MINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 17th
AUGUST 2004 AT 8 PM IN THE PARISH ROOM, BALCOMBE.
Present: Mr Graham Gosney, Mrs Katherine Gunning, Mr
Robin Williamson, Mr Roland Burke, Mr David Miners, Mr Neil Infield, Mr George
Wiginton, Mesdames Sheila Illsley & Alison Stevenson.
1310. Public
Participation, including Balcombe School PTA Draw
Mrs Rosemary
Robertson, on behalf of Balcombe School PTA, requested that three numbers be
drawn. These were as follows - 1st
Number 102 – Miss Le Roux. 2nd
Number 84 – Garad Hoekstra. 3rd
Number 80 – Susie Chinn.
Additional
representation by Mr Mike Stevenson, Mr & Mrs Norman Howard, Mr Michael
Noble & Mr & Mrs Mike Nastys, as objectors to planning application
BA/04/01835/FUL – Lychgate, Deanland Road. Also present Mr Geoff Inyman (?) representing the applicants, Mr
& Mrs P Lake.
Messrs.
Stevenson, Howard, Nastys & Noble addressed the meeting detailing the main
reasons for an objection. The main
points addressed were: -
·
The site is within a conservation area where such a large
back land development would seriously affect its character.
·
District policy has always been against development in back
gardens where the site is too small to accommodate buildings of this
nature. A substantial number of other
village properties have similar amounts of land and the granting of this
application could encourage applications to build in these gardens. A precedent should not be created, as this
would completely change the character of the village.
·
This application has complete disregard for neighbouring
properties, which will have a detrimental effect on them, i e noise & light
pollution, loss of privacy and devaluation.
·
There should be a moral duty to protect the village
environment and to this end must resist such urban style development.
Mr Nastys mentioned a similar application
made in 2000 and understood this was due to be recommended for refusal. The new application is no different in
substance and he would again recommend that it be refused.
The representative of the applicants read
out a statement relating to the development.
While acknowledging that an area of outstanding Natural Beauty was
involved he did not agree with the other points for objection made, citing
developments at both Hope Cottage & the Nurseries. The development at Lychgate was suitable for
a retired couple, building area would be similar and potential for loft
development would not exist.
Mr Stevenson, in reply, mentioned that
the development was contrary to the Mid Sussex Local Plan.
1311. Declaration
of personal or prejudicial interest
Mrs Alison
Stevenson personal in respect of planning application BA/04/01835/FUL – Lychgate,
Deanland Road.
1312. Apologies
for absence
Messrs.
Gary Marsh & Simon Greenwood
1313. Minutes of meeting held on 13th
July 2004 & Special Meeting of 12th August 2004
Minutes of 13th July –
1296 – should read “Joe Harries”. Otherwise accepted as circulated.
Minutes of 12th
August (Special) – accepted as circulated
1314. Matters
arising
Minutes of 13th
July –1291 –
there had been a slight revision to payment arrangements for the £3000 to be
paid by BPC to the Victory Hall Management Committee (heating), but these were
nevertheless considered acceptable by the RFO.
1294 – new Dog Bin. MSDC instructed to proceed.
1295 – removal of
phone box. No news from BT.
1297 – Carol Dutton
has now formally accepted nomination for the Danny Garden party in September
Minutes of 12th
August (Special) 1303- on the subject of “rat running” via Oldlands
Avenue/Newlands the question had been raised as to whether Peter Bradley (WSCC)
had been made aware of this possibility.
He has subsequently received a copy of our reports, one in reply to the
Owen Williams request for an Exception Report, the other relating to our Report
of Consultation with local residents.
The latter
should be included in the October Parish Magazine.
1305 – Traffic Calming
- It was agreed that ideally the scheme should not be constructed in two
stages, but it would be useful to know whether there would be any financial
and/or budgetary restrictions if it were.
1307 – Mr Birkby had
been requested to undertake the tree cutting outside Miss Le Roux’s
property in the London Road.
1309 – The Clerk had
approached MSDC concerning removal of two oak trees from Balcombe Garage site.
1315. Consideration
of the following Planning Applications -
a) BA/04/01835/FUL – Lychgate, Deanland
Road. -
Demolition of existing single storey structure & construction of
two-bedroom bungalow.
In view of the interest expressed in this application,
discussion of same was brought forward as an agenda item.
Basically
Council members agreed with all the points earlier made by protesters, although
one member present considered the bungalow design acceptable. All present agreed that that there should be
strong representation to MSDC protesting about proposed development within a
conservation area.
It was agreed
after reference to the paper compiled by Mrs Gunning, on behalf of the
Environment Planning Group, that the Council should make the following
submission to MSDC:
“The site is
within a conservation area where such a large back land development would
seriously affect its character.
District policy has always been against development in back gardens
where the site is too small to accommodate buildings of this nature. A substantial number of other village
properties have similar amounts of land and the granting of this application
could encourage applications to build in these gardens. We do not want to create a precedent, as
this would completely change the character of the village.
This application has complete disregard for neighbouring
properties, which will have a detrimental effect on them, i e noise & light
pollution, loss of privacy and devaluation
We have a moral
duty to protect our environment and to this end must resist such urban style
development.
There was
extremely strong representation at tonight’s Parish Council meeting (17 August)
by villagers from neighbouring properties protesting at this application.
A similar
application was made in 2000 and we understand was due to be recommended for
refusal. This application is no
different in substance and we would again recommend that it be refused”.
b)
To consider any additional
applications received prior to the meeting
It was agreed
that the following be delegated to the Environment Planning Group: -
BA/04/01836/FUL – 23 Newlands
– replace large window with double patio doors to gain rear access.
BA/04/01850/TREE – 13 Oldlands
Avenue – Lime (T56) thin canopy by approx. 50%.
BA/04/01859/TCA – Pippins,
Oldlands Avenue – Lime: Fell.
1316. Financial
a) Cash Book Receipts & Payments
for July 2004 – accepted as circulated
b) Bank Reconciliation Statements as at
31st July for all accounts – accepted as circulated
c) To comment on outcome
of Audit for 2003/2004 and report to be sent forward to Mazars. Mr Williamson, as responsible Finance
Officer, reported that this had been conducted to the full satisfaction of the
Internal Auditor, Mr Richard Land-Smith, who had found the books in good
order. A sheet detailing variances
between the years 2002/03 and 2003/04 had been prepared to be included with the
return to Mazars.
d) To adopt NALC/SALC
2004/05 & 2005/06 National Salary Award for Local Council Clerks effective
1st April 2004 & 1st April 2005.
The Clerk left the room. In his absence the following was agreed
unanimously:
With effect from 1st April
2004 the Clerks’ remuneration will be based on Scale LC1/SCP17, at the NALC
recommended hourly rate of £7.760. The
Clerk also qualifies for 50% of the revised supervisory rate for 2-5 employees
of £1,632 p a. At the current level of
20 hours per week the Clerk’s annual salary will be £8,886.40, an increase of
£418.28 over his current annual salary of £8468.12. It was further agreed that the Clerk’s quarterly “Home as Office”
allowance be increased from £103 to £106
The Council also agreed unanimously to
increase the rate of pay for the Ranger by 2.8% as from 1st April
2004.
1317. Report on
Traffic Calming
a) Matters arising from Special Meeting
of 12th August 2004
Points to be made in
reply to Safety Audit of Owen Williams (Exception Report) agreed. as
circulated. Important points included
minimum height at the centre dome of the island to be 65 mm, Lighting to be
less obtrusive and more in keeping with a village environment and overall cost
of lighting within the scheme.
Agreed that we would
reply to WSCC with our comments on the Safety Audit and leave it to WSCC to send, as
required, an Exception Report, to Owen Williams as we consider there is a
contractual obligation within the scheme between the two parties. All such correspondence to be copied to OW.
There was concern
about the uneven pavement surface on the right going down to the church. The Clerk was requested to mention this to
WSCC.
Mr Miners was thanked
by the meeting for his continuing hard work on the scheme and his liaison with
the various parties.
b) To discuss any further action
required before taking a final decision. & c) Future Plans. We
would plan to take a final decision relating to the scheme at the next Council
meeting on 14 September.
1318. To consider letter from MSDC concerning
revised arrangements for refuse collection
The Clerk had circulated details of
MSDC’s proposals for this, which in Balcombe’s case would not commence until
early in 2005. They had already taken a
decision to proceed with the scheme and had not consulted our Parish
beforehand.
Details of the
advised arrangements would be mentioned in the Parish Magazine.
1319. Recreation Ground Development
– update
Mr Wiginton remained happy with the
new proposals contained in the latest plan from MSDC. He would convene a meeting of the Recreation Ground Development
Group, including the co-opted members.
It seemed that finance was in place from MSDC and that there was a
possibility of a September start.
1320. Pavilion – Disability Access
proposals
Members had received a report from
Mr Robin Penn of MSDC who had carried out a survey. In particular we were commended on the immaculate state of the
interior, thanks to the efforts of the Ranger, who would be advised. A pull cord, combined with light/buzzer, was
recommended for the disabled lavatory and a loop system for the hard of
hearing, should it be established that there were deaf or hard of hearing users
of the pavilion requiring this facility.
1321. Youth Club – Resignation of Julia
Beckett & arrangements for new successor
Julia had
resigned and would be taking up a new challenge in Cuckfield. A letter of thanks had been sent to her on
behalf of the Council. Arrangements for
her successor were not yet known, but Mrs Illsley and the Clerk would advise
progress.
1322. To note SALC proposals for courses for
Councillors
Details from
SALC circulated. The Chairman commended
these to members and confirmed that the Council would pay any expenses in
conjunction with attendance. Mr
Wiginton possibly interested in the proposed December course.
1323. Correspondence
M8 – Jenny
Dadd, in charge of grants at MSDC, would be most welcome to come to Balcombe
and would meet the Chairman, Clerk & RFO if possible.
Other 20 – Kim
Harris, the Police Community Service Officer, had been asked to address the
next meeting in September. She should
be requested to find out the requested information on speed cameras for
villages.
1324. Exchange of Information
Mr Miners – theft from
contractor’s car parked in London Road
Reply from Police on speed cameras
overdue. He also mentioned the comments
on speeding generally made by the Shadow Minister, Damien Green.
Disability Act. Mr Williamson to liaise with him
Mrs Stevenson - Parish
Action Plan/Funding. Also David
Wilson Homes had now agreed to resurface Deanland Road at their expense,
following representation by the Residents’ Association.
The Chairman - Train
Noise. We should write to the rail
companies involved.
There being no further business the
meeting closed at 21.44 hours.
Signed…………………………………………..
Date……………………………………………..
RG/HS