EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD
ON 20TH MAY 2011

AGM Business

11/12
All members signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office in the presence of the Clerk as Proper Officer of the Council.

1 Election of chairman: The appointment of Mr Heustice was proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mrs Macdonald-Lawson and unanimously approved.  The appointment necessitated an amendment of the Standing Orders. The removal of clause 5c restricting the length of time the Chairman can serve was proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Dr Guyatt and carried unanimously.

2 Election of Vice-Chairman: The appointment of Mr Gowar was proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mr Heustice and unanimously approved.

3 Members to serve on the following panels:
Planning: Mr Gowar, Mr Pack, Mr Thomas and Mrs Macdonald-Lawson
Playing Field: Mr Taylor, Mr Pack, Mr Thomas
Burial Ground: Dr Guyatt, Mr Stringer
Footpaths: Mr Gowar, Mr Martin and Mr Revill
Finance:  Mr Stringer, Mr Gowar, Mr Martin and Mrs Grantham

Council Meeting Business

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

Mrs Howard, a resident of Egmont Road, asked if “no parking on the grass verge” signs could be moved from the entrance to the garages in Cowdray Road (Martlett administered) and re-sited on the actual grass verge in Egmont Road.  There have been ongoing complaints about parking on the verge and there were penalty warning notices installed many years ago that have now gone.  Clerk to contact WSCC Highways and Martlett Homes

5 Apologies for Absence: Mr Gowar and Mr Martin.

6 Declaration of Interest: None

7 Acceptance of the Minutes of the meeting held on 9th March 2011 as a true record was proposed by Dr Guyatt and seconded by Mr Pack.  Majority in favour as new councillors were not at the meeting and therefore did not vote.

8 Matters Arising: None

10 Report from District Councillor: Mrs Hamilton said that the parking charges in Midhurst have “bedded in” well with warning letters, as opposed to penalty charge notices, being issued during this initial period.  As the burgundy domestic recycling bins can now accept glass the public bottle banks are being removed resulting in an annual saving of £100,000.  Midhurst Police Station now operates new opening hours – Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm only. Planning applications for the new Grange Centre have been submitted to CDC and the plans can be seen at Midhurst Library or the existing Grange Centre. Cuts to local bus services will start on 1st September 2011 with a reduced frequency on the Midhurst to Petersfield route and cuts to the Midhurst to Bognor Regis route, with no Sunday service and no buses after 6.30pm during the week.

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

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

c) Receipt of the Precept for 01.04.11 to 30.09.11 in the sum of £6250.00 was noted.

d) Receipt of VAT refund for 01.10.10 to 31.03.11 in the sum of £2482.50 was noted.

e) Following the internal audit of the accounts for year ended 31.03.11 the Annual Governance Statement was completed.  Acceptance and signing of the accounts was proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mr Taylor and carried unanimously.

f) Payment of an Honorarium to the Chairman for the year to 31.03.12, in the sum of £100 was proposed by Dr Guyatt, seconded by Mr Taylor.  All in favour.

g) The Clerk left the room and her salary was discussed.  It was proposed by Mr Heustice and seconded by Mr Stringer to increase her salary by £200 per annum. All in favour.

12 Planning:

King Edward VII Hospital planning application: The meeting was informed that an additional application (EB/11/01711/FULNP) had been received for more housing on the site, to address the financial viability of the enabling development. A long discussion followed, both about this application and the earlier ones that are still awaiting a final decision by SDNPA.  It was proposed by Mr Thomas and seconded by Mr Taylor to OBJECT to the new application.
Majority in favour.  Mr Stringer opposed.  Clerk will write to CDC and SDNPA but circulate letter to Councillors before sending

13 Reports from the Panels:

a) Playground: The equipment has now been painted and although the contractor had trouble with young people damaging the paintwork overnight, the finished result is very good.  A memorial plaque, placed under a tree in the playground, was damaged within 2/3 days of its installation. Clerk to report to ProTec and also write to organiser of the plaque’s installation.

b) Burial Ground: In good order

c) Footpaths:  Mr Gowar has undertaken a complete survey of all Easebourne footpaths and presented a comprehensive report to WSCC who now look after these paths on behalf of SDNPA.  A meeting with a WSCC ranger is scheduled for 15th August 2011 to inspect he paths. Mr Thomas said that there is now a new South Downs Access Forum.

d) Grants:  An application from Madhurst, whom we supported last year, was discussed and it was proposed by Mr Taylor and seconded by Dr Guyatt to award a grant of £300.  All in favour.  An application from Chichester District Voluntary and Community Action was refused as being insufficiently Easebourne related and carrying a large financial balance.

14 New Residents’ Welcome Pack:  This is now available to be distributed to new residents. Packs currently held by Rev’d Welsman but copies to be given to Mrs Macdonald- Lawson for Parish Council use. Information regarding people moving into Easebourne to be provided to Mrs Macdonald-Lawson to aid distribution of the packs.

15 Provision of Dog Waste Bins:  Following several recent complaints about dog mess being left on footpaths, sometimes in plastic bags, the provision of dog waste bins was  discussed.  Estimate of costs provided by CDC for installation and emptying:  Bin with post = £339.00 + £75.00 fitting charge.  Weekly emptying of bins = £265.35 pa per bin. All prices + VAT at 20%.  After discussion it was decided to contact the CDC Dog Warden to see how beneficial the installation of bins has been in other parishes.  Also to conduct an awareness poster campaign within Easebourne about the potential costs of
having to install, say, two bins. The Cowdray Estate will not install bins on the paths adjacent to the Polo fields. Findings to be reported to the July meeting.

16 Mud in Hollist Lane:  Mr Heustice outlined the problem of mud in Hollist Lane during periods of heavy rain.  The situation is under control at the moment due to the dry weather and the fact that, after great pressure, WSCC have now cleared out the several blocked gullies.  Gully clearance to be on a more regular basis in future.  A Hollist Lane resident, who addressed the March meeting, is continuing to put pressure on WSC to recover the costs of the cleaning operation from the farmer involved

17 Winter Management Plan:  Mr Revill has taken on the role as co-ordinator of arrangements in the event of heavy snowfall, from Mr Dabson. WSCC would like confirmation of the siting of salt bags by 1st October 2011.

18 Resident’s suggestion to use “Twitter”:  This was discussed and because we have a good and well managed web site was thought to be unnecessary.

19 Bulk Purchase of Oil possibility:  A group buying scheme already exists in Easebourne.

20 Correspondence and notices received: The question was asked why Easebourne Parish was not part of the Rother Valley Voluntary Community Care Association, being set up to fill the gap in day care left by the withdrawal of this service by WSCC.  The Clerk said that the Parish Council had not been approached about joining this group but would make enquiries and report back

The meeting closed at 9.30pm                   

Next Parish Council meeting will be held on 13th July 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