Friday, June 25 2010

Minutes June 2010

WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 3rd June 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, Mr. K. Martin, Mr. K. Smith Mr. W. Buckland, and 8 members of the public. Cllr. P Montyn was also in attendance.

54. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mr. J. Robertson, Mr. S. Colwell

55. DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT

None

56. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Members considered the following planning applications. The decisions of the Council are set out below;

List No.18/10 NONE

List No.19/10 WW/10/01381/DOM Dorricot 8 Russell Road West Wittering, Proposed single storey front extension. NO OBJECTION

WW/10/01967/DOM 7 Russell Road West Wittering Retrospective planning application for proposed south and east extensions. NO OBJECTION

List No.20/10 WW/10/01634/DOM Englefield Royce Way West Wittering Alterations to garage, new repositioned vehicular access and gravel hardstanding with single storey rear extension with balcony over. OBJECTION re balcony

WW/10/02124/DOM Holmes Cottage Chapel Lane West Wittering Single storey utility room extension.Two storey rear extension with single storey garden room attached. NO OBJECTION

List No. 21/10 WW/10/02123/DOM Tides Reach Rookwood Lane West Wittering, Single storey side extension and loft conversion. NO OBJECTION

WW/10/02067/DOM The Forge Chapel Lane West Wittering Extension to create two bedrooms and shower room in the loft. NO OBJECTION

57. MINUTES

Mr. Wright asked a question about the minutes and the process by which they were signed and amended. The Clerk explained that the minutes circulated and put on the web site were draft only and not approved until agreed or amended by the Council.

There were a number of amendments to the minutes as follows:

On a proposal by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mr. Wright, the sentence “Members acknowledged Mr. Tupper’s attendance at Development Control Committee meetings…….in Minute 46 should be removed and the last sentence should be amended to read ”Following debate, members agreed not to object to this planning application on a vote of 4 to 3.

Mr. Martin further proposed that in future when voting, members of the Council indicate whether they are abstaining rather than just not voting. This was seconded by Mr. Shrubb and members agreed.

Mr. Martin referred to Minute 49(f) and proposed the wording” The Clerk’s salary review was postponed to the next meeting” this was seconded by Mr. Wright.

Mr. Martin referred to Minute 50(a) and proposed that this should read “The Chairman and some members expressed concern that the Review Sub Committee was acting outside its remit, and agreed that the Clerk should write a letter to the Monitoring Officer. This was seconded by Mr. Wright and members agreed.

Subject to the above amendments, the minutes were signed by the Chairman.

Members discussed the process of circulating draft minutes and it was agreed that the Chairman would check the minutes for accuracy before they are circulated. Mr. Tupper suggested a note on the minutes to say that they are not approved until agreed by the Council at its next meeting, and this was agreed.

58. PRESENTATION BY CDC AND HYDE MARTLET ON LOW COST HOUSING PROJECT

The Chairman opened the meeting for a presentation and update on the progress of the housing project on land off Summerfield Road. Mr. Irving explained that a planning application for 15 affordable homes would be submitted shortly, based on the plans already discussed. Mr. Wade from Hyde Martlet explained that WSCC Highways had been consulted regarding access and highway implications and did not object, however the scheme did include additional parking spaces for Summerfield Rd in order to improve the flow of traffic. Mr. Wright asked whether the change in Government would be an issue in relation to the development of exception sites, however Mr. Irving did not anticipate that there would be any significant change that may affect this development. Members debated the current problems with access and parking in Summerfield Road, .and Mr. Wade explained the proposals for additional parking. Members also asked Mr. Wade to look into the ownership of the footbridge into Ellanore Lane as it was in a very bad condition. Mr. Irvine explained the local connection criteria and confirmed that there were 115 people on the current waiting list, with 33 households having priority need. Mr. Wade confirmed that the planning application would be submitted within 3-6 weeks with an anticipated decision in 3 months.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Irving and the team for their update.

59. CLERKS REPORT

(a) Allotments

No items to report.

(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces.

No items to report.

Mr. Hutton reported damage to the Pavilion roof caused by golf balls. It was agreed that some signs were needed. Mr. Tupper reported that the clay mound would be removed from the Sportsfield the following week.

(d) Snowhill

No items to report.

(e) Memorial Hall

No items to report.

(f) Finance

The Clerk’s salary review was postponed to the next meeting.

(g) Village Green

Members noted that a limb of the Horse Chestnut tree appeared to be dead or dying. It was agreed to include this on the list of tree works being prepared by Mr. Shrubb.

(h) Twinning.

Mr. Wright reported that the recent visit was a success and thanked the Parish Council for its support.

(i) Web Site and Communications

Mr. Martin reported that a new page had been created on the web site for the EHCAG and that other updates and pointers had been added. He proposed that access be provided to Forum members and explained that this could be made available for the sum of £200. This was seconded by Mr. Smith and agreed by members on a vote of 6 for with Mr. Shrubb abstaining. Regarding the next newsletter, Mr. Martin stated that the principal topic would be flood defence. The Environment Agency had agreed to produce a circular as part of their consultation, and would consider including the newsletter as part of their circulation. Mr. Martin also asked members to write a small paragraph about themselves for the newsletter.

(j) Footway Lighting

Mr. Martin asked the Clerk to chase the new Contractor regarding the changes to footway lighting still outstanding.

(k) EHCAG and Pag/Head Coastal Strategy

No items to report.

(l) EA/Flood defences

No items to report.

(n) Emergency Planning

Mr. Smith reported that the plan was virtually completed.

60. CORRESPONDENCE

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

(a) TRO Pound Road/Rookwood Rd.

Members noted the consultation letter and drawings from WSCC. The Clerk explained that there were some amendments to the drawings as shown; the DYL’s were continuous in front of the Church and the School Keep Clear lines in front of the old School entrance were to be removed. Following discussion, on a proposal by Mr. Tupper, seconded by Mr. Wright, members voted to support the schemes, on a vote of 5 for, 2 against with no abstentions.

(b) CDC Consultation – Leader or Elected Mayor

The Clerk reported a letter from Chichester District Council regarding the provisions of the Local Government &Public Involvement Act and the authority’s decision on whether to adopt a Cabinet style hierarchy with a Leader, or opt for a directly elected Mayor. Following discussion, Mr. Tupper proposed that the Parish Council support the Leader/Cabinet style, this was seconded by Mr. Smith and agreed by the Council on a vote of 6 for and 1 against. Mr. Martin wished to record that he voted against the proposal.

The Clerk reported a letter from CDC regarding a review of their grants and concessions policy. Mr. Martin proposed that the Parish Council support the current policy, this was seconded by Mr. Wright and members agreed unanimously.

The Clerk reported that WSCC was consulting Parishes regarding the role and function of County Local Committee’s. Mr. Tupper expressed a preference for the model used by the Joint Eastern and Joint Western CLC’s which included Parish representation as part of the main CLC. Members agreed that more participation and inclusion by Parishes would be favorable. Mr. Martin agreed to draft a response to WSCC.

(d) EA Flood Defence Consultation

Members noted the successful presentation by the EA at the Annual Parish meeting.

On a proposal by Mr. Hutton, seconded by Mr. Wright, members agreed on a vote of 5 for, 1 against and 1 abstention, that Option 3 was the most popular with residents and the Council.

(e) Request for Advertising Board on Village Green

Members considered a request from the proprietor of Tucano Beach to place an advertising board on the village green. This was agreed subject to it only being used during opening hours.

61. FINANCE

(a) Balances at 30/04/2010 97,890.11

(b) Accounts for payment (i) Mrs. J. Brown, Clerks Salary and mileage 2090.91

(ii) HMRC Tax and NI 784.20

(ii) Neptune Plaque 103.40

(iii) Mrs. J. Brown Printing 34.50

(iv) WSCC Footway Lighting 662.58

(v) J Hamper Potts Litter picking 63.00

(vi) C Tranchant Pavilion Garden 40.00

(vii) Wicks Farm Mowing Sportsfield 178.60

(viii) Wicks Farm Misc cleaning 18.21

(ix) Zurich Insurance Premium 2956.11

(x) Mr. S Ruff Mowing 210.00

(xi) J Hamper Potts Litter picking 70.00

(xii) M Mills Repair pavilion roof 230.00

Total 7,441.51

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

(d) Statement of Accounts and Annual Return 09/10

On a proposal by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mr. Smith the Statement of Accounts and Annual Return for 09/10 were approved on a vote of 6 for and 1 abstention.

62. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

(a) Highways

A pothole opposite the entrance to the CDC depot in Piggery Hall Lane was reported, and also the uneven surface and pothole at Cunliffe Close.

(b) Planning Application – Merry Harbour

Members discussed the recent decision not to object to the application relating to Merry Harbour, Roman Landing. The Chairman explained that he had arranged a briefing session with Mr. Frost of CDC to explain the Parish Council role in the planning process. Mr. Martin asked if this could include the status of the VDS in the process and that he was keen to understand the guiding principles for development.

63. OPEN FORUM

Mr. Gray asked the Council if he could make a number of points about the housing development proposed off Summerfield Rd. The Council asked him to put his points in writing, so that they could be forwarded to CDC and Hyde Martlet.

There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.50pm.

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

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 1st July 2010

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;