EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
WEDNESDAY 10th MARCH 2010

The first ten minutes were available for the public to express a view or ask questions about any item on the Agenda. 

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

09/10

84 Apologies for Absence: were received from Mrs J Deacon-Ford

85 Declaration of Interest:  Mr Taylor declared an interest in Agenda item 09/10.96

86 The Minutes of the meeting held on 13th January 2010: Mr Pack proposed and Mr Taylor seconded the acceptance of the Minutes as a true record. All in favour.  

87 Matters Arising:  Minute 09/10.73.  The pedestrian crossing at the Wheelbarrow Castle/Hollist Lane junction has now had a further safety barrier installed and the lollipop person has been re-instated.

88 Report from PC Paul Quinnell.  Crime rates were lower during the prolonged spell of bad weather.  Residents can help the police by reporting any suspicious activity they notice.  Particularly helpful to take note of the registration number of any vehicle that may be involved in suspicious activity.  Use of SID awaiting permission from the County Council.

89 Councillor Vacancy:  No by-election had been requested to fill the vacancy and therefore the Parish Council can co-opt an additional member. The CVs of several potential candidates were discussed at length and it was proposed by Mrs Marchand and seconded by Mr Dabson that Mrs Judith Macdonald-Lawson be co-opted.  All in favour.

90  Report from the County Councillor: Mr Brown reported that the proposed re-developed Grange Leisure Centre would not contain WSCC day care facilities, due to declining numbers, but would still house the library, Registrar’s office etc. WSCC still have to comment on the CDC proposed car parking charges, but can legally only pass an opinion in relation to highway safety issues. Mr Brown has reiterated to WSCC the Parish Council’s interest in the sports facilities at the former Midhurst Intermediate School, as a community facility.  Potholes: all routine maintenance has been set aside until the autumn, and capital schemes cancelled, saving £6.6m in order to repair the numerous potholes in the county. So far only temporary “cold” repairs have been carried out, due to the ongoing weather situation, but from next week “hot” repairs will begin.  On behalf of the Parish Council Mr Brown has been pursuing the desired reduction in the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on the A286, from Egmont Road to north of Budgenor Lodge.  This request is supported by many County Councillors who want a 30mph limit through all villages.  The members are pressing the Highways officers with this request (already operating in East Sussex and Hampshire). Clerk to write to Cabinet Member for Highways to press the point. The county share of the Council Tax will rise by 2.5%.

91 Report from the District Councillor:  Mrs Hamilton reported that the plans for a new Grange Leisure Centre building have had to “go back to the drawing board” in light of the WSCC decision to pull out of the day care centre element in the proposed re-building.  This will result in a smaller building, with no community facility space.  The meeting felt that the cost of approx £8m, in the economic circumstances prevailing, could be better spent, and that a fraction of that money could be used to renovate the existing Grange Leisure Centre.  Also of concern is the loss of parking spaces, and other disruption, during the building of a new centre, particularly the effect this might have on trade in Midhurst which is already struggling with the recession.  Clerk to write to Mr J Marsland (CDC) to voice the Parish Council concerns. A new contract for the CCTV in the district has been negotiated, at a cost saving.  The district share of the Council Tax will rise by 1.5%.

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

b)  The internal check of accounts for January and February 2010, by Mr Stringer, was noted

c)  The receipt of burial fees for 2009, in the sum of £2126.00, was noted.

d)  The change of address and circumstances of internal auditor Mr R Martin,was noted.

e)  The change of signatories to our accounts at Barclays Bank was noted

93  Planning: 

94 Reports from the Panels
a ) Playground.  In order  b) Burial Ground.  In order.
c) Footpaths.  Mr Gowar is undertaking a check of all footpaths and will report on their condition in due course.
d) Grants. Thank you received from the Grange Leisure Centre.  Application from Sussex Air Ambulance discussed.  A grant of £200 was proposed by Mr Martin, seconded by Mr Gowar.  Majority in favour.  Mr Stringer against

95  Provision of grit bins:  following our last meeting WSCC was unable to provide grit/salt for any grit bins.  Discussion over whether bins should be provided, at the Parish Council expense, in Easebourne.  Taking into account the refusal by Midhurst Town Council to provide bins, and the objections of other Parishes to the cost of bin provision being transferred from WSCC to the Parishes, it was proposed by Mr Dabson and seconded by Mr Pack that the Clerk should write to the County Council pointing out that this should be a Highways Safety matter and not the responsibility of Parishes. Majority infavour.

97  Annual Village Spring Clean:  this will be on Monday 29th March 2010 at 6pm, meeting at the Estate Office car park.  Equipment provided.

98  Annual Village Meeting: will be held on Wednesday 14th April 2010 at 7pm and the guest speaker will be David Hamilton-Fox who will talk about the Cowdray Model Farm Project.  Refreshments will be served as usual.

The meeting closed at 9.45pm

Next Parish Council meeting (AGM) will be held on 12th May 2010 at 7pm.

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