were received from Mr I Heustice and Lt Col T  Pemberton (WSCC).  Mr D Warner chaired the meeting.

was made by Mr J Stringer on Agenda item 06/07 71d (Rotherfield Sports Association)

due to his absence Lt Col Pemberton submitted a written report that was read to the meeting.

1. Road sign to King Edward VII Hospital to be removed as it is now redundant.

2. School crossing lights at both crossing points are running almost permanently, thus eroding their value. Senior crossing patrol officer to be advised. Parish Council to apply pressure at local level.

3. Highways officers were alerted on 15th November 2006, following EPC email, about flooding and silt opposite Budgenor Lodge. Officers in dialogue with Cowdray Estate to ensure that the highway is not flooded due to any action on their part.

4. A works order has been raised to paint the steps from High Path down to Dodsley Lane and to repair the mesh fencing running alongside High Path.

5. A penalty Notice sign about parking, on the grass verge at Egmont Road, will be removed as it was made under a county byelaw that became obsolete when Local Government was reorganised in 1974.

6. The completion of Highways works at Budgenor Lodge is still pending awaiting a legal agreement.

7. An update has been requested over the siting of a pedestrian crossing point at the Wheelbarrow Castle/Dodsley Lane junction. The Clerk was asked to contact Lt Col Pemberton to see if the Parish Council could be notified of impending works in the village, other than routine maintenance.

Mr Fay reminded the meeting that the planning application for the King Edward VII Hospital site was still in the hands of the CDC Planning Officers, following receipt of the views of many consultees.

427 SALC, new Councillor training course (F Martin) £70.50

428 Communicorp, subscription to “Clerks & Councils” £9.00

429 British Legion, poppy wreath and donation £100.00

430 WSCC, street lighting energy & maintenance to 31.08.06 £726.61

431 St Mary’s Church PCC, room hire 08.03.06 to 08.11.06 £154.00

432 B Gowar, WSCC book, “West Sussex Parish Maps” £18.00

433 R Wallis, burial ground maintenance 01.10.06 to 31.12.06 £590.83

434 C Allan, Clerk’s salary 01.10.06 to 31.12.06 £900.00

434 C Allan, clerk’s telephone and travelling expenses £95.59

The following planning decisions were noted EPC CDC

06/02365/FUL: Polo Cottage, Hollist Lane, 1 new detached cottage EPC - Object CDC - Permit

06/03943/DOM: Bethel, Old Henley Road, 1 & 2 storey extensions EPC - No obj CDC - Permit

06/04164/DOM: Budgenor Cottage, convert garage to accommodation for elderly relatives
EPC - No obj CDC - Refuse

06/04186/DOM: Hunsdon, Easebourne Lane, rear extensions EPC - No obj CDC - Permit

06/04482/DOM: 12 High Path, 2 storey extension & replace garage EPC - No obj CDC - Permit

06/04987/DOM: 9 Vanzell Road, loft conversion with dormer windows EPC - No obj CDC - Permit

Mr Stringer attended the CDC Planning Committee (North) meeting where decisions were made on Polo Cottage and Budgenor Cottage. In both instances the decisions were contrary to the Parish Council’s opinion. Mr Martin asked for an explanation of the Planning Application procedure between the District Council and the Parish Council, which he was given.

a) Playground: Mrs Marchand asked if the dead leaves could be cleared from around the equipment because they may present a danger of slipping. Clerk to ask the Golf Club Manager if this could be done.

b) Burial Ground: no problems

c) Footpaths: although the erosion of the steps on Footpath 1117 near Winter’s Lane was reported in November the work has not yet been done. Clerk to chase this.
The finger post footpath sign is down in Wick Lane. Clerk to report this.
The overhanging laurel hedge at the Conifers School is still obstructing pedestrians on Easebourne Street. Although the school has been asked in the past to trim the hedge back to the level of the retaining wall this has not happened. The hedge is trimmed each year but not back to the wall. Clerk to write to the Trustees.
The bend sign on the A272, Easebourne Lane, is becoming obscured again by shrubbery. Clerk to write to occupant.

d) Grants: thank you letters have been received from 1st Easebourne Scout Group and the Royal
British legion for recent donations.
A grant was awarded to the Citizens Advice Bureau in the sum of £200. Proposed by Mr Dabson and seconded by Mrs Deacon-Ford. All in favour.

Mr Stringer withdrew from the meeting before an application from the Rotherfield Sports Association was considered. A one-off grant, towards the cost of maintaining the mower, of £200 was proposed by Mr Dabson and seconded by Mrs Marchand. All in favour.

the proposed implementation of parking charges in Midhurst was discussed at length. Mr Gowar and Mr Dabson both pointed out that the calculations in the CDC “Statement of Reasons” document, about the number of additional vehicles that would need to park in the North Street car park whilst people visited the Ruins, was incorrect. The Clerk to write to Mr M Lewin at CDC about this. It was proposed by Mrs Deacon-Ford and seconded by Mr Dabson that the Parish Council object to the imposition of parking charges for Midhurst. Majority in favour. Clerk to inform CDC of the decision. Prior to this meeting the Parish Council had been asked to sign a letter, from Midhurst Town Council to CDC, objecting to the charges. Mr Heustice signed this letter after ascertaining that the majority of Councillors were in favour.

Mrs Hamilton updated the meeting on the progress of the “Ruins” project. There will be another recruitment day for volunteers to be held on Saturday 27th January at 10.30am, meeting at the new Visitor Centre. Plans are going ahead for organised celebrations on 31st March to launch the attraction. Mr Martin asked if the guide book, when published, could include some advertising by local businesses as this would help to promote the town and also off-set some of the publication costs. Mr Stringer congratulated Mrs Hamilton on so ably representing the Parish Council on the Heritage Trust over a period of many years.

In the light of anxieties expressed about the quantity of shooting taking place at the St James Quarry site and following a visit there by three Councillors in October 2006 it was agreed that a further meeting, between the 3 Councillors, followed by a meeting with Mr Windle of the Cowdray Estate, should be arranged. A report on the noise aspects of the Clay Pigeon Shooting has been obtained from CDC and will be considered, together with the planning permission conditions. The meeting with Mr Windle to be in addition to the regular Parish/Estate meetings, another of which should be arranged in the near future to discuss matters of mutual interest.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 14th March 2007 at 7.30pm, in the Refectory

The meeting closed at 9.12pm