WEST CHILTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

A meeting of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 15th January 2008 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 and Roger Watts.

 

Also in attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk), Pat Arculus (County Councillor)

 

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

It was resolved to note and accept the apologies received from councillors Michael Jackson, Jonathan Trees and Philip Circus (District Councillor)

 

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

It was proposed by Neil Longson, seconded by Paul Royce and resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 13th November 2007 as a correct record of the meeting and the Chairman duly signed the minutes.

 

3. MATTERS ARISING

 

a)      Housing Needs Survey

 

The questions to be asked in the survey are still under discussion and District Councillors David Jenkins and Philip Circus have been asked to progress the matter with Horsham District Council.

 

b)      Flood Relief Scheme

Nigel Hunt the Project Engineer in charge of the scheme has stated that at present he cannot give any clear indications of whether the scheme will proceed, since there has as yet been no formal response from the Environment Agency. Obviously the construction period remains the same whatever the start date (approximately 6 to 8 months) but if the EA demand substantial revisions to those submitted or that the planned programme has substantially slipped then the scheme’s viability would have to be reassessed by Southern Water anew.

c)      Museum Refurbishment

 

The survey of the levels between the Museum and the Church Hall will be carried out this month, following which the cost of the work will be quoted for and the Church approached for permission. The work on the refurbishment of the Museum itself should start this month.

                       

 

d)      Meeting with the Chief Constable

 

The members of the Cabinet of HDC met the Chief Constable on Thursday 10th January.

 

Philip Circus, at the request of the Parish Council, raised the concerns of local residents about speeding and emphasised the need for the law to be enforced. The Chief Constable said the issues raised would be progressed through the District Police Commander but in his experience the enforcement of speeding usually catches local residents rather than outsiders. Again due to low accident statistics he did not think it warranted special action.

 

e)      Speed Indicating Device

 

Suitable dates for the training of volunteers in the use of the device are being arranged with the police.

 

 

4. COMMITTEE REPORTS

           

a)      Finance: Receipts and Payments

 

The Clerk reported payments and receipts for the period 9th November to 31st December 2007.

 

It was proposed by Roger Watts, seconded by Dennis Tyler and agreed to approve the list of payments made from 9Th November to 31st December totalling £5719.41 and receipts totalling £190.74.

 

b)      Budget 2008/9: To consider the Budget presented by the Finance Committee for        approval.

 

After discussion of the figures by the members it was proposed by Dennis Tyler, seconded by Roger Watts and agreed by all members to accept the budget for 2008/9 showing expenditure of £60,244 and income of £6,424 leaving a shortfall of £53,820 to be collected by way of the Parish Precept.

 

 

5.  ADJOURNMENT – To allow members of the public to speak

 

      No members of the public attended the meeting.

 

 

 6. PARISH PRECEPT 2008/9

 

To balance the budget for 2008/9 will require a Precept of £53,820, equating to £24.64 for a Band ‘D’ property, an increase of £1.14 over 2007/8.

 

After discussion of the figures by the members it was proposed by Ken Line and seconded by Pietro di Marino and agreed by all members to authorise the Clerk to notify the Precept of £53,820 to Horsham District Council for 2008/9.

 

 

 

 

  1. RESOLUTION: To consider the Quotation from 3Bramps to repair the skateramp.

 

The Clerk presented the quotation from 3Bramps for £5,495 plus VAT which is considerably more than the previously accepted quotation from Rampchild of £2,150 plus VAT, but explained we are one year further on and the ramp surface has deteriorated significantly since the previous quote.  Despite constant reminders by e-mail and telephone Rampchild have not made the repairs and it has been necessary to obtain a new quote. The quoted repairs will reinstate the ramp to as new condition.

 

After discussion it was proposed by Pietro di Marino, seconded by Neil Longson and agreed by all members to accept the quotation and authorised the Clerk to notify 3Bramps.

 

Ruth Simmonds asked whether we should involve the members of the Youth Club and other users in looking after the ramps. The Clerk said that there had been a group of users who met with the council but attendance dwindled and the meetings finished but it was an idea worth pursuing and Ruth agreed to arrange a meeting with the Youth Club. The matter will be discussed again at the March meeting and it could be included for discussion at the Annual Parish Meeting on the 15th April.

 

 

  1. CORRESPONDENCE

 

a)      Horsham District Council – Licensing Act 2003, Licensing Policy

A Statement of Licensing Policy for Regulated Entertainment, Late Night Refreshments and the Sale & Supply of Alcohol has been received and is available from the Clerk.

 

 

b)     Chanctonbury County Local Committee – is hosting a meeting on Tuesday 22nd January at 2.00 in Penfold Church Hall, Steyning. The first part will enable people to see the plans for the new Health Centre and meet medical staff and local councillors. The second part will include a report on the Storrington Village Enhancement scheme, details of forthcoming road improvements, Community Grants decisions and the opportunity to have your say during the Community Forum.

 

 

c)      WSCC – Public Footpath 2468 (Part) is to be closed for 5 days from the 21st January to enable repairs to the bridge over the stream.

 

 

 

d)     WSCC – Highways and Transport Works Programme 2008/9 and Forward

 

Local Safety Schemes for Common Hill, The Common Crossroads & Church Street/ The Hollows are noted for 2008/9, with full funding from Section 106 funds.

 

 

e)     HDC – Timebank – an exciting new initiative for Horsham District

 

Timebanks are a way of bringing people and communities together to share skills and get help they need. An area is needed in which to pilot the scheme.

f)       Parish of St Mary’s, West Chiltington

 

Have requested a contribution towards the cost of felling and removing the Horse Chestnut tree in the churchyard – lowest quote £1,760 plus VAT. Discussed by the Planning Committee and agreed any contribution should be linked to obtaining permission to connect to the sewer and water adjacent to the Church Hall.

 

 

  1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

a)      Paul Royce said that the roads in the parish were fairly clear of litter but was concerned at litter in the recreation ground, particularly around the skateramp. The Clerk said the area was visited several times a week by the Litter Warden but it was an ongoing problem. The new litter bin was being used but not by everyone.

 

b)      Ruth Simmonds asked who was responsible for clearing mud on the road, which after the recent storms included most of the lanes in the parish. The Clerk said that County Highways have responsibility for roads but due to the thousands of miles of lanes in the county the clearing of mud was a very low priority, unless it blocked the road completely.

 

c)      Pat Arculus informed the councillors that the expenditure on the car park at the school had not been approved for payment from s106 Transport Contribution funds and that it would have to be met from the school budget. Pat was to follow up with the WSCC Footpath Manager to see whether the footpath from Haglands Lane to Church Close could be provided with a hard surface to enable parents to walk to school with children, saving car journeys.

 

d)      Simon Booth said he was intending to raise the subject of footpaths to school and supported Pat in her aim to improve the path from Haglands Lane.

 

 

     10.  ADJOURNMENT   

 

      No members of the public were present.

 

 

11.  DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 11th March 2008 at 7.30 pm in the Reading Room,     

 

Future meetings –13th May 2008, 8th July 2008, 9th September 2008 and 11th November 2008.

 

 

 

There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.00 pm.