Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members of The Crawley County Local Committee are Richard Burrett, Duncan Crow, Michael Jones, Bob Lanzer, Sue Mullins, Chris Oxlade, Charles Petts, Brian Quinn, and Brenda Smith.

14.1 The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and asked Committee Members and Officers to introduce themselves.

14.2 Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Charles Petts, Bob Lanzer and Chris Oxlade.

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.

15.1 There were no declarations of interest from Members present relating to matters on the agenda.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 28 June 2018 (cream paper).

16.1 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last meeting held on 28 June 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

17.1 The Chairman invited Mrs Sue Mullins to introduce an item to the meeting as a matter of urgency.

17.2 Mrs Sue Mullins advised the Committee and members of the public on a consultation being undertaken by the post office to close and relocate a local branch. The Post Office was located at The Boulevard with plans to relocate the branch to within County Mall, inside an existing WHSmith’s store.

17.3 Concerns were raised over the proposed relocation for a variety of reasons including:

·         Lack of convenient, free or accessible parking.

·         Excessive walking distance in the County Mall inappropriate for those with mobility issues.

·         Lack of space and size to accommodate a large service provider in the existing WHSmiths causing a significant impact on waiting times and queues in the new venue.

·         Potential negative impact on the business of the Post Office by limiting footfall.

17.4 Members of the Committee and the public were encouraged to engage with the public consultation that could be accessed through the Post Office website and asked to provide their views. It was advised the consultation would finish on 5December.

17.5 Members were also encouraged to attend a public meeting being held on 1 December from 3pm-5pm at the Civic Hall, Crawley, so that residents can express their concerns about the impact of the changes and can get more information on how to respond to the survey.

17.6 It was agreed that the Chairman of the Crawley CLC would write to the Leader of West Sussex County Council and ask for representation to be made on her behalf to the consultation.

The Committee will receive an update on Police and Crime Statistics for the area.

18.1 The Chairman advised that a representative from the Police was not able to attend the meeting but asked members of the public to raise concerns that could be addressed at the following meeting.

18.2 Concerns were raised over the following:

·         Potential drug dealing at Langley Green.

·         Crawley had the highest level of discarded drug paraphernalia of any Local Authority across West Sussex.

The brief updates on progress made on issues raised at previous meetings.  The Committee is asked to note the update.

19.1 The Chairman invited the Area Highways Manager to introduce the Community Highways update included within the Progress Statement who advised that there were 3 schemes for the Crawley area proposed for 2019/20. Members expressed approval of the schemes and thanked Officers for the update.

19.2 The Committee raised concern over St Mary’s Drive not being included in the Community Highways Scheme update. The Area Highways Manager advised that other CHSs had taken precedence over this but were encouraged to reapply for a CHS at a later date.

The Committee is asked to consider the Traffic Regulation Orders contained in the report and prioritise the top three.

The Committee considered the written report from the Director of Highways & Transport and Head of Highways Operations in addition to the recommendation to progress the three highest scoring Traffic Regulation Orders.

It was Resolved that the following Traffic Regulation Orders be progressed as a priority:

1.   M34258 – A23 London Road Northbound – Bus lane amendment to all bus operators use of the bus lane.

2.   M433638 – North Road – Request for parking restrictions on junctions and on a section leading up to the Post Office. Safety issue with reduced visibility for residents and school children caused by unrestricted parking issues outside the CPZ

3.   M435317 – Byron Close – Parking restrictions to improve visibility.

The Call-In Deadline for the decision is 23November 2018.

20.1. The Committee considered the written report from the Director of Highways & Transport and Head of Highways Operations in addition to the recommendation to progress the three highest scoring Traffic Regulation Orders.

20.2. Concerns were expressed by a member of the public that North Road had not been included but they were advised on time lines for implementation.

20.3 The Committee agreed there was a necessity to progress the three highest scoring TROs in the interest of safety to the public and the most efficient way of allocating resources.

20.4 Therefore it was Resolved that the following Traffic Regulation Orders be progressed as a priority:

1.   M34258 – A23 London Road Northbound – Bus lane amendment to allow all bus operators use of the bus lane.

2.   M433638 – North Road – Request for parking restrictions on junctions and on a section leading up to the Post Office. Safety issue with reduced visibility for residents and school children caused by unrestricted parking issues outside the CPZ.

3.   M435317 – Byron Close – Parking restrictions to improve visibility.

Report by the Director of Law and Assurance.

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

The Committee considered the written report by the Director of Law and Assurance and applications to the Community Initiative Fund for grant funding.

It was Resolved that the following grants be awarded:

1.   £3,000 – 260/C - to Broadfield Community Centre for an Outdoor Gym in Broadfield, toward installing outside gym equipment around the ground of the Community Centre.

2.   £400 – 261/C – to the Craftimation Factory, for The Mill Indoor Art Garden, toward purchasing materials to create the indoor art area for visiting schools and parents.

The Call-In Deadline for the decision is 23November 2018.

21.1 The Chairman invited Mr John Cooban and Mr David Hathaway to the meeting to provide a presentation on the outcome of their project: Caroline Haslett Memorial Project. The presentation included the detail of the work that had been done to complete the project following a successful pitch to the Community Initiative Fund.

21.2 Detail was given over the success of the project, advising that information and presentations had been delivered to over 4,000 children across the Crawley area and parts of West Sussex, with over 30 presentations being given.

21.3 The Committee considered the written report by the Director of Law and Assurance and applications to the Community Initiative Fund for grant funding.

21.4 It was Resolved that the following grants be awarded:

1.   260/C –£3,000 - to Broadfield Community Centre for an Outdoor Gym in Broadfield, toward installing outside gym equipment around the ground of the Community Centre.

2.   261/C – £400 –to the Craftimation Factory, for The Mill Primary School Indoor Art Garden, toward purchasing materials to create the indoor art area for visiting schools and parents.

Report by Executive Director for Children, Adults Families, Health and

Education.

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

The Committee considered the Report by the Executive Director for Children, Adults, Families, Health and Education and the Recommendation that the Nomination for appointment of Local Authority Governor, set out in Appendix A of the report, be approved.

It was Resolved that the following nominations be approved:

a)   Mrs Jill Wilson to West Green Primary School for a four year term.

b)   Mr Mike Emery to St Margarets C.E Primary School for a four year term.

The Call-In Deadline for the decision is 23November 2018.

22.1 The Committee considered the Report by the Executive Director for Children, Adults, Families, Health and Education and the Recommendation that the Nomination for appointment of Local Authority Governors, set out in Appendix A of the report, be approved.

22.2 It was Resolved that the following nominations be approved:

a)   Mrs Jill Wilson to West Green Primary School for a four year term.

b)   Mr Mike Emery to St Margarets C.E Primary School for a four year term.

To invite questions from the public present at the meeting on subjects other than those on the agenda.  The Committee would encourage members of the public with more complex issues to submit their question before the meeting to allow a substantive answer to be given.

23.1 The Chairman introduced the item and advised that the open forum was an opportunity for comments and questions to be raised on items not already on the agenda and over which the County Council has jurisdiction. The following issues were raised and responses made:

·         Concern was raised over the recent decision to re-evaluate funding cuts to Adult Social Care and Housing, specifically for Open House in Crawley and the Foyer in West Green. The public expressed concern that cuts could cause unintended and unforeseen implications. Members advised a decision had been taken to review funding after 6 months and encouraged the public to express their views to their local Member.

·         Members provided context to the funding cuts from central Government and that there was a need for joined up working from both the Local Authorities and the voluntary sector to find a solution to the situation. It was advised that an update would be provided at the next meeting of the CLC.

·         A member of the public enquired as to why an amendment had been passed at the last Full Council meeting to change the review from 1 year to 6 months. It was advised that this was to enable a robust review process as the financial landscape could change in a short time. Some Members expressed the importance of services such as Open House as they provided a fixed address for young people.

·         A member of the public asked why a bus timetable had not been replaced at Turners Hill Road. The Area Highways Manager advised they would provide a response.

The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 26 February 2018 in The Longley Room, Crawley Library, Southgate Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6HG.

Members wishing to place an item on the agenda should notify Jack Caine via email: jack.caine@westsussex.gov.uk or phone on 033 022 28941.

24.1 It was advised the next meeting of the Crawley County Local Committee was scheduled for 26 February at 7pm at Crawley Library.