Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee

Joint Downland Area Committee

6th October 2008 – At a meeting of the Committee held at 7.00 p.m. at The White Swan Hotel, .

Present: West County Council (WSCC): Councillor David Britton, Councillor Christina Freeman, Councillor Deborah Urquhart and Councillor Derek Whittington. Council (ADC): Councillor Don Ayling, Councillor Paul Bicknell and Councillor Norman Dingemans (Chairman). Town/Parish Council representatives: Councillor Mick Kennedy ( Parish Council), Councillor Michael Godfrey (Arundel Town Council), Councillor Mike Young (Barnham Parish Council), Councillor Philip White ( Village Committee), Councillor Barbara Edge (Clymping Parish Council), Councillor Mick Hutton ( Parish Council), Councillor Len Prior (Findon Parish Council) (Vice-Chairman), Councillor Ronald Field (Ford Parish Council), Councillor Peter Looker (Houghton Parish Meeting), Councillor Jeremy Fox ( Parish Council), Councillor Barbara Brimblecombe (Slindon Parish Council), Councillor Peter Bryan ( Parish Council) and Councillor Richard Taft ( Parish Council).

In attendance: County Council (WSCC): Jeremy Beard (Fire & Rescue Service), Martin Downy (Highways and Transport), David Lambert (Highways and Transport), Phil Edwards (Democratic Services) and Matt Hall (Democratic Services) Arun District Council (ADC): Richard Bartram (Community Safety Officer), Colin Rogers (Services Director) and Daniel Vick (Team Leader – Compliance). Sussex Police: Sergeant Carolyn Kendall

Chairman’s Welcome

55. The Chairman welcomed the Committee and members of the public to the meeting.

Apologies for Absence

56. Apologies had been received from Councillor Mike Barnett (Arun District Council), Barbara Brindlecombe (Slindon Parish Council), and Councillor Stephen Haymes (Arun District Council).

Declarations of Interest

57. In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Norman Dingemans declared a personal interest as his wife was nominated for re-appointment as LA Governor at Barnham Primary School (Agenda Item No. 13).

Urgent Matters

58. Councillor Christina Freeman raised the proposed merger of the Royal West Sussex Trust and the Worthing and Southlands NHS Trust. It was felt that the proposal was potentially good news for the residents of West Sussex. Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee

Minutes

59. Resolved – that the minutes of the Joint Downland Area Committee on 23rd June 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising

60. The Committee had before it a matters arising table (copy appended to confirmed minutes) that was to update members on progress since the last meeting. In reference to Item 11, it was noted that Arun District Council Licensing and Enforcement Committee had received the Joint Downland Area Committee’s response to its letter on parking bays outside of Barnham Station after it had made its decision. The Licensing and Enforcement Committee had decided on the provision of seven long-term spaces.

61. Resolved – That the Chairman writes to the Arun District Council Licensing and Enforcement Committee to request that the Barnham Station parking bay decisions is reconsidered in the light of the Joint Downland Area Committee’s response.

Progress Statement

Compass Bus Route No. 85

62. Councillor Derek Whittington had met with Mr Chatfield from Compass Bus about the provision of a lay-by for the No. 85 bus route at the Jarvis Road junction at Arundel. Mr Chatfield had indicated that he would be happy to attend a future meeting to discuss Compass Bus’ intentions for the route.

HGV Movements

63. It was noted that the traffic survey report regarding HGV movements in the Ford area may not be ready in time to be considered at the January Joint Downland Area Committee meeting.

Roadside Vehicle Sales

64. The arrangement of an inter-agency approach to roadside vehicle sales was being worked on by West Sussex County Council officers.

Shellbridge Road

65. It was noted that assessments had been carried out on both the A29 and Shellbridge Road and that neither had met the criteria. Members felt that the conditions on Shellbridge Road met those in the criteria for 40 mph limit areas and asked that the road be looked at once more.

Junction B2139 / South Lane, Houghton

66. The Committee welcomed the news that the measure proposed for the junction with South Lane was third in priority in the Traffic Regulation Order list Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee for the JDAC area. It was noted that, if the priority order was approved by the Committee, the works could take place before the end of the current financial year.

Talk with us – public question time

67. Members of the public reminded the Committee of the Ford Enterprise Hub presentation it had received in October 2004. It was commented that that presentation had been given was being used as evidence of local consultation, most notably in a letter of 30 June to the Housing Minister. It was commented that the science park, railway station and strategic link road all appeared to have been abandoned. It was suggested that the presentation in 2004 reflected a different situation to the current position and that the Joint Downland Committee should not accept it as public consultation.

68. Members of the public reminded the Committee that it had resolved not to debate the Ford Eco-Town issue again until a decision had been made. It was commented that a second consultation was likely to be forthcoming and the Joint Downland Committee should reconsider that decision.

69. The Committee felt that the presentation in 2004 in no way represented a public consultation. The Committee also agreed that, if there was a second consultation on plans for a Ford Eco-Town, the matter should be discussed at the next meeting.

70. Members of the public raised the issue of A-board advertisements. It was suggested that A-boards were important for local businesses and that the decision to award licences should be delegated to Parish Councils. Mr Delara asked whether the standard pavement width for newly built footways had been changed. Derek Whittington agreed to find out and provide a response by email.The Chairman suggested that the matter was discussed under item 10 (ii) on the agenda.

71. Members of the public were concerned about HGVs using Ford Road. It was noted that agreements had been reached which restricted the weight of vehicles using Ford Road and the route that HGVs took.

72. Resolved: That -

(i) Ford Eco-Town proposals will be discussed at the Joint Downland Area Committee on 12 January 2009.

(ii) County Councillor Derek Whittington will provide a response to Mr Delara regarding standard pavement width for newly built footways by email.

Community Police Issues

73. Sergeant Carolyn Kendall of the Arundel Neighbourhood Team provided an update to the Committee on a number of community policing issues, which included those set out below:

• Over the last six months there had been 129 fewer recorded crimes than during the equivalent period last year. Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee

• Problems with quad bikes on Hoe Lane, Flansham had been investigated and were felt to arise on the site cleared for development, which had since been delayed. The developer had been informed about the problems and had erected a fence around the site.

74. The Committee asked whether there had been progress towards dealing with parties on Clymping beach. It was noted that there were plans to improve the information about public rights of way and the areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It was hoped those measures would be in place by Easter 2009. It was agreed that progress would be reported at the January meeting of the Joint Downland Area Committee.

75. Resolved – that an update report on progress towards improving awareness of public access to Clymping beach is brought to the Joint Downland Area Committee meeting on 12 January 2009.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Fire Break Scheme

76. The Committee received a presentation from Jeremy Beard, Youth Project Coordinator, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, copy appended to the signed minutes. The Fire Break scheme took referrals for young people at risk of making contact with the Criminal Justice system for a wide range of reasons. Members were invited to comment and ask questions and in the discussion that followed a number of points were raised, which included those set out below:

• Members asked whether how many placements there were. It was noted that 288 placements were made across the year, with six courses run simultaneously, each with 16 young people. These courses were run three times a year.

• Members asked whether any young people had gone on to join the Fire and Rescue Service. It was noted that a number of young people had expressed an interest in joining the Fire Cadets programme. However, the intention of the Fire Break scheme was not to recruit Fire Fighters, but to engage at risk young people in positive activities and empower them to make positive life-decisions.

• Members asked whether funding to continue the scheme had been secured. It was noted that the evaluation of the project had been aimed at demonstrating the value of the scheme and driving down the costs, with the intention of incorporating it into the core business of the Fire and Rescue Service.

Matters to be raised by members of the Committee

77. County Councillor Christina Freeman raised the issue of the need for a crossing in Yapton between the school and the entrance of the Croft. It was felt that cars travelled with excessive speed well above the 30 mph limit and making the crossing was dangerous.

78. Resolved – that the Area Highways Manager assesses the road against the criteria for crossings. Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee

Advertising on the Highway – a new approach?

79. The Committee had before it a report by the Arun District Council Team Leader – Development Compliance (copy appended to signed minutes). The Committee discussed a number of issues regarding advertising on the highway, which included those set out below:

• Members commented that the report seemed to be directed toward urban areas, it was felt that the issue was more in rural areas. It was noted that the report dealt with highways and footways, which were of limited relevance in rural areas.

• Members asked what the current situation was. It was noted that all A- boards were unauthorised at present and as such could be removed.

• Members commented that traders in towns often felt that A-boards were important to their local business. It was suggested that licence conditions in Arundel might be different because of the size of the footways.

• Members asked who would be responsible for enforcing A-boards. It was noted that, at present, all A-boards were illegal and the County Council would investigate any complaints received about A-boards on the highway.

• Members suggested that, as well as Designated Conservation Areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty should also be excluded from the licensing areas.

• Members felt that feedback from the other Arun Area Committees would be useful and asked that a report was brought back summarising their views before the recommendation was made.

• Members suggested that Town and Parish Councils could be delegated the responsibility to licence A-boards.

80. Resolved – That:

(i). Arun District Council accept the principle of providing advertisers with a licence to display adverts on the highway, subject to the conditions laid out by West Sussex County Council, other than in Designated Conservation Areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty;

(ii) Arun District Council continue to discuss the matter with West Sussex County Council with respect to which authority issue the licence and by what process;

(iii) Before a licence is issued the advertiser must have successfully obtained any necessary Advertisement Consent from Arun District Council;

(iv) Arun District Council continue to work with WSCC to secure the removal of unauthorised/unlawful advertisements;

Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee (v) The matter be discussed with other JAAC’S to obtain a District wide approach before reporting the matter to the relevant Cabinet Member.

(vi) Arun District Council and West Sussex County Council consider the proposal to delegate decisions on A-boards to Town and Parish Councils.

Priorities for Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs)

81. The Committee had before it a report by the West Sussex County Council Executive Director for Customers and Communities and Head of Highways and Transport (copy appended to signed minutes). It was noted that the report reflected the current priority order based on schemes’ scorings according to the criteria in the report. The Committee discussed a number of issues, which included those set out below:

• It was asked whether scores against the criteria were raised according to the length of time that schemes were on the list. It was noted that the criteria did not include a consideration of how long ago a scheme had been requested.

• Members of the public asked about a request from Barnham Residents Association for a 20 mph limit TRO, which did not appear on the list.

• It was noted that the report stated that the request for a speed limit TRO on Burpham Road had first been raised in October 2006, rather than February 2008 as the report stated.

• It was asked whether it was sensible to group schemes and put them forward together. It was noted that there was a risk that the overall assessment would be devalued with this approach.

82. Resolved – that:

(i) Martin Downy investigates what had happened about the Barnham Residents Association request for a speed limit TRO.

(ii) The priority order list of TROs is taken forward as set out in the report.

Developer Contributions and Schemes (S106 and S278 Agreements)

83. The Committee had before it a report by the West Sussex County Council Director for Operations and Infrastructure (copy appended to signed minutes). The Committee noted the report.

Infrastructure Works Programme 2009/10 and future Programme

84. The Committee had before it a consultation report by the West Sussex County Council Director for Operations and Infrastructure (copy appended to signed minutes). Members were asked to comment on the schemes in the Programme and in the discussion that followed and number of points were raised, which included those set out below:

Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee • Regarding the Ford Lane new or improved footway scheme, members commented that no footway existed in Ford Lane and this scheme should be brought forward.

• Members asked whether the Horsham Road footway reconstruction scheme involved major works. Martin Downy agreed to check the detail and respond to members.

• Regarding Findon bypass near St John’s Church, members commented that the bus route had been changed, people were crossing the road at that point and it was likely that the scheme would score higher when reassessed.

85. Resolved - that

• Martin Downy checks the details for the footway reconstruction scheme in Horsham Road, Findon and reports back to the Committee.

• That options for reprioritising the Integrated Works Programme to move the Ford Lane scheme up are considered.

A29 Bury Hill – Route Safety Scheme 2009/10 Programme

86. The Committee had before it a report by the West Sussex County Council Director for Operations and Infrastructure and Divisional Manager – Safety and Traffic Management (copy appended to signed minutes).

87. Resolved – that:

(i) The Head of Legal Services is authorised to advertise the proposed Traffic Regulation Order and, subject to there being no unresolved objections, the order is made.

(ii) In the event of unresolved objections to the order, they will be considered at the next available North County Local Committee meeting only, following consultation with the Joint Downland Area Committee local County Council member, David Britton.

DVLA Devolved Powers

88. The Committee was informed that, since the DVLA had devolved powers to enforce controls on vehicles failing to display valid tax discs, 65 vehicles had been seized. A measure of the success of the scheme has been the reduced frequency of untaxed vehicles being reported. A database of foreign vehicles was also being compiled such that unregistered vehicles could also be seized. The Committee noted the report.

Community Initiative Funding

89. The Committee had before it a report by the West Sussex County Council Head of Democratic Services (copy appended to signed minutes). County Council members of the Committee were asked to consider the recommendations in the report. Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee

90. Resolved – That:

(i) The following applications and amounts are approved:

• Arundel Youth Club £1,500 • West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service £1,000 • Chestnut Tree House £800

(ii) The following applications are rejected:

• Yapton Parish Council • Parish Council

(iii) The Committee notes that £9,477.50 remains for future Community Initiative Funding allocation.

Parish Initiative Funding

91. The Committee had before it a report by the West Sussex County Council Head of Democratic Services (copy appended to signed minutes). County Council members of the Committee were asked to consider the recommendations in the report.

92. Resolved – That:

(i) The following applications and amounts are approved:

• Yapton Parish Council £250 • Ford and Clymping Parish Council £500 • Eastergate Parish Council £450

(ii) The Committee notes that there is no further Parish Initiative Funding for 2008/09.

Village Shops Programme

93. The Committee had before it a report by the West Sussex County Council Head of Democratic Services (copy appended to signed minutes). County Council members of the Committee were asked to consider the recommendations in the report.

94. Resolved – That:

(i) The following applications and amounts are approved:

• Walberton Post Office £750 • Turnpike Stores £1,500 • Bilsham Stores £2,305 • Fun and Wai £1,500

(ii) There is a second tranche of the programme to invite applications from the shops that had yet to apply in the Joint Downland Area Committee area. Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee

Village Enhancement Scheme

95. The Committee noted that the Joint Arun Committee Village Enhancement Grant Fund was open for applications from Town Councils, Parish Councils and Parish Meetings in the Arun Area.

Appointment of School Governors

96. Resolved – That:

(i) Miss Gabrielle McGuire is appointed as an LA Governor at Westergate Communty School for a four year term;

(ii) Mr Kevin Dean is re-appointed as an LA Governor at Aldingbourne Primary School, Aldingbourne for a four year-term from 22nd Ocober 2008; and

(iii) Mr Steve Pawsey and Mrs Pat Dingemans are re-appointed as LA Governors at Barnham Primary School, Barnham for four-year terms from 1st January 2009.

Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)

97. The Committee had before it a report from the Arun Local Strategic Partnership Steering Group. The Committee noted the contents of the report.

Items to be raised by town / parish council representatives

98. The Arun District Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Team Leader – Development Compliance updated the Committee on planning compliance issues. It was noted that the team had been short-handed over the past year, which had led to a back-log of investigations. Development Control National Performance Indicators had also required resources, which had added to the difficulties. However, it was noted that more enforcement notices had been served already this year than in the previous year. Staff had now been appointed to fill vacancies and it was hoped that the capacity of the team would increase. It was also noted that changes to Development Control were planned, which would mean an increase in the number of complaints, which in turn would impact on the capacity of the team.

99. It was reported that Yapton Parish Council had requested that the mini- roundabout at the Canal Road / Main Road junction was removed. It was felt that the mini-roundabout had not improved safety. County Councillor Christina Freeman informed the Committee that she had a site meeting on Thursday 8 October and would take the matter up with County Council officers.

Items for future meetings

100. Items identified for future meetings included:

• West Sussex County Council Rural Strategy (January 2009) • Arun District Council Local Development Framework (January 2009) • West Sussex County Council Waste Management Contract Update (January 2009) Unconfirmed Minutes – subject to approval / amendment at the next meeting of the Committee • Highways Works Programme (January 2009) • Ford Eco-Town Proposals (January 2009) • Gypsy and Traveller Sites (January 2009)

Date of next meeting

101. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Monday 12 January 2008. Further meeting dates were agreed as follows:

• Monday 30th March 2009 • Monday 6th July 2009 • Monday 5th October 2009 • Monday 18th January 2010

Chairman

The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.