Thursday, October 04 2007

Minutes October 2007

10/07
WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council,
Held on Thursday, 4th October 2007 in the Sports Pavilion,
Rookwood Road, West Wittering
PRESENT: Mr. R. Hutton (Chairman) Mr. R. Shrubb, (Vice Chairman), Mr. W. Buckland, Mr. K.Martin, Mr. T. Tupper, Mr. D. Hopson, Mr. D. Wright, and 8 members of the Public. Cllrs Monteyn and Daws Chew were also in attendance.

79. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr. Robertson

80. CODE OF CONDUCT
Mr. R. Shrubb declared his interest in the item concerning Scotts Farm caravan site. Mr. Wright declared an interest in the planning application for Paddock Cottage.

81. MINUTES
On a proposal by Mr Martin, seconded by Mr. Tupper, the minutes were signed as a true and correct record.

82. CLERKS REPORT AND ACTION LIST PROGRESS
(a) Allotments
Mr. Tupper reported that he had no plans to proceed with the fence work at present. Members discussed the rents which were due for review. It was agreed that this should be carried out in July in future. On a proposal by Mr. Tupper, seconded by Mr. Buckland, it was agreed that rents would increase by 5% from October 2008 and that all plot holders would be informed this October.
The Clerk reported a letter from the owner of “Galicanthus” regarding his hedge and fence. Mr. Tupper agreed to meet with him and discuss the options for the maintenance of his hedge.
It was noted that the hedge to the property “Rowans” had been cut back, as agreed with the Parish Council a contractor would be organised to remove the cuttings.
(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces.
Mr. Tupper reported that the nettles on the land at Omega, Cakeham Road, were overhanging the footway, and it was agreed to report this to WSCC.
(c) Sportsfield and Pavilion Management
Mr. Tupper reported that he had quotes for pest control at the Sportsfield as follows,
Contractor A £ 270 per quarter
Contractor B £ 200 per quarter
On a proposal by Mr Tupper, seconded by Mr. Shrubb it was agreed to ask Contractor A to carry out 2 quarters work, to be renewed if results were satisfactory.
(d) Snowhill
The Clerk reported that a letter had been sent to Mr. Pitt regarding the seat and a reply was awaited. Mr. Shrubb reported that the Harbour Conservancy had a project to clear dead trees and replant also to reinstate the footpath at the bottom of Ellanore Lane.
(e) Memorial Hall
No items to report.
(f) F&GP
15th October 2007, 7.30pm
(g) Village Green
Members noted the white posts had broken and agreed to ask the WSCC Highways for an alternative more robust proposal.
(h) Parish Plan
No items to report.
(i) Twinning.
No items to report.
(j) Footway Lighting
Mr. Martin reported on the response from WSCC Street Lighting. His view was that a local contractor could provide an alternative to the proposals from West Sussex. It was agreed to look into this further.

(k) Pag/Head Coastal Strategy
No specific items to report.
(l) Declaration of Vacancy
Members noted that following Mrs Harper’s resignation there would be an election to contest the vacancy on 13th December 2007. Mr. Hopson proposed that poll cards be issued by CDC, this was seconded by Mr. Wright and on a vote of 4 for and 3 against, was carried.

83. CORRESPONDENCE
Members noted that items as listed in the Clerks report had been circulated.
(a) Letter re Footway Light, Marine Drive
The Clerk reported a letter from the neighbour of the property in Marine Drive who had requested that the footway light be moved. This resident did not wish to see the light moved, nor did members wish to see it positioned on the nearby telegraph pole.
(b) CDC Flooding Survey
The Clerk reported that CDC was now in a position to undertake the annual flooding survey again, so Mr. Shrubb agreed to coordinate this.
(c) Fit for the Future – Consultation
The Chairman opened the meeting to allow Cllr Monteyn to address the meeting. He confirmed that the Executive Board of CDC had endorsed Option B as the preferred option – St Richards Hospital as the major A&E. he also expressed concern that the consultation process was flawed. Cllr Daws Chew also expressed concern over the inadequate consultation and that the many deliberations did not take account of the less accessible corners of the County and the seasonal rises in population.
Mr. Shrubb reported that the parish Council now had 750 copies of the consultation document and the support St Richards leaflet. He proposed that a letter from the Parish Council with important information about the consultation be delivered to every household in the parish. This was seconded by Mr Martin and members agreed.

84. FINANCE
(a) Balances at 28th September 2007 were £73,865.08
(b) Accounts as listed in the Clerks report plus additional payments approved at the meeting were authorised as follows; £
(i) Wicks Farm Changing Unit 175.08
(ii) Environment Agency Fees 1,000.00
(iii) CDC Planning Fees 135.00
(iv)SEC Lighting 182.95
(v) Wicks Farm Mowing 165.68
(vi) S. Ruff Footpaths etc 255.00
(vii) J. Hamper Potts Litter 91.00
(viii) CDC Paladin Hire 123.73
(ix) WSCC Street Lighting Mtce 996.26
3,124.70
(c) On a proposal by Mr. Buckland, and seconded by Mr. Martin, payment of the above accounts was authorised by the Parish Council.

85. PLANNING
(a) Members noted that planning decision lists had been circulated.
(b) Scotts Farm – Update
Mr. Shrubb left the meeting. Mr. Wright reported that the District had noted that the applicant was behind in complying with the conditions of the planning consent.
(c) Members noted the decision of the Planning Working party which had met before this meeting was as follows;
List No.37/07 WW/07/04098/DOM 31 Elmstead Park Road West Wittering.
Single storey front extension.
NO OBJECTION

List No.38/07 WW/07/04565/DOM 33 Marine Drive West Wittering
Extension of balustrade to rear of property.
NO OBJECTION
WW/07/04471/COU Millennium Field Elms Lane,
Change of use from recreational to garden use. Removal of close board fence. Erection of 1 m high wire fence.
SUPPORT
List No.39/07 WW/07/04678/DOM Paddock Cottage Roman Landing
West Wittering
New pitched roof and extension to existing flat roof studio including insertion of dormer and roof windows, internal adaptations to suit.
NO OBJECTION
(d) Little Orchard, Locksash Close WW/07/04807
Members noted this planning application was on the next list but no plans were available because of the postal strike. Because of the large amount of interest the Chairman opened the meeting to allow the applicant to speak.
Members of the public also expressed concerns over parking and the size of the development.
The Council agreed to hold a meeting of the Planning Working party on 15th October 2007 at 7.00pm to discuss this application as the plans would then be available.

86. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(a) Drop in Youth Club
Mr. Hopson reported that the Youth group wished to hold an event to raise funds which would be in the form of a sleepover at the pavilion. This was agreed.
(b) Highways
Members noted the street name plate at Windsor Drive needed replacing and also queried the progress of parking restrictions on the bend of Rookwood Rd before the Old House at Home.

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