8 Councillors (Cllr) and 5 members of the public attended the Aldingbourne Parish Council meeting. Apologies received from WS Cllr Bence, Arun District Cllr Thurston and PCSO Caroline Wilson.
Public questions
Residents raised concern that an application for 95 houses in Woodgate, west of the A29, represents a deliberate attempt to undermine the Aldingbourne Neighbourhood Plan, which residents had worked hard to put in place. The residents felt this likely to be Phase 1 of a large development which should be refused. Application to be considered at APC planning cttee on 14th Dec.
Reports
Street Scene Working Party: Cllr Harbord reported possible projects as noticeboards in bus shelters, planting native flowers and trees, benches. Thanks were given to Cllr Harbord for organising a well-supported autumn litter pick. 6 people kindly volunteered to take on sections of the parish on a regular basis.
District Councillor report: Cllr Thurston had requested Arun DC recruit a Biodiversity Officer and sent an update about local planning applications.
PCSO Report: Several thefts and attempted thefts had taken place: 2 of catalytic converters in Ivy Lane, traffic monitoring equipment in Nyton Road, at a business in Nyton Road and of a mobile phone via a Facebook Scam. Public help was sought to identify those driving motor bikes and quad bikes antisocially. Advice to help avoid theft of catalytic converters will be placed on APC website.
Footpaths: Cllr Blaylock reported the request to WSCC for a barrier on FP 297 had been turned down.
Improvements
Allotments: The fencing work would be delayed until the spring owing to the hibernation of slow-worms. A request from SSE power network for work to trees affecting a power line would not be approved until the precise work was agreed in writing. A councillor would attend to supervise.
ACSC: The architect’s estimate of £48,500 for preliminary surveys for the rebuilding of the Community Sports Centre and the refurbishment of the toilets sufficient for interim use (next financial year) were approved in principle. A blocked drain had been cleared. The architect’s rough cost for the new Centre was £2million plus professional and local authority fees of approx. £240K.
Playground Equipment: Work to implement recommendations from the safety inspection was agreed costing £2,606, including replacement bark chippings.
Finance
It was agreed that underspent funds be placed in a reserve fund for the ACSC rebuilding owing to the commitment to fees and possible need for professional help to fight inappropriate planning applications. The Business Plan and an associated increase in the precept of 3% (below inflation) was agreed.
A possible Transport Infrastructure Survey into the impact of traffic from new housing on the parishes of Aldingbourne and Barnham, Eastergate would be looked into, in conjunction with BEPC.
Meetings/consultations
New Aldingbourne Heritage Society: An open meeting will be held in Spring to launch this new group. Please contact Cllr Trabucco if you are interested.
Consultations: Comments can be submitted via the Clerk on a Fire Service Consultation and Arun DC’s Vision for 2022–26.
Date of Next Meetings: Planning Committee 11th January, Full Council 1st February 2022. Full Council meets 1st Tues of month 7pm. Planning committee meets 2nd Tues of month 7 pm. Agendas are on APC website the week before.
