Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 18th November 2013

Birdham Parish Council

Minutes of the

Meeting of the Parish Council

held on Monday 18^th November 2013

at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Finch (Chairman), Cllr Cobbold (Vice Chairman), Cllr Barker, Cllr Hamilton & Cllr Churchill

Apologies: Cllr Grafham, Cllr Ayton & PCSO Bainbridge.

Absent:

In attendance: The Clerk, Cllr Montyn (WSCC & CDC) and 16 members of the public.

67-13 Public Question time in accordance with Standing Orders 1d -1l:

A resident asked why neither of the elected CDC members was present at the recent CD Planning Meeting at which the Crooked Lane site was debated.

In response Cllr Montyn said he had been pressured to attend an opening for which he had responsibility in his capacity as an elected West Sussex County Councillor and portfolio holder for highways. He could not answer for Cllr Marshall.

68-13 Declaration of Interests:

There were no declarations of interest.

69-13 Approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on the 21^st October 2013:

It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the 21^st October 2013 as a true and accurate record.

70-13 Matters arising from the minutes of the 19^th November 2012:

Minute 89-12 - Land Bequest.The Clerk reported that he heard nothing further and had chased our own solicitors in an attempt to progress the transfer of the property and that he would continue to do so.

71-13Clerks’ Report:

i) WSCC – The Clerk reported that he had received notification of the start date for the flushing through of the various culverts in and around Walwyn Close as the 25^th November.

ii) CDC –

a) The Clerk pointed out that the waste bin at the bus stop had been installed on the agreed date.

b) The Clerk reminded members that he had been tasked with writing to CDC in response to the decisions and statements that had been made by the Planning Committee and its members in relation to the record of enforcement during the development of Old Common Close. He read out his letter to CDC and the response from Mr Carvell of CDC, both letters may be found at annex a and b to these minutes.

Cllr Cobbold said that Cllr Montyn had worked extremely hard on resolving the flooding problems in and around Birdham for which she thanked him. She went on to say that many of the problems came about because WSCC had not taken the opportunity to comment on planning applications and as the lead council they should be using that opportunity to comment more often than they do.

Cllr Montyn (WSCC) would be meeting with officers of WSCC and CDC as the County is about to publish guidance to the planning authorities throughout the county.

Cllr Churchill said that there still seems to be lack of positive enforcement action.

A resident on the subject of enforcement said that even though the advertising time limit had expired on the hoardings no enforcement action had been taken and they were still flood lit.

A resident said that she had only recently moved into Old Common Close and so far did not feel very welcome. She went on to say that the lights actually helped people find the development safely.

Cllr Montyn said that he had just passed the development and lights were not on. Regarding enforcement in this instance was based on the level of harm.

iii)Other related matters – There were none.

iv) Reports from Members of WSCC/CDC – Cllr Montyn (WSCC) said he had received questions about the strange looking object that had been installed by the speed camera. It is a new type digital speed camera.

He went on to say that the budgetary process had been carried out at County and would soon become public. It will have to be finalised by February 2014 at the latest and will be felt by just about every person in the County

72-13 To receive and approve a financial report:

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

Balances held at Bank	£55055.34
Designated Funds	£27054.24
Available Funds	£28001.10

Creditors	£ 6091.48

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

It was resolved to adopt the Financial Report.

ii) To approve the pay award to the Clerk of 1% as approved by the NJC Scheme. The award was backdated to April 2013 which the Clerk has refused to take, and has suggested the award should start from April 2014.

It was resolved to award the Clerk the 1% pay award from April 2014.

73-13 Neighbourhood Planning – Council Chairman to report.

The Council Chairman reported that Cllr Ayton and Mr Barrington had joined the Steering Group. She went on to remind everyone present that the Open Day was to take place on the 23^rd November in the Village Hall from 10:00am until 1:00pm for residents and on the 30^th November for businesses. It was hoped that on both occasions as many people as possible would take the time to visit.

74-13 Planning matters including applications and CDC delegated decisions:

i) Approve and sign the Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on the 14^th October 2013

It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the 14^th October 2013 as a true and accurate record.

ii) Planning Applications to be Decided

BI/13/03111/DOM - Case Officer: Caitlin Boddy - Mr And Mrs Rumbol Houseboat Tranquility Chichester Marina Birdham

Extension to houseboat. Consisting of additional floor for the purpose of garden room and gallery.

The Parish Council considered the application would raise no objections but would raise concerns of the potential impact both on its neighbours and the Marina in general due to its height. However, setting those minor concerns aside the Parish Council raise NO OBJECTIONS to this application.

BI/13/03307/TPA - Case Officer: Henry Whitby - Mr Peter Bachelor 25 Walwyn Close Birdham

Reduce eastern sector by 1m (back to previous pruning points) and crown raise western sector by removal of 1 no. major limb (approx 200m in diameter) on 1. no Oak tree (T7) subject to BI/97/00037/TPO.

Generally the Parish Council would refer all decisions relation to trees to Mr Whitby as the CDC Tree Officer as in this case. However, the Parish Council request that this application plus BI/13/03314/TPA be treated as one application in that it affects a group of trees over two properties that are subject to the same BI/97/00037/TPO. The Parish Council are also concerned that the applications should be made with the health of the trees in mind and not for some aesthetic reason.

BI/13/03314/TPA - Case Officer: Henry Whitby - Mr Fouler 32 Walwyn Close Birdham

Reduce by 2m (all round) and crown raise to give ground clearance of 10m on 2 no. Oak trees (T1 and T2). Reduce by 3m (all round) and crown raise to give ground clearance of 10m on 1 no. Oak tree (T3). All 3 no. trees subject to BI/97/00037/TPO.

Generally the Parish Council would refer all decisions relation to trees to Mr Whitby as the CDC Tree Officer as in this case. However, the Parish Council request that this application plus BI/13/03307/TPA be treated as one application in that it affects a group of trees over two properties that are subject to the same BI/97/00037/TPO. The Parish Council are also concerned that the applications should be made with the health of the trees in mind and not for some aesthetic reason.

BI/13/01357/DOM - Case Officer: Maria Tomlinson - Mr J Ireland Dragonsfield Westlands Estate Birdham

Proposed double garage.

The Parish Council raised NO OBJECTION to this application

BI/13/03231/DOM - Case Officer: Caitlin Boddy - Dr And Mrs T.G And E Edwards Ffolletts Sidlesham Lane Birdham

Rear extension to form garden room plus carport.

The Parish Council raised NO OBJECTION to this application

BI/13/03393/DOM - Case Officer: Natalie McKellar - Mr Henry Slack And Miss Pippa Nixon Hundredsteddle Hundredsteddle Lane

Demolish existing garage/workshop, construct double garage, kitchen and dining area, internal alterations and new windows.

The Parish Council raised NO OBJECTION to this application

BI/13/03394/LBC - Case Officer: Natalie McKellar - Mr Henry Slack And Miss Pippa Nixon Hundredsteddle Hundredsteddle Lane

Demolish existing garage/workshop, construct double garage, kitchen and dining area, internal alterations and new windows.

The Parish Council raised NO OBJECTION to this application

It was resolved to instruct the Clerk to forward the decisions of Birdham Parish Council to DC Planning

iii) Delegated Decisions to be noted

BI/13/02795/FUL Mrs J Hembling Electricity Sub Station North Of Greyroof Alandale Road Birdham

Change of use and conversion of existing outbuilding known as 'Shepherds' (previous sub-station) into store/gym/home office ancillary to the main dwelling (The Old Poorhouse). PERMIT

The delegated decisions were noted

75-13 Correspondence – Not previously circulated:

Latest issue of the CPRE magazine.

76-13 Reports:

i) Play Area and Playing Field. – The Clerk reported that he was to hold a meeting with various companies in an attempt to resolve the flooding on the Playing Field.

ii) Village Green and Pond – The Clerk reminded members that although he had ordered the work to be carried out on the pond the contractor had not yet started siting that it was too wet, as a result he had contacted WSCC to identify a more reliable contractor.

iii) Condition of Village Ditch/Drain Network. – The Chairman asked Mr Barrington to comment on this issue as a group had been walking the ditches. Mr Barrington said that during the ditch walk gullies had been found that had not been known about previously. The group were shortly to be in a position where a comprehensive report on the state of the ditches and drains within Birdham could be written. He went on to say that he hoped this would prompt those responsible to take the required action.

A resident pointed out that there was one culvert that she knew about that was blocked which crossed the boundary of this Parish and one other.

iv) Police and Neighbourhood Watch – PCSO Bainbridge had given her apologies.

v) Communication Working Groups – The next issue of the Parish Newsletter would be published after the two Open Days had been held.

vi) Other - Cllr Barker said that the tree planting was to take place on the 21^st December. It was hoped that this would turn out to be a Village fun day with lots of people turning out to help.

77-13 Reports of meetings attended by Councillors;

The Chairman said that she had attended the Planning Training organised and held by CDC. She had also attended the meeting to illustrate the working between WSCC and the Parishes organised by SALC and WSCC.

Cllr Cobbold said that she had attended the opening of the Medmerry Re-Alignment Scheme. She had also attended the Flood Action Group meeting where work that had been carried out by the group in each area was compared. A new tool would be available from the shortly from the Flood Forum web site.

78-13 Items for inclusion on the next agenda:

The Budget

79-13 Date of Next Meeting:

16^th December 2013 at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall

There being no further business to discuss the meeting was declared closed at pm

Signed ___________________________ Dated ____________________

Chairman

Birdham Parish Council

28 Langdale Avenue, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8JQ

Tel : 01243 790402

Email : clerk@birdhamparishcouncil.org.uk Website : www.birdham.org.uk

Clerk to the Council : David J Siggs

Annex A

Mr S Carvell – Executive Director of Environment

Chichester District Council

East Pallant House

1 East Pallant

Chichester

PO19 1TY

25^th October 2013

Dear Mr Carvell

Ref BI/07/05640/FUL Longmeadow (Old Common Close)

I write on behalf of, and on the instructions of Birdham Parish Council in response to the debate on Planning Enforcement that took place on the 16^th October.

Parish Councillors and residents raised very real concerns that related to the various breaches of the conditions that had been attached to BI/07/05640/FUL and the subsequent handling of those breaches. A number of those concerns have been realised just this past week when sewage tankers have had to be employed at least twice.

Both the Parish Council and the residents of Birdham now feel that with the potential for larger scale developments currently going through the planning process, there will be a considerable temptation for developers to flout the requirement to abide by any conditions set against the applications in the fairly certain knowledge that little can, or will be done to enforce those conditions. In effect potentially reducing standards and increasing the risks both to existing and new residents of increased flooding by rain water as well as the more harmful foul water

The purpose of this letter is not to dwell on the past, although the past may come back to bite hard sooner rather than later, but to seek assurances from Chichester District Council that breaches of planning conditions will be dealt with both quickly and forcibly should they occur in the future, especially when those breaches of conditions reduce standards and expose residents to avoidable risk.

On behalf of Birdham Parish Council I look forward to your reply in due course.

Yours sincerely

David J Siggs

Clerk & RFO to Birdham Parish Council.

Annex B

CDC Response letter

Annex C

Birdham Parish Council

Financial Statement as at 18th November 2013

Bank Accounts as at 31st March 2013

21611.00

Receipts to date

59549.53

Expenditure to date

26105.19

Balance

55055.34

Represented by;

Current Account (Barclays Community A/c)

14183.67

Deposit Account (Barclays Premium Business A/c)

34197.79

National Savings

6673.88

Total

55055.34

Less

Reserve @ 50% of Precept

18463.20

Loan Reserve for half year

8591.04

Outstanding Cheque/s -

Total

27054.24

Available Funds

28001.10

Signed

Clerk to the Council

18th November 2013

Payments to be considered

B Geary (Litter Picking)

70.00

Clerks Expenses

39.52

M H Kennedy & Son

429.12

A Dover (Village Green/Bus Stops)

110.00

Jacksons Fine Fencing (Height Restriction Barriers)

2689.62

CDC ( Waste bin @ bus stop)

427.88

The Design & DigitalPrint Centre ( NP Questionnaire)

146.40

St James Church (Churchyard Maintenance)

325.00

AiRS (NP Community Survey)

1853.94

Total

6091.48