MINUTES OF THE
MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 13TH JUNE 2006 AT 8.00 PM IN
THE W I ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE
Present: Messrs Graham Gosney, David Miners, George
Wiginton, Robin Williamson, Simon Greenwood & Gary Marsh. Mesdames, Sheila Illsley, Katherine Gunning,
Alison Stevenson & Sue Tibbott.
In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council
No members of the public were in attendance.
Mr Greenwood declared a prejudicial interest in respect
of planning application appeal raised by Orange to refusal of earlier
application BA/05/2008/FUL – Mast at Gillets Surgery (1793a ii below).
Mr Marsh mentioned that under present MSDC guidelines for Councillors he is
only able to participate in planning input & unable to vote on any planning
decisions made at Parish Council level.
1789 Apologies for
absence
Received from Mr
Roland Burke.
1790 To approve Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 10th
May 2006
The minutes of the Annual General meeting
held on 10 May 2006, having been previously circulated, were approved &
signed off by the Chairman as a true & correct record.
1791 Matters arising
1783
- Date for discussion on future level of Annual Precept. No change.
1785 - W2 Report
- A Strategy for the West Sussex Landscape.
It was confirmed that a copy of this had been made available to the
Parish Plan Steering Committee.
1786 - Wall adjoining village green damaged. To be reported to WSCC Highways.
1772 - Recreation Ground Development Group – agreed that Mr
Burke to be included together with Mr Wiginton (Leader), Mesdames Illsley &
Stevenson, & the Clerk (Recreation Ground & Pavilion Manager). Mesdames Rachel Bolland, Carolyn Robertson &
Colette Randall & Rosemary Robertson to be co-opted members.
a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for May 2006 – approved as presented. Noted that in view of large credit balance in regular account a transfer of funds over to the deposit account necessary. Also change of insurer, from Allianz Cornhill to Zurich Municipal, at saving of £170 per annum.
b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31st
May 2006 for both accounts – noted as presented.
c). Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading 2 months
to 31st May 2006 – approved as presented.
d). To approve a grant of £500/600 to Balcombe W I
for furniture for WI Room. Agreed that
the Council is willing to meet any shortfall up to a maximum of £500, net of
VAT, to assist in respect of furniture. Noted that W I already trying to reduce
costs by using alternative suppliers.
e).
Budget 2006/07 – No changes.
f). To note outcome of internal audit for
accounts covering y/e 31.03.06 & to sign off accounts for submission to
external auditor, Mazars. Noted
satisfactory internal audit of Council’s books. Auditors report circulated prior to meeting. Agreed that further documentation be
submitted for July meeting to enable Chairman to sign off Statement of Account
for external auditors, Mazars. An up to
date list of fixed assets to be prepared for reference purposes.
1793 To consideration the following Planning
Applications
a). For Representation by 2nd June 2006
(extended to 13.06.06 by arrangement)
i).BA/06/00851/FUL
- Woodpecker
Mount, Stockcroft Road – single storey front & rear extension. First floor extension over garage. Revised plans received, following earlier
approval. Scheme considered more
sympathetic. Looks much better. Therefore no objection.
ii).To note appeal raised by Orange to refusal of
earlier application BA/05/2008/FUL – Mast at Gillets Surgery
& to consider our earlier representation.
Mr Greenwood left the room.
Councillors firstly confirmed their earlier
representation made to MSDC. It was
subsequently decided that these need to be amplified following approval of an
extension the building, thus restricting facilities even further. The following comments were passed to the
Planning Inspectorate as a result of our discussions at the meeting:
“For the sake of good
order we outline hereunder details of our original objection:
The site
is relatively small and has been camouflaged as well as possible. This however
does not outweigh the opposition we have to any base stations being sited
within the built up area of the village.
To date
we have had a dozen or so sites placed within the parish but none has been
sited on buildings and none within the built up area. We feel that this is not
something we want and that this site would set a precedent for a plethora of
microcells within the village itself.
It is a well-established
fact that a site, once established for one operator, is likely to become a site
used by other operators. The surgery would, no doubt become a multi operator
site.
We feel
this site, being in close proximity to a number of back gardens, would be
visually intrusive to those properties. Given the unpopular nature of cell
sites this visual intrusion is most unwelcome.
In addition we request that the following supplementary information is considered in respect of the appeal.
In
addition to our previous objection following Orange’s appeal against the
rejection of this planning application we would add the following.
An
extension to the surgery in being built at the moment, which takes up a
substantial portion of the small car park. (This was granted by MSDC under
reference BA/05/01532/FUL). The
cabinets are sited in the disabled bay. The loss of yet another off street
space at this busy surgery would be completely unacceptable.
We must reiterate that we have many cell sites in Balcombe and are not usually strong objectors to the proposals. However, in the case of this site, and the recent Orange proposal sited on Westup (near Balcombe School), we object most strongly. We are adamant and will object fiercely to any applications within the built up area of the village”.
iii).To note REFUSAL dated 15.05.06 from MSDC in
respect of BA/06/00622 Oak Tree Cottage, Bramble Mead & subsequent
notice of WITHDRAWAL dated 22.05.06. A
copy of the Delegated Report had been circulated to each member & the
various points made by MSDC in refusing the application were noted.
b).
To consider any additional applications received prior to the meeting.
For Representation by 30th June 2006
BA/06/01081/TCA – Astley, Stockcroft Road – Remove four large &
two small Lawson Cypress from front & rear of house. Agreed that the matter be delegated to the
Environmental Planning Group for comment.
BA/06/01121/FUL – 11 Newlands – Rear single storey extension. A resubmitted application. Extension considered reasonable, but agreed
that MSDC needed to be made aware of the problem that contractors would have
accessing the site & the likelihood of damage to verges etc.
1794 Traffic
Calming
A draft copy of the Stage 3 Safety Audit had been
received from Owen Williams. It
appeared that only minor modifications were required. Agreed that we should now request a response from WSCC &
point out that BPC would not expect any additional expenditure in the
implementation of any of the measures mentioned in the latest Audit, as the two
earlier ones had been seen to be satisfactory.
The matter of bollards, outside Gillets, Forge
Cottage & the slip road leading to Trent House now needs to be pursued with
WSCC Highways, now that David Miners has returned from overseas.
Likewise it was agreed that we must continue efforts
to reduce the parking in Newlands, especially by the station. Reported that parking right across the
entrance to the path leading down to the station might cause problems to access
by the emergency services. Agreed that
we should continue efforts with the Rail authority to see whether a change of
policy re station car park charges is possible.
1795 Play
Ground Report
In preparation for the Central Area Community Forum,
to be held in Balcombe on 15 June, a report prepared mentioned that as a result
of the redevelopment there had been a loss of several items of play equipment,
including large slide & wooden multi-play unit. Discussions were in place with MSDC to address these shortfalls.
Additionally we are trying to decide on the best way
to re develop the previous Toddler play area by the pavilion. A mini road safety layout had been
muted. It was suggested that any
funding available from MSDC should be applied to realising the full play
potential of the recently developed playground.
Suggested that although
unlikely that there would be any follow up we should report all reported
vandalism found on the rec to the Police, as such data would automatically
appear in their reported crime statistics.
Members were grateful to the BWTA for their gift of
an additional bench for the lower area.
Proposed by Mr Marsh & seconded by Mrs Stevenson it was agreed that
we would pay up to £50 for a suitable brass plaque for the seat once it was in
place, wording to be agreed in due course.
1796 Parish
Plan – update
There had been a meeting of the Action Group on 30
May & minutes would be available in next month’s correspondence. The next meeting would be held on 27
June. It was mentioned that there were
four main groups operating, in addition to Publicity, namely Traffic, Safety
& Security, Housing & Environment & Facilities &
Amenities.
1797 To
note acceptance of Mr Jim Cooke as nominee for MSDC 2006 Garden Party
Members were glad to note that Mr & Mrs Cooke
had agreed to attend. As the Chairman
would not be available on that day Mr & Mrs Gary Marsh will attend in his
place.
1798 Youth
Club
Mr Burke regrettably not present. Agreed that we should field another report
in July’s Parish magazine. Still no new
Leader. Claire Denby is re-advertising
& a copy of the advert to appear on the notice board.
1799 Footpath
Report
Mrs Tibbott gave an update & mentioned that she
& the Clerk would be making increased efforts, via WSCC Rights of Way, to
try & resolve the Yew Tree Farm impasse.
Another problem has arisen along
4b. A padlock has appeared on one of
the gates, & in the absence of dog latches, makes it almost impossible for
walkers with larger dogs to get through.
1800 To
note/approve rota as circulated for Village Litter Week for w/c 25th
June 2006
It was mentioned that it could have been useful to
have included the station car park on the rota.
1801 Report on BWTA visit to Wissous
The Chairman, Clerk & one lady Councillor had
visited Wissous for the weekend & mentioned that a most pleasant time had
been enjoyed by the 44 people who had gone out.
1802 MSDC Environmental
Initiatives Programme 2006/07
The
Clerk confirmed that the Footpaths Association had been given full
details
& were asked to reply with their comments by the cut off date of 30 June
for our reply to MSDC.
1803 To
consider Clerk’s Pension arrangements following LGPS Regulations changes
The Clerk withdrew from
the meeting. It was decided that
contributions to the Clerk’s (LGPS) pension would be re-commenced from 6th
April 2006. An explanatory note of
confirmation will be circulated to Council members.
1804 Correspondence
W2 West
Sussex Transport Plan 2006/2016 – Mr Greenwood had taken the explanatory CD for
reference purposes.
1805 Exchange
of Information
Mr
Marsh – advised of recent problems concerning blockage of private sewer
serving Jobes, Bramble Mead & Newlands etc. The Chairman & Clerk to meet with MSDC Environmental Health
Officer to discuss the problem in greater depth & liaise further with Mr
Marsh regarding action to be taken by BPC.
Mention of the problem to appear in the Parish Magazine.
Reported that a recent survey had been undertaken by Owen Williams on
the highway down from the village to the Cowdray.
Mrs Stevenson –had
had a discussion with Julian Smith regarding his proposals for development of
the site adjoining the Rectory. Close
discussions would need to be held with the MSDC planners, as BPC would not be
able to comment until details of an application were received.
Mrs Gunning - New
lights at Half Moon Inn
Mrs Stevenson. -
Signage at Half Moon Inn
Also mentioned at meeting - Cigarette butts continue to make the area outside the frontage of Half Moon Inn untidy.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 22.23 hours.
Note: Next Regular Meeting of the Council to be held
on 11 July 2006, same time/venue.
Signed…………………………………………..
Revised
following meeting on 11.07.06