Monday, April 29 2013
Minutes April 2013
WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council,held on Thursday 4th April 2013 in the Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Road, West Wittering, PO20 8LT
PRESENT: Mr. K Martin (Chairman), Mr C Pine, Mr I Parker, Mr W Buckland, Mr S Jennings, Mrs J Barrett, Mr Wright and 14 members of the public. Cllr Montyn and Cllr Marshall were also in attendance.
173. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mrs M Goodall, Mr R Shrubb
174. DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT
Mr. Wright and Mrs Barratt declared a personal interest in the planning application for Brook House.
Mr Pine declared a personal and pecuniary interest in the planning application for Brook House and left the meeting whilst the application was discussed.
175. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) The Council discussed the following planning applications;
List No Reference Application details
10/13 NONE
11/13 WW/13/00603/DOM
Mr & Mrs T Elliott Brook House Pound Road West Wittering Proposed outbuilding.
WW/13/00741/TCA
Mr Ronald Norris Roan Cottage Elms Lane West Wittering Notification of intention to reduce by approximately 25% to including thinning and deadwood on 1 no. Monterey Pine tree.
12/13 NONE
13/13 NONE
(b) Chichester District Council Local Plan
Mr Martin asked Members to meet to formulate a response to the Local Plan consultation, to be agreed before the next meeting which was after the closing date for responses. Mr Pine, Mr Buckland, Mr Jennings and Mr Wright agreed to form the working group plus the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
(c) Scott’s Caravan Site
Mr Wright referred to the licence conditions regarding the siting of caravans on the old play area and the Clerk was asked to inform Mrs Hadley of Cakeham Estates that Mr Wright would be available to explain the situation in more detail.
(d) Fence – Country Stores
Members noted a complaint regarding a new fence erected along the boundary of Country Stores as the fence blocked sight lines for vehicles reversing from the forecourt. The Chairman opened the meeting to allow the owner to address the Council. Following discussion it was agreed to write to the owner and ask him to discuss the issue with his neighbours to reach a suitable compromise regarding the fence.
176. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING
On a proposal by Mr Buckland and seconded by Mr Pine, the minutes were agreed and signed by the Chairman.
177. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
Cllr Marshall reminded Members that the draft Local Plan was now available for consultation. Cllr Montyn reported that the planning application for Owers Way had been deferred. He also reported that officers were waiting for the School Travel team to comment regarding the Councils request to remove the yellow lines outside the old school entrance.
178. CLERKS REPORT
(a) Allotments
Members noted that the Allotment Association had organised a Spring Clean day on 21st April 2013. It was agreed to ask Mr Ruff to repair the pothole in Ellanore Lane.
(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces
Members noted the final quote for the bus shelter including removal of the old shelter was £4687. On a proposal by Mr Pine seconded by Mrs Barratt it was agreed to proceed and the Clerk was asked to apply for a grant from WSCC.
Members discussed the proposals for litter picking provided by Mr Shrubb. On a proposal by Mr Wright, seconded by Mr Buckland it was agreed to offer this work to Mr Kenward at a rate of £95 per week.
Regarding the Sportsfield, the Chairman reported that he had discussed the matter with Mr Waller and agreed a sum of £25 per week for a period of three months. On a proposal by Mr Martin, seconded by Mr Pine this was agreed by the Council.
The Chairman reported that the discussion was ongoing with West Wittering Estates regarding the management of the public conveniences in Pound Rd. Mr Wright agreed to assist in the negotiations with CDC and West Wittering Estates.
(c) Sportsfield Management
Members noted the Play Area was now open again. Mr Buckland reported that he had obtained a plan for the Sportsfield and would like to meet with the Working Party to identify a site. Mr Martin referred to the business plan and asked Mr Buckland to provide further evidence of demand, running costs, income, and liabilities. He opened the meeting to allow Mr Goldsmith to address the meeting. He stated that the existing tennis club in Elms Lane did not have a waiting list and had offered the School some time to use the courts.
Members noted the external shutter had been repaired. Members did not agree to the quote for a maintenance contract and the Clerk was asked to contact the installer to seek information regarding the likely cause of defects.
Members considered the additional quote for the fire alarm system and the additional cost to rectify the identified faults in the system. Following discussion it was agreed that Mr Parker would investigate the installation of the system and draft a letter to the original installer. Mr Wright asked the Clerk to contact the insurers for advice, and Mr Parker was asked to obtain a further quote from Cathedral Fire.
(d) Snowhill
Members noted that the beach maintenance had been carried out by the Sailing Club and that the shingle on the Parish chain looked in need of replenishment. It was agreed to ask the Sailing Club to look at this area next year and to ask for a report on the state of the Parish chain.
The Chairman referred to the Environment Agency plans and design for disabled access to the Crab pool which had been circulated to Members. The design included a post and rail fence to both sides of the proposed ramp which would replace the steps down to the sluice.
Mr Pine and Mr Buckland did not agree with the plans, and felt the proposals would be to the detriment of the natural visual amenity of Snowhill. Mr Martin commented that the ramp had less of an impact but the post and rail would be seen. He also added that the proposals were as a result of consultation with the Chichester Access Group, a strong lobby for disabled access in public places. However he was concerned that the intertidal duct was especially unsafe for anyone requiring railings to walk. The Chairman opened the meeting to allow Mr Morton to address Members. Mr Morton pointed out that there was adequate access from WWE land on the other side of the sluice.
Mr Martin proposed that the Council accept the design for the proposed path and ramp, but not the post and rail fence and tactile paving, provided that it replaced the steps. This was seconded by Mr Wright
Mr Buckland made a further proposal to close the access to the sluice completely and arrange for the area to be fenced and secured. This was seconded by Mr Pine.
The Chairman asked Members to vote on Mr Buckland’s proposal first. As the vote was tied the Chairman used his casting vote to defeat the resolution. A vote was then taken on the Chairman’s proposal which was passed by a majority of 4 in favour and 3 against. The Chairman agreed to formulate the response to the Environment Agency.
Mr Pine reported that the retractable post to prevent access by travellers was being installed on 11th April. Members discussed who should be appropriate key holders and the Clerk was asked to provide the required information (including the code) for the Emergency Services. It was agreed that a key safe should be made available on or around the Sailing Club hut.
(e) Memorial Hall
There were no items to report.
(f) Finance
Members noted the budget monitoring information.
(g) Village Green
No items.
(h) Twinning
No items.
(i) Communication and Web site
The Chairman asked Members for their view on the recent email alert detailing the agenda items, which was well received.
(j) Footway Lighting
Members considered the response to the questionnaires delivered to properties in the Elms Lane/Elmstead area regarding footway lighting in Elms Lane. The Clerk reported the summary of responses which was 59 in favour of lighting and 37 against. The Chairman asked if members wished to proceed on the basis of this response and on a proposal by Mr Wright, seconded by Mr Buckland, agreed to request a quotation from SEC for up to 2 low level footway lights.
(k) East Head/CIAG/Wittering Flood Defences
No items to report
(l) Emergency Planning
The Chairman referred to the Facilities audit and asked Members to forward amendments to the Clerk.
(m) CDALC
Members noted the presentation by Sussex Police regarding Travellers. The Clerk reported that the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Ms Katy Bourne would be attending the Annual Parish Assembly.
179. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Members noted items listed in the Clerks report had been circulated
180. FINANCE
(a) Accounts for payment were authorised as follows;
SWR Garden Services Grasscutting 230.00
Covers Shingle 263.64
Southern Electric Sports Pavilion 707.98
C Tranchant Pavilion Garden 40.00
Wicks Farm Sacks 1.44
CDC Paladin hire 149.50
Mrs Waller Caretaking 200.00
Wicks Farm Roll playing field 89.38
CDC NNDR 339.12
Sussex SALC Subscription 776.34
British Gas Pavilion 463.66
J Kenward Litter picking and bus shelters 737.00
HMRC Liabilities 81.52
Mrs J Brown Salary, expenses, petty cash 2012/3 930.37
S Dobbin Budget reports 350.00
Total 5359.95
(b) On a proposal by Mr Jennings, and seconded by Mr. Pine payment of the above accounts was authorised by the Parish Council.
181. ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY 23RD MAY 2013
The Chairman reported that Drew Allardice, Community Warden and Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner would be speaking at the Annual Parish Assembly. Mr Pine agreed to produce a poster for the event and the Clerk was asked to make arrangements for the Football Club to provide the bar.
182. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(a) Highway matters
Mr Martin referred to the poor road surface in front of the Surgery in East Wittering. Members noted the spoil dumped by WSCC in Piggery Hall Lane was still attracting fly tipping. The Clerk was asked to report the broken posts and rails along the fence adjacent to the cycle path.
183. OPEN FORUM
Mr Goldsmith reported that the Abbeyfield home in Pound Rd would be closing and the house sold.Mr Wright referred to the donation from the village when the house was first opened and suggested the Parish Council could facilitate a meeting of interested parties.
Mr Bird reported that the ditch on the south side of Elms Lane had still not been investigated. Mr Tayler reported that some footpaths had been established by the EA following flood defence work and that the original grass should be reinstated. Mr Martin agreed to take this up with the EA.
Mr Swayne reported that WWE had kindly agreed to refurbish the telephone box.
There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.20 pm.
Signed: Date:
Chairman
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 9th May 2013 in the West Wittering Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Rd.
THESE MINUTES ARE IN DRAFT FORM UNTIL APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL AT THE NEXT MEETING, AND MAY BE AMENDED BY RESOLUTION. COPIES OF ALL UNAPPROVED 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