STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Infrastructure, Communications and Environment Committee  held in The Chanctonbury Room, Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on Wednesday, 9th January, 2008, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

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

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

74.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. A. Head (ill) and Mr. E. Gibbons (attending another meeting).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

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

76.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 14th November, 2007. The minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

77.    Matters Arising.  There were no matters arising.

78.    Storrington Pond Update.  W.S.C.C., had finally responded and advised that surface water run off from the road had drained into Storrington pond for many years.  The pond was an integral part of the way that water from the highway was dealt with and any change to the system would require substantial expenditure which W.S.C.C., would not currently contemplate.  Blocking up the drainage pipes without an alternative system in place was not a realistic proposition as it would lead to flooding across the road.  In the normal course of events, the surface water run off should cause no pollution.  The problem that had occurred, they believed, was as a result of an illegal discharge of a pollutant by a third party. 

    As a result, the Parish Council was in the same position as any other individual or body that had suffered loss as a consequence of another person’s wrongful act or negligence and can claim against that person for the cost of putting right the damage caused.  W.S.C.C., frequently found itself in this position when traffic signs were damaged by negligent driving.  Such incidents are generally covered by drivers’ insurance, but it was often difficult to trace the person responsible.

    W.S.C.C’s legal team were experienced in dealing with such claims and their highway engineers are experienced in dealing with the practical consequences of such incidents.  In principle, W.S.C.C., would be happy for these teams to work with the Parish Council to assist in resolving any similar pollution issues in the pond which may result from the negligence or other wrong doing of road users. 

    In relation to this incident W.S.C.C., were not able to help because of the threat of legal proceedings against them which meant their efforts were concentrated on protecting their financial interests and addressing the issue of liability.

    W.S.C.C., would not give any formal legal indemnity that W.S.C.C., would accept liability for any future pollution to the pond, especially if liability was the responsibility of a third party.  

Following discussion Mr. Carter Proposed; Seconded Mr. Mason and UNANIMOULSY AGREED :-

    The Council should write to W.S.C.C., (copies to Tex Pemberton, H. Smith, Leader and Mr. Wilkinson) giving them a time limit at which point if no reply or no satisfactory answer received, in order to protect the village pond, would take measures to block the pipes entering the pond as the Council could not leave the Parish exposed to continued risk.  This action to be taken due to the time taken by W.S.C.C., to come and help.  Quotations to block up the pipes should be sought.  In view of the fact that the Parish had suffered a substantial loss and damage because of pollution that came through the pipes and their complete unwillingness to help, the Parish had no alternative but to take legal action against County to recover the cost.

    The Clerk advised the meeting that all the notices about the pollution had been vandalized and some were in the pond.  These would be retrieved and reinstated.

    A tree had recently fallen into the pond, the majority of which had been removed.  However, when the tree came down it unfortunately broke down a 5m stretch of the pond wall.  A section of tree remained and until this was removed it would not be possible to reinstate the wall.
   
79.    Christmas Decorations and Late Night Shopping Event.  The costs were as follows :-

Income
Donation from H.D.C.            £1,500.00
                                           ________
        Total Income                £1,500.00
                                            =========

Expenditure
Advert Road Closure                        £   106.82
HDC Application Road Closure          £     25.00
New Set Piece                                  £   773.00
New Festoon and Lamps                   £1,018.85
Lights for Small Trees                     £1,079.26
Installation, repairs, etc.                 £3,768.00
Trees                                               £   653.00
                                                        ________
        Total                                        £7,423.93
                                                        =========

Net Cost to Parish Council                £5,923.93


    It was explained that three days prior to the event the traders decided they could not erect the small trees and install the lights.  Therefore a contractor was employed to do this.  There had been problems with the electrics for the large Christmas tree.  On the evening the weather was not brilliant, but people had a good time.

    Thanks went to Mr. Mason, Mr. Head and Mr. Roper and the office staff for helping out.  Unfortunately Mr. Toft and Mrs. Younger would not have anything to do with this event next time as they felt that they had done their bit.  It was not felt that the traders had the facilities to do anything physical other than hiring in the entertainment.  If there was no reformation of STAG for next Christmas, it would be down to the Council.

    Should this year’s display be repeated it would cost less, but if anything additional was required, the Council would probably be thinking of another expenditure of £4,500.  It was AGREED :-

        Quotations to put up the lights should be obtained as soon as possible.

80.    N.A.L.C., has arranged for all Quality Councils to receive a free link for website from The Local Channel’s network of parish council websites.  This was apparently also a way to get into our system.  It was therefore AGREED :-

        Not to take up the offer of a free link.

81.    To Consider Application to H.D.C., for Environmental Cleansing Grant 2008/09 and 2009/10.  A claim should be submitted to H.D.C., and include bus shelters, street furniture, The Glade and hours for the Caretaker.

82.    Documents Available for Councillors to Read. 
    (a)    CPRE – Fieldwork.  Available in the Parish Office.
    (b)    Glasdon – Street Furniture.  Mr. Carter took this to read.

83.    Health and Safety.  There were no matters raised.
   
84.    Chairman’s Announcements.

(a)    Pelican Crossing, West Street – this was not working on the Post Office side.

(b)    Emptying of Green Bins.  These were not being emptied for four weeks.  A letter should be written to H.D.C., complaining about this. 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.00 p.m.