STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Development Committee held in The Chanctonbury Room, The Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on Thursday, 12th February, 2009, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

Present:    Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese in the Chair, Mr. J. Macey, Mr. A. Mullard, Mr D. Roper, Mrs G King and Mrs. L. Wheatley.

In Attendance    Mr. J. Cowling (Pear Technology) and Mr. A. Head.


101.        Apologies for Absence were received from Messrs. R. Dawe and A. Aldridge (prior engagement).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

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

103.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 8th, January 2009.  Minute No. 100 – Documents for Councillors to Read, should read “2018”; with this amendment made the minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were duly signed by the Chairman. 

104.    Pear Technology – Digital Mapping for Parish and Town Councils – Presentation by John Cowling.  The Chairman proposed that this item be brought forward before Matters Arising.

    Mr. John. Cowling introduced himself as one of the Founding Directors of the small company which was established in 1995 with 10 members of staff based in Havant.  Initially Pear Technology worked with Farmers and Rural Estates however, over the last two years, they have been selling their digital mapping system to councils.

    The initial cost for the system would be around £1.5-£2k for the full set up.  There is the facility to print-out the whole parish boundary on an A4 sheet of paper should you so wish, however it would be very hard to read any details on it.

    Mr Cowling went on to show members how by clicking on a building the software would show you the area measurements; likewise it would show you boundary measurements etc.  You can easily zoom in and out of any areas and the maps etc. are very clear.

    The software would be ideal to collate Parish information such as TPO’d trees, allotments, street furniture, play areas, bus shelters, gas pipes, water pipes etc.  All the mapping information is downloaded from Ordnance Survey and these maps are updated continuously.

    The package consists of two parts – software and the digital mapping.  Mr Cowling was asked how exact the detail was and he replied that it was as good as the detail that is input.  All Ordnance Survey maps are accurate to within ½ - ¾ metre.  The package includes ½ days training for staff and a helpline.  Mr Cowling stated that the set-up cost would be £1,700 plus £200 per annum for updates and support.
   
The key point to remember about this software is that it is more than a paper map – it is a very powerful tool.  Mr Cowling passed around two presentation packs and it was agreed that one should be forwarded to Mr. A. Aldridge and the other would be kept in the Parish Office.  A number of questions were asked:-

•    Could the software be accessed from a computer at home?  If you currently had access to the office computer and had the software loaded onto your pc then yes, this was possible.
•    Could more than one person access the software at any one time?  Yes this was possible but it was crucial that access authority was managed proficiently.  It would be advisable to have a couple of people that could manage the site and give others read-only rights.
•    What is the minimum memory needed to run this software?  Currently the map of Storrington and Sullington is between 20-25meg.  Computers under three years old would be ok, however, as a minimum, 1gig of memory is recommended.
•    What operating software is needed to run this software?  Windows XP or Vista.
•    How would the Parish Council be covered under copyright laws?  The office would be able to reproduce the maps but would not be able to sell them.
•    Is there a sample cd or a website that could be visited in order that all members of the Parish Council could view the software?  Yes, a cd would be forwarded to the Parish Office.  Once received, this cd would be passed to Mr. J. Sanson.

Discussions took place regarding this software and it was agreed that the Clerk should be asked to put this topic on the next Full Council Meeting’s Agenda.  The Office was asked to copy all information on Pear Technology and their software to all Councillors in preparation for this meeting.

Matters Arising:-

105.    Minute No. 90 : Tree Issues.

    (a)    Tree Works around Storrington Pond.  Mr. A. Gale reported that some minor pruning work could be undertaken, however he felt that this may well set a precedent for other neighbouring properties.  It was UNANIMOULSY AGREED:

    To write to Mr Gibbons stating that he could have the branches overhanging his garden pruned, but only up to the fence-line.  The Parish Council would not however pay for this work.

    (b)    Tree Works at Recreation Ground.  This work was completed  on 5th January.

    (c)    Planting along fence line with Pulborough Road.  The stump grinding had been carried out, however Mr. A. Gale was currently waiting for the ground to settle before the planting of a small-leafed lime tree could be undertaken.

106.     Minute No. 91: Listing of The Old School Building.  The office had now completed the application form and would be sending this to English Heritage along with relevant photographs.

107.    Village Design Statement.  A Working Party Meeting had been arranged for 11.30 on Monday 16th February, where members would go through the paperwork collated thus far.  At this meeting members would discuss what they felt should be included in this document, along with its structure and format.
 
108.    Chanctonbury CLC Flooding Working Group.  The Office had asked for an extension in order that they could report on this topic.  The Office had collated a number of articles from publications regarding flooding in the village, especially the A283.  A letter incorporating this information would be sent to WSCC on 16th February, attaching any articles from Friday 13th’s West Sussex County Times.

109.    Laybrook Landfill Application.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that W.S.C.C. had confirmed they were in receipt of this application, however it had not yet been registered.  As soon as it had been, the Parish Council would be sent a copy for consultation.

110.    Rock Common Landfill.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that an e-mail thanking Members for their support had been received from Washington Parish Council.  Within this e-mail it stated the application had been refused at County’s Meeting on 10th February.  It was duly noted that Veolia had six months in which to Appeal to this decision.
   
111.    Planning Applications Awaiting Comment – Appendix I. 

(a)    DC/09/0227 – 10, Fox Dell.  Surgery to 2 x Oak Trees.  Mr. A. Mullard took this application away to comment on.

(b)    DC/09/0126 – Saxon Weald Homes, 73-78 Meadowside.  Formation of cross-over and new 8-bay car park on existing grassed area.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese and Mrs. Wheatley took this application away to comment on.

112.    Planning Application Decisions – Appendix II.  These were duly NOTED. 

113.    Planning Applications, Comment Summary – since the meeting on the 8th January, 2009.   These were duly NOTED.

114.    Appeals Lodged.

(a)    DC/08/2230 – Eleven Cricketers, 23, West Street, Storrington – Conversion
     of Outbuilding to 1-bed Dwelling.  An Appeal had been lodged against HDC’s
     decision to refuse to grant planning permission.  A letter had already been sent to the
     Planning Inspectorate reiterating our Objection to this application
(b)    DC/08/2346 – 19, Hillside Road, Storrington – Double Garage with New Access.  
An Appeal had been lodged against HDC’s decision to refuse to grant planning permission.  A letter had already been sent to the Planning Inspectorate reiterating our Objection to this application

115.    Tree Preservation Order.

TPO No. 1394 – Land Fronting 67-72, Meadowside, Storrington.  The order for 1 x Hornbeam and 1 x Cherry had taken effect provisionally from 3rd February 2009.


116.    Chairman’s Announcements.

DC/08/1793 – The Norbertine Order.  Land North of Norbertine Monastery & Our Lady Of England Catholic Church, Monastery Lane.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese announced that the Appeal Hearing for this application would be held at 10am on 28th April in Horsham.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese volunteered to attend on behalf of the Parish Council.  It was also suggested that the Office inform the District Councillors of this Hearing.

117.    Documents for Councillors to Read.

WSCC The Sustainable Community Strategy for West Sussex – this document will be left in the office for Councillors to read.


There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20 pm.