STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Infrastructure, Communications and Environment Committee held in The Chanctonbury Room, The Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on Wednesday, 4th February, 2009, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

Present:  Mr J. Sanson in the Chair, Mr. R. Carter, Mr. R. Dawe, Mr. A. Head, Mr. C. Mason and Mr. D. Roper.

In Attendance: Mrs. L. Wheatley and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

39.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. E. Gibbons (Ill). The reason for absence was duly ACCEPTED.

40.    To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members.  There were no declarations of interest from members.

41.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 15th October, 2008.  The minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising :-

42.    Minute No. 30: Local Markets.  Mr. Sanson had met with the person that organized the Shoreham markets, but he felt that the footfall on a Saturday in Storrington was not sufficient, but would come back with some proposals.  Mr. Mortimer-Cook of H.D.C., was still working on this matter.  Members considered that a market would increase the footfall.

43.    Minute No. 31: Environmental Cleansing Grant.  It was assumed that H.D.C., were cleaning to the standard previously expected of this Council.  No complaints had been received.  It was reported that there was a lot of litter by the Mill Pond near the doctor’s surgery and also there was rubbish at the bottom of Water Lane near the roundabout.

44.    Storrington Pond Update :-
(a)    Contribution from W.S.C.C.  Mr. Wilkinson had kindly followed this matter up on behalf of the Parish Council and had been informed that Mr. Smith would be making payment immediately.  The cheque had so far not been received.  It was AGREED :-

    Mr. Wilkinson should be given a copy of the recent letter to W.S.C.C., and he should be requested to follow this up.  Copies should be given to Members of this Committee.

(b)    Youths throwing objects into Pond.  The Police had been informed that youths had been throwing items into the pond such as an old bicycle.  These items had now been removed.

(c)    Pollution of Pond.  Nothing had been heard from the insurers regarding this since October.  This matter should be chased.

(d)    Aerator.  The new aerator had been found to not be working.  This had been checked and it was found that something had broken the plastic filter and had jammed the motor.  The filter had been removed and the aerator was not working again.  A new filter had been ordered.

45.    Christmas Lighting and Late Night Shopping Event :-
(a)    Accounts for Christmas 2008.  It was NOTED that there had been an income of £1,830.00 and an expenditure of £5,465.61.

(b)    Christmas Lights 2009.  To convert the new street lights in the High Street area such that decorative column motifs could be fitted would cost £230.00 per column.  There were nineteen new columns in total.  The cost of motifs varied considerably, ranging from £95.00 each to £450.00 each.  It was suggested that the staff should invite a couple of companies to provide designs for 19 motifs, including lighting up the large tree in Place Villerest, for the hire of lights over a three-year period and also for outright purchase.  Mr. Carter would invite a company to give a presentation to the Committee.  There would be a one-off cost of £4,370 to adapt the lighting columns.

(c)    Late Night Shopping Event.  Discussion ensued on this topic.  The purpose of having the fun fair last year was to give the teenagers something to do so that they did not get into trouble.  It was wondered whether rather than having a late night shopping evening it might be better to have an event on a Saturday a couple of Saturdays before Christmas when Old Mill Drive could be closed off and a Farmers Market or Christmas Fayre could be invited.  Mr. Carter and Mr. Roper were both willing to assist with the organization of an event, but were not prepared to head this up. 

46.    Documents Available for Councillors to Read :-
    (a)    Glasdon Products for Local Councils.  Available in the Parish Office.
(b)    CPRE Stop the Drop Litter & Fly-Tipping Parish Council Toolkit.  Available in the Parish Office.

47.    WSCC alterations to parking restrictions in The Square, High Street and Old Mill Drive, Storrington.  This permanent Order came into effect on the 13th January, 2009 and made alterations to the parking restrictions in these areas.  A map detailing the waiting restrictions was distributed.  It was not felt that this would alleviate the parking problems opposite the Chemists in North Street.  It was AGREED :-

    A letter should be written to H.D.C., requesting them to be more diligent with enforcement as the current situation was dangerous.

    It was reported that residents of Brewers Yard were experiencing problems since the alterations to the layout as they found that their exit was blocked.  There used to be a ‘keep clear’ sign.  It was AGREED :-

        To ask W.S.C.C., to reinstate the ‘keep clear’ sign.

    It was reported that visibility for drivers exiting the Old Mill Drive car park was obstructed by the newly constructed fence.  It was AGREED :-

    To ask W.S.C.C., if they could do something about the fence as it presented a visibility hazard for drivers coming out of the car park.

48.    WSCC Renewal of Road Imprint, Manleys Hill, Storrington.  It was noted that this work had already been completed.  However, Members were not at all happy with its appearance.  The previously laid brick ‘gateway’ had been removed as the bricks had been laid upside down which apparently caused a noise problem, and they had now re-laid this with asphalt.  It was AGREED :-

    A letter of protest should be written stating that the purpose of the original design was to be attractive and slow down traffic and now it did not slow down the traffic and it was now very unattractive and the surface was sinking already.

49.    WSCC Bus Shelter Grants Scheme 2009/2010.  This was noted, but it was not felt that there was a need for any further bus shelters in the parish at the current time.

50.    To note that the quotation from EDF to repair the streetlight between 5-7 Mill Lane, Storrington was accepted in the sum of £205.44 plus V.A.T.  This was duly NOTED and AGREED.

51.    Health and Safety.  There were no Health and Safety matters to raise.

52.    Chairman’s Announcements.  There were no announcements.

There being no further business the meeting closed at  7.58 p.m.