EAST WITTERING AND BRACKLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD ON 11 MARCH 2010 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
PRESENT: Council Members
Mr. Joe O’Sullivan (Chairman) Mr. Geoff Breeze
Mr. Stuart Campbell Mrs. Jane Chaloner
Mrs. Pat Connon Mr. John Gunning
Mr. Basil Lambert Mr. Ray Lowe
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr. Pat Connon, Cllr. G. Breeze, Cllr. Sylvia Main, County Councillor Pieter Montyn, District Councillor Graeme Barrett, PCSOs Rose Bainbridge and Drew Allardice (Community Warden)
IN ATTENDANCE: District Councillor Peter Clementson and PCSO Ann Bromley
10.29 Declarations of Interest. None.
10.30 The minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2010 were confirmed by the Council as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
10.31 Matters arising from the last Council meeting not included on the Agenda.
The Clerk reported that the change in Standing Orders will be available in the next couple of months as it is a large document to consider.
10.32 Public Questions. None
10.33 Police PCSO Ann Bromley gave a brief report on the incidents in the Parish over the last month. The Council was particularly interested in the monitoring of speeding at the Bracklesham bends. The majority of motorists were found speeding at this location and the Police will now concentrate on this area in order to slow down the traffic. Operation Crackdown was once again promoted and leaflets were left for the Councillors. Details from the February 2010 Op Crackdown report were given and the results were very encouraging. Ann Bromley also brought Project Kraken to the attention of the council, this is a marine based crime initiative and information regarding this was left with the council. Boat owners, harbour users and walkers are encouraged to join Marine Watch and to share and receive information with Sussex Police and their partners agencies.
Mr. Geof Muffett arrived.
10.34 Reports from County Councillors and District Councillors. District Councillor Peter Clementson reported that the recent application for a gypsy site in Bracklesham Lane, adjacent to Clayton Lane was refused by the District Council. He also reported that the District Council will be carrying out a review of taxi licensing in the next month.
Mr. Dermot Wright arrived.
10.35 Finance.
10.35.1 The Council received a statement of the current financial position from the Clerk.
10.35.2 The Chairman had agreed and signed the bank reconciliation prior to the meeting.
10.35.3 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
10.35.4 On a proposal from Cllr. Munday, seconded by Cllr. Tranchant the following
accounts totalling £5429.59 were approved for payment.
Doug Goodman Handyman contract Feb 10 497.97
J. Griffith Clerk’s salary Feb 10 1181.61
J. Griffith Clk’s expenses 61.25
HM Revenue & Customs Clk’s Ni and tax 4th quarter 2430.42
L. Wright Office Assistance Feb 10 280.00
Union Transport Group PLC Dog waste bags 209.84
Oak Properties Office Electricity 295.62
Record RSS Ltd Repair to Devil’s Island swing 444.73
Southern Electric Pavilion Downview 28.15
10.36 Annual Parish Meeting – Thursday 22 April 2010, East Wittering Village Hall
The Council and BBCA agreed to distribute leaflets to all properties in the Parish with as much help from Parishioners as possible. The Clerk to coordinate the distribution. Leaflets will be distributed from 1 April 2010. The Council is looking for anyone able to distribute in their road, or beyond, to contact the Parish Council Office.
10.36.1 PC Dave Lyons thanked the Council for inviting him to speak at the Annual Parish
Meeting but sent his apologies because he will be on a training course that week. The
Council unanimously agreed to invite PCSO Rose Bainbridge to present an update on
the work of the Police in the Parish.
10.36.2 Cllr. Chaloner agreed to provide light refreshments between 7-7.30pm. Proposed by Cllr. Munday, seconded by Cllr. Lambert the Council agreed a budget of £30.00 from the Chairman’s Allowance.
10.36.3 The Clerk presented a draft leaflet to the Council. The Council raised concerns about the leaflet having too much detail which people may not read and asked that it be shortened and left it to the Clerk to finalise.
(Post meeting note: The more detailed leaflet to be distributed to benefit those who are unable to attend the Annual Parish Meeting).
10.37 Highways
10.37.1 Street Lighting
A street light inspection was carried out on Wednesday 11 March and the following light was found to be out: Stocks Lane Column No.4.The Clerk has reported this fault.
Various lights in Middleton Close have been reported to A2 Dominion and are still out.
10.37.2 The Council received a request from a young lady who works at Church Farm
Residential Care Home for improved lighting on the footpath between Church Farm Lane and the start of the houses in Church Road. The Council unanimously agreed that this is a remote area due to the high hedges and potentially an unsafe path to walk along in darkness. Proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed to request another streetlight in this area as a matter of urgency to improve safety. PCSO Ann Bromley also supported the proposal.
10.38 Gritting in Church Road and Piggery Hall Lane
The Council received a negative response from WSCC to its request that these two roads should be included in the regular gritting programme. District Councillor Peter Clementson suggested contacting County Councillor Pieter Montyn as he felt sure he would be concerned about this situation. The Council confirmed that it had already written to County Councillor Montyn and had received no reply. The Clerk was instructed to write again and defer this item to the next agenda.
10.39 Any Other Highways Updates
10.39.1 Bracklesham Bends, Bracklesham Lane
The Clerk to ask WSCC to check the surface is up to standard.
Cllr. Chaloner to bring the concerns about speeding at this location to the next Manhood Road Safety Group meeting.
Cllr. Gunning requested that WSCC improve the lighting at the bus stop adjacent to Tile Barn Lane and also to provide a bus shelter.
10.39.2 To avoid chaos the Clerk was asked to request that roadworks on main roads are halted during the Easter holidays, especially in the village centre.
10.40 Public Convenience Review The Council received details of an initial proposal to update the public conveniences at Bracklesham seafront from Mr. Bob Riley, Chichester District Council (CDC). The Council unanimously agreed to discuss this in conjunction with Agenda item 14 on the Foreshore at Bracklesham as the Council had received a negative response from Mrs. Jane Hotchkiss, CDC to its request to improve beach access at Bracklesham. After lengthy discussion of the two apparently conflicting letters the Council asked the Clerk to send copies of each of the letters to the two senders with a request to meet with them to discuss the future of Bracklesham Foreshore.
10.41 Medmerry Cllr. Tranchant supplied the Council with an update on the proposed cycleways from Earnley to Selsey, car parks, the proposal to pipe Earnley Rife in extreme conditions and the water storage area near Sussex Beach Holiday Village. The Council noted that there was nothing that directly affected this Parish. Cllr. Tranchant reported that plans would be submitted to central Government for funding the project.
10.42 Twinning
Cllr. Lowe reported on the 10th Anniversary celebrations that start on 13 May when 35 guests from Moutiers arrive in East Wittering. Entertainment has been arranged for them for the weekend but accommodation for 5 people for 3 nights is still required. If anyone can help with B&B for this weekend please contact Cllr. Ray Lowe or the Parish Clerk.
10.43 Foreshore Dealt with under minute10.40.
10.44 Bracklesham Park
10.44.1 The Chairman reported that the tendering process had gone well. Before the
contractor can be announced the tender submissions are to be vetted by the Big Lottery Fund. Upon its confirmation that all is in order the appointment of the contractor can go ahead and work can start. This news is expected in the next couple of weeks.
10.44.2 Cllr. Munday voiced his concerns about the business rates on the centre and whether it will be eligible for partial exemption. He has made some initial enquiries and will report back.
10.44.3 Cllr. Munday also reminded the Council that it must decided on the level of licensing for the centre. The Clerk noted that this is an item for discussion with District Councillor Graeme Barrett as a member of the CDC Licensing Team.
10.44.4 The Clerk was asked to prepare a table of comparative hiring costs of other local halls.
10.45 Booker Green
Due to the sensitive financial and legal nature of the matter on a proposal by Cllr. Munday, seconded by Cllr. Gunning the Council agreed to discuss this matter in closed session at the end of the meeting.
10.46 Parish Office
Any information from the Clerk and the Chairman regarding the office. None.
10.47 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
Signed______________________________Chairman Date_________________________
THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE AT 7PM ON
THURSDAY 8 APRIL 2010 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
