TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2003
AT 8 PM IN THE WI ROOM, BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL
Present: Mr
Graham Gosney (Chairman), Mr Neil Infield, Mr Roland Burke, Mr David Miners,
Mrs Alison Stevenson, Mrs Sheila Illsley, Mr Robin Williamson, Mr George
Wiginton, Mr Richard Greig (Clerk).
By
invitation the meeting was addressed, prior to commencement, by Chief Inspector
Coates, the present District Commander.
She mentioned that the area was split into 13 districts, each being
headed by an officer of similar rank.
There had been recent re-organisation of the community policing
arrangements and a new system in place since November. Basically there would be a team of up to 5
constables, operating on a shift pattern, servicing specified areas. The policy had been to move away from a
traditional “village bobby” concept.
CI
Coates stated that this was considered to be the best use of police resources. It evidenced “best practice” and the most
efficient use of resources. If an area
experienced more than 2 crimes, then it would be given “special” attention. Currently the police were recruiting
Community Support Officers, not with the same powers as normal officers, but
nevertheless considered to be effective in presenting a visible presence and
re-assuring the public. She said that
in some cases it might be possible for villages to fund – and control under
police guidance – their own CSO.
It
was the aim of the police to ensure that there was a better understanding of
crime patterns within a local area. It
was now possible to access a programme giving a statistical breakdown of
crimes. These on-line reports would be
found on the “CADIE” database and a letter to Parishes would follow. The Chief Constable was also interested to
support Local Action Teams and would arrange for them to receive practical
advice to try and solve the problems. A
Crime and Disorder Audit would follow.
There
was a Home Office Crime Reduction website, dealing in particular with
anti-social behaviour. Access via
“www.crimereduction.gov.uk/toolkits.
Following
on from the earlier comments about community policing CI Coates mentioned that
the new lead officer for Balcombe would be a PC Geoff Bennett, an experienced
officer, formerly handling Cuckfield.
The Clerk will obtain further details.
Question
time was short, but questions ranged from one on the policing of the roads
locally from the speed and traffic infringement angles (Mr Miners), Enforcement
of speeding tickets (Mr Burke) as well as the possibility of Balcombe
being able to follow the recent scheme in Ringmer, where villagers operated
speed measuring equipment themselves, after police training. Other questions included Speed Management
within the parish and delays in handling calls to the police service.
The
Chairman thanked the speaker for her visit and the meeting proper commenced at
20.05 hours.
The
Councillors present residing on the London Road, as well as Mr Miners, a
resident in the lower end of the Haywards Heath Road, in respect of Traffic
Calming – see Minute 1060 below
Mr Gary Marsh (indisposed), Mr Simon
Greenwood & Mrs Katherine Gunning (holiday)
The
following amendments were requested:
·
Page 1 – 1038 - Add
at bottom of page “Their opinions were noted”
·
Page 2 – 1045 - Delete
section at bottom of page 2 commencing “Mr Marsh mentioned…” to top of Page 3 ending “….and generally cause a
nuisance”.
·
Page 3 – 1052 - Amend
to read “Mrs Illsley mentioned that Headmaster…..”
·
amend to read, “Mr Marsh would be happy to form a
small group….”
1034
The Clerk updated the meeting
on Indi’s case and how an appeal was shortly to be heard. The Post Office would benefit from
additional business. For example if
only 100 villagers were to use the over the counter payment scheme for their
bills there would be more revenue. The
Parish Council would show the lead. Mr
Wiginton mentioned that Haven Housing utilise this method of payment. The possibility of relocation within the
village was also being discussed.
1047
Mr Infield’s daughter had
recently attended the Youth Club and enjoyed it. There had been 8 at the meeting.
Mrs Illsley mentioned the continuing useful help at meetings by (Ms) Sam
Cooper, acting on an unpaid basis and asked whether the Councillors would
approve a “financial reward”, as before in the way of thanks. It was agreed that this be dealt with by the
Chairman, Clerk and RFO respectively, with a proposal being made at the October
meeting. It was acknowledged that the
work of the Youth Club was most beneficial to the village.
1048
The Councillors were reminded
of the revised date for the October meeting (October 21st)
1049
(vi) After discussions with the planners it was reported that an application
for development had now been submitted.
1050
c) Following the agreement to authorise the sum of £2,230 for the updating of
15 street lights the covering quote from SEEBOARD had mentioned that this would
increase if some standards were diagnosed with heavy corrosion, requiring extra
work. The meeting thought that we would
have no alternative but to accept this and we would now await a further report
from the person dealing with this, Mr Dave Gilbert.
1052
– Mill Steps - The Clerk had requested the Ranger to attend/inspect.
Web Sites - Mr Edmondson had mentioned that he would be contacting the
Clerk for back copies of Agendas and Minutes.
Bench at station - being attended to by the Ranger, who would be
undertaking repairs and sourcing new parts from the Balcombe Sawmill, following
agreement by Mr Greenwood.
1059 Information Pack for New
Residents
This had been circulated previously in draft
form. Rather than attaching a photocopy
of the Parish
Magazine organisation list to it why not
include a current issue of the magazine?
Agreed. The Clerk would also try
and source a back number of the Balcombe Village publication. Mrs Illsley had handed the Chairman her
ideas for corrections. Additionally it
was mentioned by Councillors that the Youth Club and Scouts need to be
mentioned and details on the websites modified.
1060 Report on Traffic Calming
Mr
Miners as Leader of the Road Safety Working Group had previously circulated an
update on developments to Councillors accessible by e-mail. Subsequently he had – provisionally – booked
the Parish room for 25 October for a Consultation Meeting with villagers. However it was mentioned that there were
still no drawings to hand from Mr John McKerrell (WSCC), who had been on
holiday. In his absence David Miners
had spoken to Neil Smith to particularly mention loud surface noise. He was told that this could be reduced on
resurfacing, if noise was considered to be a problem. Discussion took place on the sighting of a 20 mph sign and how,
if incorporated, it would be a problem to residents near “The Olives”, on
London Road. Concerning prospects for
Phase 2 of the scheme it was thought that a gradual reduction in speed,
indicated by 50 mph, down to 40 mph, before proceeding into the village via the
southern entrance – and the 30 mph sign – could be advantageous. Details on Phase 2 of the scheme would have
to be included at the time of this consultation for maximum impact. We could use the guidelines of the earlier
TRL survey.
The
Chairman mentioned his discussions with Mr Roger Hobbs (WSCC Chichester) and a
draft letter of agreement that had been sent.
Basically this should be considered as a letter of comfort, to the
benefit of both parties. It was
understood that this was now with the Contracts Manager (?), Peter Bradley, for
perusal. However no major problems were
envisaged.
Mr
Miners had recently attended a Mid Sussex Community meeting. However nothing on traffic had been
included. In view of this he had
decided to address this matter separately on an individual basis.
Discussions
took place about the format for the 25 October consultation (see above), after
a query by Mrs Stevenson. Mr Miners
thought that the school should be involved to a limited extent and would speak
to the Headmaster (Mr Harris) about the children’s’ involvement and a possible
competition in this connection with a prize!
The
Chairman additionally expressed concern about the lack of any cost estimates
and said that without them we could not consult beneficially. Once we receive the final design then a
covering written estimate would be required.
We would need to check on the present WSCC policy concerning tendering
and whether more than one company would need to quote. Mr Williamson (RFO) mentioned that an
accurate cost estimate was essential for a cash flow forecast, in particular
the time scale. Would it be necessary
for us to borrow in view of the anticipated expenditure?
Mrs
Stevenson thought the date of 25 October was too tight. It would not allow any pre-advice in the
Parish Magazine. Mr Infield suggested
that a comment form could be useful. He
also said that he would give thought to the 40/50 mph buffer zones and comment
separately. There should also be a separate
group to examine the speeding problem (similar to the Ringmer scheme?). Mr Miners agreed.
Mrs
Illsley mentioned her recent meeting with Mr Lambarth (WSCC Highways) and how
the surface dressing carried out by them on Crawley & Stoney Lanes was
inadequate. She had handed a report of
the meeting to the Clerk, who would write in detail following the findings.
1062 Report on Recreation Ground Development
& Discussions with Leisure Ranger
Mr Wiginton briefed the meeting on the work
carried out by his group, including the co-opted members. There would be a meeting shortly to
finalise. It was likely that picnic
tables would not now be included in the scheme. Tree planting could be beneficial, but the most important factor
was the type of apparatus selected and how it would fit in to maximum
benefit. If there was too much tarmac
then the drainage problem could be exacerbated. An area of green around the play area could provide shade. Once the final reviews had been completed
another meeting with MSDC would be arranged, possibly by mid November. Mr Wiginton agreed that, as with the case of
Traffic Calming, all valid concerns of residents would be considered wherever
possible.
The Chairman mentioned that if necessary an
additional meeting of the Parish Council could be convened, as correct
implementation of the scheme was paramount.
An indicative timetable from Rupert Browning would be useful. Also a precise breakdown of who would be
responsible for each aspect of the scheme.
Mr Williamson asked whether there was likely
to be any call on BPC funds – thought unlikely – or additionally any
supplementary funding required. A
budget proviso might be necessary.
The
Clerk updated the meeting on his progress with MSDC/Environment Agency,
following the recent fly tipping in a lay-by off Church Hill. Mr Williamson mentioned new legislation
making the landowner responsible for removal.
1064 Revision of Standing Orders
The Chairman mentioned that we had previously been working to a 1996
format. In future we would work to a
NALC 2003 format. He, Mr Williamson,
together with the Clerk, would convene.
Mr Miners requested a copy of the NALC document.
1065 Parish
Plans Conference 17th October
The Chairman would
attend. There were no other volunteers.
1066 Rural
Bus Service Consultation
Details
of the recent meeting with WSCC were given.
Posters were to be displayed in all village outlets, together with
questionnaires, which were to be returned (Freepost) direct to MSDC.
1067 To note Community Plan
for Mid Sussex
Noted.
The Chairman requested that each Councillor, if in agreement, should
complete a questionnaire on an individual basis, as it was not practical for an
overview to be presented on behalf of BPC.
The questionnaires should be returned to the Clerk by 30 September, so
that they can be sent off to MSDC, together with a covering letter.
1068 To note Mid Sussex Local Plan
Noted. An overview of this had been circulated
prior to the meeting. Reference was
made to 19.3, which mentioned, “Traffic Calming was to be part of the local traffic plan ”.
Mrs Stevenson asked, in
connection with boundary moves, whether there would be any effect on the
school.
1069 Consideration of the following
Planning Applications
i) BA/03/01968/FUL –
Mead Cottage, Stockcroft Road - Removal of condition from BA/003/99. No lifting of the condition recommended.
ii) BA/03/02062/TCA –
Lychgate, Deanland Road - Fell 3 birch saplings, trim lower branches of silver
birch by approx. 1 metre. Reduce &
shape Prunus by approx. 1 metre. No objection.
iii) BA/03/02065/TCA –
Beech House, Deanland Road – Copper Beech – reduce/reshape by approx. 1-1.5
metres. No objection.
iv) BA/03/02086/FUL – Stowe House, Stockcroft Road – Loft
Conversion. No objection.
v) BA/03/02090/FUL
– 2 Bramble Mead – Proposed entrance porch and en suite bathroom
extension. No objection
vi) Any additional
applications received prior to the meeting, following delegation to the
Environment Planning Group
BA/03/02213
– 1 Deanland Road – Norway Spruce, remove 4 lowest branches on southern
side. Sycamores & Hazels: lift
canopy by approx. 2 metres on southern side.
Recommend.
BA/03/02259/FUL
– Cherry Croft, London Road. Demolition
of garage & construction of 2-storey extension including internal
alterations & construction of two dormer windows on the southeast
side. Recommend as overall an
improvement on the present bungalow.
BA/03/02314
– Delamere, Stockcroft Road – Bicycle Shed (Brick & Tile) in front
garden. Recommend refusal.
BA/03/02352/TCA
– Avon House, Stockcroft Road – Fell sweet chestnut - Recommend approval.
a) Cash
Book Receipts & Payments for the month of August 2003.
Approved.
b) Budget
Planning for next Financial Year
Mr Williamson mentioned
that this would be considered in more detail at the October meeting. He circulated a draft document giving the
main headings for consideration.
Councillors might like to complete this in “wish list” format. Items representing major expenditure, e g
Traffic Calming, were most important.
c) To agree donation to retiring Postman (Bob Cornell)
Proposed by Mr Wiginton,
and agreed unanimously, that the Parish Council would match on a “£ for £”
basis the amount collected within the village (box in Post Office with Indi),
up to a limit of £250. Mention of the
collection would be made in the Parish magazine
Letter from Owen Williams Ltd re improvements to Stone
Hall bends – Mrs Stevenson.
Water leak on Mill Lane.
Various views expressed. Work
continuing on project.
Letter from Mr Ashmole complaining about playground
development proposals.
Mrs
Illsley recommended that the Parish Council associate itself with a
presentation to Joan Thomason on her 80th birthday. She would receive a card from us, a balloon
and a nice box of chocolates. Mrs
Illsley and the Chairman would co-ordinate.
Mrs
Illsley cited two recent problems in the station car park – petrol theft +
damage – and how the present cameras seemed ineffective. The Clerk would take the matter up with
British Transport Police.
Mr
Burke mentioned that John Pierpoint needed a warning sign to protect him from
traffic when working on the highway.
The Clerk would research.
Mr
Infield had studied a recent website circular claiming to have some form of
“official” status. It was however a commercial
service. Agreed – “bin” it.
Mr
Wiginton mentioned the problems caused to residents of Deanland Road by the
site traffic of David Wilson homes.
Also Transco work along Oldlands Avenue. He said that in the past Colette Randall had represented us on
the Ardingly Reservoir Advisory Committee.
Agreed that we thank her and that she should continue. Clerk to contact her.
Mr
Miners mentioned a “dangerous” redundant telephone pole on the London Road,
struck by lightening some time in the past.
The Clerk would look into this.
There
being no more business the meeting closed at 10.18 pm.
Signed……………………….
Date………………………….
RG/HS