PLEASE NOTE THESE MINUTES ARE UNADOPTED - THE MINUTES BELOW ARE DUE TO BE APPROVED AT THE START OF THE NEXT
EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON 14th MARCH 2012.

___________________________________

EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11TH JANUARY 2012

The first ten minutes were available for the public to express a view or ask questions about any item on the Agenda.

Present: Mr B Gowar (Vice-chairman), Mr A Revill, Mrs H Grantham, Mr M Taylor,Mrs J Macdonald-Lawson, Mr F Martin, Mr A Thomas, Dr A Guyatt, Mr M Brown (WSCC) and the Clerk

11/12
66 Apologies for Absence: Mr I Heustice (Chairman), Mr D Pack, Mr J Stringer and Mrs Hamilton (CDC)

67 Declaration of Interests: Mr M Taylor on Agenda Item 11/12 (76), and Mr Martin on Agenda item 11/12 (73).

68 Confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 9th November 2011.  Acceptance as a true record was proposed by Mrs Macdonald-Lawson, seconded by Mr Martin.  All in favour.

69 Matters Arising: None

70 Report from County Councillor:  Mr Brown reported on the setting up of an Easebourne liaison group to consider the future options for use of the MRC (Easebourne site) when it is vacated in 2012/2013.  WSCC has approved funding to renovate the buildings for use by the Primary School. See Agenda item 74 for Parish Council comments.

The necessary legislation is underway to change the speed limit on Dodsley Lane from 40 mph to 30 mph.  This should be enacted before 31st March 2012.  
Hopefully the WSCC element of next year’s Council Tax will be frozen.
WSCC, in meetings at government level, are trying to get more central funding for West Sussex. Mr Brown is trying to resurrect the idea of using SID (Speed Indicator Device) in Easebourne.

71 Report from District Councillor:  In the absence of Mrs Hamilton her written report was read to the meeting. The CDC Chief Executive is retiring.  Sunday car park charges in Chichester will be re-considered on 24th January by the full Council.  Public convenience closures are to be delayed while officers evaluate other options.  Healthy lifestyle promotion, with advisors.  CDC Car Park Services now situated at East Pallant House.  Farmers’ Markets to continue, but efforts to be made to reduce costs and increase income.  Half Term activities: Football at MRC Easebourne site on 16th and 17th February at £5 per head.  Rugby – free taster – at MRC Easebourne site on 13th and 14th February.  To register and for more details contact Ben Polhill on 01243 534857.

The Housing Register for Chichester District now contains 5165 households.

72 Finance
a) The following payments, including VAT (cheque numbers 100-) were noted

b) The internal check of accounts for November and December 2011, by Mr Taylor, was noted

c) The draft budget for 2012/2013 was accepted and a Precept of £12,500 was proposed by Mr Taylor, seconded by Mr Martin and unanimously approved.       
d) The increase in the cost of room hire for the Refectory was noted.

73 Planning:

Application EB/11/01943/FULNP for Highmeads, Upperfield, refused permission by CDC, has been sent to appeal. Clerk to write to appeal board reiterating our previous objections.

74 Midhurst Rother College (Easebourne site): Mr Revill reported on the first meeting of the liaison group, held on 30th November 2011.  The site will probably be handed back to WSCC in summer 2013.  Under discussion is the moving of the Primary school to the site, after renovations and alterations.  Two smaller blocks of buildings could be made available for community or stakeholder use. Midhurst Town Football Club need improved facilities and it is believed that Cowdray are interested in moving Midhurst Rugby Football Club away from their existing ground. A general discussion ensued about sports facilities locally.  At future meetings the group should invite stakeholders to attend, such as SDNPA, CDC, Cowdray Estate, Governors of the Primary School and leader of WSCC Big Society. The group is not decision making, but one that could influence, advise and coordinate.

Mrs Macdonald-Lawson expressed concern that the needs of Easebourne were being overlooked by the emphasis on moving numerous Midhurst sporting facilities to the site.  She suggested that a questionnaire could be sent to all households (at the time of the leaflet drop for the Annual Village Meeting) asking for their input on what facilities Easebourne residents would like to see.

75 Reports from Panels: 
a) Playground.  Two quotes have been obtained for the purchase and installation of new playground equipment.  Because of the possibility that the playground could move to the MRC Easebourne site in the next few years it was decided to defer the decision to purchase equipment until more information is available.  Mr Thomas expressed concern about the safety of the large chestnut trees at the entrance to the playground.  Clerk to contact the Cowdray Estate.

b) Burial Ground.  No problems but because of the mild weather the grass is rather long.

c) Footpaths.  No problems.

d) Grants.  A grant of £50 to Royal British Legion for the poppy wreath was proposed by Mr Taylor, seconded by Dr Guyatt and carried unanimously.  It was proposed by Mr Revill and seconded by Mrs Macdonald-Lawson, to give £200 to Rother Valley Together.  Majority in favour. Our grant funds are now completely used for 2011/2012.

We are in receipt of several other applications for funding, including Midhurst Time Bank, Midhurst Community Bus Association, CAB, Disability Awareness, Victim Support and further funding for Rother Valley Together.  These applications will have to be considered in the new financial year commencing 1st April 2012.  Mr Revill suggested that, because of the number of requests, they all be considered together, at one time during the year, possibly September. This to be discussed at the March meeting.

76 Cowdray Sustainable Development Plan:  Mr Thomas suggested that these plans could be  discussed as part of a possible Neighbourhood Plan.  Mr Thomas will contact SDNPA to find out their views/advice on compiling a Neighbourhood plan.  Mr Windle to be asked if he would speak at the March meeting.

77 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 2012: The meeting was advised that, under the auspices of StMary’s Church, there will be Jubilee celebrations on Sunday 3rd June 2012.  These will consist of an afternoon event at the Cowdray Ruins and an evening barn dance and hog roast on the lawn  in front of the Priory.
Provision of free commemorative mugs for all children of junior school age (11 and under) was discussed.  It was proposed by Mr Revill and seconded by Mr Thomas to purchase 108 mugs from Norfolk China at a cost of £2.95 per mug + carriage + VAT. Majority in favour.

78 Winter Management:  Mr Revill reported that we receive daily up-dates from WSCC on weather conditions and whether any action is required to grit the roads.  So far this year the gritting lorries have only been out three times. We have been advised by WSCC that if we want additional roads gritted, over and above the WSCC priority routes, we need to employ contractors ourselves.  They would be subject to a contract, approved by WSCC, and would grit given roads at our request.  We would be responsible for checking their work and approving their invoices, although these would be passed to WSCC for payment.  Mr Revill to contact ACS about this and report to the March meeting.

79 SDNPA/City and Country – Community Liaison Committee for King Edward VII development:  The meeting was advised that this group had met once and a further meeting is to be held on 23rd January.  Mr Heustice to attend on behalf of the Parish Council.

80 Correspondence and notices received.
Councillors were advised that the Annual Village Spring Clean would be held on Monday 26th March 2012 at 6pm, meeting at the Cowdray Estate office car park.
The speaker for the Annual Village Meeting on 11th April 2012 will be Bruce Middleton, SDNPA Area Manager, who will give an illustrated talk about the SDNP and the wildlife of this area.

The meeting closed at 10.10pm

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 14th March 2012 at 7.30pm.

Mrs Carole Allan, Clerk to Easebourne Parish Council, 1 Ashfield Close, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9RP. Telephone: 01730 813374.  Email: easebournepc@tiscali.co.uk