LURGASHALL PARISH COUNCIL DRAFT MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON THURSDAY 12 TH NOVEMBER 2015 Councillors Present: Mr R E J Cooper (Chairman), Mr J S Bonnett, Mr J W Harden, Mrs A Martin-Jenkins, Mr G Sharp, Dr A H J Tate, Dr P Wilding and Mrs R Wood In Attendance: Mrs H E Cruikshank (Clerk) County Councillor Mrs J Duncton There were no members of the public present. The Chairman declared the meeting open at 7.30 pm and welcomed all to the meeting. 112/15 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies had been received from District Councillor Mr N Thomas 113/15 CODE OF CONDUCT The Chairman reminded members of their responsibilities under the Code of Conduct. 114/15 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING The Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 10 th September 2015 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true record. 115/15 MATTERS ARISING The Chairman reported he and Mr Harden had attended the All Parishes meeting in September which was interesting with the main issue being discussions on travellers and a speaker on emergency planning. The Chairman said he thought it would be a good idea to have a plan in case of an emergency i.e. a prolonged power cut and was waiting on an estimate for a 3 or 4KW portable generator to enable the village hall to be heated and provide hot drinks and cook food if necessary. It was hoped the fete committee would fund this from this year s proceeds. There were no other matters arising which were not to be covered on tonight s agenda. 116/15 OPEN FORUM There were no questions from the public. 117/15 COUNCILLORS REPORT County Councillor Mrs Janet Duncton said the firefighters were settling in with the recent cuts and changes to the service but assured the meeting that it is still a service second to none. Nowadays a much smaller part of firefighter s time is taken with fires and road traffic accidents however they do spend a lot of their time with the community educating, with more of a preventive role. One of the most pleasant duties Janet performs is attending the Firebreak sessions. Throughout the County, disadvantaged children attend a fire station and work with the fire fighters for a week learning a lot about working in a team and therefore gaining confidence. The children enjoy it and get so much out of this week; it does them a world of good with positive feedback from the children and parents alike. 1
WSCC has arranged to take in 240 Syrian refugees in 2016. A new contractor has taken over Meals on Wheels. Clerk to find out the new information and put into the newsletter and on notice board as per Mr Harden s request. Mrs Duncton added that if Parish Councils choose to red card a planning application, this must be done through their District Councillors and it was then important to send someone down to the committee meeting Any questions or problems, then don t hesitate to contact Mrs Duncton on 01798 342528 or email janet.duncton@westsussex.gov.uk Any questions or problems of a District Council nature, then please don t hesitate to contact Mr Thomas 01730 810837 or email nthomas@chichester.gov.uk Mrs Duncton left the meeting at 8.00pm 118/15 FINANCE Clerk distributed Appendix 2 which included: a) A statement of the position of the Council s bank accounts b) Bank reconciliation as at 6 th November 2015 c) The finance schedule of accounts submitted for payment d) Budget Monitoring sheet as at 6 th November 2015 The Council s current financial position at 23,090, bank reconciliation and budget monitoring sheet were noted. The members duly approved the payments for PKF Littlejohn LLP (External Auditors) @ 240, Mr Geoff Hayhurst (reimbursement of Land Registry fee for the Village Hall lease) @ 48.19, The Leconfield Estates (Allotment Water and Grit bin site rent) @ 69.46, SSALC Ltd (Councillor planning training) @ 60, Lurgashall Cricket Club (Contribution towards grass cutting and mower sinking fund) @ 560, Miss Annabel Grout (Newsletter Editor and 6 monthly contribution towards printing) @ 180, Garden Escapes (Village grass cutting 2015) @ 1418 and Mrs H E Cruikshank (Clerk s September & October 2015 Salary & Expenses) @ 641.55. In addition to the schedule of accounts submitted for authorisation, the 2015/16 donation to Lurgashall PCC @ 375 was approved as requested by Mrs Martin Jenkins. Mr Bonnett added that the planning fee for the proposed new traditional fingerboard/post had been approved for payment in between meetings @ 55. Mrs Martin Jenkins asked why the litter bin emptying was so high. Clerk confirmed that CDC had issued a credit for a dog litter bin they had charged for incorrectly so the Parish Council would be receiving a refund of 432. Mr Harden suggested a dog litter bin should be provided for the village. Mrs Martin-Jenkins said she had carried out the Systems Audit and all was okay, she reminded Councillors if they were signing cheques to make sure they initialise the cheque book stub for auditing purposes. Clerk said that the Finance & General Purposes Committee meeting to discuss the precept and budget for 2016/17 is being held on Tuesday 24 th November at 7.30pm at the Village Hall. She would circulate papers prior to this meeting to all F&GP members. 2
119/15 PLANNING Clerk had previously distributed Appendix 3. Dr Wilding commented upon the following applications; APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED SINCE LAST PC MEETING SDNP/15/04781/HOUS Orchard Park Farm Dial Green Lane Lurgashall West Sussex GU28 9EU Proposed chain link fencing around tennis court. SDNP/15/04369/FUL Little Brockhurst Farm Dial Green Lane Lurgashall Petworth West Sussex GU28 9HA Replacement house and barns to include garaging, staff accommodation, swimming pools and pool building with associated landscaping works. SDNP/15/04642/HOUS Boxalland Cottage Petworth Road Lurgashall Haslemere West Sussex GU27 3BG Demolition of existing utility room and cloakroom to ground floor and construction of 2 storey extension to north west side elevation. SDNP/15/04765/HOUS and SDNP/15/04766/LIS The Malt House, Lurgashall, Petworth, GU28 9ET Proposed rear extension to replace existing. Internal modifications to house and outbuilding. SDNP/15/05067/FUL Old Hearne Farm, Jays Lane, Lurgashall, West Sussex GU27 3BL Retention of the east barn and its immediate surroundings for mixed use purposes and the erection of a stock building SDNP/15/4718/LDE Old Hearne Farm, Jays Lane, Lurgashall, West Sussex GU27 3BL Erection of the western barn and storage/utility areas Dr Wilding also reported that the Parish Council had commented on planning application SDNP/15/04803/FUL for Copygrove Copse as part of the site affected by the works was in Lurgashall parish. CDC/SDNP DECISIONS RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING SDNP/14/03405/LIS/ SDNP/14/03404/HOUS The Malt House, Lurgashall, Petworth, GU28 9ET Erection of replacement rear extension, new windows and roof lights and internal modifications Decision: Application Withdrawn SDNP/14/04496/LDE Boxalland Farm, Petworth Road, Lurgashall, Haslemere, West Sussex, GU27 3BH Flat roofed projection from the pitched roof of the southern elevation of an existing granary building containing a door and a run of horizontal windows. 3
SDNP/15/02961/LIS Aldworth House, Tennysons Lane, Lurgashall, West Sussex, GU27 3BJ Remove existing poor quality pine panelling and restore room to its plaster finish within first floor bedroom. SDNP/15/04195/HOUS The Malt House, High Hampstead Lane, Lurgashall, West Sussex GU28 9ET Formation of new crossover and internal drive and closure of existing SDNP/15/04508/HEDG Hookhams, Hillgrove Lane, Lurgashall, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 9EW Notification of intention to remove approximately 10m of hedgerow to create a new access/gateway. Decision: Raise No Objection SDNP/15/04642/HOUS Boxalland Cottage, Petworth Road, Lurgashall, Haslemere, West Sussex, GU27 3BG Demolition of existing utility room and cloakroom to ground floor and construction of 2 storey extension to north west side elevation. Dr Wilding said a tree adjacent to Beards Cottage had been felled and there was concern with regard to who owns the land. A Listing application for the cottage has been submitted as it is the oldest house in Lurgashall. An application for listing the two outbuildings at Little Brockhurst has also been submitted as they fully qualify due to the fact they contain most of their original fabric, are pre-1750 and are under threat of demolition in January. The final decision is with Historic England. Mr Bonnett and Mr Sharp raised much concern about the continuous drip feeding of development and abuse of planning regulations at Orchard Park Farm. Mr Bonnett said that every time an infringement takes place, a letter should be sent to the District Council and CDC enforcement should get involved. Dr Wilding confirmed that the planning committee has kept a close eye on this and will continue to do so and a great many letters had been sent to CDC with the parish council concerns over the years. Mrs Martin Jenkins added that the parish council had fought every single thing. Dr Wilding said he would speak to Mr Thomas, the District Councillor, briefing him on the history and asking for advice with this. Concern was also raised with regard to the state of the footpath in bluebell woods as it is thought to be ancient woodland. The surface has all been broken up and it appears to be being used as a bridle path. Dr Wilding said he would take a look at the site. Dr Wilding added there was currently one outstanding application for two houses at Courts Yard which would be discussed at the planning meeting in December. Mrs Martin-Jenkins asked whether there was an update on Lower Roundhurst Farm. Clerk said she had heard back from the CDC enforcement planning officer who had confirmed that no breach of planning control had been identified. Clerk to send the email to Mrs Martin-Jenkins. 4
120/15 HIGHWAYS INCLUDING VILLAGE GREEN, OPERATION WATERSHED AND WINTER MANAGEMENT Mr Bonnett reported there was no progress with extending the parking area on the east side of the green. John Simpson was now waiting for the ground to dry out before work could start. He said that a highways licence and planning permission was required for the proposed signpost for the top of the green which the Clerk was progressing. Once these have been approved he will speak with J K Engineering and give them the go ahead however their quote is now a year old and although funding has been successful for the full original quote of 1405, he requested that the Parish Council be prepared to spend an additional 200. Full Council agreed this. Since the Operation Watershed projects had been completed the various refurbished culverts and drains are working. However there are still several flooding problems on the highways in the parish with blocked drains and grills. New places identified include the corner between the Roundhurst turning and Parkhurst. Mr Bonnett said this is another parish highways project where ditches and drains need to be dug out. Mr Harden raised the possibility of organising some refresher defibrillator training. He said he would contact the Haslemere First Responders and try to arrange a training session and put an article into the newsletter. Dr Tate said that SECAMB continue to maintain the equipment itself and he provides them with a monthly status check for the parish s defibrillator. Mr Bonnett added that Sean Hellett had kindly agreed to come onto the Highways Committee. He finished by saying that the grit bins were now all filled up in preparation for the winter months. 121/15 DRAINAGE Mr Sharp raised concerns about the overgrown ditches causing flooding in the parish; specifically the ditch by Greengates, the one by the Noah s Ark and one on Mill Lane. He insisted that the ditches need clearing out, one ditch is completely full of debris and they all need a good clear out before the weather deteriorates. Mrs Martin- Jenkins stated it would be the landowners who would be responsible for this. Clerk to contact the new Highways officers for the area and ask for them to visit Lurgashall and meet with Mr Cooper and Mr Sharp to do a walk round the village and tour of the parish. Councillors can then highlight all the problem areas and the suitable persons be contacted who are responsible for the remedial works. 122/15 CRICKET PAVILION Mr Cooper reported that he is still waiting for Anthony Crandon to have a look at and inspect the cricket pavilion. He would chase and added that most of the problems are at the front of the building caused by weathering. 123/15 PLAYGROUND Mrs Wood reported that all is running well at the playground; equipment is all working with the grass cutting and bins emptied on a regular basis. Mr Cooper said the springer on the gate was not working again and Rita kindly said she would organise the repair. 124/15 ALLOTMENTS Mr Harden said that the allotments needs new members with numbers down this year. Clerk confirmed that Garden Escapes had not charged the Parish Council for the unsatisfactory last grass cutting at the allotments following concerns raised at the last meeting. 125/15 RIGHTS OF WAY There is a rotten board on the stile on footpath which leads from the Jubilee field to the stream. It was thought the bridge had had a temporary repair. Clerk to ask Nick Scott when more permanent repairs are to be done. 5
126/15 VILLAGE HALL LEASE Mr Cooper confirmed the Village Hall Lease was now registered with Land Registry. Thanks were given to Geoff Hayhurst for his work in getting this done. 127/15 NEW HOMES BONUS 2015/16 Clerk reported that the Parish Council had been successful with its funding application for 1405 towards the traditional fingerboard/post proposal. All agreed that the Clerk could sign the form accepting the terms and conditions of the agreement. Monies will then be passed to the Parish Council on receipt of this. 128/15 TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILS CLUSTERING Clerk had received an email from Petworth Town Council (PTC) who said that it had become apparent in this recent time of austerity, coupled with both County and District Councils being forced to make drastic cuts to their services that Town and Parish Councils, should try to take a more cohesive stance to tackle the inevitable issues which will arise. WSCC have already had to make 'savings' with our local fire service, culminating in the loss of appliances at Petworth, Midhurst and Storrington which despite assurances given by County, the knock on effect to the safety of our communities could, potentially, be catastrophic. PTC are therefore touching base with all of you in the hope that we can look to working collaboratively together and share resources, as and when these problems arise. The Parish Council agreed that small clusters would be better for Lurgashall and it seems more sensible to any do so with villages of a similar size and location i.e. Northchapel, Lodsworth and Tillington not Petworth. Clerk to write back to PTC. 129/15 CORRESPONDENCE The Clerk said she had received a response from the Noah s Ark following her request for assistance with funding to assist with the village green parking. Noah s Ark had kindly offered to donate 350 towards the current hard standing improvements. The Parish Council thanked them for their kind generosity. 130/15 TO CONSIDER URGENT MATTERS AT THE CHAIRMAN S DISCRETION Dr Tate reported on the L.R.A. Canine Capers had made 400 profit which will go towards the running costs of the field. He said next year the football pitch will be cut lower. One of the proposed benches was now in place and the other would be sited on the far side of the field. Unfortunately there are potholes on the pathway and a mole and rabbit catcher will be required. A notice will be going in the January newsletter to encourage new members; there are currently 188. Mr Bonnett asked whether the Parish Council planning committee had commented on the draft SDNPA local plan consultation. Dr Wilding said none of the previous comments which he had submitted had been taken into account so no comment was submitted this time. Mr Bonnet said he had a copy of the draft plan should anyone want to view a hard copy. 131/15 ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NEXT AGENDA LRA (Lurgashall Recreation Association) as a separate agenda item Budget and Precept 2016/17 Dog Litter bin Please let the Clerk know of any other items to be included on the next agenda by Thursday 7 th January 2016. 132/15 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Thursday 14 th January 2016. There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30pm 6