TILLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2011 IN THE VILLAGE HALL AT 7.00 PM
PRESENT:Mr A Johnstone (in the chair) Mr C Drake,
Mr I Brooks, Mr B Graves, Mr R Sneller
and Mrs F Rhys-Evans.
Mrs E Lintill (District Councillor)
Mrs J Duncton (District Councillor)
Mr C Duncton (County Councillor)
CLERK:Mrs J Huggett.
In the Chairman’s absence Mr Johnstone took the chair.
1.Apologies were received from Mr H Rolfe (Chairman), Mr R Shapland and Mrs S Greenwell.
2.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
3.MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 26th September, having been circulated, it was proposed by Mr Brooks, seconded by Mr Sneller, that they be passed and signed.
4. MATTERS ARISING
(a) Finger Post: The Clerk said the Chairman had told her that the work was due to be completed soon.
(Clerk's Note: This has now been done, the account has been paid and the grant received from West Sussex County Council.)
(b) Jubilee Celebrations: Mrs Rhys-Evans gave a short résumé of the committee’s plans which include a beacon on the church tower, fireworks and bonfire on the Recreation Ground. The Clerk questioned the latter and said this would need the agreement of the Parish Council and possibly the Leconfield Estate. Mrs Rhys-Evans said due to the time of the meetings she found it difficult to attend. The Clerk asked her to e-mail through all the paper work, when she has it she will speak to the Chairman and see if he can find another representative from the Parish Council.
5. PUBLIC QUESTIONS
There were no members of the public present.
6. REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
(a) District
Mrs Duncton said she had come along to-day as she doesn't often get to the meetings, but would leave Mrs Lintill to give her report.
Portfolio holders: There is a change in the council portfolio holders - Cllr J Duncton has now taken responsibility for Community Safety. Cllr Tull has taken on Housing and Council Tax benefits.
Traffic Management: CDC is working with WSCC on a traffic management plan for the Chichester Car Parks to inform drivers of the parking spaces availability.
Loan Sharks: CDC is working with Credit Union to give warning about loan sharks - particularly to the elderly.
City Businesses: The result of the BID (Business Improvement District) ballot was positive. This means that businesses within the City will pay an additional 1% of their rateable value into a fund to pay for initiatives identified by the traders as priorities for the City Centre.
Health Checks: Taxi drivers have been offered health checks to identify potential risks of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The tests are simple and involve looking at things such as BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They have been well received by the drivers.
Garden Awards: There had recently been presentations for award winning businesses and private gardens within the district. There were no entries from east of Midhurst and she suggested that this is something the Parish Council might like to promote. Mr Graves said this is surprising as there is an active Gardening Club in the village.
Countdown for Christmas: District Council cards were circulated giving details of events, free Park and Ride, markets, etc.
2012 Olympics: It is good news that the Olympic Flame is coming through Tillington. There will be a meeting before Christmas to talk to parish representatives, and the final details and street route will be announced later.
Mrs Duncton said she would like to say a couple of things.
North East Parishes Forum: The next meeting is at Duncton on Thursday 8th December.
LDF: They are not making much progress as not all details are still available, she was recently at a conference in Coventry on the subject.
(b) County
Mr Duncton reported on the following.
Libraries: It has been confirmed that no libraries, including mobile ones, will close.
Broadband: The government is giving money to West Sussex to improve broad band in those areas where reception is poor. They are working with providers to rectify this.
Meals on Wheels: The County Council are promoting the Meals on Wheels service, Councillors were served one at the last Council meeting. It was a very good lunch served in foil, and is delivered for £3.70. Additional volunteers are needed.
Small Jobs: Should a council have a small job, i.e. cutting back hedges, verges, which can be done by someone locally, if it obtains an estimate and sends it to the Council they will reimburse the cost.
Sale of Assets: To save money over the next few years they are selling redundant properties and land.
County Local Committee: The next CLC meeting will be on 24th January 2012.
7. RECREATION GROUND TRUST
(a) Water Pipes: The Clerk said the work has been completed.
(b) Recreation Ground Access: Mr Johnstone said that Mr Morgan-Grenville has decided on an access from Willetts Lane, and the work has already been completed.
8. FINANCE
(a) Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The minutes of the meeting held on 16th November, having been circulated, it was proposed by Mr Johnstone, seconded by Mr Sneller that they be passed.
(i) Agreement to new Income: Mr Johnstone took Councillors through the proposed new charges and asked for their approval. These were proposed by Cllr Graves, seconded by Cllr Drake and, on a vote, unanimously agreed.
(b) Current Financial Situation: The Clerk circulated copies of the current financial situation to 12th November. These figures had been prepared for the Finance meeting on 16th November and had not changed since then. She took Councillors through the figures.
Income
Contributions to Pavilion: The lettings income has already exceeded the budget and there are a further two bookings for December.
Setts: The money has been received from the Post Office.
Expenditure
General Maintenance: The cost of the setts has been transferred to its own heading.
Balances at 12th November 2011
Current Account 614.46
Deposit Account 9,160.39 9,774.85
Post Office 1,153.70
10,928.55
9. PLANNING
Mr Brooks said there had been nothing controversial. Mr Johnstone asked about the new extension to a house on River Common. Mr Brooks said comparable materials were being used and, although it was large, they had no problem with it. Mr Graves asked about the development of the Old Rectory Barn. Mr Brooks said there was no increase in height, so again, they had no problem.
10. ENVIRONMENT AND MAINTENANCE
(a) Cart Shed Repairs: The Clerk reported that Mr Shapland hopes to carry out the work in mid December.
(b) Grassed Area by the Village Hall: Mr Drake said he had met with Mrs Baker from Highways who had been very positive about the project and said that that Highways could bear a proportion of the cost. The area being looked at is from the village hall to Tillington Hill House, there will be a white line to mark the edge of the road. Mr Brooks said the number of vehicles parking on the grass has increased enormously in the last 6 years. Mr Drake said it is hoped to have a price for the work by the end of December.
(c) Cart Shed Surrounds: The Clerk said that Mr Naldrett has carried out the work.
11. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk said she had nothing to report except to circulate the proposed meeting dates for next year which she had agreed with the Chairman. These were all, as usual, on the last Monday of the month, with the exception of January. She explained it was her 75th birthday on the 30th and, provided Councillors are agreeable, the Chairman has said it may be moved to the previous Monday, 23rd. Those present agreed. The Clerk will inform Mrs Greenwell, Mr Shapland and District and County Councillors.
12.MATTERS RAISED BY MEMBERS
Permissive Path: Mr Johnstone said the Leconfield Estate and Mr Morgan-Grenville are in agreement about the permissive path.
Tillington Phone Box: Mr Johnstone said Mr Gresham-Cooke has asked that the Parish Council proceed with purchasing the phone box outside his house. The cost is £1, he will maintain and look after it, and an idea is that it will become an information centre. The one at Upperton will be removed by BT. He asked that Councillors agree to its purchase and, on a vote, this was unanimously agreed.
Annual Inspection: Mr Johnstone said the Chairman had asked that this be raised to remind the Environment Committee that an inspection is due. The Clerk said she will speak to the Chairman and e-mail some dates through for the new year.
Setts: Mr Brooks said there have been complaints that the setts are very sharp and are damaging tyres. Mr Graves said he was not in agreement with this view, the idea of putting them there is to protect the wall from damage and stop vehicles from parking too close.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20 pm.