POLO Minutes 15 10 12
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MINUTES MEETING HELD 15th October 2012 SOUTHEASE CHURCH, SOUTHEASE 7.30 pm PARISHES OF LOWER OUSE VALLEY Present : Neville Harrison : Chair (NH) - Southease Paul Denerley (PD), Richard Sellick (RS) & Judith Bradbury: Clerk (JB) – Rodmell Michael Foot (MF) -Iford & Swanborough Susan Thompson (ST) -Village Connections & OVCN/Iford & Swanborough Quincy Whitaker (QW) -Piddinghoe Jane Sallis (JS) – Kingston Road & Cranedown Residents Assoc Rosemarie Jeffery (RJ) – Kingston Roger Foxwell (RF) – (for part of meeting) & Jane Miller (JM) – South Heighton Angela Simmons (AS) – Newhaven Town Council Councillor David Rogers (DR) – East Sussex County Council 1. NH welcomed everyone to the meeting in a beautiful & historic setting. 2. Apologies were received from John Harvey, Melanie Cutress , Wendy Brewer & Kenneth Hamer. Matters Arising – NH wondered if anyone had used the Budlett Oil Group? JB had joined – it is a useful additional contact but so far Budletts pricing had been slightly higher than that achieved by the Rodmell Oil Consortium. 3. To consider launching a POLO epetition to reduce the speed limit along the length of the C7 to 40mph. JB outlined the two epetitions launched June 2012 & presented to ESCC July 2012 which had received limited support – less than 40 signatures in each case. It had however given rise to the suggestion that we look at launching our own POLO led petition for the entire C7. To this end all Parish Councils/Parish Meetings had been asked to include the suggestion on their next agendas to enable a mandate to be brought to POLO. To date Newhaven Town Council, Piddinghoe & Rodmell had responded positively. Timing will be crucial – we will need to ensure the launch is strongly communicated the breadth of the valley & then set a deadline which ideally will be say 7 days prior to a scheduled ESCC meeting for presentation. DR was able to fill us in on the fate of the two earlier petitions which had been considered by the Economy,Transport & Environment Committee earlier that day. The petition in respect of HGVs at Southover Mini Roundabout was not likely to be taken forward for complex reasons but he understood the petition to reduce speeds from Bell lane to Swanborough Hollow did secure a partial response – the minutes will be circulated within a couple of days & DR offered to distribute these.* It was noted generally that a blanket 40mph limit had very much been supported when the C7 Lats were drawn up but strongly opposed by the professional view. The meeting was supportive of the initiative. The remaining Parishes yet to formally debate the proposal will respond back to JB in the next few weeks. Each Community agreed to advise JB of a nominated co-ordinator who will be responsible for promotion & publicising in their Parish. JB will liaise with this group as to timings, procedure (e-petition/paper or both etc) , wording of the title etc. It is likely we will aim for launch of the petition January 2013. 4. POLO – proposals for Working Better Together PD presented this paper which he had drawn up with NH & aimed to dispel the mystique that sometimes surrounded POLO's aims & capabilities & opened the floor to discussion :- RJ explained what a useful tool POLO could be for funding initiatives . Historically the Group had included all Parishes along the Ouse Valley both sides of the River – perhaps we should invite Beddingham to attend? She felt is was important SALC was included in the debate. Both South Heighton & Newhaven wished to be part of the Group - whilst they have different profiles to the more rural parishes they share many of our common concerns too. DR pointed out that spreading the net did complicate matters as to County & District Council representation as inevitably we would expand over boundaries. MF felt we should be taking a firm lead from our title ie Lower Ouse & restrict ourselves to that geographically. PD wondered if a pragmatic solution could be found whereby the out lying Councils just included their County Councillors in matters of common interest/concern where they felt fit. It was agreed the paper would be taken back to all Parishes for discussion. Views can be fed back to JB in due course & the matter will be included on our next agenda. Action : JB will forward a copy of the paper to all Clerks to facilitate inclusion on forthcoming agendas. NH will forward to Trevor Leggo at SALC with a covering note. 5. The Egrets Way & OVCN Update We watched a short film made by the group promoting the project At the recent AGM the route was launched as 'The Egrets Way'. A design a logo competition is now under way. The Planning Application for the proposed Kingston/Lewes Link has now been submitted. The funding deadline requires work to be completed by March 2013 & there is a requirement to secure match funding of £110,000...so the challenge is considerable. An application is also about to be submitted to Natural England Paths for Communities (P4C) project to create a bridleway on the section between Rodmell & Southease. Again there will be a requirement to find match funding . The Group remain in close communication with the Environment Agency, are being strongly supported by the SDNP & are acutely aware of the challenges that will be faced along the Piddinghoe stretch. The Group has an ongoing need to raise funds not least to pay for the SUSTRANS feasibility study & a series of talks have been arranged at various venues along the valley to help with this. DR mentioned that given that the application for the Kingston/Lewes link incorporates a road crossing at Spring Barn Farm it is anticipated the 40mph speed limit will be extended along that section of the road at least to the junction of Wellgreen Lane. * 6. Rodmell Traffic Calming Progress PD outlined that after many meetings with ESCC a proposed traffic calming plan has been drawn up & Rodmell will shortly be holding a Public Engagement Meeting 7. South Downs National Park – update & questions. NH advised a meeting was about to be held between officers/members & the Highways Agency so that the Park could begin to formulate a view on the appropriateness of the visual impact of such traffic calming schemes RF expressed frustration at the Park's planning performance. NH outlined how complex the issue is for the Park with the need for substantial delegation. It was satisfying to note that to date three appeals against NP Planning Committee determinations have been heard & all three have been upheld. 8. Broadband Project Update PD briefly outlined where ESCC currently stand on their engagement exercise. He , Jude Le Patourel (Rodmell) , Nicolas Chisholm (Iford) & Tim Lear/John Beswick (Kingston) had held a very informal meeting to discuss opportunities for the valley to work together on this issue although it is acknowledged we all face different technical challenges & solutions. Once ESCC have appointed their supplier they will meet again to identify opportunities to exert pressure. DR reported he was optimistic an announcement would shortly be made as to the resolution of the state aid issue. 9. Strengthening Local Relationships – an ESCC Highways Initiative with Piddinghoe Whilst this can encompass any County Council related business, Highways issues tend to dominate Piddinghoe have recently joined in the initiative which is already operational in South Heighton & Newhaven. They will hold regular quarterly meetings & were pleased to report it had already borne positive results. 10. Ouse Valley Fun Day 29th October 2012 JB reported Rodmell had secured a small grant from East Sussex Police & Rodmell Cricket Club to go toward the cost of this event to be held at Half Term on Rodmell's Sports Field. The day would be run by the Community Coaching Team at Lewes FC & was open to all boy & girls aged 5-11 from the valley interested in attending. Posters were distributed for noticeboards & flyers will shortly be distributed throughout our communities. 11. Other Parish News & Any Other Business South Heighton's Bonfire Procession is to be held 10th November The Abergavenny Arms is now under new management with Jon & Lucie having signed a new lease. The Pub is at the heart of the valley & needs the support of us all. They are exploring many possible ventures including a village shop- interested parties can complete the survey on the Rodmell Village Website The funding issues for the Itford Farm Youth Hostel had finally been resolved & building work has restarted. It is scheduled to be open next March with 60 beds** & an Interpretation Centre . 12. Chair & Date of next meeting. We wondered if Kingston Road & Cranedown Residents Assoc would like to take the helm for 2013 ? As Wendy Brewer had been unable to attend our meeting NH volunteered to liaise with her.*** * DR has kindly now forwarded the minutes of the Economy, Transport & Environment Committee Meeting of 15 October 2012. Petition to Ban HGVs on the C7 – the feasibility will be investigated Petition to reduce speed limits on the C7 Bell Lane Mini Roundabout to Swanborough Hollow. A 20mph speed limit will be considered Southover High St/Kingston Rd as part of the discussions on a possible 20mph speed limit in Lewes Town Centre. If the proposed cycleway goes ahead , consideration will be given to (a) reducing the existing 40mph speed limit to 30mph Kingston Rd to Spring Barn Farm & (b) extending the 40mph speed limit from Spring Barn Farm to Swanborough Hollow ** The YHA Area Manager has subsequently advised NH that bed numbers have increased to 74 *** Wendy Brewer has kindly confirmed that she will be happy to take the Chair for 2013 – date & venue of next meeting to follow in due course.