Agenda and minutes

To appoint Cllr Paul high as Chairman of the CLC for the Municipal year 2018/19, Proposed by Cllr Bryan Turner and Seconded by Cllr Bob Smytherman and

To appoint Cllr Elizabeth Sparkes as Vice Chairman of the CLC for the Municipal Year 2018/19, Proposed by Cllr Paul High and Seconded by Cllr Michael Cloake.

RESOLVED that

a.    Cllr Paul High be appointed as Chairman for the Worthing County Local Committee for the year 18/19.

b.    Cllr Elizabeth Sparkes be appointed as Vice Chairman for the Worthing County Local Committee for the year 18/19.

The Members of Worthing County Local Committee (CLC) are Mr Noel Atkins, Mr Michael Cloake, Mr Paul High, Mr Sean McDonald, Mr Roger Oakley, Mr Bob Smytherman, Mrs Elizabeth Sparkes, Mr Bryan Turner and Mr Steve Waight

The Chairman welcomed members, officers and the public to the meet and introduced the Committee. It was advised that information on fraud prevention was available for members of the public to the rear of the meeting room.

The Committee will consider appointment of Members to the Cif Sub-Committee

RESOLVED that Cllrs Paul High, Elizabeth Sparkes and Steve Waight be appointed to the Community Initiative Fund Sub Group Working Party.

Members and Officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it. If in doubt contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

Cllr Bob Smytherman declared an interest in the Cif application 198/W, Worthing Mental Health Awareness Week as he was the project manager. It was advised he would not be voting on the matter.

Cllr Noel Atkins declared an interest in the Cif application 200/W as he was a veteran.

Cllr Sean McDonald declared an interest in Item 11, Authority School Governor Appointment, as his daughter was a Teacher at one of the Schools.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27 February 2018 – cream paper.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the last meeting held on 27 February 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendment to minute number 57:

·         A Parent Governor of the Thomas Becket School in Worthing raised concerns over road safety for the children attending Thomas Becket Junior School via both Wiston Avenue and St Lawrence Avenue.  It was argued that the traffic signage for the school was poorly maintained and that both roads were dangerous for the children to cross. It was also commented that there was no School Crossing Patrol.  A Member supported these comments and advised that it had proved difficult to recruit to the role. The Member of the public suggested that both sites could benefit from amber flashing warning lights and better signage, as traffic calming measures, to warn drivers and slow down traffic. The committee advised that they would write to the road safety team at West Sussex.

·         The School Crossing Team had approached the school, parents and residents about the issues.  Funding would have to be identified in order to provide a school safety zone.  It was noted that this was a problem that was being experienced throughout the County

Items not on the agenda that the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

The Chairman advised that Committee that 3 Cif Applications had been received after the agenda was published. These had been circulated to members prior to the meeting. The Applications would be considered under item 10.

The attached document contains brief updates on statements of progress made on issues raised at previous meetings and other issues pertinent to Worthing.

The Committee noted the progress statement (copy attached to the signed minutes). The Area Highways Manager highlighted the following matters:

·         A Scrutiny meeting was taking place in July to discuss levels of Enforcement and Compliance in the Controlled Parking Zone in Worthing. Members agreed that compliance in the area was very high.

·         Officers advised there would be no perceived benefit from additional signs being placed outside Thomas Beckett school. A Member of the Committee advised that there was a still a significant issue at this crossing and was advised that Officers were working with the Safe Routes to Schools team to address this.

·         In response to a question asked by the Committee it was advised that data stored on body cameras of Enforcement Officers was not kept indefinitely. The Highways Manager would report back on how long it is retained.

·         A discussion took place over cycle racks being installed in the local area and the best places for them. The Highways Manager advised he would be working in partnership with the Local Borough Authority to identify the areas they’re needed.

·         It was advised that Tarring would be submitting a Community backed TRO in time for the next meeting.

The Committee will receive a presentation on the Growth Plan for this area.

The Growth Programme Delivery Manager gave an overview of the Worthing Growth Plan to the Committee and updates on progress. The Committee agreed that they were supportive of the Growth Plan and thanked officers for the informative update.

Members of the Committee are asked to raise relevant issues of local significance for discussion and possible future agenda items. Members of the public are also asked to raise questions and are encouraged to submit more complex issues prior to the meeting to allow substantive answers to be provided.

The Chairman invited questions and comments from members of the public and the following issues were raised:

·         Meadow Road Industrial Estate had issues with a high level of diesel HGVs using the highway which caused increased levels of pollution and congestion. There were also issues with associated car parking, and blocked highways. It was advised that low enforcement was a known issue in the area and in criminal matters the police should be contacted. The Chairman advised he would contact the enforcement office to have this issue addressed. The highways Manager advised he would investigate methods of mitigating the levels of diesel fuelled vehicles.
 

·         A parent Governor from the Thomas Beckett School raised concerns over signage of access to the school. She advised the signage was faded and covered in amber and asked if amber flashing lights could be installed. A petition was running endorsing more investment in road safety for children with over 200 signatories and a press release had been circulated to recruit a crossing patrol guard for after school times. In response it was advised that difficulty recruiting to this role was a known issue, however members advised they had been strategizing on how best to expand the role to attract more interest. The Highways Manager asked for evidence of poor signage so the issue could be rectified.

·         Concerns were raised over heritage and conservation regarding the regeneration plan and it was asked if the quality of materials would be scrutinised prior to any work taking place, as two areas of the plan were in conservation areas. It was advised that Cllr High and Cloake were aware of the concerns and would be involved in inspecting materials to ensure quality.

Report by the Director of Law and Assurance.

The report summarises Community Initiative Funding Applications submitted via the West Sussex Crowd. The Committee is invited to consider the applications and pledge funding as appropriate.

The Committee considered the report from the Director of Law and Assurance (copy appended to the signed minutes).

The Chairman invited project managers that had attended the meeting to present their pitches to the Committee. The Committee considered each application together with the views and comments raised.

It was RESOLVED that the following pledges be granted:

198/W – Worthing Mental Health Awareness Week, up to £332 towards the Worthing Mental Health Awareness Week, Training and Refreshments

199/W – Worthing Veteran’s Drop in Centre, up to £500, towards a drop in centre for veterans, their carers and families, subject to the project being fully verified by Locality and fundraising within the 18/19 financial year.

200/W – Tide of Lights – The Big Make! £2,500 towards allowing community groups to construct structures for a parade in 2019.

201/W Out for Lunch! Afternoon Tea Dance, £500 towards an afternoon tea dance, subject to the project being fully verified by Locality and fundraising within the 18/19 financial year.

202/W Community Mobile Workshop, £3000, towards a mobile repair workshop for mobility aids, subject to the project being fully verified by Locality and fundraising within the 18/19 financial year.

Report by Director of Education and Skills.

The Committee is asked to approve the nominations of Authority School Governors as set out in the report.  

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Education and Skills (copy attached to the signed minutes). The report included a list of the current vacancies for Local Authority Governors in the CLC area.

It was RESOLVED that the following nominations be approved under the 2012 regulations:

a.    Mrs Jenny Crutchfield reappointed for a four year term to Broadwater C.E. Primary School

b.    Mrs Sue Uff appointed for a four year term to Whytemead Primary School.

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on 5 November 2018 at Worthing Town Football Club, Palatine Road, Worthing. Members wishing to place an item on the agenda please notify Jack Caine via email: jack.caine@westsussex.gov.uk or on 0330 2228941

The Chairman confirmed the next meeting of the Committee was scheduled for 5 November 2018 at Worthing Town Football Club, Palatine Road, Worthing.