WEST CHILTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

A meeting of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 8th May 2007 in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.

 

Present: Harvie Steele (Chairman), Dennis Tyler (Vice-Chairmen), , Amanda Apps, Simon Booth, Isabel Glenister, Ken Line, Neil Longson, Pietro di Marino, Paul Royce, Ruth Simmonds, Jonathan Trees and Roger Watts.

 

 

Also in attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk)

 

 

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

 

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

 

It was proposed by Neil Longson, seconded by Pietro di Marino and resolved unanimously that Harvie Steele serve as Chairman of the Parish Council for the municipal year to May 2008. Harvie thanked members and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Chairman.

 

2. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

 

It was proposed by Roger Watts, seconded by Isabel Glenister and resolved unanimously that Dennis Tyler serve as Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council for the municipal year to May 2008. Dennis duly accepted the post and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Vice Chairman.

 

3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies received from Michael Jackson, Philip Circus (District Councillor) and Pat Arculus (County Councillor)

 

 

4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

Philip Circus, via the Clerk, queried the Minute 7. a) Stating that it was agreed not to move the “West Chiltington” sign at the entrance to the village from Storrington, he thought moving the sign was still under investigation and that Pat Arculus was to discuss the matter with County Highways. The Clerk spoke to Pat Arculus who said County Highways would move the sign but the Parish Council would have to bear the cost, and an alternative site would have to be found and agreed. The members considered the matter and rejected spending money and effort on moving the sign.

 

It was proposed by Neil Longson, seconded by Pietro di Marino and resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 13th March 2007 as a correct record of the meeting. The Chairman signed the minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. MATTERS ARISING

 

a). Annual Parish Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on the 17th April 2007 in the School Hall were presented to the members and it was proposed by Paul Royce, seconded by Dennis Tyler and resolved to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting and the Chairman duly signed the minutes.

 

b). Museum

The Clerk said a quotation for the refurbishment was still awaited from D.R. Padwick Builders, which was being held up by Southern Water failing to give a price for the connection to the water supply and sewer.

 

 

6. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES

 

The following appointments were made for the municipal year to May 2008:

 

Planning Committee: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Amanda Apps, Simon Booth, Michael Jackson, Neil Longson, Pietro di Marino, Paul Royce, Jonathan Trees and Roger Watts.

 

Finance Committee: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Isabel Glenister, Michael Jackson, Neil Longson and Roger Watts.

 

Open Spaces & Environment Committee: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Simon Booth, Ken Line, Neil Longson, Pietro di Marino, Paul Royce, Ruth Simmonds and Jonathan Trees.

 

Horsham Association of Local Councils: Isabel Glenister and Jonathan Trees.

 

Village Hall Committee representative: Michael Jackson

 

Smyth Trust: Parish Council appointments - Alma Steele, Gail Vickers, Ruth Simmonds and Tony Thomas.

 

Rights of Way Warden: Paul Royce.

 

Tree Wardens: Amanda Apps and Jonathan Trees

 

 

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

a). Finance Committee:  Payments and Receipts:

 

(i) The Clerk reported payments and receipts for the period 1st March to 31st March 2007 and the year- end balances.

 

It was proposed by Roger Watts, seconded by Dennis Tyler and agreed to approve the list of payments made from 1st – 31st March totalling £2621.75

 

(ii) The Clerk reported payments and receipts for the period 1st April to 30th April 2007, and the period end balances.

 

It was then proposed by Roger Watts, seconded by Dennis Tyler and agreed to approve the list of payments made from 1st April – 30th April totalling £4739.89.

 

8. RESOLUTION:

 

a). to appoint a contractor to refurbish the children’s playground.

 

The three quotations received were discussed. It was proposed by Ken Line and seconded by Paul Royce and agreed by all to appoint the lowest price contractor, Playsafe Playgrounds, to carry out the work.

 

b). To consider the quotation from Rampchild to repair the skateramp

 

The quotation was considered and after discussion it was proposed by Neil Longson and seconded by Pietro di Marino and agreed by all to accept the quotation from Rampchild for the repair of the skateramp for the sum of £2150.      

 

9. CORRESPONDENCE

 

The Clerk reported that the revised “Code of Conduct” had just been received and it would be circulated to members for consideration and adoption at the next meeting on the 10th July 2007

 

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

            a). Housing Needs Survey

 

Following a meeting of a sub committee on Friday 4th May a draft letter and survey had been circulated to members for consideration. Jonathan Trees and Paul Royce thought it was not substantial enough to meet HDC requirements and it was agreed to hold another meeting on the 22nd May 2007 to re-evaluate.

 

b). Road Safety and Speeding

 

Neil Longson requested the Chairman write to Lt. Col. Tex Pemberton, Cabinet Member for Transport, WSCC and County Highways to ask them as a matter of priority to erect stop signs at the cross roads near the garage and near the Queens Head. The members thought it a good idea and the Chairman was asked to write the letter.

 

 

11. ADJOURNMENT

 

Ann Salmon wished to raise two points:

 

a). Had the work on the bridge in the recreation ground been completed as part of the concrete retaining wall was not level? The Chairman said it was not possible to level the concrete wall as it was broken but otherwise the work was completed.

 

b). Had planning permission been approved for the plot next to Enderby Thatch? The Clerk said permission had been granted after special consideration of the circumstances by HDC, and it was agreed that it had been agreed prior to the adoption of the LDF.

 

 

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

Next Parish Council meeting – Tuesday 10th July 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Reading Room,

Future meetings –11th September 2007 and 13th November 2007.

 

 

There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.30 pm.