MINUTES OF A
MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 16th AUGUST 2005
AT 8.00 PM IN THE W I ROOM, BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL.
Present: Messrs
Graham Gosney, George Wiginton, Simon Greenwood, Robin Williamson, Mesdames Sue
Tibbott, Katherine Gunning, & Alison Stevenson.
26 members of
the public attended. Prior to
commencement of the proceedings Mr Nick Ertl, on behalf of Balcombe School PTA, attended & the following draw
tickets were chosen: 1st Number 16 – Rosemary Robertson, 2nd Number
39 – Debbie White & 3rd Number 52 – Solly Sait.
Prior to start of the main meeting at 8 pm Inspector
Chris Ball, from Sussex Police, Haywards Heath addressed the meeting
with a presentation on local crime, anti social behaviour, Speed Watch
& subsequently took questions from the floor. He was accompanied by the PCSO (Police Community Support Officer)
for Balcombe, Christine Davidson. We
were fortunate in being in a “low crime” area & statistics quoted confirmed
this. Insp. Ball explained how ASBO’s
were enforced as well as other measures to try & control problems with the
younger element. In reply to a request from Mrs Sue Etheridge it was
agreed that a poster would be made available relating to the present person in
the village covered by an ASBO.
Mrs Margaret Laker voiced concern at the parking situation within the village. The increased number of parked cars in Newlands concerned Mr Jim Cooke. Mr Bryan Hammans requested clarification as to the “legality” of long-term parked vehicles in Newlands. Mr Norman Hawkins said that every effort should be made to improve the parked car situation in Newlands. Mr Paul Stoner expressed concern at the recent application for extended hours by the new landlord of the Half Moon Inn.
Mr Greenwood expressed a prejudicial interest in agenda items 7 (MSDC Small Scale Housing Allocations Development Plan) & 8 f) (Planning Application BA/05/01532/FUL – Gilletts Surgery, Deanland Road) as well as a personal interest in respect of agenda item 8 e). (Planning Application BA/05/01040/FUL – Barn at New Barns, White House, Brantridge Lane) & signed the book.
The Chairman expressed a personal interest in agenda item 8 f) & also 6 i) (Chairman’s allowance) & signed the book.
Messrs Gary Marsh,
Roland Burke, David Miners & Mrs Sheila Illsley.
1570 Minutes as circulated of Meeting
held on 19th July
Accepted as a correct record & signed off
by the Chairman.
1518 –
Minutes of 14th June – Risk Assessment. Clerk would now circulate
updated version to Mr Williamson (or Mrs Gunning) + Mr Greenwood in case
revisions are considered necessary for the future.
a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for July 2005 - approved as presented.
b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31st July 2005 for both accounts –approved as presented.
c). To note submission of Audit for 2004/05 to
Mazars. Noted accordingly
d). To approve John Randall’s estimate of July
totalling £100 to repair damaged seat ex Mill Lane & to discuss
alternatives to estimate totalling £450 for installation of fence behind
pavilion Estimate for seat repair
approved. Fence quote thought excessive. Mr Greenwood thought that the Estate Sub
Agent might be able to get someone from the sawmill to do it. The Clerk would approach Peter Evans at
Stone Hall.
e). To note final payment of £1871.54 (incl. VAT) to
Owen Williams in connection with traffic calming. Confirmed by Mr Williamson (RFO) as being included in budget.
f). To approve expenditure of approx. £100 for
additional items required by Balcombe Community Speed Watch. Agreed.
The Clerk to confirm to Roy Bliss.
g). To approve booking of rubbish freighter on
Sunday 30th October at cost of £255 + VAT. Following proposal by Mr Williamson, seconded by Mrs Gunning
carried unanimously.
h).
To consider request of Rosemary Robertson following the deficit of £90 incurred
by the recently held Superstars Competition.
Proposed by Mrs Gunning & seconded by Mrs Tibbott carried
unanimously. It was requested that we
should be approached in advance in the future with any request for financial
support for this event.
i).
Chairman’s allowance. The Chairman left
the room. Proposed by Mr Williamson
& seconded by Mr Greenwood it was unanimously agreed that a sum of £300 be
set aside for this purpose.
.
1573 To
discuss MSDC Small Scale Housing Allocations Development Plan Report & the
planned Special Meeting on 15th September
Mr Greenwood left the room. It was confirmed by the Clerk that, as resolved at the meeting of 19th July, we had written on agreed terms of reference to MSDC in respect our earlier comments in respect of both the Glebe Farm & Old Rectory sites proposed by them.
To date we had received a reply from MSDC acknowledging our revised comments in respect of Glebe Farm. The Chairman explained that suggestions for future sites, together with our thoughts on long-term housing needs of the village, would form the nucleus of our September Special Meeting. Additionally it would be covered in our possible Parish Plan. Mr Ieuan Sherwood from Action in rural Sussex would be talking at our September meeting about Parish Action Plans.
1574 To consideration the following Planning Applications
For representation by 12th August (extended to 19th
August)
a). BA/05/01507/FUL – Lodgelands, Crawley Lane – proposed box bay window extension to bedroom. No objection
b). BA/05/01523/TCA – Troy Cottage, Deanland Road – Repollard the Goat Willow – no objection
c). BA/05/01524/TCA – Glenmore, Deanland Road – Repollard the Goat Willow – no objection
d). BA/05/01529/TCA – Cherry Croft, London Road – Fell the Cypress. No objection
For representation by 26th August
2005
e). BA/05/01040/FUL – Barn at New Barns, White House, Brantridge Lane. Proposed conversion of barn to form residential annexe to new barn – no objection
f). BA/05/01532/FUL – Gilletts Surgery, Deanland Road – Ground & first floor extension, demolition of existing double garage to be replaced with a single garage. There had been a number of objections from residents about the proposal & after close study, these combined with the views of the Environment Planning Committee were advised to MSDC for revision on the following grounds.
There is presently insufficient off road parking at this site for a doctors’ surgery. There are not enough spaces even for staff at present. The proposal reduces the number of spaces and the ease of access to those parking spaces. The protrusion of the new reception area into the rear of the parking courtyard further restricts the area available for manoeuvring a vehicle into the spaces to be provided. It is likely vehicles would have to reverse out all the way onto the road.
On street parking is a problem on this section of Deanland Road and the proximity of the junction with Haywards Heath Road further exacerbates this.
The proposed balcony to the rear of the building would cause several properties gardens to be overlooked. Although there is a balcony at present the gardens are shielded by the taller sections of the building. The extension also brings the proposed balcony area closer to the neighbours. The building has upper floors that could be made accessible and it is felt that the proposals do not make best use of the existing site. Some Parish Councillors thought that the extension could be seen as over development of the site. However it was agreed that Gilletts Surgery is a very important facility for Balcombe residents. The Council supports the upgrading of the surgery to improve patient care.
Plans to extend the premises need to take care of the effects on its neighbours. Mr Marsh would be requested to arrange for it to be “called in”.
Mrs Tibbott had been passed a letter from Harlequin Ltd., working on behalf of Orange, sent to Gary Marsh in his capacity as a MSDC District Councillor. This related to a pre-planning Application Consultation covering a proposal for a radio base station (mobile phone installation) on the roof of Gilletts Surgery. The meeting agreed that before taking a definitive decision we would need to know the precise size of the aerial. However it was the general consensus of those present that such items installed within the village could create a precedent & in principle no cells should be installed within the village area. Mr Marsh to be advised for his reply to them
g). To consider any additional applications
received prior to the meeting.
For representation by 2nd
September 2005
BA/05/01732/FUL – 1 Deanland Road (2nd application) – Single storey brick garage - no objections to the latest proposals although we would like to retention of the eastern hedge as part of the conditions attached to an approval.
1575 Update on
Pension Contribution arrangements for the Clerk
The Clerk left the room. The Chairman reported that as WSCC has declined to administer a
contribution to a private pension plan the only way open, if the Council wished
to continue making contributions, would be by a salary increase. After a discussion it was agreed that a
working group consisting of the Chairman, Vice Chairman & RFO, would review
the position & make a proposal to the next meeting. It was additionally agreed that any future
issue of an employee should be discussed in a private session of the Council.
1576 Traffic
Calming
Rachel Sanders (WSCC Highways) had sent a detailed
programme for the work schedule & it was apparent that this was running
smoothly. There would obviously be a
need for a final inspection upon completion together with a BPC member/members.
1577 Recreation Ground
Joe Harries, the MSDC Landscape Officer, had been in
touch & we had covered matters that included planting/shade trees etc. There may well be a need for additional
finance for agreed additions, from BPC as well as village sources. As additional equipment would be enhance the
benefits an approach had been made by us to three equipment companies for their
proposals for additional items covering selected age groups. We would be advised of the outcome. Mrs Tibbott mentioned a faulty gate latch on
the Bramble Mead side that was not lined up correctly & needs
attention.
1578 Community Speed Watch
Great
initial success. 130 cars reported
doing over 37 mph in the first week of operation. The scheme would benefit from a write up in the local press &
Roy Bliss, the Co-ordinator, would arrange this. Insp. Chris Ball would like to be involved in this. Clerk to advise Roy Bliss. Final group of volunteers to be trained very
shortly
1579 Youth
Club
No report available as they are currently on holiday.
1580 Quality Parish Council Scheme
The
Chairman was still awaiting information from SALC on the possible benefits of
this.
1581 To consider request from Parish of St. Mary,
Balcombe’s Parochial Church Council for the Parish Council to nominate a
trustee to the “Friends of the Church” scheme.
There was detailed discussion on this including the
actual role of the trustee who we understood could be a nominee of, & not
necessarily a member of, the Parish Council.
It was accordingly agreed that BPC should be permitted to nominate a
trustee on this basis.
Mr Wiginton kindly agreed to act as a trustee in the
initial stages, but made it clear that he would not want this to be a long-term
arrangement. He was thanked for his
assistance.
1582 Memorial
Plaque for Pavilion - Update
The wording of the plaque was noted &
approved. The Chairman had been in
touch with both Masters & Son as well as P & S Gallagher from whom
quotes had been requested. Because of
personal connections with the former it could well be possible that they might
sponsor the resultant plaque. Proposed
by Mr Williamson & seconded by Mrs Gunning it was unanimously agreed that
in any case expenditure of up to £150 in this connection be approved without
further reference.
1583 To
note erection of ground level banner on Green by St. Catherine’s Hospice, prior
to their annual walk on 11 September (start/finish in Balcombe)
No objections voiced to assisting this worthy cause.
1584 Parish
Plan
No
additional discussion following discussion on the matter under 1573 above.
1585 Correspondence
M12 -Licensing Applications.
There had been concerns about the Half Moon application.
It was the
unanimous decision of Councillors that a letter be sent to MSDC by the cut off
date of 23rd August pointing out that our concern at the proposed
change of licensing hours. In our view
this would cause considerable inconvenience in a location where such a number
of houses are in the close proximity.
In principle we support the concerns already expressed by residents.
1586 Exchange of Information
Mr Williamson – barred gate on footpath at entrance to Kemps Farm. Mr Greenwood advised a new tenant in occupation & in view of this he would try & resolve the problem.
Mrs Stevenson requested that parking be include on the next agenda. In the meantime the Clerk would enquire of Highways to sound out their views on yellow lining to try & resolve the increasing problems.
Glass on the rec ground tarmac by the main entrance gate to the play area.
Mrs Gunning had heard from James Avery (WSCC) following the recent petition about the footpath running past the Rectory & would report further following his inspection visit.
There being no further business the meeting
closed at 22.03 hours.
Signed…………………………………………..
Date……………………………………………..
RG/HS