EAST WITTERING AND BRACKLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD ON 10 JULY 2008 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
PRESENT: Council Members
Mr. J. O’Sullivan (Chairman) Mr. S. Becker
Mr. G. Breeze Mrs. J. Chaloner
Mrs. P. Connon Mr. J. Gunning
Mr. B. Lambert Mr. R. Lowe
Mrs. S. Main Mr. C. Munday
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None.
IN ATTENDANCE: County Councillor Martin Daws Chew, District Councillor Peter Clementson, Father Steve Davies, PCSO Rose Bainbridge, Community Warden Declan Moody, Mr. Brian Smith (RB Legion), Mr. Dave White (Foreshore Office)
08.104 Declarations of Interest. None
08.105 Minutes of the last meeting. The minutes of the meeting held on 12 June were confirmed by the Council as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
08.106 Matters Arising from the last meeting. Cllr. Lowe reported on the recent meeting of the PCT regarding St. Richard’s Hospital. The Council confirmed that it would be writing to the PCT supporting WSCC as per minute 08.99.
Cllr Goodall arrived.
08.107 Public Questions. Father Steve asked the Parish Council to write to CDC regarding the lack of maintenance of the graveyard at the Church of the Assumption. Cllr. Main reported that she had spoken to Mr. Pope at CDC and he was coming to inspect the graveyard at the end of July. It was clarified that the Church and the Parish Council had passed the grass cutting responsibility to Chichester District Council when the graveyard was closed. The Council agreed to write to CDC asking for the standard of maintenance to be improved.
08.108 Reports from District and County Councillors.
County Councillor Daws Chew advised the Council that the decision of the PCT is likely to be passed to the Secretary of State for agreement where it is hoped that further investigation into the decision will be requested.
District Councillor Peter Clementson reported on the news that central government was funding a £130m re-structuring of Chichester College. He also advised that the parking at the college would become a paying car park for all users.
The Council agreed to move the agenda item 12 to this point.
08.109 Police Community Support Officers.
The Council received a report from Councillors who accompanied PCSO Ann Bromley on patrol. It was an interesting patrol and were aware that the Community Warden covered a lot of the same ground as the PCSOs who have extra responsibilities e.g., dealing with the problems of under age drinking at beach parties
The Council thanked Rose Bainbridge and Ann Bromley for all their good work and assistance in the Parish.
The Council asked why the PCSOs were no longer on the school bus run and were advised that the PCSOs now have to sign on at Selsey so by the time they get over here it is too late. The Council unanimously agreed for the Clerk to write and ask that this routine be changed immediately as it was not helpful to our community to have the PCSOs wasting valuable time travelling from Selsey especially as we had been told that their base and computer in the Fire Station would enable them to sign on over here.
The Council asked the Clerk to find out whether the CCTV was an effective means of detection.
08.110 Finance.
08.110.1 The Council received a statement of the current financial position from the Clerk.
08.110.2 The Chairman had agreed and signed the bank reconciliation prior to the meeting.
08.110.3 The Clerk advised that a revised bill has now been received from CDC for the dog bin emptying for £1766.40 but the litterbin emptying on Booker Green is still under dispute.
On a proposal from Cllr. Munday, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the following accounts totalling £7741.26 were approved for payment at this meeting.
PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL 10 JULY 2008 Cheque No Amount
Doug Goodman Handyman payment June 08 incl strim repair
fertiliser and hose connections for pump. 389 793.33
J. Griffith Clerk’s salary June 08 390 1068.93
J. Griffith Clerk’s expenses 167.77
L.Wright Office assistance June 08 391 260.00
East Wittering PCC Water for Churchyard 392 48.75
CDC Dog control monitoring Apr-May-June 2008 393 72.00
Southern Electric Street Lighting Energy 394 255.21
S’sham Bskt & Plant Nursery Plants 395 253.73
Wicks Farm Hol. Park Downview grass cutting 396 857.75
CDC Brack. Pk maintenance May, June 397 2047.22
Staples Office stationery 398 124.37
P.J. O’Sullivan Lunch expenses for 2 Cllrs and Clerk 399 25.80
CDC Dog bin emptying Apr 07-Mar 08 400 1766.40
08.111.Rememberance Service. Cllr. Lambert reported that he had approached Father Steve as a member
of the public with a request to better publicise the Armistice Day service held at the Dedication Stone in East Wittering on 11 November. Cllr. Lambert then brought the matter before the Council. After lengthy discussion on the possibility of closing the road it was proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Connon and agreed by the Council that it was not in a position to organise the event but supported Father Steve and the Royal British Legion in closing the road and having a procession and service.
08.112 Bowls Club Lease. Proposed by Cllr. Munday, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed the proposed clause regarding the noticeboard. Proposed by Cllr. Chaloner, seconded by Cllr. Becker the Council agreed that the Responsible Officer, Mrs. Joyce Griffith, then signs the lease.
08.113 Bracklesham Park.
08.113.1 The Council were advised that installation is expected to start on the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) and the playground around mid August - weather permitting.
08.113.2 To discuss the Lottery application and legal and financial matters.
Proposed by Cllr. Munday, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed to close the meeting to the press and public after Agenda item 19 due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the legal and financial business to be discussed.
08.114.Coastal Matters.
08.114.1 Coastal Defences.
The Council received information on the Pagham to East Head Coastal Strategy and a report on the Going Dutch II workshop. It was then reported that CDC confirmed its proposal to follow recommendations set out in the Coastal Strategy document and that a managed realignment at Medmerry would take place. This would not involve any of proposals put forward by the Going Dutch II workshop. The Parish Council was disappointed that there appeared to be a dismissive attitude by CDC towards the Going Dutch workshop.
The Clerk reminded the meeting that there was one more public exhibition 1-8pm on Wednesday 6 August at Selsey Town Hall and a further public meeting at The Cricket Club, West Wittering on Friday 19 July at 6pm. The Council were very concerned that the groynes at East Wittering and Bracklesham were in need of replacement within the next 20 years and asked the Clerk to arrange for David Lowsley (CDC) to come to speak to the Councillors about the future plans for the defences in this Parish.
08.114.2 End of Shore Road Improvements.
The Council receive an update on a meeting with West Wittering Parish Council regarding the end of Shore Road which resulted in a recommendation by both Parishes to extend the paved area back across the parking spaces and realigning the kerb to cross from the entrance to Booker Green to the western side of Shore Road just north of the kiosk. Proposed by Cllr. Becker, seconded by Cllr. Lambert the Council agreed to instruct the Clerk to write to Mr. Steve Johnson at WSCC to asking for the feasibility and costs involved in this proposal. The Clerk was also asked if the CDC waste bins could be moved inland slightly and contained within a wooden surround.
08.114.3 Footpath access along the seafront from Shore Road to east of the beach huts.
Having received many complaints about the access in front of the beach huts being fenced on the eastern side on a proposal by Cllr. Main, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed to apply for a footpath from Shore Road, along Bookers Green, along Tamarisk Walk (eastern end) across the front of the beach huts and down the twitten into Charlmead plus the access from Longlands Road down Shingle Walk to Tamarisk Walk. The Clerk was instructed to obtain the necessary paperwork for completion and send out notification as required.
08.115.Highways.
08.115.1 Street Lights Report. Cllr. Breeze carried out a lighting inspection on Wednesday 9 July and found Col 5 in Kimbridge Rd and Col 7 in Farm road unlit. The Clerk reported these and has also enquired when the new lights at Pebble Beach will be adopted by WSCC and will report back at the next meeting.
08.115.2 Grass Cutting. Clerk reported that WSCC were concerned about the standard of grass cutting and asked the Council to take part in a survey before the contract was renewed. Cllrs. Lowe and Chaloner volunteered to cover East Wittering and Cllr. Main offered to cover Bracklesham. The Clerk handed out the forms and asked for them to be returned to the Parish office on completion.
08.116 Football Pavilion repairs.
08.116.1 The Working Party (WP) reported that the toilet had not yet been replaced and they would contact the Club to find out what is happening.
08.116.2 The Clerk provided the WP with a schedule of works and estimates that the Club had requested for the pavilion and the WP will discuss and report back to the Council with their recommendations.
08.116.3 Proposed by Cllr. Chaloner, seconded by Cllr. Connon the Council agreed the Clerk administer a budget of £300 for the cutting back and removal of the leylandii surrounding the Football Pavilion.
08.116.4 Proposed by Cllr. Lowe, seconded by Cllr. Gunning the Council agreed to renew the licence to the Wittering Sunday Club for a further year pending the replacement of the toilet and the overflow repaired.
08.117 Christmas Lights Working Party. The Working Party reported on their recent fundraising event and that they were investigating the most economical way of repairing the damaged emblems.
08.118 Dredging Application 372/2. The Council received information on this application and agreed to
send its standard response outlining concerns that the removal of gravel at sea and its effect on the coastline.
08.119.Meeting in August. On a proposal by Cllr. Munday seconded by Cllr. Connon the Council agreed
not to hold a meeting on 14 August and that any previously agreed payments can be made by the Clerk.
08.120.Urgent matters that the Chairman wishes to bring to the attention of the Council.
08.120.1 The Council noted and had no comment regarding the proposed school directional sign in Stocks Lane.
08.120.2 The Council noted the letter from Manhood Venturers regarding speeding in Church Road and supported the reply by the Clerk.
The Chairman then closed the meeting to the press and public due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the legal and financial business to be discussed
Signed______________________________Chairman Date_________________________
THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE AT 7PM ON THURSDAY
11 SEPTEMBER 2008 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
