Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 8th March 2018.
County and District Councillor Report
District Councillor C Hughes advised members of a budget meeting where it was disclosed that there had been 810 new start-up businesses in the district. There was understood to be a General Fund balance of £8 million, with an increase in rates of just under 3%.
Planning & Environment
Members were advised of a number of applications, most of which were considered to be unobjectionable. Members were advised of application EG/18/18/T, a submission for tree works. Reference was made to an appeal in relation to EG/46/17/OUT, following refusal.
Correspondence
The Chairman reported a forthcoming meeting with the parishes regarding the number of additional houses to be built. A meeting with Barnham Eastergate & Westergate Advisory Group (BEWAG) had been chased and applications would be discussed in March. Future liaison arrangements had gone to Cabinet on the 11th December and a consultation had started on the 31st December. An update was expected shortly.
Councillor Mr D New declared a full conflict of interest in development in the Fontwell Avenue area and advised that he had entered into an agreement with a developer for his land at Northfield Cottages.
Members were advised that the council faced a continuing challenge to get the Neighbourhood Planning Team back on track. Correspondence from a parishioner relating to parking near the railway station and the possible introduction of a Residents Parking Zone was referred to and noted.
A letter relating to a Velo route was discussed but considered to be situated north of the A27 and there were, therefore, no comments. A letter from a parishioner relating to Local Plan (LP) matters was discussed The council has been actively engaged in the process for a long time and it was expected that the LP would be approved by the Inspector.
A letter from LindenHomes was discussed about a development of 60 homes on Eastergate Fruit Farm. This had already been accepted within the Neighbourhood Plan and it was decidedto thank them for their courtesy and to remind them of the offer to re-lay the hall car park surface.
At the time of going to press we were unable to obtain a progress report on the proposed merger between Barnham and Eastergate Parish Councils.
