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, 14th November, 2007, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

Present: Mr. A. Head in the Chair, Mr. D. Atkins, Mr. E. Gibbons and Mr. C. Mason.

In Attendance:  1 Member of the Public.

61.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. R. Dawe (holiday), Mr. J. Sanson (holiday) and Mr. R. Carter (business).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

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

63.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 10th October, 2007. The minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

64.    Matters Arising :-

(a)    Minute No. 56: Litter Picking and Cleansing.  It was reported that a further meeting had taken place with H.D.C. and D.J. Flynn.  The purpose of this meeting had mainly been H.D.C., learning about D.J. Flynn Services’ activities and the way they work between the villages.  H.D.C., were working on this information. 

    Mr. Atkins suggested that the Parish Council should look at having a Litter Awareness Week.  It was also mentioned that it was being raised with H.D.C., the subject of having a campaign aimed at supermarkets and other shops stopping using plastic carrier bags.
  
65.    Storrington Pond Update.  Water Habitats  had sent their quotation for the supply of an intake screen for the new aerator to prevent impingement of carrier bags and other debris for the price of £941.64 including V.A.T., and installation.  The price should the Council wish them to only supply and delivery the housing (without installation) would cost £593.38 including V.A.T.  It was AGREED :-

Other contractors should be approached to see if something else could be obtained for a relatively low cost, £300.00 maximum.

    Analysis of the pond water – Water Habitats had said that the sample that they took had been contaminated, yet they had sent details of the tests undertaken which had shown that the water quality was relatively good.  The most pressing concern was the low oxygen reading.  This company suspected that the pond was overstocked with fish and that a de-stocking would be beneficial.  They considered it unlikely that anything could be done to control the slightly elevated iron and chlorine concentrations in the water.  They also recommended a programme of biannual Siltex treatments which act to stimulate aerobic bacteria that process waste material.  Their quotation for the supply of one metric tonne of Siltex was £425.00 including V.A.T., and delivery.  An offer had also been made for monthly sampling to ascertain seasonal variations in the water quality parameters.  They had now sent two further containers for more tests on the pond water.  It was AGREED:

    To wait until the weather warms up, say next March, when the water would head up and then get the tests re-done.  In the meantime further enquiries on this company should be made. 
   
66.    Christmas Decorations and Late Night Shopping Event.  The following amounts had been expended on new lights/illuminations :-

    Blachmere Illuminations to make the set piece designed by the winner of the Infant School competition - £773.00 plus V.A.T.

    Lights and Festoon for the large tree to be placed on Place Villerest purchased from Lamps and Tubes Illuminations Ltd. - £1,018.85 plus V.A.T.  The bulbs would all gradually change colour and cost £3.50 each.  The quotation obtained from Blachmere for this was in the sum of £961.00 plus V.A.T., but the cost of the bulbs was £6.00 each and these did not change colour.

        These purchases were duly RATIFIED.

    H.D.C. Christmas Decorations Grant 2007 – H.D.C., had confirmed the award of a grant of £1,500 towards Christmas Decorations for this year.  Payment would be made upon presentation of the appropriate invoices confirming expenditure.

    Temporary Road Closure – Storrington Christmas Shopping Event had been advertised.  H.D.C., required a letter from the Council’s insurers confirming £10 million third party liability insurance and a cheque for £25.00 in respect of the application fee.  Mr. Mason, Mr. Carter and Mr. Head had volunteered to help with the road closure on the 6th December.

    Traffic Cones were no longer available from W.S.C.C., therefore it needed to be ascertained if it was possible to hire them. 

    D.J. Flynn had not yet submitted his quotation for the installation of the lights.  This should be chased.

    Cllr. Mrs. L. Kitchen, Leader of H.D.C., had confirmed her attendance and she would be judging the best shop window.

67.    Countryside Access Forum for West Sussex.  Mr. Head took this information to read.

68.    To consider H.D.C’s offer for pictorial meadow seed.  Normally H.D.C., took requests from Parish Councils for bulb order, but this year they had decided, following the success  of
their meadow planted areas around Horsham town, to extend the offer to Parish Councils for annual pictorial meadow seed.  The Storrington Conservation Society should be asked whether they would like any seed for areas such as Riverside Walk or the edge of The Glade.

69.    Edge Designs Quotation for Systems Online.  Mr. Sanson had asked that this matter be deferred until he had had time to study it.  This was AGREED.

70.    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.  It was DECIDED not to take up this offer.

71.    Documents Available for Councillors to Read :-
(a)    Action in rural Sussex – Action: Transport and Rural Access edition.  Available in the Parish Office.

(b)    C.P.R.E., Countryside Voice – Available in the Parish Office.

(c)    H.D.C. Food and Workplace Safety Newsletter – Available in the Parish Office.

72.    To Ratify the Actions Taken with regard to the purchase of new computer equipment for the Parish Office.  The new equipment had cost £2,744.15 plus V.A.T.  This was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED.
   
73.    Chairman’s Announcements. 
(a)    Furnitubes International Ltd. – Street furniture solutions.  Available in the Parish Office.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.30 p.m.