for residents provided at unitary level.
The expected timeline following the submission of the proposal is:
- A devolution consultation would be held before the end of March 2025.
- The results of the devolution consultation will be assessed in the Spring 2025 following which a Ministerial decision will be taken as to whether to proceed with a Mayoral Strategic Authority (prior to unitary re-organisation). The Spending Review will then confirm future mayoral investment funds for new mayoral areas.
- Relevant legislation will be laid before Parliament in relation to the creation of Strategic Authorities.
- In March 2026 notice of mayoral elections will be given for a Mayoral election in May 2026. A decision whether to move to a Mayoral Strategic Authority under the reorganised arrangements would follow.
The letter from the three council leaders has also asked for a delay in the May 2025 elections. This has caused some debate, but the rationale as expressed by council officials as well as leaders is:
- Given the timescales set out by the government, much of the work involved in consultation and writing proposals for devolution would be at the same time as the build up to, and follow on from, the May 25 elections. This could not be done during an election period.
- Other local government reorganisations generally have a delay in elections. The white paper specifically mentions delaying elections.
- Holding an election would potentially result in a significant new set of councillors who would need significant work by officials to bring up to speed, at a time when their workload would be dominated by the reorganisation and continuing to manage services.
- The resulting county councillors would only be in office for 2 years.
A debate on this was held in an emergency meeting of the full council in East Sussex on 9th January and rejected a motion to continue to hold the elections. A subsequent cabinet meeting agreed to submit the letter including requesting a delay. On the same day West Sussex and Brighton also agreed to submit the letter. However, the decision as to whether to delay the election is made not by councils but by government ministers and parliament.
14. Planning
141. No planning applications for consideration.
14.2 No other planning matters for discussion.
15. Enforcement
15.2 There are concerns regarding the Coussens Crane site due to more containers and hardstanding being laid. The Clerk will inform RDC Enforcement. (CLERK)
5.13 No other enforcement matters for discussion.
16. Highways/Rights of Way
16.2 The pavement from New Cut to the John’s Cross roundabout is again covered in leaves/debris after the recent storms. The Clerk will inform ESCC Highways. (CLERK)
16.2 The drain covers by the KGF entrance are still damaged, the Clerk to inform ESCC Highways. (CLERK)
17. Finance
17.1 Bank balances at 31.12.24
- MPC deposit account – £19,347.87
- MPC current account – £4,410.15
- KGF current account – £4,109.67
17.2 RESOLVED: to approve the following payments. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor Giles seconded, the voting was unanimous.
- Clerk, salary/HO/expenses (Dec24/Jan25), backpay – £1278.19
- * Mastercard fee – £3.00
- * UT service charge – £6.00
17.3 RESOLVED: to approve the third quarter accounts at 31.12.24 as presented by the Clerk. Councillor Whines proposed and Councillor Giles seconded, the voting was unanimous.
18. Dates of next meetings
- 11.02.25 – Full Council Meeting (provisional)
- 11.03.25 – KGF Meeting (starts 7.00pm)
- 11.03.25 – Full Council Meeting (starts 7.30pm)