Agenda, decisions and minutes

33.1 The Chairman introduced the Committee and welcomed Members, Officers and the public to the meeting.

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda. They shall also make declarations at any stage should any such interest become apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it. If in doubt contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

It is recorded in the register of interests that:

·         Dr Walsh is a Member of Arun District Council and Littlehampton Town Council.

·         Mr Ian Buckland is a Member of Arun District Council and Littlehampton Town Council.

·         Mr Daniel Purchese is a Member of Arun District Council and Littlehampton Town Council.

·         Mr Roger Elkins is a Member of of Arun District Council and Ferring Parish Council.

These interests only need to be declared at the meeting if there is an agenda item to which they relate.

34.1 Arun District Councillor Colin Oliver-Redgate advised a non-pecuniary interest under agenda item 7 as a Member of the Ferring Cricket Club, as they ere an applicant for CIF.

To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 November 2018.

35.1 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last meeting be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider any items not on the agenda, which the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances.

36.1 The were none.

To invite questions from members of the public present at the meeting.

The Committee would encourage members of the public to submit their questions at least 3 days in advance of the meeting to allow more substantive answers to be given.

Please contact Jack Caine on 0330 222 8941 or via email jack.caine@Westsussex.gov.uk

37.1 There were no questions from members of the public present.

Details of reported crimes can be found at http://www.police.uk

Local Statistics are provided within the agenda papers.

38.1 The Chairman welcomed Police Inspector Steve Turner to the meeting, who reported on a number of crime issues in the local area, in addition to providing an overview of up to date crime statistics

38.2 It as advised that crimes relating to ASB, domestic abuse and alcohol related & violent crime were higher than average, however this could be attributed to the statistics coming the festive period in December and January.

38.3 It as noted that vehicle crime, particularly vehicle theft was increased. However this could also be attributed to longer nights and more opportunistic thefts taking place.

38.4 It was further advised that Sussex Police were conducting research in specific violent and alcohol related crimes. Such as the time of day/area/root causes, in order to tackle the issue.

38.5 The Chairman thanked PI Turner for the update and invited the committee to ask questions on the statistics. The following information was provided:

·       Some statistics had been concerning, however due to continued efforts of the police force and information from the public, a particular group had been identified as the main contributor to elevated levels of vehicular crime, and had been dealt with.

·       A higher level of police presence would seek to mitigate some of the higher statistics shown and PCSOs are key in collecting intelligence that leads to prevention of crime. It was advised that online reporting was being underutilised and members of the public were encouraged to contact police in this way.

·       Due to feedback from the public, a significant amount of funding was being provided to increase the usefulness of ‘101’ in reporting crime and anti-social behaviour.

·       Police officers regularly attending town and parish Council meetings in order to provide updates on local crime statistics, however it was noted by the Chairman that in the last year there had been a police presence at only one full Council meeting.

·        The effectiveness of the Police forse and police presence in any one area was bolstered by the support and assistance from members of the public. The public were encouraged to use ‘101’, online reporting and speaking directly to PCSOs to report crime and ASB.

Report by the Director of Law and Assurance.

The County Council Members of the Committee are invited to consider pitches made to the Community Initiative Fund via The West Sussex Crowd and pledge funding accordingly.

At its meeting on 5 March 2019 the Joint Eastern Arun Area Committee considered the Community Initiative Funding applications received via the West Sussex Crowd as set out in Appendix A.

RESOLVED that the following pledges be approved:-

·         236/JEAAC – Ferring Funtime Community Preschool, up to £3,500, toward providing a multifunctional storage space for children with special educational needs.

·         287/JEAAC – Ferring Cricket Club, up to £1,800 toward purchasing ancillary maintenance equipment.

·         288/JEAAC – Littlehampton Sportsfield Trust, up to £3,500, toward installing an upgraded, computerised irrigation system.

·         322/JEAAC – Littlehampton’s Organisation of Community Arts, up to £2,500, towards publicity and stage marquee costs for the community Love Festival.

The following applications were refused:

·         279/JEAAC – St John the Baptist C of E primary School, Findon Village Summer revels – because the associated costs of the project were to fund unhealthy foods which conflicted with West Sussex County Council corporate priorities on promoting healthy eating and wellbeing.

and

·         304/JEAAC – Ague UK West Sussex, Creating info guides for older people – because the project manager was a national charity rather than a local charity and did not fit in-line with the CIF criteria regarding local impact.

The Call-in deadline is the 13 March.

39.1 The Committee considered a written report from the Director of Law and Assurance and the recommendation to consider grant funding to applications submitted to CIF via the West Sussex Crowd.

39.2 The committee considered each application on its merits and it was

RESOLVED that the following pledges be approved:-

·       236/JEAAC – Ferring Funtime Community Preschool, up to £3,500, toward providing a multifunctional storage space for children with special educational needs.

·       287/JEAAC – Ferring Cricket Club, up to £1,800 toward purchasing ancillary maintenance equipment.

·       288/JEAAC – Littlehampton Sportsfield Trust, up to £3,500, toward installing an upgraded, computerised irrigation system.

·       322/JEAAC – Littlehampton’s Organisation of Community Arts, up to £2,500, towards publicity and stage marquee costs for the community Love Festival.

The following applications were refused:

·       279/JEAAC – St John the Baptist C of E primary School, Findon Village Summer revels – because the associated costs of the project were to fund unhealthy foods which conflicted with West Sussex County Council corporate priorities on promoting healthy eating and wellbeing.

and

·       304/JEAAC – Ague UK West Sussex, Creating info guides for older people – because the project manager was a national charity rather than a local charity and did not fit in-line with the CIF criteria regarding local impact.

Notes from the last meeting of the JEAAC Highways and Transport Sub Group held on Thursday 28^th February 2019.

Members are asked to note the report and consider any recommendations.

40.1 The Committee were asked it note the minutes tabled at the meeting from the last meeting of the Highways and Transport Sub Group, held on 28February 2019 and consider any recommendations.

40.2 Dr James Walsh, the Chairman for the subgroup provided a brief update on the ongoing works to lyminster bypass and the A259. A question was asked regarding the widening of the A259, resulting in a loss of barrier trees. The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport was asked to investigate this loss and report back at the next meeting.

40.3 The Committee noted the notes of the meeting.

Report by Director of Education & Skills.

The County Council Members of the Committee are asked to consider the nominations of Authority School Governors as set out in the Report.

RESOLVED that the following nomination for appointment be approved:

·         Mrs Sue Meekings, to Summerlea Community Primary School, for a four year term.

The Call-in deadline is the 13 March.

41.1 The Committee considered the written report from the Director of Education and skill and the recommendation to approve the nomination. It was

RESOLVED that the following nomination for appointment be approved:

·       Mrs Sue Meekings, to Summerlea Community Primary School, for a four year term.

To consider any items from Town or Parish Council representatives that have not been covered by the agenda and are thought to be in the interest of the whole Committee. Town and Parish Council representatives are reminded that any Highways and Transport items should be taken to the JEAAC Highways and Transport Sub Group in the first instance.

The Chairman would encourage members to submit their question at least 3 days in advance of the meeting to allow a more substantive answer to be given. Please contact Jack Caine on 0330 222 8941 or via email at Jack.Caine@westsussex.gov.uk

42.1 There were none.

43.1 It was requested that an item on GP surgeries be brought to a future meeting to address the concern of poor service levels due to a lack of available surgeries in the area.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 7pm on 11 June 2019 at the White Swan, Chichester Road, Arundel.

Members wishing to place an item on the agenda should notify Jack Caine on 033 022 28941 or via email at: jack.caine@westsussex.gov.uk

Future meeting dates confirmed as:

11 June

5 November

17 March 2020

44.1 The Chairman confirmed that the next meeting of the Joint Eastern Arun Area Committee would be held on 11 June at 7pm in the White Swan, Chichester Road, Arundel.

44.2 Any member wishing to add an item to the agenda for future meetings should contact Jack Caine on 0330 222 8941 or via email at jack.caine@westsussex.gov.uk.