STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Infrastructure, Communications and Environment Committee  Thursday, 11th September, 2008 held in The Chanctonbury Room, Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on , commencing at 7.00 p.m.

Present:  Mr J. Sanson in the Chair, Mr. R. Dawe. Mr A. Head, Mr T. Gibbons and Mr C. Mason.

13.       Apologies for Absence were received from Mr D Atkins, Mr R Carter, Mrs C Davison and  
            Mr D Roper (prior engagements) The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

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

15.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 11th June, 2008.  Minute number 3 should read Mr Roper proposed Mr Head. With this amendment, the minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising :-

16.       Minute number 8 – Meadowside Litter Bin. H.D.C had yet to provide the litter bin to the
            Meadowside area and this matter should be chased.      
 
17.       Storrington Pond Update:- WSCC had sent a letter acknowledging the Parish Council’s  
            request for funding and further contact would be made when a decision had been made.
            It had been reported that the damaged wall had been rebuilt and information was still     
            expected from “Water Habitat” regarding the necessary pump equipment needed for the
            pond.

18.       Christmas Lighting:-
          
           (a) Grant A letter had been received from Horsham District Council acknowledging the Parish Council’s request for a Christmas Donation Grant. H.D.C had indicated that available funds may be less than the previous year and Mr Mason proposed that a letter be sent pointing out the disproportion between the amounts awarded to villages and the amount spent in Horsham Town Centre. This action was AGREED.

           (b) Plan for 2008 Mr Mason reported that letters had been sent to all local large businesses and responses had been received from “Shoots” offering to donate a Christmas Tree and to allow artists from the Circus that they had booked, to perform in the Village during the Christmas Late Night Shopping Event. Mr Mason had also received contact from a local electrical contractor who indicated that he would be happy to provide a quotation for the necessary works for the Christmas lights. Contact had also been made by Mr Phil Read, who had requested authorisation to set up and old style fun fair in Old Mill Square on the evening of the late night shopping. This would mean that the road would need to be closed earlier than usual at 2pm until 10pm. Mr Mason reported that as it appeared that there was no longer a Traders Association, that communication with all local businesses would need to be made regarding the event. After further discussion on this matter the following actions were AGREED:
                                a. To contact “Shoots” Garden Centre to accept it’s kind offer.
                                 b. To contact the local contractor to request a quotation for the erection and
                                    Installation of the Christmas decorations.
                                c. Provide authorisation to Mr Phil Read to set up the Fun Fair and contact
                                    West Sussex County Council regarding the road closure.
                                d. To write to each local traders advising of the date of the late night
                                    and to enquire whether they intended to open for business during
                                    the event.
 
19.      Terms and Conditions for Local Markets:- Mr Mason reported that a meeting had been
           arranged for 17 September with Mr Garry Mortimer, HDC Town Centres Manager and would
           update the committee at the next meeting.

20.      C.C.T.V. in Village:- Results from the Village Vote had shown that the electorate was in
           favour of installing CCTV around Old Mill Square. However, as the Parish Council’s
           allotment strategy had been rejected, the funds to cover this project had not been secured. It
           was therefore AGREED that any decision regarding this matter should be POSTPONED.

21.      H.D.C Environmental Cleansing Grant 2008/2009. It was reported that Horsham District                      
           Council had awarded significantly less than the Parish Council had budgeted for and it was
           suggested that in the absence of full funding, the responsibility for street cleaning should be
           handed back to HDC. It was AGREED that this matter should be considered at the next full
           Council meeting with a RECOMMENDATION for this course of action.

22.      Public Rights of Way Routine Maintenance:- A summary of works undertaken had been
           Provided by West Sussex County Council, along with advice that a further visit would be
           undertaken in nine months time.

23.      Documents for Councillors to Read:-
           (a)    Glasdon – Latest Products for Local Councils – Available in Parish Office.
           (b)    J. Parker Catalogue – Available in Parish Office.
           (c)    Urbanscape Catalogue – Available in Parish Office
           (d)    CIS Street Furniture – Available in Parish Office
           (e)    Sussex Review – Available in Parish Office

24.      Health & Safety:-  No issues were raised.

25.      Chairman’s Announcements:-
           (a) A letter had been received from H.D.C inviting the Parish to take part in the “Greening
                Campaign. After a discussion on this matter it was DECIDED that the Parish would not
                take part at this time.
           (b) Members were advised that the next Chanctonbury County Local Committee meeting
                would take place  at 7:00pm on 16th September 2008 at Ashington Youth Club.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8:00 p.m.



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