STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Recreation and Property Committee held in the Chanctonbury Room, The Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on Wednesday, 11th April, 2007, commencing at 8.00pm.

Present: Mr. C. Mason in the Chair, Mr. R. Carter, Mr. R. Dawe, Mr. A. Head, Mr. D. Roper, Mr. B. Walter, Mrs. L. Wheatley and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

In Attendance:   1 Members of the Public.   

191.    Apologies for Absence.  All present.

192.    To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members.  Mr. Head declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No. 174: Planning Decision regarding Floodlights and letter from resident, Storrington Recreation Ground.

193.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 12th March, 2007. The minutes were duly AGREED to be a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising :-

194.    Minute No. 173: Fence, Sullington Recreation Ground.  Saxon Weald had advised that the fence in question was theirs and they were looking into the matter.

195.    Minute No. 174: Floodlights.  The Working Party was waiting for a date for a meeting with the Sussex League.

196.    Minute No. 176: Storrington Recreation Ground – Garden Care had been requested to produce a report on the works required to bring the Hormare field into a playable condition.

197.    Minute No. 180: Inspection of Play Equipment Reports. Proludic were arranging for the repair of the Cone Climber.

198.    Minute No. 185: EDF re: Electricity Charges.  The prices had not yet been compared on the internet.  With regard to the Council ‘greening’ their activities, Mr. Walter agreed to produce a position paper.

199.    Minute No. 186: Insulation of Chanctonbury Room.  Jablight had been put on the door adjacent to the fire exit.

200.    Minute No. 190:  Chairs, Football Pavilion.  Prices should be obtained for replacement chairs and also for new chairs for the Sullington Parish Hall.

201.    Minute No. 179:  Hooper Coates Trust.  It was wondered whether they could give consideration to assisting with four deposits in order to allow flexibility.

202.    To Consider the Inspection of Play Equipment Reports and letter from Proludic.  When the contractor visited the Cootham site to remove the springers, they were not permitted to remove the equipment as the playgroup  had  an  open  day.    The  equipment should be removed and replaced with standard equipment that could be damaged as little as possible.  Funding for this needed to be found.  Mrs. Wheatley would look to see what equipment would be needed.

    Letter from Proludic – Proludic had confirmed the guarantees applied by them and Tayplay would be relevant to the Council when the twelve-month defect period expired on the site.  They also drew attention to the fact that as the equipment had ben purchased by Proludic on behalf of Storrington and Sullington Parish Council, Proludic would be willing to assist with any future dealings regarding the equipment purchased for this site.  The equipment was purchased from Proludic who had not informed the Council that the Cone Climber was not of their manufacture.  Therefore, under the Sale of Goods Act, this item should be covered under the same guarantee as the one quoted by Proludic at the time of purchase.

203.    Allotments.  The draft terms and conditions had been sent to the Amberley Road Allotment Association and their response was awaited.

    Storrington Recreation Ground :-

204.    Cricket Practice Area.  A quotation for the removal of the existing concrete base and laying of a new one had been received from Edburtons, but this was for £3,500 which was far in excess of the budget for this item.  Local builders should be asked to quote for this work.

205.    Infrastructure Improvements.  The Vipers had discussed the possibility of them using the Sullington pitch.  Although they were very grateful for the work that the Council had done in improving this site, there had been problems with an ‘unpleasant environment’ for the younger age group, particularly when used for training in the summer evenings.  The verbal commentary from the sidelines was not very pleasant when training 6 – 7 year olds.  It may be possible to use this ground for matches on Saturday mornings but this would depend on whether the managers feel comfortable in using this area.  They would still require alternative venues for the mini-sides because their numbers were increasing.  Therefore they requested that the Council improve the top pitch on the Hormare field. 

206.    Moles, Cricket Field.  Long discussion ensued on the problems being caused by the moles.  Some Members still did not want the moles to be killed, but the planting of the bulbs seemed to have pushed the moles nearer the cricket square.  One quotation was to hand to eradicate the moles and the Clerk was to meet another company on site tomorrow.  Mr. Walter Proposed; Seconded Mr. Roper and Vote: In Favour 6; Against 2, it was AGREED :-

    To obtain quotations to eradicate the moles and to accept the lowest quotation with the safest means to accomplishing this.  There should be an item on the October agenda to make a decision on what to do the next year.
       
207.    Litter Bin.  There was a need for a more robust litter bin in the Storrington Recreaton Ground play area or at least an additional bin, preferably of the type that were around the Mill Pond.  Members did not a repeat of last summer with the problems experienced.

208.    To Consider request from Christians in Storrington to use Sullington Recreation Ground for Sideshows in association with their Family Fun Day at the Hall on either the 22nd or 29th September, 2007.  It was AGREED :-

    To grant permission for this Family Fun Day to be held on Sullington Recreation Ground.

209.    To discuss Public Toilet Provision.  Mr. Mackie of the Storrington and Sullington Community Partnership was investigating this.  Mr. Mackie had contacted several companies and one company had quoted for two different sizes of provision.  The cost of the larger building would be between £75,000 - £80,000 and the smaller one between £65,000 - £68,000.  Details on how such facilities are maintained and the costs involved should be obtained from Henfield, Midhurst and Rustington. 

210.    Security of Play Areas, etc.  Some Councils lock their play areas at a certain time each day and Mr. Curtis considered that this Council should look into this.  However, it was felt that the costs of the fencing required would be excessive.

211.    Youth Offending Team.  A suggestion had been made that the Council should make application to W.S.C.C., to have the Youth Offending Team undertake tasks on their behalf.  It was considered that this would be a very sensible use of people and that an application should be submitted.

212.    Health and Safety.  There was nothing to report.

213.    Documents for Councillors to Read :-
    (a)    HAGS Play Ltd., product portfolio and guide to funding.

    Chairman’s Announcements.

214.    Electrical Periodic Testing and Inspection.  These inspections were once more due for the Sullington Parish Hall, Football and Cricket Pavilions.  These should be arranged.

215.    Front Door, Sullington Parish Hall.  Thomas Door and Window Controls had written advising that it was a requirement of B.S. 7036 that automatic doors should be serviced and maintained at regular intervals with a view to safeguarding people against the risk of accidents.  The cost would be £112.00 plus V.A.T., per visit per auto door operator.  It was AGREED :-

        To accept this quotation.

216.    The Smoke Free Premises Regulations 2006.  As from 1st July, 2007 smoking in the workplace would be prohibited under new legislation.  It would be illegal to smoke in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces, with fixed penalty fines or prosecution for employers, employees and customers for the following offences :-

        Smoking in a smoke-free place or vehicle
        Failing to display suitable ‘No Smoking’ signs
        Allowing smoking in a smoke-free place or vehicle.

    It was AGREED :-

    A letter should be written to both the Football and Cricket Clubs to remind them of this new legislation.   When sending out invoices for the Sullington Parish Hall and/or the pavilions, a note should be included to all users to also remind them.  More ‘No Smoking’ signs should be put up in all buildings.

217.    The Glade.  A local resident was objecting to the siting of the dog bin in The Glade, despite the fact that the location chosen was behind a bush.  This was an area of public recreation and the alternative was no bin.  It was Council policy to allow dogs in that area, therefore, the bin was provided in order to keep the area clean.

    The Council’s solicitors had still not received anything from the developers solicitors and the commuted sum had not been received.

218.    Noticeboard.  Mr. Dawe and Mr. Mason declared a personal interest in this item and took no part in the proceedings.  Mr. Roper duly took the Chair.  It had been noticed that the Liberals were displaying political propaganda on the noticeboard.  Unfortunately the Liberals paid for that position.   Following discussion Mr. Walter Proposed; Seconded Mrs. Worthington-Leese and Vote: In Favour 6, it was AGREED :-

    Dependent on whether the existing agreement with the Liberals had expired, the current political information should be removed, otherwise it should be left.  There should be an item on a future agenda in order that a structured discussion could take place on this. 

    There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.50 p.m.