EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD
ON 12th JANUARY 2011

Present: Mr I Heustice (Chairman), Mr J Stringer (Vice-chairman), Mr F Martin, Mr J Dabson, Mr D Pack, Mrs J Macdonald-Lawson, Mr M Taylor, Mrs J Deacon-Ford, Dr A Guyatt, Mr B Gowar, Mrs E Hamilton (CDC), Mr M Brown (WSCC), the Clerk and five members of the public.

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

Mr D Spragg, agent for the applicant of planning application EB/10/04790/FUL, explained some of the measurements regarding the proposed new dwelling at Highmeads, Upperfield, and answered questions posed by members of the Council.

Mr P Perry asked about progress towards the New Residents’ Welcome Pack.  He also asked when the 40mph area on the A286 would be reduced to 30mph. He understood that this will be before June 2011. 

10/11
70 Apologies for Absence: Mrs A Marchand

71 Declaration of Interest: by Mr F Martin on Agenda item 77 – planning application EB/10/04790/FUL

72 The Minutes of the meeting held on 10th November 2010: acceptance as a true record proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mrs Macdonald-Lawson.  All in favour.

73 Matters Arising: none

74 Report from County Councillor: Mr Brown spoke of the financial restraints being imposed on WSCC by the government cuts.  The County Council has made £80m in cuts, £60m in managerial and staff cuts and out-sourcing, together with £20m in service cuts.  The County Council is working together with other organisations, such as hospitals, Sussex University and Brighton and Hove Council to make further savings by out-sourcing. It may also be that the County Council will pass over responsibility for some services, such as youth clubs, to local volunteer groups, charging a pepper-corn rent for the premises. Other service cuts could be made in the library service or the provision of lollipop ladies. Mr Brown confirmed that the change of speed limit from 40mph to 30mph would happen during the year 2011/2012.

75 Report from District Councillor: Mrs Hamilton also spoke of the budget cuts being imposed on the District Council.  “Football in the Community” sessions will be held in Easebourne on 22nd and 23rd of February.  Further details from Ben Polhill on 01243 534857. The appeal against refusal of planning permission for Northgate, Dodsley Grove, is to be held on Wednesday 9th February at 10am at East Pallant House. Changes to the Tourist Information Centres are being discussed.

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

b) The internal check of accounts for November and December 2010, by Mr Stringer, was noted.

c)  Acceptance of the draft budget for 2011/2012 was proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mrs Deacon-Ford.  All in favour.  The Precept remains at £12,500.

77 Planning

Councillors had the opportunity to view the planning application EB/10/04790/FUL: Highmeads, Upperfield, before the meeting.  The planning panel comments regarding the application were read to the meeting, together with their suggestion that the Parish Council object to the application. The Planning Panel voted unanimously to Object to the application. Mr Martin, having declared an interest, left the room before discussion commenced.   
No date has yet been set for the re-arranged public briefing on the King Edward VII Hospital application  

78 Reports from the Panels
a ) Playground:  repairs/replacements for the equipment damaged by vandalism are underway, but may be slightly delayed by the weather conditions.  All are being claimed from the insurance company.

b) Burial Ground: all in order

c) Footpaths: most of the faults reported by Mr Gowar last year have been attended to.  Mr Martin will accompany Mr Gowar in walking and checking the footpaths this year.

d) Grants: thank you letters received from Royal British Legion and Open Door project for grants given. New request received from Victim Support.  Clerk to ask for copy of accounts

79 Winter Management Plan – assessment.  It was considered that our plan for snow clearance was over-ambitious.  However, we did receive the hippo bags from WSCC, though not always at the right time.  Contractors worked a combined 50 hours on path clearance. Public needs to be made more aware of their role in helping to grit pavements and difficult road surfaces, using the grit provided in the hippo bags.

80 New Residents’ Welcome Pack: several businesses in Easebourne had been approached with view to including vouchers in the pack. Mixed response.

81 Elections:  Election day will be 5th May 2011, when voting will take place to appoint Parish Councillors and  District Councillors.  The Government Referendum will also be held on the same day. Nomination forms for the Parish Council elections will be available from the Clerk in due course.

82 Annual Spring Clean: will take place on Monday 28th March at 6pm, meeting at the Cowdray Estate office car park.  The Clerk to arrange provision of equipment.

83 Annual Village Meeting: will be held on Wednesday 13th April when the guest speaker will be Heather Ongley, giving an illustrated talk entitled “Cowdray Past, Present and Future”.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm.

Next Parish Council meeting will be held on 9th March 2011 at 7.30pm.

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