EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
WEDNESDAY 11th MARCH 2009

Present: Mr I Heustice (Chairman), Mr J Stringer (Vice-chairman), Mr D Pack, Mr J Dabson, Mr B Gowar, Mrs J Deacon-Ford, Mr M Taylor, Mr F Martin, Dr A Guyatt, Mrs E Hamilton (CDC) and the Clerk

08/09

73 Apologies for Absence: Mrs A Marchand and Lt Col T Pemberton (WSCC)

74 Declaration of Interest: none

75 The Minutes of the meeting held on 14th January 2009.  Acceptance as a true record was proposed by Mr Martin, seconded by Mrs Deacon-Ford.  All in favour.

76 Matters Arising:  Minute 08/09 67, planning application EB/08/04711/COU for the Walled Garden.  This application was heard on 11th March 2009 by the CDC Area Control Planning Committee (north), introduced by Mrs Hamilton. The application was permitted, with conditions.

77 Report from the County Councillor:  In his absence Lt Col Pemberton’s report was read to the meeting.  The next County Local Committee meeting will be held on 23rd June 2009 at the Grange, Midhurst at 7pm.  The meeting will be addressed by the Sussex Police who will raise the issues of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.  The County Council budget for the coming year will be increased by 3.25%, with no service reductions.  The 25 top officers have frozen their salaries for the coming year and all Councillors have also agreed to a 12 month freeze in allowances.  The new street lighting to Budgenor Lodge is now in place, but there have been complaints from some residents about excessive illumination on their properties.  The WSCC lighting team have fitted diffusers that should resolve the issue. Following installation of the street lighting, the speed limit to north of Budgenor Lodge is being reviewed. The current speed criteria must be satisfied and speed surveys are about to be taken to inform the decision.  The request of the Parish Council, in July 2008, for a 40mph roundel at the speed limit approaching Easebourne from the north, has been postponed, pending a possible change to the speed limit.  The Clerk to reactivate this request, as any change in the speed limit would necessitate the County Council replacing the sign.  Most of the highways works, on Dodsley Lane, connected with the development of Budgenor Lodge have now been completed.  These include an informal pedestrian crossing, school crossing illuminated sign northbound, bus stop lay-by in front of Budgenor Lodge and a footway extension northwards from Budgenor Lodge.  Still to be done is an on road bus cage near the informal crossing.  The wooden bus shelter will remain.

A parishioner has requested a vehicle activated, illuminated, speed limit sign on the 30mph section of Dodsley Lane, of the type recently installed on Petersfield Road in Midhurst.  The Clerk to pass this request to Lt Col Pemberton/Highways, but at a cost of approx £10,000 the parish council would be unable to fund this.

WSCC Highways to be advised of the unsuitable angle of the kerbs at the entrance/exit to Gilhams Service Station, Easebourne Street.  This has resulted in vehicles riding the kerbs and destroying the grass verge on both entrance and exits.

78 Report from the District Councillor:  Mrs Hamilton reported on the following:  the District Council have increased their share of the Council Tax for 2009/10 by a minimal amount and Councillors have agreed to freeze their allowances for the coming year. The judicial review of St Richard’s Hospital has been adjourned to await the outcome of merger talks between local hospitals.  The meeting was given details of the “Midhurst Vision”  programme of initiatives.

79 Parish Council Policies: The Clerk has asked for help in producing abbreviated policy documents, relevant to Easebourne, based on the NALC guidelines. Dr Guyatt offered his help and it was agreed that the Clerk could call on other Council members for help, if required

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

b) Receipt of £2121.18 from CDC for contribution to cradle swing unit was noted

c) Receipt of £1135.00 from St Mary’s Church for burial fees 2008 was noted

d) The internal check of accounts for January and February 2009, by Mr Stringer, was noted

81 Planning:
The following planning decisions were noted   

82 Reports from Panels:
a) Playground.  A small fire had occurred on the picnic table.  Picnic table to be re-stained.  Clerk to check if there is a charge for ongoing playground surveillance by ProTec Security.

b) Burial Ground.  Grass needs cutting.  Clerk to check when first grass cutting due.

c) Footpaths. Report of dog fouling, although cleared from path and plastic bags thrown into hedgerow, along footpath from Wheelbarrow Castle adjacent to school grounds.  Clerk has already contacted WSCC, CDC, South Downs Joint Committee and the CDC Dog Warden.  “No Cycling” notices need replacing on High Path.

d) Grants.  Thank you letter from Rotherfield Sports Association for grant of £250 made at January meeting.  New requests: Citizens Advice Bureau, Mr Dabson proposed a grant of £200.00, seconded by Mr Martin.  All in favour.  Victim Support Sussex, Mr Dabson proposed a grant of £50.00, seconded by Mr Martin.  Majority in favour.  A request from WSCC Youth Service for a contribution of £2000.00 towards a new mini bus for the area was refused, in light of the recent Parish Council contribution of £3000.00 towards the mobile youth cafe.

83 Midhurst Intermediate School Site:  the Parish Council’s interest in the future of the site sports facilities, as a possible sports base for Easebourne, was emphasized.  The Clerk is to write to Mr Peter Griffiths (WSCC Education) and Mr Mark Dunn (WSCC Chairman) to reiterate our ongoing wish to see the site utilized for the benefit of the community,
when vacated by the school.

1)   SALC Bulletin:  Councillors were advised of the new “Power of Well Being” act. Councils need to meet certain criteria to be able to exercise this power.

2) CDC Local Development Framework :  Concerns over key infrastructure that threaten to delay production of the long term planning strategy, including 9600 new homes by 2026 .

The meeting closed at 8.55pm

Next Parish Council meeting (AGM) will be held on 13th May 2009 at 7.00pm.

The Annual Village Meeting will be held on 8th April 2009 at 7.00pm.

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