October

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Council Meeting Minutes - October

The Minutes of the Meeting of Bolney Parish Council held on

Tuesday 20^th October 2009

PRESENT:

Mr F White (Vice Chairman) (FW)

Mr D Williams (DW)

Mr A Smith (AS)

Ms B Sands (BS)

Mr T Steer (TS)

Mrs D Thomas (Clerk) (DT)

4 members of the public

Questions/Comments from Members of the Public

· Mr Willis advised that a planning application is being prepared for the Queens Head car park. This has been identified as a brownfield site and he requested that the Parish Council supports brownfield sites.

· Mr Batchelor advised that the Stairbridge Lane/Jobs Lane footpath is un-useable due to the recently built industrial estate. FW will look into this.

Report from County Councillor

Mr Griffiths forwarded a report in his absence which is attached to these minutes.

Report from District Councillor

In the absence of Mrs Seward, no report was available.

1. Receive a notice of resignation from Councillor Hopgood.

FW advised of the resignation letter received from Mr P Hopgood on 6^th October 2009. He expressed his thanks to Mr Hopgood for his contribution to the council and all agreed.

2. Vote on co-option of a new Councillor

Following interview of Mr Tony Steer for co-option to the council prior to the meeting and circulation of details to all councillors, all voted in favour of co-opting Tony Steer.

Mr Steer signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and undertaking to observe the Code of Conduct and then joined the council for the rest of the meeting.

3. Apologies for Absence

Mr E Hazel, Mrs J Dennis, Mrs A Moir, Mr P Griffiths.

4. Minutes of the last meeting

It was agreed by all that the Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th September 2009 be approved and signed by the chairman.

5. Declarations of Interest

There were none.

6. Finance

6.1 Agree the list of accounts for payment

The list of accounts for October was agreed by all and signed by the Chairman.

6.2 Consider a request from The Rawson Hall for a grant towards running expenses

Following discussion, it was agreed to donate £1,250.00

6.3 Consider a request from the Youth Club to continue to underwrite the Pavilion Café for a winter trial period

Following discussion, it was agreed to continue to underwrite the costs of the Pavilion Café for the trial winter period.

7. Receive a report from the roads and highways focus group

DW advised that he and FW had met with Neil Smith and that there was a good relationship with WSCC Highways to build on in the future. It is essential to ensure they fulfil their promises and there is a need to be aware of cost cutting at WSCC that could affect the service.

8. Receive a report from the footpaths focus group

FW advised that there are no further updates this month. He will be in contact with the footpath leader to check the date for the next inspection due every nine months.

9. Receive a report from the communications and action plan focus group

BS gave the background information about the ‘Open Door Sessions’ and advised that there are now posters up and invitations have been sent out for the launch date on 11^th November. FW advised that this forms the basis of the ‘make a difference’ campaign which aims to find out what people want in Bolney.

10. Receive a report from the housing and development land focus report group to include a discussion and agreement on a proposal to carry out a housing needs survey

AS advised that the housing and development land focus group are seeking the agreement of the council to carry out a Housing Needs Survey to establish the exact requirement for housing in the village, and gain an up to date insight into the present housing stock. The survey would be carried out early in 2010 by AirS and the key is to get the best response possible. There will be publicity such as letters, flyers and public meetings. The cost of the survey is £1300 of which the parish council must pay half. There will also be costs in relation to the publicity.

AS asked for agreement to carry out the survey, commitment from all councillors to work together for a good response, and commitment to endeavour to provide housing if a need is identified. All agreed.

11. Receive an update on the fingerposts

FW advised that the meeting with Derek Whittington had been cancelled at the last minute and has now been re-arranged for 30^th October. This is the fourth cancellation which is very disappointing.

12. Receive a report from the police neighbourhood panel

FW advised that at the last meeting they had been looking at speeding and raising the profile of the panel. Representatives from Bolney and Warninglid are generally the only attendees, and occasionally Twineham. FW asked them to review the purpose of the panel as not much generally happens between meetings.

FW advised that anti-social behaviour has died down in Bolney since the end of the summer holidays.

13. Consider a request from the Bolney School travel committee

FW advised that the travel committee don’t receive direct funding from WSCC and will need to apply for other grants. FW is continuing to attend their meetings and asked for the parish council to continue to support them. All agreed.

DW suggested that if they could get funds then a properly surfaced lay-by could be put in on the road up to the school.

14 Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 17^th November.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.35pm

Signed:………………………………………………………………. CHAIRMAN

Date:………………………………………………………………

Report to Bolney Parish Council 20 October 2009

1. Highways, including Rights of Way

Highways quality of service

I understand that you have not yet had your meeting with either George Chisenga or Stuart Smith to discuss quality of service issues. I have observed that the Warninglid village sign has not been moved, yet and will follow up.

Fingerposts update :

I have received a copy of Bill Acraman (Chairman Rights of Way ) letter to the Council Chairman summarizing your meeting last week about Fingerposts. I trust that will give a clearer sense of action required for to achieve what I encouraged the Council to do, the Vice Chairman in particular, nearly 3 years ago. I have to apologise that Mr Whittington still hasn’t been able to meet with either the Chairman or Vice Chairman. Perhaps he will make it after he has recuperated from his hospital operation .

[ we’re all dropping like flies in the cold of winter ]

2. Children and families

Support for Pavilion Café

Following the most useful meeting with the Chairman and Vice Chairman, Julie Smith has confirmed the support that she and her Children and Families Team have agreed to give the excellent Pavilion Café project. I would be most grateful to receive bona fide comments from the Council on how effective this is in serving the needs of the Community.

3. CLC County Local Committee

A lively meeting on 5^th October in Hurstpierpoint with the main item my proposal for Mid Sussex Special Schools. As the Council will have received the prospectus for the consultation, I will not repeat its details. However I would very much value the Council’s in put to that consultation as youngsters of the Parish may be learning at the new School on Oakmeeds campus , or indeed the current antecedents at Court Meadow and Newick House. My absence tonight is because I am going to be present at the second public consultation meeting in Cuckfield tonight.

The next CLC is on 27^th January and is likely to be focused on Youth activities, funding and facilities. I would like to use the Pavilion Café as a case study; what do you think?

The closer explanation of the Community Initiative Fund purpose and criteria will follow shortly.

Peter.A.D.Griffiths West Sussex County Councillor, Hurstpierpoint & Bolney 07515 33 29 25