Sidlesham Parish Council.

Sidlesham Parish Council

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting

Held in the Church Hall, Sidlesham on Wednesday 24 May 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

Councillors present: Mr Adrian Harland (Chairman), Mrs Patricia Tull (Vice-chairman), Mrs Debbie Kennedy, Mrs Moira Grice, Mrs Elizabeth Duke, Mrs Elizabeth Smart, Mrs Diana Pound, Mr Chris Bond, Dr Trevor Dobbins.
Also present: Forty-eight Sidlesham Electors, Mr Alan Chaplin (County Councillor) and Mr John Paul (Parish Clerk)

Mr Adrian Harland opened the proceedings and welcomed all present to the meeting.
Mr Harland was elected Chairman of the Parish Council and Mrs Patricia Tull (vice-chairman) at the AGM on 17 May 2006

1. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 25 May 2005.
These were proposed by Mrs Gill Cook, seconded by Mr David Grice and agreed by those present as being a true record to be signed by the Chairman.

2. Report of the past year by Mr C Bond (Past Chairman).

1. Thanks
Firstly, I would like to record my thanks to the members of the Parish Council who have supported its work over the past year. They give their time freely, not only to attend the bi-monthly council meetings, but also to attend:
* The more frequent meetings of the Planning Committee, under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman, Debbie Kennedy, to who also thanks. Last year, there were 21 Planning meetings.
* The Finance Committee, which sets the annual budget and precept
* Attendance at various meetings, committees and forums at District and County level, including:
1. Manhood Peninsula Forum
2. Espace
3. Pagham Harbour LNR Advisory Board
4. CDC LDF Planning meetings
5. WSCC local committees
6. Various training courses, workshops, etc.

Secondly, my thanks go to the Clerk, John Paul, without whom the Council could not operate. He deals with a mountain of correspondence, emails and reports, displays notices/information on our 6 notice boards, handles questions/suggestions/complaints from villagers, in addition to his primary role of minute-taker and scribe at all PC meetings.
2. Finance
The Council has budgeted for a slight increase in expenditure in 2006/7, but is meeting some of this increase from reserves. The 2006/7 precept has been set at £10,030 - a small increase over the previous year. However this results in a 2% reduction per household. A Band D council taxpayer will see his contribution to the precept reduce from £17.10 to £16.76 p.a.
Related to other precept-paying parishes in the District, Sidlesham stands 52nd out of 61 in terms of expensiveness. However, this is “small beer”, as the precept only represents 1.3% of the total Council Tax bill, which this year increased by 4.94%. The precept for Hunston (with the highest per capita precept in the District), for example, represents 4.7%.
3. Planning
The Planning Committee has dealt with 59 planning applications in the past year, a slight increase over the previous year (52).

The Planning Committee also liases with the District Council’s Enforcement Team, whose responsibility it is to identify breaches of planning regulations, and carry out the necessary steps of rectification or enforcement. Such steps can range from advice to submit retrospective planning applications to removal of an offending structure or eviction from a site.
This Parish provides a disproportionate load on the Enforcement Team, there being 13 enforcement cases in progress out of a total of around 200 (i.e. 6.5%) in the whole District.
The Parish Council (PC) is of the opinion that the Enforcement Team is hopelessly under-resourced, which factor, in our view, contributed directly to the District losing the Appeal in the Melita Nursery Inquiry. The PC holds the view that the Melita Inquiry result, if allowed to stand, creates a precedent which is frightening not only to the Keynor Residents, but to all the villagers of this Parish
4. Other Matters
4.1 Roads
Thanks to pressures over several years, and more recently from STAG, a road management scheme for the B2145 and B2201 was introduced in the village last autumn. Other minor safety improvements have also been carried out. At present, the PC, the School and STAG are pressing for a pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of the B2145/Keynor Lane junction.
The Chairman of STAG has provided a report on its activities and hopes.
4.2 School House
After years of pressure both by the school and its governors and the PC, and inaction by WSCC, the shuttered and derelict School House and overgrown garden adjoining the school, has emerged on a WSCC agenda for action. The garden has been cleared, and discussions are in progress, which may lead to the demolition of School House (agreed by all as the only viable option) and its replacement by a number of units of affordable housing located within the garden. If this were to be the outcome, Sidlesham’s affordable housing needs would be met.
4.3 Affordable Housing
Following the appointment of a Rural Housing Enabler at CDC, the subject appeared as an agenda item at the September 2005 PC Meeting. This drew a large attendance at the meeting, as it appears to be a subject that generates strong feelings amongst villagers, both for and against. Hence it has been included as an agenda item for debate at this meeting.
4.4 Conservation Areas Appraisal
Earlier in the year, consultants working for CDC carried out appraisals of the village’s two Conservation Areas - Sidlesham Church and Sidlesham Quay. This culminated in an exhibition in the Church Hall in March, and the publication of draft reports on the 2 areas. These were generally well received. The PC, and several individuals, submitted comments as part of the consultation process; we await the final versions.
4.5 Village Design Statement (VDS)
The VDS has, at last, been submitted to CDC for approval and, hopefully, acceptance, which is expected soon. The submission was delayed to ensure consistency with the Appraisals, referred to earlier.
When accepted by CDC, the PC will work out how best to publish and distribute the document within the village.
Moves to follow-up the VDS with the preparation of a Parish Action Plan have been put on hold, pending completion/acceptance of the VDS. Any one interested in participating in such a project is invited to contact the clerk, or any councillor.
4.6 Communications
Three new PC Notice Boards (financed in part by a donation from Nature’s Way) have been erected in the village, bringing the total to 6, with the objective of improving communications between PC and villagers. The Parish Magazine is used from time to time to publicise PC announcements.
Agreement in principal has been reached for the PC to establish its own website, taking over and maintaining that which was established as part of the VDS project.
4.7 Pagham Harbour
I have been the PC’s representative on the Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve Advisory Board (and Vice-Chairman), since it was established in 2004. Pressure from Sidlesham and Pagham PCs was instrumental in its establishment, replacing a somewhat autocratic and inward-looking structure.
The Nature Reserve boundaries incorporate some 20% of this Parish’s land area, and hence it is an important feature of the village, attracting many visitors.
The Advisory Board meets 3 times a year and includes a public participation session, the conduct of which, at times, has been less than satisfactory. Your representative has been influential in hopefully improving this.
The Board is in the process of agreeing revised Bylaws, introducing a new Visitor Code and bylaw enforcement protocol and finalising the Management Plan 2006-2011.
The next Meeting of the Board is tomorrow, 25th May, at St Ninian’s Church Hall, Pagham.
4.8 Recreation Ground
Consideration has been given, and some finance earmarked, to providing security fencing and gates to the Car Park, with some re-surfacing, at the Sidlesham Memorial Playing Field, as a preventative measure against vandalism and joy-riding, to which it has been prone. The PC has been unable to maintain a consistent dialogue with the representatives of the Football/Sports & Social Club, whose support is necessary. Hence, no progress has been made.
As the Parish Council’s principal asset - being 8 acres of land purchased from MAFF for £25 in 1956, with a covenant that it be dedicated in perpetuity as a sports field or recreation ground, it is sad to witness its deteriorating state and under-utilisation by villagers.
4.9 Bus Services
The increase in frequency of the 51 Bus - the Selsey Link - to 4 times per hour has unfortunately coincided with the partial collapse of the concrete bus shelter near Keynor Lane, which has had to be removed, as it was an unsafe structure. It is to be replaced with a rather more aesthetically pleasing wooden shelter in the near future.
4.10 Paddock Straight Trees
Seven deformed, damaged and missing trees along the Paddock straight were replaced this spring, one of which was almost immediately vandalised. It is hoped that it will recover.
4.11 Cycle Route
The PC supported the establishment of a cycleway through Sidlesham as part of the Selsey-Chichester cycle route, for which planning permission has now been given. The budgeted construction costs for this are just over £1/2million, of which about half relates to work within the Parish.
4.12 Local Development Framework (LDF)
The PC has contributed to CDC’s LDF consultation process, which has now reached the stage of the “Core Strategy Submission”. Amongst other things, the PC’s influence, together with input from a well-attended workshop organised by CDC held in Sidlesham in January, has resulted in the designation of “Keynor” remaining as a Horticultural Development Area (HDA), rather than becoming what is now termed a “Built Up Area” (BUA). A BUA is now defined as an area where “there will be a presumption in favour of development”. There are no plans for any BUA in Sidlesham.
Those interested in the development of CDC’s plans should obtain this document and the accompanying “Issues and Options Paper for Delivering Development Opportunities” (which discusses choices for identifying specific sites for housing).
It should be noted that Selsey is earmarked for substantial further housing development. This will undoubtedly result in increased traffic volumes on the B2145.

Mr Harland thanked Mr Bond for his informative and interesting report of the past year. From the floor it was requested that a map of the cycle route should be posted on the SPC notice boards.

3. Affordable and Social Housing. Presentation by Mr Austin Wade (CDC Rural Housing Enabler).

The average house price in Chichester is £300,000; the average income is £21,500. This makes it very difficult to start on the housing ownership ladder. Private renting of housing is also very expensive. A survey in 2004 found a shortfall of 140 rural homes per year across the District. In the rural areas there is also a need for amenity buildings.
In the Chichester District there are 3000 applications on the housing list, nine applications with local connections request Sidlesham but only two request Sidlesham as their first choice. From the current social housing in the parish it will be a long time before the needs can be met as the turn-over in Sidlesham is very slow. It is possible there are more who would like to be on the housing list, to find out a survey would be useful. The results would also be of use to the Parish Council helping to formulate views on planning. However, there is no Settlement Policy Area in Sidlesham due to low scoring on amenities and facilities (shops, doctors etc) This would have implications on building of affordable / social housing. Any development could only be on ‘H9 / exception sites’. Need would have to be established of applicants with local parish connections e.g. resident, working, direct relatives, had to leave as could not afford to stay.

There are basically two types of ‘affordable housing’. 1. Social with rents at half the market value. 2. Shared ownership / home buy where the applicant finds 40% of the cost and also pays 2.5% rent on the rest, further stakes can be purchased with time. In small developments / communities such as Sidlesham the maximum purchased could only be up to 80%, the remaining ownership being retained by the housing association. If sold on the ratios of percentage purchase / rent / ownership would be relative to the current value and controlled by the housing association.

Finding sites for rural affordable / social housing is difficult. Styles of building have to be in keeping. Once a potential site is identified a housing association has to carry out a feasibility study. Parish Councils are involved throughout the process. Development can take from three to 15 years.

Mr Austin Wade then invited questions and general discussion.
Q From the floor it was asked did the District have a social housing plan for 150 per year over a 20-year period to meet the needs of the 3000 on the list? Answer ‘no’.
Q From the floor, with shared ownership whom can it be sold on to? Answer, the sale (at current value) returns it to the housing association.
Q From the floor, how is land identified? Answer, for small rural sites, consultation for local knowledge. Must be close to sustainable features.
Q From the floor, what price does a housing association pay for land? Answer, up to £120,000 per acre.

In general discussion Mr Alan Chaplin (County Councillor and HA Director) informed the meeting that the increase in value of a house is shared between the HA and the resident seller. Also that to enable construction of affordable / social housing in less sustainable locations, land owners sometimes give land e.g. the Duke of Richmond in Singleton.
The ‘right to buy’ was raised with reference to rented social housing. AW stated that on new properties this was not available in settlements with less than 3000 population (Sidlesham has less than 1000 electors).

At the conclusion of this section Mr Harland thanked Mr Wade for the presentation.

4. Refreshments organised by Sidlesham WI.
Mr Harland thanked the WI for the refreshment.

5. Topics of general or specific interest in Sidlesham.

5.1 Sports Hall Mrs C Morris appealed for help to increase the amenity use of the hall; to make it an increasing asset for the school and community. Some uses were already well-established e.g. short mat bowls, aerobics and a badminton group. The school made very good use of it but more use was needed by families, groups and in general people of all ages outside school hours. To help young people responsible adults were wanted as enablers (Criminal Record Board checks would be required).
In general discussion the idea was raised of a Sidlesham Sports Association, not just for those who were already proficient at a sport but as a first move into sport. This would make peoples healthier and be a positive move against the increasing obesity problem.
A committee for bookings etc was to be formed, Mrs Kennedy volunteered to be on the committee, Mrs Morris accepted this offer with alacrity

5.2 Roadside hedges Each year several hedges in the parish grow out over the roadsides and footways. An e-mail request to the Clerk asked what could be done. All hedges are the responsibility of the landowner or land user / tenant. Hedge cutting can only be done out of the bird nesting season and in farm practice cutting is usually done once per year in the winter. Where this is not done approaches can be made directly to the responsible user, if not known or not approachable the Parish Council or the county Council should be informed. The County Council contractors cut back hedges if there are traffic or pedestrian problems, for any other cutting they may charge. They may approach a householder if a garden hedge is a problem but direct approach by a neighbour is more friendly. Any contractor cutting roadside field hedges or grass verges should have permission from WSCC and be insured for £10m public liability.

5.3. Scruffy Corners. Mr Allisstone raised the topic that more pride should be taken in our surroundings. That litter was increasing; properties were not kept up, some even derelict and there were an increasing number of signs on the highways. The assembly agreed and discussed what could be done.
Properties are private and only if public nuisance or risk can be proved can counsils step in, therefore friendly persuasion is the option. Litter picking was once an annual parish event but with the increase of legislation regarding liability etc is no longer organised but individuals can clean up as they wish. The county / district does employ litter pickers for the B2145 at least twice per year; the DC collects fly-tipped rubbish as required. Road side notices are almost all illegal, to erect signs or to attach them to street furniture (traffic signs etc) a County Council licence is required, large hoardings require planning permission even on private land. Anyone annoyed by illegal signs abandoned on the roadsides can remove them. The Parish Council with the District and County Councils maintains a running battle with fly-posters and sign erectors. Signs for local events, e.g. fetes, concerts, open days etc that are erected for very short periods and then removed immediately afterwards, are tolerated.

5.4 Afforable / social housing further discussion. Current position in Sidlesham? Mr Wade answered various questions. He said that each year less than one of the rented housing association houses becomes available. In Sidlesham there are still 39 rented social houses (ex District Council), local connection is not a requirement under the terms of the ex-council contracts. The ‘Right to Buy’ is only available to tenants who have lived in their accommodation from 1989. On the District Council register there are nine applicants who list Sidlesham amongst the places in which they would like to be housed. This number would suggest from experience that a development of 4 to 6 units would satisfy demand. If any new social housing was built local connection would have first priority but housing would not remain empty if there were insufficient locally qualified applicants. Large-scale development will not take place in Sidlesham. (Sidlesham is a ‘non sustainable’ settlement, i.e. facilities are less than the criteria required for normal market housing development).
What will be done with the schoolhouse site? This may be considered as an ‘exception’ site. It is available and something needs to be done with it. The house possibly to be demolished and a few social dwellings erected. Subject to agreement by District Council and West Sussex County Council, the Parish Council is involved in the discussions.

How would a ‘housing needs survey’ be carried out? Delivery of a questionnaire, compiled by the District Council, would be organised to be delivered throughout Sidlesham by the Parish Council. Results to be analysed to assess the needs for the parish.

There were no further questions or discussion topics, therefore Mr Harland thanked everyone for attending and taking part. He then closed the meeting.

Sidlesham Annual Parish Meeting closed at 9.35 pm.