MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 17^TH OCTOBER 2007 AT 8 PM IN THE W I ROOM, BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL.

Present: Messrs. Robin Williamson (Chairman), Robin Lindsay-Stewart, Rodney Saunders, Neville Ashcroft, Simon Greenwood + Mrs Alison Stevenson, Susan Barker Danby, Sarah Moore-Williams & Carol Jarvest.

In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council.

Prior to the meeting, at 7.30, pm Mr Neil Smith, WSCC Highway Manager (Mid Sussex) attended to answer selected questions on traffic matters. He was thanked by the Chairman for his assistance.

A separate paper detailing the matters raised/discussed will be circulated to the Traffic Matters Group & if space permits selected details will be included in the Parish Magazine column.

2095. Public Participation

No members of the public were present at the meeting.

2096. Declaration of personal or prejudicial interest

No declarations received.

2097. Apologies for absence

Received from Mr Gary Marsh

2098. To approve Minutes of Regular meeting held on 20^th September 2007

Approved as circulated & signed by the Chairman.

2099. Matters arising

2084. Report from Housing & Environment Group. Following our letter to MSDC expressing Mesdames Jarvest & Moore Williams’s concerns at the inappropriate way & manner the workshop had been conducted, MSDC had now responded offering separate discussions on the matter.

2085. Report from Safety & Security Group. Agreed that pavilion security now needs urgent handling, in view of two recent broken window panes.

Correspondence W3 - Consultation Gypsy & Traveller Sites. Mr Greenwood advised that the contents of the circulated paper did not concern us.

2100. Financial

a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for September 2007 – noted as presented

b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 30^th September 2007 for both accounts - noted as presented

c). Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading 6 months to 30^th September 2007 - noted as presented.

d).Precept/Budget proposals for 2008/09, including preliminary figures from the Groups. Overall agreement that the present precept figure of £32k needs increasing for 2008/09. It was unlikely that it could be held at the present level, solely by reducing expenditure. We must be prudent to avoid any end of year deficit. Also agreed that the current surplus of some £10,000 accumulated in the past years for traffic calming should be “ring-fenced”, together with the £9,000 promised from MSDC. The circulated time table for setting the precept needs to be adhered to & the requested proposals form the working groups submitted on time. The RFO would be absent at the November meeting. The formal & final precept proposal would be decided at the December meeting.

e) To take a decision on whether to proceed with professional valuation of the Council’s structural assets, following recent estimate of £500. Unanimous decision that this could not be accommodated. Instead Mr Greenwood would, with the assistance of the RFO & Clerk, arrange for a local builder contact to provide a rebuild cost for all the structures concerned.

f). To ratify previously agreed grant of £500 to Balcombe WI towards replacement of furniture. Proposed by Mr Saunders & seconded by Mrs Stevenson, all members were in favour.

2101. To accept with regret the resignation of Mr Richard Turner from the Council

This was noted with regret. The Clerk will write a letter of thanks. Members were asked to advise the Clerk of any nominations in time for the November meeting. Details of the vacancy had been given on the notice board & Parish Magazine. To date one expression of interest had been received. A new leader for the Security Group would be needed.

2102. Report from Traffic Matters Group

There was agreement that the badly parked vehicles, both on the pavement & grass verge of Springfield Shaw, were causing a possible danger as sight lines were affected. A letter had been received from Mrs Jane Horwell, including photographs. Other residents had likewise complained. The Clerk had received an email from our PCSO offering assistance. Agreed that in the first instance we would write to the owner of Flat 1 expressing concern & take the matter from there. It was essential that the site line leading to the CSW control point in nearby Bramble Mead was not affected.

There would be a combined CSW/Neighbourhood Watch Christmas Reception in December. Mr Saunders, as Leader of the Traffic Group, would additionally report of Traffic Calming proposals, following Neil Smith’s comments (see above).

2103. Report from Facilities & Amenities Group, including arrangements for “Keep Balcombe Tidy Week”

Mrs Moore-Williams had circulated a report & would now arrange for the Beavers’ posters to be laminated up.

She suggested that some of the (free) “pooper scoopers” should be made available to residents via some of the village outlets.

2104. Reports from other Groups (where applicable)

Mrs Jarvest reported that her Young Peoples’ Group were planning a suitable event, the purpose being to draw in young people, possibly for a resurrected form of Youth Club. This might feature music. A concept would appear in the forthcoming newsletter.

2105. To report on final arrangements for consultation meeting with the PCT arranged for November 2^nd

The Chairman & Clerk would meet with the Save the PRH & agree that the meeting format would be informative, with each side stating their case, rather than an evening of lobbying & demonstrating. 10 more posters would be laminated up for the village. Members of the Council would assist in setting up at 6.30 pm on the evening. Chairs are available to seat 150 people.

2106. Update on arrangements for preparation of Autumn Newsletter

Councillors were reminded of the agreed time scale for submission of copy to ensure that the newsletter went to print on time.

2107. Planning. – to consider the following applications.

a). For representation by 19th October 2007

BA/07/02840/FUL & 02841/LBC – The Mill House, Mill Lane – Demolition of glazed lean-to-porch & wc & formation of garden room + erection of small domestic greenhouse. No objection to the proposed replacement, which we would expect it to be in keeping with the aesthetics of a listed building.

b). For representation by 26th October 2007

BA/07/02725/FUL – Deanlands, Stockcroft Road – Demolition of garage & two storey side extension. We have no objection to this application, which in our opinion has no adverse affect on any neighbouring property

c). To consider any Planning Applications received by the date of the meeting.

For representation by 2^nd November 2007

BA/06/02448/FUL – 10 London Road – Erection of garage in cartilage.

BA/07/03087/FUL – 7 Meadow Close – proposed two storey extension.

As receipt of plans relating to the above applications had been delayed due to the postal strike it was agreed that these should be delegated to the Planning Group for consideration.

2108. Correspondence

Other 3 - Sussex Police Authority Public Meeting. Mr Greenwood would not now be able to attend the meeting on 25^th November.

Hand Rail - A “ball park” figure of £2500 had been indicated by WSCC for a hand rail down the path leading from Newlands to Deanland Shaw. They indicated that a local contractor might show a cost saving. The Clerk will try & obtain a specification + site plan from WSCC.

2109. Exchange of Information

Mrs Stevenson – BPC Welcome Pack. Also mentioned that St. Mary’s Church does something similar. Agreed that we should mention in Parish Magazine with a view to ensuring that if anyone is aware of someone moving in we should be delighted to tell them about what is available in the village.

Mrs Jarvest – problem with the pavement camber leading down past the Rectory to the mini roundabout.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.58 hours (9.58 p m).

Signed…………………………………………..

Date……………………………………………..

RG/HS

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY 6^TH NOVEMBER 2007