EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
WEDNESDAY 9th SEPTEMBER 2009

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

09/10

32 Apologies for Absence: Mr D Pack

33 Declaration of Interest: Mrs Hamilton declared an interest on Agenda item 44 

34 The Minutes of the meeting held on 8th July 2009.  Acceptance as a true record was proposed by Mrs Deacon-Ford and seconded by Mr Dabson.  All in favour.   

35 Matters Arising: Minute 09/10.28, Gilhams Service Station.  The owner has had the entrance/exit  kerb stones re-sited and repaired.  WSCC response to our request for double yellow lines, opposite the service station, makes clear that this would be a very low priority. PC Quinnell, who was at the meeting, will check for obstructive parking opposite the service station.

36 PC Quinnell and SID (Speed Indicator Device). PC Quinnell explained how volunteers could operate the speed check equipment, following training by the police. The volunteers would be unable to stop motorists or take registration numbers but the equipment would make motorists aware of the speed at which they were travelling.  The Clerk will compile a list of volunteers, including some Councillors, and liaise with PC Quinnell.  A minimum of six volunteers required. Operation of the equipment requiring two people working together.

37 Report from the County Councillor: Mr Brown outlined certain County Council plans, including a reduction in staff, towards a required £50m of savings.  It has been difficult to recruit enough Social Workers for the county, therefore having an adverse effect on Child Welfare, but the salary structure is improving.  Disposing of an increasing amount of waste is a problem but a new landfill site at Takeham is proposed.  Proposed changes in the control of secondary schools and colleges were also outlined.  Mr Brown was asked if any decision had yet been made on the siting of the new Midhurst Rother College building, either Midhurst or Easebourne.  He informed the meeting that this decision has not yet been made.      

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

b) The internal check of accounts for July and August 2009, by Mr Stringer, was noted.

c) The display of “Notice of Conclusion of Audit for the year ended 31st March 2009” was noted.

40 Planning:

41 Reports from the Panels
a) Playground: The new picnic table, and its concrete base, have been installed.  The Freddie Frog springer has been damaged and replacement parts/repair awaited from Wicksteed.  The annual RoSPA report has been received and there are no problems.
b) Burial Ground: The maintenance contractor has removed the build-up of rubbish, deposited by visitors to the burial ground, for the sum of £20. The contractor has complained about the fallen headstones that make mowing difficult, reported to the church.
c) Footpaths:  Egmont Road sign still missing.  Should be installed shortly.
d) Grants: Accounts now received from the Samaritans. Proposed by Mrs Deacon-Ford,  seconded by Mrs Marchand to offer a grant of £150.00.  Majority in favour.  Application from Crimestoppers.  Proposed by Mr Stringer, seconded by Mrs Marchand not to offer a grant. Majority in favour.  Application from the Grange Leisure Centre deferred to November meeting as no accounts yet received.

42 South Downs National Park: Mr Heustice reported on meeting held on 17th August regarding Parish representation on the South Downs National Park Authority.  Interested Parish Councillors to put their name forward to become a member of the Authority.  No names to be submitted from Easebourne Parish Council.

43 Speed limit on A286 near Budgenor Lodge.  Contact from a parishioner regarding a reduction in the speed limit, from 40mph to 30mph, in the vicinity of Budgenor Lodge.  This forwarded to WSCC Highways, together with Parish Council expectation, as suggested by Lt Col Pemberton when he was our County Councillor and Cabinet Member for Transport & Highways, that limit would be reduced following the installation of street lighting from Hollist Lane to Budgenor Lodge and also the residential occupation of Budgenor Lodge.  Reply from Mr S Johnson (WSCC) that installation of street lighting was never going to affect the speed limit and due to the low collision rate on that stretch of the A286, it would be extremely unlikely that the speed limit would be reduced.  Clerk to write to Mr Johnson expressing the Council’s view that this response is unacceptable.  There have been accidents and fatalities nearby, albeit a few years ago, and the occupation of Budgenor Lodge, with its difficult access on a sharp bend, will only exacerbate the potential for further collisions.    

44 Proposed Car Parking charges in Midhurst.  The proposed charging was discussed at length.  Amongst various concerns were the viability of Cowdray Ruins, as all visitors have to use the town car parks, first year charges that would not cover costs, and therefore the potential for a rapid increase in charges.  The need to attract people from the outlying villages to Midhurst, in order to benefit the town against the major facilities on offer in Chichester.  A public meeting to discuss the issue will be held on 22nd September 2009, at 7pm, at the Memorial Hall, North Street, Midhurst. It was proposed to object to the imposition of charges in Midhurst.  Majority in favour, Mrs Hamilton abstained.

45 Review of DORIS bus service:  Some parishioners had expressed concern that the DORIS bus service was no longer “on demand” and complained that the timetabled service crossed over with the service provided by the Midhurst Community Bus.  The Clerk has spoken to the parishioners and also to WSCC (DORIS), Midhurst Community Bus organiser and Tandem, although Tandem is only available as  transport for medical purposes. It is hoped that these bodies can come to some suitable arrangement over timetabling. 

46 Budgenor Lodge S106 Community Facilities Grant:  The balance outstanding, to be spent, is £10,614.88.  Ideas requested for use of this balance.  Clerk to put ideas submitted to CDC and further discussion at November meeting.

47 Street Lighting: Acceptance of the PFI contract for future street lighting maintenance was proposed by Mr Dabson, seconded by Mrs Deacon-Ford.  All in favour.

48 King Edward VII Hospital: The meeting was informed that the bank has appointed City and Country Residential Ltd as the developer of the site.  Plans are being drawn up and will be presented to the Parish Council, amongst others, before submission to CDC.

49 BT Telephone Kiosk at Henley: the Parish Council has been invited to adopt this kiosk, minus its equipment, for £1.00.  The kiosk has only been used 8 times in the last 12 month period.  However, all future upkeep would be the responsibility of the Parish Council. It was proposed by Mr Dabson and seconded by Mrs Deacon-Ford not to adopt the kiosk.  Majority in favour.

50 Parish Council Chairman: Mr Heustice will have served as Chairman for four years by May 2010 and according to Standing Orders this is the limit (no re-election until two years have elapsed).  Ideas for a successor have been put on hold for the time being.

The meeting closed at 10.05pm

Next Parish Council meeting will be held on 11th November 2009 at 7.30pm.

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