26 Budgenor Lodge S106 update.  New benches and additional play equipment now installed.  Planning permission has been received for the stair lift at the Refectory and the order confirmed with the supplier. £2000.00 has been agreed as part payment of new bus shelter with information board. Further options to be considered at next meeting.

27 Schools in Midhurst/Easebourne update.  Announcement by WSCC that their preferred option for the new school/Academy for the Rother Valley is the Midhurst Grammar School site. In view of this preference, the future of the Midhurst Intermediate School site in Easebourne was discussed.  It was proposed by Mrs Hamilton and seconded by Dr Guyatt that a letter be sent to Mrs Pat Arculus (WSCC) containing the Parish Council resolution that the MIS site, when vacated as a school, should, in addition to other proposals, include an element of sporting/community facilities.  The Parish Council proposes the retention of the existing playing field, and in addition, the sports facilities currently at the Rotherfield site, a sports pavilion and possibly the children’s playground. All in favour. Clerk to write and also to request a meeting to discuss the proposal.

The meeting closed at 9.50pm

Next Parish Council meeting will be held on 10th September 2008 at 7.30pm

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

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County Councillor’s Report to
Easebourne Parish Council

1 County Local Committee.  The next meeting of the Chichester (North) County Local Committee will be held on Tuesday 22nd July at Midhurst Primary School in Ashfield Road starting at the revised time of 1700.  Prior to that there is a ‘Talk with us’ session for the public, at the same venue, where members of the public will be able to question officers of: Fire and Rescue Service; Sussex Police; Harm Reduction, Communities and Racist Incident Team; Chichester District Councils Community Safety Team, including the issue of Community Wardens for Midhurst; Education issues regarding the Age of Transfer, the Rother Valley Academy, and extended schools.  Local County Councillors will also be available.

2 Review of Schools in the Rother Valley.  You will know that two decisions have been taken that confirm the age of transfer and removal of the middle tier of schools meaning that children will remain at primary schools for one year longer.  There is also to be an Academy in the Rother Valley at a location to be determined, Midhurst or Easebourne, which will come into being in January 2009.  You may be aware of a further ‘Question Time’ debate that is to be held at Capron House in Midhurst at 1900 on Monday 14th July.  I have pressed the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to meet with the Chairman of the Parish Council and the Chairman of Midhurst Town Council to discuss the location of the Academy and I understand she has been in touch?

3 Street Lighting.  My latest information, yesterday, on this request for improvement on the A286 to take in Budgenor Lodge is that Community Safety did not approve the funding request.  The Team Leader of Street Lighting is attending a meeting in two weeks time and will give me a report following that.  I have said that come what may we must resolve this necessary improvement, which probably amounts to little more than two or three additional columns.  I will keep you informed.

4 Speed Indicator Device (SID).  I know you are aware that Chichester Police District have purchases a number of SIDs and have communicated with Parishes in the District and I know you are considering your position.  May I remind you that I said in March that funding for deployment has been restored in WSCC through the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and that route is also an option you may wish to explore.  Ron.Paterson@westsussex.gov.uk is the contact for SSRP SID.  The process is that the Parish would be assessed and it it satisfies criteria, deployment would be free of charge.  If it does not, then a charge in the region of £50 per deployment would be made.

5 Leutener Road.  You will recall the request from a resident for some form of traffic management to prevent rat-running.  I said in March that Officers had looked at the issues of appropriate speed, possible danger, and rat running and that their initial reaction was not hopeful that any traffic calming could be undertaken, or was necessary.  Nevertheless, traffic surveys to measure speed and volume was undertaken and the findings did not justify any expenditure.  I also had the traffic accident statistics checked for the past 5 years and the result was zero. The concern expressed about young children applies on any highway and care and control must be taken.  Speed is not an issue because of the heavy volume of parking.  Speed humps may be a consideration but it would mean the Parish funding and installation would be subject to a safety audit.

6 Vehicle Activated Signs.  I am aware you have been in communication with Alison Tate the Officer who deals with these signs and following my discussion with her today I can say that The AIP/ Speed Management Team are developing the proposal for a Vehicle Activated sign (VAS) for southbound traffic on the A286 north of Budgenor Lodge.  I understand you have said that you will contribute to this and the work order has been included in this year's programme.  We are not erecting solar / wind powered signs at the moment because of the thefts we have suffered recently so it will be dependent upon being able to provide an electrical connection.

7 Roundels at the start of Speed Limits.  A 30mph speed limit roundel has been included in the A272 Route Management scheme at the terminal sign east of Easebourne. AIP/Speed Management is not doing any work on the A286 at Easebourne but again if you wished to fund the roundels they can be considered.

8 Easebourne Street Sign ‘Unsuitable for Heavy Vehicles.’ An Area wide order covering a number of routes for 'unsuitable for Heavy vehicles' signing is being prepared and will be issued shortly.  The Easebourne Street sign will be included in this order.

9 SLOW sign or Road Marking at the Golf Club. 'SLOW' road markings with red surface bands are planned, as part of the A272 speed management scheme, adjacent to the side road ahead signs both east and west of the turning to the Golf Club.

10 Contribution to Bus Shelter.  I understand you will be offered a 40% contribution towards the replacement of the shelter at Easebourne Lane/Egmont Road site. 

11 Budgenor Lodge. The legal agreement for this development was signed on 22nd April 2008 and after further chasing for these works to be implemented, the developer has told us that the works will be constructed during the month of August this year.  The works covered by the agreement include:

An informal pedestrian crossing at the junction of Wheelbarrow Castle and Dodsley Lane, together with tactile paving and footway improvements either side of the crossing.

'School Crossing' signs

An on road bus cage near the informal crossing

The wooden bus shelter will remain in its current location. This decision follows representations from the Parish Council who considered the proposed 'modern style' shelter would not sit well with the immediate rural environment.

Bus stop lay-by in front of the Budgenor Lodge site.

A footway extension northwards from Budgenor Lodge entrance, covering the site frontage. Although discussions were held to further extend the footway beyond Budgenor Lodge frontage, this was not included in the planning permission since the developer does not own the land required.

9th July 2008           Lieutenant Colonel Tex Pemberton OBE