Midhurst Annual Town Meeting 2010

He referred to the report of the Council's aims and projects during the preceding year which had been delivered to all homes in the town (Midhurst Matters Issue 27) and mentioned some of the more important and memorable moments including:

· The public meeting which he chaired when residents were given the opportunity to express their views on the introduction of parking charges to CDC officers. Whilst the Town Council had ultimately lost the battle the District Council had been left in no doubt about the strength of opposition in the town.

· The long awaited work at South Pond including the planting done by the local volunteer group SPACE

· The successful relocation of the Farmers' Markets which the Town Council had been very much involved in during the early stages

· The introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement

Residents were asked to take a greater role in town activities by entering Midhurst in Bloom or applying for the vacancy on the Council.

The Chairman concluded by thanking his fellow Councillors and the Clerk for their help and support during the year.

The guest speakers were Andrew Shaxson and Fiona Mettam of the South Downs National Park Authority who gave an interesting presentation on the establishment of the Park, its aims and the challenges it faces.

The Open Forum dealt with only one topic – the new Grange Centre and the facilities it would provide.

There was a great deal of public anger regarding the County Council's decision to withdraw Day Care Services. Claims that fewer people were attending were disputed and it was reported that potential users were not being told about the Grange and its services by the Social Services Department and only being able to secure a place there with great difficulty.

WSCC Councillor Hendon stressed that anyone requiring social care would receive it and that the County was looking at various options to provide day care at other venues. The unanimous response from the public present at the meeting was one of scepticism. There was doubt about the standard of care which could be provided without a purpose built centre, questions about who would staff such centres and concerns about the financial arrangements for such care.

There was a call for the Cabinet Member and senior officers responsible for the decision to attend a public meeting at the Grange to explain WSCC's actions and hear the local view.