Earnley Parish Council

Home  Services  News  Minutes 1  2  3 
       

Earnley Parish Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON 28 NOVEMBER 2007 AT

 EARNLEY CONCOURSE

PRESENT:     Mr R Norris (Chairman)          Mr C Bayley    Mr M Harrington

Mr M Karn                               Ms L Nugent

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:         County Councillor J M Daws-Chew,                         

IN ATTENDANCE:     Three members of the public and the Clerk - S F Dobbin.

44 – 07            Declarations of Interest

Mr Bayley declared a non-pecuniary interest in the planning application in respect of Freedom Cottage, 97 First Avenue, Almodington, as he is a neighbour – see minute 53 – 07 (i) (d).

Mr Karn declared a non-pecuniary interest in the planning application in respect of Earnleys Cottage, Bell Lane, Earnley, as he is a neighbour – see minute 53 – 07 (i) (a).

45 - 07             Minutes of the previous meeting

On a proposal from Mr Bayley seconded by Ms Nugent the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

46 – 07            Matters arising

(i) Coastal inundations (Minute 33 – 07)

The Clerk advised that he had not heard from County Councillor Daws-Chew and did not know whether the County Council meeting had taken place. It was agreed to consider this item at the next meeting of the Council.  Action: Clerk.

                        (ii) Pond wardens (Minute 42 – 07)

The Clerk apologised for omitting this item from the agenda.           Action: Clerk.

47 – 07            Chairman’s announcements

Bookers Barn (Minute 40 – 07 (iv))

The Chairman commented on the fencing and other works that had taken place at this site. It was noted that these were principally to secure the site and reduce the risk to the public. The Council also noted the advice obtained by the Clerk that an archaeological investigation was not appropriate at this time but that the situation would be reviewed if any application for development was submitted.

The Council agreed to monitor the situation.

48 – 07            Public Session (Minute 38 – 07 (i))

The Chairman invited comments from members of the public. PCSO Rose Bainbridge advised that she had requested that more speed enforcement visits be made to the area, but limited resources meant that the request was unlikely to be met.

49 – 07            Reports from County and District Councillors

As neither Councillor Daws-Chew nor either of the District Councillors were present, there were no reports.       

50 - 07             Finance and balances

The Clerk reported that the balances at 31 October 2007 totalled £4,160.38 represented by £43.61 in the Current Account and £4,116.77 invested in the Instant Access Reserve Account.

There had been two receipts since the last meeting being the second instalment of the precept from Chichester District Council in the sum of £1,850.00 and a quarter’s interest on the Instant Access Reserve Account in the sum of £17.82.

On a proposal from Mr Karn seconded by Mr Harrington it was agreed to pay the following accounts:

                                                                                                                                    £

            S F Dobbin - Clerk’s salary for September and October                               166.67

            S F Dobbin – Clerk’s expenses for July to October                                         92.11

51 - 07             Clerk’s Report

(i)         The Safe Lanes initiative (Minute 38 – 07 (i))

Mr Bayley reported on the outcomes from a meeting of the Manhood Parishes Road Safety Group, held on 30 October, attended by representatives from Selsey Town Council and Earnley and Sidlesham Parish Councils. The minutes of the meeting had been sent to all Earnley councillors. It had been proposed that an “in principle” agreement be obtained from the three councils to the acquisition of a mobile speed indicating device (SID).

The Parish Council agreed to give support to the carrying out of further investigations into the costs and possible sources of funding for a SID and, through the Manhood Parishes Road Safety Group, to monitor the actions being taken by other councils and interested groups.          Action: Mr Bayley.

 (ii)       Bus shelters (Minute 38 – 07 (ii))

The Clerk advised that he had obtained a formal quotation, in the sum of £800 plus VAT, for the provision and erection of a replacement shelter in Bell Lane. Obtaining quotations for the removal and disposal of the existing shelter was proving problematic but the Clerk was continuing with his investigations. Mr Karn volunteered to assist with the removal of the existing shelter if necessary.                        Action: Clerk.

Mr Bayley advised that he had tidied the shelter near the junction with First Avenue, which appeared to be in sound condition. He undertook to examine the shelter on Almodington Lane near to the junction with Easton Lane at some future date.                  Action: Mr Bayley.

(iii)       Public Rights of Way (Minute 38 – 07 (iii))

There was nothing to report.

(iv)       Sidlesham and Almodington Horticultural Development Area (HDA) (Minute 38 – 07 (iv))

The Council noted that this issue was ongoing and being considered by the District Council as part of the production of the Local Development Framework.

(v)          West Sussex County Council – Forward Plan of Key Decisions (Minute 38 – 07 (v)

The Clerk advised councillors of a considerable improvement in the situation with many of the long-outstanding decisions having been taken by the County Council during the past two months. He was asked to provide details of any remaining significantly delayed decisions to Councillor Daws-Chew for him to investigate with the County Council.

Action: Clerk and Councillor Daws-Chew.

(vi)       Emergency Planning (Minute 38 – 07 (vi))

The Chairman advised that he had reviewed the existing parish emergency plan which had been given to him by Mrs Kirby. It was principally a collection of minutes of meetings and did not contain a formal plan. He had passed the document to the Chichester District Council Emergency Planning Officer with a request that he attend the January meeting of the Parish Council and make a presentation on emergency planning issues.                                      Action: Mr Norris and the Clerk.

            (vii)      Parish Council website (Minute 38 – 07 (vii))

The Clerk reported that the website designer, who had approached the Council with an offer to create a site for Earnley parish, was also employed by East Wittering and Bracklesham Parish Council to create a site for that Council. The Clerk was monitoring progress with the development of the site. It was agreed to defer further action until the Clerk could provide more information on the situation with the creation of the East Wittering and Bracklesham website.                                    Action: Clerk.

            (viii)     Noticeboard in Almodington Lane (Minute 38 – 07 (viii))

The Clerk advised that he had completed his investigation of alternative sites and the best option was the one preferred by councillors at the last meeting, namely fixed to the bus shelter near to the junction with Easton Lane. He was now making arrangements for the work to be carried out, but as the existing noticeboard had suffered some damage there could be additional costs involved.                  Action: Clerk.

(ix)         Proposed “Welcome” letter to new residents (Minute 32 – 07 (ii))

The Chairman advised that he had received comments from fellow councillors on his draft letter and that he would be reviewing the content and would report back to a future meeting. Action: Mr Norris.

            (x)        Arrangements for internal audit (Minute 24 – 07)

The Clerk reported his discussions with the Council’s Internal Auditor. It had been agreed that, in order to meet the requirement that the Council carried out a continuous monitoring of its financial affairs and other risk areas, some minor changes should be made to the financial reports made to each meeting of the Council. The principal additions to the report would include a review by the Chairman of the bank reconciliation and an examination of all invoices for payment. These checks would be evidenced by the signature of the Chairman. The Council approved these additions to the financial procedures. Action: Clerk.

(xi)       Pagham to East Head Coastal Defence Strategy (Minute 38 – 07 (x))

The Council had been advised of a workshop being held in Selsey on 4 December to consider issues arising from the developing Coastal Defence Strategy. It was agreed that the Chairman would attend this workshop.  Action: Mr Norris.

(xii)            Chichester District Crime and Disorder Plan (Minute 38 – 07 (xiii)

The Clerk reported that councillors’ comments on the Strategic Assessment documents had been forwarded to the District Council. There had been a full response on disorder issues but little comment on the perceptions of crime in the parish.

(xiii)           Manhood Peninsula Steering Group

The Council received an invitation to become a member of this Group. On a proposal from the Chairman seconded by Mr Bayley it was agreed that the Council should become a member of the Group and that the principal representative at the meetings be Mr Norris with Mr Harrington acting as deputy.   Action: Clerk and Mr Norris.

(xiv)     Sussex Association of Local Councils – Meeting with the Chief Constable – 4 December

There were no items that the Council wished to have on the agenda for this meeting.

52 - 07             Correspondence

The Clerk circulated a list of correspondence, some of which was to be circulated to councillors. The Council noted these items.

(i)            For information

ICIS – Contact details verification

WSCC – Meals on Wheels service – leaflets

West Sussex NHS Primary Care Trust – Patient Advice and Liaison Service – leaflet

ICIS News – reader survey

Direct Contact Exhibitions – Invitation to Parks & Play and Sports Facility Construction exhibition

CDC – Details of the Local Character Enhancement Grant Scheme

WSCC – Minerals and Waste Development Framework – Update

WSCC – Family Walking Events – promotional leaflets

WSCC – Big Heritage Draw – promotional leaflets

WSCC – “Connections” magazine – October 2007

Action in Rural Sussex – Invitation to a meeting at Ardingly on 9 November

Action in Rural Sussex – Contact details verification

SMP (Playgrounds) Ltd. – promotional leaflet

CDC – Poster advertising “Make a Difference” business conference

West Sussex NHS Primary Care Trust – Poster advertising “Expert Patients Programme” course

WSCC – Poster advertising meeting of the South Chichester Local Committee – 28 November

(ii)        For circulation

Paper copies circulated:

Standards Board for England – Town and Parish Standard – September 2007

Sussex Partnership NHS Trust – Foundation Trust application – consultation documents

West Sussex Tree Wardens – Trees for Shade 2007-08 initiative

WSCC – Countryside Access Forum for West Sussex – Annual Report 2006-07

CDC – Agenda for Policy Development Committee (special) meeting – 26 September 2007

CDC – Minutes of Policy Development Committee (special) meeting – 26 September 2007

CPRE – Sussex Review – Autumn 2007

Action in Rural Sussex – Newsletter – October 2007

ICIS News – Autumn 2007

West Sussex Public Partnership Forum – Partnership News – October 2007

DEFRA – “Ways to tackle climate change” booklet

Local Council Review – November 2007

Environment Agency – “Your Environment” magazine – November 2007 to January 2008

Environment Agency – “Your Environment” magazine – Extra

CPRE – Countryside Voice – Autumn 2007

Clerk & Councils Direct – November 2007

South Coast Dredging Association – South Coast Regional Marine Aggregates Environmental Assessment – Scoping Study report (available online)

CDC – ESPACE – Planning in a Changing Climate – Final strategy report

CDC – Agenda for a special joint meeting of the Area Development Control Committee (North) and the Area Development Control Committee (South) – 28 November

Electronic messages sent:

WSCC - South Chichester County Local Committee hospital meeting – invitation

WSCC News Release: FOOT AND MOUTH

WSCC News Release: Negative Foot and Mouth Tests at Rogate

CPRE - England: a disturbed land (CPRE's Campaigns Update)

CDC - Planning Policy Update

WSCC - South Chichester County Local Committee Community Grants

Manhood Peninsula Steering Group – Invitation to participate

CDC - Peninsula Forum - Fit for the Future Representation

Citizens Advice Bureau - Visiting Welfare Benefits Service

CDC - Post Office review - Powerpoint Presentation

CDC - Village Shops review

WSCC - Progress at Bracklesham RSPB reserve

CPRE - How would you spend £50 million? (CPRE's Campaigns Update)

CDC - Peninsula Forum meeting agenda - December 2007

WSCC - Forward Plan for December 2007 to March 2008

WSCC - South Chichester County Local Committee - 28th November

SALC – Notification of meeting with Chief Constable

53 - 07             Planning

            (i) Applications considered since the last meeting

The Council had considered four applications since the last meeting and had made the decisions recorded below.

(a)        E/07/04784/TCA - Earnleys Cottage, Bell Lane, Earnley

Notification of intention to fell 1 no. Willow tree, re-pollard 1 no. Willow tree and crown raise up to 3-4m 1 no. Willow tree.

NO COMMENT.

Mr Karn declared an interest in this application as a neighbour, and took no part in the making of the decision.

(b)        E/07/04808/COU - Orchid Answers Limited, 113 Second Avenue, Batchmere, Earnley

Siting of mobile home for agricultural worker for temporary period of three years.

NO COMMENT.

(c)        E/07/04480/DOM - Oak Lodge, Manor Farm Barns, Clappers Lane, Earnley

Erection of wooden shed/log store along side of existing garage.

NO OBJECTION.

(d)        E/07/05035/COU - Freedom Cottage, 97 First Avenue, Almodington, Earnley

Change of use of part of land to use for storage of touring caravans.

OBJECTION. Summary of reasons: Although the proposal is relatively small-scale and relatively out of sight, nevertheless it has nothing to do with horticulture, and does not have the justification of putting an existing building to use. On balance it is considered that the proposal is sufficiently contrary to Local Plan policies RE1, T3 and T10 to warrant this objection. Additionally, the Council has concerns about the effect on the road access to the site, particularly along First Avenue and also on the rural lane network serving First Avenue.

Mr Bayley declared an interest in this application as a neighbour, and took no part in the making of the decision.

(ii) Decision taken at the meeting

The Council considered the following application and made the decision recorded below.

 E/07/05533/FUL - 119 Third Avenue, Batchmere, Earnley

Display of samples manufactured; variation of condition no.6 of planning permission E/04/02862/FUL.

NO OBJECTION.

(iii) Chichester District Council decisions

The Council noted the following decisions which had been received since the last meeting:

(a)          E/07/04784/TCA - Earnleys Cottage, Bell Lane, Earnley

Notification of intention to fell 1 no. Willow tree, re-pollard 1 no. Willow tree and crown raise up to 3-4m 1 no. Willow tree.

NO OBJECTION AND NOT TO PREPARE A TREE PRESERVATION ORDER.

(b)        E/07/04480/DOM - Oak Lodge, Manor Farm Barns, Clappers Lane, Earnley

Erection of wooden shed/log store along side of existing garage.

PERMIT.

(iv)       Possible breaches of Planning Regulations

The Clerk advised the Council of the following information that had been provided to him by the District Council in respect of the following enquiries:

(a)        Marsh Barn Caravans (Minute 40 – 07 (iii) (a))

The Clerk advised that he had sent the letter, as agreed by minute 15 – 07 (iv) (a), to the Chief Executive and to the Chairman of Chichester District Council but had not yet received any reply.

(b)          Dragon Nursery, Third Avenue (Minute 40 – 07 (iii) (b))

The Enforcement Manager had carried out a site visit on 19 November 2007 and was currently reviewing the file before passing the matter to the Director of Environment seeking authority to take enforcement action.

(c)        Millside, Bell Lane, Somerley (Minute 40 – 07 (iii) (c))

The Council noted that the appeal by the owner of the property was to be decided by the Secretary of State on the basis of written statements. The Council agreed that its previous comments on this issue, namely that the wall and gates were detrimental to the character of the Conservation Area, should be reported to the Planning Inspector.            Action: Clerk.

(d)        132 Almodington Lane (Minute 40 – 07 (iii) (e)

District Council officers advised that upon further investigation of the design of the access, it was accepted that no widening of the access onto the highway had occurred and therefore the works carried out did not constitute new development requiring the benefit of planning permission. The erection of a wall on the access was permitted development as was the hardstanding and track to the south and east of the outbuildings, as it appeared from the planning history of the site that this area forms part of the domestic curtilage of the property. Therefore, no breach of planning control was found and on this basis no further action could be taken under the Council’s planning powers and the case had been closed. An inspection of the interior of the outbuildings had been made and there was no evidence of residential occupation.

            (v) Other planning matters

(a)                  Appeal - 120 Third Avenue, Almodington, Earnley  

The Council noted that in May 2007 the owners of the property applied for a Certificate of Lawful Use in respect of land used as part of the residential curtilage of 120 Third Avenue. This application included supporting evidence that the land in question had been part of the curtilage for at least 10 years. Chichester District Council granted a Certificate of Lawful Use as garden land (rather than as part of the residential curtilage).

The applicant had lodged an appeal with the Secretary of State for the Environment which would be decided on the basis of written statements. The Council agreed not to submit any comments in respect of the appeal.

(b)        Earnley Mill (Minute 33 – 07)

The Clerk reported that at the end of October, Chichester District Council officers advised that they had been in contact with the new owner of the Mill. The owner stated that a millwright would be carrying out the necessary works in November and that it was hoped to carry out further renovation works in the spring. The new owner was hopeful that she would be able to correspond directly with the Parish Council.

The District Council would inform the Parish Council when the immediate works had been completed.

54 - 07             Reports

            (i)         Chichester District Council Annual Meeting with the Parishes – 29 October

The Chairman reported on his attendance at this meeting and stated that he would be issuing some notes by email.                        Action: Mr Norris.

            (ii)        Manhood Mobility Volunteer Service General Meeting – 9 October

Mr Harrington reported on concerns expressed at the meeting about the future for St. Richard’s Hospital and the possible consequences for volunteer drivers if, in future, longer journeys were to be required to other hospitals.

(iii)       Neighbourhood Watch

Ms Nugent reported on the Annual General Meeting. The principal item related to another reorganisation of policing arrangements in the district which would become fully operational in January or February 2008. The Council noted that the new neighbourhood policing arrangements would mean some changes to the structure of Neighbourhood Watch.

The meeting closed at 7.55 p.m.

Date.....................................................            Chairman...................................................

Home  Services  News  Minutes 1  2  3