Minutes April 2008

Birdham Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 21st April 2008 after the Annual Meeting in Birdham Village Hall.

Present: Cllr Tilbury; Cllr Mrs Parks; Cllr Ms Leach; Cllr Howat; Cllr Ms Huskisson; Cllr Meynell; Cllr Churchill

In attendance: The Clerk; a member of the press; County Cllr Daws-Chew; District Cllr Montyn; and a member of the public.

1-08cl. Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Cobbold

2-08cl. Declaration of Interests - none was made.

3-08cl. Approve and sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on 21st March 2008 It was proposed by Cllr Meynell and seconded by Cllr Mrs Parks RESOLVED to approve the minutes and that they be signed by the Chairman.

4-08cl. Matters arising from the Minutes:
i) Min 109-07cl i) Village sign - A reply has been received from CDC saying Richard Dixon will be in charge of the matter and the Council should hear within 4 weeks from the date of the letter (1st May), so there should be an answer by the next meeting. Cllr Mrs Parks has worked on a design based on the letter-heading.
ii) Min 109-07cl ii) food put out in field - the Clerk is still awaiting the wording of a letter from Cllr Ms Huskisson about this. It appeared that it had been sent by email but had not arrived - Cllr Ms Huskisson will send it again.
iii) Min 109-07cl - Longmeadow application - the Chairman explained that he had replied to the planning officer, and contacted Sam Howes. Mr Howes had replied that the Council has reached the second stage of the complaints procedure. It was proposed by Cllr Meynell and reluctantly agreed that the Council has gone as far as it can at this stage.
iv) Min 115-07cl - Land next to Leyholm - the Chairman reported that a group of residents would be making an offer for the land to use as an orchard, but it would be sold at auction so anyone might buy it. It was agreed not to pursue this.
v) Boundaries - the Chairman reported that WSCC had decided to leave these alone in the Chichester District area. This was noted.

5-08cl. Clerk's Report
a) WSCC reports, highways matters and correspondence - none
b) CDC reports including correspondence
i) John Marsland has written to the Chairman to say that Amanda Jobling has been appointed as Director to the Peninsula Community Forum and she will be in touch with the Chairman fairly soon.
ii) CDC has served a TPO on a Scots Pine at Tyme Wells, Westlands and would like any comments or observations from the Parish Council by 19th May. It was decided to support this.
c) other related matters
i) The audit commission has written to say that Mazars has been appointed as External Auditor to Birdham PC until the year 2011-12. This was noted.
ii) Chichester Ship Canal Trust Newsletter has been received and placed in the correspondence. It includes the date of the AGM, which is 15th May 2008 at County Hall at 7.30pm. It was decided that Cllr Ms Huskisson would attend for the Council.
iii) Chichester Harbour Conservancy has written to inform the Council of its programme for maintaining footpaths in the Harbour area during the coming summer. This was noted.
iv) Postwatch has written about some proposed closures of Post offices in the area. This is already out of date as the Clerk has been told that Parklands has been reprieved. This was noted.
v) Cllr Ms Leach has raised the matter of safety and maintenance on the lock gates at Salterns Lock. The Chairman has contacted the manager at Premier Marinas and they are responsible for repairs to the lock. They intend to replace the timbers and when the specialists in lock construction come to look at this they will take their advice on this.
vi) West Sussex County Times have asked if the Council would permit a link to their website from Birdham's. After discussion it was decided to say yes.

6-08cl. Planning matters including CDC decisions
A paper detailing planning matters had been circulated to all councillors.
Plans considered since the last meeting to be ratified:

BI/08/01165/DOM - 16, Walwyn Close, Birdham - Single storey rear extension with rooms in roof above. NO OBJECTION

BI/08/01210/DOM and BI/08/01211/LBC - Hill Land Farmhouse, Batchmere Road, Birdham PO20 7QN - Single storey rear extension and side kitchen to existing dwelling - NO OBJECTION
It was proposed by Cllr Ms Huskisson and seconded by Cllr Mrs Parks RESOLVED to ratify the decisions taken since the previous meeting.

CDC Decisions

BI/08/00304/DOM - Far End, 6, Burlow Close, Birdham PO20 7ES - Proposed freestanding concrete sectional detached garage - PERMIT
BI/08/00760/DOM - Tyme Wells, Westlands, Birdham PO20 7HJ - Two storey extensions to enlarge sitting room and bedroom, breakfast room, utility room, ensuite and single storey garden room - PERMIT

BI/08/00880/TPA - 12, Pipers Mead, Birdham - Crown reduce by 25% and thinning (i.e. any branches that are doubling up and also any crossing or rubbing branches) on 1 no. Oak tree within Group G2 subject to TPO/14/BI - PERMIT

Plans to be considered:

BI/08/01359/COU - Premier Business Park, Birdham Road, PO20 7BU - Change of use of existing office building to classic car showroom - the Council decided that they need more information, including elevations and details of signage before they can make a decision on this matter.

BI/08/01560/DOM - Moorings, Cherry Lane, Birdham - Single storey extension to existing detached bungalow to provide home office/studio accommodation for the owner/occupiers. Some internal alterations to the existing dwelling house and a fully glazed "conservatory style" addition to the southern elevation of the main property is also proposed. It was proposed by Cllr Meynell and seconded by Cllr Howat RESOLVED NO OBJECTION

The Chairman was phoned by a resident in Springfield Close behind whose houses is a wall, then a ditch and a bank with trees. The hedge and laurel hedge of a new development has been placed on agricultural land. The inspectors will look at this when the development is complete.

7-08cl. Correspondence

WSCC - Forward Plan of Key Decisions April - July and May - August 2008
Action in Rural Sussex - 21st Century Villages
- Village Hall mailing
SEERA - Regional Housing Strategy 2008-11
Chichester Harbour Management Plan 2006-7
West Sussex NHS Primary Care Trust - A new mind-set for improving health and well-being
CPRE Countryside Voice Spring 2008
Playback Spring 2008
FIT Focus Spring 2008
Partnership News April 2008

8-08cl. Reports
i) Village Hall - a report had been given to the Annual meeting.
ii) Play Area and Playing Field - Cllr Churchill reported everything is alright.
iii) Village green and pond - still pursuing the transplanting of the willow.
iv) Neighbourhood Watch - report was given in Annual Meeting, but PCSO Bainbridge has sent apologies for this meeting. She reported on the street briefing at Florence Close which was very well attended. They are still doing regular patrols in Birdham especially in the evenings to link with young people. This was noted.
v) Tree Wardens - no report

9-08cl. Finance
A financial situation report had been circulated to all councillors
Payments made since the last meeting to be ratified:

Clerk's salary March 543.24
Access by Design - website renewal, includes 4.38 VAT 29.38
Southern Electric - street lighting electricity includes 8.17 VAT 171.72

Receipts, current account - Apuldram, copies and phone, and other copies 25.81

Receipts, Village Hall account, interest 46.59

Receipts, deposit account - nil

Payments to be considered:

Adrian Dover - grass cutting 112.50
Mrs Geary - litter, April 65.00
SALC - Internal audit day includes 4.38 VAT 29.38
Clerk's expenses 52.76

Notes :

The first half of the precept will now be in the bank, and the Clerk will transfer £8591.04 to the Village Hall account and the balance above current expenses to the deposit account as soon as possible. The quotation from Norwich Union for the insurance has arrived and they will charge the Council £1472.91 instead of £1732.84 from Allianz. If the Council is prepared to stay with them for three years the amount reduces to £1399.26 saving £333.58 in the first year. The Clerk is therefore recommending that the Council accept this quotation.

It was proposed by Cllr Tilbury and seconded by Cllr Ms Leach RESOLVED to approve the financial report. It was further proposed by Cllr Churchill and seconded by Cllr Mrs Parks RESOLVED to accept the insurance quote from Norwich Union for three years.

10-08cl. Reports of meetings attended by councillors
i) CALC - Cllr Tilbury reported that he had attended this meeting. Trevor Leggo of SALC gave a presentation on the virtues of quality councils. The case for becoming a quality council was greeted with scepticism by the small rural parishes. There was also a report from Cllr Meynell on the Harbour Conservancy, and a discussion about County Local Committee (South). Trevor Leggo recommended the joint Arun committee system. Some dissatisfaction with the way County Local Committee South works.
ii) Chichester Canal Trust Extraordinary General meeting - Cllr Ms Huskisson reported that it was to do with the proposed change to the objectives of the Trust. The primary objective will be the Chichester Canal rather than the Hunston to Arun part. It will be discussed again at the AGM
iii) County Local Committee (South) - Cllr Tilbury reported that he had attended this and heard a presentation on new rules for speed limits. He will meet with the head of Highways at the end of the month. It was also suggested that the lay-by opposite Birdham Stores should be a proper lay-by with a time limit which would solve the problem of cars being sold there and should be raised at the same meeting. Also a talk on waste disposal, including the problem of import of waste, although some West Sussex waste is taken to Warrington for re-cycling. Any comments were asked for on trains with a view to the new franchise in 2012. There was also discussion about Fernleigh, which is to close. Louise Goldsmith now is in charge of finance and will review whether it needs to be looked at again.
iv) Cllr Meynell reported on the Harbour Conservancy meetings, and Birdham School Eco-Centre will receive 75% of the cost from them.
v) Manhood Parishes Road Safety meeting - minutes were sent by email. Sidlesham are frustrated by the speed this is moving and a sub-group was formed to move things on.
vi) Play England - this item was postponed to next meeting.

11. Public session Going Dutch Mark 2 will be weekend of 21 -22 June.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.10pm.