MINUTES OF A
MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 17th JANUARY 2007 AT 8 PM
IN THE W I ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE
Present: Messrs Graham Gosney, David Miners & Mesdames Sheila Illsley & Alison Stevenson
In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council
No member of
the public present.
No
declarations made.
Received
from Mrs Gunning, Messrs. Gary Marsh George Wiginton, Robin Williamson, Simon
Greenwood & Roland Burke
1932. To approve Minutes of Regular Meeting held on 11th December 2006–
Signed by the Chairman as a true & correct
record without revision.
1933. Matters arising
1916 (Meeting
of 14th November 1895 e). - EDF A meeting with Dave
Gilbert has now taken place & an estimate obtained for improvements. This will be discussed as an agenda item at
the February meeting.
1919 – It was reported that MSDC planners have refused the Barn Meadow Oak Tree thinning & recommended a “rethink”.
1928 – The Green reported to be in an even worse state. This to be discussed with Andy Powell, WSCC Highways, on his next visit.
1934. Parish Plan –
Exhibition, Grants & Budget
Most recent Steering Group held on 16 January. The Chairman mentioned the forthcoming “Exhibition Launch” on 24 February & hoped all Councillors would attend. Stands to be made available for local village organisations as community involvement to be emphasised. 6-7 acceptances to date. The Parish Council would take a table. Mrs Stevenson to kindly arrange photographs. Posters etc. also needed. Agreed by the meeting that BPC Councillors should receive a preview copy of the plan prior to the launch. Chairman to liaise with Rodney Saunders about the exact number of copies required. . The latest budget estimate received from the organisers indicate that the final cost will be within budget.
1935. January – May timetable
of events
Member’s attention was drawn to the list of dates circulated for the above period.
1936. Local Council Election
The Clerk confirmed that he had spoken to MSDC who were in the process of making the necessary information available.
1937. Financial
a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for December 2006 - noted as presented
b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31st December 2006 for both accounts - noted as presented
c). Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading 9
months to 31st December 2006 - noted as presented
1938. To finalise 2007/08 Budget
Agreed to defer the final decision to March
1939. Planning
– to consider the following applications.
In
view of time restraints it was the Chairman’s decision to delegate the first
two to the Environment Planning Group.
For representation by 5
January 2007(extended to 12.01.07)
BA/06/02596/LBC – Spicers Farm, Rowhill Lane – Knock part of the wall between the kitchen & laundry room out. No objection to this application, providing the work is carried out in a sympathetic way, bearing in mind that the property has listed building status.
For
representation by 12 January 2007
BA/06/02732/HEDGE – Land adjacent to Balcombe Water Treatment Works – remove 10m section of hedgerow. Balcombe No objection to this application, providing the removed section of hedge is replaced. This was considered this as supplementary to the earlier application for the New Motor Control Centre Kiosk/Blower Kiosk, details of which were received from WSCC, to which there was also no objection.
For
representation by 19 January 2007
BA/06/02688
& BA/06/02689/LBC – Burts Cottage, HH Road – Replacement of
existing garden gate with oak gate & stone piers. No objection.
BA/06/02691/FUL
– Lower Ricks, London Road – removal of polytunnel, erection of garage &
building of tennis court. Members were
unhappy at certain aspects of this application, in particular the position
proposed for the tennis court as well as the “barn like” garage structure. It was agreed therefore to try & obtain
an extension to the cut off date of 19th January for representation
& to delegate the decision to the Environment Planning Group.
Their subsequent findings recommended that the
application be refused by for the following reasons:
“The proposed site is in an area of
outstanding natural beauty and on the very edge of the built up area to the
west side of the village.
The proposed “barn like” garage structure
is large and in addition to the already granted permission for a sizable
extension to the house would mean a considerable enlargement of the property
overall.
Of greater concern is the proposal for a
tennis court on the field below the house. The land at the proposed site is
agricultural and the construction of a tennis court is not. If the 1:2500 plan of the property is considered
it shows how the house sits to the southwest of the rear boundaries of the
other buildings on London Road, just protruding onto the fields which run down
to the stream at the bottom of the hill. The tennis court would bring the built
area right down into the base of the valley into land which is clearly
agricultural/rural in nature/character.
The demolition of the polytunnel is not a
concern as the structure is of a temporary nature in any case”
1940. To
consider possible alternative candidate/s for co-option following the
resignation of Mrs Sue Tibbott
The Chairman reported no progress as yet.
1941. Traffic
Calming
After agreement by the
Road Safety Group a letter had been sent to Alex Sharkey from WSCC outlining
our views for the future & proposing a meeting. Discussion took place concerning the pros & cons of
installing an additional Solagen light on the boundary adjoining the
Williamson/Rayner frontages.
1942. Community Speedwatch
Update
Nothing to report
1943. Parking update including Newlands
MSDC have been thanked for remarking the Newland car
park to provide 3 extra spaces, including one for disabled drivers. The Chairman mentioned constant use of the
Trent House lay by school cars. Agreed
BPC input required, to involve a). letter to the Head Teacher. b). WSCC involvement after advising them of
the present inadequate facilities at the school.
We should await the Parish Plan for comments
generally on parking, but it was the view that we should seriously consider a
new car park somewhere in the village to alleviate the present parking
crisis.
1944. To
note revision of meeting dates for 2007 as circulated
Dates had been circulated. Any problems to be mentioned to the Clerk for consideration.
1945. Correspondence
M3 – additional item. MSDC concessionary
fares. To be discussed as agenda item
at the February meeting.
W2 -
LGPS Briefing Notes.
Information noted.
W4 -
additional item. Letter re
Traffic Calming. See 1941 above.
W5 – additional item. Dolphin
Youth Project. |Details had been
provided to local village organisations, in Parish magazine & on notice
board.
W6.-.additional item. WSCC Forward
Works Schedule. Noted further work on
the B2036 now planned for 2008/09. Gary
Marsh to be advised.
Other
4 - John Waters re Redbridge
Lane. WSCC actioning & making
direct contact.
Other
7 - Letter from Mid Sussex
Neighbourhood Watch. Agreed Clerk to
reply.
Other 8 - Sussex Safety Cameras re support.
Agreed we should press for them for support.
Other 13.-.additional item. AirS. Local Network Fund. Details noted.
Other 17.-.additional item. Grateful thanks
received from Ron Stevenson for Christmas bonus.
Other 18.-.additional item. NALC publication
– pages 2 & 32. Thought it would be
useful to obtain a copy of the election pack.
Other 19.-.additional item. Letter from Mr
Buttle, Stockcroft Road parking. Considered
outside the remit of BPC & should be resolved through neighbourly
persuasion.
Other 20.-.additional item. Email from
Balcombe Football Club. Dog “poo”. Discussed the merits of some kind of
removable fencing around the rec pitch.
For discussion with MSDC.
1946. Exchange of Information
Mrs Stevenson – New Balcombe Flag. Potholes in Newlands. The Clerk has already actioned the latter & will try a new source of supply for the flag.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.36 hours.
Signed…………………………………………..