Minutes June 2002

Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th June 2002 at 7.00pm in Birdham Village Hall

Present:
Cllr Tilbury; Cllr Kyte; Cllr Meynell; Cllr Ms Huskisson; Cllr Mrs Rees; Cllr Drew; Cllr Mrs Parks; Cllr Loseby.

In attendance:
District Cllr Peter Jones, a member of the press and the Clerk.

26-02cl Apologies for absence:
were received from Cllr Mrs Woodruff.

27-02cl Approve and sign the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th May 2002
It was proposed by Cllr Meynell, and seconded by Cllr Drew,
RESOLVED to approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th May 2002 and that they be signed by the Chairman.

27-02cl Matters arising from the Minutes dated 20th May 2002

i) Min 18-02 Bridge to Playing Field - The Clerk understands that Cllr Mrs Woodruff has seen John Knights and he has also informed her that the bridge will be built on 3rd July if it does not rain that day

ii) Min 18-02 ii Jubilee and flagpole - The mugs were distributed to the children at the school and in the nursery, and a few still remain for purchase at £2.50 each. The flagpole was eventually erected in time for the Jubilee weekend, with the crown still on top of it. The school has expressed an interest in having the old flagpole to replace theirs, and it was suggested that a nominal charge of £10 be asked for it. Proposed by Cllr Parks, and seconded by Cllr Meynell, it was RESOLVED to make this charge.

iii) Min 18-02 iv Traffic calming - the Chairman reported on discussions he had had with Mrs Miley.

iv) Min 18-02 v Parish Council Initiative grants - Reply has been received from David Marshall's department, and they are awaiting the return of the Parish Council Initiative Scheme form from us and there was also information about footpaths 37 and 56.

v) Min 18-02 vi Data Protection Act - the Clerk reported that she was ready to register with the Information Commissioner's Office and would be including a cheque to pay for the registration with her Financial Report.

vi) Min 19-02 b Waste Minimisation Strategy - the Clerk reported that she has written to CDC about waste disposal at the Marina and is awaiting a reply.

28-02cl Clerk's Report including:
a) WSCC Reports, highway matters and correspondence

i) Public Rights of Way maintenance - County Strategy 2001-2005 - the Clerk reported on the new strategy for inspections. We had received a report that Crooked Lane will be repaired during this financial year, will only be the footpaths.

ii) Town and Parish Council and Parish Meeting Survey - results - will be put in correspondence file for Councillors to look at.

iii) Westlands Lane - speed limit will come into force on 19th June.

iv) WSCC Structure Plan - Examination in Public will take place in November and December.

b. CDC reports including correspondence

i) Development Control - Procedural Matters Report - the main difference from existing procedure seems to be that Parish Councils will no longer be allowed to attend site visits if this goes ahead, because they already have the right to speak at Planning Committee meetings. Comments are needed before 21st June. Councillors felt that it is preferable for them to be able to attend site visits, especially if they are unable to attend the meetings. Proposed by Cllr Meynell sec Cllr Loseby RESOLVED to write along these lines.

ii) Review of Parishes - formally states that area around First Avenue Batchmere will move to Earnley Parish on 1st April 2003. May be need for liaison with Earnley over this change.

iii) Rural Transport relating to Health Care Visits - a questionnaire which tries to pull together the information about how people without cars get to health appointments etc. Needs to be completed quickly. Cllr Mrs Rees agreed to undertake this.

iv) Local Authority Consultation on Proposed South Downs National Park Meeting with Parish Councils - East Pallant House, Committee Room 2, Wednesday June 26th 7pm two representatives invited. Cllr Drew and Cllr Ms Huskisson agreed to attend on behalf of the Council.

v) Community Forums - coverage of local community forums to include all parishes in the District, means that parishes not currently members of existing forums will have opportunity to participate - for information, Birdham would fall within Manhood Community Forum. Manhood Peninsula partnership covers much the same ground, but Forum would have a much wider remit. Clerk to contact Paul Over for further information and to say that we are interested in being kept up to date.

c. Other related matters

i) West Sussex Rural Mobile Youth Trust - AGM, Tuesday 25th June, 7 pm at Lodge Hill Centre. Cllr Kyte to try to attend

ii) Environment Agency, Flood Warning Road Show, Tesco car-park, Bognor, Tues 18th June 2-7 pm - the Council noted this.

iii) Manhood Mobility Volunteer Service - asking for letter of support regarding services and how they have helped residents of the Manhood. Cllr Mrs Rees agreed to draft a letter.

iv) CDCH - we have received copy of their Company directory, Clerk will keep this for information if any councillor requires it.

v) Persimmon Homes is trying to give away land in the centre of Pipers Mead, and the verges either side of the entrance to it from Main Road. The Clerk has visited the estate and is of the opinion that they only wish us to have it so they can save on maintenance costs. If the Council takes it on it is likely to double the amount currently spent on Adrian Dover's grass cutting and maintenance costs. The District Council has already turned it down. One of the conditions put on the planning of that site was that the surface water drainage be sorted out, which has not yet been done. The Council decided not to accept the land, but to consult with the residents before doing so.

vi) DTLR - Paper on local investigation and determination of misconduct allegations. The Clerk explained what is involved in this.

vii) Andrew Tyrie - letter re Countryside Agency's categorisation of Parishes - the Council has already noted this. He says that the bringing in of Regional Government will possibly mean the end of parish councils although another school of thought thinks it will be County Councils which will disappear. Polite acknowledgement to be sent.

viii) The Clerk reported briefly on the seminar run by Halcrow on the South Coast Multi-Media Study which she had attended on behalf of the Council. It seems that this is a policy of small improvements to the whole travel network, but no really controversial solutions such as motorway status. They are looking at improving some junctions on the A27 round Chichester, some additional railway lines, so that more fast trains could be run on the network, improvements to Arundel and Worthing etc. They pointed out that it would be necessary to do all or nothing, and those of us present pointed out that it would be necessary to put in the carrots, eg Park and Ride before the sticks, eg very high parking costs in Southampton, Portsmouth and Brighton.

ix) The Countryside Agency has sent us a practical guide for parish and town councils to Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and the Clerk will study it and advise the Council at its next meeting of its implications.

29-02cl Planning Matters A paper detailing planning applications had been circulated to all councillors.
Planning Applications to be considered

BI/02/01431/tel56 - Hutchison 3g c/o Andrew Wilkes and Associates, Efford Park, Milford Road, Lymington, Hants SO41 0JD - Prior approval of telecommunications mast at Wophams Lane Nursery, Birdham
It was proposed by Cllr Loseby and seconded by Cllr Kyte
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION but some councillors expressed concerns about the visual impact of the proposal.

BI/02/01437/AGR - Mr A Finnamore, Amberley Court, Crookthorn Lane, Climping, BN17 5SN - re Barn No. 2 Broomers Farm, Lock Lane, Birdham - to move a hay shed
It was proposed by Cllr Meynell and seconded by Cllr Tilbury
RESOLVED to OBJECT on the basis of intrusion into the landscape and the size of the barn not being justified by the size of the holding.

BI/02/01513/DOM Mr PF Clinton, Easton, Cherry Lane, Birdham, PO20 7AR - Erection of a conservatory. It was proposed by Cllr Meynell and seconded by Cllr Loseby
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION.

Planning Applications considered by the Council since the last meeting to be ratified

BI/02/10254/LBC and BI/02/10245/FUL - Mr and Mrs A Finnamore, Amberley Court, Crookthorn Lane, Climping, BN17 5SN - re 2, Broomer Barns, Lock Lane, Birdham PO20 7AX - proposed residential conversion - NO OBJECTION but comments made with regard to driveway.

BI/02/01218/DOM - G. Simpson, Quackers, 94, First Avenue, Batchmere, PO20 7LQ - provision of a conservatory to the above - NO OBJECTION

BI/02/01136/FUL - DA Howell, Tawny Nurseries, Bell Lane, Birdham PO20 7HY - replace 50 year-old glass for Health and Safety reasons, three glasshouses replaced with plastic - NO OBJECTION

BI/02/01265/FUL - Pickwick Estates c/o Stephen Jupp, 348 Chichester Road, Bognor Regis, re North cottage, Sidlesham Lane, Birdham PO20 7QL - demolition of North Cottage and erection of replacement dwelling 75 metres to the north - OBJECT on grounds including position, being outside the settlement area, no mention of connection with agriculture or horticulture, no reason why new house could not be built on footprint of existing house, and granting permission would invite further subdivision of the plot.
It was proposed by Cllr Drew and seconded by Cllr Mrs Rees
RESOLVED to ratify the above decisions.
Applications withdrawn

BI/02/01200/FUL - Ellascott Park, Sidlesham Lane, Birdham - Staff accommodation/office building to replace mobile home/office.

Off-Licence - Night and Day Convenience Store, Totalfina Elf Garage Birdham

30-02cl Correspondence to be circulated included
· SALC - various updates including Parish Platforms, Freedom of Information Act, Wheelclamping on Private Land, Race Relations Amendment Act and DEFRA on Mapping of Open Country
· O2 Airwave Service
· Vital Villages Update
· Canal Society Newsletter Summer 2002
· WSCC Forward Plan of Key Decisions July-October 2002CDC Forward Plan May-August 2002 and June-September 2002

CDC Decisions had been circulated to all councillors.

BI/99/02546/ELD - Premier Marinas Ltd, South Lockside, Port Solent, Portsmouth PO6 4TJ - 35 houseboats permanently moored on the Canal. Land at Chichester Marina (Formerly Yacht Basin) Chichester - CDC hereby certify that on 1st November 1999 the lawful use or development as above was lawful on the specified date.

BI/02/01218/DOM - G Simpson, Quackers, 94, First Avenue, Batchmere, PO20 7LQ - Conservatory to existing house - PERMIT

Ref to 35 houseboats - should have been 31 including Bagend, but it should have said 30 not including former Sailing School. Will now have to amend it, to be for 30 houseboats plus Bagend.

31-02cl Reports:-

i) Village Hall a ) - hog roast estimate £380 - it was proposed by Cllr Loseby, and seconded by Cllr Kyte,
RESOLVED to approve this estimate. Church to be charged for the use of the field at £25. It was agreed to put up the plans at the hog-roast.
b) letter from Nursery to be looked at by the Chairman and replied to.

ii) Play Area Report and Playing Field - Aim to install new swings, there are holes in rubber crumb.

iii) Village Green and Pond - what has come up at back of pond? Nothing undesirable.

iv) Footpaths and Bridleways - nothing further to report.

v) Neighbourhood Watch - Cmdr Clarke is trying to establish what happened when there was last a problem.

vi) Flood Report - new ditch been dug in Martins Lane.
vii) Other - Cllr Kyte will contact Howard Wigginton.

32-02cl Finance

A Financial Situation Report had been circulated to all councillors.
Payments made since the last meeting:

Standing Order to Saskia Heasman (May salary) 347.01
Bank charges 4.50
Impact China Ltd (Jubilee mugs) 580.46

Receipts, current account (interest) 0.70
(transfer from HIBA) 1000.00

Receipts, Village Hall account none

Receipts, HIBA none

Payments to be considered:

Clerk's Expenses (see separate sheet for details) 54.24
SRCC - Document "Funding from charitable trusts for Village Halls 7.00
SJ Cobden - Digging hole and concreting for flagpole (inc. £17.50 VAT) 117.50
Cornhill Insurance - additional payment to cover new climbing frame 28.76
Adrian Dover - grass cutting, May 72.00
SALC - Document - Standing Orders and Chairmanship 6.00
Mrs Geary - litterpicking 65.00
Office of the Information Commissioner (Data Protection) 35.00

The Clerk arranged for £1,000 to be transferred from the HIBA to the current account on 11th June to allow sufficient monies to meet forthcoming expenses. Some will be returned to the funds in the form of payments for the remaining jubilee mugs.

The Clerk attended a training day run by SALC on the new system of audit. It is important that we arrange to have an independent auditor as soon as possible, and she may have found someone who can do it. She hopes to be able to present the accounts for 2001-2002 to the next meeting.
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Parks and seconded by Cllr Mrs Rees
RESOLVED to accept the above report.

33-02cl Reports of Meetings attended by Councillors

1. Dell Quay meetings - Chichester Harbour Conservancy Board have employed a consultant to show them the effects of proposed development at Donnington - trying to elicit information on AONB - to then do a for and against perspective. Intention was there but not well managed. Looked at areas of land which might be used for development.
2. Birdham Pool - no contact for the time being. Dredging work going on, but permission is not needed for this.
3. Chairman attended Nursery group and primary school and gave out the mugs, thanks to those councillors who attended and helped at the school.
4. Betty Geary - has had her appendix out - It was proposed by cllr Loseby and seconded by Cllr Drew
RESOLVED that Cllr Mrs Rees should get her some flowers on behalf of the Council.

34-02cl To consider any urgent matters which the Chairman may wish to lay before the Council

a) Sign at junction of Westlands Lane and Crooked Lane - millennium symbol on top of it - one which comes off to go to Mapsons Lane. This is now to be progressed.
b) Gift of land - under will of local resident - it was proposed by Cllr Tilbury, and seconded by Cllr Meynell,
RESOLVED to accept the prospective gift.

35-02cl Public Session - no members of the public were present.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.14 pm