Localcouncilnews

QGC project, wardens, parish yard & Bellway Homes development

“Queens Green Canopy” (QGC) project The QGC is a nationwide tree planting initiative that was created initially to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Following the passing of the Queen, His Majesty The King wishes the project to continue, to serve as a lasting tribute. The Parish Council has now received a goodsized oak tree for the project. A ceremony for planting the tree will be announced when a suitable location has been decided. 30 saplings (Rowan, Cherry, Silver Birch) have also been received from the Woodland Trust. We are working in collaboration with the Ashington Community Centre Trust to look to having these planted near the Community Centre. Neighbourhood wardens The Wardens hosted another successful “Girls Only” evening this month, with an emotional wellbeing coach on hand to listen, support and offer advice to help the secondary school age girls navigate what can be difficult times in their lives. Activities, fruit kebabs, smoothies and a bit of ad-hoc dancing at the end ensured a fun and productive evening as always! We are looking to run these events for the boys also; suitable ideas for activities are currently being discussed. Parish Yard update The ongoing situation with “water neutrality” has meant the Parish Council looking to review the options yet again for the site. No water usage would mean the proposed Parish Office could only be used for storage at this time and is therefore not cost effective. Short term rental of the yard is being considered. Bellway Homes development In May this year, Bellway Homes gave a presentation on their initial proposal for this site to the Parish Council at their monthly meeting. Concerns were raised by the PC about their proposals deviating significantly from the Neighbourhood Plan. 6 months on, Bellway have responded to these concerns and will be holding a public consultation on 6th December. www.ashingtonpc.org.uk

Storrington & Sullington Parish Council

Traffic issues, Kithurst Hill update & building improvements

Edited extracts from draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting 30th November 2022. Traffic Issues - Met with representatives from the Highways Department to discuss the HGV restrictions on School Hill. CCTV footage taken in September identified potential breaches of the weight restriction and Clerk would be reviewing footage to cross check the weight of each vehicle through the DVLA website. Companies with vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will be written to with photographic evidence of breach. Signage on Washington Road and on mini roundabout will be reviewed and hedges obscuring existing signs will be cut back. It is hoped these measures can be implemented prior to nesting season beginning at the end of Feb 2023. Mentioned mobile bank units and large “Turning Tides” coach which has difficulty manoeuvring around the area. Some vehicles authorised to use car park provide beneficial services such as Breast Screening Unit and weekly Food Bank. Concerns raised that availability of medium term parking for visitors to retail area has reduced. Kithurst Hill Car Park update – WSCC extended agreement to maintain car park until end of Jan 2023 whilst various authorities discuss how it can remain open. Council would not be able to take responsibility for car park due to legal constraints/resources. Agreed that Wardens may undertake regular visits to check for litter and to report any maintenance issues. Buildings improvements - Replacement of Parish Hall air conditioning system postponed until later in 2023. Grant applications to be made to fund this. Suggested attention be turned to replacement of system in office and meeting rooms. 3 quotes obtained. Reviewed each and reported they all provided a viable and energy efficient alternative to current equipment. Some proposed remote programming and temperature control. Indicated there were a few details to be further explored. Decided that quotations be considered at next Full Council Meeting and Clerk would apply to HDC’s Community Climate Fund for a grant of £5k towards cost of work. www.storrington-pc.gov.uk

Reader Letter

Dear Editor I empathise with the reader who e-mailed you with a complaint regarding the paucity of information from the Storrington Parish Council in your monthly magazine. However, having now seen your response I understand the reasoning. Would it not be fairer to the Storrington {Parish Council to add a standard note each month saying something along the lines of “Further details of Parish Council business can be found in the quarterly Parish Newsletters on the Parish Council website”. I had heard of the threatened closure of the Kithurst car park and was a very grateful for the detailed explanation of what lay behind it in this month’s magazine. Apart from Change.org is there anywhere else to voice concerns? Barry Goldman (by email). Editor - Many thanks for your letter Barry. We do always put the council website address at the end of the articles. Regarding Kithurst, there is a Facebook group set up for the carpark closure, but also suggest you contact your West Sussex County Councillor Paul Marshall who can be reached by email at paul.marshall@westsussex.gov.uk.

January round-up for Thakeham residents

Parish Councillor vacancies We have one councillor vacancy. If you would like to be involved in delivering local services and making decisions affecting your community, consider joining our team - contact the Clerk. Roads The Parish Council has asked WSCC Highways to extend a 40mph speed limit on the B2139 north and south of the Picketty Corner junction with West Chiltington Road, due to the poor sightlines there. We are also trying to improve pedestrian/ cyclist safety at the north end of Water Lane. Please report any road safety issues you spot direct to WSCC Highways via: www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/ Community facilities – Abingworth allotments The new allotments are due be delivered mid2023 and the waiting list for plots is still open –contact the Clerk. More on our website. Thakeham Pre-School Thakeham Pre-school Bags2school collection has been rescheduled to 20 January 2023.Please ensure all items donated are in sealed black plastic bags to avoid getting wet and to be left outside the Preschool by 9am on Friday 20 January 2023. For full details of what can be collected please contact us either by email or view accepted items list on our Facebook page. All monies raised will aid our Garden Maintenance Project. Contact (t): 01798 817437, (e): thakehampreschoolcommittee@outlook.com Thakeham Community Fridge Help reduce food waste by making use of produce that would have been heading for the bin because it is too close to its sell by date, the packaging might be slightly damaged or the supermarket has surplus stock! Look out for posts on the Thakeham Community Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/thakehamparish. Village Hall Thakeham Village Hall will be celebrating Village Halls Week 2023 with a community coffee morning on Monday 23 January 2023 and an open day on Saturday 28 January 2023. Everyone is welcome. Start the new year with a new hobby or make good on that new year’s resolution by joining one of our fitness classes. Our activities timetable and contact details for our community groups and instructors can be found on our website. Recycling The Sussex Green Living special recycling facility is available every weekday morning (9.30-11.30) at the Village Hall. For details of what materials are accepted, visit www.thakehamparish.co.uk/ special-recycling-scheme-at-the-village-hall/ Don’t forget you can now put bottle lids in your blue top recycling bin at home. Wash and dry the bottle and attach the lid before putting in your bin. Local groups Thakeham Village FC are looking for new players for our U9 and U11 teams to start friendlies ahead of the new season. For more details please visit www.thakehamvillagefc.co.uk The local history section of our website can always benefit from new additions - contact Roger Taylor (edstrct@gmail.com) if you have any information you can share or have questions about our village history. Contact us: Email: clerk@thakehamparish.co.uk Phone: 01798 815305 You can find Parish Councillors’ contact details at: www.thakehamparish.co.uk/councillors If you are new to the Parish, contact us to receive a welcome pack! www.thakehamparish.co.uk