THURSDAY 19 JUNE 2003 AT 8PM IN THE WI ROOM,
BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL
Present: Mr Graham Gosney (Chairman), Mr Neil Infield, Mr
Simon Greenwood, Mrs Sheila Illsley, Mr Gary Marsh, Mr David Miners, Mrs Alison
Stevenson, Mr Robin Williamson, Mr George Wiginton, Mr Roland Burke, Mr Richard
Greig (Clerk).
Mr Greenwood declared interest in item 17 vi) –
Application BA/03/01403/LBC – Kemps Farm, London Road
None
Mrs Katherine Gunning (holiday)
993 – ii) Insert word “dwelling”
996 – now to read “W S Atkins, Highway Engineers”
959 – Mr Infield asked about the promised Traffic
Calming reports. A minute of the
telephone call between the Chairman and John McKerrell had been circulated with
the minutes.
985 - Mr Marsh had attended the A23 widening scheme
meeting and a Public Hearing had been scheduled, provisionally for 2004
990 - the article in the July Parish Magazine on Traffic
Calming had now been published.
991 – Victory Hall Management Committee Grant was now
an Agenda Item under item 12
995 – Details on the Public Rights of Way – Parish
Initiative Scheme – letter W9 – had now been passed over to Roger Reese for his
advice/comments
The Clerk gave details of parishioners, who had
previously been nominated. The Chairman
requested nominations, in writing to the Clerk, for discussion at the next
meeting on July 17 – agenda item.
Already received from George Wiginton and the Chairman.
The Chairman confirmed once again that he would not
be able to attend. David Miners would
try to deputise
Mentioned there would not be any participation by
Councillors
.
Mr Gosney would not be able to attend and asked for
a substitute
1006 Composition
of Work Groups
Details of these had been circulated. The Chairman made specific reference to the
footnote relating to the terms of reference and asked the meeting for their
views. Mr Greenwood said he was
satisfied and that if expansion was necessary there could always be
consideration of a sub group
The Clerk asked for confirmation that telephone
numbers etc, as circulated on lists were correct. Advised – Roland Burke telephone number should read 819290. Suffix for Mr Infield’s e-mail “nu”. Telephone number of Mr Kendric Lewis –
811468 – should be added.
The Chairman proposed and it was agreed by the
meeting that, as previously, only expenses incurred by Councillors would be
re-imbursed. The annual allowance paid
to the Chairman would continue. The
matter of members’ allowances would be raised again in the future. Mr Greenwood said that where applicable
these should be inflation linked. The
Clerk would write to Mid Sussex District Council confirming the decision of
Councillors.
1008 Traffic
Calming
Mr Miners mentioned his views on the 20mph speed
limit, now advised to be “not possible” for the London Road scheme. Frankly he was disappointed and wished to
record this in a letter to West Sussex County Council. Mr Greenwood said that we should involve
County Councillors as necessary.
A discussion took place about the proposed siting of
the new signs by the school. It was
agreed that the school’s location, on the main road, was a disadvantage
compared to schools in other counties, normally sited off main roads. There would be no intention for the new
lights/signs to replace the Crossing Lady.
We should bear in mind however that without increasing the size of the
solar sensors the lights would only operate for a total of 90 minutes – 3 hours
with booster.
Mrs Stevenson reminded the meeting that the present
signs are electric powered and possibly the cables could be used for the new
signs if required. The programming of
the new lights/signs is arranged by a box that fits into a plug on the pole/s,
rather like a computer jack plug.
The Chairman mentioned examples of calming schemes
in other areas, e g Newmarket, and said that we should not under estimate John
McKerrell. He was an entrepreneur and
highly competent. Mr Miners said that
we should run with it.
In reply to Mr Greenwood some cost estimates were
provided. Mr Infield mentioned again
the 20 mph speed limit and concurred that we should express disappointment. He asked whether we have this decision in
writing.
The Chairman gave background on the reasons as to
why the 75-yard stretch had been a stumbling block anyway for a 20 mph
limit. Mr Infield thought there should
be a change of policy and mentioned the cost of extra sensors.
Mr Miners discussed the reasoning for the mini
roundabout. Mrs Stevenson remained
sceptical.
The discussions continued with a number of comments
from other Councillors, the reminder from Mr Wiginton being that the matter should
best be left to the Working Group. The
Chairman said there was no ideal solution, but recommended we should persevere,
bearing in mind that because of County Council budget changes it was likely any
way to be “not now”, rather than “no never”.
Agreed that there should be a special meeting at a later stage, once the
present London Road scheme was more positive and that now was the time to move
on with plans for Stage 2.
Mr Williamson, as Responsible Finance Officer, gave details of the background and explained details of the £7k grant that had been applied for from Mid Sussex District Council. By payment of this, via to the Parish Council, there would be a VAT saving. Both our auditor and District were in agreement that this could be done. Agreed Clerk to write confirming arrangements for this.
1010 Future
Meeting Dates
These would be as listed in the circulated minutes. -
16 September, 21 October, 18 November, 16 December 2003 and 21 January, 17
February, 23 March & 27 April 2004.
Because of Mr Marsh’s District Council commitments some dates had been
adjusted and were not necessarily the 3rd Tuesday
.
This would take place on 23rd June and
would cost £250. The Clerk + Messrs
Gosney and Williamson would attend...
Agreed.
The Chairman gave his thoughts on the above and how
it should be circulated to all new Balcombe residents, the new houses on the
Nurseries development being the priority.
The Councillors were in favour and the Clerk would make a start with
drafting something up for discussion.
i) BA/03/01227/FUL Lychgate, Deanland Road – fell two
conifers. Agreed
ii) BA/03/01242/FUL
Winden, West Hill – Two-storey rear extension, first floor extension and
alterations
After
detailed consideration and on a majority decision the overall view was that
there were grounds for rejection.
The house was in an Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) and the proposed
percentage increase was excessive.
However Mr Marsh put on record that he did think that this would not cause
offence as the surrounding hedges would hide it.
iii) BA/03/01356/FUL Badgers
Cottage, Haywards Heath Road – Erection of new timber shed in garden. Agreed
iv) BA/03/01358/FUL
Roedean, High Street – proposed garage and conservatory. Agreed
v) BA/03/01405/TCA
Birch House, London Road – Fell – Twin stemmed Sycamore.
Agreed
vi) BA/03/01413/LBC Kemps Farm, London Road – removal of existing painted softwood weatherboard and slate faced parts of the house. Mr Greenwood declared a personal interest and retired from the room.
In view of the need to examine the proposals in closer detail by a site visit the Councillors agreed to delegate recommendations to members of the Planning Working Group, Mrs Stevenson and Mr Wiginton, who would report back to the Clerk in time for the submission date of 4 July.
Mr Marsh had received details of decisions from District on recent planning applications and kindly updated the meeting on these.
1014 Financial
Matters
a) Payments & Receipts for May 2003
Mr Wiginton was given clarification of the following
entries - £677 Tourism Grant, £142.80 Phone Installation for Parish Office, £99
to former Clerk for Home as Office
Mr Marsh asked about the £500 grant to the Victory
Hall management Committee. Mr Greenwood
mentioned the already agreed grant we would be making to St. Mary’s Church and
the timing for payment of it.
b) End of Year Accounts 2002/2003
The Chairman explained how there had been problems with the RBS system and we were not able to arrange a satisfactory reconciliation. This was the main reason for arranging the Training Day -see 1011 above.
Mr Williamson outlined arrangements for the
forthcoming Audit for financial year 2002/2003 that would be commencing in
July.
1015 Correspondence
Mr Infield requested details on the re-surfacing
schedules Crawley Lane & Stoney Lane – both now effected –
Mr Marsh asked about the Council Service of
Commitment (now cancelled)
Mr Wiginton inspected letters relating to
Skateboard/Playground matters
Mr Greenwood inspected the High Weald AONB
Management Plan. He would attend future
meeting.
Mr Marsh asked about the Action for Rural Sussex
meeting due shortly. He thought we
should support. The Chairman opined
that we need to think carefully first and evaluate how it would help the
village, as undoubtedly a lot of preparation work would be necessary.
Mid Sussex Association of Parish Councils’ Meeting –
we would not be able to attend (Joy Hopkins attended previously). Clerk to send letter.
Mr Marsh mentioned the oak trees overhanging (opposite Bramble Mead). There was still a leak on the road going down to the church opposite the green. Because of the recent death of Roger Bell’s daughter the Futcher-Laws were now helping with fete arrangements (811165).
Mrs
Illsley said that the Youth Club was “in distress”. It catered mainly for the 11/15 age groups. However Stuart Kingsley was very keen that
it continued.
Mr
Marsh mentioned that the meetings undoubtedly clashed with girls’ football
arranged by Denise Buckingham. Terry
Harris would be consulted with as view to mentioning the Youth Club to
parents. The Chairman has spoken to
Rosemary Robertson on the matter too and it will be mentioned at the PTA
meeting on 19 June.
Mr
Williamson asked what we could do to help?
Mr Infield proposed that we formulate a Plan of Action, with a view to
re-launching the Club in the autumn.
Mr
Marsh asked about the Bluebird scheme.
The Clerk confirmed that forms were currently being completed.
Mr
Infield was given an explanation about the small goal posts presently on the rec. Mr Wiginton was not in favour.
Mrs
Stevenson asked about the seat near the station entrance.
Mr
Burke was in favour of speeding restrictions (cameras? Maybe) and after
discussion it was thought prudent to request a future meeting with the HH
Superintendent (possibly Roy Apps) who would address us/ a delegation.
Mr
Marsh mentioned the Gatwick Area Consultative Group and that how he was now the
new Mid Sussex representative.
There
being no further business the meeting closed at 21.55 hours.
Signed……………………. Date……………..
RG/HS