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, 13th February, 2008, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

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

In Attendance:  Mrs. L. Wheatley, Mr. J. Williams and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

85.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. R. Dawe (holiday) and Mr. E. Gibbons (attending a Police meeting).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

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

87.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 9th January, 2008. The minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising :-

88.    Minute No. 79: Christmas Decorations and Late Night Shopping Event.  Mr. Mason reported that he had sounded out a local focus group whether there should be lights and a late night shopping event this year.  Their view was that the Council should continue with this because the people of Storrington enjoyed the event and had a good time as a lead off to Christmas.  There would be an article in the next issue of the Storrington News reporting on last year’s lights and asking people if they were happy for more taxpayers’ money to be spent this year.  An approach had been made to H.D.C., to double the grant that they give and this was currently receiving a sympathetic hearing.  The article would also ask for volunteers to help organize the event.  Large traders in the parish would be approached with a view to obtaining a sponsor.

89.    Storrington Pond Update.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that a meeting had been held with W.S.C.C., when it was made very clear to them that as far as the Parish Council was concerned pollution could only enter the pond through their pipes and they must take responsibility for it.  The pipes were Counties and therefore it was not right that the Parish Council should take out insurance.  County went away stating that they would look to see whether they could get insurance cover.  Since then, nothing further had been heard from the officers.  Mr. Wilkinson had informed Mrs. Worthington-Leese that Mr. Kershaw had received something favourable from their insurers and would be writing to the Parish Council this week.  The advice from the Council’s solicitor acting on the current pollution was that the County Council had a right to discharge into the pond, but that with that right went an obligation.  Refusal to accept any obligation would, they felt, not stand up in court.  With regard to the current pollution, the solicitor had written to Homeserve in order to try and establish why they felt that British Gas caused the problem.  British Gas had been asked if they were working in Amberley Road at the time the pipe was fractured, but they state that they do not keep such records.   Mr. Wilkinson was speaking with Highways as British Gas should have had permission from them to do the work in the road.
 
90.    Storrington and Sullington Public Rights of Way Routine Maintenance Report following their recent inspection/maintenance visit.  The works undertaken were: 482 metres of vegetation clearance; 9 new waymarkers fitted and 2 waymarkers were repaired.

91.    Consultation on the West Sussex County Council Highways Works Programme 2008/09 and Forward Programme.  Comments required by 22nd February, 2008.  The following were listed for Storrington and Sullington :-

        Town/Village Enhancement Scheme 2008/09
        A.283 Manleys Hill Lighting Column Maintenance
        C.24 Fryern Road Lighting Column Maintenance
        D113/8205/8210/8215 Wantley Lane Carriageway Resurfacing
    B.2139/9 Thakeham Road – Water Lane Roundabout Carriageway Resurfacing.

92.    Results of the West Sussex Sustainable Business Partnership Questionnaire relating to Recycling Business Waste.  There had been strong support for provision of better services for the recycling of business waste.  The cost of recycling was a concern and this was identified as a barrier to recycling.  The majority of businesses indicated that they were not prepared to pay more to receive a recycling collection as well as a general waste collection.   Mr. Carter took the document to read.

93.    Documents Available for Councillors to Read :-
    (a)    Neptune – Street Furniture.  Available in the Parish Office.
    (b)    R.S.P.B. – On the Brooks.  Available in the Parish Office.

94.    Health and Safety.  There were no matters raised. 
   
95.    Chairman’s Announcements.  At the last Parish Council meeting, a number of highway concerns had been raised, mainly relating to large puddles.  All these were as a result of blocked drains and W.S.C.C., had advised that these would be cleaned in about a month’s time.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.50 p.m.