MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 13th JULY 2004 AT 8 PM IN THE PARISH ROOM, BALCOMBE.
Present: Mr Graham Gosney, Mrs Katherine Gunning, Mr David Miners, Mr Roland Burke, Mr George Wiginton, Mr Robin Williamson
Prior to the meeting Mrs Julie Worrall, Secretary of the Balcombe footpaths & Countryside Association addressed the meeting. There were currently 63 members, but unfortunately still no Chairman, since the resignation of Roger Reece at the last AGM. Julie talked us through recent activities, including forthcoming events. There would be a Crafts & Hobbies Fair later in the year & The Young Photographers Completion on October 16th.
Julie was thanked by the Chairman for coming along to
talk to the Council.
1286. Public
Participation
Mrs Rosemary
Robertson attended on behalf of the Balcombe PTA & made the draw. Winners were as follows: 1st No.
61 Mrs J Hook. 2nd No. 1
Mr Leslie Fairweather & 3rd No.49 Jan May. There was no other public participation.
1287. Declaration of
personal or prejudicial interest
Mrs Gunning &
Messrs. Miners, Burke & Williamson expressed personal interest as residents
of the London Road in respect of Traffic Calming.
1288. Apologies
for absence
Messrs. Gary
Marsh, Simon Greenwood & Neil
Infield. Mesdames Sheila Illsley &
Alison Stevenson
1289. Minutes
of regular meeting held on 15th June 2004
These were accepted as circulated, without amendment, and signed by the
Chairman. Likewise the circulated
minutes of the special meeting held on 29th June were accepted and
signed off by the Chairman.
1290. Matters arising
None
1291. Financial
a).
Cash Book Receipts & Payments for June 2004. Accepted as circulated.
b).
Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 30.06.04 for all accounts. Accepted as circulated.
c).
Receipts & Payments Accounts for 3 months ending 30.06.2004. Accepted as circulated.
d).
To confirm donation of £3000 to Victory Hall Management Committee & to
review arrangements for handling contribution from MSDC refer financial
proposals circulated.
Mr
Williamson explained his proposals for this.
BPC needed to formally instruct Tanner to issue an invoice to BPC for
£9040.92. This would be paid once the
24% credit had been received from MSDC.
We would need to see in writing confirmation of this 24% payment from
MSDC.
The
members present confirmed their agreement to the above.
1292. Report on Traffic Calming
a) Review of Consultation Exhibition
The
general consensus was that things went well
Owen Williams had performed well.
Likewise the comments on the questionnaires returned were considered
constructive. There would be a short
report on the exhibition in Augusts Parish Magazine. WSCC, who were not present, should be advised in due course of
the findings.
There
had been several additional letters on the matter, in addition to the
questionnaires, and these should be circulated separately. Additionally WSCC should be informed of the
outcome of the exhibition.
In
view of the kind co-operation from the Balcombe Footpaths Association, in
particular Michael Noble and the display stands, the Chairman proposed and it
was passed unanimously, that a donation of £25 together with a letter of thanks
be sent to the Association by way of thanks.
b) To discuss any further action required
before taking a final decision.
c) Future Plans
The
OW Safety Audit should have been completed.
Mr Miners to check. Additionally
Peter Bradley, WSCC, still needed to confirm that they will cover 100% of the
contract procurement and site supervision relating to the scheme. Clerk to follow up. Additionally OW need confirmation, following
their letter of 5 July, that that they are appointed by BPC as Planning Supervisor
on the project during detailed design and that subsequently we will transfer
these duties to WSCC when they take over responsibility for the site
supervision.
Street
Lighting requirements were considered to be somewhat excessive and further
clarification must be obtained pictures and full specification in
particular. Even better would be a
computer-generated picture of the road illustrating the lights and speed
cushion locations.
In
respect of the speed cushions the dimensions given needed to be carefully
checked, especially the 10% tolerance that would be applicable on a 75mm side
channel width. Mr Wiginton considered
it essential we check out ourselves the various interpretations of certain
parties in respect of traffic regulations.
Mr Williamson agreed and offered to help with this analysis.
There
would be a special meeting on 12 August to discuss Traffic Calming, at which
decisions would be taken to accept the plan as proposed, modify or abandon.
In
view of a subsequent reply from OW relating to our request for a refuge outside
Gilletts Surgery estimating that worst case this could cost up to £100k
(widening of road, relocation of services etc.) it was agreed that we should
drop this consideration at present.
1293. Consideration of the following Planning Applications -
a) BA/04/01513/FUL
Midwicket, Brantridge Lane Proposed hamlet
3 bay barn, pitch roof to existing garage & improved entrance. No objections. The choice of materials overall is good and the style of the
barn. Most attractive. The gates move
away from the highway and should afford safer access.
b) To consider any additional applications
received prior to the meeting
BA/04/01521/FUL Larches,
Deanland Road Conversions & alterations to roof structure to form new
first floor accommodation.
BA/04/01567/TCA
Twittens/Deanland Shaw Ash: fell.
Oak: reduce the hedge height.
Agreed that both these applications be delegated to the Environmental Planning Group, in conjunction with the Clerk, for consideration.
1294. To
consider cost proposal from MSDC concerning installation/maintenance of new dog
bin adjoining path to cricket field
MSDC cost proposals, as circulated,
accepted in principle and Mrs Stevenson to advise the Clerk of proposed
position for the new bin to enable MSDC to obtain approval from the landowner
concerned.
1295. To re-discuss BTs proposed removal of red
telephone box from outside former Balcombe Garage
The previously agreed decision was ratified,
namely that if a payphone box has to removed it is the one at the corner of
Oldlands avenue/Stumblemead, rather than the one outside the railway station.
1296. Recreation Ground Development update on
progress following new plans & meeting with Rupert Browning, MSDC, on 7th
July 2004.
Mr Wiginton reported a positive meeting with
Rupert Browning of MSDC. He has a new
member of staff Joe Harries who is
working on drawings for the proposed scheme.
Progress has been made on the identification of suitable equipment,
although the incorporation of skateboard facilities is still under
consideration. MSDC are well aware of
the requisite regulations relating to the scheme. We will be advised as matters progress.
1297. To
receive final nominations for MSDC Garden Party at Danny on 26.09.04
Mrs Doris Cartmel was proposed, with Carol Dutton as a reserve and the nominations approved by all those present.
1298 Correspondence
Other 1 Letter from
Bill Acraman congratulating BPC on the Traffic Calming brochure.
Other 8 E-mail to Inspector
Chris Ball. Agreed that we do need some
information very soon following the Ringmer scheme relating to speed camera
trials.
1299 Exchange of Information
Mr Williamson Parish Room venue
The Chairman - Central Area
Community Forum. The Vision of Core
Policy. Also thanks to the WI for
providing refreshments at the traffic calming exhibition morning.
There being no
further business the meeting closed at 21.42 hours.
Signed
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Date
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RG/HS