Present: Harvie Steele (Chairman), Neil Longson (Vice-Chairmen), Isabel Butcher, Celia Rayner, Estelle Warriner, Michael Jackson, Peter Knowles, Ken Line, Pietro di Marino, Paul Royce, Jonathan Trees, Dennis Tyler and Roger Watts.

Also in attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk), Pat Arculus (County Councillor) and 4 members of the public.

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

It was proposed by Ken Line, seconded by Paul Royce and resolved unanimously that Harvie Steele serve as Chairman of the Parish Council for the municipal year to May 2007. Harvie thanked members and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Chairman.

Neil Longson indicated he would like to relinquish his post as Vice Chairman, having served under two Chairmen he thought it about time someone else took over the role. The members gave a vote of thanks to Neil for his efforts in the post.

It was proposed by Pietro di Marino, seconded by Roger Watts and resolved unanimously that Dennis Tyler serve as Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council for the municipal year to May 2007. Dennis duly accepted the post and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Vice Chairman.

No apologies all councillors present.

It was proposed by Roger Watts, seconded by Dennis Tyler and resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14th March 2006 as a correct record of the meeting. The Chairman signed the minutes. It was also resolved to approve the amended minutes of the meeting held on the 10^th January 2006, which the Chairman duly signed.

The minutes of the meeting held in the new school hall were accepted as a true record of the meeting and the Chairman duly signed the minutes.

Copies of the reports to the meeting were still available from the Clerk

The Clerk reported that the lease of the land in Church Meadow was still being finalised and it was hoped to start work in the near future.

(iii) Willets Farm DC/04/2650

Horsham District Council has finally rejected the planning application for 21 industrial units at Willets Farm, Broadford Bridge Road on the grounds of increased traffic and sub-standard junction with Harbolets Road.

The following appointments were made for the municipal year to May 2007:

Planning Committee: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Celia Rayner, Estelle Warriner, Michael Jackson, Neil Longson, Pietro di Marino, Paul Royce, Jonathan Trees and Roger Watts.

Finance Committee: Chairman, Estelle Warriner, Michael Jackson, Roger Watts and Isabel Butcher.

Open Spaces & Environment Committee: Chairman, Celia Rayner, Ken Line, Peter Knowles, Pietro di Marino, Jonathan Trees.

Horsham Association of Local Councils: Estelle Warriner, Jonathan Trees and Isabel Butcher.

Village Hall Committee representative: Estelle Warriner.

Smyth Trust: Parish Council appointments - Alma Steele, Gail Vickers, Estelle Warriner, Tony Thomas.

Transport Representative: Peter Knowles.

Rights of Way Warden: Paul Royce.

Tree Wardens: Celia Rayner, Jonathan Trees

(i) The Clerk reported payments and receipts for the period 11^th March to 31^st March 2006 and the year- end balances

It was proposed by Neil Longson, seconded by Isabel Butcher and agreed to approve the list of payments made from 11th – 31st March totalling £2148.03.

(ii) The Clerk reported payments and receipts for the period 1^st April to 30th April 2006, and the period end balances.

It was then proposed by Roger Watts, seconded by Celia Rayner and agreed to approve the list of payments made from 1st April – 30^th April totalling £7498.23.

The members discussed a resolution to purchase a Defibrillator Kit for use by the Chiltington Area Responder Team (CHART) at a cost of £2,100. It was unanimously agreed to purchase the kit, which could save lives in the parish.

The meeting was adjourned by the Chairman to allow Alison Neave representing CHART to address the meeting. Alison is one of the trainers of the responders who will start training the following day in the village hall and she explained that others were working on the mapping of all the properties in the parish to enable them to be found with the minimum delay. Because most properties have names rather than numbers owners were requested to ensure the names are clearly visible from the road, preferably black on a white background, making them more visible at night. Meetings have been held to discuss fund raising; all ideas or contributions are welcome.

The Chairman thanked Alison for her talk and reconvened the meeting.

(i) Rave – Anyone affected by the rave on Kithurst Hill on the 23^rd April is invited to complete a Police Incident Report with the aim of prosecuting the organiser.

(ii) TPO at Bracklyn, Harborough Hill has been confirmed.

(iii) Recreation Ground Car Park – Residents have reported nuisance caused by vehicles using it as a race circuit late at night/early morning. The police have been informed and will visit as often as possible. The locking of the gates is also under discussion.

(iv) Bottle Bank – We have been asked to remove the top of one barrier at the entrance to the Haglands Lane car park to allow the collection vehicle entry. We will undertake this as soon as possible, following which the bottle bank bins can be returned from the recreation ground.

(v) Fete & Flower Show – Are the Parish Council going to have a stall with photographs of the councillors as last year? It was agreed that we would and Jonathan was asked to provide photographs and Estelle has the board to display. Councillors were asked to visit the stand for a short time during the afternoon.

(vi) ODPM Local Authority Byelaws in England: A Discussion Paper – Copy available from the Clerk, responses before June.

(vii) Planning Obligations Seminar, Wednesday 14^th June. To explain suitable projects and the process of applying for funding from Section 106 funds. Can those wishing to attend inform the Clerk?

(viii) Governor Vacancy, Rydon Community College – nominations sought from parish councils.

(ix) Mobile Café – Arrangements have been made for the café, a joint project between Horsham District Council and the Youth Service, to visit the recreation ground for 4 weeks on a Tuesday evening between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm, commencing 4^th July. Apart from refreshments it will have trained youth workers on hand to offer advice on any matters of concern.

(x) HALC – Subscription of £15 now due. The next meeting Thursday 13^th July at 7.30 pm in the Steyning Centre.

(xi) Horsham District Community Partnership – Meeting Tuesday 23^rd May in Rudgwick Village Hall, to discuss facilities and services for young people, any one able to attend contact the Clerk.

(xii) 4Sight – Seeking a donation as West Chiltington has supported them in the past. It was decided that no donation could be made at present as no direct benefit to parishioners.

(xiii) Billingshurst Emergency Assistance Team – Request for funding. The Parish Council are assisting CHART covering the parish and are unable to provide funding for this project.

(i) Dennis Tyler reported that the spring on the gate to the playground in the recreation ground was not closing the gate. The Clerk would try to obtain a replacement.

(ii) Jonathan Trees reported that a speed camera had been operating in the village.

(iii) Estelle Warriner reported that the oak tree next to the entrance to the village hall car park was blocking the view of the road when exiting; Roger Watts agreed to cut it back,

(iv) Celia Rayner asked for an update of progress with the museum refurbishment, The Clerk reported that the re-siting of the toilet on the sidewall was being considered due the problem of limited space at the rear.

Anne Salmon asked why the plastic recycling bins had been removed from Haglands Lane car park, as she along with all the residents of Grove Lane and Birch Tree Lane did not have the collection facility at home due to access problems. HDC Recycling Team had informed the Clerk that they no longer had a vehicle to collect the previous style of bin and were therefore not able to offer this service to those residents affected.

Next Parish Council meeting – Tuesday 11th July at 7.30 pm in the Reading Room.