MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 11th JANUARY 2010 AT 8 PM IN THE W I ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE.

 

Present:  Messrs. Robin Williamson, Peter Huxley, Neville Ashcroft, Rodney Saunders, Mike Talman, & Mesdames Alison Stevenson, Sarah Moore-Williams, Susan Barker-Danby & Carol Jarvest. 

In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council. 

 

2504. Public Participation

No member of the public was present. 

 

2505. Declaration of personal or prejudicial interest

No declarations received. 

 

2506. Apologies for absence

Messrs. Robin Lindsay-Stewart (unwell) & Simon Greenwood (holiday)

 

2507. To approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on 14th December 2009.

Mrs Jarvest mentioned that under paragraph 2498 reference should have been made to the WSCC appointment of two, rather than one, part-time Youth Workers.  A revision was made accordingly & the minutes of the meeting, having been previously circulated, were approved by the Councillors & signed by the Chairman as a true record. 

 

2508. Matters Arising

2489 – Regarding the request of Mr Bardwell requesting safety work to be carried out on the steps adjoining his property the Clerk confirmed that MSDC had been in contact with ourselves.  In view of some opposition they would, on a direct basis, be consulting with the resident concerned. 

The Clerk had now made enquiries to WSCC & after establishing the correct contact there will now write mentioning Mr Bardwell’s comment suggesting that the pick up/drop off point for school coaches is becoming dangerous & might best be moved to Bramble Hill for safety reasons. 

2493 - Housing Needs Survey.  Mrs Stevenson has the matter in hand. 

2496. Victory Hall Management Committee – representation.  We are awaiting a reply from them following our agreed letter of request. 

The agreed grant for stage curtain replacement had been drawn down. 

2503 - Mrs Stevenson was advised of a WSCC site visit regarding the blocked drain by the tennis courts.  This & the ditch is the responsibility of Balcombe Estate.  Dr Ashcroft is aware of the procedure for organising resetting the school lights that are out of sync.  Also aware of request for deactivation of the VAS sign during school times

2500. Pavilion.  With the exception of the window grill all work is now complete & the claim is being handled by insurers. 


 

 

2509. Financial

a). Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading 9 months to 31st December 2009 – noted as presented. 

b). to approve estimate from Atkins for fitting “blue tooth” readers to the three VAS signs at a cost of £1329.00.  The motion was proposed by Mr Saunders & seconded by Dr. Ashcroft.  All Members were in favour.  Mr Saunders will instruct Atkins to proceed. 

c). to fix precept for 2010/11.  In the absence of the RFO Mrs Moore-Williams led Members through the current situation aided by her compilation of forward projections.  There were questions about the sequence of payments to Atkins for traffic calming work that were answered by Mr Saunders.  After closer review of the projections by Members Mrs Moore-Williams proposed that the precept for 2010/2011 is agreed at £60k.  The proposal was seconded by Dr. Ashcroft with all in favour.  Clerk to advise MSDC accordingly. 

 

2510. Atkins Parking & Safety Study – reprise

Mr Saunders reported on the follow up meeting with Atkins.  Additionally on a recommendation from Cllr. Bill Acraman a contact at WSCC had been given.  A meeting has been requested after their study of the plan.  Agreed it might be useful to obtain evidence of support for some of the suggestions.  through Safer Routes to Schools was mentioned as a guide. 

Agreed that for the Newlands scheme support in the first instance necessary from MSDC as enforcement of parking control essential.  Cllr. Gary Marsh will receive a copy of the Atkins report & be asked to comment from the MSDC angle. 

 

2511. Budget for 20010/2011 – update

Mrs Moore-Williams provided her recommendations.  These were based on examination of year to date expenditure as well as details of likely forward expenditure advised by the various working groups.  It was explained that for safety some headings had been uplifted by around 3% to cover contingencies. 

With a view to agreeing a final figure in advance of the March year end a revised & updated report will be presented to the February meeting, adjusting certain budget headings, with a view to finalisation & acceptance. 

 

2512. Reports from Young People, Housing & Environment, & Safety & Security Groups + others Groups where relevant

Young People – agreed that prior to signing any agreement regarding formation of the new Youth Club we must obtain clarification of several matters re potential insurance liabilities.  Mrs Jarvest has done a lot of preparatory work for which Members were most grateful.  There now seemed real prospects of MSDC agreeing to install skate park facilities. 


 

 

Housing & Environment – nothing to report. 

Safety & Security – nothing to report.  

Traffic Group – Mr Saunders reported that the VAS signs needed readjustment as the speed currently set was considered on the high side. 

To date acceptance by formal handover to WSCC has not taken place. 

The following represented outstanding matters with Atkins:

·         Deteriorating Rippleprint

·         Deactivation of the VAS sign during school times

·         Stage 3 RSA

·         Traffic calmed area signs and posts

·         As built drawings

·         Supply of Key – data logger etc

·         Installation of Bluetooth facility to VAS signs - See also 2509 b) above. 

Mr Saunders was also thanked for his continuing efforts. 

 

2513. Planning. – to consider the following applications:-

a). for Representation by 1st January 2010 (extension requested)

(BA)/09/03655/FUL – Keepers Cottage, High Beeches Lane – refurbishment & extension to existing house & ancillary outbuildings.  We have no objection to this application.  However we strongly recommend that the garage is allowed for ancillary use only to avoid any possibility of it becoming a separate residential unit. 

for Representation by 15th January 2010

(BA)/09/03613/LBC – The Tack Room, Balcombe Place Stables – addition of disabled toilet inside the “Tack Room” office.  No objection. 

                        b). to consider any additional applications received by the date of the meeting.  None received. 

                        c). Report on outcome of MSDC Planning Committee meeting 7 January re application (BA)/09/01552/FUL (Hillrise site).  Meeting postponed due to inclement weather. 

 

2514. Finger Post Restoration Project – to make recommendations following circulation of WSCC email dated 24.12.09

            Mrs Stevenson has the matter in hand.  Quotes for the first series of repairs to the most damaged posts are awaited as is a site visit from the organisation offering this service. 

 

2515. Post Office - update

Arrangements to be made for Indi to receive a bouquet from the Council as thanks for her service as Postmistress.

The sub committee will continue their efforts in finding a successor. 


 

 

It is confirmed that the Handcross community bus will take passengers there each Friday.  A list of possible Balcombe sites for an office will be drawn up to assist applicants.

The Clerk will enquire of SALC to the extent a Parish Council can become involved in the set up of a village post office, its powers & limitations.  An advertisement, text to be previously agreed by the PO authorities, will be placed in the local press at our expense. 

 

2516. Correspondence

Other 2 - Voluntary Car Schemes – Action in rural Sussex. 

A reply to be prepared. 

Other 7 - A23 Handcross/Warninglid Widening.  Details noted. 

 

2517. Exchange of Information

            Dr Ashcroft – VAS & School signs.  Refer 2508 & 2512 above. 

Mrs Barker-Danby – the bus shelter at the station needs attention.  Clerk to arrange inspection of all village centres.

Mr Talman – the delay in completing our pre-Christmas lighting order continues, mainly because of the recent bad weather. 

Mrs Moore-Williams – considerable inconvenience to rail commuters experienced.  Trains not stopping etc.  The Clerk will follow up on his earlier unreplied to letter to First Capital Connect via our local MP, Francis Maude, & press for an answer. 

Mrs Stevenson – recommended that a bouquet, together with a note of thanks, be sent to Gemma thanking her for her efforts to residents during the snowy spell.  Members were unanimous in hoping that support of the stores would continue now things are back to normal. 

 

 

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 22.20 hours. 

 

Signed………………………………………….

Date……………………………………………..

 

 

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2009 IN THE WI ROOM