Councillor N.Whiteley (NW) TVBC
Apologies: D.Rimmington; Jayne Edwards (Footpath Warden)
Open Forum (1930h-1944h)
1. Minutes of Council Meeting held on 10 November 2003
It was proposed by LB and seconded by TM that these be signed by the Chairman as a true record of the Meeting
2. Matters Arising
6.1 The Council was not represented at the meeting of the TVAPC on 10 November
10.2 Clerk reported that he had contacted David Lindsell (TVBC) who agreed to provide an additional sign (in the next financial year) in Dean Road indicating the group of houses whose address has always been given as The Common.
3. Police Report Nil
4. Report from HCC Nil
5. Report from TVBC
5.1 NW reported that the Southern Area Planning Committee had deferred consideration of the application to demolish Old Nails to 13 January to obtain their Consultant's report on the flood risk to the property.
5.2 NW reported that the planning department had asked for his views on the Dean Hill Munitions site. He thought that planners should share their views with the Parish Councils. He understood that MOD wanted to sell the site in April and had called for expressions of interest. A meeting with the Parish Councils and the planners was proposed for either 18 or 22 December, with a further meeting in January involving the MOD and Broadway Malyan. Helen Hughes, a new appointment to the planning department, would take responsibility for the Dean Hill site.
6. Correspondence
6.1Clerk drew attention to the Draft Landscape Character Assessment & Questionnaire which had been received from TVBC. It was agreed that this should be circulated for comment and discussion deferred until the next meeting. Other correspondence had been circulated to Councillors.
7. Finance & Cheques
7.1 It was proposed by JG and seconded by AM that the following cheques be signed
Audit Commission (2002-2003 Audit) CQ No. 000297 – £141.00
7.2 Budget for 2004-2005 and Precept – it was agreed that these would be discussed at the next meeting. It was agreed that the next budget should not include a separate line for West Dean (currently £150). It was agreed to pay the £50 to St.Peter's Church provided for in the current budget. It was noted that this had, in the past, been specifically for maintenance of the church fabric.
8. Planning
8.1 Clerk reported that the following applications were on circulation for comment by Councillors
TVS.02410/1 Newlands, Rectory Hill, West Dean
8.2 The Chairman reported that he and other residents of Beale's Court had been offered £75/household as compensation for the disruption the installation of the new wastewater treatment plant for Pragnell's Cottages would cause and wondered whether this meant he should declare an interest in commenting on the proposal Action Clerk to consult HAPTC and TVBC
8.3 Old Nails: AB, SD and JG attended the Southern Area Planning Committee at which this application was deferred (see 5.1 above).
8.4 Floods: SD attended the meeting in Romsey for the EA to give an update on local flooding issues. He reported that the EA, in an apparent change in policy, had accepted that minor streams causing flooding should now be part of its remit. Groundwater level at Lopcombe Corner was at an historical low for the time of year, following the very dry summer, in contrast to the situation last February when it was the highest for a century.
8.5 Parish Plan: JG reported that he had had two meetings with Paul Strutt (who had volunteered to assist with developing the plan). Tim Koetser had had to withdraw his offer to assist. The working group would later need the help of someone with computer literacy. A budget had been prepared and a grant (70% of total cost) of £2000-£2500 was being applied for. Over the next few weeks a focus group would be formed to sound out the views of residents and early next year a formal questionnaire would be distributed. The issues to be addressed were too numerous and complex to be dealt with in a village meeting.
9. Recreation Ground
9.1 Clerk reported that after consulting several firms he had obtained two quotations for the supply of 135 x 80 litre bags of hardwood chippings for the play area. These were:
AHS East Sussex £472.50 (incl VAT) delivered
It was proposed by TM and seconded by SD that the AHS quotation be accepted subject to confirmation from ROSPA that the product met its standards. Action Clerk (and also to confirm that John Coggan would not object to the chippings being delivered via his field south of the rec.)
10. Highways & Footpaths
10.1Clerk referred to letters he had received from HCC Highways Department summarising the work identified when JG and DL toured the village with Highways staff. These letters were circulated to Councillors together with SD's photographs of roads which still appeared to be inadequately drained.
11. War Memorial
11.1 TM reported that the only possible source of funding for adding names to the War Memorial he had been able to identify was the charity Friends of War Memorials, but this was very unlikely. He was not aware of any great support among residents for the proposal to add names however. Before taking a decision to drop the proposal it was agreed that the idea should be floated in the Newsletter Action Chairman
12. AOB
12.1 JG agreed to represent the Council at the King Edward's Hall Committee meeting on 15 January Action JG
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 2123h.
Present: A.Bowditch (AB)(Chairman); T.Mousley (TM)(Vice-Chairman); L.Bowditch; S.Dowding (SD); J.Guy(JG); A.McKenzie(AM); D.Lyon(DL)(Clerk).
Plus 3 members of the public
Mike Eastwood (grass cutting) CQ.No. 000298 – £216.00
D.Lyon (Clerk) wages & expenses CQ.No. 000299 – £217.39
West Tytherley Retreat (Hire of Poustinia) CQ. No. 000300 – £20.00
TVS.07592/3 Pragnells Cottages Wastewater Tmt.Plant
TVS.10203 Buckholt Cottage
Playsafe West Sussex £607.50 (incl VAT) delivered
9.2 Clerk reported that he was still waiting for further quotations, in addition to one he has already received, for commemorative plaques for two trees planted on the rec.
10.2 It was agreed on a vote (3 for, 2 abstentions, 1 against) that signs were needed to the following roads – Chalk Pit Lane, Rectory Lane and Standing Hill. Action Clerk to inform David Lindsell (TVBC).