STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

 

HELD IN THE CHANCTONBURY ROOM,  SULLINGTON PARISH HALL,

ON WEDNESDAY, 30^TH SEPTEMBER 2009,

Present: Mr. R. Dawe in the Chair, Mr. D. Atkins Mr. A. Head, Mr. R. Jerman, Mrs. G. King, Mr. J. Macey, Mr. C. Mason, Mr. A. Mullard, Mr. D. Roper, Mr. J. Sanson, Mrs. L. Wheatley and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

 

 

73. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Mr. E. Gibbons (prior engagement) and County Cllr. Frank Wilkinson (Holiday).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

 

74. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS.  Mrs. Wheatley declared a personal interest in item 8 and Mr. Roper declared a personal interest in item 14(a).

 

75. POLICE MATTERS. Mr. Dawe reported that he had worked together with the Police and Saxon Weald to successfully combat an incident where an elderly resident had been continuously subjected to nuisance and abuse from a neighbour.  The offender had been served with a notice of eviction for his behaviour and had until the end of October to vacate the property.  The police had advised that since being served with this notice, the abuse had ceased but the situation would be monitored and the notice enforced if further incidents occur.  Members were pleased to hear that issues of this type were being taken seriously and dealt with in the correct manner.

 

76. TO APPROVE AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THE 26TH AUGUST 2009 AND 10TH SEPTEMBER 2009.  Page 16, Minute No. 70 should read Matters. With this amendment, the Minutes were AGREED to be correct records of the proceedings and were duly signed by the Chairman.

 

MATTERS ARISING :-

 

77. Minute No. 57 (b) Listing of The Old School. The Clerk was asked to provide a report on the progress of this matter. 

 

78. Minute No. 57 (b) Village Design Statement. Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that work was ongoing and it was hoped that a draft would be presented at the next meeting of the Planning and Development Committee.  The document would then be prepared for exhibition.

 

79. Minute No. 58 County Matters- Amberley to Storrington Road B2193. It was reported that there had been another incident of an over height truck hitting the bridge and that discussions were taking place between Amberley, Parham, Storrington and neighbouring parishes.  County Councillor Frank Wilkinson would be arranging a meeting some time during October to address the problems.

 

80. Minute No. 61. Horsham District Food and Drink Festival.  Following the Chairman’s enquiries to Horsham regarding the lack of representation from Storrington and Sullington, HDC had advised that there had been no interest from the traders in the Parish.  Mr. Dawe said that he would investigate further and advise Members.

 

81. Minute No. 66. Internal Auditor’s Report.  Members were advised that following the Auditors report, the quality of information provided on invoices from a particular supplier had now improved and the matter had been resolved.

 

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

 

(a) Infrastructure, Communications and Environment Committee held on 9th September, 2009.  Minute No. 26 should read Motorcyclists. With this amendment, these minutes were duly ADOPTED.

 

(b) Recreation and Property Committee held on the 9th September 2009.  These minutes were duly ADOPTED.

 

(c)            Planning and Development Committee held on the 10th September 2009. Minute No. 59 (c) should read UNANIMOUSLY. With this amendment, these minutes were duly ADOPTED.

 

Regarding Minute No. 54, Mrs. Worthington-Leese advised that a letter had now been sent to residents of 8 Rowan Close requesting payment for the works to the fence.

 

Regarding Minute No. 55, Mrs. Worthington-Leese observed that a licence for street furniture had been granted to Vintage Rose Café and Bookshop, shortly before the incident where a Dust Cart drove into the building.  As the Parish Council’s main objections to issuing this licence related to health and safety issues, Members enquired whether the licence could be withdrawn on the grounds of safety. Mrs. Worthington-Leese had sent e-mails to West Sussex County Council on this matter and was awaiting a response.

 

Minute No. 57 - Members were advised that Crawley Magistrates Court had granted an extension to the abatement notice served upon the owners of the Pig Farm. They now had until 6th January 2010 to take measures to reduce the smell.

 

Minute No. 59 (c) Mrs. Worthington-Leese advised members that despite the Planning Inspectorate’s Appeal Decision to close the access on safety grounds in 1996, the new owners of Willow Tree Cottage had applied to re-open the access, and the application was being supported by West Sussex Highways Department.  County Cllr. Frank Wilkinson had been asked to look into the situation and request that a representative from Highways Department carry out a site inspection.

 

Minute No. 62(b), Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that the equipment had been delivered to enable the Parish Council to take part in the trial period for HDC’s e-Planning Consultation and that the trial would commence from 5^th October 2009.

 

83. COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS.

 

Water Lane Speed Limit De-restriction Signs.  County Cllr. Frank Wilkinson had received an e-mail from West Sussex Highways to advise that the signs cannot be removed.  There is a legal requirement for these signs to be displayed and removing them would bring the validity of the 30mph limit into question.  The accident history in this area would not support any further action but Mr. Dawe reported that speed limits had been painted onto the road surface.

 

Mill Pond Renovation Works.  Members were advised that the works to the pond would commence on 5th October for a period of two weeks and that the sediment removed from the pond would be  relocated to Meadowside before being ultimately incorporated into low-level bund seeded with grass.  Notices had been erected advising the public of the Council’s intentions and letters had been sent to residents of adjacent properties.  The second phase of the renovation works was dependant on the success of Storrington Conservation Society’s application for funding from Viridor, which would be considered in December 2009.

           

Provision of Public Conveniences.  Mr. Roper reported a recent case where a member of the Public had been advised by the Horsham Enquiry Desk at Storrington Library, that the Parish Council was responsible for providing public conveniences and he suggested that contact be made with the Help Desk to explain that this was not the case.  Since the owner of the Anchor Pub had decided to withdraw the facilities, leaving no toilets available to the general public, it was agreed that this was an important issue.  It was suggested that spending priorities should be reviewed to include provision of public toilets.  The Chairman reminded members that the issue would be addressed upon the completion of the Waitrose Development when public facilities would be available. Any decision to build such conveniences may not be considered good use of public spending when they would be required for a temporary period only.  In addition to this, the timescale for any type of construction would not address the issue in the short term.  Members were advised that enquiries had been made with Forge House to allow public use of their facilities and a response was awaited.

 

 

84. TO CONSIDER SUSPENDING STANDING ORDERS IN ORDER TO RECONSIDER THE DECISION WITH REGARD TO THE RENT INCREASE FOR STORRINGTON CRICKET CLUB AND STORRINGTON FOOTBALL CLUB.  Members were advised of the proposals put forward by both clubs regarding the decision to increase the amount of rent paid.  The Clubs had proposed to pay 50% of the annual increase for the period to 31st March 2010 and the full annual increase from 1st April 2010.  The Chairman reminded Members that if they wished to consider this proposal then the Parish Council would need to suspend Standing Orders so that the matter could be given consideration at the next meeting. Members were asked for their views and a discussion took place.  The general consensus was that these clubs had enjoyed substantial subsidies and benefits that were not available to other organisations within the Parish and that the amount of the increased rent was fair and reasonable.  However, there was sympathy for the Clubs’ points regarding the fact that they had not been advised of the increase in time to manage their budgets accordingly.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese therefore PROPOSED, Mr Sanson SECONDED, that the clubs pay 50% of the increase immediately and that they be allowed time to pay the remaining 50% for the period 2009/2010 over the following financial year, in addition to the full amount for 2010/2011.  Members were asked to vote on this proposal.

In Favour 7 Against 2 Abstentions 2.  It was therefore AGREED :-

 

That a letter would be sent to the Clubs advising that the decision to increase the rent would stand and that 50% of the increase was due immediately.  Each Club would be invited to contact the Parish Office withproposals for payment of the remaining 50% increase.

           

85. “A” BOARDS - TO CONSIDER ADOPTING THE LICENSING SYSTEM BEING      INTRODUCED BY HDC.  Members had been provided with a document detailing HDC’s Licensing System for the display of “A” Boards, which was being tested in Horsham from 5th October 2009 for a period of six months.  It was suggested that following the trial period, consideration should be given to requesting HDC to extend the licensing system to include Storrington Village and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED:-

 

That provided the trial proved to be a success, a request would be put forward to HDC to extend the licensing system to include Storrington.

 

86. THE FUTURE OF OLD MILL DRIVE.   It had been suggested that following the Waitrose development, the Parish Council should make enquiries with HDC to be given local control of the pedestrianized area of Old Mill Drive, in order to host events such as Continental Markets, local fairs etc.  This was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED and Mr. Dawe advised that he would take this forward with HDC.

 

87. ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR COUNCILLORS TO READ :-

(a) Citizens Advice Bureau Annual Report – Available in the Office

(b) St. Barnabus House – Life Newsletter  - Available in the Office.

 

88. CLERK’S CORRESPONDENCE.

(a) Victim Support Sussex.  A letter of thanks for the Parish Council’s donation had been received.

 

(b)        Society of Local Council Clerks Notice of Regional Conference 11^th November  

2009.    The Clerk and one assistant would attend.

 

(c) Community Link – Review of Charges.  HDC had notified that the cost of this service would be increased by £10.40 per annum from 1st January 2010.

 

(d) Neighbourhood Watch Meeting would be held at Storrington Fire Station on 29^th October at 7 pm.  Mr. Roper would attend.

 

89. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ANY URGENT MATTERS.

(a) Honarary Citizen Award.  Mr. Dawe reported that he attended the Trinity Church on Sunday 20th September, where he presented the Honarary Citizen Award to Mr. Michael Pirkis.  Mr. Dawe read aloud a letter from Mr. Pirkis in which he expressed his gratitude for this honour.

 

(b)           Office Refurbishment Update.  Mr. Head reported that he had met with the contractor to discuss the budget and work schedule and advised the committee that completion of the project was expected to be mid to late October, with an estimated overspend of approximately £15,000.  Mr. Head explained that there had been a number of unanticipated problems with the renovations that had led to the delays and extra costs but he was confident that the standard of work was excellent.

 

90. REQUESTS FOR DONATIONS.

(a) Remembrance Day Refreshments.  Mr. Mullard Proposed, Seconded Mr. Sanson  and UNANIMOUSLY AGREED:-

 

To donate the sum of £150.00 towards the cost of refreshments. (Local Government Act 1972, S.137)

 

(b) Local Works Campaigning to implement the Sustainable Communities Act.  It was decided not to donate.

 

(c)            Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Request to renew subscription.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese Proposed, Seconded Mr. Sanson and UNANIMOUSLY AGREED:-

 

To renew the annual subscription at a cost of £29.00

 

91. BANK RECONCILIATION FOR AUGUST.  The Bank Reconciliation was duly NOTED.

 

92. ACCOUNTS TO BE PAID in the sum of £25,211.65 plus V.A.T. were duly AGREED.

 

93. ADJOURNMENT – No maters were raised.

 

94. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:- Wednesday, 28th October 2009.

 

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There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.