EAST WITTERING AND BRACKLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD ON 14 JANUARY 2010 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
PRESENT: Council Members
Mr. J. O’Sullivan (Chairman) Mr. G. Breeze
Mr. B. Lambert Mr. R. Lowe
Mrs. S. Main Mr. C. Munday
Mr. R. Tranchant
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr. Stuart Campbell, Cllr. Jane Chaloner, Cllr. Pat Connon, County Councillor Pieter Montyn, District Councillor Peter Clementson District Councillor Graeme Barrett, PCSOs Rose Bainbridge and Ann Bromley and Drew Allardice (Community Warden)
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr. Stuart Dobbin and PC Dave Lyons.
10.1 Declarations of Interest. None
10.2 The minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2009 were confirmed by the Council as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
10.3 Matters arising from the last Council meeting not included on the Agenda.
The Chairman reported that the Bracklesham Park Committee agreed to hold a competition to find a name for the new centre, further details will be reported at the next Council meeting. There will be an open day on 15 September and a promotional leaflet will be sent out to potential user groups. Minutes of the Bracklesham Park Committee will be posted on noticeboards.
10.4 Public Questions. PC Dave Lyons gave a brief report on his work in the Parish and advised that a Special Constable has been assigned to work with him in West Wittering, East Wittering and Bracklesham and there will be a new PC covering northwards from Birdham.
10.5 Reports from County Councillors and District Councillors. None.
10.6 Finance.
10.6.1 The Council received a statement of the current financial position from the Clerk.
10.6.2 The Chairman had agreed and signed the bank reconciliation prior to the meeting.
10.6.3 The Council received the following list of previously agreed Direct Debits and Standing Orders withdrawn since the last meeting.
STANDING ORDERS AND DIRECT DEBITS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED
Volwona (OakProperties) Office rent 400.00
10.6.4 On a proposal from Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Tranchant the following
accounts totalling £3456.07 were approved for payment.
Doug Goodman Handyman contract Dec 09 £480.00
J. Griffith Clerk’s salary Dec 09 £1181.61
L. Wright Office Assistance Dec 09 £350.00
Travis Perkins Xmas Lights supplies £3.46
Parkers Electrical Xmas Lights supply and installation £1110.34
Southern Electric Street Light Energy Account £330.66
10.6.5 The Clerk advised the Council that there will be an invoice for a repair at Bracklesham Park playground to be paid before the next meeting of £378.50.
10.6.6 Budget and Precept for 2010/11.
Cllr. John Gunning arrived half way through this item.
The Council considered the items suggested for inclusion in the budget. The Council agreed the following specific items:
a. Bracklesham Park – includes £1500 to be paid to the Manhood Wildlife and Heritage Group as a contribution towards its cost in carrying out work in the Parish, in particular in Bracklesham Park.
b. Office Equipment – an allowance of £300 for the purchase of a new carpet.
c. Donations – increase to £3000 with no specific recipients allocated. Recipients to be agreed at the October meeting upon receipt of requests.
d. Memorial Clock – increase to £1000 to cover provision of plaque. Cllr. Lowe investigating cost.
On a proposal by Cllr. Lowe, seconded by Cllr. Lambert it was agreed by the Council to adopt the above items, agree the attached budget on page 479 of the minutes and that a precept of £91,000 be set for 2010/2011.
10.7 Standing Orders
The Council discussed whether to agree the inclusion of the following item in the Standing Orders as recommended by the Internal Auditor:
If you have a prejudicial interest as defined by the Code of Conduct in a matter being discussed at the meeting:
a. A member must declare that you have a prejudicial interest and the nature of that
interest as soon as the interest becomes apparent.
b. You should leave the room unless members of the public are allowed to make
representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter. If this is the case you can also attend the meeting for that purpose.
c. You must leave the room immediately once you have finished speaking, or when the
meeting decides that you have finished (if that is earlier).
The Council unanimously agreed that this item be deferred to a future meeting. The Clerk was asked to find out if this is mandatory and whether it can be re-worded.
10.8 Highways
10.8.1 Street Lighting. A street light inspection was carried out on Wednesday 13
January and the following lights were found to be out: Longlands Road Column No. 12 and Stocks Lane Column No 4. The Clerk has reported these faults.
Col. 3 Hale Close and various lights in Middleton Close have been reported to A2
Dominion and are still out.
10.8.2 The Council received a response to the letter written to Highways about the access
problems due to the large volume of traffic on the west Manhood Peninsula at peak times. The Council agreed it was not happy with the response which was that WSCC considered it had no way of assisting the flow of traffic except providing double yellow lines on the bend opposite the turning to beach which could take some considerable time to provide as double yellow lines were dealt with in a priority order. The Council felt that there were no further avenues to explore.
10.8.3 Condition of Roads in the Parish.
The Council were very disappointed that West Sussex County Council refused to grit Piggery Hall Lane and Church Road despite it being a bus route and access to the primary school. County Councillor Pieter Montyn has been asked for his comments.
Cllr. Lowe distributed the criteria used by West Sussex County Council to assess the urgency of filling in potholes. He volunteered to compile a list of potholes in the Parish and pass them to the Clerk for submission. Councillors were asked to report any potholes to the Clerk.
10.9. Christmas Lights. The Council received an update from the Working Group. The Group is looking for new members from the Parish to contact the Clerk. Its next meeting will be 19 February in the Parish Office. Discussion and research will then start into how to provide this year’s Christmas Lights display.
10.10 Manhood Parishes Road Safety Group The Council were give the minutes and notice of the Safety Group’s meeting 18 January 7pm. It agreed that it would not take part but would like the Clerk to continue to circulate these details.
10.11 Emergency Planning. The Council asked that this Group discuss issues raised by the recent cold weather and the inability of many to get out to get supplies.
10.12 Booker Green
Due to the sensitive financial and legal nature of the matter on a proposal by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Lambert the Council agreed to discuss this matter in closed session at the end of the meeting
10.13 Parish Office
Any information from the Clerk and the Chairman regarding the office. None.
10.14 Urgent matters that the Chairman wishes to bring to the attention of the Council.
The Chairman asked for two volunteers to look at the recent LDF consultation and return it to the Clerk. Cllrs. Breeze and Lowe volunteered.
The meeting was then closed to the press and public.
Signed______________________________Chairman Date_________________________
THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE AT 7PM ON
THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2010 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
