Sidlesham Parish Council.

Minutes of the Bi-monthly Parish Council Meeting
Held in the Church Hall, Sidlesham on Wednesday 24 January 2007 at 7:30pm

Councillors present: Mr Adrian Harland (Chairman), Mrs Tricia Tull, Mrs Debbie Kennedy,
Mrs Elizabeth Smart, Mrs Elizabeth Duke, Mrs Moira Grice, Mrs Diana Pound, Mr Chris Bond,
Also present: Mr John Paul (Parish Clerk).

1 Apologies for absence. Dr Trevor Dobbins,
Mr A Chaplin (CC) and Mr B Norris (press).

Mr Harland took the opportunity to record that Mr Norris was retiring from reporting; an amusing letter had been received from Bob to this effect. Although some of the indiscreet words reportedly stated by Councillors at meetings could not always be remembered in total when later they read the Chichester Observer; his presence at Sidlesham PC meetings and his write-ups of the highlights would be missed greatly. All Councillors and the Clerk concurred to wish Bob well for the future.

2 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held 15 November 2006. Mr Bond proposed and Mrs Tull seconded that the minutes be signed as a correct record. All agreed.

3 Declarations by Councillors of personal interests in items on this agenda. None.

4 Matters arising from the above minutes.
Rights of Way Improvement Plan (draft) for West Sussex. Representation sent 10 January.
Mrs Pound has not yet been able find why the CDC website states that the Sidlesham VDS is not adopted.

5 School House.
The Governors of Sidlesham School recently engaged in some lateral thinking; that if social housing was not sufficiently economic for WSCC, perhaps the house and garden could be sold on the open private housing market. The attached school house to be demolished and replaced by one detached house. An enquiry by the Clerk obtained a view that in principle CDC Planning saw no problem with this approach as it agreed with the ‘one for one’ policy current for Sidlesham. This information to be passed to the Governors and WSCC.

6 Housing survey.
Mr Wade was unable to attend this January meeting but expressed an interest to meet SPC. It was decided to invite Mr Wade for a preliminary interpretation and discussion meeting with the Councillors. A parish policy could then be formulated.
Action JP to contact Mr Austin Wade.

7 Parish Council Meetings timing change. In September 2006 the start time of Parish Council meetings was altered to fit with the timing of the keep fit class at the school. Unfortunately the timing of the class was also changed and a fit was not possible. By a show of hands it was decided to move all PC meetings back to the earlier time of 7.00pm.

8 Highways, footpaths and cycleways.
8.1 Village road matters.
STAG minutes were received after the PC agenda was published. PC agenda must by law be published at least three clear days before a meeting. Informal discussion identified that gates still appears to be an active issue with the group; although some Councillors believed the subject was extinct. Many of the assumptions in the STAG considerations are probably invalid and have been covered by the PC over the last four years e.g. insurance, companies that can work on the highway, overall costs etc. The PC will not re-visit the subject unless a complete and realistic project proposal is submitted.
8.2 Road Safety Scheme B2201 Sidlesham to Stockbridge. As a heading this appeared in the latest draft list of WSCC budget proposals for 2008/2009. The Clerk has requested further information. However, past experience is that many of these proposals slip further into the future or are removed completely due to financial constraints

9 Budget and Precept proposals 2007
9.1 The Finance sub-committee proposed a precept of 13,400 pounds for 2007. Unusual items budgeted were increased expenditure on existing amenities, a PC website and Council election costs for May. The CDC calculated tax base for Sidlesham in 2007 is 601.07 therefore the proposed precept will produce a contribution of 22.29 pounds per band D household.
Mrs Tull proposed that the precept proposal be accepted by the Parish Council, Mrs Kennedy seconded the proposal. This was agreed unanimously. Action JP to inform CDC.

10 Amenities and Assets.
10.1 Amenities sub committee. After inspection of the ponds etc by the CDC officer the Clerk was informed that some grant assistance should be available for ‘Wildlife Improvement’. The Clerk will make application.
10.2 Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve. The proposed new hide will be subject to CDC planning approval and Environment Agency agreement.
10.3 Bus shelter opposite Manhood Lane. The shelter was erected on Tuesday 23 January. A grant of 480 pounds towards the costs has been promised by WSCC.
10.4 Bus shelter and seat opposite the Anchor. The weed overgrowth around the seat has been cleared. From the 2007 budget, subject to an acceptable quotation, the Clerk will have new boards fitted to the bench, in the same position as now, exterior to the shelter.
The concrete shelter is showing signs of age with some reinforcements rusting but appears to have some years use remaining. No work is proposed for the present.

11 Web site. The Clerk agreed to organise the creation of the web site as planned in the 2007 budget (9.1). It is expected to be in use before the May Parish Meeting. Cost will be 640 pounds.

12 Finance
Payments. The Clerk requested approval of the following transactions.
12.1 Payments to be made: -
J A Paul expenses 60.37 pounds SPCC Hall hire 37.00 pounds

Mrs Tull proposed that the payments should be approved; this was seconded by Mrs Pound and agreed by all Councillors present.

13 Correspondence.
13.1 WSCC Homeshare. This scheme proposes to provide a simple vetting and matching service between older people needing extra support in their home with tasks like cooking and cleaning and Homesharers in need of safe and free accommodation. The Homesharers will be keyworkers or professionals willing to provide the support. SPC will advertise the scheme on all notice boards.
13.2 WSCC Consultation on Denominational Transport for the School Year 2008/2009. The consultation questionnaire to be completed as discussed and returned to WSCC.
13.3 CDC Emergency Planning Guide, 2006/07. Copies of the guide can be obtained from 01243 534616, or e-mail from itaylor@chichester.gov.uk.
13.4 Election 3 May 07,
Nomination Documents will be available from SPC Clerk and Elections Office, CDC.
SALC posters on ‘becoming a councillor’ will be placed on all SPC notice boards.

14 Reports.
14.1 Peninsula Community Forum 6 December 2006 meeting. Minutes not yet published, major item was ‘Coastal Strategy’.
14.2 Coastal defence strategy 2007 Pagham to East Head.
A public meeting was held by SPC on 17 January 2007. Mr D Lowesley (CDC) and
Mr J Pearce (EA) presented the consultation strategy to an audience of 66 people from the parish. Notes of the meeting and Q & A session are available from the Clerk.
SPC responses to the consultation document were discussed and agreed.
Clerk to send a copy to CDC.
14.3 Standards Committee 14 December 2007, a revised Code of Conduct is proposed by Government ready for the election in May.

15 AOB
15.1 Police Community Service Officers. Four are now employed with responsibilities for the Manhood Peninsula villages. For details see www.sussex.police.uk.
15.2 Local Development Framework. An informal consultation document for ‘South of the District’ was published 22 January. No development proposed for Sidlesham.

Meeting Closed 9.45pm

John Paul (Clerk to Sidlesham Parish Council)