MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON
15 FEBRUARY 2007 AT 7PM IN THE
LECTURE ROOM, FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.PRESENT: Council Members
Mr. J. O’Sullivan (Chairman)
Mr. G. Breeze Mr. S. Dobbin
Mrs. V. Goodall Mr. B. Lambert
Mr. J. Gunning Mr. R. Lowe
Mrs. S. Wyer
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs. P. Connon
IN ATTENDANCE: District Councillors Keith Smith and Mary Green, County Councillor Martin Daws Chew, PCSO R. Bainbridge, PCSO A. Bromley and nine members of the public.
07.17 The Council agreed with the Chairman’s proposal that item 9 (Youth Club) be moved to item 6 as Mr. Keith Martin of the Manhood Youth Centre needed to return to the Youth Club to take part in a club session.
07.18 The Council received a letter of resignation from Councillor Johanna Graham. On a proposal by Cllr. Lowe, seconded by Cllr. Lambert the Council agreed to leave the vacancy open until the election in May.
Cllr. Gunning arrived.
07.19 There were no declarations of interest.
07.20 Minutes of the last meeting
In accordance with minute 07.14 the following amended minute for 07.04 was submitted for approval:
07.04 Crime Prevention.
Cllr. Lambert read out a written report from the Crime Prevention Working Party updating the Council on the CCTV in the village, vandalism, parking and job changes within the local NPT. This report will be circulated to Councillors and can be viewed at the Parish Council office.
The Chairman then welcomed Sgt. Manley and thanked him for attending the meeting at such short notice.
Sgt. Manley provided a further verbal report on the current situation regarding the increased vandalism in the parish, especially the broken shop windows in East Wittering village centre. He advised that arrests have been made for the broken windows and that there would be an increase in the police coverage in the village to cope with the increase in crime. He assured the Council that the local Police Team were concerned about the situation in the village and that they were using all the resources available to them to catch the perpetrators and expected improvements as a result of the arrests being made. He also assured the Council that more tickets would be issued for illegal parking. The Council asked that a full report of the incidents that have occurred over the last couple of months be provided to the Parish Clerk and voiced concerns that no compensation appeared to be available to shopkeepers suffering the loss of their windows.
Proposed by Cllr. Gunning, seconded by Cllr. Wyer the above amended minute of the meeting held on 11 January 2007 was agreed.
Proposed by Cllr. Dobbin, seconded by Cllr. Goodall the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2007 including the amendment were then confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
District Councillor Mary Green arrived.
07.21 Youth Club
Mr. Keith Martin (Youth Leader in Charge, Manhood Youth Centre) attended on behalf of Mr. Dean Miles (Youth Leader in Charge, Witterings Youth Centre) to present a proposal for funding from the Parish Council. The Council heard the request for £1457.25 to assist in establishing a Young People Committee at the Witterings Youth Centre. This involved team building exercises at Lodge Hill and a residential trip to Wales. The Council were impressed by the proposal and agreed to present the remainder of their Youth Centre budget (£1500) to the Club, proposal by Cllr. Dobbin, seconded by Cllr. Breeze.
07.22 Public Questions The public attending the meeting requested to speak on item 10.2, planning application number EWB/07/00329/FUL, Amilia Properties, land north of Azara Parade, Bracklesham Lane.
07.23 Report from District Councillor Keith Smith
District Councillor Keith Smith reported that he had managed to secure sufficient funding from the District Council to run a pilot scheme for one year for a Community Warden for East Wittering and Bracklesham Parish, at no cost to the Parish Council. It is hoped this scheme will start in April 2007 with an experienced warden from another area.
If this was successful then thereafter the Parish Council may be asked to contribute towards the cost of this provision. Cllr. Smith advised that the cost of one warden could be £30,000 pa but this could be shared between several Parishes. Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Lambert the Council accepted the proposed scheme and thanked District Councillor Keith Smith.
One abstention.
07.24 Finance
07.24.1 The Council received a statement of the current financial position.
07.24.2 The Chairman had agreed and signed the bank reconciliation.
07.24.3 On a proposal from Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Goodall the following accounts totalling £5710,19 were approved for payment at this meeting.
Payee Item Cheque No Amount
Doug Goodman Parish Maintenance January 2007 000192 600.00
Christmas tree and 3 ships installation/removal 000192 100.00
J. Griffith Clerk Salary - January 2007 000193 1039.58
Oak Properties Christmas lights removal/installation 000194 500.00
Stearns Handyman supplies 000195 29.99
Stearns Handyman supplies 000196 17.03
BT Office phone 000197 78.17
BT Broadband connection to April 07 000197 130.77
CDC Dog bin emptying 000198 1053.97
CDC Dog Warden (Dec free & Jan 07) 000199 36.00
SEC Installation/Removal Xmas Column Decorations 000200 2124.68
07.25 Planning
07.25.1 A report was presented to the Council on a meeting between CDC and the Parish Council on 6 February 2007 with Peter Filtness (CDC) and Ms. Tracey Haskett (WSCC Highways). This meeting was requested by EWBPC Planning Committee to discuss the need to consider the current and future planning applications and their impact on the area surrounding the junction of Stocks Lane and Bracklesham Lane.
Peter Filtness explained that most of the above property developments are already identified within the Settlement Policy Area (SPA) as potential building land and therefore they are likely to get approval for development. What must be considered at the application stage are the density and design features. The Parish Council asked that the developments in this area should be viewed as a whole and not as individual applications because of their cumulative impact on the area. Mr. Filtness went on to explain that the government requires each application to be considered on its individual merits and therefore to consider a whole overview of these developments is not possible. Mr. Filtness suggested that the Parish Council made a ‘shopping list’ of requirements i.e. pedestrian crossing, and submitted this on each application.
The Parish Council was disappointed with the conclusion of this meeting and on a proposal by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Lambert the Council agreed to approach MP Andrew Tyrie with a request for him to attend a meeting to discuss these planning issues in Bracklesham.
07.25.2 Application for consideration
EWB/07/00329/FUL Amilia Properties Land North Of Azara Parade Bracklesham Lane Bracklesham
Proposed residential development consisting of the erection of 8 no. one bedroom flats 6 no two bedroom flats and 4 no. three bedroom houses (2 no. semi-detached and 2 no. detached) together with access road, cycle and bin storage, parking and garages.
The Chairman read out a précis of objection letters received before asking the public for any comments they wished to make. The Council then discussed the application at great length before a proposal by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Wyer was agreed by the Council, one abstention, to object to this application for the following reasons:
1. This application is over development of this site with an excess number of flats.
2. The area should be more sympathetically designed to blend with surrounding area. Houses/bungalows would be more acceptable on this plot.
3. The access is dangerous as existing traffic volume has created a very busy junction and this development would obstruct the view of motorists.
4. The size of the development will create too many cars for this extremely busy junction and also impact on the congestion problems existing at Stockbridge.
5. Parking is a problem in this area and this site will not provide enough parking for the residents thereby forcing them to park in surrounding roads.
6. The design/layout gives the impression that properties have been squeezed in to fit as many as possible.
7. The doctors, dentist and school are already working to capacity and will not cope with additional users.
The Parish Council added the following comments:
8. The pavement outside the development is heavily used by school children walking to school and adults accessing the village centres therefore the vehicular access from the site across the pavement must be addressed from a pedestrian safety point of view.
9. A pedestrian crossing point across Bracklesham Lane is vital for the safety of the residents accessing the buses and shops.
10. The Parish Council has already asked WSCC to consider moving the bus stop from the Bracklesham Lane to outside this site - can this please be investigated.
11. The Parish Council suggests that a mini roundabout should be considered as a solution to the busy junction at Stocks Lane/Bracklesham Lane/Beech Avenue.
12. Because of the busy junction all vehicles associated with the building of this development must be parking on site, including all delivery lorries and wheel washing must be carried out.
13. Any Section 106 monies for Community Facilities to be allocated in consultation with the Parish Council.
14. The Parish Council suggests the plans are re-considered.
07.25.3 Local Development Framework The Chairman reminded the Council that two consultation documents in circulation (Delivering Development Opportunities and Initial Sustainability Appraisal) should be returned to the Clerk before 2 March. The Parish Council agreed that the Clerk could submit comments received from Councillors during the circulation of these documents.
07.26 Police
The Council received a very informative update from PCSO’s Rose Bainbridge and Ann Bromley on their work in the Parish. The Council thanked them for their hard work and dedication to their jobs. They accepted an invitation from the Council to provide further updates at Council meetings in the future.
07.27 Parish Council Election - 3 May 2007. The Chairman reminded the Council that for anyone wishing to stand for election to the Parish Council nomination papers would be available in March from the Parish Council office. Notices will be displayed on the noticeboards with more detailed information. The Council agreed to his suggestion that the Council office hold an open morning to answer any questions potential applicants may have and to encourage people to learn more about the Parish Council. The Chairman and the Clerk to arrange.
07.28 Action Plan The Chairman advised the Council that the winner of the photographic competition is parishioner,
Ms. Jean Susans. Proposed by Cllr. Wyer, seconded by Cllr. Gunning the Council agreed to issue a cheque to the winner of £125.00 in accordance with the competition rules.
07.29 Pagham to East Head Coastal Strategy. The Council agreed to the Chairman’s suggestion that an open day be held providing information to the parishioners on this strategy and what effect it could have on this and surrounding parishes. The Chairman and Clerk to arrange. It was also noted that Councillors were unaware of any residents receiving letters relating to a recent workshop held at Earnley Concourse despite approximately 20,000 being sent. The Clerk was asked to find out who was on the list in this Parish as the Council was concerned that letters had not been received. The Clerk was instructed to circulate an information sheet received from West Itchenor Parish Council concerning East Head and the Coastal Strategy.
07.30 Downview Public Open Space
07.30.1 Grass Cutting Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed to accept Wicks Farm quote for grass cutting in 2007 of £1200 for mowing the field including rolling once in the spring and £190 for mowing the children’s enclosure, plus VAT.
07.30.2 Football Pavilion The Open Space Working Party were disappointed to report that the second inspection of these premises showed only a small improvement on the condition of the pavilion. As these premises were used by the Football Club free of charge it was felt that the condition of the premises was unacceptable. Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed, one against, to give the Club 4 weeks to address the list of remedial work and if nothing was done then they would be asked to vacate the premises.
07.30.3 Playground Inspection The inspection resulted in a few minor faults found in the equipment. Proposed by Cllr. Wyer, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council confirmed their agreement to the work that had been carried out to remedy the situation at a cost of £91 plus carriage plus VAT.
07.31 Planters - The Parade, E. Wittering
The Clerk reported that the Council has received notification of a grant of £450 awarded from the WSCC Parish Initiatives Fund from the next financial year’s budget. The Council was very pleased with this grant and instructed the Clerk to thank WSCC and County Councillor Martin Daws Chew for his assistance in securing this funding.
07.32 Millennium Clock
07.32.1 Cllr. Lowe reported that he was still investigating the best way of providing a maintenance facility for the clock and will be reporting back to the Council with some recommendations as soon as possible.
07.32.2 Cllr. Lowe reported that the former Chamber of Commerce has passed the remaining balance of £101.52 from their Millennium Clock account to the Parish Council. Proposed by Cllr. Lowe, seconded by Cllr. Goodall the Council agreed to allocate this money to the clock budget.
07.33 Bracklesham Park
The Chairman reported that currently discussions were taking place to prioritise the facilities for the site and what will be achievable within the budget available. This is expected to be reported to the Council within the next couple of months.
07.34 Highways
07.34.1 The Council received an invitation from Cllr. Bayley of Earnley Parish Council to attend a meeting of Parishes to discuss the problem of traffic speeding around our roads. Cllr. Wyer to attend.
07.34.2 Street Light Report
Cllr. Breeze carried out an inspection on the evening of 15 February and reported that five lights were found to be unlit. The Clerk will report these to the contractor and ask for the reasons for the delay in repairing Col. 6 in Shore Road and the column at the entrance to Tideway.
