West Wittering

Thursday, May 04 2006

Minutes May 2006

WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council,
Held on Thursday, 4th May 2006 in the Sports Pavilion,
Rookwood Road, West Wittering
PRESENT: Mr. R. Hutton, (Chairman), Mr. R. Shrubb, (Vice Chairman), Mr. R. Holmes, Mrs. J. Harper, Mr. J. Robertson, Mr. T. Tupper, Mr. D. Hopson, Mr. W. Buckland, Mr. D. Wright, and 7 members of the Public. Cllrs Jones and Davies were also in attendance.
36. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
On a proposal by Mr. Shrubb, seconded by Mr. Robertson, members agreed that Mr. R. Hutton be elected as Chairman.
37. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
On a proposal by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Holmes, members agreed that Mr. R. Shrubb be elected as Vice Chairman.
38. APPOINTMENT OF WORKING PARTIES AND REPRESENATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
Footpaths and Open Spaces Mrs. Harper, Mr. Buckland, Mr. Wright
Allotments Mrs. Harper, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Tupper
Sportsfield/Millennium Field Mr. Tupper, Mr. Hopson, Mr. Wright, Mr. Robertson
Lighting Mr. Tupper
Planning Mr.Robertson, Mr.Holmes, Mr.Buckland,Mr. Tupper
Emergency Planning Mr. Tupper
Transport/Highways Mrs. Harper
Poor Sevens Trustee Mr. Wright
Tree Warden Mrs. Harper
Snowhill Mr. Buckland, Mr. Wright
Twinning Mr. Wright
Village Design Statement Mr. Robertson
Quality Council/Web Site Mr. Robertson
OTHER BODIES
CDALC Mr. Tupper, Mr. Holmes
SALC Mr. Tupper
Memorial Hall Mr. Wright
Peninsular Forum Mr. Tupper, Mr. Hopson
On a proposal by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Shrubb, the above working parties were agreed.
39. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
40. CODE OF CONDUCT
Mr. R. Shrubb declared his interest in the item concerning Scotts Farm caravan site, and the grasscutting quotes.
41. MINUTES
On a proposal by Mrs. Harper, seconded by Mr. Buckland, the minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman.
42. CLERKS REPORT AND ACTION LIST PROGRESS
(a) Allotments
Mrs. Harper reported that some plots had not yet been cultivated, the Clerk was asked to write to them giving 28 days notice, and if no work was done by the next meeting, would consider issuing a NTQ.
A complaint had been received concerning strimming but this had been resolved. A number of quotes had been received for cutting the eastern boundary and Mrs. Harper was asked investigate the costs of a cut and then regular maintenance. .
(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces.
Mr. Shrubb requested that any Footpath problems be reported to him prior to the visit from WSCC maintenance team.
(c) Sportsfield Management
Mr. Shrubb left the meeting. Mr. Tupper agreed to obtain quotes for the realignment of the entrance. The Clerk explained that a letter had been received from the contractor who had been asked to cut the Sportsfield, withdrawing from the contract. This left the Council in a difficult position as this was the only reply out of 8 invitations to tender. Mr Shrubb had already cut the grass once because of the time factor and had submitted a price for consideration. The cost would be £135 per cut plus VAT, and on a proposal by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Holmes, it was agreed to accept this price and thank Mr Shrubb for stepping in to do the work.
Regarding the possibility of a skate board area, Mr Buckland had looked at the one in East Wittering which cost £17000 in 1999 and measured 15m x 6.8m. It was agreed to ask the Sportsfield to look at the project in detail.
It was agreed that the Youth group could use the Pavilion on Mondays in May and June, to rehearse for a production, apart from 26th June, the rearranged F&GP meeting.
(d) Snowhill
No items to report.
(e) Memorial Hall
No items to report
(f) F&GP
Next meeting 26th June 2006
(g) Village Green
It was noted that work to The Pound had been completed. Mr Holmes also added that contractors had been asked to quote for repairs to the bus shelters.
(h) Annual Parish Meeting
Members noted the Annual Parish meeting was on 12th May 2006 at the Memorial Hall, not the Pavilion.
(i) Twinning.
Mr. Wright reported that an exchange for students had been arranged.
(j) VDS
Mr. Robertson reported that the first design had been produced and consultation was taking place over the following 4 weeks. He also reported a slight increase in costs, but this was covered by the Harbour Conservancy grant.
43. CORRESPONDENCE
Members noted that items as listed in the Clerks report had been circulated.
(a) Letter re Pavilion Car Park
The Chairman reported that he had met with Mr Bassett concerning parking for staff at the pavilion and following receipt of a further letter from the leaseholders of The Cherries, the matter had now been resolved.
(b) Letter re official opening of Salterns Way
The Clerk reported a letter concerning the arrangements for the inaugural bike ride of Salterns Way.
(c) Letter re Annual Meeting with parishes, Chichester District Council
Mr Martin, Mr. Hutton and Mr. Wright agreed to attend on behalf of West Wittering.
(d) Letter re parking, Marine Drive
Members further considered a letter from residents regarding the yellow lines at Marine Drive. The concerns were noted but agreed no further action.
(e) Child Protection issues – Youth Group
Mr. Shrubb reported that appropriate CRB checks were needed for the volunteers who ran the Drop in Club. On a proposal by Mr Shrubb, seconded by Mrs. Harper, it was agreed that the Parish Council would assist financially for the organisation of these checks.
(f) Letter from Cllr Taff Davies re Standards Board inquiry.
Mr. Hopson reported that following an inquiry, Cllr Taff Davies had been suspended by the Standards Board. The Clerk reported that there had been no communication from the District Council regarding the matter. Members expressed their support for their District Councillor, and the Chairman opened the meeting to allow Cllr Peter Jones to explain the current position regarding representation for the parish. Following discussion it was agreed to send a letter to the Chief Executive, Chichester District Council, to record the Parish’s support for Cllr Davies.
44. FINANCE
(a) Balances at 4th May 2006 were £14723.86
(b) Additional accounts were passed for payment as follows; £
(i) PWC Allotments 93.83
(ii) Wicks Farm Sacks 23.97
(iii) J Hamper Potts Litter picking 73.50
(iv) S Ruff Village Green 110.00
(v) British Gas Pavilion 121.71
(vi) Mr. Caddy The Pound 275.00
699.01
(c) On a proposal by Mrs. Harper, and seconded by Mr. Holmes, payment was authorised as follows;
(i) Clerks Report 637.80
(ii) Items above 699.01
(iii) Total 1336.81
(d) New Office Equipment
Mr. Hopson explained that he had priced the required computer equipment for the office, but needed to be able to take advantage of special offers available daily, and proposed that a budget limit of £3000 be allowed, this was seconded by Mr. Robertson and agreed by members.
45. PLANNING
(a) Members noted that planning decision lists had been circulated.
(b) Scotts Farm – Update
Mr. Shrubb left the meeting. The Chairman updated members on the recent meeting with CDC officers. Mr. Wright confirmed that the Development Control Committee had issued a breach of control notice regarding permanent residents on site. This had not yet been actioned by the CDC Solicitor as the owner had agreed to issue NTQ to these owners.
Cllr Peter Jones reported on the recent site visit and confirmed that members of the Development Control Committee were fully briefed on all issues regarding development.
(c) Members noted the decision of the Planning Working party were as follows;
(d) List No. 13/06 WW/06/0111/DOM Single storey side extension, Moat
House, Chapel Lane, WW
NO OBJECTION
WW/06/01115/FUL Conversion of existing Care Home
to 4 2 bed flats, Fairlawns, 22
Marine Close,
NO OBJECTION
List No.14/06 NONE
List N0.15/06 WW/06/01226/FUL Change of use for 2 static caravans
from holiday to permanent use,
Scotts Farm Holiday Site, Cakeham
Road,
OBJECTION Visual intrusion, not
suitable for permanent residence
WW/06/01406/DOM 2 storey side extension, North
Cottage, Pound Rd,
COMMENT re roof line
(e) Public Planning Working party meetings
Mr. Tupper stated that recent advice from the SALC and CDC Solicitor was to allow the public access to planning working party decisions. It was agreed that all planning applications should still be circulated to the Working party so that site visits and consultation could take place. it was proposed that the Working party would meet before each meeting of the parish Council, at 6.30pm so that the public could attend. It was agreed to start this new procedure from 1st June 2006, and also to write to CDC to ask for 28 days for comments or objections to be sent in.
46. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(a) Sussex Village of the Year
Mrs. Harper suggested that an entry from West Wittering should be submitted – it was agreed to look at this for next year.
(b) RSPB Reserve – Bracklesham
Members noted the involvement of the Witterings Business partnership.
(c) Highways
Members noted a number of problems with surfacing and potholes, these were to be reported to WSCC Highways for action.

42. OPEN FORUM
Mr. Jays queried the situation regarding the cutting of his hedge by WSCC, and was advised to seek advice from West Sussex.

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