PUBLIC MEETING

7.30 – 9.00pm, Thursday 21st November

Rydon School Hall

Rock Road, Storrington, RH20 3AA

Minutes

Present:Storrington Parish Councillors – Cllr Anna Worthington-Leese, Cllr Glen Donnelly, Cllr Richard Jerman, Cllr Lisa Wheatley. Washington Parish Councillors – Cllr Lesley Britt, Cllr Patrick Heeley,
Cllr Christine Beglan, Cllr David Horwood, Cllr Robin Milner-Gulland. Mrs Madeleine Shaw (Heath Common Residents Association), Ms Rowena Tyler (Action in rural Sussex), Miss Tracey Mockler (StorringtonSullington Parish Clerk), Mrs Caroline Read (StorringtonSullington Deputy Clerk).

Members of the public:100

Minutes:Mrs Rebecca Luckin (Clerk to Washington Parish Council)
1. Introductions and Welcome
Cllr Worthington-Leesewelcomed members of the public to the meeting, made introductions and explained the format of the evening. She encouraged members of the public to sign up for the focus groups. Cllr Worthington-Leese explained that StorringtonSullington Parish Council had combined with Washington to form a Neighbourhood Plan. Other neighbouring parish councils had been asked, but had not wished to join. She advised that Councillors were calling upon the expertise of Action in rural Sussex (AirS) to guide them through the process and introduced Ms Rowena Tyler (AirS).
2. Action in rural Sussex
Rowena Tyler,Community Liaison Officer(AirS) explained the work of AirS and the purpose of a Neighbourhood Plan. Communities can decide their own futures regarding spatial development, planning, infrastructure, business and community issues. A Neighbourhood Plan must be drafted in accordance with regulation and with reference to the National Planning Policy Framework and the local planning authority development plan. Development cannot be stopped, but can be managed. The draft plan must pass independent examination and go to referendum. Members of the public will vote upon the plan that they have helped to draft. It is essential that communities are involved. Support in the form of information and funding is provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government and Horsham District Council. Rowena explained the process. Washington Parish Council were undertaking a Housing Need Survey and StorringtonSullington had done the same and also undertaken a Village Design Statement and a Community Led Plan which has provided statistical and demographic information. AirS will provide a State of the Parish Report which will start to inform an evidence base. Members of the public were encouraged to join Focus Groups. Information will be invited from stakeholders, the local planning authority and developers. Infrastructure needs will be identified and policies drafted. A pre-submission plan will go out to consultation. Rowena outlined the benefits of a Neighbourhood Plan – communities can say where they would like development and what infrastructure they require.

3. Overview of the Neighbourhood Plan process

Cllr Worthington-Leese introduced the Steering Committee and advised that two extra members were required. A Neighbourhood Plan would give protection from speculative development. Communities would receive 25% of Community Infrastructure Levy to improve doctors and dentists surgeries, leisure facilities, cycle paths etc. Public input is required to identify the need. Storrington is the hub of the wider community. A joint plan would have more force and save costs. Parishes will not lose their identity, they will join only for the purposes of the plan. The AirS consultation fee will be £24,000, which will be offset by grants, leaving a balance of £8,000 to be split between the parish councils. Councillors have agreed on a pro rata split of 82% / 18% according to precept received. Councillors are aiming for a referendum date of May 2015, to link in with the general and local elections. Cllr Worthington-Leese explained what had been achieved so far, explained the Focus Group topics and introduced the group co-ordinators.

4. Economy and Business Focus Group

Co-ordinator Cllr Patrick Heeley explained that he would focus on the key question of how businesses develop in the area – industry, farming, business services, retail etc and will review the growth potential and relationship between population and development. Current proposals will be looked at and gaps in the market identified. The role of industrial and business parks at Water Lane and Rock Farm will be assessed. Questions will need to be drafted for inclusion on a questionnaire to all households. Cllr Heeley explained that he would like members of the public to come forward and join the Focus Group – particularly business owners / managers, those with an interest in the local economy and those willing to offer business mentoring.

5. Transport and Accessibility Focus Group

Co-ordinator Cllr Glen Donnelly advised that she would focus on buses, bus routes, trains, access links, minibus schemes, taxis and improved access to rights of way. Hospital transport could be better publicised. Cycle routes and safety of cyclists, car parking and parking discs will be investigated. Access for wheelchair users and those with pushchairs will promoted. An improved experience for those visiting the South Downs National Park will be sought. Cllr Donnelly encouraged members of the public to add to the list of topics and to help out by signing up to join her focus group.

6. Community Facilities Focus Group

Co-ordinator Cllr Christine Beglanreminded those present that a community does not grow simply by building houses. Local schools and surgeries are oversubscribed and the library could be better used. Other communities have super medical surgeries. The Neighbourhood Plan will be valid for 15 – 20 years. Vision is required when thinking ahead. Sports and Leisure services could be improved. Activities and options for young people could be explored. Village halls could be supported to encourage greater usage. Cllr Beglan encouraged members of the public to join with her and share their experience.

7. Environment, Heritage and Local Knowledge Focus Group

Co-ordinator Cllr Lisa Wheatley advised that she would concentrate on topics such as air quality management, water courses, wildlife, recreational facilities, listed buildings, open spaces, the South Downs National Park and places of interest. Cllr Wheatley advised that she would like to recruit anyone with local historical knowledge or who is passionate about the area.

8. Planning and Infrastructure Focus Group

Co-ordinator Cllr Lesley Britt explained that Planning and Infrastructure were dependent upon the findings and ideas of other focus groups. A plan will be drafted that refers to the National Planning Policy Framework and to the Horsham District Council local plan that is yet to be adopted. Recently, developers have taken advantage of an ‘anything goes’ opportunity. The Neighbourhood Plan would be a chance to formulate a document and state what is required and where it should be sited. The Community Infrastructure Levy will come into force in the Horsham District in 2015 – funds will be directed to parishes – an improvement on the previous system and Horsham District Council will be required to record annually how their proportion of the levy is spent. Cllr Britt advised members of the public that their help was needed to protect the area from inappropriate development. Instead priorities and preferred types of development should be identified. She welcomed input from those interested in planning and development.

9. Question and Answer session
Q –you have set a timeline of 18 months to complete the plan – is that realistic?
A – Rowena Tyler (AirS) – the referendum will take place in May 2015 – it will be an expensive process if referendums do not run at the time of the elections – this will be our target date.

Q – If developers are aware that a plan is being drafted, will they try and get in before the plan is in place?

A –Rowena Tyler - we can get developers on board, the best way to avoid conflict is to talk to them. A Local Planning Authority can reject an application on the grounds of prematurity.

Q – Developers may have an agenda?
A – Cllr Worthington-Leese– we look at every application, Horsham District Council is aware that a plan is being drafted. What is the alternative? We don’t want to be talking about this in 3 years time.
Q – Would it be a good idea to place a bench mark on where we are today? Because of all the buildings we have there are already problems in schools and surgeries. Could we have numbers of children per school, patients per surgery, by way of a starting point?
A – We do already have those numbers and are in contact with doctors and schools – residents gave us information in the Community Action Plan – it will feed into the Neighbourhood Plan.

Q – Will we just have to toe the government line?
A – Our plan will tie in with central government and Horsham District Council, all development plans will have to be co-ordinated. HDC have designated 500 houses for Storrington Parishes over the next five years.
Q – How has traffic flow in the area changed?
A – We undertook a recent survey, we have the data of where it comes from and where it is going to and where it is stopping.

Q – West Chiltington, Parham, Thakeham, Amberleyetcare not joining you in drafting the plan. Those parishes who draw upon the service of Storrington, will their plans ‘dovetail’ with yours?
A – Hopefully yes, it is down to Horsham District Council to make sure that plans are coherent and cohesive, we will liaise with our neighbouring parish councils. All Neighbourhood Plans will dovetail with the local plan.
Q – From a Washington Parish Councillor Robin Milner-Gulland - I suggest that the whole plan should be wrapped up in 6 months if the momentum could be achieved.
A – Rowena Tyler - 6 months is ambitious. By law a 6 weeks consultation is required with a further 6 week consultation for the resubmission plan. 14 – 24 months is usual. If you feel you could do it quicker, AirS could help.
Q – Who owns Action in rural Sussex?

A – Rowena Tyler –AirS is a charity that addresses disadvantage through rural isolation. For example we have been involved in communities where the Post Office is threatened with closure, community mini buses etc. AirS receive some funding from Defra. We are being commissioned by parish and district councils to produce Neighbourhood Plans.

Q – Given that the South Downs National Park abuts the area, what relationship will this project have with the SDNPA – would they contribute some funding?
A – Rowena Tyler – the SDNP Neighbourhood Planning Officer works alongsideAirS and we keep him notified of progress. Currently, funding will come from Horsham District Council. The SDNPA are in the process of deciding what they will do in terms of finance and grants. At the moment they provide information and guidance only.

10. Break for refreshments

Those present broke for refreshments and to speak to Focus Group Co-ordinators and sign up as group members.

The meeting reconvened 8.50pm

11. Final questions
There were no final questions received from members of the public. Cllr Worthington-Leese thanked everyone for attending and signing up to join Focus Groups. A volunteer had also offered to join the Steering Group.
The meeting closed at 20.55pm

Signed: ...... Date: ......

Chairman