BEPTON PARISH COUNCIL
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Chairman: Mrs Rosalind Hart
Clerk: Mrs. Lorraine Grocott, BEM, BA Hons (Local Policy)
23 West Meade, Milland, Liphook, Hampshire, GU30 7NB
Tel 01428 741393… Email: postmaster@milland-wsc-pc.gov.uk
Website – http://www.bepton.org

MINUTES of the Meeting of BEPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Thursday 23 January 2020 at The Park Hotel, Bepton

Present: Mrs R Hart (Chairperson), Mrs L Sadler, Mr J C Beaumont, Dr J Wilkinson,
Mr J A. Beckett, Mrs C Bower
Cllr Dr K O’Kelly (County Councillor)

774. Apologies – Cllr J Fowler (District Councillor)
775. Declaration of Interests of Members on Agenda – There were none.

776. Minutes of the Meeting 28 November 2019 were agreed and signed.
777. Casual Vacancy – Councillors encouraged to consider suitable members of the community.

778. Report from the District Councillor – Emailed by Cllr J Fowler
1. Council are scheduled to appoint a Climate Emergency Officer to implement the measures contained within the Council’s recent declaration of a climate emergency.
2. A plan is to be prepared for Air Quality Action for Rumbold’s Hill.
3. North Street public toilets has been given platinum status in the Loo of the Year Awards.
4. The Novium starts its new exhibition ‘North Bersted Man’ on 25th January.
5. Pub in the Park, a 3-day music and food festival, takes place in Oaklands park, Chichester late May. Celebrity chefs, live music.
6. Shop Vacancy rates: National average 10%, Midhurst 6.36%.

779. Report from the County Councillor –
1. WSCC future of small Schools
Officers have recommended to the Select Committee to consult on closure of Stedham unless detailed plan for federation that satisfies the Education Dept at WSCC is presented.
Select committee met on 9th January to discuss the proposals. They changed the recommendations to take closure off the table altogether.
Cabinet met last week and ignored the new recommendations and have decided to consult on closure starting on 3rd Feb. I am calling-in the decision, meanwhile Stedham are progressing their proposals to federate.

2. Soft Sand
West Sussex County Council and the South Downs National Park Authority are asking for views on a revised soft sand strategy for the Joint Minerals Local Plan.
A new soft sand quarry outside the National Park, at Ham Farm near Steyning, is proposed for allocation.
There are also two proposed extensions to existing soft sand quarries within the South Downs National Park at Chantry Lane (near Storrington) and West Heath (near Rogate).
Stakeholders and members of the public are being asked for their representations on the soundness, legal and procedural compliance of the review by 2 March 2020. The link to the consultation is on the WSCC website under Have Your Say.

Minutes of Bepton Parish Council meeting 23 January 2020
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Item 779. continued
3. Adult services
Health and Adult Social Care committee 15th January scrutinised the new proposals for adult social care. They have been in an improvement programme for the last 18 months, but they now need a larger change. Interesting discussion about how social workers make decisions with and for those that need care. The team advising the council who have worked successfully with other councils across the country are going to help the decision makers to support people in their wishes to stay at home with the appropriate support. I made the point this will only be successful if the community support services are available. I am hoping the frailty hub due to open in the Spring in Midhurst will contribute to this vital community resilience.
Dr Wilkinson asked whether the problem of staffing would be overcome this time. Cllr O’Kelly said that staffing all over was a problem and is related to affordable housing in the area.
Kate O’Kelly Drop ins
27th Jan Rogate Village Shop – 10.30-12.30
13th Feb Midhurst The Grange – 10.30-12.30

780. Matters arising
a) Initial discussions are underway between Mrs Hart, Chris Dye (WSCC Highways) and Cllr Kate O’Kelly to request a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for a reduction in speed limits from 40mph to 30mph along the Bepton Road (from Frogmore to Meadow View) and Severals Road (from the Country Inn towards the A272). The new proposed development plans for 72 dwellings at the WSCC County Depot and former Brickworks may provide evidence for a need to improve traffic management.
b) Midhurst Area Cycling (MAC) – a new cycle way path will go from Midhurst Green Way past Holmbush to the Wharf and through to Easebourne. A high-level design plan is being prepared and will be discussed at the next meeting of MAC on the 29th January.

781. Chairman’s Items
a) The Country Inn – Cowdray Estate’s comments “In respect of the Country Inn it continues to be the Estate’s intention that the property be operated as a Public House. We are in discussion with several parties which includes the refurbishment and potential extension of the ground floor.
However, whilst not our intention to be evasive, until such time that the contractual arrangement between the Estate and operator is concluded, we are unable to declare further details. Security is understandably as important to the Estate as it will be to the Parish Council.”
b) Parish Plan review – Comments have been received from Mr Beckett and Mrs Sadler. Remaining councillors were asked to read the document and send their comments to Mrs Hart.
c) Speaker for the Annual Parish Assembly (APA), 14 May 2020. Mrs Hart has written to Councillor Penny Plant, Cabinet Member for Environment at the CDC to invite her to come and talk about their Climate Emergency Action Plan. The Clerk also mentioned the formation of a new local group who are looking at what they could achieve locally in three separate areas: energy, biodiversity and food. The Midhurst Society will be meeting on 20th February at the South Downs Memorial Hall and their speaker will giving a talk on ‘Renewable Green Energy from Biomass, Solar, Hydro and Wind.
d) Cowdray Estate – Proposed new access road from Bepton Road to Rectory Farm
A letter has been received from the Chief Executive, Cowdray Estate. They have confirmed their proposal in the form of a Pre-App submission. The proposed development involves the development of a new access between the complex of buildings associated with Rectory Farm, and Bepton Road to the east. The aim of the proposed access is to reduce agricultural movements through Bepton Village by approximately 1,000pa. There will remain a requirement to continue to access the land for specific vehicles to the east. This is due to the height restriction of the former railway bridge at Cocking
Minutes of Bepton Parish Council meeting 23 January 2020
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which results in machines such as the combine harvester and drill not being able to pass under the bridge. The nature of these machines is that they are used on an occasional basis only
After discussion it was agreed that Mrs Hart and Mr Becket will meet to discuss the Councils response.

782. Finance report – Mrs Grocott, RFO
a) Statement of Accounts – Payments for approval

These payments were approved.

b) Parish Online (PO) payment – PO provides a tool for digital mapping for councils to map their assets on a newly created asset register. This helps Council actively track and manage their assets and view them on a map as well as spreadsheet format. This service was previously provided by WSCC. SALC will invoice each local council for year one of the three-year deal at a cost of £30 per annum. The Council agreed to this payment.
c) Nat West – Addition of James Beaumont as an Online signatory. The Council is still awaiting confirmation from Nat West.

783. Planning Report – Mr. John Beckett
a) Councils response to applications: –
SDNP/20/00228/TCA
Mr Howard Ewing of 3 Bepton Grange, Bepton Road requests permission to fell 2 no. ash trees in a conservation area. No objections.
Application in progress.
SDNP/19/03606/PRE
Metis Homes request pre-planning to develop the Council Depot and Former Brickworks in Bepton Road.
Development proposed would erect 72 dwellings with associated access, parking and landscaping.
Online docs updated 18 Dec 2019
Application in progress.
Minutes of Bepton Parish Council meeting 23 January 2020

SDNP/19/03124/HOUS
Mr & Mrs Moore of Lares, Bepton Road, request planning permission for a two-story front extension including replacement front porch and 1 no. roof lantern and associated alterations.
Application approved.

Other Planning Matters
Minerals Plan Soft Sand Review
Draft Soft Sand Review Plan has been published on WSCC website. Representations on the plan can be made up until 2nd March 2020 after which it will go to the Secretary of State for approval. Severals East and West are not included in the plan.
Further information on the West Sussex Joint Minerals Local Plan can be seen on http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/mwdf
The Country Inn
Bepton Parish Council have applied to CDC to have a TPO applied to the Beech tree situated in the garden of The Country Inn. Awaiting feedback
Half Timbers
A resident of Bepton has written to SDNP Planning raising concerns over the condition of Half Timbers, a Grade II listed property in Bepton which has been empty for over a year.
Awaiting feedback

784. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) & Village Gates
The closing date for CIL Bids 2019/20 is 31 January. Mrs Hart is in the process of completing the Expression of Interest (EOI) form. The Council won’t know if it is successful until the end of 2020. At the same time, Mrs Hart is completing another SDNPA CIL form to see whether the Council’s proposed project of village gates needs planning permission. The Council will be consulting with the parishioners via a newsletter. Residents can respond via the website with the email info@beptonparishcouncil@gmail.com.
There will be a Village Gates display at the Annual Parish Assembly.
Postscript – “After the meeting, it was made aware to the Chairman that there was no need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form as the cost of our project of village gates is less than the £1101 that we have received in CIL receipts and is currently sitting in our bank account.”

785. Environment matters / Highways matters / Rights of Way
a) Midhurst Area Cycling – The next meeting will be held on 29th January. JW or LS to attend.
b) Rights of Way inspection October 2019 – LG to ask for a report.
c) Mowing of Severals Green – Carl Lewis has now left the area, but it is understood he is willing to come back to cut the grass. Mowing to be kept under review.
d) Rotten posts on the boundary of Severals Green – Agreed to wait and see how the development of The Country Inn progresses. They are the responsibility of WSCC.

786. CDC All Parishes Meeting, Chichester, February 10th – RH and JAB to attend.

787. Celebration of VE Day on Friday 8th May. – Mike Balmforth is willing to take forward these celebrations. It is hoped residents will become involved in the National event.

788. Date of next meeting 6.30 for 7pm, 26 March 2020
in The Barn at the Park House Hotel, Bepton.

Chairman: …………………………………. Date: ……………………
These Minutes are unconfirmed until signed by the Chairman