Welcome to Thakeham
  
Print this item
19th June 2006 Parish Minutes
29-Jun-2006

Minutes of Thakeham Parish Council Meeting - Monday, 19th June 2006

  

Meeting opened:         8.00 p.m.

 

Present:                       Mr D Berry                                Mr J Bearman

                                    Ms K Dawes                              Mrs C Goring

                                    Mr D Hardisty                            Mr A Harwood                           

Mr D MacEachern                      Mrs P Maggs                            

Rev P Messenger                       Mr N Prince

Mr R Walker

                       

 

In attendance             Cllr Pat Arculus                         County Council

Cllr David Jenkins                       District Council

Mr J Denman                             Clerk to the Council

                                    Members of the public

  

Before the meeting opened, Cllr Liz Kitchen and Mr Tom Crowley, Leader and Chief Executive respectively of Horsham District Council, spoke and took questions from attendees.

 

105.      Apologies for absence                                                                                                            

All members of the Parish Council were present, Cllrs Goring and Hardisty joining the meeting as shown below.       

 

106.      Interests of Members   

Cllr Messenger declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 9 (minute 113).

 

107.      Minutes of the last meeting

Minutes of the last meeting of the Parish Council held on 15th May 2006 were approved and signed.


108.      Matters Arising

108.1    (104.7) Furze Common Road footpath: Cllr Arculus reported that the papers were due to go from WSCC to the Secretary of State this week; she will advise any action that can be taken to urge an early resolution.


108.2    (92.2) School tree surgery: WSCC confirmed correct procedure had not been followed, clerk to request a reminder be sent to school.


108.3    (92.1) Thakeham Tiles / TPO: Following an inspection HDC have advised that they are of the view that no contravention of the Order has taken place; Cllr Berry will contact Mr Davidge w/c 10th July to arrange a visit.


108.4    (97) Newsletter: Timing of issue in advance of events to be reviewed for the future.  


109.      Correspondence

Cllr Goring joined the meeting during this item.

HDC: Summons to Annual Council meeting 24th May. Summons to Council meeting 7th June. Summons to Development Control (South) Committee meeting 20th June. LDF: Planning Obligations - Supplementary Planning Document, comments by 14th July, passed to Cllr Goring for onward transmission to Cllr Berry. LDF Core Strategy Pre-Examination meeting 22nd May - Inspectors Notes, plus Programme for Hearings. Statement of Community Involvement: Issues and Options - changes to February SCI to reflect changes to LDF documents, representations by 7th July, passed to Cllr Goring. Annual Public Health Report 2005, passed to Cllrs Maggs and Messenger. Invitation to Civic Service 25th June.

WSCC: Waste Area Forums, previously passed to Cllrs Berry and MacEachern. Notice of works to be undertaken, footpath 2476. Road Safety Self Help Pack, passed to Cllr Walker.

Surrey and Sussex NHS: "Creating an NHS Fit for the Future" - discussion document, comments by 21st July, passed to Cllrs Maggs and Messenger.

Action in rural Sussex: Invitation to seminar on the Affordable Rural Housing Commission Report, 26th June.

CPRE Sussex: Invitation to AGM, 1st July.  

  

110.      Finance

            Cllr Hardisty joined the meeting during this item.

110.1    Bank Reconciliation

            The bank reconciliation as at 31 March 2006 was received.

 

110.2    Explanation of Variances       

            The explanation of variances for the year ended 31 March 2006 was received.

 

110.3    Internal Auditor's Report

The Internal Auditor's report and letter of clearance for the year ended 31 March 2006 was received.

 

110.4    Annual Return

110.4.1 It was agreed that the Statement of Accounts contained in the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2006 be approved.

 

110.4.2 It was agreed that the Statement of Assurance contained in the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2006 be approved.

 

110.5    Financial Performance

A report on the current financial year to 31 May 2006 was received.


110.6    Payments

A report on the current bank balances was tabled and the following were approved for payment:

            Roger Smith: May Outdoor Maintenance                                      290.00

            HDC: 4 Playground inspections                                                     56.40

Staples UK Ltd: Office supplies                                                     23.98

            British Telecommunications plc: Calls and service charge            103.79

            Heveco Mushrooms Limited: 2 quarters licence fee &

service charge                                                                          150.00

            The Woodlands Trust: Donation in lieu of payment to

            APM speaker (S111 LGA 1972)                                                    50.00

            Sussex Business Computers Ltd: Install new office IT equipment     94.00

            LexisNexis Butterworths: 7th edition Arnold Baker "Local

            Council Administration"                                                                 53.45

            Gross salaries including PAYE / NI and Clerk's OP expenses

            and mileage                                                                              1196.25   


                                                                                                         £2017.87 


110.7    It was agreed that a donation of £250.00 be made to the Storrington & District Museum.


110.8    It was agreed that a donation of £250.00 be made to the Comanche Scout Troop.


111.      Chevron at Snapes Corner

Cllr Berry reported that the chevron was now installed, circulated photographs and advised he had met with a complainant. It was agreed that the chevron was located in the optimum position and of a suitable size; it was recognised that there was an adverse visual impact for the complainant but the chevron plus re-positioning of the 30 mph signs would make access considerably less hazardous and the clerk would write to the complainant to that effect. The meeting also recorded its thanks to Cllr Arculus for her assistance in arranging for the installation of the chevron. 

  

112.      Kingdom Hall

The briefing note from Cllr Bearman was discussed and it was agreed that he would request that the Village Hall Management Committee instruct Peter Jones to investigate and report on the details of the lease regarding reversion and/or extension.   


113.      Thakeham Halt sign

Cllr Messenger withdrew from the meeting during this item.

Cllr Berry read out the 2 letters of complaint and Cllr Goring circulated her report. After discussion it was agreed that Cllr Goring would request an inspection of the sign by HDC Planning Enforcement and that the clerk would forward the letters to the Parochial Church Council and advise the complainants of the action taken.    


114.      Japanese Knotweed

It was agreed that the draft letter presented by Cllr Dawes be modified to reflect the destructive capability and presented to the next meeting for proposed adoption as a standard letter to be sent to residents when necessary.


115.      Disposal of replaced office computer and printer 

Cllr Arculus to advise any willing recipient to clerk; computer to be cleaned of data before disposal.


116.      Joint Planning Advisory Working Group

Mr Tom Crowley and Cllr Jenkins briefed attendees on the current status before the meeting opened but there was nothing new to report.


117.      Parish Action Plan

Cllr Goring reported that despite being assured to the contrary there had been a problem with data entry through the Access program as few volunteers had this facility. 2 sets of 20 questionnaires were therefore still to be entered.    

  

118.      Open Spaces Committee

Cllr Prince reported on the 1st June meeting and advised that he had agreed playground repair work with the contractor who will also give a quote for ropes although a like-for-like replacement may not be possible. It may be that the gate would better be replaced with a metal design. Work on a replacement programme for the playground equipment will be necessary at some stage and the wood chippings will be another issue for consideration.

  

119.      Footpaths

Work has commenced at Town House Corner and thanks were expressed to Cllr Arculus, who will check the legal position regarding re-opening and revert. Clerk to summarise B2139 accidents for review at next meeting. Cllr Prince to pass details of accident at Dukes Hill to clerk.


120.      Planning Committee Minutes

The minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 2nd & 15th May were received.


121.      Reports from Councillors

121.1    County Cllr Arculus reported that WSCC would resist the plans for London waste and this will be discussed in the next CLC meeting. £20,000 for community-led grants will be available for the next 2 years.         


121.2    Cllr Goring reported on the planning obligations seminar she had attended with Cllr Berry and the clerk; copies of the handout available to Cllrs if required.  


•121.3        Cllr Bearman reported on the Village Hall AGM and last ordinary meeting. The bus routing has changed and the new timetable is now available but there is nowhere to place them by the bus stops. The Village Day was a success and the meeting recorded their thanks to Cllr Bearman.  


•121.4        Cllr MacEachern advised he had attended the management meeting and we have been offered the purple bus for a full week during the school holiday; a slight change to the location may be necessary.


121.5    Cllr Walker reported that he had met with the police regarding SID and agreed 2 locations; there have been 3 further volunteers following the reference in the newsletter so the training can now be arranged. Cllr Berry suggested a further site be considered in the south of the parish.


121.6    Cllr Prince reported on the current status following the fire at Heveco Mushrooms. 

  

  

  

  

122.      Chairman's Announcements

Cllr Berry advised that the CLC meeting clashes with the next meeting of the Parish Council, as the former meeting will be covering the waste issue he will discuss with Cllr MacEachern. Any Cllr with issues to raise at the CLC should input to the clerk.  

  

123.      Any other business for noting or inclusion on a future agenda

123.1    Cllr Bearman queried whether personal accident insurance should be considered, the clerk will research and include on the next agenda.


123.2    Cllr Dawes suggested that although she had been trying to contact Gary Peck the clerk could now write to Ray Wright regarding HDC design and planning, this will be included on the next Planning agenda.


123.3    Cllr MacEachern advised of a crop of small oak trees next to the playground, Open Spaces to consider whether a TPO would be appropriate.




  


  

Date of next meeting:  Monday, 17th July 2006 at 7.30 p.m.

Meeting closed:  10.00 p.m.
Approved