Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 18th January 2016
Birdham Parish Council
Minutes of the
Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 18th January 2016
at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall
Present: Cllr Pocock (Chairman), Cllr Hamilton (Vice Chairman), Cllr Firmston, Cllr Brooks, Cllr Campbell, Cllr Bird and Cllr Churchill.
Apologies: Cllr Barker, Cllr Wells and PCSO Bainbridge.
In attendance: The Clerk, Cllr Montyn (WSCC) and 5 members of the public.
Absent: None
90-15 Public Question time in accordance with Standing Orders 1d -1l:
A resident asked if there were any plans to replace the tree cut down in Crooked Lane at the southern end.
It was unknown at this point if it would be replaced.
91-15 Declaration of Interests:
Cllr Firmston declared a personal interest in planning application BI/15/03851/FUL.
92-15 Approve and sign the minutes of the 21st December 2015.
It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the 21st December 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
93-15 Clerks’ Report:
i) WSCC – There was nothing to report
ii) CDC – There was nothing to report
iii) Reports from Members of WSCC/CDC –
Cllr Montyn (WSCC) said that he was somewhat annoyed at the lack of response from Highways England (HE) over their handling of the A27 project. The Consultation period is far too short for the importance of the project and its potential impact on residents and users. Unfortunately whilst some members of the wider community are blaming WSCC for the lack of information they have failed to understand that the WSCC are in exactly the same position as everyone else. WSCC Leader has written to HE requesting an extension of the consultation period.
Cllr Montyn then spoke about Devolution and hoped that at the very least Councillors were aware of it. Very simply it was about the Counties of West and East Sussex and Surrey working together to provide services at a local level that might otherwise be provided by central government.
Cllr Montyn said that he was very disappointed and amazed at the rumours circulating that as a result of devolution there would be 34,000 new homes built in the Chichester District. This was totally untrue and referred to the 34,000 new homes that are already planned for the three counties up to 2029.
Cllr Barrett (CDC) said that there would be as full a discussion on the A27 on the 26th January at 2.30pm at CDC Full Council. He had spoken to Mott McDonald acting as the agents for HE who are equally as unhelpful as HE.
Cllr Barrett then went on to suggest that residents should be aware of the potential changes to the Post Office opening times in Birdham Stores and to make their feelings known.
Cllr Hamilton (CDC) spoke briefly about the budget and how it would be kept to an absolute minimum.
Clly Montyn (WSCC) said that the WSCC budget would rise by the allowed 2% to cater for adult care and a little under 2% for the balance in order to avoid a referendum.
A question was asked concerning the CDC/WSCC objections to the rate support grant.
The answer was that both Councils have objected already and will continue to do so.
iv) Other related matters – There were none.
94-15 To receive an update on the Neighbourhood Plan:-
Cllr Brookes said that minor amendments were being made at the request of the Inspector after which the Nplan will be laid before CDC Cabinet with the referendum expected to take place in May.
95-15 Finance and Corporate:
i) To receive and approve the financial report.
The Clerk presented the financial report up to and including the 16th January 2016 shown at Annex a. The current balances are as follows;
Balances held at Bank £ 178112.62
Designated Funds £ 21063.13
Ring Fenced Funds £ 135992.46
Available Funds £ 12465.99
Creditors £ 2231.95
The Clerk offered to answer any questions that Councillors may have.
It was resolved to adopt the Financial Report.
ii) To consider and determine a response to the recent proposals of the CDC Task & Finish Group in relation to the New Homes Bonus (NHB).
The Clerk explained the proposed changes to the method of the allocation of funds.
After a short discussion it was resolved to notify CDC that Birdham Parish Council were not supportive of the proposals.
iii) To consider and determine a response to the recent proposals by NALC to provide a Sector Led Body (SLB) for Audit.
The Clerk outlined the proposal by NALC to provide for a Sector Led Body (SLB) for the provisioning of the Annual Audit of the Parish Council Accounts and, whilst costs are currently unknown, they are likely to be no more expensive than the current arrangement and may well be a little cheaper. The Clerk recommended that the Council opt to accept the proposals saving considerable amounts of work in find suitable auditors to carry out audits from the 2017 financial year. If the Council is minded to adopt the Clerks suggestion than nothing further is required however, should Council not agree with the Clerk than an opt out notification is required by the 31st January 2016.
It was resolved to adopt the advice of the Clerk and use the services of the SLB for future audit requirements.
iv) To consider the provision of a Beacon Lighting to celebrate the Queens 90th Birthday on the 21st April 2016.
This item was deferred to the February meeting.
96-15 Correspondence – Not previously circulated: -
There was none.
97-15 Reports:
i) Play Area and Playing Field. – The Chairman said that a meeting would be held on the 19th March 2016 from 10am until 2pm in the village hall when ideas and proposals would be made public. It was hoped that the maximum number of residents would turn out as their ideas and thoughts were important to both projects.
ii) Village Green and Pond. – There was nothing to report at this stage.
iii) Condition of Village Ditch/Drain Network. – The Chairman said that he and Mr Barrington had walked the village and noticed a number of ditches needed work for which riparian owners were responsible. He and Mr Barrington had compiled a list and a draft letter for which the Clerk would asked to both check and despatch.
iv) Police and Neighbourhood Watch – There was nothing to report.
v) Communication Working Groups – There was nothing to report.
vi) Community Resilience: - Cllr Firmston – Lead Councillor – said that he would be hosting the first meeting of the working group on the 25th January.
vii) Other – There was nothing to report.
98-15 Reports of meetings attended by Councillors; - Cllr Firmston said that he had had various meetings in connection with Community Resilience.
The Chairman said that he had attended a meeting of the Chichester South Local Committee which in his opinion had been hijacked by the Chichester Deserves Better Campaign concerning the A27.
99-15 Planning matters including applications and CDC delegated decisions:
i) Planning Applications to be decided.
BI/15/03851/FUL - High Seats Ltd Unit 4 Premier Business Park Birdham Road
Change of use of existing marine retail/storage/light industrial unit to new designation retail unit incorporation new shopfront, entrance and side fire escape.
The Parish Council raised no objection to this application but requested that a condition be implemented concerning the provision of parking bays.
BI/15/04106/DOM - & Mrs Glyn & Deborah Smith & Nunn 10 Pescotts Close Birdham
Single storey extension, new porch structure, attic conversion with raised ridge height.
The Parish Council raised no objection to this application
BI/15/02827/FUL Birdham Business Park Birdham Road Birdham West Sussex
Demolition of existing buildings and erection of light industrial building (B1) comprising two units with car parking.
The Parish Council raised no objection to this application provided that the application complied with the lighting conditions imposed on the estate as a whole.
BI/15/04114/FUL - Birdham Pool Ltd Birdham Pool Marina Birdham
Erection of a replacement crane in connection with the operation of the existing marina.
The Parish Council objected to this application as in their opinion insufficient information was contained within the application.
BI/15/04342/OBG - CALA Homes (South Home Counties) Ltd Tawny Nurseries Bell Lane
Variation of S106 agreement - to vary clause 1.3 proposed tenure requirement.
The Parish Council commented that this variation should be agreed with the Rural Housing Officer.
BI/15/04153/FUL - Building D, Chichester Marina, Birdham, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7EJ
Variation of condition 3b of permission BI/12/00475/FUL. To allow for the vacant unit to be occupied by a retail (A1) occupier.
The Parish Council raised no objection to this application.
It was resolved to authorise the Clerk to notify the Councils decision to CDC Planning.
ii) Delegated Decisions to be noted.
BI/15/02127/REM Mr Stuart Forrester Tawny Nurseries Bell Lane Birdham
Application for reserved matters including appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, relating to outline planning permission BI/12/04147/OUT. PERMIT
BI/15/03253/FUL Mrs Anna Wood Houseboat Fusil Chichester Marina Birdham
Replacement houseboat. REFUSE
Mrs A Farwell 15 Longmeadow Gardens Birdham
Enlargement of entrance hall and erection of single storey rear extension. PERMIT
The delegated decisions were noted.
88-15 Items for inclusion on the next agenda:
89-15 Date of Next Meeting:
15th February 2016 at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall
There being no further business to discuss the meeting was declared closed at 8.27pm
Signed ___________________________ Dated ____________________
Chairman
Annex a.
Agenda Item 6i
Birdham Parish Council
Financial Statement as at 16th January 2016
£
Bank Accounts as at 31st March 2015 36732.62
Receipts to date 183454.35
Expenditure to date 42074.35
Balance 178112.62
Represented by;
Current Account (Barclays Community A/c) 15054.42
Deposit Account (Barclays Premium Business A/c) 156247.39
National Savings 6810.81
Total 178112.62
Less
Reserve @ 50% of Precept 21063.13
Loan Reserve for half year 8591.04
Outstanding Cheque/s -
Total 29654.17
Ringfenced Funds
Op Watershed 133950.41
NHB 2042.05
Available Funds Total 12465.99
Signed
Clerk to the Council
16th January 2016
Payments to be considered
B Geary (Litter Picking) 70.00
Clerks Expenses (Telephone etc.) 143.80
Southern Electric 206.89
Arundel Arboretum Ltd 1737.26
Rather Good Productions Ltd (Access by Design) 24.00
A Dover (Grass & Bus stop) 50.00
Total 2231.95