Thursday, April 05 2007

Minutes April 2007

04/07
WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council,
Held on Thursday, 5th April 2007 in the Sports Pavilion,
Rookwood Road, West Wittering
PRESENT: Mr. R Hutton, (Chairman), Mr. R. Shrubb, (Vice Chairman), Mr. R. Holmes, Mr. T Tupper, Mr. D. Wright, Mr. D. Hopson, Mrs J. Harper, Mr. W. Buckland, Mr. J. Robertson, and 6 members of the Public. Cllr Jones and Cllr Monteyn were also in attendance.
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed PCSO Rosemarie Bainbridge who reported on the parking situation in Summerfield Road. It was agreed that the Parish Council would contact Martlett Homes or CC to see if additional parking could be created.

30. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
31. CODE OF CONDUCT
Mr. R. Shrubb declared his interest in the item concerning Scotts Farm caravan site.
32. MINUTES
On a proposal by Mr. Shrubb, seconded by Mr. Holmes, the minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman.
33. CLERKS REPORT AND ACTION LIST PROGRESS
(a) Allotments
Mrs. Harper reported that one of the Allotment holders had offered to cut the paths. She also reported that the fence referred to in last months report had been repaired.
(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces
Mr. Shrubb reported that the Rights of Way team had completed the maintenance visit and that they may be able to re visit later in the year to clear any other areas not completed this time. Members noted that there was a broken fence leaning into the twitten between Owers Way and Joliffe Road.
(c) Sportsfield Management
Mr. Tupper reported that the lights had finally been replaced and the new light to the car park completed. He had still not been able to get Blair Rains to adjust the ventilation in the Changing rooms, and it was agreed that some sort of maintenance agreement was needed for the systems in the new pavilion. Members noted a request from The Beach House for its employees to use the car park. This was agreed.
(d) Snowhill
Mr. Shrubb reported on the incident involving a stolen vehicle leading to damage to Snowhill and the hedge and posts to the Sailing Club Car park. He reported that he had organised the infilling of the surface. Members also expressed concern over some derelict boats on the Parish Chain. On a proposal by Mr. Shrubb, seconded by Mr. Wright, it was agreed to report these boats to the Harbour Conservancy for disposal after the appropriate notices had been issued.
(e) Memorial Hall
No items to report
(f) F&GP
Next meeting Monday 25th June 2007.
(g) Village Green
Members noted that the light referred to at the last meeting had been removed.
(h) Twinning.
Mr. Wright reported that there was a dinner dance at Birdham Village Hall arranged for 21st April.
(j) Parish Plan
Mr. Hopson reported that the preliminary discussions had now been completed, and headings agreed. He circulated a paper on community consultation based on advice and best practice from Sussex University and AiRS. He also reported that £500 grant had been awarded towards the costs of producing the parish Plan from WSCC. He reported that the next meeting would be held on 17th May 2007 and that all the discussion papers were posted on the Parish Plan website.
04/07
(i) Footway Lighting
Members noted that the light in Owers Way was now working.
(k) Traffic Management
No items to report.
34. CORRESPONDENCE
Members noted that items as listed in the Clerks report had been circulated.
(a) WSCC – Speed management
Members noted the proposal for a vehicle activated sign at Malthouse cottages. It was agreed that it would be preferable for a warning sign at Itchenor Crossroads
(b) CDC – Empty Homes Strategy.
Noted.
35. FINANCE
(a) Balances at 30th March 2007 were £46116.08.
(b) Additional accounts were passed for payment as follows; £
(i) Southern Electric Street Lighting 192.61
(ii) Channel Safety Alarm check 137.08
(iii) J. Hamper Potts Litter 77.00
(iv) S Ruff Grasscutting 130.00
(v) C. Tranchant Garden 40.00
(vi) D. Hopson O.S Licence 80.00
(vii) CDC Bins 123.73
(viii) Wicks Farm Mowing 82.84
823.26
(c) On a proposal by Mr. Tupper, and seconded by Mr. Holmes, payment was authorised as follows;
(i) Clerks Report 3131.66
(ii) Items above 823.26
(iii) Total 3994.92

(d) Audit Fee
On a proposal by Mr. Shrubb, seconded by Mr. Tupper members agreed to appoint Mr. S. Dobbin as Internal Auditor and increase his annual fee from £300 to £350.00, with interim audits charged at £175.00
36. PLANNING
(a) Members noted that planning decision lists had been circulated.
(b) Scotts Farm – Update
Mr. Shrubb left the meeting.
The Chairman reported that the officers of CDC had withdrawn the application from the meeting of 28th March following representations by the Council’s planning consultant.
Mr. Tupper expressed concern that another caravan had appeared on the disputed site with new decking, larger than that shown in the drawings.
Mr. Wright reported further evidence of persons residing permanently on the site and also asked the Clerk to check what was happening with the second application for the permanent residence of the site wardens.
(c) Coastal Defence Strategy
Mr. Robertson reported that the brief to the Geomorphologists had been circulated and the April stakeholder meetings had considered questions on the content of this brief.
Consideration was given to the funding of an expert panel, funded by the stakeholders. Mr. Shrubb supported this proposal as the parish Council needed to continue to be part of the decision making process
Following discussion, on a proposal by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Shrubb it was agreed on a vote of 6 to 2 that the Chairman and Vice Chairman be authorised to grant up to the sum of £1000.

(c) Planning Working Party
Members noted the decisions of the Planning Working party at its meeting on 5th April 2007 were as follows;
List No.09/07 WW/07/00784/DOM 35 Howard Avenue West
Wittering,
Change of use of roof, rear extension and replacement garage.
NO OBJECTION
WW/07/00671/DOM 30 Harrow Drive West Wittering
Single storey rear extension, incorporating the change of use of existing conservatory to create habitable living and dining space.
NO OBJECTION
WW/07/00805/DOM Mr J Samuels
2 Cakeham Cottages Cakeham Road West Wittering
Two storey side extension and dormer window in connection with change of use of loft.
NO OBJECTION
List No. 10/07 WW/07/01004/DOM 8 Southcote Avenue West
Wittering
Demolish existing flat roofed rear extension and construct rear extension with pitched roof to match main dwelling.
NO OBJECTION
WW/07/01072/DOM Webb’s Farmhouse Cakeham Road West Wittering
Proposed single storey side extension.
NO OBJECTION
List No. 11/07 WW/07/00420/DOM Brook House Pound Road
West Wittering
Proposed single storey front extension and alterations.
NO OBJECTION
WW/07/01073/DOM 6 Ella Close West
Wittering
Change of use from existing garage to utility room/shower room including raising of parapet wall of garage, new porch, and new pitched roof to existing flat roofed extension.
NO OBJECTION
List No.12/07 WW/07/01279/DOM White Walls Roman
Landing West Wittering
Single storey rear kitchen
extension, single storey rear garden room extension, side extension, with 2 no. first floor bedrooms and bathroom in enlarged.
OBJECTION overdevelopment
List No.13/07 WW/07/01462/DOM 1 Elms Way West
Wittering
Change of material to south elevation (from brick to flintwork with brick quoining) to previously approved replacement garage (WW/06/04185/DOM).
NO OBJECTION
WW/07/01403/DOM Shalimar 33 Marine Drive West, West Wittering
Forming a balcony over existing flat roof extension, alterations to existing windows and replacement of existing cladding.
NO OBJECTION
WW/07/00816/FUL Heathfield Residential Home Chichester Road West Wittering
Change 11 no. windows to double glaze, change 4 no. long windows to doors.
NO OBJECTION

37. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(a) Highways
A number of areas of concern were reported to WSCC for action.
(b) Mr. Bob Holmes
The Chairman thanked Mr. Holmes for his efforts whilst Parish Councillor as he was not seeking re election in May 2007
38. OPEN FORUM
Mr. Bird reported that the flooding outside Atherstone House had been rectified.
There being no further items for discussion, the meeting closed at 9.30pm.