MINUTES OF THE
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 26TH
APRIL 2005 IN THE PARISH ROOM, STOCKCROFT ROAD, BALCOMBE.
Present: The Chairman & Members of
the Parish Council, Councillor Bill Acraman, Councillor Andrew MacNaughton, Mr
Mike Wood, NHS Primary Care Trust, together with 29 members of the public.
1 Apologies for Absence
Received from Messrs. David Miners &
Robin Williamson (BPC), Mr & Mrs Dickinson & Mrs Joy Hopkins
2 To
approve the minutes of the previous Annual Parish Meeting held on 27th
April 2004
Proposed by Mr Fairweather & seconded by
Mrs Hughes the Minutes of the meeting, previously having been circulated, were
signed off by the Chairman as a true & correct record.
3 Chairman’s Report
The Chairman welcomed both Councillors, Mike
Wood, our speaker, & Mrs Sue Tibbott, who had recently been co-opted to the
Parish Council in place of Mr Infield.
The programme for the evening would be as per
agenda. Three Working Groups had been
operating busily throughout the year – Environment & Planning, who
advise on local planning applications.
Much work had also been done on conferring with MSDC on proposals for
housing sites within the village. Work
will also be required in connection with the Local Development Framework that
will commence in May. Grateful thanks
to Alison Stevenson, Katherine Gunning (Vice Chairman) & the other Group
members.
The Road Safety Group, headed by David Miners, had been working
closely with WSCC & contractors Owen Williams to get the revised Traffic
Calming scheme, mini roundabout by school + speed cushions on stretch leading
up to the village centre, in place by August.
This, together with the Solagen patrol warning lights, was anticipated
to improve safety on the approaches to the school. We would be liaising with WSCC for proposals for additions.
The Recreation Ground Development Group, led by George Wiginton, was working closely
with MSDC to improve the childrens’ play area & this was now almost ready,
with a planned opening date for 24th June. Ideas for older toddlers are now being canvassed.
Community Speed Watch, in partnership with Sussex Police, had been
formed with a view to reducing traffic speed within the village. Mr Roy Bliss would be the Co-ordinator &
the liaison point for the Police.
There had been a re-arrangement of the Youth
Club Committee. David Paul would be
passing responsibilities over to Roland Burke, who together with others would
support the recently appointed Youth Leader, Julie Stewart, as required.
There had been problems & delays on Street
Lighting repairs & we were doing our utmost to get an improved
service.
We had continued, within our resources, to
financially support local organisations & grants had recently been made
both to the Victory Hall (heating) & the Parish Room (kitchen).
Thanks were also due, to an often unseen
person, Ron Stevenson, the Balcombe Ranger, for his work around the village
& keeping it tidy & well maintained.
An Annual Report, giving more details on the
year, had been circulated to all households in advance of the meeting.
4 Financial
Report for Year 2004/05 ending 31st March
In the absence of the RFO, Mr Robin
Williamson, the Clerk presented this.
Grateful thanks were expressed for the hard work Robin does in preparing
financial forecasts & budgets.
In the financial year ending on 31 March 2005 our total income was £40,200 and expenditure, including Traffic Calming costs of £8,500, was £42,700. It should be noted that income included a grant from MSDC for the Victory Hall that was paid via the Parish Council.
Our Precept was set at £32,000 four years ago in order to accumulate reserves to pay for Traffic Calming. At the beginning of the financial year starting 1st April 2004 reserves stood at £36,800. The deficit of £2,500 reduced our reserves to £34,300.
The Budget for 2005/2006 shows the Precept remaining unchanged at £32,000. Income is estimated at £36,000 and expenditure, including Traffic Calming costs of £18,000 is estimated at £51,000. The deficit of £15,000 will be met from reserves, which will fall to £19,300 by the end of the financial year ending 31 March 2006.
It should be noted that by maintaining the Precept unchanged for a fifth consecutive year, the percentage paid by Community Charge payers in Balcombe for the Precept has fallen each year, as the village tax base increases (because additional houses share the overall tax payment).
The Parish Clerk, Richard Greig, was thanked for his enthusiasm and hard work and the efficient way he has maintained the Council’s financial records.
5 Questions from the
Floor
Mrs Hughes mentioned that the school lights seemed to be on permanently.
Mr Lewes-Barnard asked for clarification on the reserves held by the Council & the background relating to their accrual.
Mrs Greig asked about the
type of trees planned for the new playground & suggested that perhaps nut
trees might be better than fruit trees (no wasps/insects)
Mrs Hammans asked about the price of sponsorship for a playground seat by the W I.
Mr Fairweather (on behalf of Joy Hopkins) raised a question about Footpath 6c
A resident from Jobes (Mrs Poinner?) complained about the state of the footpath of Jobes at the lower end behind the wire fence & the infrequency of the post bus.
The floor was then left to the Guest Speaker, Mike Wood, who talked about the NHS “Best Place, Best Care” policy & answered some useful questions, promising to revert back to the Clerk in particular about arrangements for advanced bookings at the Balcombe surgery & details of a possible new surgery for Handcross, to replace Dumbledore.
Mr Leslie Fairweather proposed a vote of thanks to the Parish Council for their continuing hard work on behalf of the village. Also to the W I for making refreshments available. There being no further business the meeting closed at 20.35 pm.
Signed…………………………………
Date……………………………………
RG/HS
Signed off at Annual Parish Meeting held on 27.04.06