EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 13TH JULY 2011

Present: Mr I Heustice (Chairman), Mr B Gowar (Vice-Chairman), Mr J Stringer, Dr A Guyatt, Mr A Revill, Mr F Martin, Mr D Pack, Mr M Taylor, Mrs H Grantham, Mrs J Macdonald-Lawson, Mrs E Hamilton (CDC), the Clerk and 2 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. 

A resident of Dodsley Grove expressed concern over a planning application, number EB/11/02562/DOMNP for The Warren, Dodsley Grove.  The application contained a defective site plan for which CDC has just issued an amendment.  The resident is concerned about considerable overlooking from the proposed development and it was agreed that some members of the Planning Panel would pay a site visit.  The Clerk to obtain an extension of the consultation period.

11/12
21 Apologies for Absence: Mr A Thomas

22 Declaration of Interest: None

23 Minutes of the meeting held on 20th May 2011: acceptance as a true record was proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mrs Macdonald-Lawson.  All in favour.

24 Matters Arising: After the last meeting the Clerk wrote to Mr C Hughes, Rother Valley Voluntary Community Care Association (Minute 11/12.20), asking to send a representative to the group.  In response, the group is still being set up and other bodies will be invited to join in due course.

25 Report from County Councillor: Mr M Brown did not attend.  Clerk to ask him when the 40mph speed limit, on the A286, will be reduced to 30mph as this was scheduled for June.

26 Report from District Councillor: Mrs Hamilton reported that replacement wheelie bins would cost £30 including delivery and should last 15-20 years.  The Midhurst Parking Forum has been reconvened to address the problem of where commuters can park while the new Grange Centre is being built. Football in the Community will be on offer on 18th and 19th August, at the Midhurst Rother College, Easebourne Site, at £5 per child per session. The Localism Bill has encountered difficulties in the Parliamentary Select Committee and problems are foreseen in devolving responsibilities downwards. The CDC reception area at East Pallant House contains desks giving advice from HMRC, Housing Associations and Shelter and, from September, a WSCC Help Point.  The housing waiting list is currently 5022.

27 Finance:
a) The following payments, including VAT, were noted (cheque numbers 100-)

b) The internal check of accounts for May and June 2011, by Mr Stringer, was noted.

c) The display of “Electors rights to inspect the accounts” notices, as required, was noted.

Councillors have all received a copy of the Budget/Expenditure for the period 01.04.11 to 30.06.11.

28 Planning:
The following planning decisions were noted:- None to report

King Edward VII Hospital application:  Mr Heustice reported on the meeting of the SDNPA Planning Committee, held on 11th July.  All the applications for the site were rejected, by a vote of 6 for rejection with 3 abstentions.  The applicant, City and Country, intends to appeal against the decision.  

29 Reports from the Panels
a) Playground:  The annual ROSPA report has been received and there are no problems. The proposed replacement for the roundabout will be considered next year

b) Burial Ground:  A dead dog was buried in a shallow hole adjacent to the bench and was causing a hazard due to decaying and flies.  The Parish Council arranged for its removal at a cost of £85 + VAT.

c) Footpaths:  The Footpath Panel members completed a survey of all our footpaths in April.  Mr Revill and Mr Gowar have joined a volunteer group and will check the paths and carry out small repairs.  There will be a meeting with a Ranger in August to discuss the condition of the paths.  Mr Heustice thanked them for their dedication in joining this voluntary group.

d) Grants:  An application has been received from the Samaritans.  A grant of £200 was proposed by Mr Martin, seconded by Mr Gowar.  All in favour.

30 New Residents’ Welcome Pack: Mrs Macdonald-Lawson, after a meeting with the Vicar, now has the packs available for distribution.  All information about new residents to be passed to her and she will arrange distribution.  Any additional content for the packs will be gratefully received.

31 Dog Fouling: It was decided to carry out a poster campaign, with notices obtained from Keep Britain Tidy.  Notices to be placed at dog fouling “trouble spots” and the results monitored for 1 year.  Proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mrs Macdonald-Lawson.  All in favour.

32 Midhurst Rother College – Easebourne site:  Mrs Macdonald-Lawson suggested that the school buildings, when vacated in September 2012, could possibly be considered for community use, particularly the provision of a village hall and community centre that Easebourne does not have at the moment.  Mr Stringer reported that the disused Herbert Shiner School in Petworth is now run by the Petworth and District Community Association and Mrs Grantham agreed to find out what arrangement has been made by WSCC, who own the site, and the Community Association, to see if a similar agreement could be reached by Easebourne. Clerk to write to WSCC again, to remind them of our interest in the sporting facilities at the site and possibly the use of some of the building for community purposes (Localism/Big Society).   

33 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 2012:  Clerk has checked to see if funding is available for celebrating this event with a village party/fete.  Too early for much information at the moment, but questionable as to whether funds will be available.

34 Reduction in bus services from Midhurst:  It was suggested that a reduction in the number of buses running from Midhurst on Sundays and evenings would be preferable to the total discontinuation of these services.  Clerk to write to WSCC and Mr Brown to express concern at the loss of these services.

35 Correspondence and notices received: 
1  Digital Television Switchover:  to be publicised in United
4  SDNPA “Consultation for the Statement of Community Involvement” questionnaire completed by Mr Heustice on behalf of the Parish Council.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm

Next Parish Council meeting will be held on 14th September 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