MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON

WEDNESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2008 AT 8 PM IN THE W I ROOM, VICTORY HALL, BALCOMBE.

Present: Messrs. Robin Williamson (Chairman), Robin Lindsay-Stewart, Simon

Greenwood, Rodney Saunders & Mesdames Alison Stevenson, Susan Barker-Danby,

Sarah Moore-Williams & Carol Jarvest.

In attendance: Richard Greig - Clerk to the Council.

2289. Public Participation

No member of the public was present.

2290. Declaration of personal or prejudicial interest

Mrs Stevenson declared a personal interest in respect of planning application (BA)/08/03022/TCA - Lychgate, Deanland Road.

2291. Apologies for absence

Messrs. Peter Huxley & Neville Ashcroft.

2292. To approve Minutes of the Regular meeting held on 13th August

The minutes of the meeting were accepted as a true record & signed by the Chairman.

2293. Matters arising.

2273 (2260/2251) - damaged finger posts - no progress

2275 - Battle of the Bands. Mrs Jarvest requested help with

"stewarding" on 25th October between 7-10.30 pm.

Regarding premises for Youth Club meetings the United Reformed
Church had replied to our letter requesting clarification of the type of

activities to be held etc.

2294. Financial

a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for August 2008 - noted as

presented.

b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31st August 2008 for both

accounts - noted as presented.

c). Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading 5 months to 31st August

2008 - A query was raised by Mr Greenwood in respect of the entry for

heading 1178 (Recreation Ground). The Chairman & RFO gave an

explanation to this as well as entries under heading 1101 (General

Administration).

d). To note outcome of external audit by Mazars for submitted accounts
covering year ending 31st March 2008. Members were pleased at the
satisfactory outcome & the Chairman recorded his thanks to the Clerk for

maintaining the books in an excellent manner.

2295. To note the disqualification of Mr Gary Marsh as a Parish Councillor

under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 & to consider

nominations for a co-opted Councillor in his place

The Chairman explained that Section 85 of the Local Government Act 2002 stated `If a member fails through a period of six consecutive months from the date of his last attendance to attend any meeting of the Council, he ceases to be a member of the Council, unless the failure was due to some reason
approved by the Council before the expiry of that period. Approval cannot be given after the six month period has expired. "

The Clerk mentioned that prior to filling the vacancy by co-option current
legislation required the Council to give notice of a casual vacancy allowing 10

electors of the electoral area to claim an election providing application was made within 14 days of the notice. No application was received by the cut-off date of 15th September & arrangements were now in hand for applications from candidates wishing to be co-opted to be considered.

It was agreed that in view of the short time available at this meeting
applications would be considered at the October meeting at which a
candidate would be selected.

2296. a). That the Council proceeds with design and implementation phase of
the traffic calming measures set out in Atkins' Technical Note dated 14t
September 2008, entitled "Balcombe Traffic Calming Scheme" at a total
cost not exceeding £50,000.00 plus VAT

The wording of the motion was expanded to read "... .and delegates

authority to Rodney Saunders to negotiate details including implementation programme dates and terms of payment with Atkins. It is understood that no work shall commence until the detailed design has been approved by the Council".

Proposed by Mr Saunders & seconded by Mrs Moore-Williams the motion was carried unanimously.

b). That the Council instructs the Responsible Financial Officer to proceed with an application for a loan of up to £27,000 from the Public Works Loan Board for the purpose of covering the cost of the Traffic Calming Scheme not covered by currently available funds.

The motion was proposed by Mr Saunders & seconded by Mrs Jarvest & all were in favour. Additionally it was agreed that Mr Saunders would contact MSDC with a call-off request for the already allocated sum of £9k towards further traffic calming in the village, now that arrangements were in hand for additional measures.

2297. Reports from Local Societies & Facilities & Amenities Groups.

Safety & Security In the absence of Dr Ashcroft (family bereavement) a report was received mentioning inter alia

Neighbourhood Watch - Carolyn Robertson arranging a meeting with street co-ordinators & a possible public meeting.

Local Neighbourhood Panels. A further report to be made at the October meeting. Mr Greenwood mentioned that Kate Chapman (Estate SubAgent) would be participating.

Police Surgery - Members were not in favour of promoting an event being held in Cuckfield & recommended that efforts should be made to hold similar surgeries in Balcombe.

School Park & Stride - details noted as were the prospects of an

additional school crossing attendant near the scout hut.

Flashing 20 mph School Advisory Signs - information noted.

Local Societies & Facilities - nothing to report.

Safety & Security -key pad locks still to be installed at pavilion

2298. To receive update on WSCC Grant, offered via CLC funding, to
Balcombe Stores

Dr Ashcroft reported that the village shop is currently drafting a proposal to apply for funds to extend its business. In particular Gemma Lewis wishes to extend the shop counter. Contact had been made with Rick West at the WSCC Locality Working Team who said that this would be an ideal project they could help fund. Although £1,057 has been ear-marked for each shop identified in Central Mid Sussex, this amount is flexible. A letter from the Parish Council supporting the village shop's application would help the funding committee come to a favourable decision.

2299. Post Office - to consider the letter of 5th September from Mrs Indi
Phakey, concerning the future of Balcombe Post Office

The contents were noted by members. It was agreed that the retention of a post office (or continuing postal facilities) was essential. With this in mind an ad hoc Working Group, headed up by Mrs Barker-Danby, together with Mr. Lindsay-Stewart & the Chairman, would consider the matter & report back to the Council in due course.

2300. Planning

a). to note appeals made to the Secretary of State following MSDC's refusal

of Planning Application (BA)/08/00022/FUL - School House, London Road -
to extend existing dropped curb providing access to the school playground &

(BA)/08/01962/FUL - Taormina, Oldlands Avenue - proposed extension &

alterations to property. In both cases members were of the view that our
previous comments were still relevant & should be communicated to the

Inspectorate.

b). to consider any additional applications received prior to the meeting

(BA)/08/03003/FUL - Taormina, Oldlands Avenue - proposed extension
& alterations to property (amended scheme). We had earlier requested
that the views of the adjoining properties, "Charlcote" & subsequently the

"Larches", be taken into account.

As the owners of both properties are understood to have made adverse
representation in respect of both applications it was agreed that the final
decision on acceptability must be taken by MSDC planners.
To note appeal made to the Secretary of State following MSDC's refusal of
Planning Application (BA)/08/00197/LBC - Great Coopers Corner Farm.

Members were likewise of the view that our previous comments were still relevant & should be communicated to the Inspectorate.

An invitation was received to send a representative to the second meeting
of the A23 Handcross to Warninglid Improvement Reference Group
meeting to be held in MSDC Council Offices on Tuesday 7th October
2008, starting at 2pm. It was agreed that this was an important meeting &

that if at all possible there should be BPC representation. Approvals received included-

(BA)/08/02473/TREE - 1 Foxwells - 3 Limes (T25-T27) reduce crowns by 30% & thing by 50%.

(BAO/08/020397/FUL - 4 White House Farm Cottages - two storey

extension

M2 - Response to Rural Issues Background Paper. Mrs Stevenson was

thanked for her work in compiling this.

W2 - Mineral & Waste Development Framework (MWDF). Mr Greenwood,

having studied the information in advance, advised there would be no

benefit in attending.

Other 5 - Partial Review of SE Plan - Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Needs. Agreed we should advise that after review we had located no sites within the parish.

Other 11 - Action in rural Sussex - AGM November 2008. The Chairman &

Clerk would be attending.

2302. Exchange of Information

Mr Lindsay-Stewart mentioned an approach from Tiggers Playgroup for the cost of a banner (up to £119). Agreed that we should consider a multi purpose banner that could be used with interchangeable lettering by ALL Balcombe organisations. Mrs Jarvest agreed to discuss further with Vicky Buttle & report back.

Mr Greenwood gave brief comments on Police matters.

Mrs Jarvest (again) requested support for the Battle of the Bands.

Mr Saunders good progress is being made with casting for the Victory

Players' production of My Fair Lady in 2009.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.25 hours

Signed ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL be on 22nd OCTOBER 2008 IN THE WI ROOM