Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 17th November 2014

Birdham Parish Council

Minutes of the

Meeting of the Parish Council

held on Monday 17^th November 2014

at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Barker, Cllr Hamilton (Vice Chairman), Cllr Pocock (Chairman), Cllr Cobbold, Cllr Churchill, Cllr Brooks and Cllr Ayton.

Apologies: Cllr Finch.

In attendance: The Clerk, Cllr Montyn (WSCC & CDC), Cllr Marshall (CDC) and 35 members of the public.

Absent: Nil

73-14 Election of Vice Chairman of the Council for the remainder of the Council Year.

It was duly resolved that Cllr Hamilton be elected as the Vice Chairman for the remainder of the Council Year.

74-14 Co-option of Ms L Brooks to the Council

It was resolved that Ms L Brooks be co-opted onto the Council for the remainder of the Council Term. After signing the Acceptance of Office Cllr Brooks took her seat at the Council Table.

75-14 Public Question time in accordance with Standing Orders 1d -1l:

A resident asked if there was any truth behind the rumour that CDC was preparing to use Compulsory Purchase Legislation to purchase the access rights to the site earmarked for the H9 Exception site off Crooked Lane.

A resident said that he had initiated a FOI request concerning the rumour and the progress of the development. To date he had not had a reply.

The Council had not received notification that it was the intention of CDC but, as it was a private matter it was unlikely that the Council would be informed.

It was asked if the Council would write to CDC with the enquiry however, it was felt that if a letter was to be written it should stress this was a private matter and only asking for the rumour to be confirmed or denied.

It was resolved that at the earliest opportunity the Clerk should write to CDC to request the relevant information.

A further question was raised about the promise of inspection holes to be dug in order that water levels could be determined. The question had been raised with the Hyde lawyers who remain silent on the matter.

It was resolved that a further letter should be written by the Clerk in an attempt to gather more information on the water levels at the Crooked Lane, Rowan Nursery and Tawny Nursery sites.

Various comments and remarks from residents were made concerning the legality of the decision made to grant planning permission to the Crooked Lane site. It was suggested that a planning officer should come to Birdham to explain the rationale behind the decision and to answer the questions that residents had.

Cllr Cobbold said that planners were extremely busy with trying to get the Local Plan through the Inspection process.

Cllr Pocock said that in his opinion the decision had been made to grant permission on the Crooked Lane site against the wishes of the Parish Council and that nothing further could be done by the Council to reverse that decision. He then called an end to the discussion and moved on with the agenda.

76-14 Declaration of Interests:

Cllrs Pocock and Brooks declared a personal and pecuniary interest in agenda item 7ii and would take no part in the decision making process.

Cllr Ayton declared a personal interest in item 7ii and would take part in the debate and vote.

77-14 Approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on the 20^th October 2014 and the minutes of the Extra Ordinary meeting held on the 3^rd November 2014.

It was resolved to adopt and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on the 20^th October 2014 and the minutes of the Extra Ordinary meeting held on the 3^rd November 2014 as true and accurate records.

78-14 Matters arising from the minutes of the 19^th November 2012:

Minute 89-12 - Land Bequest. The Clerk said he had nothing to report at this stage.

79-14 Clerks’ Report:

i) WSCC – There was nothing to report.

ii) CDC – There was nothing to report.

iii) Reports from Members of WSCC/CDC – Cllr Montyn said that he was rather pleased to see the activity of the Better Roads Program was proceeding well and he hoped that more and more residents would experience the benefit.

Cllr Montyn went onto say that the examination in Public of the Local Plan had been halted as the inspector had insisted that CDC review its housing numbers in the light of the challenge from developers. CDC has adjusted the numbers up from the existing 410 units to a 433 units per year. The Inspector has said the examination would continue on the 2^nd December.

The appeal by Waites on the Clappers Lane site is progressing and an extensive site visit was carried out by the enquiry. It is expected that the appeal will be completed very soon although the decision may not be made until the challenge to the Local Plan has been decided.

Both WSCC and CDC were currently going through extensive budgetary processes.

iv) Other related matters – The Chairman said that he had attended a number of the Waites appeal days and he could confirm that the Inspector has said that he will not make his decision until a decision has been made on the Local Plan.

80-14 Finance and Corporate:

i) To receive and approve the financial report.

The Clerk presented the financial reports for the month of November (shown at annex a). The current balances for November are as follows;

Balances held at Bank	£44168.99
Designated Funds	£29685.05
Available Funds	£14483.94
Creditors	£ 605.55

The Clerk offered to answer any questions that Councillors may have

It was resolved to adopt the Financial Report.

ii) To consider the application by the BVRA for a grant of £1500.00.

The Chairman and Cllr Brooks left the Council for this item which was then handed over to the Vice Chairman to continue the debate.

The Vice Chairman said that a very comprehensive application had been received from the BVRA and asked Councillors for their views. Prior to the debate progressing the Clerk asked if he could address Council on a number of points that he had become aware of which needed clarification? This was granted and the Clerk went on to brief Council concerning the application and quelling some of the rumour about the constitution of the BVRA. The Clerk also pointed out that there was a little over £100.00 remaining in the budget and if it was decided to award the application then a resolution would be required to use the reserves to fund the grant.

A general debate commenced with various comments from Councillors, from concerns over the fact that the application was retrospective to suggestions of fund raising. Examples of other Parishes were mentioned and how considerable work had been done by residents of those Parishes and the fund raising efforts that paid for work to be carried out with the Earnley Rife was used as an example. The comparison with the application made by the Parish Consortium was raised but it was felt that the money Birdham had paid to the consortium was for a product that could be used in any future planning applications that may well come forward. It was also felt that whilst the BVRA had raised a number of very valid points during the Seward Appeal the spokesman for the Parish Council had also raised a considerable number of points which were equally valid.

When put to the vote 4 Councillors voted against the application and 1 abstained. The Application was therefore not carried and no award was made.

81-14 Planning matters including applications and CDC delegated decisions:

i) To receive and approve the minutes of the Planning Committee of the 29^th September 2014.

It was resolved that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on the 29^th September 2014 should be signed as a true and accurate record.

ii) Planning Applications to be Decided:

BI/14/03574/DOM - C/O Agent Manhood Cottage Birdham Road

Single storey rear extension and two storey side extension. No Objection.

BI/14/03436/ELD - Mr Paul Knappett Kellys Farm Bell Lane Birdham

Used as an office for over 10 years. No Objection.

BI/14/03697/DOM - Mr & Mrs Chamberlain Skylarks Pescotts Close Birdham

New porch, raise existing roof and insertion of small dormer windows and rooflights and rear extension. No Objection.

BI/14/03703/DOM - Mr & Mrs Morelli 11 Greenacres Birdham

Ground floor extension and internal alterations. First floor extension to west facing elevation and internal alterations. Roof converted to provide master bedroom and en-suite.

After much discussion it was felt that the additional height and bulk of this application would detract from the smaller 2 storey house in the immediate proximity. The Parish Council felt that it no option other To Object to this application.

BI/14/03706/TPA - Mr S Apted Pict Fenn Court Barn Lane Birdham

Fell 3 no. Holm Oak trees (T9, T10 and T11) and crown reduce by 6 m on western sector on 1 no. Horse Chestnut tree. All trees subject to BI/01/00040/TPO. As is usual with tree application the Council suggested that this should be left to the expertise of the CDC Tree Officer and would therefore make no other comment.

BI/14/03759/DOM - Other Dev - Householder Developments - 1 Alandale Road, Birdham,

Re-submission of previous application BI/14/00235/COHH Two storey side extension. No Objection.

It was resolved to authorise the Clerk to notify Councils decision to DC Planning.

iii) Delegated Decisions to be noted.

BI/13/00284/FUL Mr John Matuszewski (Martin Grant Homes) Rowan Nursery Bell Lane Birdham

Demolition of existing 2 bungalows and construction of 27 dwellings (including 10 affordable units), access road and associated landscaping. Provision also of an alternative recreational area to the south, accessed via a footpath link. PERMIT WITH S106

BI/14/02543/COU Mr Adrian Howell Tawny Nurseries Bell Lane Birdham

Change of use from certificated touring caravan site to a touring caravan site with 19 pitches and play area. PERMIT

BI/14/02627/TPA Mr Graeme Barnsley Chichester Marina Chichester Marina Birdham

Fell 7 no. Poplar trees (T1, T2, T4, T5, T16, T17 and T22) and 1 no. Hawthorn tree (T28). Crown reduce by 1m and crown lift by 3m (above ground level) on 1 no. Oak tree (T8). Crown reduce by up to 2m and crown lift by 3m (above ground level) on 1 no. Willow tree (T18). All within Group 'B' subject to BI/98/00035/TPO. Crown reduce by 2m height and widths in all directions on 1 no. Oak tree (T29) (TPO no. T1 subject to BI/98/00035/TPO). PERMIT

BI/14/03048/DOM Mr & Mrs M Cole Westlands Lodge Westlands Estate Birdham

Demolition of existing conservatory and accommodation annex. Construction of new replacement single storey annex. Construction of single storey rear and side extensions. Construction of new dormers to the existing upper rooms. New bay unit to the west elevation. PERMIT

The delegated decisions were noted.

82-14 Correspondence – Not previously circulated:

The magazines Countryside Voice and Field Work had been received from the CPRE.

83-14 Reports:

i) Play Area and Playing Field. – Cllr Ayton volunteered to be the Lead Councillor responsible for the Play Area and Playing Field brought about by the resignation of the previous incumbent.

ii) Village Green and Pond – The Clerk reported that although he had written to Church Field Ltd concerning the extension of the Village pond and had received acknowledgement of his letter he had not yet received a response.

Mr Barrington said he felt the pond was in need of extensive refurbishment works and should be carried out with a degree of urgency, funds permitting.

iii) Condition of Village Ditch/Drain Network. – It was reported that a meeting had been held with Langmeads concerning the proposed purchase of land to provide a ditch to the rear of the properties of Walwyn Close. The land was now apparently owned by Mr Langmeads son who was considering the possibility, however it would appear that he would wish to charge market rate for development land. If in the event that Op Watershed would be available to purchase the land it had been suggested that the Parish Council might wish to undertake the maintenance of any ditch.

Currently there are a number of companies who have been contacted to provide a fully costed quotation for the provision of a culvert should the Langmead proposals not happen.

Discussions had been held with the owners of Birdham Pool concerning the blockage at the causeway. It was proposed that a coffer dam be built to resolve the problem and clear the culverts.

Both the Parish Council and residents of Cherry Lane had submitted an Op Watershed application to clear the ditches and although it would appear that both applications might be successful no confirmation had yet been received.

iv) Police and Neighbourhood Watch – There was nothing to report.

v) Communication Working Groups – There was nothing to report.

vi) Other - Cllr Ayton reported that the Finger Sign at Pescotts Corner had been sprayed black.

84-14 Reports of meetings attended by Councillors;

The Chairman reported that he had attended the meetings concerning the Clappers Lane development.

85-14 Items for inclusion on the next agenda:

The Budget.

The provision of a wreath on behalf of the Village and Birdham Parish Council at the Remembrance Service in 2015 and beyond.

86-14 Date of Next Meeting:

15^th December 2014 at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall

There being no further business to discuss the meeting was declared closed at 9.09pm

Signed ___________________________ Dated ____________________

Chairman

Annex a

Birdham Parish Council

Financial Statement as at 12th November 2014

Bank Accounts as at 31st March 2014

21689.56

Receipts to date

46768.45

Expenditure to date

24289.02

Balance

44168.99

Represented by;

Current Account (Barclays Community A/c)

11701.72

Deposit Account (Barclays Premium Business A/c)

25707.16

National Savings

6760.11

Total

44168.99

Less

Reserve @ 50% of Precept

21063.13

Loan Reserve for half year

8591.04

Outstanding Cheque/s -

102203

30.88

Total

29685.05

Available Funds

14483.94

Signed

Clerk to the Council

12th November 2014

Payments to be considered

B Geary (Litter Picking)

70.00

Clerks Expenses (Telephone)

43.31

M H Kennedy & Son (Grass)

432.24

A Dover (Village Green grass)

60.00

Total

605.55