A meeting of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 12th July 2005
in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.
Present: Harvie Steele (Chairman), Neil Longson (Vice Chairman), Celia Rayner, Ken Line, Peter Knowles, Roger Watts, Dennis Tyler, Pietro di Marino.
Also in Attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk), Andrew Frost (Deputy Director of Planning, HDC), 30 members of the public, 1 member of the press.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Estelle Warriner, Jonathan Trees, Paul Royce, Michael Jackson and Pat Arculus (County Councillor)
2. CO-OPTION TO COUNCIL
Due to problems with our e-mail system papers from two candidates were not received and following advice from SALC it was decided to hold the elections on Tuesday 19th July 2005.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
It was proposed by Roger Watts, seconded by Dennis Tyler and resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10th May 2005 as a correct record of the meeting. The Chairman signed the minutes.
4. MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
5. PLANNING MATTERS
a) WILLETS FARM
To allow members of the public an opportunity to join in the discussion the meeting was adjourned.
Plans have been received to build 23 industrial / storage units on the site and Andrew Frost, Deputy Director of Planning, Horsham District Council was present to talk about the application and answer questions from the 30 members of the public present. Mr Frost outlined the history of the application, which was made in October 2004 and discussed by the Parish Council in December 2004. He commented that the applicant had reduced the scale of the development from 29 units to the current application of 23 units and that the planners considered this more acceptable. The members of the public then questioned him as to the suitability of the development in a rural area, close to residential property, with the noise and disturbance it was likely to cause. He said if the development was to be approved conditions would be set as to the business uses the units could be used for, the hours and days of work and noise limits. The residents of the area pointed out that the applicant had for a number of years carried out illegal activity at the site and Horsham District Council (HDC) had failed to take enforcement action to curb the activity, Mr Frost said he expected action to be taken within two to three weeks. The public said the lack of action by HDC gave them no confidence for the future control of the site. Mr Frost was then questioned about the transport study carried out by the applicant and its conclusion that there would be minimal extra traffic generated by the proposal. He said that HDC Planning Department had to rely on the report from West Sussex Transport Department, which considered the report and agreed with the findings. The Clerk gave a report on how the information was gathered and the basis for the finding that the extra traffic would be 2.3%, way below the 10%, which would be considered significant. The applicant claims that he had 120 movements, substantiated by weighbridge records, to the site. This was disputed by the residents of nearby houses who asked how they could check the details provided by the applicant. Mr Frost said they should contact Mr Tony Martin at County Highways, as he was responsible for the report to HDC.
Mr Frost was then question on the need for the units for local businesses and said that the applicant had been asked to provide details to establish the need, members of the public then mentioned units vacant in neighbouring areas, which they thought, proved there was no need locally.
Roger Watts proposed, seconded by Neil Longson to ask Michael Jackson to invite members of the Planning Committee to attend the site with the Parish Council. Most members of the public then left the meeting.
b) Planning Decisions
Members noted the list of planning applications, decisions and appeals since the last meeting.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS
(i) Finance Committee
(a) Payments and Receipts: The Clerk reported payments and receipts since the previous meeting covering the period 11th May to the 8th July 2005.
It was proposed by Roger Watts, seconded by Neil Longson and agreed to approve the list of payments made from 11th May to the 8th July 2005 totalling £5690.64.
(b) Annual Audit Return: The Clerk presented the Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 2005 for submission to the auditors. The figures are extracted from those presented at the Annual Parish Meeting together with a statement of the variances from the year ended 31st March 2004 to those of the year ended 31st March 2005.
It was proposed by Ken Line, seconded by Dennis Tyler and agreed to approve the Annual Return and the list of variances. The Chairman was authorised to sign the Return when received from the Internal Auditor with his report.
(c) It was requested by the Clerk that a meeting of the "Open Spaces Committee" be arranged to discuss the Inspection Report from National Playing Fields Assoc. re. repairs required at playground and skatepark.
The Chairman asked Neil Longson (Chairman) of the committee for a suitable date and 10.00 am on the 19th July was agreed.
The Clerk reported that damage has been caused to the skate park ramps, which a local adult user, Gary Holder, had repaired temporarily. Mr Holder has also cleared broken beer bottles from the area, and cleared the site of litter. The Clerk has discussed this with Margaret our Litter Warden who says all the bins have disappeared. The Clerk has asked Gary Holder to keep an eye on the park and report any problems to him. A short discussion took place on suitable replacements and the Clerk agreed to investigate heavier bins that would not be easily moved.
7. MUSEUM REFURBISHMENT
Plans have been received from Morfield Everest for the proposed refurbishment with an anticipated budget cost in the region of £20,000 plus VAT (reclaimable).
It was proposed by Dennis Tyler, seconded by Pietro di Marino and agreed to appoint Morfield Everest to specify, tender and manage the works to completion and obtain the necessary consents at a fee of 11% of the final contract sum, plus expenses and VAT (reclaimable)?
A meeting was agreed at 10.00am on the 20th July with Gina Wilmshurst (Storrington Museum), Harvie Steele, Celia Rayner and Dennis Tyler to discuss the display of the exhibits once the refurbishment has taken place.
The Chairman reported that the local school had expressed an interest in using the museum as part of the curriculum for children. The Clerk reported that he regularly receives requests from visitors and residents for information regarding the museum, and it was agreed that when reopened it should be publicised in the Parish Magazine and on our web site.
8. PARKING PROBLEMS OUTSIDE SCHOOL
The Headmistress received complaints about cars blocking the pavement outside the school forcing mothers to use the road to get past. County Highways visited the site and have proposed installing "Dolly Posts" along the edge of the pavement to stop cars mounting them.
It was agreed by the council to approve the installation of the posts in the interests of road safety.
9. REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE West Sussex Rural Mobile Youth Trust
It was agreed to leave the request for consideration at the November meeting, during which time further information will be sought on how the youth of the village benefits.
10. CORRESPONDENCE
(i) CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 2005
This first phase of this act came into force on the 7th June 2005, the remainder by Spring 2006. It allows parish councils to issue fixed penalty notices for litter, graffiti, fly-posting and dog offences and to issue dog control orders.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would not implement the act at present due to lack of resources, but the situation would be kept under review.
(ii) Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 ". The Clerk has been informed that the Tractor Shed roof was possibly asbestos and therefore the risk should be assessed and acted upon.
It was agreed to have the roof checked and advice sought from Horsham District Council for the names of suitable contractors.
(iii) Standards Committee. The Clerk reported that the committee would meet on the 13th July 2005 in Horsham if any one wants to attend.
(iv) West Sussex County Council Funding Fair 17th October 2005 in Crawley if anyone would like to attend or require information contact the Clerk.
(v) The West Sussex Golf Club have written notifying us, and adjoining houses, that they intend to fence their land to mark the boundary, and inviting our help. It was the view of the members that irrespective of the fence the parish boundary remains unchanged and that we therefore do not need to get involved.
(vi) Speed Limit Signs - Gay Street We have received a letter from Jacqueline Davidge expressing her view that such signs are both intrusive and unnecessary in a narrow lane since local users are naturally cautious, and those that do speed are unlikely to heed any limit, the members agreed.
(vii) CPRE are holding a seminar on local planning the new system, on the 6th October in Billingshurst, any one interested may obtain details from the Clerk.
(viii) HDC have issued their Local Development Framework to 2016: Submission Draft Statement of Community Involvement, copy available to read.
(ix) Caravan Rally The Swift Owners Club are looking for somewhere to hold a weekend rally, using the car park next to Village Hall on 24th 26th February 2006. It was arranged in 2002 but cancelled due to Foot and Mouth outbreak.
The members had no objection to the rally, having regularly been held in the past.
(x) Terrorist Atrocity in London The members noted the action taken by the police to reassure the public.
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
i) Roger Watts reported that one arm of the signpost at Sinnocks still had to be repaired. He also asked for thanks to be given to Reg for cleaning the signs near the garage. Reg has been asked to mend the finger post at the junction The Hollows / Spring Lane.
ii) Peter Knowles reported that the signposts at both ends of The Hollows have been removed. The Clerk would check with County Highways if they have knowledge of the whereabouts of the signs.
iii) Celia Rayner reported that the garden adjoining the car park in Haglands Lane was overgrown and in urgent need of attention. The Clerk was asked to contact the allotment holders or Garden Care to bring under control.
ADJOURNMENT
Ann Salmon suggested that a small skip might be appropriate for the recreation ground, but the members said consideration had to be given to the facilities of HDC to empty the skip, plus the problem of vandalism and fires. Ann also asked that a copy of the proposed Museum Refurbishment should be included with the minutes, the Clerk agreed this was possible. Ann mentioned that similar parking problems to those outside the school exist outside Cherilyn in Haglands Lane. Inconsiderate parking blocks the entrance and exit from the car park and cause visibility problems. The members agreed there was a problem but sometimes those with limited mobility had to park outside but it was short-term parking.
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 30th August 2005 at 7.30 pm in the Reading Room.
There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 10.00 pm.