TUESDAY 21st
October 2003 AT 8 PM IN THE WI ROOM, BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL
Present: Mr
Graham Gosney (Chairman), Mrs Katherine Gunning, Mr Neil Infield, Mr Roland
Burke, Mr David Miners, Mrs Alison Stevenson, Mrs Sheila Illsley, Mr Robin
Williamson, Mr George Wiginton, Mr Simon Greenwood, Mr Gary Marsh, Mr Richard
Greig (Clerk).
Prior to the main Parish Council meeting on 21 October there was an address by Inspector Garry Ancell, of British Transport Police and Mr Roger Lanham, External Liaison Manager, of South-Central Trains. This was to advise how improvements to existing security at Balcombe Station could be made.
Inspector
Ancell was frank. It was an
unsatisfactory situation at Balcombe.
Whereas crime at stations within the area was down 25% overall,
regrettably Balcombe was showing an increase of 75%. 18 incidents had been reported in 2003 to date.
He
additionally conceded that there was no short-term fix. However it should be possible to make the
site less attractive for the criminals who targeted it. Improvements being considered were the
clearing of the undergrowth, improved lighting and possibility security
guards. These had been used at other
locations successfully.
Roger Lanham knew the Balcombe area well as he had
previously been based at Redhill. He
mentioned that one of the problems with the present CCTV coverage was the
location of the footbridge, which limited field of view. He was already in touch with WSCC concerning
joint funding for an additional camera (approx. £8706), but would really like
two, which would cost another £2500 on top of that.
Mr Marsh mentioned that in past years there had
been village involvement in the cutting back of the undergrowth. The mature trees had been left. It would seem ideal to have one of the new
cameras sited near the entrance. Mr
Lanham agreed.
Contrary to earlier information it was concerned
that the CCTV coverage operates 24 hours a day – not less – and that the tapes
themselves run for 72 hours, to cater for low staffing levels.
It was emphasised by both of the visitors that it
was essential for all incidents to be reported at the time, as there may well
have been more than the reported 18.
All reports would be followed up and in the case of a successful
prosecution this would be publicised as widely as possible. Of course it would only be possible to
follow matters up using the evidence from CCTV cameras, as permanent security
guards would be impracticable.
In answer to a question about the ejection of
unruly passengers Mr Lanham confirmed that it was policy for them to be taken
off the train at manned rather than unmanned stations, where there would be
immediate assistance, and that this policy should be known to all train
operating staff.
The Chairman
thanked both visitors for their talk and agreed that a meeting in the future to
discuss progress would be most useful. The Chairman thanked the speakers and the
meeting proper commenced at 20.05 hours
The
Councillors present residing on the London Road, as well as Mr Miners, a
resident in the lower end of the Haywards Heath Road, in respect of Traffic
Calming.
None.
The following amendments were requested:
·
Page 1 – 1053- “Enforcement
of speeding (Mr Burke)”
·
Page 4 – 1070 - “Proposed
by Mr Wiginton…. “
1053
Address by CI Coates – the
Clerk mentioned that he had received no updated information about the
responsibilities of PC Geoff Bennett.
1055
It was agreed that it would be
useful to receive back from the District Council the Balcombe questionnaires
relating to the Rural Bus Consultation.
1059
It was mentioned that the new
information pack for new residents was now completed.
1064 Mr Miners has now received a copy of
the NALC document. A meeting has now
been agreed between the Chairman, Vice Chairman, RFO & Clerk to progress.
1065 The Chairman had attended the recent
Parish Plans Conference and reported his findings.
1066 Rural Bus Service
Consultation. The Chairman considered
it would be beneficial of someone in the village to prepare a detailed list of
all transport services available in the village and would deal with this.
1069 Mr Marsh was asked
about any changes to current policy relating to the handling of planning
applications and the comments from parish councils.
1070 The collection for
the Postman in the box had raised £325.
The Chairman proposed that we match this and asked for approval to
increase the previously agreed figure of £250.
After discussion it was decided to leave the amount at £250.
1083 Report on Traffic Calming
Mr Miners updated the meeting.
There had been little progress with WSCC. The Chairman had been in contact with their Chief Engineer concerning
the Solagen lights, which were ready to be installed in a very short time. Their actual sighting needs to be
finalised. Mention was made of recent
traffic calming success in Redhill, resulting in slowing down on a normal 30
mph road. We were now arranging
drawings incorporating the speed cushions that will be incorporated within
Phase 1 of the scheme.
Inspector Holley had replied to a recent (personal) e-mail concerning
speeding and once the recent Ringmer trials have been analysed it would be useful
for BPC to consider their use of a speed camera scheme.
There was a possibility of a noise-reducing surface being incorporated
when the London Road is next resurfaced.
Priority for 2004 was being considered. Modern cats eyes would also be useful.
Our District Councillor was shortly to give a (Scrutiny) presentation
outlining the steps Balcombe was taking.
The forthcoming village consultation on traffic calming should take
place in during term time, rather than holiday, it was proposed by one Councillor. We would now have to pay for the initial
cost of design work and project management, but the previously agreed
arrangements for the matching of our contribution were unchanged.
1085 Report on Recreation Ground Development
There had been meetings with both MSDC and
two potential suppliers of playground equipment. MSDC had replied to the most recent comments from Mr Ashmole and
sent us a copy. The revised thinking
was that the lower area might consist of a junior play area and toddler play
area, with a free play area in between or alternatively a free play area and
toddler play area, with a junior play area in between. The upper area, by the pavilion, might
incorporate a skate ramp and a bbq/ping pong table. Consultation was now envisaged for the New Year. We would need to consider whether our future
budget needed to include additional funding for the project.
1086 Revision of Standing Orders
This was in hand and a sub committee would meet and report further
proposals.
1087 Consideration
of security issues at Balcombe Post Office
The matter would be
delegated to a sub group (working party) of Mr Gosney, Mr Williamson, Mrs
Gunning and the Clerk. This was agreed.
a) Cash Book Receipts & Payments for the month of
September 2003. - Approved.
b) Receipts and Payments for 6 months cumulative to 30.9.03
– Approved.
c) Bank Reconciliation Statement as at 30.09.03 – Approved.
d) Budget Planning for next financial
year. The precept, currently £32k, it
was proposed to remain unchanged.
Councillors to prepare their own “wish list”. Likely items occurring could include Victory Hall, Church, and
new streetlights. There were always
prospects of obtaining a loan, which might suit our circumstances.
e) To approve an ex gratia payment of £250 to Sam
Cooper, Youth Club volunteer for financial year 2003/2004 and an annual
increase from £780 per year (£65 per month) to £936 per year (£78 per month) to
Paul Kibble, Youth Worker. (Extra cost
to BPC = £156 per year). Approved.
Details as circulated on
separate list:
Letter re replacement
dwelling Tunnel Cottages – Mr Greenwood
Review
of Parliamentary Constituency boundaries - Mr Greenwood
Mid
Sussex Guide availability - Mr
Greenwood
Bench at station – Mrs Stevenson. Repair work in hand. New wood ordered.
Mr
Infield asked about the end of the village boundary.
Mr
Wiginton mentioned interest from Ardingly in mutual co-operation with Balcombe.
Mr
Marsh said that the District Council appeared to have resolved the problem with
the Twitten ownership, between Combers and Troymead. The Clerk would receive details of the negotiations with David
Wilson homes.
Recent
problems with the travellers – telephone number details to be advised to
villagers
Parliamentary
boundaries – agreed we want to stay in Mid Sussex. Ardingly does not want any change.
Mr
Miners - Missing/broken 30mph repeaters reported opposite Combers and by Rock
Lane.
The
Chairman would be attending the SALC AGM at the Ardingly showground on 11
November. There would be no Balcombe
representative attending the forthcoming Mid Sussex Association of Local
Councils meeting on 29th October.
Mr
Greenwood would be attending the Sussex Police meeting in East Grinstead on 27th
October.
There
being no more business the meeting closed at 10.20 pm.
Signed……………………….
Date………………………….
RG/HS