Thursday, November 25 2010

Minutes November 2010

WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council, held on Thursday 4th November 2010 in the Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Road, West Wittering

PRESENT: Mr. R Hutton, (Chairman) Mr. R. Shrubb, (Vice Chairman) Mr. T. Tupper, Mr. K. Smith, Mr. K. Martin, Mr. D Wright, Mr. W. Buckland and Mr. S. Colwell and 15 members of the public. Cllr Montyn, Cllr Barrett and Cllr Jones were also in attendance.

102. COMMUNTIY WARDEN SCHEME

The Chairman opened the meeting to allow Mr. Drew Allardyce, the Community Warden for Witterings and Bracklesham to address the meeting and explain to members the role of the Warden. He outlined the type of work he does and the liaison with the PCSO’s

The Chairman thanked him for his contribution and asked PCSO Anne Bromley to also update Councillors and the public on recent activity in the area.

103. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mr. J Robertson.

104. DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Mr. Wright, Mr. Buckland, Mr. Martin and Mr. Shrubb declared a personal interest in the item of correspondence concerning West Wittering Estates.

105. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Members considered the following planning applications. The Chairman opened the meeting to allow members of the public to address the Council regarding the applications. The decisions of the Council are set out below.

Members also noted the substitute plans for the application WW/10/03356/FUL, Land off Summerfield Road. Members noted the alterations to the application and that these addressed some of the objections that the Parish Council had already raised. Mr. Wright proposed that the substitute plans be rejected. This was seconded by Mr. Martin. On a vote of 2 for the proposal, and 5 against, with 1 abstention, members rejected the proposal to object to the substitute plans.

Members also noted CDC’s enforcement action at Hazeldene, 6, Marine Drive.

List no Reference Application details

40/10 NONE

41/10 WW/10/04385/DOM 30 Marine Drive West, West Wittering – Demolition of existing garage and replacement with sun room and verandah. – NO OBJECTION

WW/10/04484/TCA Duckflight Cakeham Road West Wittering – Notification of intention to fell 1 no. Monterey Cypress tree. – NO OBJECTION

42/10 NONE

43/10 WW/10/04781/PLD Little Ashlyns Wellsfield West Wittering – Proposed conservatory. – NO OBJECTION

WW/10/04512/DOM The Forge Chapel Lane West Wittering – Extension to create two bedrooms and shower room in the loft. – NO OBJECTION

WW/10/04600/DOM Beachcomber House West Strand West Wittering – Single storey flat roofed rear extension with fanlight above, and alteration to existing roof of conservatory to a flat roof with fanlight above. New bay window at first floor level and other minor alterations. – NO OBJECTION

106. MINUTES

Subject to minute 99(a) being amended to show a total of £ 5360.79 on a proposal by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mr. Wright, the minutes were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

107. CLERKS REPORT

(a) Allotments

Mr. Tupper circulated the proposal from the Allotments Working Party regarding the fencing for the boundary and the wire weld treatment for the gates. He reported that he had been able to obtain a quote from a local contractor previously used by the Council for the sum of £335.94 to reinstate 8m of chestnut paling to existing posts and to clad the pedestrian gate with wire weld. His proposal to accept this quote was seconded My Mr. Smith and members all agreed to proceed with this proposal.

Mr. Wright offered to assist with treatment to reduce the rabbits at the site and surrounding properties. The Parish Council thanked him for this offer and agreed that he could go ahead.

(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces

Mr. Shrubb reported that he had sent out specifications for the footpath work to 6 contractors and that 4 had been returned as follows:

Contractor
A – £610
B – £380
C – £600
D – £912

On a proposal by Mr. Hutton, seconded by Mr. Tupper the Council agreed to appoint Contractor B. It was also agreed that 2 further areas on the Roman Landing/ Snowhill footpath needed strimming and the Chairman and Vice Chairman were authorised to add this work to the specification.

Mr. Tupper reported on the recent break in at the Pavilion and the theft of items belonging to the Football Club. It was agreed that a solution was needed for security of the players’ entry and exit. Mr. Tupper also reported on the recent blocked drain and the need for emergency call out contractors to deal with this type of problem and proposed that the Working Party meet to discuss proposals for emergency procedures and possible caretaking duties for the building. The Council agreed to this and also asked that a list of authorised key holders be obtained from the football club. The Council also agreed to the Football Club request to hold a Christmas party for youngsters at the Pavilion, subject to details being provided beforehand. The Clerk was asked to obtain this information.

(d) Snowhill

Members noted that the New No Parking sign had been put up.

(e) Memorial Hall

No items to report.

(f) Finance

Members noted that the Clerks contract had now been finalised and circulated to members. On a proposal by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mr. Shrubb it was agreed that the Chairman would sign both copies and give one to the Clerk, retaining the other signed copy for the Council’s records.

(g) Village Green

No items to report.

(h) Twinning

Mr. Wright reported on the recent successful and enjoyable trip to France.

(i) Web Site and Communications

Mr. Martin reported that there was still an opportunity for people to sign up for broadband upgrade and encouraged members and the public to vote and spread the word. It was agreed to circulate the information to other Parishes particularly Birdham.

(j) Footway Lighting

Mr. Martin asked the Clerk to contact the new Contractor to establish exactly when the changes to the footway lighting were to be made.

(k) EHCAIG/EA Flood defences

Mr. Martin reported that the EHCAIG meeting of 1st November had been rearranged for 15th November.

Regarding the issue of flood defence, he reported that a local action group had been formed, the West Wittering Flood Action Group, with representation from the local community at the Environment Agency. He explained that the group had the opportunity to raise the shortfall of £500k to contribute to the EA’s preferred scheme which would then be able to secure Government funding for the project. He also explained that a public meeting was to be held on 6th November at the Pavilion.

The Chairman stated that he felt the Parish Council should make a financial contribution to the group and the Clerk explained the powers and restrictions that the Council had regarding contributions to such projects. Following discussion, Mr. Martin proposed that the Parish Council set aside £10k in 2011/12 using its S137 powers as a contribution to the flood defence project. This was seconded by Mr. Colwell and agreed on a vote of 7 for the proposal and 1 against.

(l) Emergency Planning

Members noted that a country wide trial of all emergency plans would take place in March 2011.Mr Buckland reported on the progress with the Winter Management Plan. It was agreed that the sites for salt storage would be the Pavilion Car Park, the Memorial Hall Car Park, the stables at Cakeham, and the Allotments for the Pound Rd area. It was agreed that Mr. Ruff would be asked to be the contractor who would respond in a emergency to salt local footways and pavements.

(m) Summerfield Rd Project Liaison

No additional items to report. Members noted the planning application would be before the Committee of CDC on 24th November and that Mr. Smith and Mr. Hutton would attend.

108. CORRESPONDENCE

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

(a) Letter re bench, Marine Drive

The Chairman reported that he had had a request from a local resident for a memorial seat on Marine Drive. Having inspected the area he felt that there was room for 1 more seat, and it was agreed that unless circumstances change, this would be the last seat to be installed. The Clerk was asked to make the arrangements for the bench with the family.

(b) Letter re West Wittering Estates Car Park and traffic

The Clerk reported that as agreed by the Council, a letter had been written to West Wittering Estates about traffic issues and in particular the management of cars in and out of the Car Park. The Clerk had circulated the response to Members prior to the meeting. Mr. Hutton proposed that a small Working Party meet with the company in the New Year to discuss this issue which had been raised by other Parishes in the area and at the South Chichester CLC. Following further debate the Chairman opened the meeting to allow members of East Wittering and Bracklesham Parish Council to address members. Mr. Hammett of West Wittering Estates agreed that liaison would be a good idea as the company was considering options such as on line ticketing and improved entry and exit arrangements so it was agreed that a meeting could be useful.

109. FINANCE

(a) Accounts for payment were authorised as follows:

Action in rural Sussex Subscription – £30.00
Travis Perkins Allotment keys – £6.48
PWC Allotments supply – £147.77
PWC Allotments supply – £221.71
PWC Pavilion supply – £50.83
TAS Payroll service – £29.38
The Sign Shop “No golf” sign – £44.65
C Tranchant Pavilion garden – £40.00
S. Ruff Pavilion steps, grasscutting etc – £404.00
Travis Perkins Keys – £21.63
J. Hamper Potts Litter picking – £63.00
C Tranchant Pavilion Garden – £40.00
BT Direct debit Fax Line – £38.69
BT Direct debit Office – £90.11

Total – £1228.25

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

110. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

(a) Highways

Mr. Buckland reported that some street name plates needed cleaning/replacing, and Mr. Shrubb reported a large branch overhanging Piggery Hall Lane just before the crossroads.

111. OPEN FORUM

Mr. Bird reported that there were still mole problems on the Millennium Meadow. Mr. McKim and Ms Ash asked the Parish Council to consider their comments in relation to the planning application for Summerfield Rd in particular the foul water disposal and the parking. Mr. Swayne asked members to keep a record of the number of power cuts over the winter months for monitoring purposes.

There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.35pm.

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

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 2nd December 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: www.westwitteringparishcouncil.gov.uk