Worth

Council Information

Annual Parish Meeting 2008

Present: Mr. R. H. Blackmore (Chairman of the Parish Council - in the Chair)

Various Parish Councillors and Members of the Public.

1. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on the 19^th March, 2007, as circulated, were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

2. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

The below Report of the Chairman of the Council for 2007/2008 was received.

Chairman

The meeting started at 9.02 pm. and finished at 9.12 pm.

ANNUAL REPORT OF CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL - MARCH 2008

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Council

Once again we have had a busy year, starting with the Parish Council elections in May 2007.

We were fortunate, certainly from a financial point of view, in that elections were not required in either Copthorne or Crawley Down. We like to think that this was not apathy on the part of the local electorate, but an indication that, on the whole, they were satisfied with the job being done by the existing Councillors. As a result, the elections only cost you, the local taxpayers, some £140 as against the several thousands which contests would have cost.

As to the details of the elections. In Crawley Down nine candidates were returned unopposed for the nine seats available in the Ward. Unfortunately, one of them had to resign almost immediately for personal reasons. That vacancy was eventually filled on the 2^nd July, 2007, by the co-option of Mrs. Mary Baker who had served on the Council previously. In Copthorne, seven candidates were returned unopposed to the eight seats available and the vacancy there was filled on the 14^th May by the co-option of Mr. Tony Smith who had also served on the Council before.

In General

Initially I should like to thank our Clerk, Keith Wall, and our Assistant Clerk, Mrs. Sheila Winslet, for once again ensuring that the Council has run smoothly and efficiently throughout the year. Coupled with that I must again record the Council's appreciation of the efforts throughout the year of our two Handymen, John Smith and Ted Cummings. Nothing seems to be beyond their capabilities, and we should be lost without them !

Here, too, we can record our thanks to our local Police Community Support Officer, Mrs. Elaine Anscombe. She is a tremendous asset to the Community and we are most grateful for all her endeavours. In recent months her job has been made a little easier, hopefully, by the appointment of a new PCSO, Mr. Derek Wall, who is also spending time in the Parish.

Last year I mentioned that the Report was somewhat briefer than in the past because of the publication of the Council's regular Newsletters following our acquisition of Quality Local Council status. That continues to be the case, of course, and it is to be hoped that you are finding the Newsletters useful and informative.

Planning

Planning applications continue to arrive for consideration at the rate of four a week on average, much the same as in the past few years.

The Council comment on all applications for development in the Parish, but it must be appreciated that the final decisions are taken elsewhere. Nevertheless, the Council's comments in the light of our local knowledge are given due consideration, and we hope that we are able to influence the decisions made for the benefit of the Parish.

Last year I commented that suggestions about possible major developments which might affect the Parish had been fairly quiet in recent months. I wondered if this was just the quiet before the storm.

Since then the District Council has published it's local Core Strategy which sets out proposals for development in the foreseeable future. This has caused major concerns locally. Briefly, the Mid Sussex District has to accommodate many more new houses. This is policy dictated by Whitehall, and the obvious problems cannot be ignored.

To cut a long story short. Everyone will know of the long time proposals to provide a large number of new houses to the south and west of East Grinstead with a so-called "relief road". What has caused most concern now , and ignoring the relief road aspect, is the possibilities now suggested as to what might happen if this development does not proceed. In its place two main alternative locations were suggested for possible development. One site to the south-west of East Grinstead and one at Crabbet Park in Copthorne and near the M.23.

Both possibilities caused much disquiet locally and the Council has informed the District Council that no such development should take place in the Parish at all, but should be located elsewhere in the District. Obviously there will be much more said on this in the not too distant future !

Highways

Activity on the highways front has been fairly quiet this year.

The small car park in Burleigh Way serving the shops area is being well used and, hopefully, a new tarmac surface will arrive shortly. The main objective in providing the car park, namely to stop the "echelon" parking which took place outside the shops, has been achieved, and thanks are due to the local residents and shoppers concerned.

Otherwise, one of the main problems throughout the Parish would seem to be speeding traffic, and the Council will do all it can to persuade the authorities responsible to take what action they can to alleviate things. In this connection one must mention the sterling work of the local Speedwatch teams in monitoring traffic speeds locally, and things certainly have improved since they started working.

Amenities

Once again one has to mention the two major items which have been our concern in the immediate past. The skateboard park in Crawley Down, and the provision of new sports facilities in Copthorne.

So far as the skateboarding is concerned, we are about to sign the lease of the site at the Haven Field and work will then commence. The facility should be up and running, if that is the correct expression, by the early Summer. We are aware that this is a lot later than we hoped, but the frustrations we have encountered with this project have been astonishing. There is one good thing, however. The enforced delays have given time for lottery monies to be sought and, as a result, two thirds of the project cost will come from lottery funds and not the parish Council's purse, or, otherwise, you !!

As you will know, too, the Council is much concerned to secure improved provision for sports in Copthorne, Discussions have taken place with both the Mid Sussex and Tandridge District Councils to see what can be achieved, and officers of both Councils have been very helpful. As a result, and as a first step in our plans for improvements, planning permission is currently being sought for the erection of a new sports pavilion on the King George's Field at Copthorne Bank. The new building will provide something like twice the accommodation available in the old pavilion, and obviously will be fairly expensive. Once again lottery help will be sought, as well as assistance from whatever other sources we can think of.

Finance

For the first time for four years we have had to increase the Parish Precept for 2008/2009.

This is mainly to provide for this Council's part of the cost of the skateboard park in Crawley Down, and also to start to make provision for the expenditure which will be incurred on the new pavilion at Copthorne. To give some idea of what is involved, the fee for the planning application for that building alone was over £500 !

The Council continues to make grants to local organisations where possible, and in 2007/2008 made a very substantial grant to the Crawley Down Cricket Club to mark it's150th Birthday and help with ground and pavilion improvements. £5,000 is available in 2008/2009 and any local organisations with projects they would like the Council to consider for grant aid are welcome to apply for help. The Council also continues to subsidise rail cards to the elderly and disabled by something like half of the normal cost.

As I mentioned last year, although our QLC status criteria suggests that our Annual Report should include a synopsis of our Accounts for the past year this is obviously impossible as the year does not end until the 31^st March ! Our Accounts for 2007/2008 will not be finalised until the middle of May at least by which time all outstanding payments for the year, both in and out, will have been cleared. However, an estimate of our Receipts and Payments for 2007/2008 is attached. This will give you a fairly accurate idea of the situation and any elector who would like a full copy of the Council's Accounts for 2007/2008, when they are ready in due course, is most welcome to have one if they will contact the Clerk to the Council.

Conclusion

I should like to take this opportunity to thank all the Residents of the Parish and everyone involved with the Council, both the Staff and my fellow Councillors, who once again have made my term of office most enjoyable.