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GRAFFHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2009 IN THE EMPIRE HALL AT 7.45 PM
PRESENT: Cllr W Godman-Dorington (Chairman) Cllr M Buckley, Cllr P Cluse, Cllr T Davy, Cllr R Drayson, Cllr L Paine, Cllr M Paterson and Cllr R Robson.
Cllr J Elliott (District Councillor) Cllr M Brown (County Councillor)
CLERK: Mrs J Huggett.
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming 12 members of the public.
1. APPOINTMENT OF CLERK
The Chairman welcomed Mrs Huggett as Parish Clerk and said as her appointment hadn't been minuted at the last meeting this needs to be done now. Mrs Huggett's appointment was proposed by Cllr Robson, seconded by Cllr Buckley and, on a vote, it was unanimously agreed.
2. NEW PARISH COUNCILLOR
The Chairman welcomed and introduced Mrs Rosie Drayson.
3. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr H Major.
The Chairman said he proposed to take item 6 next.
6. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
The Chairman invited members of the public to speak.
Affordable Housing: Mr Nick Lobley said he was speaking on behalf of all present and he asked the Chairman if the Parish Council had yet come to a decision as to the site of the houses and the number needed. Does Graffham actually need 8 or more houses as this appears to be beyond the needs and out of character with the area? Cllr Elliott said the number of people on the waiting list for Graffham is over 20. Mr Lobley said he heard what Cllr Elliott had to say but how many of these people have connections with Graffham, and surely a few houses dotted around the village would better serve its needs. He thought the District Council are putting pressure on the village to find land for these homes. The Chairman said there are no firm proposals from the District Council for any number of homes in any particular place. When this is known all options will be placed before the village. Several members of the public commented on the fact that the situation has not changed since 2007 and how long is this to drag on. It is having a negative impact on the properties around the possible sites and there must be a time scale imposed. After further discussion the Chairman said he thought the subject had been aired enough and thanked the members of the public for their input.
The Chairman said he proposed to take item 9 next.
9. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Cllr Elliott said having heard what the residents have had to say he has come up with a suggestion. If Councillors would like him to do so he will pursue this with the District Council and come back at a future meeting. Councillors thanked him for this and it was agreed that CDC should be pressed for a decision on the possible sites by the 8th March 2010 meeting.
4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 14th September, having been circulated, it was proposed by Cllr Paterson, seconded by Cllr Buckley, that they be passed and signed, subject to the following amendments.
7. County Councillor's Report: 2nd paragraph, 4th line. Delete ‘£1,000' and insert ‘1,000'.
8. District Councillor's Report: Last line delete ‘ewe' and insert ‘yew'.
11. Reports from Representatives of outside bodies: (a) Rural Health Check: Delete the last sentence and insert ‘The District Nursing Association are prepared to part fund the purchase of a defibrillator.'
Tree Warden: Delete the sentence ‘Councillor Paine....'
(f) South Downs National Park: After the bullet points, delete ‘Councillor Lawrence' and insert ‘Councillor Paine'.
19. Red BT Phone Box: 1st line. Delete ‘opposite Guillods/Selham' and insert ‘at Selham'.
5. MATTERS ARISING
(a) BT Phone Box opposite the Three Moles: The Clerk said she had spoken with the landlord at the Three Moles about looking after the phone box. They are very happy to do so, in fact they have taken it upon themselves to keep it clean. The phone box can only be purchased by the Local Authority so an agreement will need to be drawn up to ensure that the present, and all future landlords, are responsible for its maintenance. Cllr Elliott said most insurance companies are adding an extra £25 to the premium to cover phone boxes. There was a short discussion, some Councillors felt that parishioners should not be expected to pay for this, while others thought this is preserving something which, in years to come, will be of great historical interest. It was decided that the Parish Council would add the box to its insurance.
7. NEIGHBOURHOOD SPECIALIST POLICE OFFICER'S REPORT
There was no one present to give a report.
8. REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
(a) County Cllr Brown reported on the following. Finance: Councillors are looking at the budget for next year, they have to make savings in many areas so there are bound to be cuts in funding for items such as grass cutting, libraries, upkeep of cemeteries. However following the ‘Baby P' case they have had to spend more on Social Services. It will not be prudent to borrow to meet next year's budget and they do not want to carry forward a deficit budget.
Youth Services: He has been asked to look at Youth Services in the County. Amongst other things, he will be looking at the budget, £13 million, which in the current financial climate will be difficult to maintain. If any Councillor has anything they wish him to consider he would be very pleased to hear from them.
(b) District Cllr Elliott reported on the following. Finance: Councillors are looking at various ways of saving money.
Seaford College Planning Application: He would very much like to see around the site and asked if a Councillor would be willing to take him there. This was agreed.
Car Parking Charges in Petworth and Midhurst: He had voted against Sunday car parking charges in Chichester and asked Councillors for their views on charging in Midhust and Petworth. After a short discussion it was unanimously agreed that the car parks should stay free. Cllr Elliott took note of their views.
Litter Bins: Cllr Davy said the litter bins have been removed from Guillods Oak and outside the Empire Hall. He had contacted Mr Gill at the District Council who had said they were not viable as they weren't used enough. Cllr Elliott asked Councillors to monitor the situation and let him know if there was a build up of rubbish on the streets.
Polo Ground at Selham: Negotiations are still taking place regarding the siting of the entrance and the way the traffic will be routed to the grounds. A discussion followed on the various problem spots depending on which route is used. Cllr Elliott said he is monitoring the situation but as yet no formal application has been submitted.
10. FINANCE
Current Financial Situation The Clerk had previously circulated copies of the accounts to 31st October. She said until she had all the papers from Mr Clarke she wasn't completely sure of their accuracy.
Balances at 31st October 2009 Current Account 4,338.40 Capital Deposit Account 4,123.78 Katherine Maud Guillod Fund 1,945.31 Katherine Maud Guillod Deposit 3,161.13 Playground Fund 200.58 Recreation Ground 2,466.71 16,235.91
The Chairman referred to the paper the Clerk had circulated and the following were agreed.
Clerk's Salary Salary SCP 21 - 5 hours per week £9.84 per hour Monthly salary - £213.20 Expenses £10 per month Photocopying £15 paid quarterly to Petworth Town Council The Clerk will not be claiming for the use of home, telephone or mileage Finance Committee The Clerk had met with Mrs Ros Britton, the Council's Internal Auditor, to discuss the accounts. They had agreed that a Finance committee should be formed of three Councillors, plus the Chairman ex officio. They would meet in January to set the budget and precept, and again in May to agree the end of year accounts, both to go to full Council for approval in January and May respectively. Cllr Davy agreed to chair the committee.
‘On Line' Banking Councillors signed the agreement to allow the Clerk to access ‘on line' banking.
Defibrillator: Cllr Davy said £1,000 still has to be raised towards the cost of the defibrillator and he asked if the Council would consider making a contribution. After a short discussion it was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should contribute £200.
11. HIGHWAYS
The Clerk said Cllr Major had nothing to report.
Flood Water: Two areas were considered to be bad, at Selham End and by the bridge near Bex Mill.
Car on the Grass: The car which was being parked on the grass at Pound Corner has now been removed.
12. PLANNING
There were no planning applications.
13. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF OUTSIDE BODIES
(a) Rural Health Check: There was nothing to report.
(b) Tree Warden: Cllr Robson said 25th November to 6th December is ‘Tree Week'.
(c) Recreation Ground: In Cllr Major's absence there was nothing to report.
(d) Playground - Annual Inspection Report: Cllr Cluse said he had now received the inspection report on the playground. There were twelve areas in need of attention, of these, two had been graded ‘low risk', and ten ‘very low risk'. He will dealing with one of them where some fencing needs replacing, but the others will be left for the time being.
(e) Path Watch: There was nothing to report from the meeting held last week. There is still nothing further on the Bishop's Walk stile and footpath which are in need of repair.
(f) South Downs National Park: The Chairman said Cllr Major had attended a meeting at Arundel. Councillors will be asked to put their names forward shortly for election to the committee. Mr Anstruther, Chairman of Sutton and Barlavington Parish Council, has intimated he will be standing. It was suggested that he might be a suitable candidate to represent Graffham's views.
14. CLERK
Affordable Homes for Local People: A letter from the Directors of Reach Homes, saying they are looking for plots of land in villages for mixed sale/rental houses and asking if the Parish Council is interested. After a short discussion it was agreed not to pursue this. The Clerk to write accordingly.
Council Meeting Dates for 2010 Monday 11th January Monday 12th July Monday 8th March Monday 13th September Monday 10th May * Monday 8th November
* Annual Parish Meeting or/and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council. To be confirmed. 15. MATTERS RAISED BY MEMBERS
Empire Hall: Cllr Paterson said the hall's finances are improving as hiring charges are covering the day-to-day costs. However, money is still needed for maintenance and improvements.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.45 pm.
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