Thursday, October 01 2009

Minutes October 2009

WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council, held on Thursday, 1st October 2009 in the Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Road, West Wittering

PRESENT: Mr. R. Hutton, (Chairman) Mr. R Shrubb, Mr. D Wright, Mr K Smith, Mr. J Robertson, Mr. K. Martin, Mr. W Buckland, Mr S. Colwell and 25 members of the Public. Cllr Pieter Montyn was also in attendance.

98. COUNCILLOR K SMITH

Following his election to the Council in September 2009 the Chairman welcomed Keith Smith to the Council.

99. POUND ROAD

The Chairman welcomed Mr Martin Downy and Mr Hugh Davies of West Sussex County Council and opened the meeting to allow them to address the Council and public on the matter of the gates across Pound Road.

Mr Davies informed the meeting that Pound Road is a publicly maintained highway up to a point adjacent to the church entrance. It is also a public footpath, which is also a public highway. He referred to the signs and gates which have been erected by residents occupying the new properties on the site of the old Rectory.

Mr Davies referred to the arrangements for the creation of the Definitive map, a document which by statute was drawn up by the County Council and was based on information either already held by WSCC or supplied by other bodies such as Parish Councils. He referred to the extensive consultation process carried out in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. He stated he was satisfied that the road from the Church across the frontage of the old Rectory to the road leading to the beach, was a public footpath only, although it has endured vehicle access for hundreds of years. He further stated that certain persons enjoyed private vehicle access over this public footpath, this being for residents and their invitees but this right did not extend to public vehicular use as it was still an offence to drive a vehicle over a public footpath.

Relating to the signs that had been erected, he confirmed that these had been changed so as not to unlawfully deter the public from using the footpath.

Mr Downy told the meeting that the County Council was considering whether parking restrictions would alleviate some of the traffic problems for residents. This would be in the form of yellow lines.

Mr Davies and Mr Downy took questions from Councillors and the public. Following discussion Mr Davies remained satisfied that the general public only had pedestrian rights over the part of the road in front of the old Rectory.

Mr Wright proposed a vote of thanks on behalf of the Council to Mr Davies and Mr Downy. The Parish Council agreed that it would consider all the points made by the officers and members of the public before considering any further response.

100. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mr T Tupper

101. DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Mr. Wright and Mr Shrubb declared a personal interest in the planning application for Wicks farm. Mr Colwell declared an interest in the application for Field Fares. Mr Martin declared an interest in the application for Moddeshall, Elms Lane.

102. MINUTES

On a proposal by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mr Robertson, members agreed that the minutes should be signed as a true and correct record.

103. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

(a) Members considered the following planning applications and the meeting was opened to allow the public to address the Council. The decisions of the Council are set out below.

List No 36/09 NONE

List No 37/09 WW/09/03985/DOM 8, Russell Rd. West Wittering - Ground floor single storey extension

NO OBJECTION

WW/09/03886/DOM 4, Quickset Cottages, Chichester Rd, West Wittering - Side and rear extension, porch and internal alterations.

NO OBJECTION

List No.38/09 WW/09/03714/DOM Pooh Corner 1 Marine Drive West, West Wittering – Demolition of existing greenhouse, roof and front entrance link. Erection of garage extension, porch, utility link extension, outdoor store, balcony and alterations to existing first floor.

NO OBJECTION

WW/09/03982/TCA Land To South of Moddershall Elms Lane West Wittering - Notification of intention to cut back to a height of 4m on 14 no. Leyland Cypress trees.

NO OBJECTION

WW/09/04091/DOM St Christophers West Strand West Wittering – Use of existing garage as ancillary changing and showering facilities after dinghy sailing, with the occasional use as guest’s bedroom.

COMMENT re condition to prevent separate unit of accommodation

List No. 39/09 WW/09/03250/DOM Fieldfares Elms Lane West – Alterations and roof extension to provide improved first floor accommodation and conversion of existing car port into bed sitting room providing ancillary accommodation to existing residential dwelling.

COMMENT re condition to prevent separate unit of accommodation

104. CLERKS REPORT

(a) Allotments

Members noted that the new gate had been ordered. They considered again the request fro additional security at the site. Mr Shrubb stated that he agreed that repairs were needed to the gate but that it would be nearly impossible to secure the site because of the access from all sides. On a proposal by Mr Shrubb, seconded by Mr Martin, members agreed that plot holders needed to be more vigilant and police the site themselves.

(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces.

Members considered a request for a memorial bench on the seafront at Shore Rd. It was agreed that this was not a suitable site but that it could be placed further along nearer land owned by Cakeham Estates. It was agreed to notify the person making the request.

Regarding the east/west cycle path, Mr Shrubb reported that the County Council had recommended a deed of dedication for the land ownership issue and that he was waiting for an update from the Engineer responsible for the project.

The Chairman opened the meeting to allow Mr Paul Hills of West Wittering Cricket Club to address the meeting regarding a number of complaints received concerning noise and disturbance from recent events held at the Cricket club.

Mr Hills confirmed that he had already responded to the complaints and apologised on behalf of the Club regarding these. He agreed that the complaints were justified and confirmed that the Club would not be hiring the facilities again for this type of function.

He went on to explain that this left the Cricket Club in a situation requiring support for a community facility which needed resources to function and provide a desirable facility. He asked for the Council’s support to investigate a way forward to resolve the issue of funding. He also asked for the Parish Council’s support and permission to hold a fireworks and bonfire night on 6th November 2009. This was agreed by the Council subject to the appropriate licence and consents being in place. Regarding the management of the Cricket and Football Club facilities, the Council agreed to look at whether a combined Pavilion/Cricket club manager was feasible. It was also agreed to organise a one off deep clean of the Pavilion and changing rooms.

(d) Snowhill

Mr Wright reported that the abandoned topper dinghy was still on Snowhill.

(e) Memorial Hall

No items to report.

(f) Finance Working Party

Members agreed that this Working Party should meet to start the process to coordinate budget and spending plans for 2010/11. It was agreed to meet on 13th October and members were asked to let Mr Shrubb have details of any quotations or projects. It was also agreed to ask Mr Dobbin to provide additional budget profile information as part of his regular monthly report which is made available on the Council’s website.

(g) Village Green

Mr Buckland provided a quote of £170 for works to the hawthorn tree at the side of the Village Green. On a proposal by Mr Shrubb, seconded by Mr Buckland it was agreed to accept the quote. It was also agreed to plant an additional oak tree as a replacement.

(h) Twinning.

Mr. Wright reported that several events would be announced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Twinning Association.

(i) Web Site and Communication

No items to report

(j) Footway Lighting

No items to report

(k) Pag/Head Coastal Strategy

Members noted that the next meeting would be on 7th October.

105. CORRESPONDENCE

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

(a) CDC Car Parking Strategy

The Clerk reported that CDC would be recommending changes to the parking in East Wittering. Following discussion it was agreed to write to the Car Parks Officer Mr Lewin to object to the recommendations as they did not address the issue of long term parking. It was also agreed that bays should be marked out in the parking areas and on street and that there should not be any delay in the implementation of the strategy.

(b) CDC – Local Development Framework – Statement of Community consultation

Mr. Martin referred to the consultation document, comments due 8th October 2009. It was agreed that the Council felt that the process of engaging the wider community should not diminish the views of the local one. It was further agreed that the consultation period should be set at least 6 weeks and that feedback from consultation should be made available.

106. FINANCE

(a) Balances at 25/09/2009 per bank reconciliation – £75,900.11

(b) Accounts as listed in the Clerks report plus additional payments approved at the meeting were approved as follows:

(i) Natural Land Management Verge cutting – £172.50
(ii) J Hamper Potts Litter picking – £112.00
(iii) Wicks Farm Black sacks – £23.00
(iv) Wicks Farm Janitorial supplies – £68.47
(v) Willards Pavilion isolator – £58.02
(vi) CDC Paladin hire – £139.78
(vii) CDC Election costs – £2,368.56
(viii) SEC Footway lighting – £229.48
(ix) J Kenward Pavilion and Bus shelters – £1,674.00

Total – £4,845.81

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

107. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

(a) Local policing

Mr Wright reported on the recent Neighbourhood Management forum, and the parish Council noted that EW&B Parish Council had still not had a response to the letter sent to the Chief Constable in August.

(b) Peninsular Forum

Mr Robertson reported on the last meeting of the Peninsular Community Forum, which discussed Local Area parking Enforcement (LAPE), A27 major improvements and coastal defence (Medmerry alignment).

108. OPEN FORUM

Mr Tayler asked the Council to endeavour to circulate the information from the meeting regarding Pound Road. He also asked the Council to reconsider what action to take in light of this information and the Council agreed to discuss this at the next meeting.

There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 10.00pm.

Signed…………………….…Chairman Date……………………

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 5th November 2009 in the West Wittering Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Rd.