POYNINGS PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk to the Council
Mrs Nicki Cutress
West End Cottage 

The Street
Poynings 

West Sussex BN45 7AQ

Tel: 01273 857221 

UNCONFIRMED

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Poynings Parish Council held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 13^th May 2008 at 7.30pm  

Present:                        Mr Mark Lee                       

                                    Ms Sheila Marshall 

                                    Mr Malcolm Johnson 

                                    Mrs Astri Souch 

                                    Mr Colin Warburton 

                                     Mrs Nicki Cutress            Clerk to the Council 

Mrs Gina Field                  District Councillor 

Ms Sally Howarth            PCSO 

Mr Charlie Cain                National Trust 

Apologies were received from Mr Peter Griffiths, County Councillor 

Forty members of the public attended. 

The Clerk asked for nominations for Chair.  SM proposed that ML continue as Chair.  MJ seconded this. 

Nominations were asked for Vice Chair.  AS proposed SM and CW seconded this. 

1. Minutes 

The Minutes of the last APM had been circulated and were duly signed by the Chairman. 

2. Chairman’s Report 

ML gave a report on activity in the village for the past year including: 

• Started the year with two new councillors     
• Speed limit – signs installed – no sign in change of speed of drivers though!    
• Highway Rangers have done various tidying jobs around the village – keep Clerk informed if anything needs doing.    
• Garden Party – sent Peter and Jenny Bonner for service to the Church  
• Parish Plan – adopted by Parish Council – published and circulated in September. Available on website is anyone wants to view it.    
• Village sign unveiled by PG – press and locals invited by MJ & SM    
• Mill Court address changed to Poynings Road from Mill Close    
• Fireworks – a great evening – great weather, fantastic fireworks – covered out costs thanks to SM and Barbara raising money in Oak before hand.    
• Old Folks Christmas Party – another great evening part funded by PC    
• Rural Issues workshop – MSDC came to follow up meeting – this fed into PC comment in Core Strategy.     
• Beachdown Festival dominates proceedings for past couple of months – decision due end of month     
• Continue to be supported by Gina and Peter     
• 8 planning applications and 1 appeal decision overturned.    
• Simon continued to work hard to maintain cemetery and churchyard.  PC have had to reduce work done by him due to budgeting. 

3. Financial Report 

The Clerk advised that the Internal Audut had been carried out by Keith Fowers and all looked to be in order.  The accounts had been circulated to the Parish Council for perusal before the meeting.  It was agreed that the accounts be signed as a true record.  ML duly did this.  

Balance brought forward 1.4.07                                £14,349.40 

Total Income for year ending 31.3.08                       £ 3,430.05 

Total Payments for year ending 31.3.08                    £ 6137.53 

Balance carried forward 31.3.08                               £11,641.92 

4. Sally Howarth PCSO 

ML welcomed Sally to the meeting.  She is responsible for Downland villages and Hassocks.  She is very keen to set up neighbourhood watch in the village.  Anyone interested in becoming a coordinator should contact her via the Sussex Police website.   

5. Gina Field 

Gina updated the meeting about what is happening at District level.   

6. Charlie Cain 

Charlie updated the meeting on National Trust issues locally, namely that the works to sort out the car park at Devils Dyke will be starting in the summer.  The car parking charge will start once the works are completed. 

7. Dave Matthews 

ML welcomed Dave to the meeting.  Dave gave a very interesting talk about winning the World Hang-gliding championships in Texas in 2007. 

ML formally closed the meeting and then Joe Pidgeon from Beachdown Festivals answered questions from the floor about the prososed festival to be held in August at the Dyke. 

ML drew the meting to a close at 9.00pm when refreshments and further informal discussion continued.