MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 25TH JULY 2007 AT 8 PM IN THE W I ROOM, BALCOMBE VICTORY HALL.
Present: Messrs. Robin Williamson, Robin Lindsay-Stewart, Neville Ashcroft, Richard Turner, Rodney Saunders, Simon Greenwood & Mesdames Alison Stevenson, Susan Barker Danby, Sarah Moore-Williams & Carol Jarvest
In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council
2048. Public
Participation
Mrs Joan Dutton, Messrs. Jim Cooke, Michael Noble & Alex Henderson on behalf of the Footpaths Assn, & Messrs. Norman Howard & Graham Gosney.
The Chairman greeted Mrs
Dutton & congratulated her on behalf of the Council for her well-earned
award of an MBE for her services to Balcombe.
After thanking the Council Mrs Dutton then amplified the comments in a paper that had been prepared for Councillors in advance of the meeting in respect of the application received by WSCC for addition of bridleway from bridleway 79W in Turners Hill to the High Street in Balcombe, the B2110. Inter alia there could be certain difficulties & expense in re-establishing it for use & part was stated to be very boggy. In addition, as this bridleway appears not to have been in public use since the 1930’s, it could be difficult to legally re-establish this long disused bridleway.
The three representatives
of the Footpaths Assn. also spoke saying that a route through to Crawley would,
in their view, be a very useful asset for pedestrians & cyclists travelling
north of the village & that the Association in principle would support the
reopening of this bridleway.
2049. Declaration of
personal or prejudicial interest
Mr Greenwood declared a prejudicial interest in respect of planning
application BA/07/01910/LBC –
Pilstye Farm Cottage,
2050. Apologies for absence
Received from Gary Marsh.
2051. To approve
Minutes of Regular meeting held on 13th June 2007 & Planning
meeting held on 11th July.
The above minutes, having
been circulated, were approved as a correct record & signed by the
Chairman.
2052. Matters arising
a) Meeting of 13th June
2032 (2027) – Legionella testing of
pavilion’s hot water may be necessary.
The Clerk confirmed that he had now received confirmation from MSDC that they would shortly be approaching us on the subject. Agreed we await their approach.
2036. Keep Balcombe Tidy Week. Mr Lindsay-Stewart had approached “Encams” & would update the Council with his recommendations at a later meeting.
2034 c). – Following
the query raised last month about an entry under budget heading 1130
(Subscriptions) the Chairman mentioned, that after checking, this was the
result of a low budget figure being set.
2039 (Planning) – Mrs Stevenson reported that applications
BA/07/01333/TCA – Glenmore,
BA/07/01417/TCA – Glenmore,
BA/07/01337/FUL – 16 Foxwells
had all been approved.
2042 – Mrs Gunning had kindly taken over the “Balcombe First” column.
Mrs Stevenson reported that she had attended the Bishop’s Lunch at HH Golf Club on 20 July in connection with the “Walking the Way” project.
b) Meeting of 11th July (Planning)
2047 BA/07/01648/COU - Land adjacent
It is understood that the
application will now be decided under delegated powers as it was not “called
in”. Decision within a week.
2053. Financial
a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for June 2007 – noted as presented. T/R of £5k suggested from current to Deposit Account.
b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 30th June 2007 for both accounts – noted as presented
c). Receipts & Payments
by Budget Heading 3 months to 30th June 2007 - noted as presented
d). To approve circulated
Standing Orders in respect of Financial Control. Proposed by Mrs Moore-Williams & seconded
by Mr Lindsay-Stewart all present were in favour of their adoption.
e). To finalise
arrangements for updated valuation of the Council’s structural assets (pavilion
+ 3 bus shelters). Agreed that it is
prudent to minimise cost for this. Mr
Lindsay-Stewart will make suggestions at the August meeting after liaison with
his contacts.
2054. Report from
Housing & Environment Group
No meeting had yet taken place.
MSDC Rural Issues Workshop at Turners Hill on 6 September. As Mrs Stevenson would not be available, she
would brief beforehand Mesdames Carol Jarvest & Sarah Moore-Williams, who
together with the Clerk would attend. Mrs Barker-Danby also expressed an interest
in attending.
2055. Report from
Safety & Security Group
The Leader, Richard Turner, was thanked for his report. It was mentioned that Carolyn Robertson has now taken over Neighbourhood Watch from Jim Cooke. Agreed that Jim, together with Michael Noble, his deputy, should receive a letter of thanks from the Council.
There should be closer liaison between Neighbourhood Watch & BPC in future. Richard would now contact Carolyn & suggest that something appears in the Parish Magazine inviting those who expressed interest in the scheme when completing the Parish Plan questionnaire to make contact. Additionally Carolyn will be invited to attend future BPC meetings to update us on progress & receive all necessary help.
Agreed it would be useful for a quote to be obtained for increased pavilion security – steel clad door, window bars, additional locks etc. - & Richard Turner will action. If access to the premises is required during the day, this can be arranged through the Clerk.
2056. Report from Young
People Group
Carol Jarvest had circulated her report. George Wiginton had provided useful information & guidance on playground matters. Regarding the Youth Club the Clerk would provide details on contacting Clare Denby, the WSCC employed Neighbourhood Youth Worker.
Mention was made of possible contact with all village organisations having young members, with a view to organising a special event/s for young people.
2057. Reports from
other Groups
Rodney Saunders reported on the first successful meeting of the Traffic Group. The input of Messrs. Graham Gosney & Keith Parry had been most useful. A meeting with Peter Bradley, WSCC Group Manager, Traffic Engineering, had been requested. Another meeting of the Traffic Group would take place on 13 September.
As Roy Bliss would be handing over responsibility for Community Speed Watch shortly to Iain Brown, the Clerk would write to them both thanking them for their assistance.
2058. To note Mrs Susan
Barker-Danby’s agreement to act as the Council’s appointed trustee for St.
Mary’s Church Trust
Mrs Barker-Danby was thanked for her help. She had spoken to her predecessor, George Wiginton, on the matter.
2059. Planning.
– to consider the following applications.
a). For representation by 3rd August 2007
BA/07/01891/FUL – High Coombe Cottage, Private Road – demolition of existing double garage & replacement with a three bay garage & carport with storage over. No objection. We should make the usual proviso that no living accommodation is to be allowed over the garage.
BA/07/01910/LBC – Pilstye Farm Cottage,
b). To consider any Planning Applications received by the date of the meeting. None received.
c). To note application received from WSCC for the addition to the definitive Map & Statement for Cuckfield Rural of a bridleway from bridleway 79W in Turners Hill to the High Street in Balcombe, the B2110.
Refer also to item 2048 under Public Participation above. The Chairman opined that in view of the keen support verbally expressed by the Footpath Association for re opening of the bridleway it would be beneficial for the Association to have a comprehensive discussion with Mrs Dutton about the historical background, with a view to their presenting a strong written submission of support to WSCC. All members agreed. Mrs Worrall, their Secretary, would be requested to let the Council have their submission, in writing, in time for the August meeting, to allow our reply prior to the cut-off date of 28 September. The Clerk to approach her.
2060. To adopt Code of
Conduct of the Council as circulated
Proposed by Mr Saunders & seconded by Mrs Stevenson there was an unanimous vote in favour of the proposal of adoption.
2061. Correspondence
M1 - Landscape & Bio-diversity Conference 17.10.07. Mrs Julie Worrall, from the Footpaths Assn. together with the Clerk would be attending.
Other 4 - Fiona Coveney re B2036.
Agreed we should continue to update her.
Other 16 - Smoke Free Law conditions. The Ranger would affix the statutory stickers in the pavilion & bus shelters.
Other 11 - Downland Housing re Newlands Grass area.
The Clerk explained the background. In respect of Barn Meadow tenancies, it appeared that we were not
receiving change of tenant details, as prescribed. Mr Greenwood offered to help & advise the
relevant Work Group. Clerk & the Chairman to mention matter
to Downland Representative at their planned meeting.
2062. Exchange of
Information
Mr Saunders – Advised about calendar for new bin arrangements. Details now on noticeboard.
Mr Greenwood – refuse complaint from Brian Currie, as circulated. Chairman advised of proposed reply.
Mrs Barker-Danby – problems with permit to travel machine at station. Mrs Moore-Williams to find out details of the operator to enable the Clerk to raise official complaint.
Mr Ashcroft – requested consideration of funding for Tiggers when compiling 2008/09 budget. In the meantime, Tiggers would be following up other funding leads.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.45 hours (9.45 p m).
Signed…………………………………………..
RG/HS
Approved
with revisions at meeting of 15.08.07
THE NEXT REGULAR
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 15TH AUGUST.