Easebourne Parish Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9TH MARCH 2005 AT 7.30PM IN THE REFECTORY, EASEBOURNE

04-05

Present: Mrs E Hamilton (Chair), Mr D Warner (Vice-chair), Mr J Stringer, Mrs A Marchand, Mr D Pack, Mrs J Deacon-Ford, Mr J Dabson, Mr B Gowar, Mr P Rhodes, Mr M Fay (CDC), Mr T Pemberton (WSCC), the Clerk and one member of the public were in attendance.

68 Apologies for absence were received from Mr C Hill.

69 The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2005 were signed as a true record. All in favour.

70 Matters arising:

Minute 04-05.60 Parking in Highfield Close. A letter has been received from the Highway Manager of WSCC to the effect that despite four visits to the Intermediate School site no adverse parking was found at the entrance to Highfield Close. He therefore concluded that there was nothing that he could do to ease the problem which obviously only occurs occasionally, for short periods during the afternoon, in term time only. The Clerk has written to the Highfield Close resident accordingly.

71 Report from the County Councillor: Mr T Pemberton reported on the following:

1 Easebourne Traffic Management: Due to the absence of the Highway officer, through sickness, an update of the situation would be delayed. The Council discussed the receipt of the proposal plan, which covers the A286 road from Midhurst to Fernhurst, entitled Route Speed Management Scheme. This plan is from the Accident Investigation and Prevention department of WSCC. Mr Pemberton said that this proposal would be used, in conjunction with his own officer’s proposals, to form the basis of any traffic management changes. Clerk to respond to proposals plan from Accident Investigation and Prevention department and enclose copy of Easebourne Village Action Plan for their information.
2 Parking at Highfield Close: Council informed Mr Pemberton about the conclusion of the Highway Manager’s investigation, as covered in Minute 04-05.70 (Matters arising)
3 School Gate Marking in Easebourne Street: As this lining has yet to be reinstated Mr Pemberton will chase the department concerned.
4 Highway and Pavement overhangs: There is to be a trial system to tackle the potential hazard caused by privately owned trees and bushes overhanging roads and pavements. If, after several reminders, the owners have still not carried out the necessary work the Highways Department will then cut back the foliage and the property owner will be charged accordingly.
5 The Draft SE Plan: The Council was encouraged to respond to the consultation documents from both SEERA and WSCC.
6 Road Safety Community Liaison Officer: Brenda Smith has been appointed to this position and will be the first point of contact on road safety issues. She can be contacted on 01403 257902
7 Working better with Local Councils: Sussex Police are involved with an initiative that aims to improve and regulate the way they work with Parish Councils by developing a new policy entitle ‘The Local Councils Support Policy’.
8 WSCC Contact Numbers: these numbers are available from the Clerk if required.
9 Fly-tipping: A national fly-tipping database has been established to record incidents. It is available on www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/05032a.htm
10 Street Lighting in Easebourne: Mr Pemberton confirmed that Easebourne Street and Easebourne Lane are both designated as a Conservation Area but that there are no proposals for these areas in the two year forward programme. In the spring of 2004 the concrete columns of both Dodsley Lane and Easebourne Lane had their tops changed to extend their maintainable life.

Mr Stringer, on behalf of the Parish Council, offered their appreciation of all the work that Mr Pemberton had done on behalf of Easebourne during his period as County Councillor.

72 Report from the District Councillor: Mr Fay reported on the following:

1 Local Development Framework: Mr Fay was informed that the questionnaire had been completed, following an informal meeting of the Council.
2 Council Tax: The CDC element of the Council Tax will be increased by 2.5% for 2005/2006. Mrs Hamilton complained about the amount of bureaucracy emanating from CDC.
3 Rotherfield Sports Field: CDC hope to find the means to help the Sports Field, More will be known of the situation following a meeting to be held on 11th March 2005 entitled “To Find a Way Forward”.
4 Martlet Homes: the Midhurst office will be closing.
5 Wheelie Bins: The Council reported that no complaints had been received regarding the new refuse collection service.

73 Finance:

a) The following payments were noted (cheque numbers 800-) £
353 Southern Electric street lighting 24.9.04 to 23.12.04 107.82
354 Action in rural Sussex annual subscription 40.00
355 Citizens Advice Bureau grant 100.00
356 WSCC street lighting maintenance 1.4.04 to 30.9.04 179.41
b) The internal check of accounts for January and February 2005, by Mr Stringer, was noted
c) The receipt of Burial Fees for 2004 from St Mary’s Church in the sum of £1031.00
was noted.

74 Planning:
The following planning decisions were noted
04/03000/LBC: Budgenor Lodge, change of use to residential with 12 affordable homes No obj (EPC) Grant(CDC)
04/04078/DOM: Hurst Cottage, Old Buddington Lane, side and rear extension No obj (EPC) Permit(CDC)
04/04165/DOM: 26 Hurst Park, new kitchen and conservatory No obj(EPC) Permit(CDC)

Budgenor Lodge: The S106 agreement, attached to the planning approval document, allocates 9 of the affordable homes to be available for rent (in perpetuity) and 3 to be available for purchase on a shared ownership basis (at 40% of market value). There is no Registered Social Landlord named in the agreement yet. A further meeting between the developer and Parish Council representatives is planned for 17th March 2005 to consider changes to the approved plan.

75 Reports from Panels

a) Playground: Mr Warner and Mr Stringer will carry out the tree pruning in the near future. The lease has now been signed and runs from 25th March 2002 for 15 years. CDC Play Area Audit was discussed. Clerk to write to CDC to complain that the playground inspection was carried out 1 year ago and therefore is totally out of date and irrelevant. Also Parish Council pays for a RoSPA report every year and therefore CDC inspection, carried out by KMC Consultancy is uneccesary. Due to certain refurbishment needed at the playground the Clerk is to obtain estimates for: painting fluorescent lines around the edge of the safety surfaces; cleaning and treating the benches around the perimeter of the site; the cost of providing a picnic table; the cost of new rubbish bins.
b) Burial Ground: was considered to be in a good state of maintenance.
c) Footpaths: A complaint of persistent dog-fouling on High Path, between Dodsley Grove and the entrance to the Medical Centre, has been reported. If anyone sees this happening could they report it to the Clerk.
d) Grants: Budget allocation for 2004/2005 has been used. Thank you letter received from Citizens Advice Bureau following the grant of £100 made recently.

76 Annual Village Spring Clean: will take place on Monday 4th April 2005 at 6pm. Meeting at the Cowdray Estate Office car park. Clerk to distribute suitable notices. Helpers to participate at their own risk. Mr Fay will arrange for litter-pickers to be supplied by CDC.

77 Annual Village Meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th April 2005 at 7pm at the Refectory: Mrs Hamilton or another Trustee of the Cowdray Heritage Project will speak about the ongoing work at the Cowdray Ruins, now to be known as Cowdray House. Everyone is welcome.

78 Village Action Plan

a) Affordable Housing: see Budgenor Lodge comments under Minute 04-05.74 (Planning)
b) Communication issues: Mr Warner reported that the village web site address has been registered and further information should be available in time for the Village Meeting. The February edition of “United” contained the first Village news section compiled by the team of enthusiastic volunteers. The Council extends its thanks to them.
c) Traffic issues: addressed under Minute 04-05.71/1 (WSCC Councillor’s report)

79 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill – Outline of Measures: The Council will discuss the new powers available to Parish Councils when the Bill becomes law.

80 WSCC Street Lighting Operation Times: the Council response to the questionnaire was to keep the lighting times the same as at present ie: part night.

81 Report on Meeting between Councillors and Mr R Windle of the Cowdray Estate held on 24th February 2005: This informal meeting, to discuss matters of mutual interest, was much appreciated by the Council and a further meeting has been arranged for 28th April 2005. The Cowdray Estate has no objection to the Parish Council Notice Board, outside the Post Office, being moved to the left to enable unobstructed access, subject to the approval of the owner of the shop/Post Office. With his permission the Clerk will write to the Cowdray Estate formally asking for their consent to the move.

82 Cowdray Heritage Trust: the progress of the project will be the main item at the Annual Village Meeting.

83 Correspondence and Notices/Reports received:

1 CDC North West Frontier Community Forum: the Council has no objection to the trial of expanding the membership of the Forum by including other local organizations. This will help to address the imbalance between CDC staff and local Council representatives attending each meeting. Clerk to write and confirm.
2 Rotherfield Sports Association: Mr Stringer to attend the meeting on 11th March 2005 as the Council’s representative.
5 County Council Local Committees: Clerk to write to express Council’s view that this
is just another unnecessary level of bureaucracy.
Late letter received from West Sussex Records Office who displayed copies of the Easebourne Millennium Village Map at the University of Genoa, Italy recently. This was very successful and there will be a book of all Village maps published by Christmas 2006.

The meeting closed at 9.55 pm

Next Council Meeting (AGM): Wednesday 11th May 2005 at 7pm