MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 15TH MAY 2007 AT 8 PM IN THE GARDEN ROOM RESTAURANT, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE

                 

Present:  Messrs. Robin Williamson, Simon Greenwood, Gary Marsh, Richard Turner, Rodney Saunders, Neville Ashcroft, Robin Lindsay-Stewart & Mesdames. Sarah Moore-Williams, Carol Jarvest, Susan Barker-Danby, Alison Stevenson

In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council

 

2012.             Election of Chairman and to receive Chairman’s Acceptance of Office

The retiring Chairman, Mr Graham Gosney, explained procedure for the above.  Proposed by Mr Marsh & seconded by Mr Saunders Robin Williamson agreed to accept the Chairmanship of the Council.  There being no further nominations the motion was carried unanimously on a show of hands.  Mr Gosney was then thanked by all present for his significant contribution to the Council, latterly in the capacity of Chairman.  Mr Williamson then took the chair. 

 

2013   To co-opt two Councillors.  The following have indicated their willingness to serve if proposed and approved - Simon Greenwood & Neville Ashcroft. 

            There being no further nominations Messrs. Greenwood & Ashcroft were proposed as co opted members by Mr Marsh, seconded by Mr Turner.  Members were unanimous in voting for the motion to be accepted. 

 

2014.             Election of Vice Chairman

Proposed by Mr Saunders & seconded by Mr Lindsay-Stewart, Mrs Alison Stevenson accepted nomination as Vice-Chairman.  The motion was carried unanimously on a show of hands. 

 

2015.            Acceptance of Office by Councillors present and signing of Code of Conduct

            All Councillors accepted their position of office & signed the Code of Conduct in the presence of the Clerk.  Councillors then introduced themselves to each other.

 

2016. Public Participation

Councillor Bill Acraman, WSCC County Councillor (Conservative) for Worth Forest was present at the meeting & stayed for the duration. 

 

2017.            Apologies for absence.

Received from Councillor Andrew MacNaughton, MSDC District Councillor for Ardingly & Balcombe


 

 

2018.  To approve minutes of meetings held on 11th April (Regular) & 25th April (Planning)

The minutes of meetings of the Council held on 11th April (Regular) & 25th April (Planning) were approved as a correct record & signed by the Chairman. 

 

2019.            Matters arising

            11th April (Regular) - 1992 Other 11 - SE Regional Assembly Housing Strategy Review.  No action taken. 

25th April (Planning) - It was agreed that details of decisions taken relating to planning matters should bear the qualification in covering minutes “the above is a summary of the discussions at the Parish Council meeting.  The full response to MSDC is available from the Clerk”. 

 

2020.            Election of Responsible Financial Officer

Mr Williamson proposed the motion to elect Mr Robin Lindsay-Stewart as Responsible Financial Officer.  Mrs Stevenson seconded this motion.  The Councillors voted unanimously in favour & Mr Lindsay-Stewart was duly elected. 

 

2021.            Financial Reports for April 2007

a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for April 2007 – noted as presented

b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 30th April 2007 for both accounts – noted as presented

c). Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading 1 month to 30th April 2007 – noted as presented

d). Arrangements for Audit of 2006/07 accounts.  RBS had attended on 17th April.  Subsequently the internal Auditor, Richard Land-Smith had undertaken an audit, prior to submission of the accounts to Mazars.  The accounts had been found in excellent order. 

 

2022.            Adoption of Parish Plan

Proposed by Rodney Saunders & seconded by Carol Jarvest it was unanimously agreed that the contents of the Plan represent the views of Balcombe village & that the Parish Council will strive to fulfil those that are within its power. 

 

2023.            Proposed Working Groups

            Plans had been formulated to incorporate six groups covering

·        Housing & Environment

·        Safety & Security

·        Young People

·        Traffic Matters

·        Local Societies

·        & Facilities & Amenities


 

 

The proposed Leader, together with members of the groups, will be approached prior to the next meeting.  Each group would report routinely to the Council every second month, commencing June, unless there was a matter of urgency. 

 

2024.  To consider any Planning Applications received by the date of the meeting

            For representation by 1st June 2007

BA/07/00909/LBC – Spicers Farm, Rowhill Lane – enlarging the door opening between laundry room & dining room to improve the aspect from kitchen (current door not central).  It was explained that this was an additional proposal to complete earlier (approved) work at the farm.  There was no objection from our side, but we should leave the decision to MSDC to apply their valid judgement in respect of listed buildings.  

 

2025.  To discuss complaint from Mr David Gould in respect of our response to Planning Application BA/07/00212/COU

            Members were given an explanation of the background to the complaint & our District Councillor, Mr Gary Marsh, explained the reasons given by MSDC planners in refusing the (retrospective) change of use application. 

The following is an extract from the letter subsequently written to Mr Gould following the discussions at the Parish Council meeting.  The full text of the letter is available from the Clerk. 

“……..Your attention is drawn to the formal response made by Balcombe Parish Council in its submission to Mid Sussex District Council.  In this response BPC states that the BPC believes the development will “attract additional parking…. & would contribute further to restricting free flow of traffic and increase the hazardous use of this road”.   We do not describe your particular parking as hazardous but rather the existing situation on lower Deanland Road.

………If you feel MSDC has misinterpreted then your case lies with them. 

We stand by our comments as recorded in both the minutes of the Balcombe Parish Council meeting and the response to MSDC”. 

 

2026.             Correspondence

            Other 17 – new Speed Watch device

Other 5 – pending arrangements for visit by Police for a “village surgery”.

Other 2 – Standards Board – New Code of Conduct

W3 – WSCC Speed Limit Criteria

W4 – New Highway Rangers

 

2027.             Exchange of Information

            Mr Marsh – Legionella testing of pavilion hot water may be necessary.  Alice Hemstock @ MDSC – 477394 – is our point of contact.


 

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 22.00 hours.

 

Signed…………………………………………..

 

Date……………………………………………..

RG/HS

 

 

REMINDER:  THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE, 8 P M IN THE W I ROOM, BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL