Sunday, September 01 2013
Minutes June 2013
MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council,held on Thursday 6th June 2013 in the Sports Pavilion,Rookwood Road, West Wittering, PO20 8LT
PRESENT: Mr.R Shrubb (Vice Chairman), Mr C Pine, Mr I Parker, Mr W Buckland, Mr S Jennings, Mrs J Barrett, Mr Wright and 11 members of the public. Cllr Montyn, Cllr Barrett and Cllr Marshall were also in attendance.
199. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr K Martin
200. DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT
Mr. Shrubb declared an interest in the item regarding Scott’s Farm, and Mr Wright declared a personal interest the planning application for Cymens Cottage.
201. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) The Council discussed the following planning applications;
| List No | Reference | Application details |
| 19/13 | WW/13/01296/DOM | Ms Olivia Taylor 15 Southcote Avenue West Wittering 2 no dormers, 4 no roof lights, first floor rear extension and porch resubmission and alterations to WW/12/03615/DOM).NO OBJECTION |
| 20/13 | WW/13/01316/DOM | Mr & Mrs Sheppard 15 The Wad West Wittering Loft conversion to include 3 no. dormers in north elevation, dormer to the south elevation and change in roof design. NO OBJECTION |
| 21/13 | WW/13/01460/LBC | Mr Roger Mavity Cymens Cottage Pound Road West Wittering Demolition of existing summerhouse, garden shed and kitchen store outbuildings. Erection of new single storey timber clad garden building, including garden studio, kitchen store and garden store. NO OBJECTION |
| 22/13 | NONE |
(b) Neighbourhood Development Plan – Volunteers meeting
The Chairman reported that a meeting had been arranged for 20th June 2013 at 7.30pm in the Pavilion.
(c) CDC – Draft Housing strategy
Mr Wright reported that he had checked the draft and that there was nothing further to add.
(d) CDC – Changes to Development Control Management
Members noted Mr Wright’s proposal which had been circulated prior to the meeting. Mr Wright reported that he had attended the Annual meeting of CDC and that the item concerning changes to parish powers in relation to objections to DOM applications had been deferred for further consultation. Mr Wright also referred to a response he had received from Andrew Tyrie MP supporting proper consultation on this important principle. The Chairman opened the meeting to allow Cllr Montyn to address the Council. He referred to the decision of the Council to defer the item until its meeting in July to allow the findings of the Task group to be made available to Parishes.
Mr Wright proposed that the following be sent to all CDC Members before the next Council meeting. “The Parish Council deplores the attempt by the CDC Cabinet to amend their constitution to take away Parish Council and Harbour Conservancy Powers to refer “DOM” suffix planning applications to the Planning Committee (as it is now called) when objecting to planning permissions in respect of those applications. The Parish Council particularly quotes our Member of Parliament’s letter dated 20th May 2013 in relation to this matter when he says that it is important that Parish Councils are fully consulted on proposed changes such as this”. This was seconded by Mr Pine and agreed by the Council on a vote of 5 for and 1 against.
202. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING
On a proposal by Mr Buckland and seconded by Mr Parker, the minutes were agreed and signed by the Chairman.
203. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
Cllr Marshall reminded Members that the draft Local Plan responses were being evaluated and monitored.. Cllr Montyn reported that at the CDC Annual Meeting with parishes the matter of DC management had not been raised.
He agreed to assist with the further meeting regarding the Pound Rd TRO issue and also agreed to look into why the Marine Drive Car Park grass had not yet been cut. He also agreed to report the problem with the ditch opposite Emery Cottages being blocked by the soil that Contractors had left.
Mr Wright asked about the problem at Scott’s Farm regarding the destruction of hedgerow on Webb’s Land. Mr Shrubb declared an interest and left the meeting. Mr Buckland took the Chair.
Members noted the letter from Mrs Hadley regarding problems with the hedgerow being cut and ditches being blocked along the boundary with Scott’s Farm. Cllr Montyn agreed to find out what action could be taken by CDC or WSCC to prevent this happening in future. Cllr Barrett reported that it was a criminal offence to disturb wildlife habitats.
Mr Shrubb returned to the meeting at this point.
204. CLERKS REPORT
(a) Allotments
Members noted the need for new padlocks at the Allotment site. On a proposal by Mr Pine, seconded by Mr Buckland it was agreed that the Parish Council would purchase the new padlocks and the Association would cover the cost of the keys. It was also agreed that quotes would be sought for the cutting of the hedge.
(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces
Members noted that the planned maintenance visit had been completed and some clearance work carried out.
Members also noted maintenance issues with the cycle path and a BT control box which had been erected on the path near Joliffe Rd. It was agreed to report these matters to WSCC.
(c) Sportsfield Management
Mr Buckland referred to his previously circulated Business Plan for the provision of 2 tennis courts on the Sportsfield. He also referred to the report circulated by the Chairman. Members discussed the proposed School use and management arrangements. Mr Jennings asked if the courts could be designed to be multi use, subject to maintenance this could be accommodated.
On a proposal by Mr Parker, seconded by Mr Buckland members agreed to proceed with the project and obtain planning consent for 2 courts.
Members also discussed the new forms for the H&S Risk Assessments for Council assets. It was agreed to ask the Cricket Club and Croquet Club what measures they had in place.
On a proposal by Mr Shrubb seconded by Mr Buckland Members agreed the forms designed by Mrs Barrett and Mr Shrubb. The Chairman thanked Mrs Barrett for her work on this project.
The Chairman referred to a request to cut back a tree on the Sportsfield boundary. It was agreed to request a tree hazard survey and the Clerk was asked to obtain quotes. Members agreed that overhanging trees could be cut back in principle but that they did not wish to see any removal of undergrowth or whole trees as these were a valuable barrier and wildlife habitat.
(d) Snowhill
Mr Pine reported that the bollard and post were completed. It was agreed to let CDC refuse operators have a key. Mr Pine agreed to fit the key safe.
(e) Memorial Hall
There were no items to report.
(f) Finance
On a proposal by Mr Shrubb seconded by Mr Parker the Council approved the Annual Return and Statement of Accounts and the Annual Governance Statement for 2012/13.
(g) Village Green
No items.
(h) Twinning
Mr Wright reported that Moutiers Les Mauxfaits were planning to twin with a town in Germany.
(i) Communication and Web site
No items
(j) Footway Lighting
The Clerk reported that WSCC would not agree to maintain low level footway lights in Elms Lane and the Clerk was asked to contact SEC to see if they could come up with an alternative option.
(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) Peninsula Forum meeting
Mr Shrubb reported on this meeting and the measures that Parishes could take to prevent incursion by Travellers was discussed. He also reported the work on the Medmerry realignment was coming to an end and work on the link path to Bracklesham is being progressed..
205. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Members noted items listed in the Clerks report had been circulated
(b) Pound Rd TRO
Members noted a further meeting was being arranged with WSCC.
(c) Fence – Country Stores Rookwood Rd
Members noted that the fence did not contravene planning regulations.
206. FINANCE
(a) Accounts for payment were authorised as follows;
| Shellcast | Repair shutter | 463.92 |
| Mrs M Waller | Caretaker | 200.00 |
| Mr M Waller | Litter picking April and May) | 175.00 |
| Wittering Utc FC | Refreshments Annual Assembly | 122.50 |
| Mrs J Brown | Clerks salary and expenses | 872.47 |
| HMRC | Liabilities | 121.19 |
| Mr S Ruff | Grasscutting | 230.00 |
| Southern Electric | Pavilion | 533.81 |
| Wicks Farm | Mowing and key safe for Snowhill | 256.44 |
| UK Servers Ltd | Domain registration | 21.00 |
| Travis Perkins | Grass seed | 6.63 |
| Aquadition | Service water softener | 306.00 |
| Southern Electric | Lighting | 244.29 |
| Zurich Municipal | Policy 2013/14 | 2340.44 |
| Knight Fencing | Move Snowhill bollard | 96.00 |
| C Tranchant | Pavilion Garden | 40.00 |
| Wicks Farm | Mowing | 230.10 |
| CDC | Contribution to Community Warden | 3200.00 |
| PWC | Allotments | 123.58 |
| Travis Perkins | Keys | 9.34 |
| TOTAL | 9592.71 |
(b) On a proposal by Mr Buckland, and seconded by Mr. Pine payment of the above accounts was authorised by the Parish Council.
207. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(a) Highway matters
Mr Shrubb reported overhanging trees and branches at Itchenor crossroads, and queried why the cycle path verges had not been cut. Also noted a repair had broken down again on the surface. Mr Parker asked for a copy of the schedule of visits by Parking Enforcement Officers.
208. OPEN FORUM
Mr Kemp asked the Council if it could check the condition of the oak tree in the sw corner of the Millennium Meadow when the tree survey was carried out.
Mrs Hadley expressed concern that the Environment Agency was to close off the crab pool on Snowhill.
There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 8.35 pm.
Signed: ……………………………………………………………………………. ………………….. Date: ………………………………………
Chairman
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 4th July 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