Aldwick Parish Council Aldwick Parish Offices, 88 Pryors Lane, Aldwick, West PO21 4JF Tel & FAX: 01243 263330 email: [email protected] Chairman: Cllr Dr Tony Poland Clerk: Sue Batey Assistant Clerk: Mary Halpin Minutes of the EXTRAORDINARY MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL 367th Meeting of Aldwick Parish Council Held on Monday, 9th February 2015. In the Aldwick Parish Offices.

Those present: Cllr Mr T Poland (Chairman), Cllr Mr J Bass, Cllr Mr R Hurstwaite, Cllr Mrs L Richardson, Cllr Mr M Warden, and Cllr Mr A Smith

In attendance: The Clerk, 4 members of the public and 1 member of the press.

The meeting opened at 7pm

Apologies: Cllr Mrs G Stabler, Cllr Mrs M. Myers (vice-Chairman), Cllr Mr B Dodd, Cllr Mr A Patel, Cllr Mr D Hammond, Cllr Mr E Pearce and Cllr Mrs Findley Dodd.

160.14c Declarations of interest by members. None declared.

161.14c Questions from members of the public & Representations from any Councillor who has a personal/prejudicial/pecuniary interest in any of the agenda items. None.

162.14c To receive a report from Cllr Mrs Richardson regarding the outcomes of the meeting held on the 30th January 2015 with representatives of Barclays Bank and the Member of Parliament for and . Minute no. 156.14c - This meeting is to further the Council’s objective as stated in minute no. 135.14c - that the banks reconsider their intentions to closure the Rose Green branches. Cllr Mrs Richardson delivered the following report to members; Those present at the meeting; representing Barclays Bank - The Retail Commercial Leader for Sussex, Head of Corporate Relations and Southern Group Corporate Communications and the Bank manager for Chichester and branches. Also attending was the M.P. for Littlehampton and Bognor Regis and Cllr Mrs Richardson.

The Barclays team explained the reason for closing the branch was due to:  The rise in internet and telephone banking and the reduction of people using the branch.  Few businesses use the bank for anything other than paying in.  The presence of the Post Office to act as a back-up for the resident population

Also discussed;  Effect on individuals – particularly elderly or families with small children. Stressed lack of computer skills or fear of telephone banking because of scams etc. Talked about the ethos of trust in bank staff – dealing with a person in the bank and knowing they will be looked after and guided in an appropriate manner. The distance involved to next nearest branch and the difficulties some people may have getting there.

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 The effect on the community With two banks going so soon after each other is not a good sign as it will probably mean less usage of other shops in the area as bank business will need to be conducted in Bognor Regis or Chichester. (Barclays officials were unaware that the Nat West Bank branch in Rose Green was also closing.)

 The effect on the communal environment What sort of occupants will the empty building have next – Barclays Bank owns the building. Empty buildings are not good for a “bustling” community like Rose Green.

Bank representatives were adamant that everything the local population does at the Bank it can do at the Post Office although there was some confusion about this and it was agreed that Barclays Bank would confirm this.

It was clarified that Post Office services would include:  Cash Withdrawals with Bank card and PIN number.  Paying-in cash maximum £300 per day with Paying in Slip.  Paying in cheques with paying in slip and a Barclays Bank envelope.

Unfortunately, there is no facility for transferring funds from one account to another and all other banking requirements will necessitate a trip to Bognor Regis/Chichester or use of IT.

It was established during the meeting that this is an economic and commercial decision on the part of Barclays Bank and they are not going to change their minds. In fact, they said that they have never changed their minds about a bank branch closure. Barclays did add that it will do all it can to ease customers through the transition. Current Rose Green Barclays Bank Staff are being redeployed at Bognor Regis or Chichester branches, so there are no local job losses.

Barclays will provide a service to customers called “Digital Eagles” who are trained members of staff to assist customers learn how to access banking using new IT equipment – and have already started this at Rose Green.

Barclays said that they are willing to set up a free wi-fi site at a local community named centre to hold IT familiarisation sessions (known as tea and teach) and if we let them know where, they can get that started.

163.14c That a letter of support in principle be sent to the Member of Parliament for Littlehampton and Bognor Regis regarding Coastal Defence – The “Community Scheme” as agreed in minute no.149.14c. Unanimously agreed.

The next meeting of the Council Committee will be on:

Monday, 9th March 2015 @ 7pm.

The meeting closed at 7.23p.m. Meetings of the Council are open to the Public Note that attachments are not distributed with copies of the minutes but are available for inspection with the master copy of the minutes in the Council offices.

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