Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 20th July 2015

Birdham Parish Council

Minutes of the
Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 20th July 2015
at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall

Present: Cllr Pocock (Chairman), Cllr Hamilton (Vice Chairman), Cllr Firmston, Cllr Campbell, Cllr Barker, Cllr Brooks and Cllr Wells.

Apologies: Cllr Bird, Cllr Montyn (WSCC) and PCSO Bainbridge

In attendance: The Clerk, Cllr Barrett (CDC) and 19 members of the public.

Absent: Cllr Churchill

30-15 Public Question time in accordance with Standing Orders 1d -1l:
A resident asked what progress had been made on the Neighbourhood Plan.
The Clerk said that the Inspector had been chosen and a contract raised by CDC to employ the Inspector. It is now a process of waiting for the decision to be made and if successful the referendum. All in all it was hoped that the Parish would go into the New Year with the Neighbourhood Plan done and dusted.

31-15 Declaration of Interests:
There were no declarations of interest given.

32-15 Co-Option to the Parish Council of Mr M Wells.
Mr Wells had been introduced at the Parish Council Meeting held in June. It was duly proposed, seconded and resolved that Mr Wells be elected to the Parish Council until the date of the next Parish Council Election in 2019.
Cllr Wells was congratulated and asked to sign the required documentation after which he was invited to take his seat at the table.

33-15 Approve and sign the minutes of the 15th June 2015.
With a minor amendment to the minutes to reflect the correct spelling of the Rev. Swindells, It was resolved to adopt the minutes of the 15th June as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

34-15 Clerks’ Report:
i) WSCC – There was nothing to report.
ii) CDC – There was nothing to report.
iii) Reports from Members of WSCC/CDC – Cllr Barrett reported that the CDC Solicitor was taking the action required through the appropriate courts in dealing with the illegal gypsy campsite at Birdham Farm. He was sorry to say that all that could be done within the law was being done but, it was moving rather slowly.
The Local Plan had now been passed but must be reviewed in five years.
Cllr Barretts report may be found at annex a. to these minutes.
Cllr Hamilton in her capacity as a District Councillor reported that during the ‘walk’ of the of the area she was able to point out to other Councillors and Officers of the CDC where the problems had occurred with flooding and raw sewage and where the 6” culverts were that should have been the recommended 9”. She had pointed out the site which had just had its outline application for 81 homes refused, the entrance to the proposed Crooked Lane site were the entrance was almost blocked and solicitors had been working on the ownership.
Cllr Hamilton went on to say the Chichester Careline was having an Open Day on the anniversary of the 30 year tenure and that the Novium Museum had made a small profit for the very first time since opening.
iv) Other related matters – There were none.

35-15 Finance and Corporate:
i) To receive and approve the financial report.
The Clerk presented the financial reports for the month of July (shown at Annex B). The current balances are as follows;

Balances held at Bank £ 36732.62
Designated Funds £ 29839.17
Ring Fenced Funds £142658.81
Available Funds £ 7042.85
Creditors £ 1409.93
The Clerk offered to answer any questions that Councillors may have.
It was resolved to adopt the Financial Report.

ii) To determine the NHB Applications.
It was proposed by the Chairman that the allocation of funds available to the Parish under the New Homes Bonus Scheme should be divided into the following areas;
£3.5k to be allocated to infant play equipment.
£8k to adult fitness equipment.
£1.5K for hedging along the A286.
£2k for equipment for the Village Hall.
The Clerk pointed out that this in no way implied that the funding had been granted and would depend entirely on the outcome of the meeting of the CDC Grants and Concessions Panel to be held late September.
When put to the vote it was resolved to support the Chairmans proposal.

36-15 Correspondence – Not previously circulated:
There was none.

37-15 Reports:
i) Play Area and Playing Field. – The Clerk reported that the RoSPA Inspection of the Play Area had been carried out and, whilst no major issues were raised in terms of safety, it did highlight the need for some repairs to be carried out.
A resident suggested that slide bolts should be put onto the gates to prevent children from just opening the gates and wandering out into possible danger.
The Clerk said that he would check to ensure that it was safe to do so.
ii) Village Green and Pond. – There was nothing to report.
iii) Condition of Village Ditch/Drain Network. – Mr Barrington said that although the weather had been good with very little rain the Parish appeared to be in good shape. There were still some areas of concern and it was disappointing that nothing yet had come about concerning Walwyn Close.. He went on to say that he had spoken to Mr Langmead who would dig a ditch behind the homes rather than go through the residents gardens. It would be cheaper to do this but it was taking some time to get the specification from the drainage engineer. There was still some concerns about the ‘garden creep’ that had taken place over the years and this may need to be resolved first.
A Watershed meeting had taken place where it was generally agreed that without the financial support there would have been grave danger of further flooding and on a greater scale. There was however, criticism of the poor communication.
Mr Barrington went on to say that now most of the ditches had been cleared it was now the responsibility of the riparian owners to keep them cleared.
The Surface Water Management Plan which had been delayed and delayed was due to be released by the end of July.
A request was made by a resident for a green waste skip to be placed in the village. This was not considered to be desirable.
iv) Police and Neighbourhood Watch – There was nothing to report.
v) Communication Working Groups – The Communication working group reported that they would be meeting in August in order to produce the Newsletter. A request for articles was made.
vi) Other - Cllr Campbell said that the survey that was carried out for the Neighbourhood Plan showed clearly that there was great support and wish for the speed limits on the A286 and Bell Lane to be reduced. He requested support from the Parish Council for him to carry out this task and in addition to examine the road markings which could possibly be used to push the traffic nearer the centre of the roads making it safer for pedestrians and cyclist to use these roads.
It was proposed from the Chair and duly resolved that the Parish Council would both support and assist Cllr Campbell in this task.

38-15 Reports of meetings attended by Councillors;
A meeting of the Manhood Peninsula Forum had taken place at which the need for Gypsy plots was discussed and although the Transit Site was now in use this did not seem to have the desired effect in curtailing illegal encampments.
The next meeting of the Forum would be held at Birdham on the 7th September.
39-15 Planning matters including applications and CDC delegated decisions:

i) Planning Applications to be decided.
BI/15/01749/FUL - High Seats Ltd Premier Business Park 4 Birdham Road Birdham
Change of use of existing marine retail/storage/light industrial unit to new destination retail unit incorporating new shopfront, entrance and side fire escape.

Birdham Parish Council considers that for a destination retail shopping unit there is insufficient on-
site parking for either staff or the general public. In addition the entrance/exit to the site is directly
from the extremely busy A286 Birdham Straight and almost opposite an extremely hazardous
junction with Sidlesham Lane and now adjacent to the illegal Gypsy site. The Parish Council therefore Objects to this application.

BI/15/02033/DOM - Mr & Mrs Andrew Hobbis Loxworth Main Road Birdham
Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of new extension.

The Parish Council raises No Objection to this application.

BI/15/02101/TCA - Mrs Pauline Russell The Hundred House Hundredsteddle Lane Birdham Notification of intention to fell 1 no. Horse Chestnut tree.

The Parish Council wished to rely on the service of the CDC Tree Officer to make this decision.

BI/15/01992/FUL - Bell Inn, Bell Lane, Birdham, West Sussex, PO20 7HY
Renovation and extension of existing public house to improve existing restaurant and bar areas, including the provision of tourist accommodation. Construction of 4 no. detached chalet bungalows and associated works within the grounds of the Bell Inn.

The agent for the applicant was allowed to make a number of observations concerning this application. She said that the owner had worked with CDC Planners concerning the application for four homes and the renovation of the Pub. The owner had kept the pub open with a manager on site however this was not successful and it was considered the building just did not work.
A considerable number of residents commented on the application and their comments are summarised as follows;
The development was next to and to close to the Somerly Conservation Area. With extended number of expected covers in the restaurant the number of car parking spaces insufficient. Some of the properties should be holiday homes not full market value homes. Greater emphasis should be placed on refurbishing the pub. If the pub was refurbished and still did not attract the return would it be then demolished or converted to housing. The development is outside the SPA and should not be considered.
Whilst it was considered that elements of the application might be supported in general the Parish Council resolved to Object to the application in its current form.

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

ii) Delegated Decisions to be noted.
BI/15/00914/FUL Mr Christopher Doherty Houseboat Norana Chichester Marina Birdham
Level off pitched roof of existing utility room. PERMIT

BI/15/01313/DOM Mr & Mrs Andrew Hobbis Loxworth Main Road Birdham
Demolition of existing conservatory and the erection of a new extension. WITHDRAWN

BI/15/01287/FUL Mr Joe Smith Birdham Road Birdham
Proposed single pitch site including the provision of a utility building for settled gypsy accommodation together with existing stables. REFUSE

BI/15/01288/FUL Mr Bill Hughes Birdham Road Birdham
Proposed single pitch site including the provision of a utility building for settled gypsy accommodation together with existing stables. REFUSE

The delegated decisions were noted.

40-14 Items for inclusion on the next agenda:

41-14 Date of Next Meeting:
21st September 2015 at 7pm in Birdham Village Hall

There being no further business to discuss the meeting was declared closed at 9.04pm
Signed ___________________________ Dated ____________________
Chairman

Annex A

Council Matters Arising during current period – July 2015
Youth Club
Still await formal confirmation of School Governors acceptance of the Youth Club building to remain as a community facility on the current site.
Local Plan

At Cabinet on 7 July the Plan was recommended to now pass to Council on 14 July for adoption.

Marine Drive Car Park

CDC are planning to set up CCTV warning notice which will be backed up at a later date with portable CCTV camera when it becomes available.

Corporate Governance and Audit Committee

An Agenda Item addressed S106 monies. With the progressive completion of developments in West Wittering, East Wittering and Donnington monies to support traffic management improvements at the Selsey Tram roundabout should now be becoming available. The WSCC representative at the meeting was actioned to provide an update on progress and report back.

Land north of Chaucer Drive development

With some 10 properties now occupied CDC have submitted claim to developer for S106 stage payment.

Yet again the developer has failed to meet a Condition. A pedestrian crossing area from the site entrance to the Church Road footpath should have been completed prior to first occupancy. CDC have been alerted to this and a response is awaited.

Southern Water

Leader of the Council will be meeting Southern Water senior management this month.

Condition 19

CDC Enforcement Officer has written to Southern Water requesting an update.

Birdham Road Travellers Site

Applications 15/01287/FUL and 15/01288/FUL have been refused. At the weekend it was observed that work was being carried out on the site to improve access during wet weather, contrary to the injunction. CDC Officers are investigating.
Annex B
Agenda Item 6i
Birdham Parish Council
Financial Statement as at 17th July 2015
£
Bank Accounts as at 31st March 2015 36732.62
Receipts to date 158211.98
Expenditure to date 15403.77

Balance 179540.83
Represented by;
Current Account (Barclays Community A/c) 31513.25
Deposit Account (Barclays Premium Business A/c) 141216.77
National Savings 6810.81

Total 179540.83
Less
Reserve @ 50% of Precept 21063.13
Loan Reserve for half year 8591.04
Outstanding Cheque/s - 102352 135.00
102353 50.00
Total 29839.17
Ringfenced Funds
Op Watershed (£6600.00 has to be transferred to Apuldram PM) 140550.41
New Homes Bonus (balance of £608.40 remains for Village Hall) 2108.40

Available Funds Total 7042.85

Signed

Clerk to the Council
17th July 2015

Payments to be considered

B Geary (Litter Picking) 70.00
Clerks Expenses (Telephone/stationary etc.) 94.11
A Dover (Grass & Bus Stops) 110.00
SSALC (New Cllr Training) 60.00
M J Visual (Mikes for Village Hall from NHB) 357.60
Harrison (Flagpole Lock) 89.94
SSE ( Street Lighting ) 209.00
M H Kennedy & Son (Grass Mowing) 334.08
Playsafety Limited (RoSPA Inspection) 85.20
Total 1409.93