STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE CHANCTONBURY ROOM,
SULLINGTON PARISH HALL,
THAKEHAM ROAD, STORRINGTON,
ON WEDNESDAY, 20th FEBRUARY, 2008,
COMMENCING AT 7.00 p.m.

Present: Mr. R. Dawe in the Chair, Mr. D. Atkins, Mr. R. Carter, Mr. E. Gibbons,  Mr. A. Head, Mr. C. Mason, Mr. A. Mullard, Mr. A. Read, Mr. D. Roper, Mr. J. Sanson, Mrs. L. Wheatley and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

In Attendance:   Mr. F. Wilkinson – County Councillor
             4 Members of the Public.   

196.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Mr. J. Macey (prior engagement) and  Mr. B. Walter (holiday).   The reasons for absence were duly APPROVED.    

197.    TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS.  There were no declarations of interest from Members.

198.    POLICE MATTERS.  P.Sgt. Lillywhite was on holiday but had submitted a written report as follows :-

Crime Statistics (to end of January 2008)

There had been 70 fewer crimes in last the 12 months compared to the preceding 12 months (14.9% reduction). The whole of Horsham South had only seen a 9.7% reduction, so Storrington is performing ahead of the rest of the area.

Vehicle crime 5 crimes, 13.8% increase
Burglary Dwelling 3 fewer crimes, 15% reduction
Criminal Damage 24 fewer offences, 14.3% reduction
Public Place Violent Crime 32 fewer offences, 57.1% reduction
Drugs 11  more offences to 19 in total, almost double – officers need to be in the village and dealing with people to detect these offences.

Detections 23.9%, District average is 25.3% we do need to work hard to push this figure up. This can be difficult with travelling criminals, reliant on witnesses or forensic results.

Operation Respect  3

Op Respect 3 would be run from 17th March for a week and would have dedicated officers assigned to deal with anti-social behaviour in the villages.  Storrington would receive cover to link in with the issues around the United Bus.

A meeting had been held between the United Bus youth bus, Greg Charman at Horsham District Council and Gill Carlow, Street Scene supervisor to discuss problems around rowdy youths and the bus. The siting of the bus would be looked at to see if a better location could be found.  It had been stressed to staff on the bus that all offences must be reported to the Police and supported by statements from staff when they witness offences being committed.

Test Purchase Operation

A recent test purchase operation was carried out across the Horsham District. The premises tested in Storrington passed.

Storrington Family Day – June 2008

The Police had received notification about the Family Day and would be looking to provide Police support, P.Sgt. Lillywhite had asked James Josling to look at ensuring they speak with the event organisers.

ASBO

Our first ASBO application had been submitted against Patrick KANE, who was charged with public order offences in the village.  He was pleading not guilty so this had to go to trial on 18/3/08, if he is convicted the Police would apply for ASBO conditions relating to the use of alcohol, including being banned from Old Mill Square between 1900 and 0700 hours. The final decision would rest with magistrates, if convicted.

PCSO

Tracey Field now had independent patrol and was working in Storrington, P.Sgt. Lillywhite trusted that everyone would see her over the coming weeks as she makes her contacts within the village. Tracey had already been working on trying to sort the problems around Abbey House.

Hand Held Speed Device

The Police now had a hand held laser device for deployment by local officers, where residents feel that there was an issue with speeding.  P.Sgt. Lillywhite had also spoken with Roads Policing department about the issues of speeding as vehicles enter the 30mph limit from Amberley. There were some health and safety restrictions regarding deployment of certain types of equipment at the location so they were trying to find the best way of enforcing limits.

Recent activity in West Chiltington had shown that many of the motorists speeding through that village were residents of Storrington!

If you receive complaints about speed in your area please let the Police know and they will look to take action.

New Neighbourhood Specialist Sergeant

P.Sgt. Lillywhite was likely to move on 31st March 2008. The process to recruit a new sergeant had begun, with interviews to be held over the next couple of weeks.  As soon as P.Sgt. Lillywhite knew who his replacement would be, he would advise the Parish Council accordingly, and also let the new sergeant have the Parish contact details.

     Members were extremely disappointed to hear that P.Sgt. Lillywhite was leaving and there had now been seven sergeants in four years.  P.Sgt. Lillywhite was leaving just at the point when he seemed to have been effective and achieving results.

199.    TO APPROVE AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 16th JANUARY, 2008.  Minute No. 179: Storrington Village Day – the word ‘They’ should be changed to ‘The organizers’.  With this amendment the Minutes were duly AGREED to be a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were duly signed by the Chairman.

    MATTERS ARISING :-

200.    Minute No. 171, 118, 91, 65, 11, 250, 185, 133, 222: Southern Water.  The Information Commissioner’s Office had written to say that based on the evidence available, that it did not consider that Southern Water had met its requirements, particularly its duty to provide the Council with advice and assistance.  The Council was asked to consider Southern Water’s further response and to let the Commission know whether the scope of the information request could be narrowed.   A letter had been sent to Southern Water reiterating the list of information required as sent to Southern Water in May, 2007.  A meeting with Southern Water had been arranged for the 13th March.
   
201.    Minute No. 172, 149, 119, 92, 74: Pond.  Mr. Kershaw of W.S.C.C., had written following the meeting that had been held in January.  There had been two separate issues – the first being the current state of the pond and any action required relating to the earlier incident of pollution and on that subject, the question of the County Council’s assistance in dealing with any outstanding problem.  The second issue related to respective responsibilities for any future problems with the pond caused by any incident of pollution and in particular any which entered via the highway drains.

    There were two options currently being explored, the use of a filter and the use of a chemical that could be put into the pond.  Information relating to them and in particular the costs associated with them would be passed to the County Council to see whether any contribution could reasonably be made.  The current condition of the pond needed to be established and clarified.  Further water tests were to be carried out and the results of these should be conveyed to County. 

    With regard to future liability, County had asked their insurance brokers to examine the possibility of either the Parish County or the County Council securing relevant insurance at a reasonable rate.  No precise quotation had been provided but they  would  expect  the  annual premium to be in the region of £5-6,000 and for three years cover a premium of £12-15,000.  Legal expenses cover would need to be taken out with this policy in order that the insurers could be satisfied that a claim against the source of the pollution would also be pursued so that any losses would be recovered.  Though slightly different in cover, it was calculated that the annual premium if the County took insurance would be £10-15,000 with a much higher excess.

    The County Council re-emphasized the fact that it took full responsibility for any incidents which cause pollution to the pond and which are attributable to the normal use of the highway drains which feed into the pond.  In the event of an incident on the highway which caused pollution to the pond through the highway drains then they would expect the Parish Council to seek to recover any costs falling to them from the County Council.  If a third party were the cause of that pollution the County Council would in turn make its claim against that person or organization.  It was not possible for the County Council to offer an indemnity to the Parish Council to meet the costs of any pollution to the pond regardless of the cause as the County Council could not, on behalf of its tax payers, take on responsibility for the negligence of others.  County would, however, use their best endeavours to marshal such resources as are available to assist the Parish Council in dealing with the consequences of any incident and in recovering any costs.

    The Highways Department would undertake additional monitoring of the pond in order to ensure that the highway drains and run off outlets remained clear so that the best possible through-flow of water could be maintained so as to mitigate any pollution as far as possible.
 
    Members were concerned it was the normal use of the drains that caused the original problem.   It was not considered that the response from County was a possible improvement, but not precise enough.  It was decided to respond to this letter and set out clearly what the Parish Council understands and ask whether County agree.  If this did not get anywhere, perhaps another meeting would have to be organized.

    Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that she had spoken to the Council’s solicitor dealing with the claim who advised that Homeserve were not being helpful.  Mr. Wilkinson had been asked to get Highways Department to advise whether British Gas applied for permission to dig up the road at that time.

202.    Minute No. 175: Post Office Closures.  Unfortunately the Washington Post Office is to be closed.

With the agreement of the meeting, it was AGREED to amend the order of business and to take agenda item 17 next.

203.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS :-

(a)     DC/08/0238: English Courtyard Development – Land North of St. Joseph’s Abbey, Church Street, Storrington.  Erection of 3 x 2-storey buildings comprising 26 x 2-bed, 13 x 3-bed and 1 x 4-bed dwellings plus manager’s flat with 2-bed and guestroom and access.

(b)    DC/08/0239:  English Courtyard Development – Land North of St. Joseph’s Abbey, Church Street, Storrington.  Demolition of existing outbuildings and parts of the boundary wall (Conservation Area Consent).

    As Mr. Dawe, Mr. Mason and Mr. Sanson were all on the District Council Development Control committee and therefore, they did not take part in this discussion.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese therefore took the Chair. 

In addition to the proposed dwellings for the over 55s there was to be developed a Fairy Garden in memory of Mary Cecily Baker.  It was proposed that this area would be locked at night.  The Parish had requested that the glasshouses that run along the Browns Lane wall should be kept.  These had now been looked at and the woodwork was rotten, but the iron frame was in good condition.  It was suggested that these would be moved out of the public access area and reconstructed further along.  English Courtyard had recently held a Public Exhibition and most of the people that attended seemed to support the development, but some had concerns relating to traffic and sewerage.  It was a shame that this area had to be developed, but it was included within the Horsham District Local Development Framework.  There was a need for the type of housing proposed.  An extension to the comment date had been obtained from H.D.C.  The amount of traffic generated from this type of development was less per day, but some concerns remained about the increase in traffic in Church Street and Browns Lane.  Some concerns were raised about the lack of infrastructure within the parish and felt this should be in place before further development.  These applications would be considered at the next meeting of the Planning and Development Committee on the 13th March, therefore, should any members have any comments/observations they wish to make these should be given to the Clerk in order that they could be taken into account.
   
    Mr. Dawe re-took the Chair.

204.    TO RECEIVE AND IF APPROVED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEE MEETINGS:-

(a)    Planning and Development Committee Meeting held on 7th February, 2008.   It was reported that application DC/07/2704 had now been withdrawn.  The minutes were duly ADOPTED.

(b)    Infrastructure, Communications and Environment Committee Meeting held on the 13th February, 2008.  The minutes were duly ADOPTED.

(c)    Recreation and Property Committee Meeting held on the 13th February, 2008.  Mr. Head declared a personal interest in minute No. 118.  The minutes were duly ADOPTED.

205.    FLOODLIGHTS, FOOTBALL FIELD.  It was reported that the proposed lighting design had been changed to fall within E2 guidelines as suggested by a consultant appointed by HDC.  Following discussion it was AGREED :-

    That the E2 guidelines (Sky Glow ULR (Max %) 2.5; Light Trespass (into Windows) Pre-curfew 5 Lux, Post-curfew 1 Lux; Source Intensity (ked) Pre-curfew 7.5, Post-curfew 0.5; Building Luminance Pre-curfew Average Luminance 5Cd/m2) should be added to the draft agreement.  Also there should be a clause included that the floodlights should be tested to meet these requirements at the beginning of each playing season.  The draft agreement should then be sent to the Football Club for their comment.

206.    SULLINGTON PARISH HALL FRONT DOORS.  A quotation for the required remedial works had been obtained and the Council had issued proceedings against Thomas Doors and Controls in the Small Claims Court.

207.    STORRINGTON AND SULLINGTON COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP.  Mr. P. Mackie gave a detailed presentation on the work of the Partnership covering the following areas – Working approach, Communications, Crime and Safety, Parking, Traffic, Roads, Economy, Environment, Public Transport, Village Design, Social Care (Elderly and Housebound), Social Care (Young Persons), Forge House.  The Partnership had now become a company limited by guarantee and was hoping to become a registered charity.

With the agreement of the meeting agenda items 14 and 16 were taken in conjunction with this item.

208.    COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS.  Mr. Wilkinson reported that the County Council were withdrawing from SEERA because it was undemocratic and going to cease in a year’s time.  The County’s financial contribution would be stopped and it was considered to be the right time to show their objections against a quango. 

    Mr. Mason reported that the Mill Pond would be re-landscaped and dredged.  This was a joint initiative between the Parks Department, Crime Prevention Team, West Sussex County Council and the Environment Agency.  It was hoped to make the area more attractive, putting back seats, etc.
 
209.    HORSHAM MOBILE HOUSEHOLD WASTE RECYCLING SERVICE – WITHDRAWAL OF MOBILE SKIP SERVICE.  Members expressed extremely strong feelings about the possible loss of this facility from Storrington in 16 weeks time with nothing to replace it, as follows :-

•    Lack of consultation before the announcement of the stopping of this well used and valuable service.
•    The adverse environmental impact of everyone having to drive to either Horsham or Billingshurst, thereby increasing their carbon footprints. 
•    What were people without transport suppose to do.
•    Possibility that this would cause additional fly-tipping.
•    The majority of items taken to the mobile skip are items that are too large for inclusion in the weekly refuse and not possible to recycle.

If W.S.C.C., and H.D.C., felt that there were recycling and health and safety problems, it was considered that efforts should be made to sort these out rather than to just terminate the service.  There was permanently a conflict between cars and pedestrians in the car park, therefore an additional lorry should not make all that much difference and it must be possible to come up with measures to improve safety.  It was suggested that there could perhaps be separate cages for recyclables. 

Mr. Wilkinson advised that the County were saying that the service would stop in June, but in the meantime they would be taking steps to stop commercial waste being deposited.  There was to be a meeting next week between County Council and District Council officers to see if they could find an alternative before the removal of the service.

The Parish Council had been asked to comment.  It was wondered whether it would be possible to have a transfer station, perhaps adjacent to the A.24.

Mr. Wilkinson advised that W.S.C.C., were pursuing business recycling and had been awarded £250,000 pump priming a scheme. 

210.    STORRINGTON IMPROVEMENT SCHEME (PAVEMENTS).  There would be a meeting next week to finalize the programme and minimize disruption as far as possible.  It was proposed that the works would commence in April (after Easter) and was due to last between 12 and 16 weeks.  Part of the meeting would be to consider signage and the proposed locations for these.  It was hoped to minimize the amount of single way traffic flow.

211.    ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR COUNCILLORS TO READ :-
   
(a)    Southern Water – Strategic Direction Statement and Stakeholder Report 2006-2007.  Available in the Parish Office.
   
    (b)    Action in rural Sussex – Newsletter No. 9.  Available in the Parish Office.
       
212.    CLERK’S CORRESPONDENCE :-

(a)    Horsham District Council and Sussex Police were working to tackle anti-social behaviour and had set up an Anti-Social Behaviour Team with a dedicated reporting ‘phone line (0845 60 70 999, Ext. 30233).

(b)    Information Morning about the Partnership for Older People Project would be held on Wednesday, 12th March, 1.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m., at the Steyning Centre, Fletchers Croft, Steyning.

(c)    The Sustainable Communities Bill had become Law.

(d)    The Purple Bus at Storrington September to December, 2007 Exit Report.  Copies of this document had been distributed to Members.

(e)    Tool Amnesty.  Between the 7th and 10th March a tool amnesty was being held at The Old Barn Nursery.  They would like people to donate old gardening hand tools in order that they could be used to try and create a sustainable food source.  One project the tools would be donated to was a farm in Angola where farmers could learn agricultural techniques, manage water resources, fight plant disease and control weeds.  The charity was called Feed the Children.

213.    CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ANY URGENT MATTERS :-

    Door Entry System, Sullington Parish Hall.  Kestrel Alarms had quoted for the supply of:-
    Main Entrance Door: supply and fit a boxed Access Control Unit with power supply unit fitted adjacent to main entrance doors which also includes connecting the existing double maglocks fitted to this door.  An exit button and emergency break glass release.  A deadlock release mortise would be required for high security and insurance purposes.  Also fitted would be a Paxton access control keypad and combined reader.
   
    Chanctonbury Room, Skylight Room, Main Hall and Kitchen:  supply and fit Paxton access combined reader/keypad and supply and fit a boxed Access Control Unit with power supply unit, maglock, door closer, exit button and emergency break glass release.

    Price for the above £5,320.00 plus V.A.T.

    Football Pavilion:  supply and fit a boxed Access Control unit with power supply unit, a Paxton combined keypad and reader, insurance approved deadlock, mortice release and TCP/IP interface connected to a router to allow communication via a local broadband telephone line to Sullington Parish Hall for the sum of £2,232.00 plus V.A.T.  A broadband telephone line would be required.

    The deadlock release for the mortice in the main entrance door and football pavilion door would need to be passed by the Council’s insurance company.

    Kestrel Alarms could supply Paxton key fobs for £48.00 plus V.A.T. per pack of 10.

    The Maintenance Agreement for this Access Control System would amount to £148.00 plus V.A.T., per annum.

    If the Council required automatic emergency release to the doors following a fire alarm activation, prices could be obtained.

    Following discussion it was agreed that the following information was required from Kestrel Alarms :-

•    Maintenance costs – were parts additional?
•    Call-out costs?
•    What was the warranty on this equipment?
•    A quotation should be obtained for linking to the fire alarm.
•    A quotation should be obtained for this company taking over maintenance of the existing C.C.T.V., system.                       
Mrs. Worthington-Leese Proposed; Seconded Mr. Sanson and UNANIMOUSLY AGREED:-

    That provided the Council’s insurers approved of this system and satisfactory answers were received to the above-mentioned questions, the quotations in the sum of £7,600 plus V.A.T., should be accepted with an annual maintenance cost of £148.00 plus V.A.T.

214.    TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO ACCEPT THE QUOTATION FROM ANDREW GALE TREE SURGERY LTD., TO REMOVE THE TREE STUMP AND ROOT AT THE STORRINGTON POND IN THE SUM OF £975.00 PLUS V.A.T.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese Proposed; Seconded Mr. Mason and UNANIMOUSLY AGREED:-

        To accept this quotation in the sum of £975.00 plus V.A.T.

215.    WEST SUSSEX PCT INDEPENDENT PPI FORUM HORSHAM & CHANCTONBURY LOCALITY GROUP – AN INDEPENDENT PANEL HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF HEALTH SERVICES IN NORTH EAST WEST SUSSEX.  THEY WILL LOOK AT A RANGE OF OPTIONS, ONE MIGHT INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW, GENERAL HOSPITAL FOR HORSHAM AND CRAWLEY.  The Council had been asked the question “Do you think that there should – or should not – be a new, general hospital for NHS patients in Horsham and Crawley?”  It was not considered that this Council was in a position to answer this question due to the fact that the hospitals and interests for this area were elsewhere.  Therefore the Council did not know enough to answer this question.  AGREED.

216.    TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING REQUESTS FOR DONATIONS :-

(a)    St. Barnabas Hospice.  It was AGREED :-

        To donate the sum of £52.00.

(b)    Sussex Air Ambulance Fund.  Members should give further consideration to this matter next month.

217.    TO CONSIDER CO-OPTING A REPRESENTATIVE OF S.T.A.G., ONTO THE PARISH COUNCIL.  The gentleman that was interested in putting himself forward had sent his apologies because he had the flu.  Members asked whether there had been a meeting of S.T.A.G., when this gentleman had been appointed to represent their views to the Council.  The answer to this was not known.  A representative from S.T.A.G., could always attend meetings of the Parish Council.  Should a vacancy arise, this gentleman could apply to stand, but it was DECIDED that the Council did not want to co-opt anyone at this time.

218.    WEST SUSSEX VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2008.  Mr. Read was willing to assist with this entry, but other volunteers were requested.  The application had been very successful last year and it was considered that the Council should aim to become the West Sussex Village of the Year.  This matter should be placed on the agenda for next month.


219.    ACCOUNTS TO BE PAID.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese Proposed; Seconded Mr. Sanson and UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

That the accounts in the sum of £88,791.91 were duly AGREED.

220.    ADJOURNMENT.  No questions were raised.

221.    DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Wednesday, 26th March, 2008.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.25 p.m.