MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 18^TH JANUARY 2005 AT 8.00 PM IN THE WI ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE.

Present: Mr Graham Gosney, Mr George Wiginton, David Miners, Roland Burke, Mesdames Katherine Gunning, Sheila Illsley & Alison Stevenson.

1412 Public Participation

Mrs Rosemary Robertson representing Balcombe School PTA. The following numbers were drawn – 1^st. No. 45 – Jim + Iris Cadle, 2^nd No. 74 – Grace Robertson & 3^rd No. 17 – Mrs Hazelden.

Mr Bill Acraman (County Councillor WSCC) attended & addressed the meeting. He mentioned that the South East Regional Assembly (SEERA) has launched a consultation throughout the region on a new South East Plan. He wished briefly to spell out the potential implications of developments. WSCC leaders have already described the proposed new housing figures as “frightening”, with thousands of extra homes to be built on Greenfield sites.

SEERA is asking residents to choose between three options for housing growth in the Southeast as a whole

· 25,000 homes a year, the equivalent to average building rates in the region over the past five years

· 28,000 homes a year, following Government guidance figures

· 32,00 homes a year, which is claimed will meet future demands.

There would be forthcoming meetings arranged locally to discuss further implications of the plan. These would be held in Gatwick, Haywards Heath & East Grinstead.

Councillor Acraman was thanked for his attendance at the meeting & the useful information.

1413 Declaration of personal or prejudicial interest

Mrs Gunning & Messrs. Miners & Burke declared a personal interest in respect of Traffic calming as residents of the London Road.

1414 Apologies for absence

Messrs. Robin Williamson, Gary Marsh & Simon Greenwood

1415 Minutes of regular meeting held on 14^th December 2004 & Special Meeting of 10^th January 2005

a). 14th December 2004 – 1386 – Add Mrs Katherine Gunning

The minutes were then signed as a true & correct record

b). 10^th January 2005 – 1410 – First sentence of paragraph six to now read “The meeting then considered in detail the six sites that had been put forward for consideration by MSDC for the LDF”

The minutes were then signed as a true & correct record

1416 Matters arising

a). 14th December 2004 – 1398 – Application BA/04/02891 – Blackbirds, Bramble Hill. No objections. Property will be improved with proposed brick skin & tile hanging to exterior walls.

BA/04/02901 – Roughwoods, High Street. Again no objection. However there is an original (Victorian) greenhouse still in situ & it was the opinion of the Environment Planning Group that the attention of the Planners be drawn to this, as it may qualify for protection.

1404 – Correspondence item 15 - Standards Board – Lobby Groups etc. Code of Conduct. Additional copies now to hand. Clerk will circulate.

Correspondence item 18 – NHS Public Consultation. Clerk confirmed letter would be sent.

Exchange of Information – 1406 – Balloons on London Road entrance to Crawley Lane now removed. New sign outside Highley Manor. Agreed that as under new management from 01 April 2005 we should monitor carefully & then approach new owners with a suitable letter.

b). 10^th January 2005 – None.

1417 Parish Council Vacancy

The Chairman updated the meeting on progress & mentioned that he was already in touch with a number of possible candidates. An update would be given at the February meeting.

1418 Financial

a) Cash Book Receipts & Payments for December 2004 – accepted as presented

b) Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31^st December 2004 for all accounts – accepted as presented

c) Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading 9 months ending 31^st December 2004 - accepted as presented

d) To approve Precept for 2005 remaining unchanged at £32k per annum. Proposed by Mr Miners & seconded by Mr Wiginton those present were unanimous in accepting the proposal.

e) Budget 2005/06. Unfortunately Mr Williamson (RFO) was unable to attend. It appeared from spreadsheets circulated that there might be an outstanding payment of £520 due to the Victory Hall under heading 1201. The Chairman had requested Mr Williamson to prepare for the February meeting as an agenda item an alternative budget for 2005/06, this to leave a larger end of year surplus than at present.

1419 Traffic Calming

Mr Miners updated the meeting on progress & circulated an e-mail from Stephen Elliott (Owen Williams) giving details of progress. The general response was that we need to proceed as quickly as possible as progression seems to have taken longer than expected. It was requested that we try & obtain clarification on the likely time scale for securing the relevant Road Traffic Orders. Mr Miners will follow both matters up

1420 Recreation Ground

As the preliminary excavations had been completed it was now considered opportune to have an on site meeting with MSDC to discuss the future programme for completion. With this in mind a meeting had been arranged with Rupert Browning for 1.30 pm on February 10^th.

1421 To consider circulated e-mail from Rupert Browning (MSDC) of December 21^st concerning Environmental Improvements in 2005/06

This agenda item was brought forward by agreement. It was unanimously agreed that we should reply to MSDC requesting consideration to installation of a new streetlight at the entrance to the Twitten leading from the rec to Bramblemead & that also attention be given to resurfacing the path leading on to the rec – this is getting rather worn. Although the responsibility of WSCC the camber of the pavement leading down to the green (past the Rectory) was again mentioned to the meeting.

1422 Community Speed Watch Scheme

The Clerk reported approximately 22 volunteers to date, although the Co-ordinator + Deputy still needed to be selected. Two names were put forward & the Clerk will approach them. When replying to the Police it was agreed that we need to establish precisely who will arrange the training up of the volunteers when we confirm that all is in place. Also agreed that we continue to publicise the scheme by mention in the Parish Magazine & posters.

1423 To discuss Mid Sussex Local Development Framework & Housing needs in Balcombe

The Chairman updated the meeting on the reason for the initial “rush” in obtaining views for MSDC in respect of the six sites under consideration & it was now confirmed that the deadline for reply was not now as tight as was originally thought.

It was agreed however that BPC must reply formally to MSDC on a considered basis & with this in mind Mesdames Gunning/Stevenson would update the earlier circulated paper on the subject, ideally by end January.

It was again mentioned that there was no real pressure on Balcombe & that in the league we were not considered to be of major importance for possible development (2^nd to bottom mentioned). References to other villages were cited.

Councillors had received a copy of the letter from Mrs Gough of Pemby, Oldlands Avenue on the matter & the Clerk was instructed to reply formally giving a synopsis of our views.

1424 Youth Club

The Clerk had met the new Leader, Julie Stewart, & offered any assistance required. The Chairman was also planning to visit shortly.

1425 To consideration the following Planning Applications –

For representation by 28^th January 2005

a) BA/04/02838/FUL – Stumlet, Oldlands Avenue – Proposed front ground floor extension, rear two-storey extension & side conservatory.

No objections as the proposals are nicely detailed. However possible concern should the neighbours object to rear projection into its plot.

BA/04/02846/FUL – School House, London Road – Access from road (B2036) London Road onto land of School House by means of dropped kerb. Under normal circumstances there would in principle be no objection to an application for a drop-kerb. However the application in question would clash with the new mini roundabout to be constructed as part of Balcombe’s well-advanced traffic calming scheme. The drop-kerb would be at the point of the northbound deflection into the roundabout just before the give way lines. As access would be across the white lining for the deflection we feel it is unlikely to be allowed by Highways. WSCC, in addition to MSDC, are to be advised of our comments accordingly.

b) To consider any additional applications received prior to the meeting– none received.

1426 Report of Gilletts Patient Participation Meeting

The Chairman had attended the last meeting. Impressions were good. There had been 3 nurses from the PR Hospital there. Administration of Balcombe facilities was from Handcross, who were looking at & actively planning development by means of a new site there. It was agreed that this notwithstanding we MUST keep adequate facilities in Balcombe.

1427 Neighbourhood Watch

Jim Cooke was wishing to stand down as Co-ordinator. There had been one suggestion for a successor, but it was mentioned that regrettably he had declined.

1428 Sussex Police Haywards Heath – Balcombe Team Leader

The Clerk would photocopy & circulate recent information relating to policing administration for Balcombe.

1429 Sussex Police Meeting of Local Clerks – 29 November 2004

The Clerk had attended. Geoff Bennett, the Sergeant whose responsibilities included Balcombe, had made a good impression. The newly appointed CSO, Natasha Denbeigh, would be invited to attend a forthcoming meeting of the Council.

1430 Borde Hill Garden – The Future – Meeting 29 November 2004

At a recent meeting, attended by members of other parishes, MSDC & HH Town Council, Borde Hill had presented some scheme concepts for possible development. This would be outside our remit & unlikely to affect Balcombe traffic, as a possible new entrance would be sited on the Cuckfield approach.

1431 Parish Plan

Thought could be useful to re-consider this, bearing in mind the requirement for additional village housing. Copies of plans from Hassocks, Middleton on Sea & Angmering were to hand & the Clerk would obtain one from Ardingly. Action in rural Sussex had published some information that could be useful. Adam Arnold of MSDC was another point of contact.

It should not be overlooked that the preparation of such a document was extremely time consuming & would need a hard core of volunteers, not necessarily all from BPC, to assist. It was felt that it was unlikely that anything further in this respect could take place until around May, when the matter would again be re-considered.

1432 To note requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000

Some guidance notes on the concept of the Act & the responsibilities of the Council had been received from MSDC & circulated to all Councillors for reference.

1433 Correspondence

M6 – Local Development Framework – Statement of Community Involvement. Proposed Clerk to write thanking them for the document & advising that we have no additional comments to make. Mrs Gunning to receive a copy of the document submitted by MSDC.

W1 – Statement of Community Involvement – Minerals & Waste Development Framework. Clerk to write saying that we have no disagreement & think that the document represents a reasonable statement of the situation.

W2 – Highways & Transport Fact Sheets & Information. All Councillors have received a copy.

W3 – Draft South-East Plan. There will be a 12-week SERA consultation.

W4 - For better tomorrows. – possibly suitable for Parish Magazine

W6/W7 Stakeholder Consultation – Stakeholder Consultation Stage 2 & Stakeholder Consultation 2004 – Local Transport Plan 2006-2016. Agreed basically the same thing. Mr Miners would complete & return the questionnaire.

13 – Mid Sussex NHS. Again possibly suitable for Parish Magazine mention.

1434 Exchange of Information

Mrs Stevenson – Water Tower Green tree planting. Clerk had reported matter to WSCC for the necessary enquiries.

Mr Wiginton – Water leak near junction with HH Road. WSCC actioning & are in touch with the water utility responsible.

Mr Burke – NHS information on Haywards Heath Hospital. Loaned correspondence item 13.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.15 hours.

revised following meeting 15.02.05

Signed…………………………………………..

Date…………………………………………….. RG/HS