MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL, HELD ON

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL, HELD ON

WEDNESDAY 21ST JANUARY 2004 AT 8 PM IN THE WI ROOM, BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL

 

Present: Mr Graham Gosney (Chairman), Mr David Miners, Mrs Alison Stevenson, Mrs Sheila Illsley, Mr George Wiginton, Mr Simon Greenwood, Mr Richard Greig (Clerk).

 

1143   Public Participation

None.

Mrs Rosemary Robertson, representing the Balcombe School 100 Club, requested that three tickets be drawn.  Those selected were – Number 62 Mrs G Hazelden (1st), Number 103 Mrs Sheila Illsley (2nd) and Number 74 Mrs Grace Robertson (3rd)

 

1144   Declaration of personal or prejudicial interest

Mr Miners, a resident in the lower end of the Haywards Heath Road, declared a personal interest in respect of Traffic Calming.

 

1145   Apologies for absence

Mrs Katherine Gunning, Messrs Gary Marsh, Robin Williamson, Neil Infield, Roland Burke

 

1146   Minutes of previous full meeting 16th December 2003

            accepted with the following revisions:

 

Add Mr Simon Greenwood as being present at the meeting.

1119 – to read The Councillors present residing on the London Road, Mrs Gunning & Messrs. Infield & Williamson, as well as Mr Miners, a resident in the lower end of the Haywards Heath Road, declared a personal interest in respect of Traffic Calming.

1128 – Mr Greenwood declared prejudicial interest in respect of Application No. BA/03/03051/FUL.

 

1147   Minutes of the Planning Meeting 6th January 2004

Accepted as a true record.

 

1148   Matters arising

            i). Meeting 16th December 2003    

            1130 - 2004 Electoral Roll

MSDC had supplied by e-mail a copy of the abridged version, which will be downloaded and copies circulated to Councillors.

1132 - Anti-Social Behaviour

The sheet circulated earlier has now been laminated up and a copy posted on the notice board.

1136 - David Wilson Homes – Street Name Plates for the Nurseries Site

The Clerk met a representative on site and agreed procedures for these to be put up shortly by an outside contractor.  Prior advice will be given to us.

1128 – Planning Applications.  It was mentioned that a copy of the delegated report relating to Application BA/03/02904 – Rectory, Haywards Heath Road, had been received and the application for removal of the trees approved

ii). Planning Meeting 6th January 2004 – none


 

1149   Report on Traffic Calming

Mr Miners addressed the meeting and others reported on the following:

1. Solagen Light – we are still waiting for contact from WSCC re installation by the school Mr John McKerrell is now on sick leave until around Easter.

2. The Chairman has arranged a meeting in Balcombe with Mr Peter Bradley (WSCC) on Monday 10 February at 10.30 am.

4. Messrs John Nicholson and 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 and 2 of the scheme.  Mrs Stevenson has prepared a note of the main points covered at the meeting.

 

1150   Financial Matters

a)         Cash Book Receipts & Payments for the month of December 2003 – approved as circulated

b)         Receipts & Payments Account for 9 months ending 31st December 2003 - approved as circulated

c)         Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31.12.03 for all accounts - approved as circulated

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

 

 

1151   Proposed Recreation Ground Development Meeting 7th February 2004

MSDC would be presenting their proposals at their Offices on 23 January, following the discussions held with us in Balcombe on 16 December.  There was a discussion about how we should present these at the forthcoming Consultation Meeting on 7 February.  It was agreed that we should not give the impression that our proposals were “not set in concrete” and that we were seen to be keeping inconvenience to adjoining residents to a minimum.  We would also need to address, in conjunction with MSDC guidelines, the problem of no loo availability.  It was additionally agreed that Comments Cards should be prepared for handing out at the meeting.  A Special Meeting of the Parish Council would be convened for 26 January to review the MSDC situation, prior to Consultation Meeting.

 

1152   Revision of Standing Orders -update

There was only one minor adjustment to the draft required and as no other comments had been received from Councillors the Clerk would now draw up a fair copy and circulate.

1153   Consideration of the following Planning Applications

i) BA/03/03151/FUL – Cobbles, Oldlands Avenue – First Floor Extension over existing Study – in the absence of certain documentation this would now be considered at the Special Meeting on 26 January. 

ii)         To consider any other applications received prior to the meeting. - None received.

 

1154   Church Open Day May 2004

Participation of the Parish Council was agreed and a suitable display prepared.  Councillors would need to be on hand to assist in enquiries.  Millennium maps would be offered for sale.


 

1155   Local Transport - Update

The Clerk had completed and circulated a summary of services available.  These should go on the village website and notice board.  Now that Alan Francis has retired we need to check that the Post bus service continues as before.

 

1156   Quality Parish Councils Scheme

A further report will follow, once the small sub-committee had met.

 

1157   Post Office Security issues at Balcombe – update

The Chairman mentioned the discussion he and the Clerk had had with Indi.  She needs to give firm proposals to Balcombe Stores, should there be any prospect of the Post Office being re-located.  It was again emphasised that should any financial assistance be voted from the Parish Council this would have to be minimal, but possibly there could be some village contribution.  This aspect would be studied further once the CCTV installation was complete and cost ascertained.  All Councillors were in agreement that residents should continue to be encouraged to use the Post Office facilities at every opportunity.

 

1158   Meeting Dates for 2004 (April onwards)

The following were confirmed:

20 April (regular), 27 April (Annual Parish Meeting), 18 May (Annual General Meeting), 15 June, 13 July, 17 August, 14 September, 19 October, 16 November & 14 December.

A speaker would be required for the 27 April Annual Parish Meeting.  Rather than the Ardingly Ranger or someone from the Water Board, it was suggested that as an alternative Pru Harding could give a talk about her recent sailing experiences.  The Clerk will speak to her.

 

1159   Update on replacement of footpath stiles with gates

The previously adopted policy about eligibility for sponsorship, details provided to new Councillors, was endorsed.  In view of this it would seem unlikely that Mr Marsh’s generous offer of sponsorship would proceed.

 

1160   Correspondence

W7      Rights of Way Improvement Plan Survey – to be circulated to Footpaths Group

M10    Review of Toilet Provision in Mid Sussex District – letter – to be circulated to Parish Councillors

2          Letter from RBS Software Solutions – Parish Council to reply

 

1161   Exchange of Information

AON Insurance/Christmas Tree Insurance.  Mr Wiginton raised following circulation of letter mentioning that. possibly certain village events could be “piggy-backed” off the Council’s master policy.  Agreed that the matter be raised again as an Agenda item at the April meeting

Mrs Stevenson mentioned the continuing problem of dog fouling on the rec.

Mr Miners asked about car parking at the reservoir and the new arrangements.

Mrs Illsley mentioned the footpath just past the mineral spring and how supports to the crossing were wobbly.  WSCC to be consulted.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.02 pm

 

Signed……………………….                                   Date………………………….

 

RG/HS                                                                        revised following Meeting 17.02.04