Chidham and Hambrook Village - everyday

Mrs M Marrs

When and where?
Southbourne Parish Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Its meetings are at 7.30pm in the meeting room at St John's church. Once the minutes of the previous meeting have been agreed a county councillor or district councillor will say a few words before the session is handed over to members of the public who may wish to add something. The Parish Council then returns to its previously agreed agenda. If you live in the Southbourne parish (that's west of Broad Road and Cot Lane ) then the Council would be please to hear from you.

Nutbourne and Southbourne Matters

Philip MacDougall, a Southbourne parish councillor, reports back on this month's happenings on Southbourne parish council.
email Philip MacDougall at philip.macdougall@btinternet.com

The Southbourne parish council meeting held in April gave thought to the following issues:

• Development of a parish council website . This matter to be held over until July when Chichester District Council will be in a position to provide web space and an appropriate design. The scheme, currently being tested by the district council, is to be similar to one already operated by Arun District Council.
• Celebrating Southbourne Heritage . It was agreed to support activities connected with Heritage Open Days with a means to using heritage to help cement the local community.
• A village fete . As a further means of fostering the community, thought is to be given to the holding of a summer fete on the recreation ground.
• Litter picking by St John's church volunteers . This could be now becoming an annual event and one fully supported by the council.
• Land for development . The planning committee was asked to consider any areas in Southbourne suitable for development and also to determine which lands should not be subject to further development.

March 2008

• Concern over the cycle path continues to be a major issue. The council is to seek a joint meeting with Chidham parish council over a reduction of the speed limit on the A259 where it runs through Chidham, nutbourne and Southbourne.
• A vacancy exists on the parish council. Should anyone living within the Southbourne parish be interested they should contact the parish clerk for further details.
• The biodiversity working group reported back to the council and the following proposals were agreed:
• Encouraging biodiversity in residential gardens.
• This to be further publicised through Clippings. A prize of £50 was proposed.
• Publicise the advantage of an allotment and how they can be obtained.
• Publicise and encourage recycling in the garden and alternatives to pesticides.
• Organic gardening tips to go into Clippings.
• Encouragement of a community wildlife project. It was agreed to seek out models of good practice and look to involve local groups.
• Organise a school competition.
• Contact guides, beavers, sea scouts, trefoils and other organisations with suggested ideas.
• It was also suggested that local organisations might be encouraged to approach RSPB and other environmental organisations for speakers.

February 2008

I would like to concentrate on three issues of concern to those of us living on the Nutbourne/Chidham side of Southbourne.

•  The new cycle path . I'm a bit annoyed about this. Still nothing back from the County Council as to their final plans. I understand that work is to begin in March. We, as a Parish Council, were only given two weeks to consult. As we understand it, the cycle path will probable steer a direct course from the edge of Chidham to the edge of Emsworth and will cost £138,000.

•  A Local Biodiversity Action Plan . The parish council is working on a Local Biodiversity Action Plan. The Plan will include:

•  The encouragement of biodiversity in residential gardens.

•  The mapping habitats.

•  Encouraging community wildlife projects.

To do this, the parish council needs your help. Please contact the parish clerk if you would like more details of the working group and its progress or would like to contribute to the plan in some way.

•  Clippings. The Parish Council agreed that the next Clippings will hit the streets in March. If you don't get a copy by the end of March, then let me know. If you have some news for Clippings , then you might send it to me as well. I only say this as I am the lead member on the council's Clippings editorial team.

On the topic of the planning application for a Biodiesel plant in Priors Leaze Lane, the planning application has been opposed by the Parish Council on the grounds of the access approach road being unsuitable and that it is an industrial enterprise unsuited to a rural area.