Slinfold Parish Council
PO Box 315, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 9XX
Tel: 01403 785864 Email:
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday 24th February 2011
At 7.30pm in the Parish Room
018/11 Attendance and Apologies for Absence
Those present: Councillors E Sorensen (Chairman), C Burke, W Coad, G Constantine, M Dunkerton, G Stenton-Chandler, D Thompson and D White. Also present: Parish Clerk M Burroughs, Cllrs. M Hodgson (County) and P Rowlinson (District)
Apologies Cllr. R Hillyard
There were seven members of the public present who had come to speak on the development of the Flint Group site.
019/11 Declarations of Interest and Notification of Change to Members’ Interests
There were no declarations of interest or changes noted to Members’ Register of Interests.
At this point the Chairman suspended Standing Order to allow public speaking.
Members of the public asked questions and/or raised concerns on the following matters:
· That the Chairman of Planning did not live in the village;
· New and existing S106 agreements;
· Position with regard to the lease with the Parish Council which is sub-let to the football and tennis clubs;
· Strength of public feeling and that the Parish Council should be represented at the HDC Committee Meeting.
Tom Warder spoke then with regard to ‘Affordable Housing’ see 020/11
021/11 Chairman’s Announcements
i. West Sussex Rural Forum – Decentralisation and Localism Bill – Cllr. Stenton-Chandler would like to attend the forum on 22 March 2011; the Clerk will book a place.
ii. Red Cross Volunteers – it was agreed to obtain feedback on questions raised with regard to the impact of having volunteers to service the area. Subject to the response received, we may be able to help with advertising for new volunteers;
iii. NHS Consultation (Services at Worthing and Southlands) – Cllr. Dunkerton agreed to look at this consultation on behalf of the Parish Council;
iv. Resignations – Cllr. Coad had tendered her resignation effective end of February. Cllr. Jobling tendered her resignation on 24th February (prior to the meeting) with immediate effect. Cllr. Sorensen thanked both Councillors for their contribution. Fiona Jobling advised that she fully intended to continue to support the projects that she was involved in.
021/11 Talk by Tom Warder, Action in rural Sussex (AirS) on Affordable Housing
Tom Warder invited the Parish Council to work with AirS to conduct a local survey to identify housing needs. The survey would involve all residents in the Parish responding to a questionnaire and asks whether they would support a small development if a need were identified. Part of the survey targets the need for affordable housing. All information provided is confidential. The responses are sent directly to AirS who collate the results. Councillors asked further questions about the survey and existing schemes.
The Parish Council, at their meeting in October 2010, had indicated that a survey would be a good idea; the Clerk will pursue this matter further with AirS.
022/11 Approval of the Minutes of Parish Council Meeting on 27th January 2011.
The draft minutes having been circulated were taken as read and it was agreed that the minutes be accepted and signed as a true record.
023/11 Matters arising from 022/11
i. The Clerk has written to WSCC, Highways to request an update on the A281/A29 Traffic Regulation Orders but has not received a response to date. Cllr. Hodgson provided an update with regard to WSCC, Highways position on the A281;
ii. AirS has been advised that the Parish Council agreed to join the Community 21 pilot project;
iii. The vacancy for Parish Councillor has been advertised.
024/11 Matters arising from last month’s public session
Cllr. Burke spoke on the item minuted from the last Parish Council Meeting 007/11 ‘The handling of the Planning Meeting by the Chairman of the Planning Committee’. Cllr. Burke noted that the minutes contained criticism and put forward his views on the same. Cllr. Burke also suggested that the Parish Council should revisit the way in which large planning applications are handled. This will be tabled for discussion and agreement at the next meeting.
Cllr. Dunkerton pointed out that a considerable amount of time had been spent on the Flint site applications.
025/11 Planning
i) to iii) - Recommendations and referrals
Cllr. Burke presented the Planning Report to the Parish Council. The report was reviewed, approved and the Parish Council ratified the decisions made by the Planning Advisory Group, as follows:
HDC Application number / Date validated by HDC / Address & Post Code of application / Nature of application / Name Applicant or Agent / Feedback to HDCDC/11/0317 / 21-Feb-11 / The Old Post Office, The Street Slinfold Horsham West Sussex RH13 0RP / Fell Norway Spruce (Conservation Area) / Mrs Glaister / Feedback Outstanding
DC/11/0183 / 3-Feb-11 / Highlands Hayes Lane Slinfold Horsham West Sussex RH13 0SN / Revised entrance, curved screen walls, gates in lieu of previously approved entrance under DC/10/0652 / Mr and Mrs P Wyatt / No Objection (U5/5). Ratified PC 24/2
DC/11/0284 / 16-Feb-11 / Lower Lodge Barn, The Haven Billingshurst West Sussex RH14 9BE / DC/11/0284 Non-material amendment to DC/10/0257 consisting of consisting of a larger conservatory / Mr M Avery / No Objection (U4/4). Ratified PC 24/2
DC/11/0174 / 10-Feb-11 / Lower Lodge Barn, The Haven Billingshurst West Sussex RH14 9BE / Non-material amendment to DC/09/1968 consisting of 1 No. additional window at attic level / Mr M Avery / No Objection (U4/4). Ratified PC 24/2
DC/11/0137 / 28-Jan-11 / Toll House Garage Five Oaks Road Slinfold Horsham West Sussex RH13 0SY / Replacement washing and valeting building / Mr M Hill / No Objection (U5/5) subject to no change in height and visual impact and the conditions of use as listed. Ratified PC 24/2
DC/11/0090 / 15-Feb-11 / Five Oaks Farm / Installation of solar farm / Mr Peter Walker / Liaise with Rudgwick
DC/10/1889 (Amended Plans) / 31-Jan-11 / Rapkyns Care Centre Guildford Road BBH West Sussex RH12 3PQ / Additional special care facilities / Sussex Health Care / PC 24/2 Original comments stand. Cllr. Rowlinson to speak to HDC Committee on 1/3/2011 regarding traffic exiting the site
It was RESOLVED to approve the feedback to HDC as above.
Applications permitted, refused or withdrawn: The following applications have been processed by HDC and the results follow:
HDC Application number / Date received by HDC / Address & Post Code of application / Nature of application / Status / Feedback to HDC Planning Committee (Date)DC/11/0012 / 7-Jan-11 / Bridge Farm Stane Street Slinfold Horsham West Sussex RH13 0QX / Removal of agricultural occupancy condition (Condition No. 3 of SF/14/94) from farm bungalow / Application Permitted / No Objection (U3/3). Ratified PC Meeting 27/01/2011
DC/10/2533 / 20-Dec-10 / Nowhurst Farmhouse Nowhurst Lane Broadbridge Heath Horsham West Sussex RH12 3PJ / Reconstruction of existing chimney with salvaged bricks, to include 2 No. lead trays, new lead flashings and aprons within its construction (Listed Building Consent) / Application Permitted / HDC advised 5/1/2011 No Objection (U4/4). Ratified PC Meeting 27/01/2011
DC/09/2101 / 19-Nov-09 / Land south of Broadbridge Heath, Old Wickhurst Lane, BBH West Sussex / Erection of 963 residential units, community facility including land for a primary school, neighbourhood centre, youth and recreational facilities, other formal and informal open space, landscaping and environmental works, transport and access arrangements, new east-west link road, improvements to Five-Oaks roundabout, realignment and partial closure of existing A264 Broadbridge Heath by-pass and other ancillary works (Outline) / Application Permitted / Feedback sent to HDC 17/02/2010. Objection to transport plan.
Planning applications pending consideration or decision by HDC:
The Parish Council received a report on all previous applications currently pending consideration or a decision by HDC.
iv) Enforcement Actions and Appeals
Appeal: Lane End Farm, Lyons Road – (DC/10/2133) – APP/Z3825/D/10/214298 - Appeal dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate
Enforcement - EN/11/0057 Random Hall – Erection of a marquee
v) Attendance at HDC Development North Committee Meeting – Cllr. Sorensen will speak on behalf of the Parish Council with regard to the Flint site applications.
vi) Other matters
School Car Park – Cllrs. White, Hodgson and Rowlinson are to meet with representatives of WSCC and HDC to progress the planning application for the car park.
DC/11/0067 - Greenfield Road – the Clerk shared a response from the applicant with regard to the Parish Council’s comments to HDC on this application.
HDC website – the Clerk advised that she had taken the opportunity to raise the concerns of the Planning Team with regard to problems being encountered with accessing planning applications on the HDC website. HDC’s Head of Planning advised that there had been problems during the Christmas period but that these had now been fixed. A new system is currently being developed which should speed up the process of accessing planning applications.
026/11 Report from County & District Councillors
District Councillor Rowlinson advised that he would do what was necessary to progress the issues raised with regard to the school car park planning application.
County Councillor Hodgson spoke on the following:
· 20 mph speed limit in the Conservation Area, the Clerk will liaise with him on this matter;
· Budget and redundancies;
· Downs Link – will provide an update next month;
027/11 Finance
i. It was RESOLVED to approve payments totalling £1,349.86 (reviewed by all members present) as follows: Details of salaries are available on request.
Cheque/DD / Payee / £ / CommentDD / Saxon Weald / 52.00 / Monthly charge for garage rental
200192 / MRS M BURROUGHS / Salary Feb 2011
200193 / MRS M BURROUGHS / 97.13 / Expenses Feb 2011
200194 / MR A BAKER / Salary & Expenses Feb
200195 / Slinfold Village Hall / 138.00 / SPC £42.00, YC £96.00
200196 / Andrew Gale Tree Surgery / 105.75 / Tree Specification
200197 / CommuniCorp / 100.00 / LCR £50 to come from BBH
TOTAL / £1,349.86
ii. WSCC Pension Scheme – it was RESOLVED to approve the additional employers contribution from 16.1 to 18.1%;
iii. Grounds Maintenance – It was RESOLVED to approve the contract to Kent County Council (Landscape Services) for a further year. The increase is 0.034% on the previous year.
iv. Grant Applications - it was RESOLVED to approve a grant of £1,500 to the Cricket Club.
028/11 Recreation
i. It was RESOLVED to approve the Minutes of the Recreation Meeting on 27th January 2011;
ii. Mr J Willcox (CARES) provided an update to members present. Currently CARES is in receipt of five quotations for the MUGA and the application with BIFFA is being progressed. Mr Willcox asked if Phase iii (an adventure trail) could be progressed at the same time; the Parish Council had no objection to this suggestion. Mr Willcox will confirm that planning permission is not required and also advised that initially no further funding is required from the Parish Council.
iii. Youth Club – the following matters relating to the Youth Club were agreed:
i. The future of the club – the club appears to be safe for another year subject to receiving a grant from the Weald.
ii. Funding and Sponsorship – the Youth Leaders are pursuing options to raise funds for future years.
iii. Grant - It was agreed that the Clerk should invoice the Weald Youth Wing for an approved grant of £3,000.
iv. Management – Recruitment and Payment of Youth Leaders and agreement as to who should manage the Youth Club in future – to be discussed at the next Finance Meeting.
v. Insurance and Affiliation – the Clerk will make arrangements for these to be renewed.
029/11 Highway Matters
Tanbridge School Sponsored Walk – the Parish Council agreed that they have no objection to this taking place in the summer.
030/11 Clerk’s Announcements & Documents for Circulation
Documents for information were circulated amongst the members present.
Clerks Announcements:
· Briefing from Clerks Meeting 15th February 2011 – the Clerk will circulate details to members by email.
· Six Acres Tree Work – the specification has been sent to four contractors to quote.
031/11 Councillor Contact
The proposal from Cllr. Stenton-Chandler that Councillor details are made available on the Parish Council website was considered. Members agreed that the general location of where they lived could be put on the website but were reluctant to have their own private email addresses in the public domain. However they would consider permitting a slinfold-pc email address being made available; the Clerk will explore opportunities.
032/11 Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies - None
033/11 Members questions and comments
· Cllr. Constantine advised that a street party to celebrate the Royal Wedding is being planned in Hayes Lane from the Cobblers to Streetfield Road. The Clerk offered to provide support to the organisers as required.
034/11 Items for the Parish Magazine
Next issue: Meetings, Community Link Alarm Service, Housing Needs Survey, Red Cross volunteers, snack wagon and NHS consultation.
035/11 Next Meeting(s) - 31st March 2011 – Parish Council 7.30pm, 12th April 2011 – Finance 7.30pm. Meeting closed 10.20pm