EAST WITTERING AND BRACKLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD ON 10 JUNE 2010 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
PRESENT: Council Members
Cllr. Rod Tranchant (Chair) Cllr. Geoff Breeze
Cllr. Jane Chaloner Cllr. John Gunning Cllr. Basil Lambert Cllr. Ray Lowe Cllr. Sylvia Main Cllr. Cedric Munday Cllr. Joe O’Sullivan
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr. Pat Connon
IN ATTENDANCE: County Councillor Pieter Montyn, District Councillor Graeme Barrett, PCSO Rose Bainbridge, Drew Allardice (Community Warden),
Mr.Andy Ekinsmyth, Service Manager-Transport (WSCC) and
Mr. Bob Norris
10.94 Declarations of Interest. None.
10.95 The minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2010 were then confirmed by the Council as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
10.96 Matters arising from the last Council meeting not included on the Agenda.
None.
10.97 Public Questions. None.
Four members of the public arrived.
10.98 Police The Council received a report from PCSO Rose Bainbridge on incidents that have occurred in the last month. The incidents were considered quite low level but included burglaries and beach parties. The Council raised concern that both PCSO Bainbridge and Bromley were taken from the Parish to guard the site of the recent attempted robbery at Austen Jewellers in Chichester during fine weather in half term week when our population had increased substantially with the arrival of thousands of tourists. Proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. Tranchant the Clerk was asked to write to CI Ali Darge with these concerns.
10.99. Highway Safety. The Council received a detailed briefing from Mr.Andy Ekinsmyth, Service Manager-Transport in WSCC, regarding the various matters raised in relation to safety at the school in Stocks Lane, and in Church Road near St.Peter’s Church.
Stocks Lane – school crossing.
He reported that there had been no suitable response for the vacancy of school crossing person. He explained the financial implications involved in providing a permanent crossing and that due to the financial situation of WSCC all applications were graded. Stocks Lane, school entrance, had been studied and did not fall in the priority list therefore WSCC funding would not be available. Very rough guides to costs were £15-20,000 for a zebra crossing and £45-60,000 for a pelican crossing. He encouraged the Council and mothers who were attending the meeting to source some outside funding as the WSCC could possibly be facing a 75% cut in such things.
Church Road – speeding near St. Peter’s Church and the school entrance.
He reported that studies have been done and show that there is not an excessive speeding problem. The Council, representatives from the Church and members of the public queried the survey as many of them had personal experiences of speeding traffic in that area. The results of the survey prevent any further measures being put in place.
10.100 Reports from District and County Councillors.
District Cllr. Graeme Barrett reminded the Council that Parishes have been requested by CDC to decide their preference regarding either retaining the Leader of the Council, who is elected by the Members, or having a directly elected Mayor, elected by the Public. He reminded the Council that in August the Parish Council will be asked to comment on whether the Core Strategy Document is sound. He also reminded the P. Council that CDC has invited comments on its Consultation on new Grants and Concessions Policy. He concluded by reporting that the Emergency Plan is near completion.
County Cllr. Pieter Montyn reported that Louise Goldsmith is now Leader of WSCC and he now has the position of Deputy Portfolio Holder for Transport.
10.101 Finance.
10.101.1 The Council received a statement of the current financial position.
10.101.2 The Chairman had agreed and signed the bank reconciliation prior to the meeting.
10.101.3 The Council received the following list of previously agreed Direct Debits and Standing Orders withdrawn since the last meeting.
Volwona (Oak Properties) Office rent 400.00
10.101.4 On a proposal from Cllr. Main, seconded by Cllr. Lambert the following accounts totalling £4684.24 were approved for payment.
Doug Goodman Handyman contract May 10 669 480.00
Doug Goodman Planting shrubs at B. Park 669 50.00
J. Griffith Clerk’s salary May 10 670 1181.61
HMRC Clks tax & NIC 1st Qtr 671 1305.48
Sidlesham Bedding plants Parish summer flowers 672 291.06
Portsmouth Water Downview pavilion 673 13.17
Travis Perkins B. Park maintenance 674 82.22
Oak Properties Office electricity 675 270.55
Castle Printers Annual Parish Meeting leaflet 676 375.00
Staples Stationery 677 74.33
Neptune Outdoor Furniture Purchase of seat on Booker Green 678 515.82
CDC Dog Warden 679 45.00
10.101.5 The Council received the financial statements for year ended 31 March 2010. The Council was satisfied that the accounts were produced in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 and on a proposal by Cllr. Chaloner, seconded by Cllr. Gunning the Council approved the accounts. Cllr. Lambert raised a few points for consideration for next year’s accounts which he was asked to submit to the Clerk.
10.101.6 Proposed by Cllr. O’Sullivan, seconded by Cllr. Gunning the Council agreed that the answer to be provided to the external auditors in response to the questions in the Annual Governance Statement was “Yes” to questions 1-8 and that question 9 was not applicable.
10.102 Street Lights. A street light inspection was carried out on Wednesday 8 June between 9.15pm and 10pm and one light was found to be out: Col. 18 Bracklesham Lane. The Clerk has reported this fault.
10.103 CDC Consultation on new Grants and Concessions Policy. The Council noted the document and had no comment.
10.104. Christmas Lights. The Working Party reported that a letter is being sent out to all the businesses in the Parish requesting a donation towards the lights. An advertisement is going out for an electrician for the lights – not the lights on the street columns. WSCC have advised that the street columns will be replaced over the next 5 years following a consultation. The Working Party agreed to put the emblems on the columns again this year.
10.105. Bracklesham Park.
10.105.1 The Council received a copy of the unconfirmed minutes from the Bracklesham Park Committee – these will be displayed on the noticeboard and the Parish Council website.
10.105.2 Proposed by Cllr. Munday, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed to rename the centre Bracklesham Barn.
10.105.3 Police Room Lease. The Council agreed the comments made by the B. Park Committee covering public liability and requested the Clerk forward these to its Solicitor.
10.105.4 The Council asked the Clerk to write a letter of thanks to Mr. Hobb for donating a tennis net and posts for use at the Park.
10.105.5 The licensing of Bracklesham Barn will be discussed at the next Bracklesham Park Committee meeting.
10.105.6 Website The Clerk provided the Council with a website proposal and quote from Access by Design for a website for Bracklesham Barn of £2,087.50. The Council agreed that the Bracklesham Park Committee decide on the content of the website. Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Main the Council agreed to ask the BBCA for a contribution of 50% of the design fee and suggested that they have a link to their website or page.
10.106 Parish Council Office.
10.106.1 Assistant to the Clerk. Proposed by Cllr. Munday, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed to appoint Mrs. Ginny Argyle and that the Chairman signs the contract of employment circulated to the Council prior to the meeting.
10.106.2 Any information from the Clerk and the Chairman regarding the office. None
10.107 Urgent matters that the Chairman wishes to bring to the attention of the Council. None.
Signed______________________________Chairman Date_________________________
THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE AT 7PM ON
THURSDAY 8 JULY 2010 AT THE FIRE STATION, OAKFIELD ROAD.
