Fittleworth Parish Council news

The Sports Pavilion update 
The joint group of the Sports & Social Club, the Village Hall and the Parish Council is continuing to work on drawing up ideas of what we want to see in the revamped building. A meeting was held at the end of July to talk about the things we would like to see.  We hope to get an architect’s brief drawn up shortly so we can start to see what is and is not possible.  Watch this space!!

Tree Survey
We have now obtained three quotes for the urgent tree work we need to undertake as a result of the recent tree survey, the cheapest of which is just under £7,000.

This is a significant expenditure that was not budgeted for as the usual cost of the annual tree works is in the region of £3,000, apparently the weather in recent years has impacted quite significantly on the health of trees generally.

We are currently exploring all options as to how we can fund this work and are talking to the SDNPA and West Sussex County Council to see how they can assist.  Our total annual budget is only £28,215 and so this represents nearly a quarter of our total annual spend which has to cover everything we need to do in Fittleworth.

We shall be approaching some of the clubs in the Village who have received Covid grants in the past year to see if they have any capacity to contribute to these costs as we are obviously concerned about the knock on effects of some of the other things we are trying to do in the village.

Resignation of Councillor / Vacancy
In June Kerry Coughtrey resigned as a Parish Councillor. Kerry has been on the Parish Council for a number of years being involved in a number of areas including in the Traffic Group and the revamping of the Sports Pavilion project, The Parish Council wish to thank Kerry for all her hard work while on the Council.

Fittleworth Parish Council’s primary objective is to work in the interest of the residents of the parish and protect the identity and character of the parish for the enjoyment of parishioners, visitors and future generations. The Council is made up of a team of nine committed volunteers who work in partnership with local organisations and County and District Councils to preserve the essence of the area.

• Could you contribute your business or personal skills and expertise?

• Do you want to represent the views of local people?

  • Would you like to be involved with the revamp of the Sports Pavilion project?

If you would like to make a difference and help shape the future of Fittleworth Parish, then why not consider joining the Council?  Please contact Jane Claxton or the clerk if you are interested

Planning Application notifications 
It has been brought to our attention that CDC/SDNPA are currently not sending planning applications notification letters to neighbours. In order to ensure residents are fully informed of all planning applications currently under consideration in the Parish, we have set up a separate page on the Fittleworth website. The page includes a link to the SDNPA website where you can view full details of all planning applications and/or submit comments.

Please click on the link below to view the Fittleworth Planning application webpage.

https://fittleworth-pc.org.uk/planning-applications/

Sports & Social Club Event

Planned Road Closures

HESWORTH LANE, FITTLEWORTH – Thursday 2rd September 2021
Hesworth Lane, Fittleworth junction with Lower Street to junction with Hesworth Common Lane is temporarily prohibited from 2/09/21 10:00am until 2/09/21 14:00pm.

This closure is necessary to allow Balfour Beatty to undertake urgent carriageway pothole repairs on behalf of WSCC

Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times

The alternative route for traffic will be signed on site

LITTLE BOGNOR ROAD, FITTLEWORTH – Friday 3rd September 2021
Little Bognor Road, Fittleworth from junction with A283 Little Bognor to Haslingbourne Lane to junction with Fitzleroi Lane is temporarily prohibited from 3/09/21 10:00am until 3/09/21 14:00pm.

This closure is necessary to allow Balfour Beatty to undertake urgent carriageway pothole repairs on behalf of WSCC.

Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times

The alternative route for traffic will be signed on site.

HESWORTH COMMON LANE, FITTLEWORTH – Friday 3rd September 2021
Hesworth Common Lane, Fittleworth from junction with A283 to end is temporarily prohibited from 03/09/2021 at 10.00 until 03/09/2021 at 14.00

This closure is necessary to allow Balfour Beatty to undertake urgent carriageway pothole repairs on behalf of WSCC

Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times

There is no alternative route for traffic as this is a dead end road

POLICE – PCSO Monthly Report 

Fittleworth Parish Council Update for July 2021  Introduction. I would like to start this month’s update by discussing two current crazes, drones and electric scooters, the law relating to them and their impact. Both are new phenomena, reasonably priced and easily accessible. However, they appear to be being sold with no guidance on their use being offered. Drones: these range from small devices controlled by a mobile phone to professional surveying equipment. The guidance is the same for all. In short, aside from use near an airport/airfield, they should not be used where they could infringe anyone’s “personal space” or be seen as an invasion of privacy. They should not be used within fifty (50) metres of anyone not involved in the flying. If you imagine a cylinder, 50 metres in radius and 50 metres tall around any other person, that is the “exclusion” zone. You will also need to consider where the device may land if anything goes wrong. In short, we advise do not use them over houses or gardens. Larger devices require a licence. The best guidance is from The Civil Aviation Authority. E-Scooters: This one is easier to explain. Unless you have hired it from one of the Government schemes and can prove it, they are totally illegal on the road (including footpaths etc.). THEY CAN ONLY BE USED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE LANDOWNER. If anyone is stopped on one, they could face a £300 fine and six (6) points on their licence. The e-scooter could also be seized and destroyed, at the owner’s expense. Sorry to be a spoil sport! Incidents of Note. We have had an incident of Fly tipping this month and a report of the theft of a catalytic converter.  PCSO Activity over the next month. Over the next few weeks, I will be looking to set up a number “Street Briefings” across the area. This will be for members of the public to come and discuss local Policing issues that they have concerns about and we will look to do some bike marking as well. Dates will be announced when set! DON’T LET THEM MAKE YOU A VICTIM OF CRIME. IF YOU SEE IT, REPORT IT! NEIL BILLINGHAM Police Community Support Officer Arun and Chichester Neighbourhood Policing Team | Chichester Police Station | Kingsham Road | Chichester | West Sussex  | PO19 8AD