Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 16th December 2013

Birdham Parish Council

Minutes of the

Meeting of the Parish Council

held on Monday 16^th December 2013

at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Cobbold (Vice Chairman), Cllr Barker, Cllr Ayton

Apologies: Cllr Finch (Chairman), Cllr Grafham, Cllr Hamilton & Cllr Marshall (CDC).

Absent: Cllr Churchill

In attendance: The Clerk, Cllr Montyn (WSCC & CDC) and 22 members of the public.

80-13 Public Question time in accordance with Standing Orders 1d -1l:

A resident reported that he and one other had had a meeting with the local MP – Andrew Tyrie - concerning planning especially the membership of the CDC Planning Committee who appeared to be unaware of the problems associated with the Manhood which reflected in the ‘poor’ decisions that had been recently made. The MP had requested he be written to by the Parish Council, therefore was it possible that this could and would be done?

It was agreed that the Parish Council would write to the MP Mr Andrew Tyrie.

The Chairman of the BVRA said that the Church Lane appeal had started and was likely to be heard on the 25^th March 2014.

Cllr Ayton asked what the BVRA were proposing to do.

The Chairman of the BVRA responded by saying that they – the BVRA – would register under the rule 6 policy of the appeal process.

Cllr Cobbold said that under rule 6 they would be allowed to bring into the debate items that CDC would not.

Cllr Montyn (WSCC & CDC) said that he would work with the BVRA on the appeal process.

A resident said that he had contacted the CDC Planning department who had assured him that the required 50 housing units had been reached. Others at the Marina may also be counted once the development was under way. He felt that the FAD was now in contradiction with the NPPF and the proposed Local Plan and urged CDC to stand firm on its original policies.

It was pointed out that the target of 50 units was a minimum requirement and that no upper limit had been set.

A resident of Church Lane thanked all those who had taken part in reducing the flooding risk and asked if the pump would remain in place for much longer.

Cllr Montyn (WSCC & CDC) said that he felt this would be desirable as more work may well be required.

81-13 Declaration of Interests:

There were no declarations of interest.

82-13 Approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on the 18^th November 2013:

It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the 18^th November 2013 as a true and accurate record.

83-13 Matters arising from the minutes of the 19^th November 2012:

Minute 89-12 - Land Bequest.The Clerk said that he had nothing to report

84-13 Clerks’ Report:

i) WSCC – There was nothing to report

ii) CDC –

a) The Clerk reported that he had received the appeal notification of the Church Lane application.

b) In addition the Clerk said that he had received notification of the grant that would be allocated to Birdham under the Local Council Tax Reduction scheme for the 2014/15 tax year and as predicted it would be set at £1417.13 and the Tax Base would be set at 770.2.

iii)Other related matters – There were none.

iv) Reports from Members of WSCC/CDC – Cllr Montyn (WSCC) said that the budget would be debated at County on Friday. The County have to significantly reduce the budget which would come predominantly from the Adult Budget. However, more money would be allocated to the non-trunk roads budget which would enable proactive maintenance to be carried out rather than the current re-active.

85-13 Finance and Corporate:

i) To receive and approve the financial report.

The Clerk presented the financial report for the month (shown at annex a) which showed the following balances;

Balances held at Bank	£48957.90
Designated Funds	£27054.24
Available Funds	£21903.66

Creditors	£12106.69

The Clerk offered to answer any questions that Councillors may have.

It was resolved to adopt the Financial Report.

ii) To receive and approve the draft budget and precept request.

Cllr Cobbold presented the draft budget and in doing so stressed that whilst the Council had continued to look for best value, a number of the larger value items had increased in cost eg electricity to light the streets had increased by 9.5% and the maintenance of those same lights had increased by 3.8%. There had also been a reduction in the Council Tax Support Grant of just over 25% and this reduction was likely to continue, if in fact the grant was paid at all. The net result was that the Council required a precept of £40708.32 which is an increase on a Band D property of just £3.86 per year.

It was resolved to approve the budget and to request a Precept of £40708.32.

86-13 To receive an update on the Neighbourhood Plan – Vin Brooks – Vice Chair of the NP Steering Group to report.

The Vice-Chairman said that she was very pleased to have been elected and she wished to announce that Jane Finch had been elected as the Chairman. Mr Barrington and Cllr Ayton have joined the SG and Mr’s Crossley and Campbell have joined the Housing FG. It is now considered that a balanced team is in place with a wide range of skills.

Mr Barrington has taken the lead to produce the draft NP for which a target date has been set for the end of January 2014.

The long awaited survey reports have now been published on the web site along with Map Responses and post code analysis.

An open day was held recently with 170 attendees from the village and surrounding parishes.

The Business Survey is in the process of analysis.

A lot of help with writing policies is being received from the NP Advisors whose input is extremely valuable and will ensure the NP document is robust and will not be thrown out by the examiners.

Behind the scenes the 20 member team is working very hard to complete this important task as thoroughly and as quickly as possible.

87-13Planning matters including applications and CDC delegated decisions:

i) Planning Applications to be Decided

BI/13/03692/TPA - Case Officer: Henry Whitby Mr Ronald Gammie Beechway Martins Lane

Crown reduce by 20% on 1 no. Hornbeam (T1) subject to BI/01/00039/TPO.

As Birdham Parish Council has no technical experience in this subject the Council is content for Mr Whitby to make the decision on matters relating to the trees in question.

BI/13/03437/DOM - Case Officer: Anna Weir Mr Matt Smith 96 Crooked Lane Birdham

Single storey rear extension.

Birdham Parish Council raises no objection to this application.

BI/13/03742/DOM - Case Officer: Maria Tomlinson Mr M Holmes Belland House Main Road

Two storey side and rear extensions and rear sun room.