Parklands Residents Association Play Area Committee.

Summary of Minutes of Meeting held 04.02.09 Bonners School Hall, Maresfield.

Those Present. :

Carol Reynolds, (CR)

Gwen Fairfax, (GF)

Grace Brady, (GB)

Caroline Sandaus, (CSan)

Louise Smith. (LS)

Tim Whalin, (TW)

Toni Birkbeck, (TB)

Sharon Scott, (SS)

Sheila Scott, (ShS)

Andrew Savage, (AS)

PCSO Simon French (PCSOSF) – Sussex Police.

Councillor Ken Odgen (KO) – Chairman, Maresfield Parish Council,

Nick Redman (NR) – Estates Manager, Wealden District Council.

Samantha Astbury, (SA) - Housing Officer, Wealden District Council.

Craig Black (CB) – Acting Chairman.

Ellie Boultbee (EB) – Secretary.

Charlotte Savage (CS) – Community Fundraiser.

Bill Miller (BM) - WRAG Liaison.

David Gibson (DG) – Tenant Involvement Officer, Wealden District Council.

Apologies:

Tony Godden.

Abbreviations.

NPRA – New Parklands Residents Association.

MPC – Maresfield Parish Council.

WDC – Wealden District Council.

ESCC- East Sussex County Council.

WRAG – Wealden Residents Action Group.

Raised By.	Item / Issue.
	Meeting started at 750pm
CB	Apologised for late start. Welcomed all present to the meeting. Introduced members of NPRA committee. Referred to the NPRA constitution which states that all meetings are to be conducted in a businesslike way, without the use of any offensive behaviour or language.
	Street Lighting.
CR	Stated that CB was quoted on MPC website as saying he agreed with having the street lights turned off.
CB	NPRA committee had to remain impartial.
CR	Stated that NPRA and MPC had failed in its duty for ‘care in the community’. She continued by stating that a member of the public had fallen over as a result of the lack of street lighting.
EB	MPC had taken the decision to turn off the lights not NPRA.
CR	Input that it is now pitch black without the street lighting.
	There was agreement about the dangers posed by the reduction in street lighting. Items raised included emergency services and doctors being able to find the correct house number. Statistics proved that crime is on the increase and that good street lighting acted as a deterrent to crime.
GF	Stated that many residents feel vulnerable without the lighting, street lights used to offer some level of security to those at home alone. Have been incidents of people knocking on doors and running away, which is upsetting for older residents. Also added that there is increased fear of burglaries.
ShS.	Recounted incidents of crime on Parklands such as motor homes and cars being broken into or stolen.
SS	Showed the meeting the petition SS and ShS had conducted around the Parklands Estate in protest at the reduction in night time street lighting. The petition called for the lights to be on all night. Only three houses she had visited out of 120 had not signed it. Overwhelming majority against the lights being turned off and wanting them turned back on.
EB	Added that NPRA had also started a consultation with residents regarding the street lighting which BM had started going door to door, however there seemed no point as residents had already signed the SS petition
CS	Asked what reasons had been given by those who did not wish to sign SS’s petition.
SS	Reasons ranged from those not bothered by the decision, one resident liked to look at the stars etc. Another suggested that CCTV was a better option.
CB	Stated that he had not lived in Parklands for long, however there might be a reduction in council tax as a result of the reduced lighting. He also spoke about the issue of the youths congregating under the street lights, particularly outside his own house.
GF	Government Statistics showed that crime on the increase and lighting played a part in this.
PCSOSF	Police see both sides of the argument. There is cause of crime and fear of crime. Street lights help to reduce fear of crime. Crime is 24 hours a day, so street lighting does not necessarily reduce crime levels.
SS	Crime more likely with reduced lighting.
PCSOSF	Determined criminals not put off by street lighting; however the fear of crime is dramatically increased by lack of street lighting.
GF	Quality of life is important, young people are fearless, as they age people become more fearful. She added that she would be willing to pay more for the lights to be left on.
CB	Added that it should not be necessary to pay more.
KO.	Informed meeting that as far as he was aware the lights on Parklands were not supposed to be turned off completely, they should have been dimmed to 30%. He explained that it had been done to save energy. He also explained that all the lights had been done together to prevent residents thinking that certain lights were faulty. He asked if Parklands Residents would accept dimmed or reduced level lighting instead of no lights
	This was rejected by those present who wanted full night time lighting.
CB	Asked why this had been only carried out on Parklands and nowhere else in Maresfield. What about consultation?
KO	Intention was to reduce night lighting in all built up areas in Maresfield. He had been informed that a consultation with NPRA had taken place.
EB	Informed KO that no consultation had taken place. One member of NPRA had received one email asking for opinions from NPRA. She also replied that the article in the Parish Magazine written by KO announcing the decision about the lighting on Parklands did not give the opportunity for any residents to express their views or contact MPC about the decision. Also Parish magazine not read by whole community and was therefore not an inclusive way to announce the decision.
KO	Admitted that no proper consultation with residents of Parklands had taken place and conceded that this had been a big error on the part of MPC. He added that in the next edition of the Parish Magazine would contain a consultation for all Maresfield residents asking for their views on reduced street lighting. He asked if this would count as consultation with Parklands.
	This was rejected and he was informed that those at the meeting wanted immediate reinstatement of night time lighting. The petition collected by SS would count as consultation as did not want to wait any longer for lights to be turned back on.
LS	Added that street lighting in general around Maresfield was very poor, in particular around the High Street and Village Hall area.
KO	Stated that MPC had a policy to replace street lighting as and when required. Two types of street lights in Maresfield. Those on wooden poles responsibility of MPC
LS	Reiterated that level of street lighting was very poor.
KO	Stated that the villages of Nutley and Fairwarp have no street lights at all
TB	Not built up estate like Parklands, not relevant.
SS	Raised the issue of the Recycling Centre being lit up at night. Who pays for that?
KO	Once owners Veolia take it over lights will be dimmed.
AS	Asked who pays for Church to be lit up
KO	Informed that the church pays for the lighting of the church building.
TW	Asked KO how much MPC was saving by reducing night time street lighting.
KO	Replied that he did not know the figures.
EB	Informed KO and those present that she had been in touch with ESCC highways dept on behalf of NPRA. Eric Ware, the Highway Lighting Electrical Supervisor at ESCC had given the following figures. The saving per light per year is £23.18 (12 x 23.18 = £278 for whole of Parklands) The cost to have the lights switched over was £36.00 per light. (12 x36 = £432 for the whole of Parklands). Will take over 18 months to recoup costs via energy saving. Will cost £432 to have lights put back to full night lighting. Total cost to parish will be £846. Parish could have saved money by doing consultation. £30 hall hire £6.00 printing (120 x5p photocopies) NPRA had paid these expenses.
KO	Apologised for lack of consultation.
CR	Asked how long to have the lights turned back on all night
KO	Would have to report back to MPC.
CS	Asked if anyone from MPC even walked around checking state of lighting. She said that the light outside her house had been faulty for months.
KO	Said checking was not possible due to lack of time, all faults need to be reported.
CS	Stated that residents pay enough council tax and shouldn’t have to be relied upon to report faults.
KO	Asked what time the lights where going off.
SS	12.10am
TB	Stated that the lack of night time lighting really affected residents who work night shifts and the personal safety of any young women out at night.
CB	Added that those out early to work were also affected.
	Conclusion.
	KO to report back to MPC that the Residents of Parklands want Whole Night lighting to be reinstated on Parklands with immediate affect. The petition done by SS will be used as evidence that this is want residents want. EB to copy petition and forward to KO ASAP.
	Parking.
EB	Informed the meeting that parking had been the top issue residents had asked the NPRA to take up in the last survey in October 2008. This mostly concerned the situation with the cars parked outside the flats at the top of the Estate.
	There followed general agreement about the unacceptable parking situation and the dangers that it posed to motorists and pedestrians.
GB	Added that as a resident of one of the flats the parking situation was a free for all and that parking was a real issue. She added that a social services bus had difficulty in picking up passengers due to the crowded parking
CS	Added that she is trying to support an elderly couple in one of the flats to get a disabled parking bay outside their flat.
EB	Had been in touch with ESCC highways department with the view to asking if staggered parking bays or other road markings could be painted on to the road to alleviate the problem. Informed by ESCC that it is not policy to create parking bays on public roads in residential areas, however it would be willing to look at the situation if enough residents contacted them about the problem.
DG	Added that ESCC will provide parking if supported by WDC. There is a new environmental budget available from WDC to fund environmental improvement schemes- this could be used to fund parking scheme for top of Parklands. He went on to explain that the budget is funded from tenant rents and is therefore intended to improve quality of life and environment for council tenants. The scheme would have to be approved before any funding made available.
TB	Informed that most of the flats affected were still council owned and therefore any scheme would be of benefit to tenants
DG	Need to look at all the options and get a suitable plan to apply for funding
TW	Said that services running under the verges and pavements would make any work impossible.
DG	Pointed out that similar schemes had been successful in other estates.
SA	Needed to work with tenants to find out what they want
CB	Pointed out that the lack of NPRA members made it hard to carry out this kind of work, need to form a sub committee to take further.
TB	Asked if MPC would help
KO	Replied that MPC would assist.
SA	Added that WDC would provide maps and plans to help the planning process.
	There then followed a unanimous vote in favour of a parking scheme at the top of Parklands.
DG	There is a meeting on 24^th of Feb for new environmental grants at Buxted Court – Community Environmental Panel. CS and CR agreed to attend the meeting.
	Conclusion.
	Clear need for parking scheme to alleviate dangerous parking problems to top of Parklands. NPRA, MPC and WDC to work towards plan. SC and CR to attend Community Environmental Panel on 24^th of Feb to set forth any ideas.
	Estate Clean up day.
CB	Spoke of the last clean up day where the Play Area was targeted and some minor maintenance was carried out. Two large 1100 lt bins had been provided by WDC. CB added he thought the bins had been better than skips.
NR	Bins are OK but certain items such as fridges, TVs tyres etc cannot go in.
DG	Added two types of clean up days. 1^st is a general litter picking and tiding up of public areas on estates. 2^nd is where all types of large household items can be taken way.
SS	No local amenity tip in Uckfield.
KO	Added that the one on the Batts Bridge Road would not be open until the end of the year
CS	Thought both kinds of clear up day should be held and involve the children.
SA	Health and safety considerations with large lorries, skips and children. On Alderbrook estate they had four skips. The skips were delivered at 7am and removed at 4pm so only short time. Only local residents knew so didn’t get loads of other waste dumped. Real benefit to whole estate as news letter was sent round, and those needing help with removal of large items where helped.
EB	Asked what time scale was to organise something like this?
CB	Asked about the costs and if WDC would be willing to pay for the skips etc.
DG	Said that NPRA had a good case for funding of clean up days.
NR	Added that holding on a weekday had been very successful as the skips can be removed as soon as they are full.
SA	Mondays are good day as then residents have the weekend to have sort out.
CB	Will liaise with NR and SA about setting up clean up days. Date TBC
	Conclusion
	There was good support for clean up days. CB to work with NR, SA and DG date will be confirmed. CS and CR attending meeting on 24^th of Feb.
	Play Area.
EB	Outlined the development plans for the play area. These plans were provisionally approved by MPC in late 2008. Three phases, 1: Installation of early years play equipment in play area and getting new metal fence and self closing gates. 2: levelling and re turfing of football pitch and installation of two multi use goals with basket ball hoops- the children had asked for. 3: It is hoped that development of this area will encourage some informal teams to be set up in Parklands. Development of the make shift bike track created by the children at far end of play area. Grant applications have been submitted totalling over £45000. Quotes have also been obtained. Equipment chosen will depend on amount of funding available. Planning permission will be required for multiuse goals as these are 3m high. Full consultation with all neighbouring houses will be done once final funding application is complete. This will involve both Parklands and Forest Park residents. NPRA does not want a repeat of previous mistakes affecting the play area. EB asked if anyone had any comments on the plans.
SS	Stated she did not want a high fence around the play area as this affected the outlook of her property
EB	Intended new fence was120cm high, bow topped metal fence, probably in green, would look good and not be intrusive. Confirmed to SS that she would be receiving a full consultation from NPRA play area committee soon. EB then asked for opinions on setting a closing time for the play area, somewhere between 8 and 9pm in summer and dusk in winter. This would help reduce disturbance to neighbouring properties in the evenings
	There followed general agreement that this was a good idea in principle but would be hard to enforce.
EB	Added was still early stage but hoped Sussex police would be able to offer support. Also encouraged all residents present to call police if there is any situation that they are not happy about. This way police will know what is happening locally and will be able to allocate more resources to Parklands and Maresfield.
	Conclusion.
	Full consultation with properties as soon as possible,
	Fundraising
CS	Informed the meeting of the plans for community based fundraising like fun run around Parklands, jumble sales, stall at village fate etc and getting involved in the wider community.
GB	Added that she was on the Village Fate committee and could be of assistance.
	Youth Club / Committee
CS	Spoke of the need to get the teenagers involved in the community and the need for a youth club. She thought a lot of the teenagers didn’t go to the Church youth club Pulse.
GB	Pulse held on Mondays, only for ages up to 13.
KO	Said MPC had provided some funding for Pulse.
CR	Said she would be willing to set up a youth club for the village
GB	Said that the village hall is available some evenings and would be able to get discounted rates.
DG	WDC would be able to get involved and provide funding for youth projects, including paid workers if required.
SS	Spoke of the past success of the Youth Bus that used to visit Parklands.
EB	Thought this had been provided by Action in Rural Sussex.
DG	Believed the youth bus only had limited time in each location
EB	To follow up getting Youth bus to return to Parklands if possible.
	Conclusion
	EB to follow up Youth Bus, CR to begin to get plan to set up youth club
	Website
CB	Asked if anyone looked at the NPRA website
GF	Confirmed she had looked at it
EB	Still work in progress, will be adding more links and content when we get time.
	Five a side football team
CB	Want to set up a five a side team for Parklands, need coach or someone to work with kids.
DG	Tournament in Hailsham on Friday 20^th of Feb, very good opportunity, need players 10 -13 years old.
CB	Not too hard to find players, hard to find a responsible adult who is available on that day as it is a Friday.
DG	WDC may be able to help with transport.
	AOB
DG	WRAG intended to run a ‘best garden’ competition this year. Would Parklands be interested?
EB	Said she would put something in the next news letter and see what the response was like.
ShS	Asked if any decision has been made on speed humps.
CB	Replied that given the huge costs and the very mixed response in the survey the NPRA had to think carefully about what if any action to take.
ShS	Said she believed speed humps where a stupid idea.
EB	Added that something had to be done to slow the cars down, if not speed humps then something else.
CB	Said his neighbour had started parking his car on the opposite side of the road to the rest of the cars, this had really worked at slowing the speeding cars down.
ShS	Replied that this was also dangerous and was hard to get her van and trailer through.
TW	Thought that the prices quoted for the speed humps were vastly inflated.
EB	These were the prices quoted by ESCC highways dept.
TW	Believed could be done for less.
	Date for next meeting was set for Wed 4^th March at 68 Parklands unless numbers require bigger venue.
	No other business – meeting closed at 9.40.
	NPRA thanked all for their time coming to the meeting.

Diary Dates:

24^th Feb Community Environmental Panel Buxted court.

4^th March NPRA committee meeting 68 Parklands.