EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
WEDNESDAY 8th JULY 2009
Present: Mr I Heustice (Chairman), Mr J Stringer (Vice-chairman), Mr J Dabson, Mrs J Deacon-Ford, Mrs A Marchand, Mr M Taylor, Mr D Pack, Dr A Guyatt, Mr F Martin, Mr B Gowar, Mrs E Hamilton (CDC), Mr M Brown (WSCC), the Clerk and one member of the public.
09/10
19 Apologies for Absence: none
20 Declaration of Interest: none
21 Acceptance of the Minutes of the meeting held on 13th May 2009, following an amendment to 09/10 15(h), was proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mr Pack. All in favour.
22 Matters Arising: none
23 Report from the County Councillor. Mr Brown, attending his first meeting as the new County Councillor, was welcomed by Mr Heustice. He spoke of the financial situation of the County Council, with a large shortfall in funding. As the cost of many services cannot be cut there will probably need to be internal economies over the next few years. The effectiveness of the County Local Committees is being evaluated and Mr Brown asked for the Parish Council’s opinion. The issue of potholes is constantly to the fore and Mr Brown also asked the Parish Council’s view on the current method of reporting them and ideas as to the best way to get them repaired swiftly and satisfactorily. Mr Stringer asked Mr Brown to monitor the way future planning decisions are arrived at once the South Downs National Park comes into being. The Clerk to ask Mr Brown to keep us informed about WSCC proposals for the future use of the former Midhurst Intermediate School site.
24 Report from the District Councillor. Mrs Hamilton reported a funding shortfall in the District Council’s finances and cost cutting measures are under consideration. One of the measures being considered is the introduction of parking charges in Midhurst. At East Pallant House the customer services centre is moving to a new position and 5 computers will be available for members of the public to access the District Council’s various services. An “Air Alert Service” will send a message by text, e-mail or telephone to vulnerable people when poor air quality is predicted in their area. A Community Football in the school holidays course will be held at Midhurst Rother College on 6th and 7th August
25 Finance:
a) The following payments were noted (cheque numbers 100-)
039 |
Osborne signs, to move noticeboard |
45.00 |
040 |
R Martin, internal audit of accounts for year end 31.03.09 |
96.00 |
041 |
WSCC, install 40mph roundel on A286 |
125.00 |
042 |
B Wegg, strimming playground |
15.00 |
044 |
Pro-Tec Security, playground security inspections for year |
57.50 |
045 |
R Wallis, burial ground maintenance 01.04 09 to 30.06.09 |
652.90 |
046 |
C Allan, Clerk’s salary 01.04.09 to 30.06.09 |
1,000.00 |
046 |
C Allan, Clerk’s travel/telephone |
139.01 |
047 |
Petty cash |
47.34 |
b) The internal check of accounts for May and June 2009, by Mr Stringer, was noted.
c) The inclusion of additional items on the annual insurance policy was noted. The annual premium, from 1st August 2009, will be £595.49.
d) The display of “Notice of appointment of date for the exercise of electors’ rights” to view the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2009 was noted.
Councillors were given copies of the Expenditure/Budget for the first quarter to 30.06.09
26 Planning
| The following planning decisions were noted |
EPC |
CDC |
| 09/01004/TPA |
18 Hurst Park, crown raise and thin 3 oak trees |
No Obj |
Permit |
| 09/00820/COU |
Village Inst, change from club to office/warehouse |
No Obj |
Permit |
| 09/01177/FUL |
Tile House, Demolish existing & build 4 houses |
No Obj |
Permit |
| 09/01408/DOM |
Long Meadows, Hollist Lane, single and 2 storey extensions, alter roof for dormers
|
No Obj |
Permit |
| 09/01053/FUL |
6 Crossways, UPVC windows and doors |
No Obj |
Permit |
| 09/01423/FUL & 09/01427/LBC: Duke of Cumberland - WITHDRAWN |
It was noted that the decision of refusal, by CDC, on application EB/08/05006/FUL, Ashley, Upperfield, is the subject of a planning appeal.
27 Reports from the Panels
a) Playground. Several estimates for a new picnic table, and installation of a suitable hard surface beneath, have been obtained. It was proposed by Dr Guyatt and seconded by Mr Stringer that the Clerk arranges purchase of these items up to a value of £1500.00. All in favour.
b) Burial Ground. Dr Guyatt said that one of the hedges needed trimming and that the pile of rubbish left by the public, despite notices to the contrary, is rather large. The Clerk to check with the maintenance contractor, Roger Wallis, to see if these jobs are within his remit, with the possibility of a one-off clearance of the rubbish pile.
c) Footpaths. Clerk to report missing sign on diverted footpath near the Priory. Egmont Road sign now missing. Clerk to report again. WSCC Highways Rangers to be asked to cut back brambles overhanging various footpaths.
d) Grants. Requests received from Sussex Crimestoppers, Samaritans and Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. Clerk to check with PC Quinnell the value of Crimestoppers. Samaritans to be asked for accounts before next meeting. FWAG considered insufficiently Easebourne related.
28 Gilhams Service Station. Communication with owner regarding alignment and damage of kerbs. Owner has met with builder and will discuss with WSCC Highways the possibility of a concrete strip to prevent grass erosion and to retain the granite sets. Clerk to contact WSCC Highways to suggest restriction of parking opposite the entrance/exit to the service station.
29 Notice Board, Easebourne Street. At the request of Easebourne Village Stores the notice board has been moved, and is now fixed to the wall over the post-box. Although it protrudes a few inches it was agreed, by a majority of Councillors, to take no further action.
30 Bus Shelters. A complaint has been received from a member of the public that the wooden bus shelter, on Easebourne Lane opposite Conifers School, is dirty and smelly. Mr Stringer offered to sweep it out. An estimate has been received, for cleaning the new bus shelter outside Conifers School, in the sum of £15.00 per visit to clean the side panels inside and out or £25.00 to include the roof. It was agreed to have the sides only cleaned on a bi-monthly basis.
31 Late Correspondence.
Letter from Midhurst Camera Club lamenting the demise of suitable venues in Midhurst and asking help of Parish Council. Clerk to suggest the Refectory, the Methodist Church Hall or the Catholic Church Hall.
WSCC – update on Street Lighting PFI. Formal documents to be received in the Autumn. Clerk to remind WSCC that we wish to approve type of replacement lamps to be installed
The meeting closed at 9.05pm
Next Parish Council meeting will be held on 9th September 2009 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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