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Minutes of Thakeham Parish Council Meeting - Monday, 17th July 2006
Meeting opened: 7.30 p.m.
Present: Mr D Berry Mr J Bearman Ms K Dawes Mrs C Goring Mr D Hardisty Mr A Harwood Mrs P Maggs Mr N Prince Mr R Walker In attendance Mr J Denman Clerk to the Council Members of the public
124. Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr MacEachern, who was attending a CLC meeting on behalf of the Council, and Cllr Messenger who was on holiday. Apologies were also received from Cllr Goring who would be joining the meeting later as shown below.
125. Interests of Members Cllr Prince declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 12 (minute 135).
126. Minutes of the last meetingMinutes of the last meeting of the Parish Council held on 19th June 2006 were approved and signed.
127. Matters Arising 127.1 (108.1) Furze Common Road footpath: WSCC have advised that the Order has now been submitted for determination.
127.2. (108.2) School tree surgery: Clerk has requested a reminder be sent to school by WSCC.
127.3 (108.3) Thakeham Tiles / TPO: Not yet been possible to visit but Cllr Berry will try to arrange this week with Mr Davidge.
128. Correspondence HDC: Summons to Council meeting 19th July. Summons to Development Control (South) Committee meeting 18th July. Summons to Standards Committee meeting 12th July. Invitation to Local Development and Transport Advisory Group meeting 11th July (including the LDF General Development Control Policies - Submission Document and Submission Proposals Map which was passed to Cllr Dawes who returned it with confirmation that Thakeham was as previously proposed). Local Performance Plan 2006. Response to recycling questions (previously circulated). WSCC: New arrangements for maintaining highways - new contractor appointed. South Horsham Area Transport Plan Review 2005-2006, passed to Cllr Walker. Rural Housing Trust: "Building a Future: how parish councils can provide affordable housing" booklet. Playground Management: Annual RoSPA inspection report (previously sent to Open Spaces Committee).
129. Finance 129.1 Financial Performance A report on the current financial year to 30 June 2006 was received.
129.2 Payments A report on the current bank balances was tabled and the following were approved for payment: Roger Smith: June Outdoor Maintenance 290.00 Playsafety Ltd: Annual RoSPA inspection 91.65 The Friends of Storrington & District Museum: s137 Grant *** 250.00 Comanche Scout Troop: s137 Grant *** 250.00 Gross salaries including PAYE / NI and Clerk's OP expenses and mileage 1118.98 £2000.63 *** Regarding these payments, it was resolved that the Council in accordance with its powers under sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972, should incur this expenditure which, in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure. 129.3 It was agreed that the quotation for playground works from Stuart Stone Building Services dated 4th July 2006 be accepted for the strap and rope renewal and fence repairs but not for weeding.
130. Personal Accident Insurance The clerk reported that he had been advised by the insurers that there is no need for separate personal accident insurance as the existing policy covers both Councillors and volunteers for Council activities such as SID and the village clean-up, however the policy only covers events if the Parish Council is the sole organiser and in sole control of all activities.
131. Kingdom Hall Cllr Bearman advised that clarification had been requested from Peter Jones regarding lease reversion and/or extension plus who can authorise the sale of land, together with clarification of the duties of the Parish Council as custodial trustee and the Management Committee as trustee.
132. Japanese Knotweed Cllr Dawes advised that WSCC will treat weed on highways land. It was agreed that the draft letter presented by Cllr Dawes be adopted as a standard letter to be sent to residents when necessary, subject to 2 minor amendments and the inclusion of a picture of the weed. The letter as modified above would be sent to the 2 residents identified as being affected by the weed.
133. B2139 Summary of Accidents The report circulated by the clerk was discussed and will be used as the template for the future, subject to modifying the heading to highlight the fact that it only shows incidents reported to the Council. Cllr Berry advised of a 2 car collision outside his property around 4.30 p.m. on 13th July.
134. Potential Downgrading of Local Hospitals Cllr Maggs reported on the threat to the future services provided by Chichester, Worthing and Southlands Hospitals and the fact that any downgrading would necessitate journeys to Brighton or Portsmouth. It was agreed that the Council would write in support of the campaigns against cutting services.
Cllr Goring joined the meeting.
135. Heveco Mushrooms Unauthorised Uses Cllr Prince withdrew from the meeting during this item. It was agreed that the clerk would check current status with HDC and the Planning Committee would review the options and report back to Council.
136. Conduct at Future Meetings The letter from the Chairman was discussed and accepted, but in future Cllrs should advise the clerk if any discussion item merits a longer time allocation so this can be indicated on the agenda.
137. August Newsletter Input was agreed and is to be submitted to the clerk by 14th August.
138. Joint Planning Advisory Working Group Nothing to report.
139. Parish Action Plan 22 questionnaires still to be entered. Summary on affordable housing may be available for the next meeting.
140. Open Spaces Committee 4th July meeting postponed. The next meeting will include discussion on the playground issues of the gate, wood chippings, weeding and new equipment.
141. Footpaths 141.1 Work is completed at Town House Corner and the results are most satisfactory. The Council recorded their thanks to Cllr Arculus and the clerk is to write thanking WSCC and enquiring whether the legal requirements have now been satisfied as the closure notice is still in place.
141.2 Stile collapsed on path from Bramble Lane to Crays Farm; Cllr Prince to follow up.
142. Laybrook Landfill Back on the agenda as the process has re-started. The June meeting of the Waste Forum discussed the proposed large re-allocation from London which would necessitate a 50% increase in landfill; WSCC have lodged a strong objection. The next meeting of the Forum will be site specific.
143. Planning Committee Minutes The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 6th June were received.
144. Open Spaces Committee Minutes The minutes of the Open Spaces Committee meeting held on 13th March were received.
145. Reports from Councillors 145.1 Cllr Bearman reported on the last HALC meeting, including the possibility of clustering parishes for code of conduct training by SALC and the deferment of Local Government reorganisation meaning the May 2007 election is likely to proceed as normal. Around £3500-£4000 was raised at the Village Day. SALC has documentation to encourage prospective Councillors to stand for election. New fire safety regulations apply to Village Halls from 1st October. Neighbouring tree to 40 Crescent Rise of concern to resident; Cllr Prince to inspect. 145.2 Cllr Walker reported that SID training had been conducted on 10th July for 8 volunteers. 8 dates have been booked for SID operation starting on 20th July and 3 sites will be utilised. The Council will get data feedback.
146. Adjournment The meeting was then adjourned to enable questions and comments from members of the public, the following of which were noted. 146.1 Jackets Hill to hotel footpath; dangerous steps which go straight into the road on the west side. Open Spaces Committee to consider whether there is a possibility they could be moved. 146.2 In response to a query as to whether the plastic re-cycling bin would return, Cllr Bearman advised that the Village Hall committee had written objecting to its removal but without success. It was agreed that the Council will also write to express concern that it has been removed.
146.3 Overgrown hedge on corner of High Bar Lane, to be followed up by the Open spaces Committee.
147. Chairman's Announcements Cllr Berry advised that he will be presenting the Margaret Denyer cup to the selected pupil at the First School on 21st July.
148. Any other business for noting or inclusion on a future agenda 148.1 Affordable Housing to be included on next agenda; Cllr Goring to prepare a briefing note for circulation by the clerk.
148.2 Parish office/playing field to be included on next agenda; Cllr Harwood to prepare a briefing note for circulation by the clerk.
Date of next meeting: Monday, 21st August 2006 at 7.30 p.m. Meeting closed: 8.55 p.m.
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