MINUTES
OF A MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 14TH
NOVEMBER 2006 AT 8 PM IN THE W I ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE
Present:
Messrs Graham Gosney, George Wiginton, Robin Williamson, Roland Burke, Simon
Greenwood, Gary Marsh & Mesdames. Sheila Illsley, Sue Tibbott, Katherine Gunning & Alison Stevenson
In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council
Mr David Richards spoke re his (third)
application in respect of Oak Tree Cottage, Bramble Mead – BA/06/02367/FUL
& mentioned that he had consulted with his adjoining neighbours as well as
MSDC. He explained the revisions made
following his last refusal.
Mrs Carolyn Robertson expressed concern, as the
owner of an adjoining property, at the BT Mast application & opined that it
would be preferable to cable signals, rather than the proposed scheme.
Mrs Leonie Dolly-Sparks expressed concern at any
Mast within the centre of the village, especially in the vicinity of childrens’
facilities.
Mrs Tibbott – prejudicial –
in respect of planning application BA/06/02367. Mrs Stevenson – personal – in respect of the same
application.
Received from David Miners.
1893. To approve Minutes of Regular Meeting held
on 17th October 2006
Approved & signed off by
the Chairman after revision of 1877 – ultimate paragraph, to read “2008/09”.
1894. Matters
arising
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)
1871 - details of the Grants
procedures now circulated to interested parties
1866 - It was mentioned that the
stile on Footpath 22b – coming down from Westup – has now been replaced.
1895. Financial
a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for October 2006 - noted as
presented
b). Bank Reconciliation
Statements as at 31st October 2006 for both accounts - noted as presented.
c). Receipts & Payments by
Budget Heading 7 months to 31st October 2006 - noted as presented.
d). To consider proposal for
new computer equipment as per estimate totalling £545 + VAT from 2k Enigma
Solutions Ltd. Expenditure
approved.
e). To note new arrangements
with EDF for reduced cost electricity supply contract. Details of the
anticipated saving were noted.
Additionally the Chairman noted that as per inventory only 23 of
the 65 village streetlights were of the latest design. On the through roads, London & HH Roads,
there are 13 of the newer type & 12 old mercury lights. The older ones will probably need updating
within the next year or so, at an estimated cost of around £5k. It would be useful for another meeting with
Dave Gilbert, EDF, to discuss this.
f). To note extra
expenditure for Ron Stevenson in connection Pavilion Security Measures. No concerns raised. It was mentioned that the measures taken
& installed by Ron appeared to be of a high standard of workmanship.
For representation by 17th November 2006
a). BA/06/02206/ADV – Half Moon Inn – Two swing signs, 1 No. fascia
& 2 chalkboard, all to be lit externally.
Councillors were not in favour of this application. The signs, that it was noted were already in
situ, were considered completely out of keeping with the rural image of the
village in respect of use of materials, style, colour & design. They should be of a more traditional
style. However there was no objection
for the proposed “London Pride” sign.
b). BA/06/02212/FUL – Great Coopers Farm,
Handcross Road – Stables for horses – Domestic purposes only. No objections raised.
For representation by 24th November 2006
c).
BA/06/02139/FUL – Balcombe Telephone Exchange – Installation of a 12m steel
Monopole with a 0.3m Microwave dish near the top of it. The dish will be bearing 241 degrees. Considerable opposition had already been
registered – see 1890 above. There was
considerable concern at the siting of the proposed mast within an AONB & at
the centre of the designated Conservation Area. Subsequently the following representation was made to MSDC &
a request made, via our District Councillor, for the application to be
considered at committee level (called in):
“The application is for the
sitting of a “m pole” mast with single
microwave dish, at Balcombe
Telephone exchange on Stockcroft Road. The application is by BT rather than by
any of the mobile telecommunication operators. The purpose is to link the
T-mobile existing tree mast at Westup back into the fixed telephone system.
There are no radio antennae proposed on the structure with this application.
The proposed site at the telephone exchange is
within the conservation area of Balcombe. It has been Balcombe Parish Council’s
policy to strongly oppose any telecommunication masts within the built up area
of the village.
The Conservation Area exists to safeguard the
character of the area and it is considered that this mast would be in direct
contravention of the purposes of that Conservation designation. In addition the
erection of this mast would set a precedent and make refusal of any future
application extremely difficult, leaving the Conservation Area, and in
particular this site, vulnerable to more masts. Any application for additional
antennae on the structure would be simple.
Since the tree mast at Westup has been in operation
since 2000 it already has microwave link into the BT system, which has been
functioning for 6 years. The purpose/necessity of a further link back to
Balcombe is not clear from the application. Provision of buried fibre link
would indeed be costly, perhaps even prohibitively so, but is nevertheless
possible. We are always told that value cannot be taken into account for
planning purposes and the commercial situation of T-mobile should not be
allowed to weigh on this application”.
d). BA/06/02150/FUL
– 12 Newlands – Roof extension to enable loft.
Providing no complaints from adjoining neighbours, no objection.
e). To
consider any additional applications received prior to the meeting.
For representation by 1st December 2006
1898. Traffic Calming
Agreed that we would consult with
WSCC Highways about the possibility of widening the area adjacent to the wall
of Betty Pearson (Tile Cottage) to allow safe passage of prams & push
chairs. Agreed project for “Wish
List”. Although early days it might now
be useful to arrange preliminary discussions with WSCC on our proposals for
Phase 2 Traffic Calming. We are still
awaiting a final version of the Stage 3 Safety Audit from Owen Williams.
1899. Community Speedwatch Update
The recent restrictions imposed
by Sussex Police were not considered beneficial by the co-ordinators. Mr Greenwood will note for his next Police
Authority meeting. There will be again
be a social lunch get together in December to thank all those involved in the
scheme.
1900. Precept 2007/08
See 1896
above.
1901.
Parking update
MSDC reported to be in favour of
targeting offenders through an “inconsiderate letter” to be affixed to
offending vehicles. Mr Marsh was having
problems using his own drive & this will need to be widened to allow
unobstructed access. The grass verges
on Newlands had been left in a bad state following recent building work. We should find out the name of the
contractor involved. The recently
installed bollards opposite the school were considered ineffective.
1902. Youth Club including new proposals received
from WSCC
1903. Parish Plan
There will be an exhibition in
the Victory Hall on Saturday 24 February.
This will include stands by local village organisations. After discussion concerning most suitable
spend of the budget figure, resolved that their Steering Committee should be
advised:
1. A copy of the Report should be sent to every
household in Balcombe - free of charge.
2. The format of the Report should not be too
"glossy or extravagantly colourful - to avoid residents' claims of wasted
money.
It was suggested that an illustrated colourful cover
could be balanced by single colour text, with good layout, on the inside pages.
3. Advertising (or sponsorship) should be included
to reduce the cost. (Note - sponsorship could be more cost effective than
advertising).
4. The Parish Council would like the Steering Group
to work within or as near as possible to the revised budget, i e £2,500. This would mean that expenditure on the
Report & Exhibition would need to be restricted to about £1,200.
5. Further contacts with AirS, WSCC & MSDC would
be recommended in getting further support, e g for the public exhibition.
1904. Footpath Report
The Twitten leading down to the
London Road reported to be very slippery.
Balcombe Estate to be thanked for their prompt assistance in repairing
the broken style on footpath 22b).
Peter Dutton’s work on the boggy entrance to the footpath leading into
Walk Wood had only been partially successful.
We will now ask WSCC Footpaths to assist.
1905.
November Newsletter
All in
hand for circulation to every household later in the month.
1906.
Correspondence
M2 LDF
Examination into Small Scale Housing Allocations Document. To commence on 6 March by the designated
Inspector.
W9 Rights of Way Improvement Plan for W. Sussex. We should acknowledge the letter &
request regular updates.
14 CPRE Publication Sussex Review. Proposed 2500 houses in East Grinstead noted.
Other -Members to be circulated
details of the next Central Mid Sussex County Local Committee meeting @ HH
Library, 7.30 p. m. on Wednesday 6 December.
Countryside
Alliance Post Office poster to be positioned appropriately.
1907. Exchange
of Information
Mr Marsh – Overhanging branches affecting
lighting on Oldlands footpath.
Complaints about roots. WSCC
plan put resurfacing of the remainder of the London Road (H’cross Road to
Station) on their next schedule.
Mr Wiginton –Christmas Tree Society insurance for the tree outside the Half Moon Inn. .
There being no further business the meeting closed
at 22.30 hours.
Signed…………………………………………..
Approved with revisions at Meeting of
11.12.2006