Thursday, July 05 2007

Minutes July 2007

07/07
WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council,
Held on Thursday, 5th July 2007 in the Sports Pavilion,
Rookwood Road, West Wittering

PRESENT: Mr. R Hutton (Chairman ),Mr. R. Shrubb, (Vice Chairman), Mr. K.Martin, Mr. J. Robertson, Mr. T. Tupper, Mr. D. Hopson, Mr. D. Wright, and 12 members of the Public. Cllrs Montyn and Daws Chew were also in attendance.

61. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr. W. Buckland

62. CODE OF CONDUCT
Mr. R. Shrubb declared his interest in the item concerning Scotts Farm caravan site.

63. MINUTES
Subject to minute 57(b) and 57(c) being amended to read £411.68, on a proposal by Mr. Tupper, seconded by Mr. Wright, the minutes were signed as a true and correct record.

64. CLERKS REPORT AND ACTION LIST PROGRESS
(a) Allotments
Members noted that the wet weather was causing problems with cultivation. It was agreed the hedge and fence would be dealt with in the autumn.
(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces.
Mr. Shrubb reported that a contractor had been asked to cut back growth around the seats on Snowhill, also to cut the bushes on the Village Green. Mrs. Harper agreed to liaise with the WSCC Arborist regarding tree surgery for the horse chestnut. The Clerk updated the Parish Council on the progress of the plans for a shared use path between East and West Wittering. Mr. Tupper reported litter and waste paper collecting in the n.e corner of marine Drive car park. The P.C.S.O agreed to look at the area.
(c) Sportsfield Management
Mr. Tupper and Mr. Robertson reported on the meeting with the Secretary of the Football Club regarding the appointment of a Groundsman. It was agreed that the adult Club could appoint a groundsman who would be responsible for pitches, however the Club was required to mark out the second pitch and both Clubs were asked to maintain better cooperation and communication.
(d) Snowhill
Mr. Shrubb reported that some minor repairs to the track were required and Mr. Wright reported that there had been some unauthorised camping.
(e) Memorial Hall
No items to report
(f) F&GP
The Clerk reported that the next meeting would be on 24th September 2007 at 7.30pm.
(g) Village Green
No items to report.
(h) Parish Plan
Mr. Hopson reported that he had resigned from the Working Party. Mr. Shrubb agreed to take over the role, with assistance from Mr. Robertson. It was agreed the matter be picked up again in September.
(i) Twinning.
Mr. Wright reported that a visit from Moutiers was planned for July and that a range of activities had been organised.
(j) Footway Lighting
No items to report.
(k) Pag/Head Coastal Strategy
Mr. Robertson reported that the draft papers from Specialist Panel had been received. The recommendation for geotech fabric to help build up the beach was a potential solution but needed further research. Mr. Shrubb reported that the Panel had not asked the community to consider the financial implications but had made the point that the solution must be acceptable to the whole community. The Chairman opened the meeting to allow Peter Morton to address the members. He felt that the panel was not independent of the Chair and that this compromised the outcome and recommendations. Cllr peter Jones reported that he had attended the meeting as an observer and that he felt the Chair had handled the meeting fairly.

65. CORRESPONDENCE
Members noted that items as listed in the Clerks report had been circulated.
(a) Letter re Cricket Field
The Clerk reported a letter from a neighbour of the Cricket field regarding the problems with cricket balls being hit over the fence. As the numbers attending cricket nets has grown the activity at the club has increased and although some netting has prevented some balls going into the field, the problem is increasing. Mr. Shrubb suggested a permanent suitable fence be erected on the boundary and Mr. Robertson was asked to investigate such a fence and report back to the Parish Council.

66. FINANCE
(a) Balances at 28th June 2007 were £53,817.43
(b) Accounts as listed in the Clerks report plus additional payments approved at the meeting were authorised as follows;
English Gardens Pavilion Garden and seat 120.00
Mrs. J. Brown Fax line rental 42.59
CDC Election 1855.00
Playsafety Inspection fee 70.50
Bosham PC Training 50.00
British gas Pavilion 170.49
S. Jupp Fees 1146.46
Wicks Farm Mowing 188.15
English Gardens Pavilion garden 40.00
J. Hamper Potts Litter 112.00
S. Ruff Mowing and Snowhill 350.00
Southern Electric Lighting 190.64
Caravan and Gas Supplies Padlock 5.88 M. Rose Service Boiler 120.00
£ 4,461.71

(c) On a proposal by Mr. Hutton, and seconded by Mr. Tupper, payment of the above accounts was authorised by the Parish Council.
(d) The Chairman and Vice Chairman checked and signed the Council’s bank statements

67. PLANNING
(a) Members noted that planning decision lists had been circulated.
(b) Scotts Farm – Update
Mr. Shrubb left the meeting. Mr. Wright reported that he had attended the Development Control Committee meeting with the Council’s planning consultant. members noted that consent for the caravans on the disputed area was confirmed subject to 19 conditions, particularly that the land must be reduced to existing ground level. Mr. Robertson recognised that this outcome was a major compromise and that the Parish Council had achieved as much as it could. The Chairman thanked District Councillors for their support and those members of the working party.

(c) Members noted the decision of the Planning Working party were as follows;
List No.23/07 WW/07/02392/COU Sunny Brae 41 Marine
Drive West Wittering
Change of use of highway land fronting 41 Marine Drive to residential private use.
OBJECTION loss of privacy
List No.24/07 WW/07/02694/FUL Regnum Court Rookwood
Lane, West Wittering
Demolition of existing property and ancillary accommodation (retaining basement) and construction of replacement dwelling and new ancillary accommodation. Realignment of slipway and refurbishment of harbour wall and hard.
NO OBJECTION
List No.25/07 WW/07/02852/DOM Linden House Chichester Road, West Wittering
Garage with garden store and log store.
NO OBJECTION
WW/07/02827/LBC Elmstead House Elms Lane West Wittering
Flue out of wall to back yard, in order for new condensing boiler to be fitted.
NO OBJECTION
List No 26/07 WW/07/02850/REM Glentana 49 The Crescent
West Wittering,
2 no. semi detached bungalows. Reserved matters application for outline planning permission WW/04/03997/OUT.
NO OBJECTION

68. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(a) Web Site
Mr. Hopson reported that the new web site had been registered and that he and the Clerk would be working on getting the new site operational.
(b) Web Site
Mr. Hopson reported that the Council needed to take out its own hosting site and register this, which would cost in the region of £100. He also recommended changing the broadband provider to BT. On a proposal by Mr. Shrubb, seconded by Mr. Robertson, Mr. Hopson and the Clerk were authorised to proceed and report back to the Chair and Vice Chair for final approval.
(c) Highways
Members noted the rail adjacent to the ditch at the Sportsfield entrance needed replacing, also overgrown hedges at Itchenor Crossroads and Chichester Road (Linden House and Emery Cottages) A further number of potholes were reported.
(d) St Richards Hospital .
Members noted the arrangements for the consultation process.

69. OPEN FORUM
There were no questions from the public, therefore, there being no further business for discussion, the meeting closed at 9.00pm.