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 Thursday, 11th September, 2008, commencing at 8.00 p.m.

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

18.       Apologies for Absence were received from Mr R. Carter and Mrs C Davison (prior
            engagements). The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

19.    To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members. Mr Head declared a personal interest   in item 13 (b)

20.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 11th June, 2008.  The minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

            Matters Arising :-

21.       Minute No. 6: Cootham Hall Play Equipment. A letter had been received from the 
            Trustees to advise that there were no funds available for the necessary repairs to the equipment. Mr Dawe suggested that a visit be made to the Play Group at  the site to identify whether the play equipment is used. This course of action was AGREED.

22.     The Glebe. Photographs had been received showing use of the Glebe in June 1908 and also in 2006. A total of 6 evidence forms had been completed by residents who had used the area “As of Right”. Mr David Jenkins of Horsham District Council had been invited to this meeting to discuss the registration of the land as Village Green but he had been unable to attend and requested that he be kept informed of progress in this matter. It was reported that further evidence of use would be required before the application to register the field could be made and it was AGREED that:
                         (a) A request would be placed in the next edition of the Parish Newsletter, for
                              any evidence of use of the field.
                         (b) Further contact would be made with Mr Jenkins regarding the timescale
                             for the application.
                         (c) Contact would be made with the Open Spaces Society for further advice.     
                             
23.       To Consider the Inspection of Play Equipment Reports:-

            (a) Sullington Recreation Ground. Monthly Inspection Reports had highlighted a number of defects at this area: A large hole had been burned or cut from the Safety Surface and other sections appeared to have been damaged with a knife. A rope tunnel support had been badly “hacked” to approximately two thirds of its original width. The Clerk reported that a Risk Assessment form had been completed and the Committee was asked to consider whether repairs should be made, costing in the region of £4,580 plus labour, or whether all of the equipment should be removed at a cost of approximately £700. It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to ACCEPT the quote for removal of the equipment.



24.       Report on Sullington Play Project:- Mrs Wheatley reported that Viridor had requested
            further information in respect of the grant application and that the project was still on hold
            pending the outcome of the meeting with the Crime Reduction Partnership.

25.       Automatic Entry System, The Parish Hall and Football Pavilion:- It was reported that
            the installation of the Access system was nearing completion and it was hoped that it would
            be fully functioning within the next two weeks. Kestrel Alarms had presented bills for the
            installation and maintenance agreement and it was AGREED that payment should be
            withheld until the work had been fully completed.

26.       Cricket Field- Update of Drainage Works:- The works due to be carried out to the Cricket
            Field had been delayed by poor weather but had now commenced. The Chairman of the
            Cricket club had raised questions regarding the provision of signs on the field and this would
            need to be addressed with the contractors.          
            A quotation was expected for security enhancements to the Cricket Pavilion as recent
            Inspections had indicated the need for extra door and window locks.

27.       Position of Leisure Centre Refuse Bins:- The Committee had been asked to consider
            ideas for the relocation of the refuse bins at the Leisure Centre. After some discussion it was
            AGREED that Mr Mason and Mr Dawe would arrange to revisit the site to resolve this
            Issue.

28.       Football Pavilion Lift;- Pickerings Lifts had carried out an inspection of the lift on 14th
            August and had recommended that a new top panel be fitted to the shaft top. Mr Dawe asked
            what the purpose of this panel and it was AGREED that Pickerings should be consulted
            further.

29.       Funding for Storrington Greenfingers:-  Mr Dawe proposed that the Clerk be
            authorised to make payments up to the agreed budget to Storrington Greenfingers. Mr Roper
            seconded and the Committee AGREED.

30.       Football Club:-
            (a)    Complaint about Social Event. The Football Club Chairman, Mr Matt Bridle had   
            responded to the complaint about noise after a social event held on 26 July 2008.
            The Chairman confirmed that music had been turned off prior to midnight and the only
            people left in the building were those tidying up.  He had however indicated that there were
            vehicles of youths in the car park that may have been the cause of the noise.
            (b)    Update re: Floodlights. The Football Club had been asked if any of their applications
            grants had contained conditions that would affect the use of Parish Council property and Mr
            Bridle responded that they would always endeavour to ensure that all of the Parish Council
            conditions would be met.
            (c)    Management. Concerns had been raised regarding the connection of the Football Club
             to the Worthing Academy and Mr Bridle had provided his assurance that the Club would
             not become and outpost for the academy and would continue to develop and support local 
             players.

31.       Allotments:-Mr Mason reported that a significant amount of documentation had been
            collated with regard to an agreement between the allotment holders and the Parish Council.
            He suggested that a separate meeting be arranged to address the issues and this was   
            UNANIMOUSLY AGREED.

32.       Health and Safety:-
            Storrington Cricket Field. The Parish Council had received a copy of a letter to the Cricket
            Club from a resident of Swan Close, who had suffered damage to his garden fence after it
            had apparently been hit with a cricket ball. It had been reported that the Chairman of the
            Cricket Club intended to visit the complainant to resolve the issue.
           
33.      Documents for Councillors to Read:-
           (a)    Steelway Fensecure – Saltex 2008– Available in Parish Office.
           (b)    Action in Rural Sussex – Available in Parish Office.
           (c)    Monster Play Leaflet – Available in Parish Office
           (d)    HAGS Product Portfolio and Guide to Funding – Available in Parish Office
           (e)    Sussex Review – Available in Parish Office

34.      Chairman’s Announcements:-
           New framework for Stage Steps:- The manufacturers had provided a quote to provide a new
           Frame which would split in half so that they could be moved more easily. The cost would be
           £384.15 excluding VAT.  As there had been no complaints regarding the current position of
           the steps, the Committee AGREED that this expenditure would be unnecessary.
 

 There being no further business the meeting closed at 9:30 p.m.