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EAST BEACH RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 NORFOLK BOWLS CLUBHOUSE

NORFOLK GARDENS PARK

SOUTH TERRACE, LITTLEHAMPTON

SATURDAY 5th APRIL 2025 AT 7 PM

AGENDA

1.  Apologies for absence

2.  Minutes of last General Meeting

3.  Matters arising not already on the Agenda

4.  Chairman’s Report 

5.  Treasurers Report

6.  Neighbourhood Watch Report

7.   Election of Committee Members

8.  Update on current issues, plus Members to put forward local issues for consideration

9.   Any Other Business

If you have not already joined EBRA for 2025 please complete the slip below, detach it and put through the door of 5 NORFOLK MEWS, NORFOLK PLACE, including the £2 subs. per household. Funds raised this year will be used mainly to provide plants for Honeysuckle Walk and other areas in Norfolk Gardens Park and maintaining the Greens in Norfolk Place.

                                                                           Thank You

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Please find herewith my £2 subscription for membership of EBRA for 2025

Name…………………………………………

Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………  Tel. ………………………………………………

Email……………………………………………….

East Beach Residents Association

Chairmans Report on 2024

I am pleased to say we held a full year’s programme of events. As always, my thanks to the committee and other willing volunteers without whom it wouldn’t happen.

Our AGM in April was well attended and was followed by an interesting talk on the RNLI.

In June we held a Quiz Night, with a meal, at the Vardar Restaurant. This annual event was well supported. We sold most of the seats. Our thanks go to staff at the Vardar for good food and service, and to Mike our Quiz Master for an excellent quiz.

Later in June we held our Pimms and Nibbles. This time it was in the garden of Ketsby Cottage, in Western Rd.  My thanks to Shuna for opening her lovely garden for us.  It was much admired.  Again, well attended with some fifty residents passing through during the course of the afternoon.

Also, in June we planted Honeysuckle Walk with begonias, and some low growing geraniums in the bed nearest South terrace.  The begonias proved very successful, and we will repeat this in 2025. 

In July we held our Fair in the Square in Norfolk Place.  Happily, this year the weather was kind to us. This is our main fund-raiser of the year.  Attendance was down a bit on previous years, but it still proved to be a worthwhile event.  Any unsold Bric-a-Brac was donated to the local St. Barnabas Hospice charity.

In August the weather was not kind to us and the lunch-time BBQ in South Passage was rained off.

We had planned to hold a second Quiz Night at the Vardar in October.  However, we did not sell sufficient tickets and so the event had to be cancelled.  There has to be a sufficient number to make it viable for the Vardar to open.

In November we held our Coffee Morning which went well, as always.  In 2023 one of the raffle Prizes was a cushion with a beautiful, quilted top, made by Linda. I don’t think we have ever sold so many raffle tickets.  This year Linda made another cushion, which proved a similar draw and was the first prize chosen, much to the ire of many in the room.  My thanks to Linda and Phil, who host the event, and to all who helped.

In December we held our Carols in the Square. It was a chilly but dry evening and some fifty residents braved the cold to enjoy the singing, the hot mulled wine and the mince pies.  Our thanks again to Anne who played the keyboard. (As in the previous year, we did provide a hot water bottle for her lap, to help keep her fingers warm).  My thanks to Will and Simon who gave an amusing reading, with multiple costume changes.  Last, but by no means least, my thanks to Linda and the committee for the hot mulled wine and mince pies, and help in setting up.

In closing I must again thank Edward for organising the grass cutting rota and to all the volunteers who cut the grass; and the four volunteers that keep Honeysuckle Walk watered during the summer months.  Edward has now stepped down from organising the rota and Alan Simmonds has agreed to take on the role, for which my thanks.

Fox and Seagull Proof Sacks

One success of the previous year is that we at last obtained a supply of Fox and Seagull Proof Sacks.

These are for flats that don’t have any bin storage facility. The sacks have a tag so can be tied to the railings on collection day, and then folded up and reused for future collections. We distributed them along South Terrace, as a pilot programme with ADC.  They have proved successful.  If you would like one of the sacks, please contact us.

EBRA- Tres Rt 2024Download

EAST BEACH RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF THE 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NORFOLK BOWLS CLUBHOUSE

NORFOLK GARDENS PARK

SOUTH TERRACE, LITTLEHAMPTON.

SATURDAY 27th APRIL 2024 AT 7.00 pm

The Chairman, David Warne, began by welcoming everyone to the meeting, and thanked the Norfolk Bowls Club for the use of the venue and bar. He also welcomed Richard Worsley who was joining the meeting to give a talk on the RNLI.

  1. Apologies for Absence

 Eileen Ross, Sue & Phil Wadley, Ann & Ralph Thomas, Geoff & Fiona Try, Simon Trimmer, Larry Hass & Faye, Rhian & Kerry Peachy, Cllr Bob Woodman, Cllr David Tilbrook, Cllr Billy Blanchard-Cooper.

  • Minutes of last AGM 
    Approved
  • Matters Arising not already on the Agenda

Arun District Council (ADC) has submitted a revised application for the already approved additional beach huts on the seafront.  The new application provides for paved access to the three huts that will provide disabled access.  EBRA has again submitted a written objection on the basis that gaps between the existing huts would be significantly reduced by the addition of the extra huts and they would not be a significant visitor attraction, as suggested in a planning application, as they will be leased to local residents.

The issue of the number of foxes in the area was raised at the 2023 AGM and the Chairman had contacted ADC.  The response was that foxes are not vermin and therefore not a matter for ADC.

  • Chairman’s Report

I am pleased to say we were able to run a full year’s programme of events. My thanks to the committee and other willing volunteers who helped to make it all happen.

Our AGM in April was well attended, and was followed by a fascinating talk on 

‘Highlights of the Littlehampton Museum Collection’ by Julia Edge, the Museum curator.

On the 7th May we held a ‘Coronation Big Lunch’ on the greens in Norfolk Place. It was a ’bring and share’ event and in no time the tables were groaning under the weight of food provided. Some fifty residents enjoyed a very pleasant long lunch.

Later in May we held a Quiz Night, with a meal, at the Vardar Restaurant. We sold most of the seats available and thanks go to staff at the Vardar for ensuring a smooth-running evening, and to Mike our Quiz Master.

Later in June we held our Pimm’s and Nibbles in the garden of Surrey Cottage. Again, well attended with some fifty residents passing through during the course of the afternoon. Our thanks go to Mark and Libby for use of the garden.

In July our Fair in the Square in Norfolk Place had to be cancelled at the last minute due to the weather.  Happily, we managed to reschedule it to 2nd September. This is our main fund-raiser of the year.  Attendance was down a bit on previous years, but it still proved to be a worthwhile event.  Any unsold Bric-a-Brac was donated to the local St. Barnabas Hospice Charity. 

In August we held a Lunch-time BBQ in South Passage where everyone brings their own food and we provide the BBQ’s.  It was fairly well attended but did not run on so late as previous years as it turned a little chilly. Our thanks to residents who move their cars to allow us to use the parking space for the BBQ.

We held a second Quiz Night at the Vardar in October. Numbers were good and it was a very enjoyable evening.  A bit embarrassing as my table won, much to the chagrin of Neil as we beat his team by half a point!  But I insist it was fair and square.  Our thanks to Derek Warby who was our Quiz Master on this occasion and again to the staff at the Vardar for the excellent service.

In November we held our Coffee Morning which went well, as always.  One of the raffle Prizes was a cushion with a beautiful, quilted top, made by Linda. I don’t think we have ever sold so many raffle tickets. I spent most of the morning folding tickets as fast as Shuna could sell them.  Many thanks to Linda and Phil who host the event, to all who helped and, in particular, Carin who seemed to spend the morning brewing tea or washing up.

In December we held our Carols in the Square. It was a chilly but dry evening and some fifty residents braved the cold to enjoy the singing, the hot mulled wine and the mince pies.  Our thanks again to Anne who played the keyboard. (as the previous year, we did provide a hot water bottle for her lap, to keep her fingers warm).  Our thanks also to Eileen who gave another amusing reading, this time illustrated with the contents of a tool box and to Roger Mayhew for allowing me to read his adaptation of the Night before Christmas, entitled the Nightmare before Christmas.  Last, but by no means least, thanks to Linda and the committee for the hot mulled wine and Mince pies, and help setting up.

In closing I must again thank Edward for organising the grass cutting rota and to all the volunteers who cut the grass; and the four volunteers that keep Honeysuckle Walk watered during the summer months.

On local issues: –

The application by Arun District Council (ADC) to add more Beach Huts on the seafront went to the Planning Committee and was approved with provision for thirteen, to include three disabled Beach Huts.  Later Larry Hass and I were invited to a meeting with Billy Blanchard-Cooper, Beach Ward Cllr, to discuss the number and location of the Beach Huts. So, watch this space.

On Rampion 2, Protect Coastal Sussex continues its opposition to the project.  EBRA has registered as an interested Group. 

We have made yet another application to WSCC for the Double Yellow lines at the entrance to Norfolk Gardens to be extended by a small amount to improve access.

We applied to West Sussex County Council (WSCC) for the verges in Norfolk Gardens to be reinstated.  WSCC replied they had inspected them and they did not reach their standards for repair! In spite of them being just churned up mud. Cllr Billy Blanchard -Cooper has now taken it up on our behalf.

We also applied to WSCC to have the potholes in South Passage filled and sent pictures. Again, they inspected and say the potholes do not meet their criteria for repair.

Fox and Seagull Proof Sacks

One success of the year is that we at last obtained a supply of Fox and Seagull Proof Sacks.

These are for flats that don’t have any bin storage facility. The sacks have a tag so can be tied to the railings on collection day, and then folded up and reused after collection. We distributed them along South Terrace, as a pilot programme with ADC.  They have proved successful.  If you would like one of the sacks please contact us.

5.Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer, Linda Collins, reported on the accounts, providing a detailed breakdown of Income and Expenses. A summary of income and funds was provided. 

Treasurer’s report for 2023   
     
Summary of EBRA accounts for 2023   
   costprofit
April AGM   £75.25
MayCoronation lunchno cost or profit  
MayQuiz Night 1no cost or profit  
JuneGarden Party: Pimm’s & Nibbles  £1.78
JulyFair in the square  £226.45
AugustBBQ £7.47 
OctoberQuiz Night 2  £79.00
NovemberChristmas Coffee Morning  £137.30
DecemberCarols in the Square  £51.43
     
 Subs for 2022  £136.00
 Donations to EBRA   £182.00
 Miscellaneous stationery costs £174.78 
 Green Waste Bin hire£86.09  
 Gardens: lawn treatment by Green Thumb£72.00  
 Lawn Treatment spreader£42.58  
 Gardens: hedge cutting & clearance£230.00  
 Gardens: plants£204.10  
 Total gardens:£634.77£634.77 
  Totals£817.02£889.21
     
Overall profit in 2023 (ie £889.21 – £817.02)£72.19  
EBRA funds at beginning of 2023£833.73  
EBRA funds at end of 2023£905.92  

6.  Neighbourhood Watch Report
     Phil Mcerlain reported that there has been no reported crime in the area.  However, there had been a spate of young boys banging and kicking front doors. Fortunately, Phil had recognised one of the boys and spoken to his mother. This proved effective in stopping the problem. It transpired that the idea of kicking and banging on doors was something that had circulated on the Internet, and was popular, for a while, across Littlehampton.

Phil also reported that he had a booklet which gave details on how to register with the Telephone Preference Service to avoid scam calls.  Anyone wanting this information to contact him.

7.  Election of Committee Members

The existing committee all agreed to stand again and it was agreed the election of Committee Members should be carried out ‘en bloc’:
Chairman:  David Warne
Treasurer:  Linda Collins
Other Committee Members:  Barbara Hughes, Cathy Palmer, Freda Ley, Hugh Montgomery and Shuna le Moine

Proposed:  Phil Mcerlain        Seconded:  Lesley Warne            Carried

Simon Trimmer was co-opted during the year and now formally proposed

Proposed:  Shuna Le Moine       Seconded:  Linda Collins.            Carried

8.  Update on Current Issues

      As noted in the Chairman’s Report distribution of seagull and fox proof sacks had proved successful. 

     Anyone still wishing to obtain one of the bags should contact a member of the committee.

      An application to West Sussex County Council to have the verges in Norfolk gardens repaired had met 

      with the response that they did not meet the standards necessitating repair. This matter is being pursued 

      with WSCC by Cllr Blanchard -Cooper on behalf of members.

      An application was made to West Sussex County Council to repair the potholes in South Passage.     WSCC responded that, after inspection, the potholes did not meet their criteria for repair. A committee member and another resident purchased suitable materials and repaired the potholes. EBRA sent a note to all residents using South Passage to ask if they would make some contribution towards the cost. The response was excellent and some 80% of the cost was recovered.  The chairman thanked residents that had contributed.

9.  Issues Raised by Members

    Cllr David Tilbrook, Beach Ward, had asked the Chairman to gauge members feelings on the Rampion 2  

    project. 

      Some 45 members attended the AGM.  After a brief discussion on Rampion 2 the Chairman asked 

     members to indicate, by show of hands, if they were for, against or uncertain.  The result was

     70% against, 20% for, 10% uncertain.

      Edward Woodward, who organises the grass cutting rota, asked that anyone willing to join the rota to

     please contact him.  The aim is to ensure each volunteer only has to cut the grass once a year.

10. AOB

There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.40pm and was followed by an illustrated talk on the RNLI by Richard Worsley, RNLI volunteer.


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