Chris left with thanks.

- 7. County & District Councillors Reports –KOK reported:

### As West Sussex County Councillor:

- a) A27 - Highways England have rejected the application to upgrade the A27 - both options (the mitigated Northern bypass and Southern) have been deemed unworkable and not to deliver value for money. MP 25th and both council leaders are meeting with Secretary of State on January to chart a way forward.
- b) b) Buses – she submitted a motion which was debated at full council on December calling for retention of the services and for WSCC to take more time to explore the options of partnership and find other funding streams. Motion was defeated – it was watered down with an amendment looking at community transport to fill the gap. The cabinet member has made decision to cut £300k from the subsidised bus routes, subject to the budget being adopted in Feb 2019. Bus operators to be informed in January after 12th which WSCC will publish the routes to be cut/reduced. Next local group meeting is March in Compton.
- c) Budget - substantial reductions to Housing related support - local homeless charities, local assistance network (fund for helping families in crisis) and reduction in minimum income guarantee (for working age people in receipt of adult social care) have been proposed. The Health and Adult Social Care committee scrutinised this decision in December with testimony from users, providers, NHS, Police and probation - all confirming these services are in some cases literally lifesaving. Districts and Boroughs have called for current funding to be retained until April 2020 to give time to remodel services across the County. The Cabinet member has proceeded with the decision against recommendations by HASC. Subject to 15th the WSCC budget being approved on February this decision will go ahead.
- d) The review of Velo South and general planned events has been deferred and is expected to be discussed 13th on March 2019.
- e) Gigabit update – central government has reduced the cost of this scheme for businesses. Vouchers are now £2,500 rather than £3,000. Midhurst is being included in the roll out - more info at Business West Sussex Gigabit for broadband.
- f) WSCC have received news they will be one of the authorities included in the Local Government settlement pilot to keep 75% of business rates. The benefits aim to boost economic development and specifically broadband; Midhurst has the most properties in the County without superfast broadband

### As Chichester District Councillor:

- g) Overview and security committee are meeting tomorrow and will look at the Novium Museum business plan and Chichester Festival Theatre annual report. Chief Inspector of Police, Chris Ottery will be attending and answering questions from members.
- h) She is on the steering group for ‘Midhurst vision’ helping to draw up a new vision for the town.
- i) A project to increase the amount of temporary homeless accommodation was approved in December and a property in Chichester has been purchased which currently has 4-one bed flats for temporary accommodation. It will be demolished and rebuilt with 21 temporary accommodation units. In response to a question KOK will try to determine the number of homeless in Chichester.
- j) CDC are supporting ‘dry January’ and a 13-week ‘move it and lose it’ workshop is starting again.
- k) 2017-18 recycling rates increased to 45% with CDC now ranked as one of top 20 local authorities in UK. Target is 50% by 2020.
- l) High street vacancy rates - Chichester 6.8%, Petworth 0%, Midhurst 4.5% - a slight increase for Midhurst.

Drop in session Rogate Village Shop 11 February 2019 from 10.30-12.30.

- 8. Chairman’s report –
- a) SW informed the meeting the Clerk has booked the village hall for Thursday 11 April 2019 for the Annual Parish Meeting. It will start at 7pm and invitations will be sent to all the usual clubs and organisations. Please put in your diaries and encourage as many as possible to attend – last year there were only three attendees that were not from organisations reporting to the meeting. Clerk will send diary note to R&T.
- b) Following our straw poll last month, the Clerk researched the availability of the pavilion on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. It seems that both evenings will be blighted for most of the year by either the Choral Society or Scottish Dancing. As there was not an overwhelming majority for a change it was agreed to leave on Mondays for now.
- c) Parish Elections will be held on 2 May 2019 when current parish councillors will cease to hold office unless re-elected. Nomination documents will be available from Rogate Shop. Please ask around and encourage people to stand as we may need some new councillors.

Rogate 4 Rogate 4 Parish Council Full Council Minutes – 14 January 2019 Page of