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, 9th January, 2008, commencing at 8.00pm.

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

88.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. A. Head (ill) and Mr. B. Walter (work).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

89.    To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members.  Mrs. Wheatley declared a personal interest in agenda item 12 because her husband was a member of the Cricket Club.

90.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 14th November, 2007. Item 78, second sentence should start with the word ‘There’ and not ‘Here’.  With this amendment the minutes were duly AGREED to be a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising :-

91.    Minute No. 84: Saxon Weald re: Oak Close.  The Council were still waiting for a date from Saxon Weald about the proposed meeting.

92.    Minute No. 77: Chanctonbury Leisure Centre.  The District Council was still no further forward and there was still the divide between leisure centres H.D.C., owned and ran and those run independently by parishes.  The ones that H.D.C., ran were subsidized by £1.25 million a year whereas the parishes stood on their own feet.  The situation remained that the Chanctonbury Leisure Centre was struggling financially because the running of a modern leisure centre and all the demands mean it could no longer be funded from local funds.  The Council could not take over the running of a leisure centre.  The District Councillors had had a meeting with the Financial Cabinet Member of H.D.C., that had been constructive, whereas the Cabinet Member for Leisure was saying ‘no’.  H.D.C., had suggested certain ways that might adjust the finances to get some money.  The Trustees of the Leisure Centre were looking at that and when they had firmed up their information and made up their minds what they could and could not do, they would come back to the District Council to meet with them and decide on a joint plan.  Hopefully they would reach an agreement to keep the Leisure Centre going.  The District Councillors were commenting on the H.D.C., Corporate Plan for the Future at every opportunity.

93.    To Consider the Inspection of Play Equipment Reports and the possibility of moving the Meadowside Play Area to Abbey House.  There were no recent reports available.  All the repairs had been carried out at Meadowside with the exception of the swings.  A suggestion had been received from Saxon Weald Homes to move the Meadowside play area.  Abbey House currently attracted older youngsters playing football and as this building was being demolished and re-built it was suggested that the facility be put in that area to include a kick-about area, football wall or something rather than a young children’s playground.  Saxon Weald recently undertook a survey which identified that 75% of the child population were made aged between 8 and 14 years.  Most parents were not happy for  children  to go to the current site.  Therefore rather than refurbish Meadowside it was felt that a site at Abbey House/allotment area would be more appropriate.  A meeting would be held with Saxon Weald and W.S.C.C., next week to see whether they would allow this to go slightly on the allotment site. 
   
94.    The Glade.  This site had now been transferred to the Parish Council and the commuted sum had been received and was in the bank. 

95.    Football Club Floodlights Conditions.  The item outstanding on this was the light spillage.  H.D.C., were trying to get a professional ruling on this.  It was hoped this would be received within the next three to four weeks.  Until that information was to hand it was not possible to make public the conditions.

96.    H.D.C., obtained Big Lottery Fund - £30,000 earmarked for Sullington Recreation Ground.  In order to obtain these funds a number of tasks had to be accomplished.  There was a need for a local group to be formed to carry out a consultation exercise in order to ascertain what the community wanted.  Mrs. Wheatley would chair this group and invite Donna Bone from Saxon Weald Homes, a couple of youngsters, Mrs. Younger to become members.

97.    To Consider Quotation to take out roof light and re-tile of Sullington Parish Hall.  A. O’Neill Roofing Ltd., had quoted in the sum of £8,130.00 plus £840 for internal works, total £8,970.00 plus V.A.T.  Mr. Dawe Proposed; Seconded Mr. Read and AGREED :-

    To recommend to the full Council that this quotation should be used to try and obtain a hall improvement grant and that subject to success with this, to look to have the works undertaken next August.

98.    Licence for Pedestrian Access of Parish Council land.  Following discussion the following conditions were AGREED :-

•    The agreement should be for a period of 5 years.
•    Charge should be £52.00 per year.
•    The charge to be due on a certain date and if not paid by that date the agreement would elapse and the gate and/or steps should be removed and replaced by appropriate fencing.

99.    Electricity Costs.  A cheaper supplier had not yet been found, but the Clerk should continue the investigation and report back to the next meeting.

100.    Utility Charges Cricket Club.  As the Council had decided not to charge the Football Club for fire extinguishers, the same action was agreed for the Cricket Club.  A credit note had been raised.  There was to be a meeting with the Cricket Club next Thursday.

101.    Health and Safety :-
(a)    Health and Safety – Play Areas – As Safe As Necessary.  This document had been circulated to all Members and was duly NOTED.

102.    Documents for Councillors to Read.
(a)    Proludic Leaflets – Innovation in Play; Children’s Play Information; Play Areas and Sports Grounds Design Installation Guidance; Play Areas and Sports Grounds Disability.  Mrs. Wheatley took these documents to read.

    Chairman’s Announcements.

103.    Racking, Storage Building.  It was considered that racking was required in the new storage building in order to store things like the Christmas lights off the floor.  This was AGREED.

104.    Notice Boards.  Something needed to be done about the condition of the notice boards in Old Mill Drive.  Worthing Borough Council should be asked for details of the circular ones that they have.  It was AGREED :-

    To delegate the Clerk in conjunction with the Chairman to make a decision on this matter.

105.    Ravenscroft Allotments.  An Action Plan was required in order to get these allotments back into a reasonable condition, paying attention to such things as the width of the pathways.

106.    Fields In Trust (National Playing Fields Association).  The subscription to this was to increase to £35.00 and was due in April.  It was AGREED :-

        Not to subscribe.

107.    Stage Steps.  The current steps were extremely heavy and not suitable for one person to lift up and down off the stage on their own.  It was AGREED :-

    To delegate the Clerk in conjunction with the Chairman to make a decision on purchase of appropriate light-weight aluminium steps.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.