MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2004
AT 8 00 PM IN THE WI ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE.
Present: Mr Graham Gosney, Mr Robin Williamson, Mr
George Wiginton, David Miners, Mr Roland Burke, Mr Simon Greenwood, Mesdames
Katherine Gunning, Sheila Illsley & Alison Stevenson.
1365 Mr
Ian Jeffrey from West Sussex Police talked on the Community Speed Watch Scheme
As already identified from our own discussion with Ringmer the scheme
had been successful in that village.
Ian Jeffrey opined that it could be equally successful in West Hoathly,
the next village most recently selected.
Subject to final confirmation from Inspector Chris. Ball, the Haywards
Heath based Inspector, Balcombe could be introduced into the scheme “early in
the New Year” dependant on our having available funding for purchase of the
equipment & most importantly being able to form a team of volunteers. This would need to be led by a Co-ordinator,
backed up with a Deputy Co-ordinator, both responsible for the equipment &
contact with the police. For guidance
Ian Jeffrey advised that in West Hoathly they had secured 27 volunteers out of
the 50 originally canvassed.
Initially a risk assessment is carried out by a trained police officer,
who must approve safe sites for the operation of the scheme. These sites will be within 30 or 40 mph
speed limits. However locations chosen
locally by the villagers, providing they meet the criteria will be acceptable.
Te aim of the scheme is to encourage drivers to choose to drive at or
below the speed limit. For practical
purposes recording of vehicle details should be restricted to those travelling
at 36 mph or more in a 30 mph limit, which is a current Police (ACPO)
guideline.
Offending drivers vehicle details are recorded on a timed, dated &
signed Community Speed Watch Activity Log sheet. The appointed Police Liaison Officer will then arrange to send
out appropriate letters of warning to the registered vehicle keepers. A maximum of two letters will be sent to
such parties. After this vehicle
details will be circulated for targeted police intervention with a view to
prosecution.
Typical cost of speed measuring equipment is around £170 for an
American instrument, but there is a cheaper one at around £130, considered to
be satisfactory. On the other hand SID
(Speed Indication Devices), that could possibly be incorporated within a scheme
by agreement with WSCC, cost around £3,500.
These are however advisory & not TSRGD compliant.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would report back to Ian
Jeffrey/Inspector Ball on progress & Mr Jeffrey was thanked by the Chairman
for his excellent & thorough presentation.
1366 Public Participation, including
Balcombe School PTA Draw
Mrs Rosemary Robertson representing Balcombe
School PTA. The following draw numbers
were selected. 1st No. 6 – Yvonne
Ashmole, 2nd No.69 – Denise Bugler, 3rd No.47 – Carol
Massimo.
Mesdames Dickinson & Tibbott, residents
of Bramble Mead. They again expressed
lack of lighting in the Twitten leading into Bramble Mead. It was a dark area & potentially
dangerous. They did however appreciate
the high cost of installing a new column, but requested that we keep their
request in mind for the future.
Personal interest declared by the residents
of the London Road in connection with traffic calming & by Mr Greenwood in
respect of planning application BA/04/02408/FUL – 6 Meadow Terrace, Mill Lane.
1368 Apologies for
absence
Mr Gary Marsh
1369 Minutes of regular meeting held on 19th
October & special meeting held on 2nd November 2004.
1329 (1320) – insert
“to include lowering of light switch”
1356 – to read “Mid
Sussex Crime & Disorder Partnership”
The above minutes were
then signed off as a true & correct record.
1335 – Youth
Club. Reply still awaited.
1356 (see above) – the Chairman was now able to circulate some further information & mentioned that the main topics related to a Local policing Plan as well as the Mid Sussex Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership.
1357 - Report on WSCC Regional Conference on Speed Management. The conference notes were passed on to David Miners.
1359 - WSCC Seminar attended by Mr Greenwood. –
reported no direct relevance to BPC.
1360 - Following the earlier MSDC letter
regarding possible new sites for development within Balcombe Mr Greenwood
mentioned that the Balcombe Estate had already made contact and mentioned the
car park opposite the garage site, north of the school, old walled garden, land
behind Barn Meadow, a strip of land on the Haywards Heath Road by JP Removals
& the former Vintens Nursery site, off Oldlands Avenue. Mesdames Gunning & Stevenson would be
attending a MSDC seminar on this subject later in the month.
1371 Notification
of a vacancy on the Parish Council following the resignation of Mr Neil Infield
Mr Infield’s resignation was regretted &
he had been sent a letter thanking him for his services over many years. Under current legislation it would be
possible for this vacancy to be filled by co-option, provided there was no
request from a minimum of 10 electors for an election to be held. It was thought that Roger Reese could be a
potential candidate for co-option.
Details of the vacancy would be made in the “Middy” & on the notice
board.
a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for October 2004 – accepted as presented
b). Bank Reconciliation
Statements as at 31st October 2004 for all accounts – accepted as
presented
c). To receive details of
any “Wish List” requirements to assist budget planning for financial year
2005/06. Discussed at some length. Twitten lighting – see 1366 above – could
Solagen (solar) powered light be a possibility? Mr Miners to check out.
Also white lines to make pathway in this area clearer
New light for pathway leading from station.
Tree/s for outside of the new rec areas. We should also consider £500/1000 towards
equipment for middle section of the new scheme as this could well encourage
additional voluntary contributions from others.
A notice board on the tree outside Paul Scofield’s
house.
Although still no final cost for the disabled loo in
the Victory Hall £1500 to be earmarked specifically for this.
1373 Traffic
Calming following decision taken at special meeting on 2nd November
Reference was made to the circulated fax of November 16 from Owen Williams attaching their FD 3.6 (no.1) - copies circulated to all Councillors.
Put to the vote it was the unanimous decision that this proposal, including total fees for redesign etc. of £1592.80, be accepted.
In
our acceptance to OW it must be emphasised that as stipulated they will
complete re-submitted safety audit by 13 December 2004 & must work within
this time scale.
Following the Special meeting of the Council on 2
November it was confirmed that we had now sent details of the additional
requirements agreed to WSCC & were awaiting their advices prior to
approaching OW, or other organisation recommended
1374 Recreation
Ground Development – proposed timetable for MSDC work on the new scheme
Mid Sussex District Council has advised that the development of the enhanced playground at the Recreation Ground will commence shortly, before Christmas depending upon weather, for completion in spring 2005.
The actual completion date will be determined again by weather conditions and by how quickly newly seeded areas mature The overall landscaping of the playground and its adjoining areas will be done in 2 stages, the 2nd stage being planned for Autumn '05. Final completion of the grass area could be as late as mid June.
We are
working with the Mid Sussex District Council to allow Village groups to
participate in the 2nd stage planting, if they so desire.
It was mentioned that there had been two changes to equipment – viz “Whirly Bird” & Little Miss Muffet. A central area has been left open for development. This could include sponsored items (multi play - refer 1372 above).
To avoid disappointment to local children it was proposed to retain, for as long as possible, the equipment to be re-located from the existing Toddlers' play area. This will provide some play facilities while development of the enhanced play area proceeds. Subsequently the pavilion end of the playground would be dealt with.
A
plan of the proposed new playground and its facilities would appear in the
forthcoming newsletter. Space
permitting a further copy of the plan, together with a coloured artist's
concept, would be displayed on the Parish Council Notice Board.
It was agreed that Ian Burton & his team (Rupert
Browning & Jo Harries) had been most helpful in getting things this far
& that the Clerk send a formal letter of thanks.
.
1375 Community Speed Watch Scheme
Discussion took place on the earlier talk by Ian
Jeffrey on the scheme. Members
considered that this was a very positive development. Agreed that it should be widely publicised. Parish Magazine & Middy both would carry
details, also notice board & the forthcoming Newsletter.
David Miners agreed to assist as the Parish Council
point of contact alongside the Clerk, & together would liaise &
co-ordinate, especially as regards collective awareness. The Parish Council, although fully
supportive, would NOT be operating the scheme & all agreed that a Co-ordinator,
Deputy Co-ordinator as well as the rest of the team to be trained would need to
be recruited from the village. Various
names were suggested & the individuals concerned were to be informally
approached & feed back to the Clerk as soon as possible.
1376 To
consider application from Balcombe-Wissous Twinning Association for a
contribution towards cost of new village sign
There was a general lack of enthusiasm for the
design proposed by WSCC. For instance
it was considered that the wording “TWINNED WITH WISSOUS” could be
smaller. Would a French tricolour log
beside Wissous make identification more suitable? Agreed the Clerk would refer back to Phil Henty for further
guidance & the matter be discussed again at the December meeting.
1377 To
discuss Action in rural Sussex’s running of the Government scheme – the Local
Benefit Fund
Details had been circulated to Councillors &
would additionally appear in the forthcoming newsletter & Parish Magazine
to make people aware of the scheme.
1378 Report on SALC/Action in rural
Sussex AGM
The Chairman had attended. Particular mention was made of funding the future of Mid Sussex
as well as the SE Regional Plan – early 2005.
1379 Consideration
of the following Planning Applications -
a) BA/04/02441/TCA – Oakland, Stockcroft Road – Lift
canopy of oak by 1-1.5m – no objection.
BA/04/02408/FUL – 6 Meadow Terrace, Mill Lane –
increase the size of the existing porch – no objection
BA/04/02551/FUL Bank Cottage, Haywards Heath Road –
2-storey side extension – no objection other than the close proximity of the
boundary to the proposed extension
BA/04/02553/FUL – 1 Holly Cottage, Mill Lane – Alterations to parking arrangements & widening of access. BPC have objections to the proposal for the following reasons
Holly Cottage is a Victorian semi-detached house set amongst similar properties in a narrow lane. The property had an integral single garage, which has recently been converted by the present owners into a bedroom and bathroom. The garage door has been replaced by brickwork and a small incongruous window. Not only has this been detrimental to the appearance of the property but an off road car parking space has been lost.
The property is set up above the road level and the present driveway slopes up to what was the garage door.
The proposal to lower the driveway results in a retaining wall at the foot of the old garage wall. This is unsympathetic to the setting of the house and will have the visual impact of making the building seem higher.
The proposed hand railing which is then required to guard the top of the retaining wall will give an ‘institutional’ look to the property.
BPC feel that the present proposal, in conjunction with the previous alteration, have and, will detract from the pleasant character and setting of the house. It could also set an unwelcome precedent for the rest of Mill Lane.
Although the present proposal turns more of the garden into driveway it still only allows for a single vehicle and does nothing to alleviate the on road-parking problem it purports to solve.
b) To consider any additional
applications received prior to the meeting
BA/04/02583/LBC – 1 & 2 Symonds Cottages,
Haywards Heath Road – replace 7” PRC (no longer available) with 6” PRC. No objection
Concerning the forthcoming appeal by Mr
Eldred in respect of Hope Cottage basement it was agreed that the Clerk write
to MSDC re-iterating our earlier comments.
1380 Balcombe School – Report from Parish Council nominated
Governor
Mrs Illsley painted a positive report
on progress at Balcombe School. There
were now 137 pupils & numbers were increasing as opposed to decreasing,
which was against the national trend.
Summed up the school enabled good personal development & aimed to
enable children to achieve their full potential.
Because of time constraints Mrs Illsley asked
to be released from her responsibility relating to the Club. A successor will be required. In the interim the Chairman & Clerk will
try & call in on the Thursday evening meeting night & report back to
the Council.
1382 Correspondence
M1 – New Register of Electors. Copy to be obtained for Parish Council
records
M2 – Funding for the Future of Mid
Sussex. To be put on the December 2004
agenda.
M3 - Forum – Small Scale
Housing Development on Greenfield Sites.
BPC would be sending a representative.
M5 - Public
Access for Planning. Mention to
Balcombe website & in Parish Magazine
M11 -
Publication “For better tomorrows”.
Could also warrant details in the Parish Magazine.
W5 – Salt Bins. Clerk had supplied details
W6 - LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme) Meeting
27th October. Details noted.
1 - SALC Annual Report + various miscellaneous
information. Noted. Mr Wiginton not now available to attend the
December weekend course.
9 - Letter from Borde Hill re development
plan. Clerk would attend on 29
November..
As Mr Marsh not present it was not yet
possible to receive details of dates in 2005 convenient to him. Agreed need to follow up soonest.
The
Chairman - forthcoming newsletter.
Recreation Ground re-development + plan. Traffic Calming.
Community Speed Watch.
Mrs Gunning – Training Meeting
Planning.
Mr Greenwood – overgrowing evergreen hedge on left, just after Private
Road (Walkers of Knollwood House)
Mr Burke – Dog poo on rec. Kerb
outside Newlands. Hedge near island on
London Road.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.22 hours.
Signed…………………………………………..
Date……………………………………………..
RG/HS