A webcast of the County Council meeting on 15 February is available to be seen on the County Council website (see link on left).

Once on the West Sussex Home site, click on ‘Meetings & Decisions’ , then, from the list click on ‘webcasts’,  then from the list click on ‘archive of webcasts’, then finally click ‘Full meeting of County Council, 15 February 2008′.

The site gives the agenda and the list of speakers under each item.

The broadcast enables viewers to watch the debate on the various items on the agenda, especially on the Budget and the Council Tax decision for 2008/09.

A decision by the Speaker of the House of Commons to refuse to have a debate and vote on a Liberal Democrat amendment calling for a referendum on whether to be in or out of Europe has met with an angry response from Liberal Democrats in Arundel & South Downs

“This is an appalling decision,” said County Councillor for Bramber Castle, Derek Deedman, “To deny Parliament the chance to vote on our proposal to allow the public to have a real say on Britain’s membership of the European Union is an outrage.

“In the last referendum over 30 years ago, people voted to be in a very different Europe from what we have now. There have, rightly, been many important changes as the European Union has developed and grown in size. But the British people have not had the opportunity to vote on those changes.

“Because of the Speaker’s decision, they will be denied the opportunity to decide whether or not they want to stay in the EU.

“Labour and the Conservatives have colluded to prevent the real referendum on Europe taking place. The Conservatives are proposing a vote on the narrow issue of the Lisbon Treaty. Meanwhile, as the events in the Commons show, the Labour Party is terrified of an open debate on the real issue.

“It’s time for the Westminster establishment to stop being so cowardly over Europe and have an open debate with the country. Liberal Democrats will be proud to lead the case for British membership of the EU.”

Derek Deedman wants people to sign the petition calling for a real choice on Europe. The petition is online at http://ourcampaign.org.uk/europe. or through the link on this website.

At long last the County Planning Committee is expected to consider this planning application at its meeting on 8 April 2008.

The committee papers should be sent out by first class post on Friday, 28 March 2008, copies going to everyone who has made representations (believed to be around 150). Registration of requests by the public to speak will close at 09.30am on 4 April 2008.

As in the case of other previous controversial applications, the Chairman of the Planning Committee has exercised his discretion to allow more than three objectors to speak. He has indicated that on this occasion he is likely to allow extra speakers to enable the Committee to hear all the arguments, provided there is no repetition of points.

 Although there has been little support for a cycleway from Golding Barn to Small Dole, a Small Dole resident feels there would be lots of support for the provision of a cycle track from Small Dole to Henfield. 

Certainly the amount of traffic including heavy lorries, car transporters etc. on the road between the two Villages is horrendous and this undoubtedly deters most people from attempting to cycle there.

Such a link would complement the footway from Woodmancote to Henfield, and encourage more people who visit Henfield from its outlying villages to walk/cycle rather than use their cars.

Concern was raised a t a recent New Heath Centre meeting about the lack of a street sign for Fletchers Croft, Steyning.

The access road to the car park at the Steyning Centre is not marked with a nameplate, and this has caused confusion for people looking for the temporary Health Centre and for  visitors to Steyning looking for the car park. Horsham District Council which is responsible for street nameplates has been asked to provide one for Fletchers Croft. 

In addition the District Council has been reminded about the Castle Lane nameplate at the Bramber roundabout end where the sign is in the wrong place. Currently the sign is sited on the Castle Lane footway bypass so that drivers might be confused as to which route to follow, as the footway has been designed for cycle use and is wide enough for vehicles. Hopefully the Council will soon move the nameplate to the actual Castle Lane side.

The survey, carried out by the County Council, gave a result of only 12.4% of the national criteria, similar to the previous survey, despite increasing traffic on the road.

In the School Crossing Patrol Officer’s view, the physical layout of two junctions and vehicles going and coming from all directions, coupled with narrow roads and resident’s parking causes the majority of the problems and gridlock from around 0830 to 0840.

The majority of people either cross further along Shooting Field if they live in that direction or across Shooting Field adjacent to Middle Mead if they live there. They tend to cross in between stationary vehicles most of the time. Whilst not immediately dangerous there is potential for a real problem to occur.

The Officer considered that even if a School Crossing Patrol (SCP) was funded by a sponsor, such a SCP would find it extremely difficult to control the gridlock situation and make it safer for children to cross.

It has been suggested that, as a temporary measure, pending the introduction of a 20 mph zone outside the School (which is now likely to be ranked as a high priority), a keep clear area could be set up on Shooting Field adjacent to the school side of Middle Mead. This would have the advantage of creating an artificial gap in the traffic during the busiest times when vehicles are largely at a standstill in any event. The local Highways Office has been requested to consider this suggestion.

In the next few weeks Parliament will vote on whether to hold a European referendum.

Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats are campaigning for the British people to be given a real choice through a referendum on our membership of the European Union as a whole.

Unlike the Conservatives, who are proposing just a restrictive referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, the Liberal Democrats want that real referendum. This is because if Britain is to stride forward confidently into the 21st century and tackle global issues like climate change and terrorism, we need to decide once and for all whether our future lies within the European Union, or outside it.

In that referendum campaign the Liberal Democrats will argue long and hard for Britain’s vital place in the EU.

Please support our challenge to the Government and the Conservative Party to give the public a real choice on Europe by clicking on the “A real vote on Europe” link, and signing the Liberal Democrat petition.

The abolition of the 10% income tax rate, without a corresponding increase in the tax allowance from April, means that low income earners will pay the new standard rate of 20% on a greater proportion of their income from that month.

For those only paying 10% currently this will mean a big reduction in their income in addition to the 4.5% increase in council tax most have to pay.

It is appalling that those on low incomes will lose, whilst those on higher incomes will gain from these latest tax changes. Once again under this government the gap between rich and poor will get wider.

To calculate the impact on your income go to the Standard Life link (under Income Tax changes) on this website.

New plans have been announced by the Liberal Democrats to protect Britain from the worst effects of flooding. The Met Office warned recently that severe flooding is due to worsen in the years ahead. High levels of rainfall in Sussex during December and January saw flooding around the local area.

“The government isn’t taking the devastating potential of climate change seriously enough,” said new Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg. “We need to act now if we’re to protect Britain from the flooding that could sweep Britain in years to come. Six months after last year’s flooding, the government has still done nothing to tackle the problem. Many areas of Britain are simply left waiting for the next downpour, while Ministers sit twiddling their thumbs.

Lewes Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, who chairs the All Party Flood Prevention Group in Parliament said: “We must invest more in our flood defences. The government must stop building so many new homes in flood risk areas, and help families in high risk homes to get insurance. We need a comprehensive approach to flooding, brought together in a Flooding Act in Parliament to ensure changes are made quickly, and to reassure the thousands of families who are at risk of losing everything.”

County Councillor  for Bramber Castle, Derek Deedman, said: “The government must start taking flood management seriously. This means investing in new flood defences and maintaining existing ones. Otherwise places like Bramber, Steyning and Upper Beeding will continue to be at risk.”

In view of public concern about the possible closure of this Service, the Chanctonbury County Local Committee  will now be discussing  the matter at its meeting on Tuesday, 18 March.

The meeting will take place in Pulborough Village Hall, Swan View, Lower Street, Pulborough, and will start at 7pm. Everybody is welcome to attend to hear the reasons behind the proposed closure of the Mobile Waste Service, to make their views known, and to consider the possible alternative options, should the Service close.

Derek Deedman and County/District Officers will be attending the next Horsham Mobile Waste Service visit to Steyning on Saturday, 23 February (from about 10am), to listen to local concerns and hand out posters about the Chanctonbury meeting.

The consultation exercise on whether a bus shelter should be provided outside the Methodist Church in Steyning High Street, conducted through the Winter Edition of the Bramber Castle Focus, has shown little interest.

Of the few responses received the majority were against the provision of a bus shelter. There will now therefore be no further action on this matter.

Tomorrow’s meeting (15th) of the County Council will be webcast on the County council’s website.

The meeting starts at 10.30am and the Budget for 2008/09 will be the first major item on the agenda to be discussed by the 70 County Councillors. There will be a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Conservative majority proposed budget which will attempt to re-direct some of the Tories proposed spending into more support for people in need.

Any comments on the debate will be very welcome.

The Village Hall was packed last night when residents from Blackstone Lane and other parts of Woodmancote met to discuss the problems caused by traffic using the Lane as a short-cut.

The meeting was chaired by Woodmancote Parish Councillor, Crispin Blazeby, with Local Highway Manager, Vince Tipper, and County Councillor Derek Deedman also on the top table.

Vince Tipper fielded a wide range of questions ranging from explaining how SATNAVs work and getting the information used corrected to prevent the use of the Lane by unsuitable heavy, wide and/or long vehicles, to reducing traffic speed generally. Many ideas were suggested, but frustratingly Vince had to explain why most of what seemed simple solutions could not be implemented.

It was agreed to investigate some ways forward, including carrying out speed checks along the Lane and through Blackstone Village, to see if speed limits/reduction measures should be introduced.

The Parish Council will be working with Vince Tipper and Derek Deedman to progress the matter.

Despite the highly publicised campaign by the County Council’s Tory leaders against another poor Government grant settlement for 2008/09 they failed to convince the County’s Tory MPs.

The Liberal Democrats can be proud that the 42 Lib Dem MPs present during the debate in the House of Commons on the Grant Settlement for 2008/09 voted against the Governments final proposals; only three Tory MPs joined them – none from West Sussex! All the other Tory MPs throughout the Country either did not bother to turn up or abstained.

Derek Deedman, Vice Chairman of the County Policy & Resources Select Committee, said, “It is appalling that none of the County’s Tory MPs could be bothered to vote against this Grant Settlement which leaves West Sussex County Council with a grant increase of only 2%, barely half than the national average average of 3.6%. Although I suppose it is a slightly better performance than the County’s only Labour MP who actually voted in favour of this miserly increase!

“The low rise in the amount of money from central government to help pay towards the County Council’s costs will mean another tight year ahead for local services,” Derek said “The rise does not even take account of inflation, let alone the additional costs of services the government requires the Council to provide.

“The end result is that the County Council is increasing council tax above inflation and, whilst there is some service growth offset by major efficiency savings, some services will be cut yet again. It is a case of pay more for fewer services under Labour, whilst the Tories just do nothing.

“It seems that Tories are failing to mount a strong challenge to the Labour Government on this and other vital matters, and are content to sit back and let Gordon Brown get on with things. The only party to vote against the council cash plans in Parliament and stand up for local residents were the Liberal Democrats.”

Congratulations to Joyce on winning this first election for many years to the Parish Council.

The figures from an excellent 32% turnout were: -

Joyce Shaw          297

Donna Bailey        277

Becki Davoudi      196

All three candidates stood with no party description, but Donna Bailey is a well-known BNP supporter.

It has been agreed that the Chanctonbury County Local Committee (CLC) will hold an extra meeting on 22nd April, starting at 7pm at a venue to be confirmed, to enable the public to hear the reasons behind the proposed closure of the Mobile Waste service, the possible alternative options and for the public to make their views known.

CLC members will be visiting the Mobile Waste sites in the period before the Committee meeting to hand out flyers to users of the facilities to encourage them to attend the CLC meeting.

Projected start date for a time in February:

Towers Road
Windmill Close
Downsland Rd & Close
Downcroft
Newlands Rd
Undermill Rd
Deacons Way & Pepperscoombe Lane

Projected start date for a time in early March:
A2037 , Small Dole, Tottington Drive to Hoewood
A2037  Upper Beeding,Shoreham Rd to Hightrees 

Who will undertake the works?

The work will be undertaken by West Sussex Highways, a partnership between West Sussex County Council, May Gurney, and the County Council supply chain partner, JPCS Limited.

What does it involve?

The scheme involves laying a black, wet mixture over the existing footway. The work may be undertaken in stages for example, weed killing, cleaning the footway, adjusting iron work and then laying the material. There may be a small lapse in time between any part of the process.

Overhanging vegetation

Prior to the commencement of these works, any overhanging vegetation to the highway must be trimmed back to property boundaries.  Failure to do this may necessitate the contractor undertaking this trimming back, which may not necessarily produce the same standard that residents would wish or could achieve themselves.

When will the works take place?

The hours of work will generally take place from 8am – 6pm. On occasions work may continue on a Saturday from 8am – 4pm.

One minute it was there, opposite there, Castle Hotel, the next it was gone. No consultation with the Parish Council or local residents.

Not surprisingly local people are not happy!

The  Clerk to Bramber Parish Council and Derek Deedman have both contacted the Royal Mail for the Box to be returned immediately.

Due to the resignation of one of the local education authority representatives on the Governing Body there is a vacancy to be filled.

If you live in the Upper Beeding/Bramber/Steyning/Small Dole area, have an interest in primary school education and feel you could make a contribution to the community as a governor, please contact Derek Deedman for a discussion about the role and application form.

First the good news:-

Following requests from passengers, Brighton & Hove Buses are providing for an extra 2A bus from Steyning in the morning rush hour, as currently there is a gap from 7.28 to 8.38am, and, due to heavy traffic at that time of day, the 8.38 is often late.  This extra bus has been achieved by altering the 8.08 from Shoreham Beach (which is a starter from the depot) to start instead from Steyning at 7.52am.  This daily journey will start on 6 April 2008.

But the bad news is that Brighton & Hove Buses cannot see an immediate solution to the Small Dole-Shoreham connection problem at the Rising Sun in Upper Beeding, as both the 2A and Compass’ 100 are governed by needing to fix the hourly headway around school journeys.  The Company agree, however, that it would be good if it could be achieved in the future, and it remains on Brighton & Hove’s list.

With the February meeting of the County Planning Committee cancelled the next meeting the Horton Landfill Site, Small Dole, planning application could be considered is Tuesday, 11 March. The following meeting is on  Tuesday, 8 April (which is after the current planning permission expires).

In response to concerns of local residents the County Safe Routes to School Team is investigating ways to stop car drivers mounting the kerb when leaving the school grounds on this access road to the Steyning Grammar and Primary Schools

These drivers are so impatient that they are not willing to wait for a gap in the traffic entering the access road and so drive up on to the kerb, apparently not caring whether they hit a child on the pavement. The options to prevent this are having bollards or railings along the exiting side of the spur road.

One consideration is that there are a number of driveways so railings would stop and start, whilst bollards could be knocked down or a child trip over one.

At this stage no detailed plans have been drawn up but obviously both options will be investigated and local residents and the two schools consulted on the final proposals.

It has been claimed recently that politics do not come into a Parish Council. But they do!

Nearly everything local authorities do is political and parish councils are the building block on which our local democracy is built. They may not have many direct powers, but they do provide some services and also have a lot of influence on what the Districts and County Councils do – from planning proposals to the way and for whom services are provided.

And so in some areas parish/town councils are also run on party political lines. This is not the case in most rural areas such as ours, but our Parish Councils still make political choices. Examples include: _

•  Making recommendations on planning applications (e.g. blocks of flats instead of big houses, provision of accommodation for people with learning difficulties or for affordable and/or social houses on open spaces.)
• To provide bus shelters to encourage bus use instead of cars.
• Provision of skateboard sites which might be opposed by nearby residents.
• Deciding on the level of Council Tax precept and therefore the range of services to be provided by the Parish Council.
• Responding to consultation from the District Council on the number of affordable/social houses in major housing developments or whether car parking charges should be introduced.  
• Responding to the County Council on the priority of highway developments proposed in the area and whether planning development funds should be used to support particular County Council schemes.
  

But, of course, it is not just that parish councils are political, the parish councillors making the decisions are exercising political choices based on their own political views. So although they may stand for election with no political label, if they normally support and/or are a member of a political party, it is likely that the policies of that party will have a strong influence on the way they vote on parish council matters.    

Brighton & Hove Bus Services are having problems with this Service, in that it now carries many schoolchildren and also becomes delayed in the Shoreham area due to heavy traffic on certain days. This has led to its next journey at 8.38am from Steyning to Shoreham, Brighton and Rottingdean running late, sometimes by 15 minutes or more.  This return journey passes through Shoreham at 9.00am so is the first journey that Countycard holders can use to travel free, which because it is now late has led to a number of complaints and the bus becoming further delayed.

As an experiment at the beginning of January the route was altered to operate from Bramber via the Steyning by-pass, Horsham Road to drop off at Steyning Grammar School and then head straight back into Brighton.  This did improve timekeeping, but Brighton & Hove then received a complaint that people who work in Steyning were now reaching the High Street that much later, and were late for work. Brighton & Hove have therefore stopped the experiment and the bus now runs its normal route.

However, Brighton & Hove consider the result of the experimental route had shown that it did successfully improve reliability and was beneficial to a far greater number of people than were inconvenienced.  The Bus Company will therefore be officially altering the route of this journey from the next timetable change on 7 April.

Whilst this proposed change is understood surely the better answer is to run the Service earlier so that no one is inconvenienced? Apart from this change there is also the need to see that the return times of the 2A throughout the day are changed, to enable a connection with the 100 service in Upper Beeding for travellers from Henfield and Small Dole who wish to go to/from Shoreham and Worthing.