MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD ON 18 OCTOBER 2007 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
PRESENT: Council Members
Mr. J. O’Sullivan (Chairman) Mr. J. Gunning
Mr. S. Becker Mrs. J. Chaloner
Mrs. P. Connon Mr. B. Lambert
Mr. R. Lowe Mrs. S. Main
Mr. C. Munday
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mr. G. Breeze and District Councillor Peter Clementson
IN ATTENDANCE: County Councillor Martin Daws Chew, Inpsector J. Bartlett, PCSO’s Rose Bainbridge and Ann Bromley and four members of the public.
07.147 Declarations of Interest.
Cllr. J. O’Sullivan and Cllr. P. Connon declared an interest on agenda item 8.6 in respect of the charitable donations as they both worked for a charity involved.
Cllr. R. Lowe declared an interest on agenda item 8.4 in respect of the replacement noticeboard as he may submit a quote.
07.148 Minutes of the last meeting Cllr. Lambert pointed out inconsistent numbering on items 07.131.7 and 07.131.8. The minutes of the meeting held on 13 September were then confirmed by the Council as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
07.149 Matters Arising from the last meeting. It was noted that the Clerk had no further details on the alternative supply of dog bin bags or any new details on the Clerk’s salary recommendation from SALC.
07.150 Public Questions None.
07.151 County Councillor Daws Chew reported that he believes there is strengthening of views to choose St. Richard’s Hospital over Worthing and Brighton because of its location within the road network, its heliport and immediate access to A&E and the need to provide cover for the tremendous increases in tourism in this area. He stressed that this was not conclusive and that it is vital that we continue to support the campaign. The Council was advised of a public march to be held on Saturday 27 October starting at 10.30am at Chichester College fields, Avenue de Chartres.
07.152 Finance
07.152.1 The Council received a statement of the current financial position from the Clerk.
07.132.2 The Chairman had agreed and signed the bank reconciliation prior to the meeting.
07.132.3 On a proposal from Cllr. Becker, seconded by Cllr. Chaloner the following accounts totalling £5730.74 approved for payment at this meeting.
Payee Item Cheque No Amount
Doug Goodman Parish Maintenance - Sept. 2007
+ bulb purchase 000276 689.94
J. Griffith Clerk Salary - Sept 2007 000277 1045.56
CDC Brack. Pk ground maintenance Sept 000278 879.58
Southern Electric Street Lighting Energy Account 000279 256.92
WSCC Street Lighting Maintenance 000280 1267.97
Staples Stationery 000281 21.25
Stearns Handyman supplies + planter 000282 140.94
Mazars Audit Fee 06/07 000283 470.00
CDC Dog Warden Aug/Sept 000284 54.00
Wittering PC Computer repair 000285 25.00
CDC Brack. Pk grd maintenance Oct 000286 879.58
07.133.4 Noticeboard Insurance Claim The Clerk reported that Cllr. Becker had reviewed the insurance policy and confirmed that there is a £500 excess and items had specific values and were not insured on a new for old basis.
07.132 Policing
07.132.1 The Clerk read out notification from Insp. Bartlett of the proposed reorganization of the coverage of this area and that the Parishes would be informed of the details once the final decision had been made. The Council were very concerned that they would be informed after the event and requested that the Clerk arrange a meeting for Parish Councils on the Manhood Peninsula to be informed by the Police of any changes before they happen.
07.132.2 Mr. Declan Moody, Community Warden, gave a brief talk to the Council on his role as Community Warden funded by Chichester District Council. He encouraged parishioners to contact him with any community problems they may have and provided his telephone number for circulation to the public: 07825 681547. The Council agreed to his request to provide updates to the Council every few months.
07.133 Risk Assessments The Clerk explained the importance of up to date risk assessments and the need for an annual playground inspection. Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Connon the Council unanimously agreed that the Clerk be given the power to arrange the necessary assessments/inspections to be carried out as soon as possible.
07.134 Church of the Assumption - closed churchyard. Cllr. Main reported to the Council that, together with the Clerk, they had met with the Probation Service with a view to getting the churchyard tidied up. The Probation Service agreed that this was a project they would like to undertake and would be contacting the Clerk with some timings. The Clerk pointed out that the Parish Council had no legal responsibility for the churchyard and had made this arrangement on behalf of the Church. Although the maintenance of the churchyard had been passed to Chichester District Council it was understood that the work they do is limited to the grass cutting and boundary maintenance. Chichester District Council is not responsible for the safety of the area and are not the owners of the churchyard.
07.135 Website The Clerk asked the Council to provide up to 10 photographs on a CD if they have some of the Parish suitable for use on the website.
07.136 Football Pavilion The new licence has been signed. Proposed by Cllr. Chaloner, seconded by Cllr. Main the Council agreed to write to the club and advise them that a monthly inspection will take place on the last Wednesday of every month.
07.137 Bracklesham Park
07.137.1 The Clerk advised that the planning application has been submitted to Chichester District Council and was out for public consultation. The Parish Council Planning Committee would be considering the application at their meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 18 September - notices would be placed on the noticeboards.
07.137.2 The Council agreed that the Clerk could assist by providing a Business Plan for the site in conjunction with the District Council for submission to the Big Lottery Fund.
07.137.3 Proposed by Cllr. Chaloner, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed to provide emptying of one litter bin to be placed near the Beech Avenue entrance to the site.
07.138 Street Lights
07.138.1 Cllr. Breeze reported that when the inspection took place on Wednesday 12th September beginning at 20.45 three lights were found to be unlit: Peerley Road Column No 3; Garden Avenue Column No 2; Roundabout at junction of Shalbourne Crescent and Tide Way, a new column numbered 21. It has been out since September 2006 All of these new columns have now been numbered.
The Clerk advised that Kelsey Homes are responsible for all the lighting columns in Middleton Close and that she would report faults to them.
07.138.2 Footway Lighting Agreement Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Connon the Council agreed to the proposed new Footway Lighting Agreement presented by West Sussex County Council. The Clerk was asked to ensure this increase will be included when the budget is considered in January.
07.138.3 Proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed a budget of £300 for the removal of Col. 3 on the corner of Peerley Road/Legion Way.
07.138.4 Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed to ask West Sussex County Council to monitor the condition of Col. 1 Coney Six and advise if and when it needs replacing.
07.139 Highways
07.139.1 Temporary Road Closure - Covers Cross Country Run - road closures between 10am-12 noon on Sunday 14 October 2007 . The Council received details of the proposed closures and had no objections but asked the Clerk to request that Marine Drive was kept clear of parked cars.
07.139.2 Cllr. Goodall reported to the Council that the double bend sign on the southbound carriageway in Church Road near Church Farm Lane is showing the bends going the wrong way. The Clerk was asked to report this to the County Council.
07.140 Mobile Phone Mast The Council received a letter proposing a T mobile phone mast/base station on the corner of Cakeham Road/Stocks Lane, adjacent to the Royal Oak. The Clerk advised that the Council’s policy letter objecting to any phone masts in the Parish had been sent.
07.141 Christmas Lights Working Party The CLWP advised that new collection jars were being distributed amongst the shops and businesses. The cost of installing the lights on the street columns has increased and the Clerk was asked to find out why there is such an increase. Because of this the Working Party is considering a long term plan to keep lights on the columns all year round. The Council was advised that the next fund raising event will be a Quiz Night, 7.30pm
29 September in the Village Hall, tickets £6 each to include supper are available from Calamity’s.
07.142 Youth Club The Council received a letter from Dean Miles, the Youth Worker in Charge, advising that the residential trip in August had to be cancelled but will be re-arranged as soon as possible, hopefully October half term. The Youth Worker also asked if there were any questions the Council would like the young members to consider. The Council provided the following questions:
How would they address the antisocial behaviour in the village?
How do you encourage people to take their litter home?
07.143 Fit for the Future - St Richard’s Campaign. The Council was sent an invite to a consultation on 26 August 2007 - Cllr. Lowe agreed to attend. The Chairman encouraged members to attend the next public meeting on 1 October and informed them of an organised public march in Chichester 10am on 6 October - details will be posted on the noticeboards.
07.144 Cllr. Breeze and Cllr. O’Sullivan agreed to look at the Gypsy and Traveller sites consultation document and submit any comments to the Clerk.
07.145 Parish Council Office. The Clerk reported that Mrs. Lucy Wright has started as the new volunteer assistant to the Clerk.
07.146 Annual Parish Meeting - Monday 29 October, East Pallant House 4pm onwards. The Clerk reported that this will include information sessions on planning in the afternoon. Cllr. Connon and Cllr. Lambert volunteered to attend.
07.147 Parish Council Meeting - October 2007. Proposed by Cllr. Main, seconded by Cllr. Chaloner the Council agreed that the October meeting date be postponed one week to Thursday 18 October.
