Parish council news

50 Parish Council News

Bury Parish Council

The Parish Council is delighted that the major refurbishment programme for both Bury Village Hall and Squire’s Cottages are now almost complete. The Village Hall has had a major overhaul of all lighting and emergency lighting as part of the Council’s initiative to ensure that the Village Hall stays as welcoming and safe for users as possible, as well as a completely new commercial fire alarm and smoke detector system. Some of the hall’s infrastructure is due for renewal and this programme, while possibly not immediately visible, is underway and involves substantial investment by the Parish as a whole. All electrical equipment in the Village Hall has now been tested, with new items purchased to fit in with current health and safety law. Councillor John Labarte and Bury Resident Chris Flower have given invaluable help to the parish to achieve very high quality work at a competitive price. Number One Squire’s Cottages has also received a complete refurbishment, making it fit for rental for years to come. The history of number one and number two Squire’s Cottages is that they were gifted to the village by a past parishioner to fund the build and upkeep of Bury Village Hall, which they still do to this day. The Council is inviting ideas for how to use the Old Post Office part of the hall to serve the community

Coldwaltham PC Edited extracts taken from the draft minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 12th November 2019. Public participation A member of the public endorsed the Council’s comments regarding Barlavington Estate’s proposals for additional housing in Coldwaltham. She noted that the minutes indicated that Barlavington Estates were “hoping to increase the number of homes and the layout but that no specific plans were available”. She requested clarification if that meant that they wished to take more land as well as increase the number of homes? If so, could this be referred to in the minutes? It was also noted that the public were disappointed that the National Park did not remove the meadow site from the South Downs National Park Association (SDNPA) Local Plan. However, they welcomed that the Parish Council noted that there was no prospect of their support for reopening the housing allocation in the Parish in the recently adopted plan. It was asked whether this response was to be made in writing and put on public record –the Council confirmed this had already been done. A member of the public asked if the Council will write to the SDNPA to seek assurance that the housing allocation will not be increased. The Council suggest- into the next decade. Any suggestions should be emailed to the Clerk. 25th Jan 2020 is National Village Hall Day. Bury Village Hall will be open to visitors between 12pm and 4pm, with free tea and cake for visitors who will be able to see the Hall’s sustainability plans for 2020, learn about the activities available at the hall and to enter the new Bury and West Burton annual photo competition. Each year, three winning photos of events, people or places that take place in the village will be made into photos and displayed in the foyer of the Village Hall for future generations to enjoy. We will also be looking at the plans for the new Bury Wharf sign. Everyone welcome! The Council is also aware of the potential for snow over winter and a further plan for “what-to-do” in the case of significant snowfall is also available on the BPC website. It is seventeen years since the last significant flood in Bury but the Council has felt it prudent to prepare a new Village Flood Plan. A “what-to-do” in case of flooding plan is available on the BPC website. For more information or to contact the Parish council, visit www.buryparishcouncil.org.uk or you can reach Mike Simpson, Clerk and RFO, by sending an email clerkburyparishcouncil@gmail.com

ed that both the letter response to Barlavington Estates and the minutes are sent to the SDNPA. Bury Speedwatch Team It was noted that there was an advert in the Sandham Hall Post Office for helper volunteers for the Bury Speedwatch team. One Councillor noted that it is more difficult for Speedwatch to operate in Bury as where Bury wish to check vehicle speeds, the speed limit is 50mph, which poses greater safety issues. Horsham District Council (HDC) items • Housing allocation expected to be 1100+ per annum in HDC to 2036. • There are some major developments which will take a majority. • Gypsy & Travellers allocation continues to be an issue within the district. • There are grants available from SDNPA funds. Fly Tipping There have been reports of rubbish dumped at the end of Colebrook Lane, photos were sent to HDC. Sandham Hall Items discussed were installing additional external lighting, following a recent break-in; and schemes for the provision of public electric vehicle charging points. www.coldwalthampc.org.uk

through the door

51 Parish Council News

Pulborough Parish Council

Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Planning and Services Committee held on Thursday 7th November 2019 Lower Street consultation results Council members received and discussed the responses to the Lower St consultation asking the public which option they preferred, as suggested by WSCC, in order to make Lower St safer for pedestrians. The results showed that the majority of respondents preferred option 1 –a priority working with eastbound traffic giving way to westbound traffic. Members resolved to submit a Community Highway Scheme application to WSCC for option 1 with the possibility of a wider loading bay and a wider footway on the north side of the road. The Deputy Clerk will send the completed application form to Committee members for viewing before it is submitted to WSCC. Concessionary rail travel Members of the council received the consultation for proposed changes to concessionary rail travel for older people and resolved to comment as follows: A choice of concessionary travel should still be given –buses in rural areas can be unreliable and the frequency of some services in rural areas is only once an hour.

Planning application DC/19/2105 - Parsons Field Stables Pickhurst Lane Pulborough. Change of use of land to caravan site for stationing of up to three caravans for occupation by a traveller family with associated development (timber utility shed, utility trailer, septic tank, hard standing and additional landscaping -part retrospective) Relating to make site permanent or renew consent for further temporary period. The council objected on the grounds that this is not a proven case for travelling as a way of life. The application refers to 3 caravans, it is unclear whether this means three separate caravan ‘pitches’ together with supporting infrastructure. Furthermore, the ‘yard’ site was originally illegally occupied in 2005 without planning consent and given temporary permission for the education of a child. The site has subsequently been sold and this temporary permission expires at the end of December 2019. This situation continues today, especially when the site is used for the parking of commercial vehicles, which are not consistent with the temporary permission. www.pulboroughparishcouncil.gov.uk

52 Parish Council News

West Chiltington PC

Meet and Greet Review We would like to say a big thank you to everybody who came to this open event last month. It was great to have the opportunity to chat informally and display information about the achievements of the year and upcoming projects. We also thank Sussex Police for sending PCSO Erica Baxter and our new dedicated PCSO Jake O’Donovan along to the event -they were very happy to engage with everyone and discuss a variety of subjects of interest to local people. For those who didn’t manage to get to this event, please remember that if you have a query or comment for the Parish Council you can always contact us. West Sussex County Council cuts winter maintenance A petition has been launched to urge West Sussex County Council (WSCC) to review its decision to cut back on the roads that will be gritted this winter as the cold weather strikes. A staggering 10 per cent fewer roads will be gritted than in previous years, meaning only 31 per cent of road networks across the Horsham District will be gritted in a measure to save money by WSCC –the petition can be found by

going to the website change.org and searching WSCC gritting. Many villages will be affected by the reduction in gritting with many roads serving as bus and school routes. Comments on the petition show residents fear for their safety when travelling to work and getting their children to school. There are also concerns for village shops receiving deliveries, residents being isolated, and roads that are narrow and hilly not being gritted at all. The following roads in West Chiltington will no longer be gritted –Broadford Bridge Road, Mill Road, The Hollow, East Street, and West Chiltington Road. To contact the Parish Council Tel: 01798 817434 wcpc.org.uk clerk@wcpc.org.uk The office is normally open Tues - Thurs 10.00am –2.00pm, please phone before visiting.