Easebourne Parish Council - Parish Council Meeting 12th May 2010

Present: Mr I Heustice (Chairman), Mr J Stringer (Vice-chairman), Mr J Dabson, Mrs J Macdonald-Lawson, Mr B Gowar, Mrs J Deacon-Ford, Mrs A Marchand, Mr F Martin, Mr D Pack, Mr M Taylor, Dr A Guyatt, the Clerk and one member of the public.

AGM Business

10/11
1 Election of chairman: the appointment of Mr I Heustice as Chairman was proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mr Gowar. All in favour.

2 Election of Vice-Chairman: the appointment of Mr Stringer was proposed by Mr Dabson, seconded by Dr Guyatt. All in favour.

3 Appointment of members to serve on the following panels:
Planning: Mr Stringer, Mr Dabson, Mrs Deacon-Ford, Mr Pack and Mr Gowar were proposed by Mr Martin, seconded by Mr Stringer. All in favour.
Playing Field: Mr Taylor, Mr Pack and Mrs Marchand were proposed by Mr Gowar, seconded by Mr Dabson. All in favour.
Burial Ground: Dr Guyatt, Mr Stringer and Mrs Marchand were proposed by Mr Martin, seconded by Mr Pack. All in favour.
Footpaths: Mr Gowar, Mr Dabson and Mr Martin were proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mrs Marchand. All in favour.
Finance: Mr Gowar, Mr Stringer and Mr Martin were proposed by Mrs Deacon-Ford, seconded by Mrs Marchand. All in favour.

4 The date and time of meetings for the coming year: 14th July 2010 at 7.30pm, 8th September 2010 at 7.30pm, 10th November 2010 at 7.30pm, 12th January 2011 at 7.30pm, 9th March 2011 at 7.30pm, 13th April 2011 (Annual Village Meeting) at 7pm and 11th May 2011 (AGM) at 7pm.

Council Meeting

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

The member of the public in attendance, who has ongoing concerns about speeding traffic in the village, brought to the attention of the meeting the fact that some nearby parishes have recently had VAS (Vehicle Activated Signs) installed, in an effort to reduce the speed of vehicles through their villages. He also brought to the Council’s attention the fact that the footpath between Hollist Lane and Budgenor Lodge is very narrow and this is exacerbated by overgrown shrubbery that needs cutting back.

5 Apologies for Absence: Mrs E Hamilton (CDC) and Mr M Brown (WSCC)

6 Declaration of Interest: none

7 The Minutes of the meeting held on 10th March 2010 were signed as a true record. Proposed by Mr Taylor, seconded by Mr Martin, all in favour.

8 Matters Arising: Minute 09/10.90 – Village Speed Limit – Letter from WSCC, changes to speed limits from 40mph to 30mph will be considered by County Councillors at the County Local Committees, with sites considered high priority promoted first. Minute 09/10.95 – Provision of Grit Bins – Letter from WSCC, bins fairly ineffective and often empty when needed. Proposal to supply hippo bags to specific areas, as requested by Parishes, when snowy conditions forecast. Parish to suggest priority sites.

9 No Report from County Councillor

10 Report from District Councillor: In her absence Mrs Hamilton reported on several activities in Chichester. In Midhurst, the Civil Parking Enforcement began on 12th April. Officers have visited Midhurst to issue warnings only initially, but penalty charge notices are about to commence. The Parish Council was thanked by CDC for holding the Annual Village Spring Clean as many Parishes do not do this.

b) Receipt of the Parish Precept for 01.04.10 to 30.09.10 in the sum of £6250.00 was noted.

c) Receipt of VAT refund for the period 01.10.09 to 31.03.10 in the sum of £388.43 was noted

d) The internal check of accounts for March and April 2010, by Mr Stringer, was noted

e) The Internal Auditor, Mr R Martin, is unable to continue auditing our year end accounts due to changed personal circumstances. The Clerk to get alternative quotes for this work.

f) The Statement of Accounts for year ended 31.03.10 was approved and signed. Proposed by Dr Guyatt, seconded by Mr Dabson, all in favour.

13 Reports from the Panels

a) Playground: no problems

b) Burial Ground: no problems

c) Footpaths: Mr Gowar has walked all the footpaths in the Parish and presented a comprehensive report of their condition to the South Downs Joint Committee.

d) Grants: Thank you letter received from Sussex Air Ambulance for grant awarded in March. Mr Pack presented an appeal from the Midhurst Arts Festival “Madhurst” for funds. The Clerk to find out if any of the Budgenor Lodge S106 money could be made available for this, on condition that part of the festival is held at the Ruins, in Easebourne Parish. If so, a donation of £500 to be requested. If this is not forthcoming then it was proposed by Mr Taylor and seconded by Mr Stringer that a grant of £250 be made from the Parish Council. All in favour.

14 The Grange Leisure Centre: following our letter to CDC after the last Parish Council meeting, suggesting that the Grange should be re-furbished and not replaced, a response has been received outlining the proposed new build facility. In addition, Mr Heustice had a meeting at the Grange to see the existing facilities for himself, on behalf of the Parish Council. He reported that there are currently leaking roofs, non-working lifts etc. It is suggested that the new building will contain 2 sports halls, large community room, various small meeting rooms, a crèche, 2 squash courts, a gym with 70 stations (currently 30) and will be sited between the telephone exchange and South Pond. Flood potential has been examined and cleared. CDC will take over the running of the facility. The new building will also include the CDC Area Office, the library and Registrar services. The tennis courts will go, but an additional 40-45 parking spaces will be created. Plans for the scheme should be available mid-late summer and at this time the Parish Council will visit the Grange, to see both the plans and the condition of the existing building, before commenting further.

15 S106 Community Facilities Grant: A planning application for the installation of flood lighting at the Ruins has been drawn up and should be presented to CDC shortly. Verbal agreement has been reached over free admission to the Ruins for Easebourne residents. Awaiting the granting of planning permission and written confirmation of the free entry, before proceeding with the grant.

17 King Edward VII Hospital: a meeting was held on 22nd April 2010 to update Councillors from the area on the progress towards plans for the site. However, due to an oversight on the part of the developer Easebourne Parish Councillors were not invited. Another meeting, possibly with some plans available, will be held shortly.

SID (Speed Indicator Device): communication from PC Quinnell reporting considerable delay in commencing the use of SID, brought about by changes at WSCC who have to approve the scheme. No training/starting date available.

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