MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BALCOMBE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2007 AT 8 PM IN THE GARDEN ROOM, BALCOMBE SOCIAL CLUB.
Present: Messrs. Robin Williamson (Chairman), Rodney Saunders, Mesdames Alison Stevenson, Susan Barker Danby & Carol Jarvest.
In attendance: Richard Greig – Clerk to the Council.
2110. Public
Participation
No members of the public were present at the meeting.
2111. Declaration of personal or prejudicial
interest
None declared.
2112. Apologies for absence
Received from Messrs. Gary Marsh, Simon
2113. To approve Minutes of Regular meeting held
on 17th October 2007
A revision was suggested & approved in respect of 2100 (d) which now read:
“d).Precept/Budget proposals for 2008/09, including
preliminary figures from the Groups.
Overall agreement that the present precept figure of £32k needs
increasing for 2008/09. It was unlikely
that it could be held at the present level, solely by reducing expenditure. We must be prudent to avoid any end of year
deficit. Also agreed that the current surplus of some £10,000
accumulated in the past years for traffic calming should be “ring-fenced”,
together with the £9,000 promised from MSDC. The circulated time table for setting the precept needs
to be adhered to & the requested proposals form the working groups
submitted on time. The RFO would be
absent at the November meeting. The
formal & final precept
proposal would be decided at the December meeting”.
The Chairman then signed
the minutes as a true & correct record.
2114. Matters arising
2108 Hand Rail - The Clerk was still awaiting a specification + site plan from WSCC.
2115. Financial
a). Cash Book Receipts & Payments for October 2007 – noted as presented
b). Bank Reconciliation Statements as at 31st October 2007 for both accounts - noted as presented.
c). Receipts &
Payments by Budget Heading 7 months to 31st October 2007 - noted as
presented. £10k would be transferred
between the two bank accounts to balance funds on deposit.
d).Precept/Budget
proposals for 2008/09, following submission of preliminary proposals from the
Groups. In the absence of Mr Lindsay-Stewart (RFO) the Chairman presented a
table illustrating the effects on cash flow, should a change to the present
level of precept be agreed. All
Councillors were of the view that we should aim to maintain end of financial
year reserves of around 2 month’s normal expenditure. Traffic Calming & General reserves would
need to be designated separately. The Precept/Budget
proposals for 2008/09 will be finalised at the December meeting of the
Council.
e) Rebuilding costs of the
Council’s structural assets – Update
Still no progress. The
recommended builder had still not made contact.
Agreed that although no formal valuation fee would be paid it would be
acceptable to pay an honorarium of up to £100 for his work.
2116. To accept &
consider nominations for a co-opted Councillor, following the resignation of Mr
Richard Turner from the Council
To date there had been
only one nomination. Accordingly the
Clerk would contact the candidate for confirmation of continuing interest,
after which there would be a formal decision by the Council at the December
meeting.
2117. Report from Traffic Matters Group
No
meeting held since last meeting. Reference
was made to the recent fatality on the B2036 & the interview of Mr Saunders
by a TV channel. It was the general
opinion of Councillors that it might be possible to secure progressively reduced
speed limits along this stretch, in view of the recently reduced speed
guidelines. These were in operation
along that road in
In view of the impending WSCC CLC meeting on 21st the Clerk was instructed to write to them strongly urging that consideration be given to the introduction of progressively reduced speed limits on the stretch under consideration.
2118. Report from Housing & Environment Group
Mrs Stevenson reported that she was meeting with Julian Smith on 21st November regarding proposals for development of the Rectory site. An important aspect of any plan would be the inclusion of parking facilities to the benefit of the village.
2119. Report from Young People’s Group
Mrs Jarvest had circulated a comprehensive report & was thanked for her efforts.
Points noted included the prospect of an information/feedback youth event in spring 2008. In addition Carol was considering some regular youth events that would most likely be centred around music, e g band night, battle of the bands etc. The main aim is to draw young people.
Meetings had recently been held with Claire Denby, the WSCC Youth Leader & D of E Co-ordinator, as well as with Rupert Browning, WSCC Landscape Manager, about enhanced playground facilities.
2120. Report from Local Societies Group
Mrs Barker-Danby (Local Societies) mentioned the current lack of a Rainbow Scout Group.
2121. Reports from other Groups
Considered that it would be useful to re-think the welcome pack. Possibly a BPC leaflet instead giving key information? Certainly a column in the Parish Magazine asking for details of any newcomers so they can be approached. Mrs Stevenson to be sent a copy of the present letter we use. News on the continuation of the Post Office in Balcombe seemed promising. Indi Thaker did not appear at the meeting as we had hoped to tell us more about her letter from Post Office Ltd. .
Sarah-Moore Williams opined that it would be good for a supply of the pooper scoopers to be left at selected village outlets.
2122. To consultation meeting with the PCT re
proposed hospital changes held on November 2nd
The following statement will appear in the November Newsletter: “The Council organised a public meeting on 2 November on the future of the PRH. Over 80 residents heard speakers from the Primary Health Care Trust & the Save the PRH campaign, followed by lively questions from what the PCT speaker said was a well informed & polite audience. The formal PCT consultation ends on 14 November & we have written to the PCT expressing our concern with the current options. We are hopeful that, based on recent statements from the Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, A & E, at the PRH will remain, although maternity services are still under threat”.
It was hoped that we would receive a copy of the report from the campaign’s Clinical Economist prior to the cut off date.
2123. Update on arrangements for preparation of
Autumn Newsletter
Now in final stages & no change of timing envisaged.
2124. Planning. – to note recommendations of the Housing &
Environment Group for the
following applications delegated at meeting of 17th October:-
For representation by 2nd
November 2007
BA/06/02448/FUL –
BA/07/03087/FUL – 7 Meadow Close – proposed two storey extension. No objection.
b). To consider any Planning Applications received by the date of the meeting
For representation by 9th
November 2007
BA/07/03205/TCA
–
2125. Correspondence
Noted as presented.
2126. Exchange of
Information
No exchange took place.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.38 hours (9.38 p m).
Signed…………………………………………..
RG/HS
THE NEXT REGULAR
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2007 (IN
THE WI ROOM).