STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE CHANCTONBURY ROOM,
SULLINGTON PARISH HALL,
THAKEHAM ROAD, STORRINGTON,
ON WEDNESDAY, 28th MAY, 2008,
COMMENCING AT 7.00 p.m.


Present: Mr. R. Dawe in the Chair, Mr. R. Carter,  Mr. A. Head, Mr. J. Macey, Mr. A. Mullard, Mr. D. Roper, Mr. J. Sanson, Mrs. L. Wheatley, Mr. J. Williams and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

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

1.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Mr. E. Gibbons (attending Police Meeting), Mr. C. Mason (holiday).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

2.    STORRINGTON FIRST SCHOOL PRESENTATION.  The school was now a centre of excellence, with good staff and a successful PTA (Friends of Storrington School).  It was now part of the curriculum for foundation Stage 1 children to spend 50% of each day outside and they no longer had a play time as such.  The children had to have access to an outdoor learning environment.  Guidance had been given by the Government regarding the successful education of young children.  There were currently 81 children in that unit and there would be 89 children next academic year.  Wellingtons were now part of the school uniform, but when the children were getting too wet they had to go inside.  Another major issue was the need to provide shade for the children in hot weather.  They consider the most effective way to deal with this would be to have a 5m by 14-15m canopy.  The children would benefit, but also the parents as they would be able to wait for their children under this in bad weather conditions, it would also provide a dry storage area.  It was hoped the shelter would assist in encouraging more parents to walk with their children to school.  The cost of a canopy would be between £12,000 - £22,000.  They would like to ask the Parish Council to consider giving them a grant of £10,000 towards this provision.  The school would obviously like the canopy as soon as possible.

    It was AGREED that the request for a donation towards a canopy should be placed on the agenda of the next meeting and if necessary a meeting of the Finance and Budget Committee should be arranged to look at this.  In the meantime a short paper would be distributed to Members.   

3.    TO ELECT A CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR AND SIGNING OF DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese Proposed; Seconded Mr. Head and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

        That Mr. R. Dawe be Chairman for the ensuing year.

    Mr. Dawe signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

4.    TO ELECT A VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR AND SIGNING OF DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.  Mr. Mullard Proposed; Mr. Sanson Seconded and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

        That Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese be Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

    Mrs. Worthington-Leese signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

5.    TO CO-OPT A COUNCILLOR IN ORDER TO FILL ONE OF THE CASUAL VACANCIES – SULLINGTON WARD.  Mrs. C. Davison was in attendance and was interested in becoming a Member of this Council.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

        To co-opt Mrs. Davison.

    Mrs. Davison duly joined the meeting and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

6.    TO APPOINT MEMBERSHIP OF THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES FOR THE YEAR :-
(a)    Infrastructure, Communications and Environment.  It was AGREED that membership of this Committee should be as follows :-

        Mr. D. Atkins        Mrs. C. Davison    Mr. R. Dawe
        Mr. E. Gibbons    Mr. A. Head        Mr. C. Mason
        Mr. D. Roper        Mr. J. Sanson.

(b)    Recreation and Property.  It was AGREED that membership of this Committee should be as follows :-

        Mr. R. Carter        Mrs. C. Davison    Mr. R. Dawe       
Mr. A. Head        Mr. C. Mason        Mr. D. Roper       
Mrs. L. Wheatley    Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

(c)    Planning and Development.  It was AGREED that membership of this Committee should be as follows :-

        Mr. R. Dawe        Mr. J. Macey        Mr. A. Mullard
        Mr. D. Roper        Mrs. L. Wheatley    Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

    (d)    Finance and Budget.  (Made up of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Council and Committees).

7.    TO APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES TO SERVE ON THE FOLLOWING OUTSIDE BODIES :-
(a)    Horsham and District Association of Local Councils – (Mr. Mullard and Mrs. Worthington-Leese).
(b)    Storrington and District Twinning Association – Mr. Roper.
(c)    Horsham Four Towns Healthcheck Partnership – Mr. Carter.
(d)    Police Matters – Mr. Gibbons (General) – Mr. Mason (L.A.T.)
(e)    Sandgate and Wiggonholt Conservation – Mr. J. Macey.
(f)    Storrington First School – Mr. Williams.

8.    TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS.  Mr. Sanson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the allotments.

9.    POLICE MATTERS.  No report from the Police had been received.

10.    TO APPROVE AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 23RD APRIL, 2008.  These Minutes were duly AGREED to be a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were duly signed by the Chairman.

11.    TO APPROVE AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 7th MAY, 2008.  These Minutes were duly AGREED to be a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were duly signed by the Chairman.

12.    MATTERS ARISING :-
   
(a)    Minute No. 240: Sussex Air Ambulance Fund.  A letter of thanks had been received.
(b)    Minute No. 249: Storrington Pond.  West Sussex County Council had now advised that they were willing to contribute toward the cost of planting reed beds.  Quotations were being sought.  Water Habitats should be chased for their letter about the fish in the pond.
(c)    Minute No. 248: Thomas Door and Window Controls Ltd.  This matter had been settled out of court and a cheque in full settlement had now been received.
(d)    Minute No. 265: Bank Account.  Barclays Bank had been contacted, but as the Council’s annual turnover was more than £100,000 there would be charges.  An alternative was being sought.

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

(a)    Infrastructure, Communications and Environment Committee Meeting held on the 7th May, 2008.  These were duly ADOPTED.

(b)    Recreation and Property Committee Meeting held on the 7th May, 2008.  These were duly ADOPTED.  Mrs. Wheatley mentioned the recent vandalism that had taken place at Sullington Recreation Ground and wondered whether the Council would wish the project to improve the play area be delayed.  It was suggested that a skateboard park should be investigated.

(c)    Planning and Development Committee Meeting held on 8th May, 2008.  These were duly ADOPTED. 

Southern Water would now respond to all applications and would ask for conditions to be imposed. 

The Planning Inspectorate had allowed the appeal to demolish Sawyards (keeping the façade). 

Officers at HDC were proposing to recommend approval of the construction of two semi-detached bungalows at 3 Church Street, despite there being no vehicular access, limited pedestrian access, buildings would be overlooked by two-storey houses on four sides, no parking and no access for emergency vehicles.

14.    COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS.  Mr. Wilkinson advised that he had received complaints about the fact that the character of Monastery Lane had changed over the past year or so due to the amount of traffic movements, notwithstanding the village enhancements, and use as a rat run.  WSCC would undertake a traffic survey in September and see what could be done. 

    WSCC had put up temporary ‘Slow’ signs in Browns Lane due to the volume and speed of traffic.

    Mr. Wilkinson had followed up on Fryern Road and WSCC had asked for a report on accidents and over a three-year period there had been one slight personal injury where the incident involved a vehicle reversing into the highway.  He would keep chasing this, but because of the findings of the speed monitoring and accident record, there were many more roads in urban West Sussex with a higher priority.

    With regard to the use of the Leisure Centre by the Youth Service which had now been suspended, the head of Youth Services at County would speak with the local workers and assess the situation.  However, they did struggle to recruit youth support workers and they did not have the skills required.  Julie Chapman would need more support from professional colleagues.  There was a planned targeted youth project in the Horsham District and possibly Storrington could be the focus.  However, they did not have a budget.  There was to be a meeting early next week to see what could be done.

    The Task Force looking at the South Horsham Mobile Waste Service had discussed pros and cons and recommended proposals to go to Cabinet Member.  The service should stay almost as it was until next April.  From then onwards there would be a new scheme in place which would concentrate on recycling.  Mr. Dawe reported that HDC hoped to introduce in the Chanctonbury area the new recycling system next February, to include corrugated cardboard where households would have one bin (about the size of the green waste bin) which would be emptied fortnightly.  A second bin could be offered people at a cost of £50.00 per year and there could possibly be free composters.

15.    ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR COUNCILLORS TO READ :-
(a)    West Sussex Sustainability Forum – Life in West Sussex – Quality of Life Indicators Report 2008.  Mr. Mullard took this to read.

(b)    HACVS Newsletter.  Available in the Parish Office.
(c)    South Downs Living Magazine.  Available in the Parish Office.
(d)    West Sussex NHS Primary Care Trust e-Bulletin.  Available in the Parish Office.
(e)    Tanbridge House Review Spring 2008.  Available in the Parish Office.
(f)    West Sussex NHS Primary Care Trust – Making changes to health services in West Sussex.  Available in the Parish Office.

16.    CLERK’S CORRESPONDENCE :-
(a)    Horsham & District Citizens Advice Bureau.  Their 43rd Annual General Meeting would be held on the 11th June.

(b)    Standards Board ‘The Code Uncovered’ CD – would Members like to see this training aid?  It lasts 32 minutes.

(c)    West Sussex NHS Primary Care Trust Board Meeting to learn whether Worthing or Chichester Hospitals will become the Major General Hospital, to be held on 4th June at the Copthorne Hotel Effingham Gatwick.  Members mentioned that the decision in this respect had been announce today with Worthing being the Major General Hospital.

(d)    West Sussex County Council – Chanctonbury CLC to be held on 17th June, 2008 at Henfield Leisure Centre at 3.30 p.m.  Theme: Speed Watch and Road Safety.

(e)    Action in rural Sussex – Invitation to the Sussex Rural Affordable Housing Partnership Annual Conference on 25th September, 2008 at The Adastra Hall, Hassocks.  Mr. Roper took this correspondence and would consider attending.

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

(a)    St. Mary’s Church, Sullington.  Request for donation toward the cost of churchyard maintenance.  The Church had requested 50% of £2,156, however there was £975 in the budget for this.  Therefore, it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

    To donate the sum of £975.00 (Local Government Act 1972, s.215(6))

(b)    West Chiltington Silver Band.  To celebrate its 100th birthday West Chiltington Silver Band would be running a week of musical events starting with a tour of local villages on Saturday, 5th July in a Southdown open-top bus, and would like to visit Storrington in Henry Adams car park and requested the bays in front be coned off.  Members would be pleased for them to perform in Storrington, but it would no longer be possible to cone off the bays as this area had now been made into pavement.  The Band would need to obtain permission from Henry Adams.  Mr. Roper Proposed; Seconded Mr. Sanson and UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

        To donate the sum of £100.00 (Local Government Act 1972, s.137)) 

18.    YOUTH OFFENDING TEAM WORK REQUESTS.  The Community Safety Unit had developed a local protocol for requesting free local reparation work carried out by young offenders.  They wanted details of potential projects which would benefit residents.  Following discussion it was AGREED :-

    To suggest litter picking around the ponds, car parks and twittens (especially towards Hanover).  Mr. Sanson and the Clerk to look at where the team should go and draw up a schedule.

19.    TO CONSIDER THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE COMPARISON FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 2007 TO 31ST MARCH, 2008.  This document had been distributed and was duly NOTED.
   
20.    REPORT FROM STORRINGTON GREENFINGERS.  Copies of this report had been distributed to Members and it was duly NOTED.

21.    WEST SUSSEX STREET LIGHTING OPERATION TIMES CONSULTATION.  This document had been distributed and it was duly NOTED.

22.    H.D.C’S ‘VISIONING HORSHAM’ FINAL REPORT.  This document leant very heavily towards wanting to be part of the Gatwick diamond where in fact it was not felt that this area would want to be part of that at all.  A few comments had been received from Members, but some had not yet seen the document, therefore, this topic should be placed on the agenda for next month.

23.    TO CONSIDER CHANGING THE NAME OF THE SULLINGTON PARISH HALL.  Following discussion Mr. Dawe Proposed; Seconded Mr. Sanson and UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

    The name of the Sullington Parish Hall should be changed to ‘The Parish Hall’ and the signs outside the building changed accordingly with Storrington and Sullington Parish Council going wherever ‘Sullington Parish Council’ appeared. Either both logos should be included on the headed notepaper or alternatively a new logo designed to include both the Sullington windmill and the Storrington storks.

24.    UP-DATE OF MEMBERS REGISTER OF INTERESTS.  The Clerk emphasized the importance of receiving this document duly completed as copies had to be sent to HDC.

25.    ACCOUNTS TO BE PAID in the sum of £13,154.72.  The accounts were duly APPROVED.

26.    ADJOURNMENT.  No matters were raised.

27.    DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Wednesday, 25th June, 2008.


28.    TO CONFIRM THE NORMAL PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS – Council on last Wednesday in each month, Infrastructure, Communications & Environment and Recreation and Property on the first Wednesday in each month and Planning & Development on the second Thursday in each month.  AGREED.

    The Press and Public were duly excluded from attendance during the next item and left the meeting.

29.    ALLOTMENTS.  Mr. Sanson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item and left the meeting.
       
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.