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, 14th November, 2007, commencing at 8.00pm.

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

73.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. R. Carter (business) and Mr. R. Dawe (holiday), Mr. B. Walter (work) and Mrs. L. Wheatley (personal reasons).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

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

75.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 10th October, 2007. These minutes were duly AGREED to be a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising :-

76.    Minute No. 61 (a) Infrastructure Improvements.  It should be ascertained what ‘root zone’ was. 

77.    Chanctonbury Leisure Centre.  This building had been there for over twenty years and was run by a Board of Trustees with support from the Parish Council.  Unfortunately they had not received any financial support from H.D.C., hence it was run on a shoestring.  The building was in need of some repairs and upgrading due to new regulations.  Currently the Trust was experiencing some financial difficulties and they may request to have a meeting with the Council.
 
78.    To Consider the Inspection of Play Equipment Reports.  At Storrington Recreation Ground there was a damaged cap cover on the Calypso and cracks starting to form on the seats of the swings.  The most important item was the central bracket of the Cone Climber that had come loose and the screws had gone.  Here was graffiti on a number of items within the parish.  At Sullington Recreation Ground some of the ropes had been burnt exposing the wire.  The necessary repairs should be put in hand.  At Cootham there were trip hazards in the surface, but this area was not owned by the Parish Council.  The Trustees of the Hall should be informed. 
   
79.    Storrington Recreation Ground. 
(a)    Infrastructure Improvements.  These works were now complete with the exception of the Cricket Field drainage works which had been removed from the contract due to the problems experienced with the Football Field.

(b)    Storage Container.  This building had now been completed and handed over to the Council, but unfortunately two of the three doors had been damaged already.
   
80.    The Glade.  It was looking as though the fence on the northern boundary would be the responsibility of the Parish Council.  One of the neighbours was already requesting that some of the trees be lopped.  However, this land had still not been handed over to the Council from the developer.  H.D.C., had advised that they had  received  the  commuted  sum  and  would hold this until the transfer was complete.  Bellwinch Homes should be asked to undertake the necessary tree works and removal of overgrown areas.

81.    West Sussex Sustainability Forum – Free Energy Seminar, 22nd November.  This was duly NOTED.

82.    To Consider Request from the Storrington Scouts for Permission to Erect an Extension to the Scout Hut for an equipment store and office.  The draft proposals were studied by Members, following which it was AGREED :-

        To support this in principle.
 
83.    To Consider Request to Erect Warning Signs, Storrington Recreation Ground re: Playing of Golf and Riding of Motorcycles.  It was AGREED :-

        Such signs should be purchased and erected.

84.    To Consider Offer to Purchase Land at Oak Close, Sullington from Saxon Weald Homes Ltd.  Subject to the views of an independent valuer, it was anticipated that Saxon Weald would be seeking a sale of this land on the following basis :-

    1.    Individual freehold plot values circa £3,000.
2.    Discount on previously achieved figure, as above, as the land is not contiguous to individual property occupier’s gardens.
3.    A further discount if sold to a single party.

Saxon Weald wished to know if this was something that the Council would wish to pursue.  They would be happy to consider agreeing that the sale price be paid over a period of time thereby reducing any cash flow problems.

Following discussion it was AGREED :-   

    That the Council would take over responsibility for this area for a nominal price and that negotiations on the price should commence with Saxon Weald.

85.    Health and Safety.  There was nothing to report at this meeting, but the Clerk mentioned that she would be letting Members have details of Health and Safety for Play Areas once she had typed up her notes from the recent conference.
   
86.    Documents for Councillors to Read :-
(a)    National Playing Fields – Fields in Trust Field Focus.  Available in the Parish Office.
(b)    Sussex County Playing Fields Association – Annual Report.  Available in the Parish Office.

87.    Chairman’s Announcements.

(a)    Hire of Hall for 11 to 13 year old parties.  It was felt that conditions to such hire should be made and following discussion it was AGREED :-

    There should be a minimum of one adult present for every 10 children.  A cash deposit of £150.00 should be held and that in the event of any damage occurring, all or part of the deposit would be withheld.  This condition would need to be specified in the terms and conditions.  There should also always be someone on the door to prevent gate-crashers.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05 p.m.