MINUTES OF A MEETING OF
BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2006 AT 8 PM IN THE W I
ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE
Present: Messrs Graham Gosney, George Wiginton, Robin
Williamson, Roland Burke, Simon Greenwood, David Miners & Mesdames. Sheila
Illsley, Katherine Gunning & Alison Stevenson
In
attendance: Richard Greig Clerk to the Council
No member of the
public present.
Mr Burke prejudicial in respect of planning
application BA/06/02501/FUL - 1 Minette Cottage, London Road. Mr Greenwood prejudicial in respect of
application BA/06/02356/FUL Buttercup Barn Nursery School single
storey extension to existing nursery school.
Received from Gary
Marsh & Mrs Sue Tibbott (resignation tendered).
1915.
To approve Minutes of Regular Meeting held on 14th November
2006 & Planning Meeting held on 27th
November 2006
Meeting of 14th November at the request of one member the Clerk agreed to
supplement the minutes to read 1862. (From September meeting) Clerk
explained situation. (Footpath leading
into Walk Wood) & 1866. (From September meeting) reply now received from
EDF. (Supply problems to Balcombe).
The minutes were then signed by the Chairman as a true & correct record.
Meeting
of 27th November signed by the Chairman as a true & correct record without
revision.
Agreed
that in future minutes would identify a fuller description of items arising.
1916.
Matters arising
Meeting of 14th
November 1895 e). The Chairman
referred to a recently compiled inventory of the Balcombe lights &
mentioned a forthcoming meeting with Dave Gilbert (EDF) to discuss possible
upgrading. The clerk was in discussion
with WSCC concerning their responsibility for certain lights on the London
& HH Roads & the precise procedures for repair/maintenance. The Clerk will report on further
progress.
1906 - W9 Rights of Way Improvement Plan for
W. Sussex. As requested the Clerk had
acknowledged the letter & request regular updates.
1907
Christmas Tree Insurance a reply had now been received from the
insurers. The Society had proceeded with
obtaining insurance of the tree for the current year.
Meeting of 27th November No matters arising.
1917.
Financial
a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments
for November 2006 noted as presented
b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 30th
November 2006 for both accounts noted as presented.
c). Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading 8 months to
30th November 2006 noted.
The Chairman requested clarification of headings 1105 (Public Lighting
Usage/Mtce & 1307 Public Lighting Upgrade in time for the January
meeting. Noted as presented.
d). To set & agree level for 2007/08 Precept
refer to 1918 below.
e). To consider ex gratia Christmas payments for Paul
Kibble & Ron Stevenson. Proposed by
Mr Williamson & seconded by Mrs Gunning all members agreed that a Christmas
gratuity of £50 be paid to each recipient.
Likewise it was agreed unanimously, following a proposal by Mrs Gunning,
seconded by Mrs Stevenson that a cheque for £25 be sent to the Social Club to
thank them for their assistance with making the restaurant available for the
use of our meetings.
1918. To agree & finalise 2007/08 Precept
A motion was put by Mr Williamson & seconded by Mr
Wiginton that the 2007/08 precept be kept at £32k,
based on the draft budget already circulated.
The motion was successful at 9 votes to 0, there being no abstentions.
1919. Planning to consider the following
applications
For
representation by 15th December 2006
a). BA/06 per WSCC Balcombe Wastewater
Treatment Works, London Road construction of a new Motor Control Centre Kiosk
& a new Blower Kiosk. No
objection.
For
representation by 22nd December 2006
b). BA/06/02463/FUL Cushat
Law, Crawley Lane proposed indoor swimming pool. No objection.
c). BA/06/02501/FUL 1
Minette Cottage, London Road Dormer Window to rear & raised timber
terrace area. No objection UNLESS neighbours
are concerned with any problem of overlooking (lack of privacy).
d). BA/06/02600/TCA The Coach House, Haywards Heath Road
reduce canopy of Yew by 25%. No
objection.
To consider any additional applications received prior
to the meeting
For representation by 29th
December 2006
e). BA/06/02356/FUL
Buttercup Barn Nursery School single storey to existing nursery
school. Once again agreed that BPC is
very much in favour of expansion. The
new application has addressed our previous concerns & we recommend that
planning permission is granted. The
present plan will not deter from the existing rural character of the site &
will allow the village to enjoy an enhanced facility at the nursery school
f). BA/06/02625/FUL High Coombe Cottage, Private
Road proposed single storey conservatory/garden room. Pleasing design. No objection.
g). BA/06/02651/TREE Land Adjacent to 1 Barn Meadow
Oak (T1) thin canopy by 255, raise canopy to 4 metres above ground, trim back
canopy on South East side by 3 metres.
As some concern about thinning the oak it was agreed to delegate the
matter to the Environmental Planning Group for a report on suitability.
1920. Traffic
Calming - to report following Traffic Calming Working Group meeting of 7th
December re MSDC allocation of £9k towards a new scheme
Due to time constraints it was agreed that a comprehensive
discussion on the above should be deferred.
However it was agreed that we should now arrange an initial meeting with
WSCC on our ideas for possible schemes.
It was mentioned that the Highways Agency are likely to make funding
available for traffic calming in conjunction with the forthcoming A23 Handcross
Hill widening scheme.
1921. Community Speedwatch Update
No change.
Clarification of future arrangements for the scheme still awaited. We understand CI Ball at Haywards Heath
supports its continuation. Our member
attending police meetings has full background information. A reception for CSW volunteers will be held
on 19th December at noon.
1922. To note
with regret the resignation of co-opted member, Mrs Sue Tibbott & to
consider possible alternative candidates
A vote of thanks was requested to be minuted, as Mrs
Tibbott had been a hardworking member of the Council since co-option in
2005. A reply had been sent to her
letter of resignation. There might be a
candidate, who had been on the previous short list. Proposed by Mrs Gunning & seconded by Mr Burke all were in favour
of the Chairman making a suitable approach.
1923. Parking update
A reply had been sent to Joy Hopkins. MSDC had created two new bays in the upper
area, adjoining Jobes. One of these
would be designated disabled, at the request of Mrs Styles, one of the
residents.
1924. Youth
Club including new proposals received from WSCC
Cllr. Mark Dunn, Cabinet Member for Children &
Young Peoples Services, WSCC, had replied noting our concerns. Mr Burke noted that there was a lack of
support from Youth Club parents & this was most disappointing. He would kindly draft an article for Januarys
Parish Magazine on the subject.
1925. Parish Plan
The earlier comments proffered in respect of use of the
available funding had been accepted. As
it was possible that additional funding might be required contact had been made
with both AirS & WSCC.
1926. Footpath
Report
It had been reported that our contact at WSCC, Margaret
Enstone, Leisure Ranger, was unwell. Mrs Illsley had agreed to take over the liaison role following Mrs
Tibbotts resignation.
1927. Correspondence
Members were requested to note that because elections were
to be held on 3 May the Annual General Meeting would now be scheduled for 15
May.
M3 Expenditure
of S106 Financial Contributions towards Transport. Granting of £9k from S106 monies towards traffic calming noted.
M7 new recycling arrangements from
mid summer to be reported in Parish Magazine.
Other 5 - High Weald AONB Unit Annual Review 2005-2006. View expressed that possible protection to
Balcombe from intrusion.
Other 6 agreed that we should donate a cheque of £50 +
flowers to Joan Thomason as a way of thanks for her many years of dedicated
service to Balcombe C of E School.
Clerk to organise.
Other 10 - NALC Publication LCR. Noted.
Other 4 - MSALC Agenda for 17 January 2006. Considered no advantage for BPC to
attend.
Other 16 AirS Action Plans.
An acknowledgement to be sent.
Other 19 John Kenward Clerk to acknowledge his letter re
fly tipping allegation.
New Acknowledge letter from Rob Morris re surgery.
Receipt of Stage 3 Safety Audit from Owen Williams
noted.
1928. Exchange
of Information
Mr Miners bollards at SE corner of the Green need to be
reconsidered. Reported parts of the Green
v. tatty (sic). Need
further talk with WSCC (Andy Powell).
Mrs Illsley Fly tipping.
Crawley Lane a potential hazard.
Mr Wiginton had attended meeting on White Paper on Local
Government.
Mr Burke Problem with litter in vicinity of Balcombe C of E
School. Complaints about cars parking
across London Road driveways. Clerk to
write to Balcombe School PTA & mention in Parish Magazine article. Mrs Illsley to kindly write to Head Teacher,
Terry Harris, personally
There being no further business the meeting closed at
21.35 hours.
Signed
..