Thursday, October 11 2012
Minutes October 2012
WEST WITTERING PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES of the Meeting of the Parish Council, held on Thursday 4th October 2012 in the Sports Pavilion, Rookwood Road, West Wittering, PO20 8LT PRESENT:, Mr. K Martin (Chairman), Mr Shrubb ( Vice Chairman) , Mr W Buckland, Mr C Pine, , Mrs C Megeney, Mr D Wright, and 17 members of the public. Cllr Montyn, Cllr Barratt and Cllr Marshall were in attendance.
99. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
100. DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT
Mr Wright declared an interest in the planning application for Galicanthus and the planning appeal for West House as well as the item regarding strimming at the Allotments.
101. PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY
Members noted that there had been no applicants for the vacancy.
102. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
(a) The Council discussed the following planning applications;
| List No | Reference | Application details |
| 36/12 | WW/12/03133/DOM | Mr J Walker,1 The Wad West Wittering, Rear extension of ground floor accommodation to create a larger open plan living and kitchen area, revamped side garage in main entrance and change of use of roof space to habitable area. WITHDRAWN |
| WW/12/03320/DOM | Mr & Mrs Wyatt 39 Marine Drive West West Wittering, Demolition of 3.bay windows and chimney. First floor extension, roof lights, dormer, veranda and balcony. Replacement garage. OBJECTION balcony uneighbourly and intrusive | |
| WW/12/03423/TCA | Mr Matthew Brown, Talas Cakeham Road West Wittering, Notification of intention to fell 1 no. Eucalyptus tree. NO OBJECTION | |
| 37/12 | WW/12/03410/DOM | Mr And Mrs Keith Batson, 18 Culimore Close West Wittering, Erection of single storey carport on eastern side of property. NO OBJECTION |
| 38/12 | WW/12/03484/FUL | Mr & Mrs Denman, Thatchways West Strand West Wittering Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of replacement dwelling. NO OBJECTION |
| 39/12 | WW/12/03619/DOM | Mr And Mrs Tony And Verita Rickards Gallicantus Roman Landing West Wittering Erection of single and two storey extension at rear (east and north) side of house, new front entrance associated alterations. Replacement of flat roof over garage with pitched. NO OBJECTION |
(b) Neighbourhood Development Plan
The Chairman referred to the consultation on housing numbers recently distributed by Chichester District Council. He proposed that an extraordinary meeting of the Council be held on 18th October 2012 to allow the Council to consider its response and to develop ideas regarding a Neighbourhood Development Plan. This was seconded by Mr Shrubb and Members agreed.
(c) Planning Appeal West House, West House, East Strand WW/12/01568/FUL
Members noted this appeal. The Parish Council did not object to the application and had no further comments.
(d) Substitute Plans Whyke House, WW/12/01400
The Council considered additional plans and a photomontage in relation to the above application. The Chairman opened the meeting to allow the applicant to address members. She explained that a number of alterations had been made including to the parapet, porch and columns and gable height. Also included in the amendments were the recommendations of the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, regarding the colour of the window frames and reduction in the side elevations. Mr Wright asked if the CHC had objected to the substitute plans and it was confirmed that they had objected to the design and increase in bulk and mass. Mr Wright felt that the amended design was an improvement and proposed that the Council did not object. This was seconded by Mr Shrubb and on a vote of 5 for the proposal and 1 against the proposal to not object was agreed.
103. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING
On a proposal by Mr Shrubb and seconded by Mr Pine, the minutes were agreed and signed by the Chairman. Reference Minute 93(n) Mr Martin reported that he had not been able to complete the consultation document on Council tax reforms
104. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
Cllr Montyn referred to the information he had circulated regarding the frequency of visits by Parking Enforcement Officers and the number of PCN’s issued. Cllr Marshall referred to the proposed extraordinary meeting of the Council and agreed to report to this meeting following his meeting at CDC regarding housing allocation.
105. CLERKS REPORT
(a) Allotments
Mrs Megeney reported that the WP was currently allocating new plots. Members also discussed an approach from the Allotment Association regarding the development of self management for the site. It was agreed that the WP needed to discuss this in more detail with the Association and report back to the Council. It was agreed not to progress with quotations for the new gate until this had been discussed as well. Mrs Megeney also referred to a complaint by Mr Wright regarding noise from the use of a strimmer. Mrs Megeney agreed to discuss this with the plot holder and if appropriate arrange a meeting with Mr Wright to discuss the matter.
(b) Footpaths and Open Spaces
Mr Shrubb reported that WSCC had carried out their inspection prior to their maintenance team visiting the Parish and that clearance work would be carried out in late October. Member s also noted that there were delays in the construction of the flood bank which would result in F/P No. 1 being closed during the winter.
(c) Sportsfield and Millennium Meadow
Members noted that security barriers had now been installed at the Sportsfield and Millennium Meadow that a quote for the repairs to the play equipment had been requested and the Clerk would be arranging for the fixed ISP address at the Pavilion. Approval was also given to the Camera Club to fix a projector screen in the Social room. Mr Buckland reported that he had obtained initial information regarding the possibility of developing a tennis court on the Sportsfield on the site of the old play area. It was agreed that a WP meeting should be arranged to discuss in more detail and report back to the Council. Members considered a request from the Cricket Club to hold a firework event on 3rd November 2012. On a proposal by Mr Shrubb seconded by Mr Pine this was agreed subject to the appropriate licences and H&S requirements being obtained. Mr Wright abstained from the vote.
(d) Snowhill
The Chairman confirmed that he would obtain a specification for the work to the slipway. Following the recent WP meeting members noted that the Parish chain required some maintenance which would be carried out in the spring. The pedestrian access gate from the Car Park was also discussed. The WP recommended that quotes would be obtained to remove the gate and part of the fence, level the surface and make an easier access. Finally the Council noted that the WP was looking into ways of preventing unauthorised access to Snowhill.
(e) Memorial Hall
Mr Wright reported that the current Chair of Trustees would be standing down.
(f) Finance
Members agreed to authorise the Clerk to register for on line banking.
(g) Village Green
The Chairman referred to the poll on the website regarding the flagpole and reported that the responses had indicated a 50 -50 split view on whether to progress. Members noted that the new owner of The Landing had applied for permission to put an advertising board on the Village Green. This decision was deferred to the next meeting.
(h) Twinning
Mr Wright reminded members about the trip arranged for 10th /11th November for the start of the Vendee Globe race.
(i) Communication
The Chairman reported on the recent meeting of the WP. It was agreed that a circulation list for news by email should be developed, with each Councillor seeking to add 10 or more names to the list. This would be promoted on the web site and utilised for future news items and Council newsletter. The WP also agreed the topics for the next publication.
(j) Footway Lighting
The Chairman reported a recent meeting with WSCC and SEC. A questionnaire had been devised for residents of Elmstead which had resulted in a column replacement which would slightly reduce the impact of street lighting. Mr Shrubb asked about the replacement column for Chapel Lane/Acre St junction.
(k) East Head/CIAG/Wittering Flood Defences
The Chairman reported further negotiations regarding access to the sluice. Members noted that Natural England had requested mitigation of the area of land lost within the SSSI as a result of any new access. As this was unlikely to be achieved then an objection to any planning application would follow.
(l) Emergency Planning
No items to report
(m) Northfield – Low Cost Housing project
The Clerk reported that a further letter regarding the foul water disposal had been received and it was agreed to forward this to the resident concerned and also copy to Mr Hutton, the Councils liaison representative.
106. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Members noted items listed in the Clerks report had been circulated
(b) Community Warden Scheme – CDC
(c) East Wittering and Bracklesham PC – meeting re development 17/10/2012 – The Chairman encouraged members to attend.
(d) Declarations of Interests – The Clerk reported on further advice from Philip Coleman, Member Services Officer at CDC. It was noted that the new arrangements in the Localism Act did not specifically require members to separately declare the interests of their spouse or partner. On a proposal by Mr Martin, seconded by Mr Pine, it was agreed that the Council would revert to the original declaration form.
107. FINANCE
(a) Accounts for payment were authorised as follows;
| Payee | Details | £ |
| Mr B Aylmore | Repair water pipe – Snowhill | 185.00 |
| Wicks Farm | Mowing, strim Sportsfield and materials | 647.10 |
| British Gas | Pavilion supply | 89.75 |
| Airs | Subscription | 50.00 |
| Mrs M Waller | Caretaking | 200.00 |
| SEC | Lighting supply | 239.35 |
| Mr S Ruff | Grasscutting etc | 275.00 |
| Southfield Structural Services | Vehicle barriers | 7866.96 |
| Total | 9553.16 |
(b) On a proposal by Mr Buckland, and seconded by Mr Pine payment of the above accounts was authorised by the Parish Council.
108. TRAINING AND ACTION PLANS
The Clerk reported that Mr Martin has responded regarding the request for topics for training. It was agreed to pursue local training and on a proposal by Mr Shrubb, seconded by Mr Buckland the sum of up to £300 was approved It was agreed to defer the item on Action plans until the next meeting.
109. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
(a) Cost of evicting Travellers
Mr Pine referred to the overall cost to the Parish in evicting and preventing Travellers accessing Parish land. The Clerk reported that CDC were coordination the cost of the whole operation in 2012 and looking at ways of preventing this occurring in future.
(b) Highway matters
Mr Shrubb reported that the dropped kerb at Middlefield was too high to allow safe wheelchair access. He asked why the cycle path had not been cut as part of the urban mowing cycle and also reported that the hedge cutting in Piggery Hall Lane recently undertaken had not included the hedge outside The Bothy. He also reported that the hedge at the junction of Piggery Hall Lane and Chichester Road had not been cut back high enough for large vehicles’ visibility.
110. OPEN FORUM
Mr Hutton referred to the recent press release regarding the planning application for the new Pharmacy and the licensing hours. Members noted that this application had been withdrawn. Mr Tayler asked if the bank around the sluice area would be levelled. He also asked if the Council had considered tree planning in the Joliffe Rd area. Mr Morton asked if the closure of F/P No 1 would affect the maintenance programme as it needed cutting back. There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.25 pm. Signed:……………………………………………………………………………………….. Date: ………………………………………………………………….. Chairman The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 18thOctober 2012in 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