Friday, January 31 2014
Minutes January 2014
MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council,held on Thursday 9th January 2014 in the Sports Pavilion,Rookwood Road, West Wittering, PO20 8LT
PRESENT: Mr K Martin, (Chairman) Mr. Shrubb (Vice Chairman), Mr W Buckland, Mr Wright, Mrs J Barrett, Mr D Sadler, Mr C Pine, Mr I Parker and 5 members of the public. Cllr Barratt and Cllr Montyn were also present.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
2. DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT
None
3. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The Council discussed the following planning applications;
| List No | Reference | Application details |
| 49/13 | WW/13/03772/FUL - | Ms Jennie Halsall, 44 Marine Drive West Wittering Demolition of an existing dwelling house and garage and the construction of a new two storey dwelling house and garage. COMMENT Prefer building line on seaward side to be maintained so dwelling should be further back. |
| WW/13/03496/DOM - | Mr Adrian St Clair Soundings Seaward Drive West Wittering Garage extension. NO OBJECTION | |
| 50/13 | WW/13/03876/TCA - | Mr Robert Nowak Rowan House Cakeham Road West Wittering Notification of intention to reduce back to just past previous pruning points and reduce lowest north-west branch by 2.5-3m on 1 no. Oak tree and fell 1 no. Monterey Cypress tree.COMMENT Replacement tree required |
| 51/13 | WW/13/03815/PLD - | Miss Ruth Betts Claron Lodge Chapel Lane West Wittering External works to walls including insulation and cladding. Insulation of roof and refinish in cement tiles, remove chimneys. Reduce window to east elevation, replace some existing ground floor windows in east elevation with bi-folding doors. First floor extension to rear, installation of a new sewerage treatment plant, installation of solar panels on south facing pitch roof and flat roof of rear extension.NO OBJECTION |
| WW/13/03964/DOM | Mr Nick Bramwell Hove To Elms Ride West Wittering Front first floor extension and alterations along with single storey rear extension. COMMENT Use of obscure glass required to protect privacy | |
| 01/14 | NONE |
(a) Meeting re Electronic plans
The Chairman reminded Members that there would be a meeting on 23rd January at 7.30pm to review procedure for electronic planning applications
(b) Neighbourhood Development Plan
Mrs Barrett reported that the Working Groups had been established and the Group was considering employing a specialist to assist in the Housing Needs analysis. The Chairman confirmed that the Steering Group would be making a formal recommendation to the Parish Council in due course. The next meeting was arranged for March 2014 to allow groups to meet and collect information.
(c) Development at Northfield
Mr Wright referred to the ongoing enforcement case regarding foul water drainage at Northfield. He reminded Members that Southern Water had confirmed that there was no further capacity in the system for additional drainage and the developer submitted designs for an attenuation tank with off peak pumping. This is a condition of the planning consent but was not constructed. Mr Wright reported that raw sewage has been flooding the village in the last 3 weeks.
The Chairman asked if there was direct evidence that this development was causing the current sewage problem. Mr Parker stated that it had already been established by the authorities that the system was almost at capacity. The meeting was opened to ask District and County Councillors to comment. Cllr Barrett confirmed that raw sewage had been flooding the Village for the past 3 weeks and Cllr Montyn commented that the recent heavy rainfall and failure of the local pumping station to deal with the excess water was a contributory factor.
Mr Wright proposed that a complaint be sent to Chichester District Council regarding the failure to enforce the conditions relating the foul water drainage at the Northfield development. His proposal was as follows; The West Wittering Parish Council resolves to and hereby makes a formal complaint against those persons in the Chichester District Council who had the duty of ensuring that planning conditions relating to the Northfield development (off Summerfield Road), West Wittering were complied with. Certain important conditions were not complied with, in particular those relating to the installation of an attenuation tank with local pumping facility, which was never installed contrary to the conditions, due to the failure of duty by those persons in Chichester District Council who were responsible for ensuring that the conditions were complied with. West Wittering Parish Council points out in making this complaint that the Parish Council was repeatedly assured by the representatives of the proposed developers that the attenuation tank etc would be installed because the Parish Council was seriously concerned about the effect of the development on the already inadequate sewage system. Since the development was built there have been a number of instances of raw sewage flowing freely through village roads and ending up on private properties, the Village Green and into Chichester Harbour. The Parish Council in making this complaint feels that gross negligence has resulted in the planning conditions not being complied with. The Parish Council attaches a summary of some of the relevant documents to accompany this complaint. Finally the Parish Council requests that this complaint is not investigated by Chichester District Council unless the law strictly requires it and is investigated by an independent body for the simple reason that the complaint is against certain persons within Chichester District Council. This was seconded by Mr Parker and agreed by a majority of members. It was also agreed to send a copy of this complaint to the Consumer Council for Water and Southern Water.
(d) Abbeyfield – Community Right to Bid
Members noted that CDC has advised the Clerk that as this property was already on the market registration was not necessary. Mr Martin agreed to discuss this further with the officers..
4. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING
On a proposal by Mrs Barrett, and seconded by Mr Buckland, the minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman.
5. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
Cllr Montyn reported that the project to improve broadband would be started at Birdham in June 2014.
He also reported WSCC investment in a programme to upgrade unclassified roads.
The Parish Council also asked him to assist in the clearance and regular maintenance of the culvert on the south side of Elms Lane to prevent flooding.
6. CLERKS REPORT
(a) Allotments
Mr Pine reported that he had met with the Association to inspect damaged fencing. He proposed that the Council authorise up to £300 to be spent on materials to repair the fence as the work would be undertaken by the Association. This was seconded by Mr Shrubb and agreed by the Council.
(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces
On a proposal by Mr Shrubb, seconded by Mr Pine it was agreed to discuss the terms of the proposed lease for maintenance of the Public conveniences with West Wittering Estates PLC in closed session.
Members noted that a scheme to improve the junction of the E/W path at the junction with Wellsfield may cost in the region of £30k. The Clerk was asked to obtain further details and a scheme design.
(c) Sportsfield and Millennium Meadow
Members noted that the planning application was still being worked on and Mr Wright offered to assist with the application. Mr Shrubb was asked to remind the Cricket Club to provide a copy of its H&S reports.
The TPO to cover trees on the southern boundary was discussed and Mr Buckland reported on his meeting with the Councils Tree Officer. It was agreed to pursue an application.
Members also agreed to proceed with the repair of the trim trail and Mr Parker was asked to contact the Football Club regarding a missed contribution to Pavilion costs and to also ask the Club to deregister its Google map registration of the Sportsfield. Mr Parker was also asked to demonstrate how the CCTV worked now that a fixed IP address had been obtained.
(d) Snowhill
No items
(e) Memorial Hall
No items
(f) Finance
Members discussed budget and precept proposals for 2014/15. Mr Shrubb highlighted a number of items in the proposed budget for approval. Following discussion Mr Shrubb proposed the precept for 2014/15 as follows; Total funding £89447, less grant of £1526, total precept – £87921.00
This was seconded by Mr Parker and all agreed.
(g) Twinning
Mr Wright asked Members if they agreed that the Charter should be displayed in the Pavilion under the clock. Members agreed and he was asked to organise this.
(h) Communication and Web site
The Chairman agreed to arrange a Working Party meeting to discuss the next newsletter.
(i) Footway Lighting
Mr Sadler reported he had checked all the Parish owned footway lights against the WSCC schedule and that he would inspect again after the storms.
(j) Memorial Hall
No items
(k) East Head/CIAG/Wittering Flood Defences
No items
(l) Emergency Planning
No items
7. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Members noted items listed in the Clerks report had been circulated
(b) WSCC Youth Service – Purple Bus
Members noted the request from this organisation for suggested sites for a weekly visit. It was agreed that Marine Drive Car Park would be suitable.
(c) Chichester Harbour Conservancy – meetings with stakeholders
Members noted this request for a meeting and agreed that representatives would be available. The Clerk was asked to arrange this.
(d) Lighting – Snowhill
Members noted a letter regarding low level lighting at Snowhill Caravan Park. Mr Shrubb reported that these lights were a condition of the site licence but were turned off during the winter.
(e) WW Parochial Church School
Members noted a letter from Mr Tayler regarding WSCC League tables and the Schools low performance. The Council did not consider that further action was necessary but agreed to pass on to Mr Tayler an offer by the Headteacher to meet with him. It was further agreed to offer the School some space in the forthcoming newsletter should they wish to make comment.
(f) West Itchenor NDP
Members noted a request from West Itchenor Society regarding West Itchenor NDP. A request to acknowledge a particular area within West Wittering Parish as a zone of influence was considered however the Parish Council agreed that it preferred to acknowledge the consultation from a neighbouring Parish at this stage whilst anticipating further consultation regarding its own NDP which was being developed.
8. FINANCE
(a) Accounts for payment were authorised as follows;
| Payee | Details | £ | |
| Viking Direct | Toner | 55.76 | |
| Uni guard | Fire alarm testing and service | 768.00 | |
| S Ruff | Nov Grass cutting and footpaths | 400.00 | |
| S Ruff | Dec Cricket hedge and strim | 100.00 | |
| C Tranchant | Pavilion garden | 40.00 | |
| B Marten | Service Boiler | 120.00 | |
| WWCC | Mowing Millennium Meadow | 975.00 | |
| Chris Skinner | Tree hazard work | 1620.00 | |
| British Gas | Pavilion | 300.76 | |
| J Clay | Allotment hedge and verge | 90.00 | |
| CDC | Paladin hire | 149.50 | |
| C Colmer | NDP presentation | 71.70 | |
| SEC | Street lighting | 234.42 | |
| Mr D Waller | Litter picking | 100.00 | |
| Mrs D Waller | Caretaking | 200.00 | |
| HMRC | NI liabilities | 73.19 | |
| Mrs J Brown | Salary and mileage | 885.97 | |
| TOTAL | 6184.30 | ||
(b) On a proposal by Mr Shrubb, and seconded by Mr. Buckland, payment of the above accounts was authorised by the Parish Council.
9. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(a) Highways
Members discussed a number of Highway issues including flooding and pothole damage. These items to be reported to WSCC by the Clerk.
10. OPEN FORUM
Mr Shoosmith reported that the recycling bins at Marine Drive Car Park were in a poor state of repair and rubbish had been left around the area. Mr Goldsmith reported that the soak away in Pound Rd outside the Dog and Duck was overflowing.
Mr Morton reported that Andrew Tyrie MP would be attending the local Conservatives AGM on Friday 10th January 2014.
11. SERVICE AGREEMENT – MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
The Chairman reported on the draft lease, previously circulated, and following discussion, on a proposal by Mr Sadler, seconded by Mr Parker the conditions of the lease were approved.
There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.10 pm.
Signed: ……………………………………………………………………………. ………………….. Date: ………………………………………
Chairman
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 6th February 2014 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