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 April, 2008, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

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

In Attendance:  Mrs. L. Wheatley and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.
           1 Member of the Public.

96.    Apologies for Absence.  There were no apologies for absence.

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

98.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 13th February, 2008.  The minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising :-

99.    Storrington Pond Update :-

(a)    Testing – The Environment Agency would be taking a water sample, but were not expecting this to show signs of pollution.  They feel that this would have sunk to the bottom of the pond and now be in the silt.  They recommended one company to undertake such tests.  A quotation had been obtained from them in the sum of £150.00 and they would supply the sample bottles, sample safe box, sampling instructions, cool blocks, return labels and packing for this to be returned for them to analyze.  On top of this the Parish Council would have to pay for a courier to deliver the samples.   This company was a laboratory and not consultants so they would only analyze the samples and then send a report with the results.  Should this report need interpreting or information regarding what to do to resolve the issue, they knew of some consultants that they use and who could also take the samples.
   
It was considered that the analysis of the silt was required and a price should be obtained to deal with the problem(s) found, following which preventative measures should be installed, such as a reed bed, in order to naturally filter the water entering the pond.  Mr. Dawe Proposed and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED :-

    W.S.C.C., should be asked if they could recommend contractors that might be in a position to undertake the testing.  If they cannot come up with any other solution, then the Council should follow the route suggested.

(b)    Aerator.  It was hoped that the contractor would be in a position to fit a cage to the base of the new aerator next week.

(c)    Health and Safety.  Now that the root of the fallen tree had been removed from site, there was a large hole in the bank (photograph shown to Members).   Unfortunately it would be mid-June before the contractor could repair the wall at this location as it was necessary to wait for good weather and for the water level to drop.  Therefore, the Clerk had requested that a temporary fence be placed around this hole to prevent anyone not noticing it and falling in.  This action was duly RATIFIED.

100.    Documents Available for Councillors to Read :-
    (a)    CPRE Countryside Voice – Available in the Parish Office.
    (b)    CPRE Houses & Gardens 2008 – Mr. Carter took this to read.   
    (c)    CPRE Fieldwork – Mr. Head took this to read.
    (d)    Glasdon Products for Local Councils – Mr. Atkins took this to read.
    (e)    CPRE Sussex Review – Available in the Parish Office.

101.    Xmas :-   
(a)    Christmas Shopping Night and Cost of Light Displays – Responses received following article in Newsletter.  There had only been four responses and three felt that the Council should try to hold down costs and, if necessary, reduce light displays and activities.  The other respondent would like the Council to allocate additional funding.  Unfortunately there should have been a tear off reply slip in the newsletter with this article, but this had not been printed.  It was AGREED :-

    To adapt the advertisement and publish again in the next Newsletter, and invite people to respons via the Parish Council Website or e-mail.  The Webmaster should be asked to put the same advertisement on the web.  This coupon should have tick boxes and ask for people’s post codes.

(b)    Christmas Festoon Lamps.  Up until the end of May the cost of LED Golf Ball Lamps for Christmas Festoons were available at reduced cost.  It was not considered that this type of decoration was practical for use by this Council.

(c)    Funding.  Mr. Mason reported that it was his intention to approach local businesses to see if they would be in a position to offer support.

(d)    Large Christmas Lights.  It was AGREED that these lights should be sent away to be repaired.

102.    W.S.C.C. Highway Rangers.  The Highway Rangers wanted to be informed of any vegetation that was overhanging paths, hedges in need of trimming, unsightly weeds on pavements/sidings, dirty signs, unlawful signs, street furniture in need of repair blocked drainage grips/ditches, gully tops and small culverts.  The team would be in the Chanctonbury area for a week a month throughout the year.  The work programme was available in the Parish Office.  The following items were suggested :-

        Keep left bollards in the High Street
    Corner of Monastery Lane and Fern Road triangular piece of land cut up by lorries driving over it.
    Blocked drain in Beech Grove.
   
    Blocked drain at the bottom of Mill Lane.
    Overgrown vegetation adjacent to Pulborough Road by the Storrington Recreation Ground.

    An article should be placed in the next edition of the Newsletter on the lines of “do you know that W.S.C.C., have Highway Rangers” and listing what they do.

    Arrangements should be made to take down the Recreation Ground sign by Hurston Lane.

103.    H.D.C., Smoking Related Litter Campaign.  This campaign had been running in Horsham town centre in order to raise awareness of the increase in smoking related litter since the smoking ban came into force in July 2007.  Over the next few months it is their intention to visit this parish and run a similar ‘mini’ campaign.  They would like to first identify the ‘hot spots’.  The following locations were identified :-

    Outside the White Horse, the New Moon, the Post Office and the side of Summerfield’s.

104.    Health and Safety.  The only matter of concern had been dealt with earlier in the meeting.
   
105.    Chairman’s Announcements.

(a)    EDF Energy Public Lighting Maintenance Charges 2008/2009.  EDF had reviewed their charges for public lighting maintenance services and the new charges would come into effect from the 1st May, 2008.  A comparison of these charges needed to be made with those of last year.  Mr. Wilkinson should be asked to find out why W.S.C.C., did not quote last year and if possible a quotation obtained from them this year.

(b)    Quotation from EDF Energy.  EDF had reported that the light outside 32/33 Spierbridge Road on the corner of Love Lane had been reported as a defective day burning street light and their electrician states that the fitting is beyond repair.  To supply/install a new SRL870 lantern and adaptor and fit SS9MP (part night) cell would cost £248.55 plus V.A.T.  It was AGREED :-

        To accept this quotation.  (Highways Act 1980, s.301)

(c)    Fly Tipping in Woodpecker Lane.  Unfortunately this was a private road and the District Council were not able to assist.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.40 p.m.