MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 15th JUNE 2004 AT 8 PM IN THE WI ROOM, BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL.
Present: Mr Graham Gosney, Mr David Miners, Mr Roland Burke, Mr George Wiginton, Mrs Katherine Gunning, Mr Gary Marsh, Mrs Alison Stevenson, Mrs Sheila Illsley, Mr Neil Infield, Mr Simon Greenwood, Mr Robin Williamson
1263 Public
Participation, including Balcombe School PTA Draw
Mrs Rosemary
Robertson drew three tickets. Winners
were 1st No. 29 - Nancy Towers, 2nd No. 100 Eric Faithfull &
3rd No. 93. Chris Napper.
No other members
of the public were present.
Messrs. Miners,
Williamson, Burke, Infield & Mrs Gunning, residents of the London Road,
declared a personal interest in respect of Traffic Calming
1265 Apologies
for absence
None
1266 Minutes of previous meeting held on 18 May
2004 (Annual General Meeting)
Mr Wiginton requested that the
following correction be made. Reported faults with street lights on
Troymede, the Twitten between Troymede and Combers, and Haywards Heath Road
beyond Oldlands, noting that he had not made a check of other lights in the
Village. After this amendment the
minutes were signed off as a true & correct record.
1208 - No additional information about introduction of car parking charges by south east water at Ardingly reservoir.
1232 - Speed Cameras the Clerk was still trying to find out more details on the outcome of the Ringmer scheme.
1243 - The Clerk had now received a signed contract of employment.
1246 The Church weekend event had been a success & BPC had a display.
The minutes of the Special Meeting of 3rd June, in respect of Traffic Calming, were accepted as circulated and signed off.
1268 a). Cash Book Receipts &
Payments for May 2004
Approved as circulated.
b). Bank Reconciliation Statements for all accounts at 31st May 2004
Approved as circulated.
1269 Report
on Traffic Calming update on current situation following OW meeting 09.06.04
It was agreed that in
principle the proposals made by Owen Williams be approved. Reference was made to their reply to queries
raised and the Clerk would circulate a copy of the covering e-mail to all
Councillors.
Mr Miners had received a set of updated plans from OW and
made extra copies for the Council.
There was one query about the width specified on our drawing and Mr
Miners would check to see whether those in use at Bognor were to a similar
specification.
The central reservation proposed adjoining Gilletts Surgery
would still need to be addressed by Owen Williams.
A Traffic Calming newsletter had been excellently
designed by Mr Williamson, who was thanked for his input. This would be inserted into the July Parish
Magazine & generally made available to residents. Additionally special letters would be circulated to residents
fronting the Haywards Heath Road.
The lighting requirements on the plan would need to be
carefully evaluated in conjunction with WSCC experts.
The public exhibition on 10 July would need to be
carefully publicised & would include posters around the village. BPC would need to have a follow up meeting
to discuss the findings & opinions of residents.
The schedule advised by Owen Williams for the preliminary
work included the results of a Safety Audit by 24 June.
It was agreed that a loan might be required to finance
the scheme & background information on current prospects be obtained via
SALC.
1270 Consideration
of the following Planning Applications
i). BA/04/01203/FUL - 1 Holly Cottage, Mill
Lane. Demolition of conservatory & erection of
extension for dining room. As present
conservatory is small & somewhat dilapidated we consider its replacement by
the flat roofed extension to be an improvement. No neighbours should be affected.
ii).
To note appeal in respect of BA/03/02314/FUL Delamere, Stockcroft Road erection of bicycle
shed allowed by Planning Inspectorate
iii). BA/04/01265/FUL 3 The Nurseries. UPVC conservatory to rear.
No
objections, but think that residents of 23 Combers may be affected by
conservatory/brick wall along the boundary fence.
iv)
BA/04/01152/FUL Rosebay, Deanland Road Side Extension
No
objections. The proposal is well
detailed & unobtrusive
v). BA/04/1124/TCA
- 1 Foxwells Thin canopies of 3 limes. No
objections. The limes along Oldlands
Avenue, traditionally pollarded, are now becoming too large.
vi).
BA/04/1179/FUL 8 Combers Side Extension.
The present plans for the front elevation still leave the property with
a mix of styles, in respect of lack of facing windows on upper storey &
door/window arrangement in the left single storey. Possible concerns from residents to the rear about the 2nd
storey extension.
vii).
BA/02/1620/APL Highfield, Deanland Road amendments to approved plans.
Mrs Stevenson
declared a personal interest & left the room. There were no objections to the requested amendments to the
already approved plans. The changes are
in keeping with the character of the property.
viii).
BA/04/1149/FUL Shortridge, Private Road Construction of new
house/demolition of existing. No
objections. The new design is excellent
& the new house will be exceptional.
ix). To
consider any additional applications received prior to the meeting. BA/04/01307/FUL Bramerton, Victoria Road
Reconstruction of existing garage.
Delegated to Leader of Environment Planning Group for consideration
& report at next meeting.
1271 To discuss forthcoming Balcombe fete on 3 July & charges for hire of recreation ground & pavilion
Agreed that BPC
would fund the insurance premium of approx. £170 & provide use of the
pavilion free of charge. The fete
committee would pay for the hire of the rec themselves. Clerk to write to Roger Bell.
1272 To discuss BTs proposed removal of red telephone box from outside former Balcombe Garage
Mr Marsh updated the meeting of progress, as
BPC had received no news of the intentions direct from BT. The Councillors concurred that if a box had
to be taken away it regrettably would have to be the one in Oldlands Avenue, as
the box opposite the station was considered to be the most valuable. The box outside the Post Office would not be
affected
1273 To
re-consider cost of re-instating selective Sunday freighter collections. Cost to BPC £255 + VAT per collection
BPC would bear the cost of two
Sunday collections during the financial year and then review. Mr Marsh was hopeful that MSDC might
reconsider the situation in 2005/06.
The two Balcombe collections should be around end September & end
March. Clerk to book with MSDC.
Mr Wiginton
advised that Rupert Browning of MSDC had been away. Some Councillors expressed disappointment that there now seemed
to be some doubt about the £40k allocated to Balcombe for the purpose and voted
at Council last year. After discussion
it was agreed that Mr Marsh, in his capacity as our District Councillor, would
take the matter up at MSDC, rather than our immediately writing to Ian Burton
expressing our concerns. The matter would
then be considered again after receiving Mr Marshs comments.
1275 To
discuss existing arrangements for grass cutting within the village by WSCC/MSDC
The Clerk had received cutting
schedules from WSCC, which would appear in the Parish Magazine. There had been problems with the cutting of
areas at the rec by MSDC and concerns had already been expressed to Andy Clout,
who had promised an improvement.
Nomination, ideally two per Councillor, requested in time for the July meeting
1277 Correspondence
Other
2. High Weald Anvil. Caring for the High Weald. Friends can register.
Other
3 CPRE publication Fieldwork
both
mentioned by the Chairman.
Other
11 letter from Ken Roberts.
Refer Minute 1275 above
1278 Exchange of Information
GG the pavilion might need modification for disabled visitors the Disability Discrimination Act comes into force on 1 October 2004. The law asks that service providers do what is reasonable according to the Disability Rights Commission. Clerk to obtain information on contact point via Wendy Malkinson.
AS Request for Dog Poo bin near footpath to cricket field. Perhaps site near Badgers Cottage?
RW Hedge outside St. Agnes.
SW Postal delays
KG incorrect pavement camber between Church/Rectory. Parking by builders in Foxwells causing inconvenience to residents.
There being no further
business the meeting closed at 22.02 hours.
Signed
Date
RG/HS
Approved without amendment
13.07.2004