Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 16th February 2015
Birdham Parish Council
Minutes of the
Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 16th February 2015
at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall
Present: Cllr Cobbold, Cllr Hamilton (Vice Chairman), Cllr Pocock (Chairman), Cllr Ayton and Cllr Firmston
Apologies: Cllr Finch, Cllr Barker, Cllr Brooks and Cllr Marshall (CDC)
In attendance: The Clerk, Cllr Montyn (WSCC & CDC) and 13 members of the public.
Absent: Cllr Churchill
112-14 Public Question time in accordance with Standing Orders 1d -1l:
There were no questions from members of the public.
113-14 Declaration of Interests:
There were no declarations of interest given.
114-14 Approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on the 19th January 2015.
Subject to the inclusion of Cllr Ayton as present it was resolved to adopt the minutes of the 19th January 2014 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
115-14 Matters arising from the minutes of the 19th November 2012:
Minute 89-12 - Land Bequest. The Clerk said that he was very disappointed to say that he had still not received the final completion of the land bequest due to a hold up at the Land Registry Office.
116-14 Clerks’ Report:
i) WSCC – The Clerk reported that he had received the following from WSCC;
a) A copy of the Future West Sussex Plan for 2015-2019.
b) A notification document on the changes to the inspection and maintenance of Public Rights of Way.
ii) CDC – The Clerk reported that he had received the following from CDC;
a) A copy of the proposed Infrastructure and CIL Governance Arrangements together with a request from CDC for the name of one member to take part in workshops expected to take place from April on the subject of what the Parish Council intentions are in spending their proportion of the CIL.
Cllr Pocock volunteered to be the named Councillor which was agreed by the members present.
iii) Reports from Members of WSCC/CDC – Reporting for WSCC Cllr Montyn said that the budget meeting was held on the Friday and that WSCC and CDC are not increasing their budgets but the Police had increased their precept demand which would impact on the overall Community Charge.
Cllr Cobbold asked if WSCC would comment on drainage issues on all future planning applications.
Cllr Montyn responded that although WSCC are the Authority responsible for drainage they had been working with CDC on all surface water drainage issues for some time. He felt the biggest problem at the moment was the Government prevarication on the suitability of the SUDS.
iv) Other related matters – The Clerk reported that he had received a document from the Local Fire & Rescue Service asking for support in their attempt to fight the proposed cuts crews, appliances and stations. Cllr Montyn (WSCC) said there would be no change to East Wittering Fire Station.
117-14 Finance and Corporate:
i) To receive and approve the financial report.
The Clerk presented the financial reports for the month of February (shown at annex a). The current balances are as follows;
| Balances held at Bank | £34225.39 |
| Designated Funds | £21089.29 |
| Ring Fenced Funds | £ 6265.00 |
| Available Funds | £ 6871.10 |
| Creditors | £ 227.07 |
The Clerk offered to answer any questions that Councillors may have.
It was resolved to adopt the Financial Report.
118-14Planning matters including applications and CDC delegated decisions:
i) Planning Applications to be decided.
BI/15/00173/TPA - Mr Adrian Rowe Land South Of Dragonsfield Westlands Estate Birdham
Pollard 13 no. Horse Chestnut trees (T1-T13) subject to BI/81/00021/TPO.
The Council, as usual, are content to leave the decision in the hands of the CDC Tree Officer.
BI/15/00338/FUL - Houseboat Moon Dancer, Chichester Marina, Birdham
Erection of a fixed pedestrian bridge and associated abutments and footpath link.
The Council considered that the application would fundamentally change the character of the area. It would also represent a move away from the saved 1999 Local Plan it which it was stated that there would be no fixed development of the canal which would prevent any potential access to the sea. It was therefore resolved to OBJECT to this application.
BI/15/00339/FUL - Premier Marinas Former Chandlery Building Chichester Marina
Change of use of ground floor from retail (Use Class A1) and restaurant (Use Class A3) to create five self-contained two-bedroom residential units (Use Class C3). Replacement of existing flat roof with pitched roof including dormer windows to create upper levels to the existing flats.
Birdham PC did not object to the conversion but regretted that a more fundamental approach had not been taken with the redesign of this building and its surrounds. An opportunity has been missed by not demolishing the existing building and creating five purpose built units with inspirational landscaping that would enhance the area of this part of the harbour complex.
The Council therefore raises NO OBJECTION
BI/15/00403/DOM - Field Cottage, Westlands Estate, Birdham
Extensions, partial raised roof, loft conversion, garage conversion and recladding.
The Council raised No Objection to this application
It was resolved to authorise the Clerk to notify Councils decision to DC Planning.
ii) Delegated Decisions to be noted.
BI/14/04049/FUL Parnell Homes Ltd Ayton Main Road Birdham
Construction of 3 no. dwellings and associated works including new vehicular access and landscaping. PERMIT WITH S106
BI/14/04106/LBC Mr & Mrs Lawrence Pirie The Old Bird And Ham Main Road Birdham
Detached timber framed garage, entrance porch, boundary and garden walls and brick infill to kitchen door opening. PERMIT
BI/14/04109/DOM Mr & Mrs Lawrence Pirie The Old Bird And Ham Main Road Birdham
Detached timber framed garage, entrance porch, boundary and garden walls and brick infill to kitchen door opening. PERMIT
The delegated decisions were noted.
119-14 Correspondence – Not previously circulated:
i) There was none.
120-14 Reports:
i) Play Area and Playing Field. – Nothing to report at this time.
ii) Village Green and Pond. –
a) The Clerk reported he had contacted the gardener who carries out the work on the village green and although the gardener felt that the idea of cutting paths and allowing wild flowers to grow through the grass was a nice idea he thought that the poor quality soil beneath the grass would not give a good result. However, he would carry out the Councils wishes and do what he could to improve conditions.
b) The contractor who was to carry out the pond maintenance was due to start work on the 17th February.
iii) Condition of Village Ditch/Drain Network. – Mr Barrington reported that some jetting work had been carried out on culverts throughout the village but more work has yet to be done. A meeting was to be held shortly with contractors concerning the completion of the 20 point plan.
Negotiations were progressing in order to possibly purchase land to provide an easier route to replacing the culvert in the properties within Walwyn Close which could potentially be funded via Op Watershed.
Birdham Marina has put in a pipe as a temporary measure which has reduced water levels in the Pool and thus flooding further towards the Village.
Further ditch clearing work is to start shortly subject to traffic management approval.
Westlands Lane – It is proving difficult to determine the ownership of the kingfisher pond which appears to be in ‘no man’s land’. The BCF Ltd is to be written to try and help them in resolving the problems with the pond and ditches on their land.
Pipers Mead/Bell Lane – It is uncertain who owns the ditch in this area and further work will have to be carried out. There are suspicions put forward by the WSCC engineers that a culvert has collapsed in this area.
The Chairman said that water can flow from the nurseries to the south.
Cllr Cobbold suggested that there was a significant variation in the heights of culverts from the main road which is the suspected problem area.
iv) Police and Neighbourhood Watch – It had been reported that a bicycle had been chained to the railings on the south side bus stop opposite the village stores. This has been reported to the Police.
v) Communication Working Groups – Cllr Finch requested as much help as possible in getting the newsletter delivered.
vi) Other - Work is shortly to be carried out in removing the ivy from the bus stop and telephone box adjacent to the village stores
121-14 Reports of meetings attended by Councillors;
There were no reports.
122-14 Items for inclusion on the next agenda:
Update on the Neighbourhood Plan.
Cllr Ayton to report on footpath 39.
123-14 Date of Next Meeting:
16th March 2015 at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall
There being no further business to discuss the meeting was declared closed at 8.30pm
Signed ___________________________ Dated ____________________
Chairman
Annex A
| Current Account (Barclays Community A/c) |
8704.36 |
|||||
| Deposit Account (Barclays Premium Business A/c) |
18710.22 |
|||||
| National Savings |
6810.81 |
|||||
| Total |
34225.39 |
|||||
| Less | ||||||
| Reserve @ 50% of Precept |
21063.13 |
|||||
| Loan Reserve for half year | ||||||
| Outstanding Cheque/s - |
102218 |
26.16 |
||||
| Total |
21089.29 |
|||||
| Ringfenced Funds | ||||||
| New Homes Bonus |
6265.00 |
|||||
| Available Funds | Total |
6871.10 |
||||
Signed Clerk to the Council 16th February 2015 Payments to be considered B Geary (Litter Picking)
70.00
Clerks Expenses (Telephone/Land Registry etc.)
157.07
Total
227.07