Angmering Village Life
News Archive
August 2007
*The Library - Work will start next week converting part of Angmering Library to a children and family centre. The Centre will aim to provide early education, family support and outreach to parents child, parental involvement, support for parents wishing to consider training and employment, and family health services for families with children under 5. The £240,000 conversion work should not disrupt library services too much, but it may be necessary to close the library for two weeks at the beginning of December.
*School's GCSE Results - Despite a gloss being put on The Angmering School's GCSE results by headteacher, David Brixey, at a time when there was an upward trend nationally, the school's performance this year fell below the national average of 63.3% for the critical A*-C grade passes in five subjects. Last year, passes at these grades (in five subjects) for the school was 65% but this year they had fallen significantly to 56%. A-level results this year, however, continued to improve.
Note: The above quoted school GCSE results were obtained from the Littlehampton Gazette. Headteacher David Brixey has written to the Gazette saying that while they have quoted the correct figures for The Angmering School results, they have used a National figure that is for the percentage of entries that were at grades A* to C rather than the percentage of students gaining 5 passes at grades A* to C. He has pointed out that the national average last year was 58% of students gaining 5 grades A* to C. The figure has not yet been published for this year. (7 Sept 2007)
* Greater in-depth information on this news item can be found in this week's Littlehampton Gazette.
A/117/07 - Construction of 4 no detached houses with associated access and parking on land at West Drive, Ham Manor. For Hargreaves Management Ltd
A/120/07 - Formation of new domestic kitchen garden involving removal of redundant piggeries/stables construction of new greenhouse. Demolition of existing store and piggeries/stables and construction of new family/garden store, gardeners machinery store and residential garage and carport. (Amendment to previous approval A/96/06). At Littlefield Manor, Golfers Lane. For Mr & Mrs S Langmead.
Observations on this/these Application(s) must be received by The Head of Planning Services, Arun District Council, The Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF by 20 September 2007.
Three burglars posing as policemen cornered an 84 year old woman at her home in Downs Way on Wednesday evening (22 August). While one of them prevented the terrified woman moving from her kitchen, the other two searched her possessions and they made off in a westerly direction with £1,425 in cash and other items. The police helicopter circled the vicinity for a while trying to spot the men who may have been on foot.
Café Féliz in The Square has just launched its website. For details of their excellent coffee, their full menu (including their Friday Night Special menu), and some information on Portuguese regions and cities, visit their website at www.cafefeliz.co.uk. Even better, go and try their coffee and the Pastel de Nata (custard tarts with cinnamon)!
Further to the discussion at the Parish Council meeting on 13 August (see minutes below), the Council has announced that following a short Parish Council meeting, a public meeting to discuss the proposed Community Centre, will be held in St Margaret's Church Hall, Arundel Road on Monday 10 September 2007 commencing at approximately 7.30 pm. Please note that this is the Church Hall immediately behind the church and NOT the Village Hall in Station Road.
There is a continuing debate on the Community Centre in the Angmering Village Life Forums (see left-hand navigation bar).
Planning matters - Councillor Nigel Nunn declared a prejudicial interest in planning application A/86/.07 and left the meeting, as the application was for his own property. The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor Steven Mountain, advised that a procedural error had occurred at the meeting held on 17th July when considering application A/86/07. Although the meeting was quorate ( minimum of 3 Councillors) only 2 Councillors voted. The Clerk was asked to take advice and it has been recommended that a new vote on this proposal be taken by the Full Council. Councillor Mountain asked for a vote on A86/07 and the result was 4 for, 1 against and 2 abstentions.
Proposed Community Centre - The Chairman advised that the Chair of the Community Centre Management Committee had resigned and that there would not be a presentation, as planned, this evening. The Parish Council will now call the Committee together and assist in appointing a new Chair. When the meeting was adjourned for public questions, a petition containing 124 signatures, opposing the building of the Community Centre, was handed to the Chairman. The Chairman allowed a period of general discussion about the Community Centre. Some members of the public thought that there had not been enough public consultation, others that it was being planned on the wrong site. The Chairman said that once the meeting was re-convened he would ask the Council to consider holding a public meeting at a suitably large venue. Districts Councillor Hazlehurst asked if the Parish Council would consider supporting graffiti boards at Palmer Road recreation ground. After the meeting had reconvened, Councillor Paul Bicknell suggested that the next scheduled Parish Council meeting should be a Public Meeting to discuss the issues of the Community Centre and that a large venue is needed. It was agreed to try and book Angmering School and start at 7.00 pm to allow 30 minutes for essential Parish Council business before starting the public meeting at 7.30 pm. Councillor Sue Smith suggested that the next P & R committee meeting decide on how the public meeting should be structured. It was agreed to invite interested members of the public to the P & R meeting and allow them to have input into the public meeting agenda. Councillor Steven Mountain was of the opinion that any voting arrangements should be decided on the night.
Bramley Green - Devolution of Services - A “snagging” quote had been received and submitted to the Consortium for authority to proceed. The cost of this work is £2086.80. The Consortium have been asked to pay the £15000.00 already agreed to complete a schedule of work
A/116/07 - Two storey extension to provide new family room with master bedroom, dressing room and en-suite at first floor at Littlefield Manor, Golfers Lane. For Mr & Mrs Langmead.
A/118/07 - Rooms in roof at Manor Barn, Ecclesden Lane. For Mr & Mrs Lower. (Resubmission following A/8/07)
A/119/07/L - Application for Listed Building consent for front and rear velux's at Manor Barn, Ecclesden Lane. For Mr & Mrs Lower. (Resubmission following A/27/07/L)
Observations on this/these Application(s) must be received by The Head of Planning Services, Arun District Council, The Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF by 13 September 2007.
A/104/07/CLP - Application for certificate of lawfulness for a proposed development - a conservatory in existing garden including strip foundations 5.9m wide x 3.2m deep at 3 Chestnut Court. For Mr SN Armstrong.
Observations on this/these Application(s) must be received by The Head of Planning Services, Arun District Council, The Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF by 6 September 2007.
Christine Stepney, elected in May, has recently resigned as a parish councillor. At the meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 13 August, Norman Hadley and Peter Logan were co-opted as new parish councillors.
Angmering Parish Council has provision for 13 seats. With the latest co-options, there are currently 11 councillors.
Would you like to see better services in Angmering and the local district? Do you feel you can't travel to where you want to go because of inadequate public transport or problem roads? Would you like better access to the countryside around you? If your answers to any of these questions is in the affirmative, then you may be interested to have your say on the rural future of West Sussex.
West Sussex County Council (WSCC), on behalf of the West Sussex Rural Partnership, has commissioned a draft West Sussex Rural Strategy to help shape the future which will consider economic and social regeneration, social justice for all, and enhancing the value of the countryside.
If you would like to be part of the consultation process for the Strategy, you can obtain a copy of the draft Strategy document and the consultation questionnaire by contacting WSCC on 01243-756861, email: eeps@westsussex.gov.uk or visiting the WSCC website at www.westsussex.gov.uk . The consultation runs until 5 September 2007.
Arun District Council's Local Development Framework Sub-Committee has just issued a draft report proposing areas where they consider a government target of 9,500 new homes should be built within the next 20 years. The report recommends that existing towns, particularly the north west of Bognor and the north of Littlehampton, should be extended to meet a substantial part of the target.. The adjoining villages of Barnham, Eastergate and Westergate near Bognor and Angmering near Littlehampton were also highlighted as having the greatest scope for development.
The proposed strategy is for Angmering to accommodate a limited amount of new development, probably on a greenfield site, to provide not only for its own needs, but also to serve the needs of neighbouring smaller and less sustainable settlements. Angmering is identified for this development because ADC believes it can provide a relatively good range of local shops and services, including a secondary school, health facilities, and a mainline station. Additionally it is stated to be relatively free of physical and environmental constraints and able to provide some opportunities for expansion beyond its existing settlement boundaries.
The report will be discussed by ADC's LDF sub-committee on August 21 at Arun Civic Centre in Littlehampton at 6pm and then at a full council meeting on 13 September. Members of the public will be able to submit comments on the document over a six-week period from 4 October.
The 124 page report can be viewed or downloaded at:
www.arun.gov.uk/assets/ Planning/PDF/LocalDevelopment
FrameworkCommittee.pdf
Honey Lane - The Senior Assistant Clerk reported that she had continued to chase WSCC for the specification required for the Honey Lane road surface repairs, but unfortunately the person originally dealing with it had left and someone else was now dealing with it, she will continue to chase. The Allotment Society had also suggested that they may do some maintenance work, this will also be investigated.
Traffic Issues - Parking Restrictions – The Square WSCC have advised that they hope to have the new traffic orders ready by the end of August, after that a 21 day consultation period will take place. Radar Guns - Councillor Tim Mayhead said he had investigated the use of radar guns by local people but currently the police were not over keen, as there had been instances where threats had been made by vehicle drivers. The High Street - An email had been received from Rob Torrance of WSCC stating that double and single yellow lines were in place from The Square to The Cottrells and would be enforceable when the new traffic orders were in place. He will also arrange for red surfacing at the starting points for the 20mph maximum speed limit zone, this will be included in the 2008 programme.
Parish Council Footway Lighting Agreements - The Committee agreed that they were in favour of signing up to the new proposed lighting agreement which was to be funded by a private finance initiative. Although it would mean paying an additional £9 per street lamp in maintenance, the entire stock would be replaced over a 5 year period. The Committee requested that the style of the lighting be checked.
Dog Bins/Litter bins - The Committee proposed to install a new dog bin in Dappers Lane and move an existing one further along. A new litterbin has also been suggested on Station Road between Greenwood Drive and the Village. Both can be done within the current budget and the committee agreed unanimously.
Road Closures - The Senior Assistant Clerk report that she had registered the request with WSCC for the complete road closure for the Traders Evening.
Post Box - Councillor Tim Mayhead reported that he had requested quotes from two other companies for the renovation of the Victorian post box in the High Street, as he wanted to ensure that it was done correctly. Mr Terence Kay has also agreed to do a detailed specification of the post box for these quotations.
Planning & Conservation Committee Report - Councillor Steven Mountain reported that the Committee would be objecting to all new building in the Parish, as it understands that this is Parish Council policy and is tied in with the Parish Plan. A Working Party will be set up to review the Parish Plan and to formulate a new Planning Policy.
Community Centre Working Party - Councillor Nigel Nunn has had a meeting with the Chair of the Management Committee and they are being asked to attend and speak at the next Parish Council meeting. Councillor Sue Smith said that it was important to employ a professional Project manager for the build who would liaise with Parish Council / Contractors / Management Committee. The Parish Council will be asked, subject to approval of construction costs, to agree to the appointment of a part time Project Manager.
Youth Activities Working Party - A meeting will be called to discuss the possibility of moving some equipment from the main open space in Bramley Green to the proposed Kickabout area. There has been an enquiry from a junior six-a-side to use the open space originally allocated as the bowls site off Mayflower Way. The E & L Committee will be asked to consider this and to decide if any rent is to be levied.
Grants - The Committee considered the applications for grants and approved the following awards: Angmering Cricket Club £250, Angmering Allotment Association £400, Angmering Village Hall £300, British Legion – Women’s Section £300, St Margaret’s Church Child Contact Centre £100, 4Sight £250, Angmering Guiding £100, St Margaret’s Church £200, St Margaret’s Church Friday Club £535, St Margaret’s School PTA £250, William Older Playgroup £400. Applications from Angmering Scouts and ASRA will be considered when additional information has been obtained.
LIVE! Project - It was agreed to ask Mr. N. Rogers-Davis to put the suggested Policy and Actions for Consideration on the Angmering Village Life web site to generate debate, which can be monitored. This will be an agenda item for the next P & R meeting.
*The Lamb Inn - The pub is now in the hands of administrators and it appears that several parties are interested in opening the inn. In the meantime, the external toilets, which The Lamb lease out to the the Parish Council as public toilets remain closed for lack of insurance cover. A discussion on the current situation at The Lamb can be found on the Angmering Village Life Forums.
*Champions - Congratulations to Angmering Stoolball Club who have won the Sussex League West Division championship for the 13th successive year..
* Greater in-depth information on this news item can be found in this week's Littlehampton Gazette.
A/110/07 - Proposed modifications to roof space to form 2 no. bedrooms and bathroom together with replacement car port with garage at Elmwood, Ham Manor Close. For Mr TJ Siggs.
A/111/07 - Two rear extensions at Corona, Station Road. For Mr & Mrs M Dyson.
Observations on this/these Application(s) must be received by The Head of Planning Services, Arun District Council, The Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF by 30 August 2007.
A set of keys was handed to PCSO Oakley on Saturday that had been found on Fletcher's Field during the Market. They were a Nissan car key and a gold yale key for a front door. They are at Arundel police station if anyone is missing them.
As mentioned in our news item dated 30 July (below), if you feel strongly about the 'Fit for the Future' proposals being put forward by the Primary Care Trust concerning the future of West Sussex hospitals, you may wish to attend the meeting of the WSCC Joint East Arun Area Committee (made up of County, District and Parish Councillors) who will be discussing the issue on Tuesday 7th August at Littlehampton Community School 6.00pm - 8.00pm.
If, for some reason, you are unable to get to the meeting, you will be able to watch and listen to the discussion LIVE between 6.00pm and 8.00pm on the WSCC webcast.
With clear blue skies and temperatures reaching 24 degC (although seeming much warmer), the weather could not have been better. Neither did the Market itself disappoint. Fletcher's Field, packed with some 60 stalls, was the fullest it had been for a long time. I think everyone who came - and there were very many of them - found something to interest them or to buy. Congratulations must go to Val Jerram whose sheer hard work and persistence made the event such an outstanding success. Below are some pictures taken by Ray Whitehouse.
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Here is a reminder that the biggest Summer event in the village, the Angmering Farmers' Market & Celebration of Village Life and Sussex Crafts, will be held on Fletcher's Field TOMORROW - Saturday, 4 August - between 9.30am and 2.00pm. Now, even if you forget, you will be reminded by the bells of St Margaret's Church which will be ringing out across the village between 9.30am and 10.00am to signal the opening. Anyone who went to the event last year will be aware that it was an outstanding success. This year, with over 60 stalls and all the principal village organisations being represented, it promises to be even bigger and better! For full details of stalls, entertainments, etc, see our news items dated 26 July (below).
Do go and support the event - the weather forecast is excellent!
A/105/07 - Conversion of dwelling house with attached granny annexe to two dwelling units at 102 Downs Way (East Preston). For Mr M Adams.
A/106/07 - Siting of horticultural mobile home/chalet at Foschini Nursery, Hangleton Lane (Ferring). For Mr & Mrs GL Foschini.
A/108/07 - Front extension, rear extension, side extension and raising roof with front and rear dormers at Walnuts, The Avenals. For Mr & Mrs Goodman.
Observations on this/these Application(s) must be received by The Head of Planning Services, Arun District Council, The Arun Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF by 23 August 2007.