STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Recreation and Property Committee held in The Chanctonbury Room, The Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on Wednesday, 3rd June 2009, commencing at 8.00 p.m.
Present: Mr. C Mason in the Chair, Mr. A. Head, Mr. D. Roper, Mrs. L. Wheatley and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.
1. Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. R. Dawe (Holiday), Mr. R. Carter, (prior engagement). The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.
2. To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members. There were no declarations of interest.
3. Election of Chairman. Mr. Head proposed Mr. Mason, seconded Mrs. Wheatley and AGREED.
Mr. Mason duly took the Chair.
4. Election of Vice-Chairman. Mrs Worthington-Leese proposed Mrs. Wheatley, seconded Mr Roper and AGREED.
5. To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 6th May 2009. The minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.
6. Matters Arising :-
(a) Minute Nos. 80, 98, 118 and 133: Play Area, Meadowside It was reported that a letter
had been sent to Horsham District Council to advise that the responsibility for the maintenance and management of this site had been passed back to H.D.C.
(b) Minute Nos. 119 and 134: Play Equipment, Cootham Hall. Arrangements had been
made for the removal of the equipment to take place during the week commencing 7th June and a letter advising of this action had been sent to the Trustees of the Hall with a copy to the
playgroup who used the hall.
(c) Minute No. 147 (c) – Intruder Alarm, Kestrel Alarms. It was reported that the key holder agreement had been signed and returned to Kestrel Alarms and that the Terms and Conditions of Hire had been amended to reflect the charges for call out.
7. To consider the Inspection of Play Equipment Reports. One report had been received:-
(a) Meadowside. Due to the actions of Minute No. 6 (a), the items on the report would not
be addressed.
(b) Cootham Hall. Due to the actions of Minute No. 6 (b), the items on the report would not
be addressed.
(c) Storrington Recreation Ground. The report highlighted minor repair needs which
would be addressed. A weekly inspection carried out on 29th May reported that the surfacing
below the Twinfly had begun to rise and would require monitoring.
A quotation had been received from Proludic for the part to repair the Aeroskate, for £68.92, however, members commented that this equipment was relatively new and the guarantee should be reviewed before accepting this quotation.
8. Documents for Councillors to Read. There were no documents for Councillors to read.
9. Report on the Sullington Play Project. Mr. Mason reported that he had attended a meeting
between residents of Banks Croft and the Police, where the issue of the proposed Youth
Shelter was raised. The police appeared to be sympathetic to the residents concerns relating
to potential behaviour problems that such a facility could attract. This matter was discussed
during the Annual Parish Council Meeting on 27th May 2009 and Mrs Wheatley reported that
a letter to the Police had been drafted and would be sent shortly. An extension had been
granted by the Planning Officer to allow the Parish Council further time to gather support
and evidence regarding the application. The committee was informed that the sound and timing levels on the Youth Shelter were adjustable and it was hoped that this information may assist to ease the concerns of local residents.
10. Allotments.
(a) Lease, Amberley Road. Advice from the Council’s solicitor had been received regarding the naming of Trustees on the lease. If SAGA were unwilling to provide the names of Trustees then there would be no guarantees regarding who would be responsible for upholding the conditions of the lease. Members commented that in the absence of these details, they felt unable to support the signing of the lease. It was therefore AGREED:
That this matter be referred to Full Council for discussion
at the next meeting on 24th June 2009.
(b) Polytunnels. It was reported that a new polytunnel had been erected on the Amberley
Road site. As the erections of any new polytunnels breached the terms of the existing
Allotment Holder Agreements, and the proposed new lease, action should be taken to
arrange for this erection to be removed.
(c) Ravenscroft. Works were underway to re-align, measure and re-number the plots at
Ravenscroft in readiness for them to be offered to the waiting list. It was hoped that letters
would be sent to new and existing plot holders within the next fortnight.
11. To Consider Quotations in respect of the Ravenscroft Football facility. Quotations had been received as follows:
Wicksteed:
To install one Open Goal Module with 3 meter high panels,
Supply and install relevant surfacing to an area 11m wide by 12m long
Supply and install 3mtr high wire mesh fencing to three sides (open at opposite end to goal so that facility could be extended
to install another goal module, creating a pitch, In the future?)
£24,995 excl VAT
Playground Facilities Ltd.
To install ball wall with goal, basketball hoop, ring and backboard.
Supply and install 22m x 12 m of hard surface.
Supply and install 3metre high tennis court style fencing to four sides with
Matching gate.
£21,606.84 excl VAT
It was reported that there had been some indications that local residents would be against
the installation of such a project so Saxon Weald had agreed to undertake a consultation process and would report back on the outcome. Members also raised questions regarding the location of such a facility as the land is leased from West Sussex County Council and not owned by the Parish, and whether the provision of a Football Wall was the right choice of amenity. In light of this information it was AGREED.
That consideration of these quotes should be postponed, pending the
report from Saxon Weald, and further discussion on the matter.
12. Health and Safety. There were no issues raised.
Chairman’s Announcements.
13. Lappset Invitation. Members had been invited to visit the Lappset stand at the Play Fair
at Stoneleigh Park on 23-24th June. Any interested party was advised to register on-line
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10:00 pm
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