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 meeting of Poynings Parish Council held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 5^th September 2006 at 8pm

Present:                        Mr Mark Lee                      Chairman

                                    Mr Les Lowin               Vice Chairman

                                    Ms Sheila Marshall

                                    Mr Malcolm Johnson

                                    Mrs Julia Lewis

                                     Mrs Nicki Cutress            Clerk to the Council

                                    Mr James Worsley            District Councillor

No apologies were received

Four members of the public attended.

1.     Minutes

The Minutes of the last meeting, as circulated, were discussed and after alterations and additions to 2(a) and 5(f), were signed as a true record by the Vice Chairman.

2.     Matters Arising

(a)    Bottle Bank

There is nothing further to report on this – still awaiting more information from MSDC.

(b)   Finger Posts

Still awaiting details of costings from WSCC Highways.  Clerk to chase again.

(c)    Village Sign

Following on from the outcome of the Parish Plan questionnaire it had been agreed to commission a village Sign.  This was to be designed and manufactured by local craftsmen, blacksmiths.  Malcolm Johnson and Barry Simms both submitted designs.  MJ left the room whilst the Parish Council and the floor discussed the designs.  A unanimous decision was made that MJ’s design was preferred, being more traditional.  The Clerk is to look into possible grants / funding towards the cost of the sign.  She will also look into getting permission of the site – Cora’s Corner.  MJ is to submit a detailed  estimate to support the grant application. Irrespective of whether a grant is available, it was proposed by LL that MJ should start work on the sign at his earliest convenience.  JL and SM seconded this.

3.       Planning

(a)    Devils Dyke Car Park – 3 non illuminated signs – after lengthy debate about NT parking policy, no objections were raised

(b)   Devils Dyke Car Park – traffic improvement proposals including the provision of pay and display machines – whilst the Council had no objections to this proposal it was agreed to request that a condition to the planning application being applied is that the public conveniences be maintained in working order.

(c)    Summerdown – removal of existing timber stables and replace with brick workshop – no objections were raised to the application but a condition be placed that the workshop must not be disposed of separately from the dwelling, and that the workshop cannot be used for residential purposes.

(d)   Royal Oak – additional ventilation ductwork at rear of premises – no objections as long as the new is less noisy that the old.

4.       Expenditure

The following amounts were authorised for the period July and August 2006.

Date                 Payee                                               Amount

30.7.06             Simon Zec – cemetery etc - June      £190.00

3.8.06               Simon Zec – cemetery etc – July       £235.00

                                                         TOTAL             £425.00

Receipts for July and August 2006

29.8.06            Monumental Company – Barnes            £5.00

                                                         Total                £5.00

5.     Any Other Business

(a)    Dustbins

James Worsley mentioned that the refuse collection service was currently being tendered for and it was likely that we would be getting a wheelie bin service next year.

(b)   Village Maintenance

There has been very positive feedback from parishioners about the work that Simon has done around the village.  The Clerk had received a letter from Bob ad Betty that she had forwarded to Simon congratulating him on his hard work and care.

(c)    Vacancy

Julia Lewis gave notice that she was having to resign her post as parish councillor as she and her family would be leaving the village for pastures new in the near future.  ML thanked Julia for all her hard work and commitment to the Council.  The Clerk is to advise MSDC that we have a vacancy.  Anyone interested in the post is asked in the first instance to speak to a member of the Parish Council.  A vacancy notice will be posted on the notice board.

(d)   Pond Bey

The footpath alongside Pond Bey is becoming very overgrown.  The Clerk is to speak to Laura about arranging for this to be cut back.

(e)    Cora’s Corner

ML is to speak to RJ Dance about fixing the broken stones on Cora’s Corner.  The Clerk will also speak to WSCC Highways about ownership of Cora’s Corner.

(f)    Stile

ML has spoken to the Conservation Board about the broken stile on the footpath behind the school.

(g)    Traffic Calming

Iona asked whether there was any news on the traffic calming proposals.  The Clerk had been advised that we would be probably have the option to have the speed limit through the village reduced to 20mph.next year.  She would chase for further clarification.

(h)    Playing field

The notice board at the playing field is broken.  The Clerk will contact MSDC Leisure about replacing it.  The fence in the car park is still broken.  The Clerk will chase that again.  Lots of rubbish is being left after the Sunday matches.  The Clerk will contact MSDC Leisure about this too.

(i)     Village Hall Notice Board

MJ has spoken to Caios (?) about repairing the notice board.  He is happy to do this.  It was proposed that MJ and CS put in new stronger posts to strengthen and tidy it up and that any costs involved in the refurbishment be reimbursed.

(j)     CPRE

The Clerk had received renewal for the subscription to CPRE.  It was agreed to renew our membership.

(k)    Neighbourhood Watch

Gordon Short said that there was a vacancy for a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator in Mill Close area.  SM will put an advert in the news newsletter.

(l)     Bonfire

ML asked that NO Noxious waste be added to the bonfire this year.  Must only be garden waste and timber.  SM will put a notice in the next newsletter. ML is to meet with Phil and the pub later this month to discuss the fireworks.

(m)   Garden Party

The Clerk had received a letter of thanks from Rene Reynolds for her nomination to attend the MSDC Garden Party.  She had a very nice time.

Following no further items the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30pm.