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 April, 2008, commencing at 8.00pm.

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

151.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. B. Walter (holiday).  The reason for absence was duly ACCEPTED.

152.    To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members.  Mr. Head declared a personal interest in Minute No. 132: Football Club Floodlights.

153.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 12th March, 2008.  In Minute No. 145 ‘Allianze’ should read ‘Allianz’ and Minute No. 148 ‘Normandy’ should read ‘Normandie’.  With those amendments the minutes were duly AGREED to be a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising :-

154.    Minute No. 133: Chanctonbury Leisure Centre.  The meeting had taken place between H.D.C., and the Trustees.  H.D.C., had gone away to look at the papers prepared by the Trustees regarding the improvements that they would like to see to make the building more viable and self-sufficient.  It was hoped that there could be a way to assist with capital expenditure.  Currently the Leisure Centre had an equipment lease and it was hoped they would buy this out, which would release a large amount back into the Centre and make an enormous difference to their cash flow.  The Centre would like to put in a mezzanine floor and allow there to be a proper office and an extension to the gym area.  The Trustees needed to come up with the amount of capital required.

155.    Minute No. 140: Kestrel Alarms Entry System.  The Council’s insurers had visited site, undertaken the survey and verbally approved the system, but this was awaited in writing. 

156.    Minute No. 141: Kestrel Alarms Maintenance of C.C.T.V.  Kestrel Alarms needed to be contacted again about the maintenance of the systems to check whether their quotation was just for the Sullington Parish Hall or including the Leisure Centre.
 
157.    Minute No. 135: Skate Park.  Mrs. Wheatley advised that following discussions and the inability to find a suitable site within the parish, she had given the young man’s contact details to Julie Chapman of W.S.C.C. Youth Service as they were trying to obtain a similar scheme at Rydon and also to Pete Short the new Street Scene Development Officer at H.D.C., who would be supervising the mobile ramps and football cage. 

158.    Terms and Conditions of Hire.  Research showed that neighbouring Halls did not lay out the furniture (tables and chairs) for hirers unless by special arrangement.  There appeared to be no major issues with this change (with the exception of a couple of regular hirers who required assistance) therefore it was decided to continue with this procedure.


159.    To Consider the Inspection of Play Equipment Reports :-
    Cootham Hall – The spring horse had rough edges again and the Giggleswick had floorboards rotting.  The concrete surface needed to be covered with safety surfacing.  Following discussion it was AGREED :-

    That as the Council did not own the land, a letter should be written to the Trustees of the Cootham Hall advising that the Council’s attention had been drawn to the lack of safety surfacing made this equipment not fit for purpose.  The Council could not provide insurance for the equipment until there was a safe surface and therefore can no longer accept liability/responsibility for this equipment. 
   
    Meadowside – This play area was currently still closed.  Mrs. Wheatley offered to contact H.D.C., to discuss the options of obtaining a report on what needed to be done to make this area safe and useable or removing the equipment.  

    Storrington Recreation Ground – More caps needed replacing and there was a loose nut on the Cone Climber.  These items should be repaired as soon as possible.

160.    Report on Sullington Play Project.  A meeting had taken place last week and the questionnaires had been analysed.  There were two separate agendas, one for the older youngsters who wanted a hut with toilet, i-pod connection, lighting and a BMX track.  The younger children would like play equipment similar to that at the Storrington Recreation Ground.  Two separate schemes were being prepared.  It was also proposed to put side extensions on the football wall, place a surface in front of the wall and also to have a goal post that could be moved around the field to a number of fixing points.  Quotations were being sought.

161.    Front Door, Sullington Parish Hall.  
(a)    Report on latest position with Thomas Doors & Windows.  A letter had today been received from the Defendant’s solicitor together with a copy of their Allocation Questionnaire.  They originally requested a two-week delay because the person was on holiday which the Court upheld and now were asking the Court to postpone for one month in order that they could try to settle the case.  A reply had been sent advising that the Council had been trying to settle this without success which had led to the court action.  They had been advised that unless the remedial works were undertaken in the near future, another contractor would be employed because this problem was holding up the installation of an automated entry system on the doors.
 
162.    To Consider Quotations for New Stage Steps.  A number of quotations were to hand.  Following discussion it was AGREED :-

    To delegate the Clerk in conjunction with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of this Committee to make the decision as to which ones were the best value for money.

163.    To Consider Quotations for Noticeboards.  It was recommended that polycarbonate should be used instead of glass.  Following discussion it was AGREED :-

    To leave making a decision on new noticeboards until the High Street improvements were complete in order to be able to assess what would fit in best.

164.    Football Pavilion Lift.  The lift had suffered three breakdowns since it was serviced approximately three weeks ago.   The  lift  was  currently  broken  down  and  stuck  between floors and the last time it got stuck with a lady in a wheelchair and her husband inside.  In this case the Fire Brigade had had to be called.  Pickerings were to supply another key for opening the door as currently there was not one in the building.  It was AGREED :-

    To obtain a box in which to keep the winding handle and key safely ready for when it was required in an emergency.  Instructions on their use where to find them should be erected.

165.    To Consider Quotations for Alterations to the Parish Office and Cloakrooms.  Another quotation was to hand which suggested another design, by straightening the right-hand side of the entrance to allow that space to be incorporated into the proposed new office.  Following discussion it was AGREED :-

    To obtain re-quotes to also straighten the other side of the entrance, but for the petition to slope at the top to the point of the existing wall in order to continue to allow light into the area.  The Clerk should ascertain how much it would cost to move the electricity cupboard to outside.

166.    Health and Safety.  No matters were raised.

167.    Documents for Councillors to Read.  There were no documents for Councillors to read.

168.    Chairman’s Announcements.

(a)    Land at Oak Close.  Saxon Weald wanted to dispose of this wooded area and had approached the Council to see if they were interested in purchasing it.  A meeting had been held with Saxon Weald and the District Valuer had now provided his valuation which needed to be referred to Saxon Weald for comment before placing this item before full Council for a decision.

(b)    Glebe Field.  It had been suggested that the Council should investigate the possibility of getting the Glebe field registered as a Village Green.  Evidence was required of usage over the last twenty years.  Following discussion it was AGREED :-

    To contact various members of the public in order to obtain the information/evidence required and to attempt to register the Glebe Field as a Village Green.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.26 p.m.