MINUTES of a meeting of the Hurst Meadows Management Committee  held at 8.00 pm on Thursday 21 June 2018 in the Village Centre, Hurstpierpoint. 

Committee Members present:  Allan Brown (Chairman) 

Stephen Hand  

Malcolm Llewellyn 

Claire Majsai 

Julia Shorrocks  

In attendance:  

Stephen Hoyles  CLERK TO THE COUNCIL 

Nick Sinclair  MAINTENANCE OFFICER 

3 members of the public 

PA18/004.  Apologies for Absence and Declarations of Interest:  The following apologies for absence were received prior to the meeting and accepted:  Steve Whitehead .  There were no declarations of interest.   

PA18/005.  Minutes of the meetings of Parkland Management Committee  20 March 2018 and 17 May 

2018  :  The Committee received and adopted the minutes which were then signed by the chairman.     

PA18/006.  Adjournment for questions from the public:  The Committee AGREED to adjourn the Meeting in accordance with Clause 1(d) of Standing Orders, in order to receive questions from members of the public.   

RESOLVED:  The meeting is adjoined to  receive questions from members of the public.  

Two members of the public spoke in connection with the management and plans for the Highfield Drive Meadows (Buckwilly Field)  and reference was made to  an email dated 13 June 2018 (Minute PA18/008).  Concern was expressed that a suggested footpath connection in the NE corner of the field would introduce nuisance and security issues to adjacent residents, and that the path would cross private land.  The matter of maintenance of the east boundary, alongside properties in College Lane, was raised and concern expressed about the effects of weed growth from the Meadows and the status of the old fences immediately outside the new post/wire fence.  Further concerns were the routes taken by walkers in the field which were too close to the boundary, leading to privacy and security worries.  Finally, the location of the community orchard was questioned, asking for it to be moved away from the NE corner.   

In response, the chairman advised that the footpath connection had not yet been confirmed but in any event would not cross private land without proper permission.  The routes of the paths across the field were to be set out generally to encourage walkers away from the boundaries where reasonable.  The new fence line had been placed to form rational line rather than closely follow the varied boundary line.  This had resulted in some old boundary fences lying outside the new fence.  The Council would undertake to periodically cut back the weed growth at the boundary, in the interests of adjacent neighbours.  The position and layout of the orchard was not yet confirmed, but the comments of the residents were noted.   

The meeting then resumed.   

PA18/007.  Progress Report  No 6:  The Committee  considered the Progress Report.  The following matters emerged:  (1)  In Fifteen Acre Field the extent of hard footpaths should be reduced from that shown on the agreed contract plans, in favour of more green paths.  (2)  The Hurst Meadows launch, earmarked for 8 September 2018 was discussed.  There was some concern that this might conflict with a number of other events in the village during August and September, and might not be strongly supported.  It was agreed that this would be referred to the Advisory Board for further consideration.  (3)  The matter of old barbed wire in Millennium Garden in particular, was raised, and it was noted that the contractor had been asked to remove.  (4)  It was noted that the dock growth in particular was to be ‘topped’ to  prevent overseeding and future problems.  A general cut would be undertaken  in the summer.   (Ref:  BRIEFING NOTE Parkland 

Management Committee – Progress Report  No 6    13 June  2018 )   

RESOLVED:  The Parkland Management Committee noted progress report No 6 with the comments noted.   

PA18/008.  Highfield Drive Meadows:  The Committee noted the email received from a resident of College Lane  and the comments in Minute PA18/006, and referred to  Minute PA18/006. (REF:  Email  College Lane resident  13 June 2018 ) 

PA18/009.  Graphic Map of Hurst Meadows:  The Committee was asked to comment on the graphic map design and a draft board display was brought the meeting for consideration.  It was intended that the map would be displayed at the St Lawrence Fair on 30 June 2018.  It would  also form the basis of new information boards, website information and potentially an app.  The Committee noted that the historic names of the respective fields have been included, and would in future be used to reference areas of the Meadows.  It was noted that there were some minor corrections required which would be addressed.  (REF:  Working DRAFT map 14 June 2018 ) 

PA18/010.  Marchants Close  boardwalk access:  The Committee reviewed the design which had  been commissioned and noted that a topographic survey had been undertaken.  The width was shown as 1.2m, with two passing places,  and discussion took place on the possibilities of widening to 2.0m for the majority of the length, and delete the ’kissing gate’.  It was agreed that the designer would be instructed to offer an alternate design, and also produce cost estimates for both layouts.  It was intended that the proposals would be presented to local residents, and views considered, before a planning application was  made.  (REF:  Marchants Road  access boardwalk – PJC  drawings 20 June 2018) 

PA18/011.  Waste bins strategy:  The Committee was asked to approve the installation of 5 sets of waste bins/dog waste/dog bag dispensers at points of access to the Meadows:  being Millennium Garden,  St Georges Green, St Georges Lane (3).  Two additional sites were likely to be required when the Little Park development was connected to the Meadows.  

The one-off installation cost was estimated at £2,500 + VAT,  the annual collection and disposal cost would be around £2,000 + VAT, and the provision of dog waste bags about £350 +VAT per annum, all met from the Hurst Meadows budgets.  Specific quotes would be taken to Finance + General Purposes committee for approval.    In discussion it was agreed that the bag dispensers would not be included.  Discussion took place on the merits of green waste bins and red dog-waste bins.   (REF: BRIEFING NOTE  Hurst Meadows waste bins 14 June 2018 ) 

RESOLVED:  Five waste bin installations are provided at entrance points to Hurst Meadows. 

PA18/012.  Community Orchard:  The Committee was asked to approve the layout of the proposed community orchard in the Highfield Drive section of the Meadows.  Detailed discussions had taken place with the Council’s adviser, and soil tests undertaken across the Meadows. The orchard was for 40 trees, and comprised a boundary post and wire fence and hedge, with a lockable gate access.  The trees were currently in three nurseries and would be ready to plant in autumn 2018.  The estimated costs of the boundary fence and gate were £2,500 + VAT which would be met from the Hurst Meadows budget.   In discussion it was agreed that a boundary fence was not desirable, except perhaps for a temporary period while the trees established, and that a less uniform layout was preferred.  In light of the public comments (Minute PA18/006)  consideration would be given to moving slightly away from the NE corner of the field.  These revisions would be offered to the Advisory board for their consideration.   (REF:  Community Orchard layout plan  12 June 2018 )   RESOLVED:  The Hurst Meadows Advisory Board is consulted on the detailed layout and location of the Community.   

PA18/013.  Trinity Road / Health Centre access:  The public footpath link from Trinity Road to the Meadows was a public right of way and owned by WSCC, not the Parish Council.  For much of the year the 60m or so length was extremely boggy and almost impassable, but was nevertheless a very popular route.  The Committee  considered the  options for improving the footpath access.  A quote had been obtained for installing a boardwalk along most of the length, together with an improved hard surface at either end, at a cost of £14,000 +VAT but it was agreed that this did not represent good value.   A more appropriate solution could be to place a hard path, perhaps with some timber sleepers and a quote would be obtained.   

In addition,  the steps and brick walls leading from Trinity Road  down to the path were in poor condition and required repairs.  These were the responsibility of the  Rights of Way Authority WSCC.  They had been alerted to the problems but had advised that they did not have the resources to project manage the work, but could find the financial cost of repairs.  

WSCC had asked whether the Parish Council could undertake the work on their behalf.  It was agreed that the Parish Council would agree to project manage the step repairs provided that this work could be combined with the footpath improvements with WSCC contributing substantially to the cost.   (REF: WSCC email 25 May 2018 )     

RESOLVED:  The Council offers to project manage the Trinity Road access steps repairs and footpath improvements, provided that WSCC provides the substantial cost of the works.   

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at  9.34 pm  Chairman