Monday, May 24 2010

Minutes Annual Meeting May 2010

WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 5th May 2010 in the Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Road, West Wittering

PRESENT: Mr. R. Hutton, (Chairman,) Mr. R. Shrubb, (Vice Chairman) Mr. T. Tupper, Mr. D. Wright,(until item 50(b) Mr. S. Colwell , Mr. K. Martin, Mr. K. Smith Mr. W. Buckland, and 9 members of the public. Cllr. G. Barrett was also in attendance.

42. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

On a proposal by Mr. Shrubb, seconded by Mr. Tupper, Mr. Hutton was elected Chairman.

43. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

On a proposal by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Martin, Mr. R. Shrubb was elected Vice Chairman.

44. DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Mr. Wright declared an interest in the planning application for Magnolia Cottage. Mr. Martin declared an interest in the planning application for Magnolia Cottage and 8, Elmstead Park Road. Mr. Buckland declared an interest in the application for Myrtle Cottage.

45. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mr. J. Robertson.

46. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Members considered the following planning applications and the meeting was opened to allow the public to address the Council. The Chairman invited members to comment on the planning application for Merry Harbour, Roman Landing. Mr. Martin stated that he felt the proposal was out of keeping with the design and characteristics of surrounding properties, and was contrary to the Village Design Statement. Mr. Wright agreed and felt the proposal was obtrusive by way of its bulk and height. Mr. Smith also agreed that the proposal did not appear to contribute to retaining the character of the original development of Roman Landing. Mr. Tupper expressed concern over the grounds for objection as in his opinion the size was not excessive on this plot. Members acknowledged Mr. Tupper’s attendance at Development Control meetings and in particular his knowledge of the planning process.

The Chairman invited a presentation from Mrs. K. Simmons, planning agent for Merry Harbour, Roman Landing WW/10/01685/FUL.

Mrs. Simmons showed the meeting a scale model of the proposed new dwelling, and explained the background to the permitted development at this site in relation to planning considerations. She referred to design features and materials which had been selected.

Mr. Lansley and Mr. Rickards spoke on behalf of Roman Landing Leaseholds Ltd. They objected to the proposal on the grounds of incompatible design, size and that it would be uneighbourly as it would overlook adjoining properties. Mr. Wright made a point about planning policy in relation to the ANOB.

Following the debate members agreed on a vote of 3 for and 4 against not objecting to the application. There was 1 abstention.

The decisions of the Council are set out below

List No.13/10 NONE

List No.14/10
WW/10/01022/DOM 8 Elmstead Park Road West Wittering – Construction of a new porch and garden room. NO OBJECTION

WW/10/01300/DOM Snowhill Cottage Roman Landing West Wittering – Retention of additional round window to south elevation. NO OBJECTION

List No.15/10
WW/10/01225/DOM 29 Jolliffe Road, West Wittering – Replace existing box dormer with 3 new pitched roof dormers and porch alteration. NO OBJECTION

List No.16/10
WW/10/01434/DOM Myrtle Cottage 16 Rookwood Road West Wittering Single storey ground floor rear and side extension. – NO OBJECTION

WW/10/01590/DOM 35 Russell Road West Wittering – Proposed alteration to widen front porch with new pitched roof. New ramped path to create new level entry and internal alterations. – NO OBJECTION

WW/10/01685/FUL Merry Harbour Roman Landing West Wittering – Replacement dwelling and associated works. NO OBJECTION

WW/10/01503/TCA Magnolia Cottage Cakeham Road West Wittering – Notification of intention to reduce height by between 3-4m and shape the sides on 8 no. Leyland Cypress trees (1-8). Remove lower branches (crown raise) up to 3m from ground level on 1 no. Leyland Cypress tree (9). NO OBJECTION

List No.17/10 WW/10/01203/TCA Little Hayes Meadow Lane,West Wittering – Notification of intention to remove 3 no. low limbs on 2 no. Oak trees (1), reduce in height by 2m 4 no. Pittosporum trees (2), fell 3 no. Cherry trees (3) and 1 no. Prunus tree (4). Crown reduce by 33% 1 no. Prunus tree (5). NO OBJECTION

47. SCHEDULE OF WORKING PARTIES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Footpaths and Open Spaces – Mr. Martin, Mr Buckland, Mr. Robertson
Allotments – Mr.T. Tupper, Mr.S.Colwell, 1 co optee
Sportsfield Management and Millennium Meadow – Mr. T. Tupper, Mr. Robertson, Mr. D. Wright
Snowhill – Mr. Wright, Mr. Colwell, Mr. Buckland
Footway Lighting – Mr. Tupper, Mr. Martin
Emergency Planning – Mr. Smith, Mr. Buckland
Transport – Mr. Tupper, Mr. Wright
Finance – Mr. Martin, Mr. Tupper
Communication and web site – Mr. Martin, Mr. Wright, Mr. Smith

Other Bodies

CDALC – Mr. Tupper, Mr. Martin
SALC – Mr. Tupper, Mr. Martin
Memorial Hall – Mr. Wright
Twinning – Mr. Wright
Peninsular Forum – Mr. Tupper, Mr. Martin
Poor Sevens Trustee – Mr. Colwell
Project Liaison CDC/Hyde Martlett – Mr. Smith, Mr. Hutton
EHCAG/EA – Mr. Martin, Mr. Robertson
Tree Warden – Mr. Buckland
South Chichester CLC – Mr. Martin, Mr. Tupper
Manhood Parishes Road Safety Group – Mr. Martin, Mr. Robertson
Neighbourhood Management Forum – Mr. Martin, Mr. Wright, Mr. Smith

The Chairman and Vice Chairman are ex officio members of all Working Parties, and on a proposal by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mr. Tupper members agreed the above appointments.

48. MINUTES

Subject to the draft minutes being amended as follows: The last paragraph of Minute 38(d) to be added to the end of Minute 38(c), Minute 38(g) to be added to the end of Minute 38 (d) and that the sentence in Minute 38(d) read “Mr. Colwell asked the Working Party to meet to inspect the parish chain as Mr. Martin reported that a part of it was broken. Members asked Mr. Colwell to investigate the cost of replacing the chain and report back to the Council.” Minute 38(k) should have the words “would last” replaced with “might last”

On a proposal by Mr. Shrubb, seconded by Mr. Martin, the minutes were signed as a true and correct record.

49. CLERKS REPORT

(a) Allotments

Mr. Tupper reported that the cost of clearing plot 57 would be £150. The Clerk was contacting those tenants who were not cultivating their plots with some success and members noted the meeting of the Allotment Association was to be held on 7th May.

Members noted the fence on the northern boundary was not adequate. Mr. Martin asked for an estimate for repairing or replacing the fence and Mr. Colwell agreed to obtain preliminary quotes for consideration by the Council at the next meeting.

(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces.

Mr. Shrubb reported that hw was still waiting for the maintenance report and that there was no update on the East/West path.

There were no items to report.

(d) Snowhill

The Clerk was asked to contact Mr. Arnell Smith to sweep the repaired track and to quote for an additional stretch up to the gate at Roman Landing.

(e) Memorial Hall

No items to report.

(f) Finance

No items to report.

(g) Village Green

Members noted the CDC Public Conveniences Review was being considered by the Executive Board.

(h) Twinning.

Mr. Wright reported that all the arrangements were in place for the visit on 13th May.

(i) Web Site and Communications

Mr. Martin agreed to arrange a meeting to prepare the next newsletter.

(j) Footway Lighting

No items to report.

(k) Pag/Head Coastal Strategy

Mr. Martin if Mr. Robertson could arrange for a copy of the minutes of the EHCAG so that they could be put on the Parish Council web site

(l) EA/Flood defences

No items to report.

(m) Low Cost Housing, Summerfield Rd

Mr. Smith reported on his recent update with CDC and Hyde Martlett. The planning application was being prepared and would be ready in June. The Chairman opened the meeting and members of the public complained about the current problems caused by cars parked in Summerfield Rd and Malthouse Cottages.

The Clerk was asked to write to CDC and Hyde Martlett regarding this issue.

(n) Emergency Planning

Members noted that the next meeting would be held on 25th May 2010.

50. CORRESPONDENCE

Members noted that items as listed in the Clerks report had been circulated.

(a) CDC Standards Board Review Sub Committee

Members noted the report of the Review Sub Committee and in particular the rider to the report referred to in a letter from the District Solicitor and Monitoring Officer. Members were concerned that the Sub Committee had acted outside its remit, and agreed that the Clerk draft a letter to be sent to the CDC regarding the Parish Council’s lawful use of Working Parties.

(b) Tamarisk Hedge, Marine Drive

Members noted a letter from a resident of Marine Drive regarding the tamarisk hedge, Mr. Buckland agreed to investigate and report back.

51. FINANCE

(a) Balances at 30/04/2010 £97,890.11

(b) Accounts for payment:

(i) PSM New drain cover and works – £323.13
(ii) AA Taylor Shingle, Snowhill – £250.63
(iii) WSCC Design costs E/W path – £22,265.25
(iv) Mr. S Ruff Mowing, Snowhill chains etc – £860.00
(v) UK Servers Domain registration – £10.58
(vi) Mrs. J Brown Postage – allotment letters – £20.50
(vii) PWC Water Sportsfield and allotments – £80.95
(viii) C Tranchant Pavilion garden – £40.00
(ix) SALC Local Council Review – £13.50
(x) BT Clerks fax line (direct debit) – £36.20
(xi) HMRC Employers NIC – £586.80

Total – £24,457.54

(c) On a proposal by Mr. Shrubb, and seconded by Mr. Martin, payment of the above accounts was authorised by the Parish Council.

52. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

(a) Highways

A number of problems were reported, including a large pot hole on Chichester Rd (going north) to the east of Itchenor Crossroads. The Clerk was asked to report this to WSCC. Mr. Smith asked the Clerk to record in the minutes that WSCC had been asked on several occasions to cut back the overhanging branches of a tree on land at Omega, Cakeham Rd.

(b) Village Green Advertising

Members noted that the owner of Toucan Beach premises in Pound Rd did not have permission to place an advertising board on the Village Green. The Clerk was asked to write to the owners regarding this consent, and also to ask them not to park on the footway and cause obstruction.

53. OPEN FORUM

A member of the public reminded the meeting that anti social driving could be reported via Operation Crackdown on the Sussex Police web site.

There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

Signed…………………….…Chairman…………………..Date……………………

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 3rd June 2010 in the West Wittering Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Rd.

THESE MINUTES ARE IN DRAFT FORM UNTIL APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL AT THE NEXT MEETING.

COPIES OF ALL MINUTES AND AGENDA AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL CAN BE FOUND ON THE PARISH COUNCIL’S WEB SITE: www.westwitteringparishcouncil.gov.uk