MINUTES OF A
MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11TH APRIL 2007
AT 8 PM IN THE W I ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE
Present: Messrs Graham Gosney, David Miners, George Wiginton, Robin Williamson, Simon Greenwood, Roland Burke & Mesdames. Katherine Gunning, Alison Stevenson & Sheila Illsley
In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council
No members of the public were present.
No declarations were made.
Received
from Messrs. Gary Marsh & Richard Turner
1991. To approve Minutes of Regular Meeting held on 14th March 2007
1970 - Mr Greenwood pointed out that he had
declared a prejudicial interest
in respect of Planning Application BA/07/00227/FUL - 47 Westup Farm Cottages. After correction the minutes were then signed by the Chairman as
a true & correct record.
1992. Matters Arising
1975 – Column adjoining Station Shelter - Clerk had checked whether EDF
install/maintain motion operated lights & whether repairs to the new
station light would be more squirrel proof.
Reply received was non committal.
1983. Report on Bus Shelters –
After discussion with Ron agreed sensible to establish an order of priority for
repair work, at the same time being cost conscious. However a builder necessary as this type of work outside his
remit.
Other 11 - SE
Regional Assembly Housing Strategy Review.
Mrs Stevenson + Mr Greenwood agreed to assist in formulating a reply
(questionnaire). Still pending.
Other 14 Fiona Coveney re speed on
B2036 road. Bill Acraman sent copy of
correspondence & will raise at next County Local Committee meeting.
Exchange
of Information - 1.
Redbridge Lane - just after bridge. Railtrack have churned up the verge on the left hand side opposite
their entrance into the woods for access to the tracks. It is in a terrible state & we should
insist they make good.
2. Potholes on the south side of the highway
adjoining Great Coopers.
Andy Powell (WSCC Highways) advised of both
problems.
1993. Local Council Elections – update
Confirmed that Mesdames Gunning & Illsley, together with Messrs. Gosney, Miners, Burke & Wiginton will be standing down from the Parish Council.
The Parish Council Election will therefore be un-contested. Accordingly the following will be elected Councillors, effective 3rd May: - Mesdames. Susan Barker-Danby, Carol Jarvest, Sarah Moore-Williams, Alison Stevenson, & Messrs. Robin Lindsay-Stewart, Gary Marsh, Rodney Saunders, Richard Turner & Robin Williamson. As Simon Greenwood’s nomination was not submitted on time, he & possibly another candidate, yet to be determined, to be co-opted.
Mr Wiginton kindly volunteered to assist ad hoc on playground matters.
1994. Financial
a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for March 2007 – noted as presented
b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31st
March 2007 for both accounts – noted as presented
c). Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading 12
months to 31st March 2007 – noted as presented
d). Arrangements for Audit of 2006/07 accounts. RBS would be attending on 17th
April. Subsequently the internal
Auditor, Richard Land-Smith would undertake an audit, prior to submission of
the accounts to Mazars.
e). To note quote from John Randall for refurbishment
of noticeboard. Proposed by Mr Wiginton
& seconded by Mrs Gunning this was accepted without dissent.
f). Superstars 2007 - agreed that we would this year
continue the arrangement, whereby cost of rec hire (£72) would be paid by us,
the event being under the banner of the Council. Risk assessment together with covering letter to be sent to our
insurers.
g). To note EDF letter raising Public Lighting
Charges from 1st April from £121.18/month to £127.19/month (+5.04%). Noted accordingly.
1995. To approve the 2007/08 Budget
Already approved under item 1976 of the March meeting. Mr Williamson circulated a modified version, unchanged apart from
some revised cost centre codes.
1996. Planning.
– to consider the following applications.
a). For representation by 6th April
2007(extended by agreement to 13th April)
BA/07/00498/FUL – 4 Combers – Rear conservatory erection – no
objection.
For representation by 20th April 2007
BA/07/00561/FUL – Ridgecote, Mill Lane – Extension to first floor & roof, to
include a loft conversion. Members were
concerned about the roof enlargement.
It was felt that the raising of the ridge point in a “lopsided” way
could make the building odd from the rear.
This would also result in the adjoining property being disadvantaged, in
that they might have difficulty in extending in a similar way. The increased height roof could also be
overbearing for them. No objections
with the other aspects of the application.
Also noted:
BA/07/00212/COU – Deanland Road garage change of
use. MSDC Planners have now refused
this application.
BA/06/2691 – Lower Ricks, London Road. BPC reiterated their earlier comments,
following the refusal of this application, now understood to be going to
appeal. MSDC & the Planning Inspectorate
to be advised accordingly.
b). to
consider any additional applications received before the meeting. None received.
1997. Parish Plan
A successful joint meeting had been held with the Steering Committee. Three former members would be joining the Parish Council in May. We would be providing our initial response to the Plan in the forthcoming Annual Report.
1998. Traffic
Calming – Reply from WSCC re proposals
This was considered
generally unsatisfactory. A draft reply
had been circulated & was discussed.
One member thought it should have dealt with some points more forcibly;
others were in favour of keeping the initial response simple. Subsequently all were in favour of sending
the reply as circulated, there being one abstention.
1999. Community
Speedwatch – update
There had been no response to Roy Bliss’s letter to CI Chris Ball concerning arrangements for loan of the new speed measuring instruments, considered to be unsatisfactory.
2000. Parking
Agreed to postpone the earlier decision to write to
the Victory Hall Management Committee (Minute 1981) about parking in the vicinity of the Club wall, junction Bramble
Hill/Stockcroft Road. Recently sited no
parking cones appeared to be having some effect.
2001. Annual Report Newsletter
All in hand for distribution to households w/c 15th
April.
2002. Recreation Ground Report
Reference Rupert Browning’s email of 3 April
concerning football practice area, agreed that we should thank him for his
offer for supply/installation of an end wall (SMP’s Utah @ £5627
proposed). However no contribution from
BPC possible. Other work, including
planting complete & multi-play unit under construction. Understood the Spinner not working
correctly. Future equipping of the play
area would have to be of a long-term nature.
2003. Annual Parish Meeting 25th
April
Regrettably the proposed speaker from Mid Sussex NHS
PCT had pulled out due to hospitalisation.
Invitations to local organisations would be arranged.
2004 Youth Club
Agreed that the position of Treasurer should stay in
Balcombe & that someone should handle pro tem until the Club restarts. Manuela Warburton would again be
approached.
2005. Annual General Meeting Tuesday 15th
May
This would be the first meeting of the new Council
& would be held in the Social Club restaurant at 8 p m.
2006. Correspondence
Other 3 - High Weald AONB Information leaflet on planning. Obtain extra copies.
Other
11 - Various re DTI Post
Office Survey. Noted.
Other
13. - CPRE Publication
“Fieldwork”. Noted that polytunnels now
need planning approval.
Other 22 - AirS Survey to be completed.
Other 24 EDF re “overdue” account. Account had been paid on time.
W3 – (new). WSCC Local Committees.
2007. Exchange of Information
Mrs Stevenson – A23 improvement scheme. Orders for land acquisition now not before September 2007. Still in contact with Julian Smith about possible development of site adjoining the Rectory. Forthcoming meeting of Regional Board responsible for purchase of “Brown Field” Sites.
Mrs Illsley – Future arrangements for her involvement as Community Governor of Balcombe C of E School. New teacher replacement for Claire Rivers.
Mr Wiginton – alternative arrangements to be considered for PC representation on Friends of St. Mary’s Church Committee of Trustees.
The Chairman thanked all retiring members of the Council for their help over the past four years. A presentation of two rose bushes was made to him on behalf of the Council in appreciation of his work. Mrs Katherine Gunning, Vice-Chairman, who was also retiring, was also thanked & presented with a floral arrangement.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.33 hours.
Signed…………………………………………..
RG/HS
approved at Meeting held 15.05.07