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A meeting of Grimstead Parish Council was
held at 7:30pm on 23rd February 2004 in West Grimstead
Village Hall.
Present: Mr R Britton (Chairman), Mr R
Amor (Vice-Chairman), Mrs R Clark, Mr G Bayford, Mr M
Emmerson, Mr C Wilkinson, Mr R Parsons (Clerk) and eight
members of the public.
25/04 Public Question Time: * A
parishioner from East Grimstead reported that she had
received a letter dated 04-Feb-04 from WCC assuring her
that the signpost in East Grimstead would be replaced by
the end of the current financial year and that rural
roads are regularly inspected and priority repairs
carried out.
* A parishioner from West Grimstead was concerned that
water is unable to drain from the low point of
Windwhistle Lane and that new weight limit signs appear
to show an increase in the size of vehicles who may use
this road. Action: The Clerk will liaise
with the highway authorities to resolve these issues.
26/04 Candidates for Co-option: There
were no candidates to fill the single vacancy for a West
Grimstead Ward Member of Grimstead Parish Council.
27/04 Declaration of Interest: None.
28/04 Minutes: The minutes of the PC
meeting held on 12th January, having been circulated,
were approved and signed by the Chairman subject to an
amendment to minute no.23/04 which should record that
Cllr Clark agreed to contact SDC regarding the new base
for the recycling skips in the West Grimstead
Playingfield. Cllr Clark queried the naming of individual
trades people in the report of the meeting prepared for
immediate publication. The Clerk reported that the
Agricultural Contractor in Farley was named because he
contributes to the community in East Grimstead by not
charging for the hedgecutting that he does annually in
the village. The Alderbury Tree Surgeon was named because
of the efficient way that he had removed the Sycamore
trees from West Grimstead Recreation Ground at
comparatively low cost.
29/04 Management of Village Green in East
Grimstead: Since quotes for the proposed
improvements to the Village Green are still awaited, no
decision was reached regarding implementation. Action:
Cllr Emmerson and Cllr Wilkinson will progress
the project proposals before the next meeting.
30/04 Warning Notices in West Grimstead
Recreation Field: The Chairman produced a draft
for the proposed notices to warn users of the
playingfield that they should refrain from climbing over
the northern boundary fence to retrieve footballs, etc:
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO CLIMB OVER THIS FENCE. TO DO
SO IS TRESPASSING.
BALLS ACCIDENTALY KNOCKED OVER THE FENCE WILL BE RETURNED
IN DUE COURSE.
It was agreed that two signs should be fixed to the fence
bearing this message. The neighbouring landowner is
satisfied with this measure and will remove the top
strand of barbed wire. Action: The
Chairman agreed to obtain quotes for these signs.
31/04 Playing Field Safety: Current
regulations suggest that signage should indicate
ownership, appropriate age range limitations and contact
information for emergency services and for the reporting
of serious damage. The Chairman produced a draft for a
suitable notice and it was agreed that more thought was
needed to improve 'message delivery'. The regulations
recommend the use of signs with a pictographic format. Action:
To be discussed further at a future meeting.
32/04 Litterbin for Crockford Green: Members
agreed that spending £400 on a litterbin could not be
justified. The Chairman reported that SDC Environmental
Services had assured him that if a litterbin became
available, 'surplus to requirements', in the new
financial year, GPC would be notified.
33/04 Proposed footpath between Whaddon and West
Grimstead: The Chairman reported little progress
with this project. He will continue to lobby as and when
appropriate
34/04 West Grimstead Chalkpit: The Clerk
produced a reply from the WCC Solicitor that did little
to help support the PC's claim of ownership by reference
to pertinent Acts of Parliament. Action: The
Clerk was instructed to seek advice from a Development
Lawyer living in West Grimstead.
35/04 SWAG application: Cllr Amor
reported that SDC had awarded a grant of £375 towards
the cost of improving and de-silting the pond at West
Grimstead. Action: Cllr Amor agreed to
project manage the work.
36/04 Dog Fouling: This is an ongoing
problem. Many parishioners are concerned that a few of
their number are not prepared to pick up their dogs'
faeces in public places throughout the parish. Action:
It was agreed that Cllr Clark would arrange for
the delivery of a leaflet to each property in the Village.
This would enforce the message that the dogs' owners
should remove dog fouling from all public rights of way
that are within 1km of any residential housing.
37/04 Noticeboards: The project,
principally funded by a SWAGrant, to provide Noticeboards
in the parish has yet to be completed. Members agreed the
payment of £120 to Burnbake Trust for the third
noticeboard that will be installed in East Grimstead. Action:
Cllr Amor and Cllr Bayford agreed to arrange for
the completion of this project.
38/04 R5 Designated Land behind West Grimstead
Village Hall: Members reviewed the recent
correspondence on this matter and resolved to draft a
letter in reply to the landowner's letter of 7-May-03.
39/04 Finance: * The Chairman produced a
revised budget to take into account the decision at the
last meeting to set a precept of £4,500 for the 2004/05
financial year. * Members accepted the quotation of £342
for the grass-cutting contract from the current
contractor. * The following payments were approved:
R Parsons - Clerk's
fee and expenses - 212 - £195.03p
Burnbake Trust -
Noticeboard ------- 213 - £120.00p
40/04 WCC Parish Lengthsmen: The
schedule of work was completed on 14th/15th January.
41/04 Roadside Hedgerows: Some hedges
still need to be cut. Action: The Clerk
42/04 Rights of Way: South Wiltshire
Rights of Way Preservation Group has arranged meetings to
explain how to respond to the DEFRA consultation on the
use of mechanically propelled vehicles on Rights of Way. Action:
Cllr Clark and Cllr Bayford agreed to attend and
respond on behalf of the PC.
43/04 Correspondence: * Members noted
the monthly circulars from WALC and resolved to circulate
these. * Members noted the agenda for the P&TC
Liaison meeting on 1st March. Only the Chairman will be
able to attend.
44/04 Date of the next PC meeting is 5th
April 2004 in East Grimstead Reading Room.
The meeting closed at 9:14pm
45/04 Planning: The following planning
applications had been considered by the planning
committee and responses had been prepared and forwarded
to the SDC planning office as appropriate:
S/2004/0221 - FULL APPLICATION - FAMILY
SWIMMING POOL, CHANGING ROOM & SECURE TOOL STORE at
BUTTERFURLONG BARN WEST GRIMSTEAD - Application supported.
S/2004/0169 - FULL APPLICATION -
ALTERATIONS TO DRIVE AND GARAGE AND NEW BAY WINDOW ON
SITTING ROOM at CROSSWAYS WEST GRIMSTEAD - Application
supported.
S/2004/0118 - FULL APPLICATION -
REPLACEMENT DWELLING at HAZEL HILL FARM EAST GRIMSTEAD -
Application supported.
S/2004/0099 - CHANGE OF USE OF REDUNDANT
AGRICULTURAL BUILDING TO BUSINESS (WORKSHOP AND STORE)
WITH ASSOCIATED RESIDENTIAL UNIT at LYVERS FARM EAST
GRIMSTEAD - Members were unable to support this
application and recommended refusal.
Signed by the Chairman, Cllr R Britton, on 5th April 2004
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