EAST WITTERING AND BRACKLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD ON 7 APRIL 2009 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
PRESENT: Council Members
Mr. J. O’Sullivan (Chairman) Mr. G. Breeze
Mr. S. Campbell Mrs. J. Chaloner
Mrs. P. Connon Mr. B. Lambert
Mr. R. Lowe Mrs. S. Main
Mr. C. Munday Mr. R. Tranchant
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr. J. Gunning, PCSOs Bainbridge and Bromley and Community Warden Drew Allardice.
IN ATTENDANCE: District Councillors Peter Clementson, District Councillor Graeme Barrett and Lewis Brown (Chichester Observer).
The Chairman welcomed Mr. Rod Tranchant to the Council.
09.53 Declarations of Interest.
The Clerk declared an interest in agenda item 15 regarding the grass cutting of Bracklesham Park and Downview Public Open Space because it involves a family member.
09.54 The minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2009 were confirmed by the Council as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
09.55 Matters arising from the last Council meeting on 12 March. None.
09.56 Public Questions. None.
09.57 Reports from County Councillors and District Councillors.
District Councillor Graeme Barrett reported that CDC were involved in discussions with the Police regarding the future sharing of the issuing of fixed penalty notices. Also that Marine Drive Car Park and its recycling area are to be improved. CDC will be contacting shops to advise them of the new shopkeepers’ parking area within Marine Drive Car Park. District Councillor Peter Clementson joined Cllr. Barrett in advising the Parish Council that efforts were being made to clear Azara Parade of the debris left from building work.
09.58 Finance.
09.58.1 The Council received a statement of the current financial position from the Clerk.
09.58.2 The Chairman had agreed and signed the bank reconciliation prior to the meeting.
09.58.3 The Council received the following list of previously agreed Direct Debits and Standing Orders withdrawn since the last meeting.
Volwona (OakProperties) Office rent SO 400.00
Konica Minolta Photocopier Rent DD 59.87
09.58.4 On a proposal from Cllr. Campbell, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the following accounts totalling £5605.76 were approved for payment.
PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL 7 APRIL 09
Doug Goodman Handyman contract Mar 09 504 530.00
J. Griffith Clerk’s salary Mar 09 505 1134.78
J. Griffith Clerk’s expenses 505 45.51
L.Wright Office assistance Mar 09 506 292.50
SALC Subscription to NALC& SALC and LCR 507 1080.61
Access By Design Website hosting and domain name renewal 508 184.00
Travis Perkins Office key cut 509 44.62
Witterings Youth Centre Donation 510 1050.00
Witterings Junior Youth Club Donation 511 906.00
Southern Electric Street Lighting Energy 512 337.74
09.58.5 Proposed by Cllr. Campbell, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed a budget of £170 for Wicks Farm to cut the grass at Downview Public Open Space in the next week.
09.58.6 Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Chaloner the Council agreed for the Clerk to employ a mole remover company for Downview Public Open Space and for advice on Bracklesham Park.
09.59 Street Lights Report from Cllr. Breeze. The inspection took place on Wednesday 11 March beginning at 7.45 pm and ending at 8.20 pm and found two lights out, Col. 1 in Coney Six and Col. 3 in Hale Close. Col. 1 in Coney Six was reported as coming on all day. The Clerk to report these faults to the contractors. The lights out in Middleton Close and the new development at Pebble Beach which are not adopted by West Sussex County Council have been reported. It was also noted that Col. 3 in Church Road still had not been fixed.
09.60 Booker Green.
The Council received an acknowledgement from the surveyor employed by the Booker Trust regarding its
proposal to maintain the seating area and grass immediately in front of the seats without a lease. Proposed by
Cllr. Munday, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed to write to the Booker Trust advising that it
would no longer be responsible for the whole area just the area around the seats.
09.61 Southern Water. Proposed by Cllr.Munday, seconded by Cllr. Chaloner the Council agreed to write to Southern Water to obtain a statement on the ability of the sewage pumping station in Church Road, EW to cope with any further housing.
09.62 Twinning The Council joined Cllr. Lowe in thanking the Twinning Committee for a very interesting and informative presentation to the Council. It encouraged more events in this Parish and looks forward to developing a football event between the two villages.
09.63. Christmas Lights. Cllr. Lowe reported that the fundraising for the Christmas lights had been very successful last year and that the next fundraising event will be a Bingo night on 18 April at the Village Hall. Tickets will be available from Calamity’s, Candies and the Parish Office at £6/adult £3/child to include food and refreshments. Cllr. Chaloner requested raffles prizes. The next fundraising event will be a Race Night in June and notices will be on the boards.
09.64 Bracklesham Park.
09.64.1 Proposed by Cllr. Campbell, seconded by Cllr. Munday the Council agreed to the Youth Club’s request to use the car park for a mobile skate park for half a day. Clerk to check insurances.
09.64.2 The Clerk reported that the recycled seating is not as attractive as the wooden and metal seating. The wooden and metal seating are also made from sustainable source and recycled materials. The Clerk suggested that the Councillors look at a website to see what is available as the aim is to have the same style seating throughout the park. Councillors were asked to let the Clerk know their comments. Decision to be made at the next meeting.
09.64.3 The Chairman announced the Summer Draw tickets are now on sale which has been organised by the BBCA. Prizes are 1st £500, 2nd £250, 3rd £100, 4th £50 and 5th £50. All prizes have been donated by local business. Tickets will be on sale at various outlets in the Parish including Boughtons, South Downs Holiday Village, Calamity’s, Greetings House cards and the Parish Council office. The Councillors agreed to initially take 6 books of tickets each and Cllr. Connon kindly offered to arrange with the Co-op to sell tickets on a Saturday.
09.64.4 Proposed by Cllr. Chaloner, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed to install two more waste bins, one next to the MUGA and another near the bridge into the open space at Mere Close.
09.64.5 Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Campbell the Council agreed to sign the Deed of Dedication as part of the conditions of the Lottery Grant.
09.64.6 The Clerk to confirm the status of the Licence to Build between the Parish Council and the District Council.
09.64.7 On a proposal by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. Connon the Council agreed to close the meeting to the press and public at the end of the meeting to discuss further sensitive legal and financial matters.
09.65. Annual Parish Meeting – Thursday 23 April 2009 The Clerk distributed leaflets to all Councillors for delivery to all houses in the Parish advertising the event. The Clerk confirmed that there would be two speakers, John Rosser the CDC Dog Warden and Drew Allardice the Community Warden. There would also be entertainment provided by members of the Witterings Youth Club. Proposed by Cllr. Main, seconded by Cllr. Tranchant the Council agreed a budget of £30 towards refreshments.
09.66 Facebook
Cllr. Stuart Campbell reported that a very successful way of circulating information is by having an account on Facebook. This is closely watched by most of the young people in the parish and they are more likely to find out information about what is going on this way rather than reading posters on the noticeboard. Proposed by Stuart Campbell, seconded by Cllr. Munday the Council agreed to Cllr. Campbell opening and monitoring a Facebook account in the name of the Parish Council.
09.67. Grass Cutting On a proposal by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. Connon the Council agreed to close the meeting to the press and public at the end of the meeting to receive grass cutting tenders for Bracklesham Park and Downview Public Open Space.
09.68. Parish Council Office – any information from the Clerk and the Chairman regarding the office – none.
09.69. Urgent matters that the Chairman wishes to bring to the attention of the Council. None.
The meeting was then closed to the press and public.
