MINUTES OF THE DIAL POST RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION; INCORPORATING THE DIAL POST VILLAGE HALL GROUP; MEETING HELD ON 6th January 2003 AT DIAL POST VILLAGE HALL

Present                   Darren Rolfe                          Chairman/Caretaker

                                Chris Neal                              Vice Chairman

                                Jean Rolfe                              Bookings Secretary/Trustee

Mandy Lord                          Secretary

                                Vicky Vincent                       Treasurer

                                Joe Grout                               Trustee

                                Alan Childs                           Committee Member

Pauline Saunders                 Committee Member

                                Sue Gill                                   Committee Member

                                Derek Clayton                       Committee Member

Sharon Sloane                      Committee Member

                                Brenda Woolgar                   Committee Member

5 Residents present.

2 Residents from Buck Barn present.

Darren opened the meeting by welcoming two residents from Buck Barn Mr Razzell and Mr Williams. They had come to the meeting to see how the residents association runs with a view to either setting one up in the Buck Barn area or to joining ours.

1. Apologies

Received from Simon and Susan Battison.

2. Previous Minutes

Minutes taken as read and signed accordingly.

        VILLAGE HALL BUSINESS

3. Correspondence Sent

See under roof below.

4. Correspondence Received

E-mail received from the clerk to the Parish Council, which states that at the finance meeting held on the 4 December 2002, the committee discussed the quotes for the work on the village hall roof. They agreed that work could go ahead using Kaycee Roofing, who provided a quote of £7845.00.

5. Roof

Letter sent to Kaycee Roofing requesting they commence the work they quoted for.

6. Insurance

The inventory of the contents of the village hall has not yet been completed as Darren wishes to sort out the cupboards first. Once this is done, then the insurance can be raised to cover all the contents.

7. Any Other Business

·         Chris Neal asked if now that the roof has been agreed, could we put forward the quotes for the shed and hard standing. Darren to send quotes to parish Council.

·         No response from Artic glass. Sharon to ask Mr Poulton if he will do a letter on our behalf, re: doors.

·         Mandy to do letter to Mr Feltham, re: possibility of paper and plastic bottle recycling bins to accompany glass bottle bins. Darren asked Mandy to include in the letter that the glass bottle bins still have drainage holes in the bottom and consequently broken glass is still showered onto the car park.

·         Bookings for Dial Post Village Hall are looking terrific. Most evenings in January and February are booked.

RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION BUSINESS

1. Correspondence Received

Letter from W.S.P. gap closure and junction improvement study submitted to government for funding in July 2002, and was successful. Topographical and Ground Investigation surveys to commence in February 2003.

Chris asked if the requested copies of letters (correspondence between Parish Council and WSP, requested at November P.C. meeting) had been received from Parish Council yet? No.

Mandy to write to Denise Baldwin requesting them before next P.C. meeting, which is to be held on 15^th January 2003 at Dial Post village hall.

2. Correspondence Sent

Letter to Howard Flight thanking him for his support on the issues of the Dial Post junction and keeping him up to date regarding the A24.

No reply as yet.

3. Accounts

The Residents Association now has its own bank account with Nationwide and a balance of £50.00. Thank you to Vicky Vincent who kindly added money to round the figure up.

4. A24

Further to the afore mentioned letter from W.S.P., which states a letter has been sent to all landowners requesting permission to enter onto land to undertake the surveys, some residents have already seen men wondering over their property but have not received a letter. This is the same at Buck Barn where not all residents affected have received a letter. Chris Neal felt they were probably arranging to survey the extreme area to be affected.

A discussion took place between the committee & residents of Dial Post and the two Gentlemen from Buck Barn as to the best way to proceed with objecting to the junction at Buck Barn. The timescale afforded them, and how many residents they could get involved. 40 properties in the Buck Barn area will be affected, and Mr Razzell and Mr Williams are hoping to set up their own Residents Association but may prove difficult as everyone is spread over such a big area.

Darren proposed an invitation the Buck Barn residents join us and we become the Dial Post and Buck Barn Residents Association, as The bigger the voice the better. He then went on to say that they should point out to their residents that once the A24 issue has been and gone, there will still be other things affecting us both.

It was queried as to whether some of the residents at Buck Barn would come under the Shipley Parish Council?           

Darren asked if anyone objected to us becoming the D.P & B.B. Residents Association? No one objected.

Chris pointed out that as we are the ward of Dial Post the wording may not be acceptable to Parish council, and as such it would be better to have the D.P.R.A. and B.B.R.A.

The subject of planning was then raised, especially as the main structure plan states that housing development sites to be decided March 2003. Also, that Hop Oast roundabout to be replaced by an underpass or overpass, which will be paid for by development.                It was decided that Sharon would contact H.D.C. re: process for roads and highways. Also a close watch needed to be kept on planning applications. It was therefore decided that once a month, on the Monday prior to the Parish Council meetings that Horsham District Councils Planning Department would be contacted, to see if any applications had been put in.

Marion proposed a letter to the County Times, which would need to be in by Monday for Thursday. This letter would state the position of the DPRA, and expose the WSCC, and HDC for not listening to us.

Marion/Chris to draft, Darren will send.

5. Play Area

Trees and bulbs now planted. Darren thanked Mrs Sloane and Mrs Vincent for their help.

6. Any Other Business
• The Green - A discussion was held about buying the Village Green. Derek asked what the advantage of owning it would be? Vicky wanted to know if it was for the sole use of the villagers?

Parish Council holds that land, as we do not have the resources or manpower to look after it. The Parish Council cannot build on it, sell it, etc. It was requested that we ask Parish Council for a copy of the deeds, as there is uncertainty if it is held in trust.

·         Christmas Lights Simon requested that Darren apologize in his absence about the lights. There should have been two sets on the Christmas tree and one extra set on a lamppost making five on the lampposts in total; but there were not. The contractor supplied by W.S.C.C. made a mistake. This will be rectified next year.

·         It was suggested by Chris that we could plant a Fir Tree on the edge of The Green in that area, which we could use each year, thus saving Parish Council money, especially as the planting scheme for The Green is still to be done. To be looked into.

·         Dial Post Post, Chris asked for an update on progress with the post. Darren explained that the Parish council had asked for a drawing of the proposed post, and a location plan so that they could contact WSCC for permission. Scale drawings were going to be produced by Chris before progress can be made.

Darren officially closed the meeting and those present then enjoyed drinks and nibbles to toast the New Year. Many thanks to Pauline for undertaking this, again. It is very much appreciated by all.

Next meeting to be held on Monday 3^rd February 2003 at 7.30 pm