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, 7th October 2009 commencing at 7:30 p.m.

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

51. Apologies for Absence. Were received from Mr. R. Carter and Mr. R. Dawe (prior engagements). The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

52. To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members.  There were no Declarations of Interest.

53. To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 9th September 2009.  The minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising :-

 

54. Minute No. 21 (a) - Amberley Road Compensation Claim,  It was reported that the

Complainant had responded to the Parish Council’s request for proof of purchase of crops

and settlement of the claim had been made. 

 

55. Minute No. 47 – Little Bears Pre-School – Outside Play Facilities.  It was reported that

confirmation had now been received from Ofsted and the Pre-School’s insurers that their

public liability now extended to cover use of the rear car park.  The next stage would be for

the pre-school to liaise with the office to arrange suitable dates for the trial to begin as it 

would only be viable when the building is not in use by other hirers.

56. Minute No. 55 Play Equipment, Cootham Hall.  It was reported that an invoice had been sent to the Trustees of Cootham Hall for the sum of £1.00 but had yet to be paid.

 

57. To consider the Inspection of Play Equipment Reports.  Two reports had been received

and it was noted that the Meadowside area had been removed from the Parish Council’s list

provided by Horsham District Council.  A number of minor faults had been identified and

these would be addressed.  A new list of the equipment at Sullington would be provided to

HDC.

 

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

 

59. Parish Hall Roof.  It had been reported that remedial works had recently been carried out to

the flat area of the Parish Hall roof but that these repairs were temporary.  The Committee

would need to allow for a more permanent repair when consideration is given to next

year’s budget.  Mrs Worthington-Leese suggested that funds should be allocated to a new

budget area for general buildings maintenance, including the Parish Hall and Sports

Pavilions.  This was AGREED.

 

60. Bollard Lights at Football Pavilion,  These lights had been vandalised once again and

for safety reasons, the power had been disconnected.  Members considered whether repairs should be carried out or whether the lights should be removed altogether.  It was DECIDED:

 

That the bollard lights be removed and consideration should be given to erecting a PIR light outside of the pavilion entrance to provide adequate lighting for people using the building and car park at night.

 

61. Allotments.

 

(a) Ravenscroft.  Members were informed that a plot holder had requested clarification of Clause 4.5.2 of the agreement relating to maintenance of hedges and ditches at the Ravenscroft Site.  Following a site visit, the ground maintenance contractor had been instructed to cut back and clear the hedges around the perimeter and to strim the few remaining empty plots. Mr Mason reported that a meeting would be arranged with some of the plot-holders with regard to self management of the site and further information would be provided following this meeting.

 

(b) Amberley Road / SAGA.  SAGA had been in contact regarding payment of rent and Subsidies and Members were informed that the office was in the process of collating the costs of ground maintenance that had been carried out during the process of agreeing the lease. These costs, along with the rent and water charges would be deducted from the subsidy  before making a payment to SAGA.

 

62. Complaint regarding Coles Funfair.   Members were advised that a complaint had been received regarding the presence of Coles Funfair at the Recreation Ground.  The complainant reported that dismantling of the equipment took place late in the evening and that the event itself created noise and disturbance to the neighbouring properties.  Members agreed that the organisers should be instructed not to dismantle the equipment during late hours after future bookings.  With regard to the noise and disturbance, members considered that the fair closed at a reasonable hour so as not to present anti social issues and sufficient notices advertising the event had been given to prepare neighbours for any music or atmospheric noise.

 

63. Vandalism to Leisure Centre Roof.  The Leisure Centre Manager had reported that vandals had gained access to the Leisure Centre roof via the Cricket Pavilion roof and had asked the Committee to advise on preventative measures.  These incidents had not been reported to the police and no times and dates of incidents had been recorded.  Mr. Head and Mr. Roper volunteered to visit the Centre to try to identify the route that the vandals were taking and report further at the next meeting.

 

 

64. Health and Safety.  Members were advised that Annual Electrical Inspections had been

carried out on the Football Pavilion and Cricket Pavilion and that one fault had been with regard to the Hand Dryer switch in the ladies lavatory in the Football Pavilion which would be addressed.

 

Chairman’s Announcements and Urgent Matters.

 

65.            Rotary Club

           

(a)            Village Day 2010.  A letter had been received from the Rotary Club to request permission to use the Recreation Ground 
for the Village Day planned for 26^th June 2010.

A donation request had also been made which would be considered at the next meeting of the Parish Council. The Rotary Club had also requested members to suggest ways of decorating the village to “Enliven” the Village Day and to make visitors aware that the event is being held.  It was AGREED.

 

 That permission be granted for use of the Recreation Ground and that  ideas be sought amongst the traders for ideas regarding the promotion of the event and decorations to the high street.

 

 (b)            Rotary Film Night.  Members were asked to consider extending the period of free hire for the Rotary Club Film Night held at the Parish Hall. It was DECIDED.

 

That the hall be offered free of charge indefinitely, for the presentation of films by The Rotary Club.

 

66.            Pavilion Hire – Unpaid Fees.  Members were advised that efforts to recover unpaid hire

            fees from a local band were proving unsuccessful.  The band had hired the Football Pavilion

            regularly on Fridays until July when the bookings were cancelled.  Hire fees totalling £224

            remained unpaid and the principle hirer had been in contact to advise that he had been made

            redundant and was seeking advice regarding his debts from the Citizens Advice Bureau. The

            situation would continue to be monitored.

 

67.            Brighton and Hove in the Community.  Members had been advised that use of the

            Storrington Football Ground had been given to Brighton and Hove in the Community to hold

            a football training event for children of the parish similar to the events held by Portsmouth

FC, on 29th October 2009. This event would be provided free of charge to children and would be advertised within the Parish prior to the day.  The Football Club had agreed to provide changing room facilities and to line out the pitch free of charge.

 

 

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8:35 pm.