MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL, HELD ON

 

 

 

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL, HELD ON

TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2004 AT 8 PM IN THE WI ROOM, BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL

 

Present: Mr Graham Gosney (Chairman), Mrs Katherine Gunning, Mr Robin Williamson, Mr Roland Burke, Mr David Miners, Mr George Wiginton, Mrs Alison Stevenson, Mr Richard Greig (Clerk).

 

1168   Public Participation

Mrs Vera Thompson, Mr & Mrs Thompson

Mrs Rosemary Robertson, representing the Balcombe School 100 Club, requested that three tickets be drawn.  Those selected were – Number 13 Mrs Jan Hill (1st), Number 67 John Wise (2nd) and Number 21 Ms Rachael Ertl (3rd)

 

1169            Declaration of personal or prejudicial interest

Messrs Miners, Williamson, Burke & Mrs Gunning, residents of the London Road, declared a personal interest in respect of Traffic Calming.

 

1170            Apologies for absence

Messrs Gary Marsh, Simon Greenwood, Neil Infield, Mrs Sheila Illsley

 

1171            Minutes of meeting 6th January (Planning), 21st January (Regular) & 26th January 2004

6 January 2004 -previously accepted as a true record at meeting of 21st January 2004 – vide Minute 1147

21st January 2004 - Minute1149 to read: “ Messrs. John Nicholson & C Gibbon from Owen Williams, together with a colleague, met up with members of the Road Safety Working Group to discuss aspects of Phases 1 & 2 of the scheme.  Mrs Stevenson has prepared a note of the main points covered at the meeting”.

Minute 1150 (d) to read: “Update on Budget Plan for 2004/2005 – Mr Williamson, the Responsible Finance Officer, was not present at the meeting.  The Chairman confirmed that there were no changes to the budget to be reported”.

 

1172            Matters arising

Meeting 21st January 2004 – 1148 – are Councillors eligible to receive a copy of the full Electoral Roll?  Clerk to check with MSDC.

1152 – Revision of Standing Orders – fair copy to be supplied following agreed amendments to draft.

1155 – Local Transport – Post Bus is still operating since Alan Francis retirement.  There are two drivers.

1158 – Prue Harding has been asked to address the Annual Parish Meeting on 27 April, but has not yet replied.

1161 – Robin Williamson (RFO) & the Clerk will liaise re possible inclusion of insurance for village events under “umbrella” of Parish Council master policy.

Meeting 26 January 2004 – No matters arising.


 

1173   To review Recreation Ground Development Consultation Meeting 7th February 2004 & consequential action arising

Mr Wiginton gave an overview of the Consultation Meeting on 7 February and reported a good turn out of villagers.  Although the completed questionnaires have yet to be analysed, the majority appeared to favour Scheme B, as did the Parish Council.  MSDC will now be asked to look into the design of a scheme incorporating such features in more detail, including drainage of any grass areas. The comments received in respect of Options C & D are useful but further consideration will be required regarding development of these areas. Mr Wiginton noted that mixed messages have been received in respect of late night youth noise and disturbances and that further information should be obtained in respect of this matter.

 

Terry Harris agreed to the display being displayed at Balcombe CE School.  Possibly their questionnaire comments may be slightly different to the others, as it was not possible to give as much background information to them on the proposed features.  It seems that a number of students responding to the questionnaire understood that Option A provided more play equipment that Option B, which is not the case. This misunderstanding may have biased the responses.”.

 

It was agreed that we should also involve the Youth Club + Workers in our development plans.

To avoid any slow up in the absence of George Wiginton over the next few months the other members of the Recreation Ground Development Group will assist with the necessary liaison with the bodies concerned with the scheme.

Ian Burton, Assistant Director – Outdoor Business Operations – should be thanked for the work of his department, especially at the consultation meeting mentioned above.

 

 

1174            Financial Matters

a)         Cash Book Receipts & Payments for the month of January 2004 – approved as circulated

b)         Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31.01.04 for all accounts - approved as circulated

c)         Revised Budget Plan for 2004/2005 – a copy of the 2003/04 estimate + 2004/05 budget was made available at the meeting.

 

1175   To continue existing subsidies for Senior Rail Vouchers in conjunction with MSDC

Agreed on the present basis of a subsidy of £5.30 for normal applicants & £9.30 for applicants on benefit

 

1176            Report on Traffic Calming

Mr Miners advised the meeting that a copy of the minutes following the meeting with Owen Williams on 20 January was available, together with a reply from their John Nicholson.

A meeting with Messrs. Peter Bradley & Neil Smith had taken place on 9 February & a good level of agreement reached.  A summary of the main points of the meeting, together with a programme of work has been prepared and circulated to those involved.

 

1177            Revision of Standing Orders – update

A fair copy to be supplied to all Councillors following agreed amendments to draft.

 

1178            Consideration of the following Planning Applications

i)            BA/04/00140/FUL – Cuckmere, Stockcroft Road.  It was agreed that this extension would create no problems and should be recommended for approval.

ii)            BA/04/00234/FUL – Oakfield Cottage, Brantridge Lane – Temporary siting of mobile home for short term sleeping.  It was the unanimous view of those present that the siting of a mobile home in this AONB would create a precedent.  A site visit would be made prior to our representation to MSDC planners

 

1179   To finalise arrangements for participation at Church Open Day 22/23 May 2004

            As stewarding would be required Councillors were requested to keep dates clear.

 

1180   Local Transport – to consider response to WSCC letter dated 28.01.04

The Clerk will reply to WSCC & cross-reference with findings from the recent transport survey conducted by MSDC

 

1181   To note details of WSCC Local Transport Plan 2006/16

Mr Miners, as Leader of the Road Safety Group, will prepare some comments for reply.

 

1182   Post Office Security issues at Balcombe – update

Agreed in principle that we would contribute £300 towards Indi’s cost of CCTV installation.  This to be ratified at March meeting.  Indi to be advised in principle of our decision.

 

1183   To ratify previously agreed contribution of £250 for retiring postman Alan Francis

Agreed unanimously.  Clerk to draw up cheque together with a letter of thanks.

 

1184            Update on replacement of footpath stiles with gates

            No further information to hand.

 

1185   To discuss proposed car-parking arrangements for Ardingly Reservoir planned for March

Clerk to liaise with Collette Randall & send a letter about our concern over the proposed parking charges for visitors to the reservoir.

 

1186   To note WSCC Highways Work Programme for Balcombe advised on 21.01.04

Noted.  Work on the Stone Hall bends (HH Road) will commence in March & the road will be diverted.

 

1187   To consider proposals for RBL Memorial Garden adjoining the pavilion

            Agreed leave in abeyance at present until the rec development programme is clearer.

 

1188   To note request from two residents of Bramble Mead for installation of lighting between the Twitten & Recreation Ground

            The Clerk will arrange a site visit by SEEBOARD to discuss the cost aspects & revert.

 

1189   To consider request from Balcombe Tennis Club for funding in connection with provision of table tennis facilities within the clubhouse

            The Chairman explained the normal policy of the Council regarding financial help to local village organisations.  Agreed that this type of funding did not meet past criteria & in any case the amount being sought was well in excess of our normal annual budget for expenditure of this nature.  In his reply the Clerk would mention possible assistance via MSDC.


 

1190            Correspondence

            None.

 

1191            Exchange of Information

            Mr Miners – door to door hawking by an ex prisoner, who had sworn at his wife.  Police should be informed of such approaches.

            Mrs Gunning – missing litterbins within village.

            Mr Burke – litter generally.  Agreed that we would make a mention of this in forthcoming Parish Magazine.  A “litter-clearing week” (in April?) could be useful.  Terry Harris at the school should be briefed.

            Mr Wiginton – would be absent from the March meetings (in USA).

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.00 pm

 

Signed……………………….

 

Date………………………….

 

RG/HS

                revised following meeting 23.03.04