MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON
12 APRIL 2007 AT 7PM AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.PRESENT: Council Members
Mr. J. O’Sullivan (Chairman) Mr. S. Dobbin
Mr. G. Breeze Mrs. P. Connon
Mrs. V. Goodall Mr. J. Gunning
Mr. B. Lambert Mr. R. Lowe
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs. S. Wyer and County Councillor Martin Daws-Chew
IN ATTENDANCE: District Councillors Keith Smith and Mary Green, PCSO Ann Bromley and four members of the public.
07.52 There were no declarations of interest.
07.53 Minutes of the last meeting
Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
07.54 Matters Arising
The Clerk reported that research was still continuing as to whether the Parish Council had any responsibility for the Kosy Kot site.
Cllr. Goodall stated that since the local reporter, Mr. Bob Norris, retired last month there is no coverage of the Parish Council’s meetings in the Chichester Observer and it was agreed that this subject should be on the next Agenda.
07.55 Public Questions
A parishioner asked why trees in Stocks Lane had been cut down. Cllr. Lowe advised that West Sussex County Council had identified them as diseased and they will be replaced with new trees.
07.56 Report from District Councillor Keith Smith
District Councillor Keith Smith advised that this would be his last attendance at this Parish Council’s meetings as he is retiring and not standing for election in May. The Council thanked Cllr Smith for all his hard work on the Parish’s behalf and wished him well in his retirement.
07.57 Finance
07.57.1 The Council received a statement of the current financial position.
07.57.2 The Chairman had agreed and signed the bank reconciliation.
07.57.3 On a proposal from Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the following accounts totalling £8388.88 were approved for payment at this meeting.
Payee Item Cheque No Amount
Doug Goodman Parish Maintenance March 2007 000211 480.00
J. Griffith Clerk Salary - March 2007 000212 1041.46
Southern Electric Street Lighting Energy Account 000213 270.66
CDC CCTV contribution 06/07 000214 3000.00
Allianz Cornhill Insurance renewal 07/08 000215 2535.48
SALC Annual Subscription 000216 1061.28
07.57.4 The Council received a request from 1st Birdham and Wittering Scout Group to assist towards funding their centenary celebration camping trip. Proposed by Cllr. Lambert seconded by Cllr. Connon the Council agreed to a one off payment of £500 from the general fund. It was made clear that this would not be setting a precedent.
07.57.5 Proposed by Cllr. Goodall, seconded by Cllr. Lambert the Council agreed that in future all charitable donations would be considered annually at the October meeting and that this will be advertised on noticeboards to enable local organisations to submit requests for consideration.
07.58 Standing Orders
All Councillors had received a draft of proposed new Standing Orders for adoption by the Council. It was noted that these had been prepared in line with guidance issued by the National Association of Local Councils. A number of suggested changes to the draft were debated but no conclusions were reached. On a proposal by Cllr. Gunning, seconded by Cllr. Goodall the Council voted to move to the next business.
07.59 Planning Update
EWB/07/00627/FUL Seamac Limited 186 Stocks Lane East Wittering. Residential development of 6 no. 3 bed houses.
It was reported to the Council that at the Chichester District Council Planning Committee meeting the application was approved, 7 votes for and 6 against.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Cllr. Breeze, thanked Cllr. Lambert for representing the Parish Council at that meeting.
07.60 Football Pavilion
The Open Space Working Party reported that the pavilion has been tidied up. The Clerk was asked to obtain quotes for repairing/replacing the showerhead, repairing the hole in the ceiling and removing the rubbish in the grounds of the pavilion. The Clerk was also asked to find out if it is possible to access the shed.
07.61 Parish Council Elections
The Chairman advised that there will be an election for the Parish Council and this will take place at the same time as the District Council Elections on the 3 May 2007.
07.62 Millennium Clock Cllr. Lowe advised the Council that the annual maintenance of the clock can be carried out by Smiths of Derby at a initial cost of £165 + VAT plus approximately £44.40 for the access tower. On a proposal by Cllr. Lowe, seconded by Cllr. Goodall the Council agreed these costs. The Clerk was asked to check insurance cover.
07.63 Bracklesham Park
The Council was advised that the new park is expected to be opened in the next couple of weeks. Dog fouling is still a problem and there will be dog wardens monitoring the site. The Council was also advised that the draft proposal for layout and building design may be modified and any alterations will be displayed for public comment.
07.64 Environmental Matters
07.64.1 Proposed by Cllr. Lowe, seconded by Cllr. Connon the Council agreed to replace the damaged seat in Church Road
07.64.2 The Council discussed the problem of stones on Booker Green. The Clerk was asked to contact the Scouts to ask whether they would be able to help with the removal of these stones in order to save the Parish Council some money. If the Scouts were not able to help on a proposal by Cllr. Gunning, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed to accept an offer by a contractor to manually remove the stones for a fee of £975.00.
07.65 Street Lighting Report Cllr. Breeze reported that he would be completing the inspection tonight and reporting to the Clerk in the morning.
07.66 Annual Parish Meeting, 26 April 2007, 7.30pm at East Wittering Village Hall
The Chairman confirmed that Cllr. Lambert would be providing an update on Bracklesham Park.
07.67 Parish Council Office.
The Council received 3 quotes for the provision of a photocopier. The Chairman and Vice Chairman together with the Clerk reviewed the different proposals and recommended the Konica Minolta model, which was the cheapest rental at £34.56/qtr. plus 0.677 of a penny per copy to include toners and spare parts. Proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed to this proposal and for a bankers standing order payment to be set up accordingly.
The Chairman thanked all the Councillors for the work they have carried out during their membership and wished them luck with the election. The Council paid a special tribute to District Councillor Keith Smith for all the hard work he has carried out on the Parish’s behalf and wished him well in his retirement.
