EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
WEDNESDAY 14th JANUARY 2009

Present: Mr J Stringer (Vice-chairman), Mr B Gowar, Mr J Dabson, Mr D Pack, Mrs A Marchand, Mr M Taylor, Mr F Martin, Mrs J Deacon-Ford, Dr A Guyatt, Mrs E Hamilton (EPC and CDC), Lt Col T Pemberton (WSCC) and the Clerk

08/09
58 Apologies for Absence: Mr I Heustice (Chairman)
In the absence of Mr Heustice, Mr Stringer chaired the meeting

59 Declaration of Interest: Mrs Hamilton, Dr Guyatt and Lt Col Pemberton declared an interest on Agenda item 67(b).  Lt Col Pemberton declared an interest on Agenda item 61 relating to Minute 55 of 12th November 2008.

60 The Minutes of the meeting held on 12th November 2008 were confirmed and signed as a true record.  All in favour.

61 Matters Arising: Minute 51(c).  Clerk congratulated on finally getting the hedge cut back at Conifers School. Can the same be done for Woodstock, Vanzell Road.  Clerk to write to owner. Minute 55. Mr Stringer will mention the possible future use of the Intermediate School site at the next NW Frontier Community Forum meeting.

62 Report from the County Councillor: Lt Col Pemberton reported the following:

County Local Committee, next meeting on 10th March 2009 at Rogate Primary School at 7pm.

Street Lighting to Budgenor Lodge: this has been approved and installation should commence in February.  If this lighting illuminates the highway it should result in the extension of the 30mph speed limit to just north of Budgenor Lodge.

Roundel at the start of the speed limits:  the Parish Council request for a 40mph roundel, southbound, on the A286, north of Budgenor Lodge, should be put on hold until the possible change to 30mph is determined.

Budgenor Lodge: highways works, under an agreement signed with the developer, are underway or completed.  An informal crossing at Wheelbarrow Castle junction with A286 is completed, as is a new footpath north from Budgenor Lodge and a bus stop lay-by in front of the development.  Still to be done is an on road bus cage near the informal crossing and an additional School Crossing sign, south of the crossing.

Budget: WSCC at bottom of Government funding allocation, but, with efficiency savings, tax increase anticipated to be below 4%.

Statement of Partnership with Local Councils: approved in December 2008 and copies to all Councillors.  Questions at next meeting

63 Report from the District Councillor: Mrs Hamilton reported the following:

Midhurst Vision: meetings of sub-groups continue.  £5000 of CDC funds to Promote Midhurst Christmas Festivities on 13th December.  Little gained due to extreme wet weather.

Greening Communities: project to encourage communities to combat climate change.  For details contact Emma Livett at www.greening-campaign.co.uk

CDC Budget 2009/10: government grant only being increased by 0.5%.  Revenues from car parking and planning are falling but with tight management CDC hoping to keep their Council Tax increase to 1.4%.

N W Frontier Community Forum: meeting at The Grange on Wednesday 21st January at 7pm.  The Agenda includes The Future of Rother Valley Schools, Review of the Midhurst Area Office and  Mr David Grove, CDC Director of Finance.

Free Swimming: CDC has applied for government funding to offer free swimming to the over 60s and under 16s.

65 The Publication Scheme for the Freedom of Information Act: the adoption of this scheme was proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mrs Deacon-Ford.  All in favour.  The Clerk to provide information about various policy statements to the next meeting.

66 Finance:
a) The following payments were noted (cheque numbers 100-) 

a) The receipt of £3000.00 from CDC for contribution to Mobile Youth Centre was noted

b) The receipt of £2000.00 from CDC for contribution to new bus shelter was noted

c) The receipt of £1462.48 from WSCC  bus shelter grant scheme was noted

d) The internal check of accounts for November and December 2008, by Mr Stringer, was noted All Councillors have received a copy of the Budget/Expenditure for the three quarters to 31st December 2008

67 Planning:

The planning application 08/04711/COU, River Ground Stables, Cowdray Ruins for “Change of use to host civil ceremonies, wedding receptions, occasional horticultural and other similar events in addition to the existing approved business portfolio of Room In The Garden”, was discussed. It was proposed to object to the application on the grounds that the car parking activity, brought about by the many guests who could attend weddings or similar functions, would be intrusive to the nearby residential dwellings, the quiet enjoyment of the amenities of the area, including the Cowdray Ruins, and could also occur after midnight, with guests leaving a reception.  In addition, coaches and buses have already been noted, trying to approach the venue, on the totally unsuitable access road.  The Parish Council has no objection to the business function of the Room in the Garden.  Majority in favour of objection. Declaration of interest by Mrs Hamilton and Dr Guyatt, who did not vote.

d) Grants: thank you letter from Royal British Legion following donation for poppy wreath.  New application, from Rotherfield Sports Association, for a grant towards the maintenance of the sports facilities.  Mrs Deacon-Ford proposed a grant of £250, seconded by Mr Dabson.  All in favour.

69 Street Lighting Timing: the Clerk updated the meeting on the progress of changing the timing of the street lights that currently run on an “all-night” instead of “part-night” schedule. Following an inspection by the Clerk and the WSCC Lighting Superintendent, in December, a further inspection was carried out on 14th January between the Superintendent and the WSCC lighting contractor. As a result, the contractor is going to try to change  the timing cells of the “all-night” lamps. This may not be possible with the oldest lamp columns, but the Superintendent will report progress in due course.

70 Budgenor Lodge S106: with the imminent receipt of a 50% contribution towards the cost of the new cradle swing unit, the present round of expenditure has come to an end. The balance remaining to be spent is £10,614.88.  Confirmation has been received, from CDC, that this may not be used for decorative village signs or flower/shrub planting.

71 Annual Spring Clean will be held on Monday 30th March 2009, commencing at 6pm and meeting in  the Estate Office car park.  Clerk to arrange the supply of equipment. Annual Village Meeting will be on Wednesday 8th April 2009 at 7pm.  Clerk to organise a speaker and arrange advertising.

72 Late Correspondence
Planning application EB/08/05006/FUL, Ashley, Upperfield for “erection of two dwellings following demolition of existing dwelling” was discussed.  Letter of objection from resident brought to the attention of the meeting.  It was proposed by Mr Dabson to object to the application on the grounds of unsuitable density and visual impact on the area, together with the proximity to the road of the proposed dwellings, in comparison to neighbouring properties. It was felt that any proposed properties would benefit from a lower roof height, perhaps by being chalet bungalows. Seconded by Mr Martin.  Majority in favour.

Proposed planning application, for the Tile House, Easebourne Lane.  CDC has recommended applicant to discuss his proposal, for the erection four dwellings, with the Parish Council, prior to submission of a formal planning application.  Clerk to arrange a meeting, when contacted by the applicant.
           
The meeting closed at 9.40pm

Next Parish Council meeting will be held on 11th March 2009 at 7.30pm.

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