COPY FOR PARISH MAGAZINE JULY 2010
Lighting
Observant residents have pointed out that the recently installed
replacement column in Newlands is still not operative. They are quite correct & the simple
reason for this is bureaucracy!
Your Council took out a lighting maintenance contract with Southern
Electric last year when EDF discontinued the service. However EDF still supply electricity to the
village & own the entire power network.
Therefore any new column has to be connected up by EDF, who will not
allow Southern, or any other party, to undertake the work. There is always a long delay in getting any
reliable connection date from EDF & in view of our dissatisfaction we are
now examining alternative ways of ensuring that the work is completed.
Until the present matter with the Newlands column is resolved we would
suggest that contact is made with the Parish Council for updates, rather than a
direct approach to any of the electricity companies involved.
Transport
From time to time we receive comments about “buses not stopping, missed service
& late schedules etc”. Regrettably
in such instances we have little to go on & without firm facts it makes it
almost difficult for West Sussex County Council, who plans local bus transport,
to take up the matter with the operator concerned. In cases of future complaint please ensure
·
details of the
service causing concern, i.e. day, date, approximate time & location of any
incident.
·
if you spoke to
the driver & received unsatisfactory or contrary information then please
obtain his name & number in addition to the other information above.
If you telephoned the office to complain or received unsatisfactory
information to whom did you speak? “A
lady told me” is insufficient. Ask to
speak to a supervisor if necessary & also get his or her name.
We will gladly forward any complaints received to County, but can only
do so with complete information.
Security within the Village
Recent damage to the pavilion front guttering has been
repaired. We now learn of problems
experienced by the Bowl Club through stones being thrown on to the greens
causing potential damage to expensive mowing equipment.
Please don't hesitate to contact our PCSO, Jayne Milne,
with details of any concerns - 0845 60 70 999 extn. 21901, or by email jayne.milne@sussex.pnn.police.uk,
or the Police direct if Jayne is off duty & not available.
Balcombe
Fete
Your Council will be having an information stand at the
forthcoming fete & will look forward to talking informally with any
resident who needs more information about our activities. Please do stop by.
Parish
Plan
As agreed when this was published a review of the action
points would take place. This is now
underway. Residents will be updated once
this is completed, hopefully towards the end of the year.
Posters
Please do
remove your posters once your event is finished.
This is a reasonable request & keeps the village tidy. Posters advertising non village events are
not welcome & need permission.
Please report these to the Clerk if noted.
Freighter Collection Dates – 2010/2011
These have
been arranged for:
Sunday 27th
June
Sunday 24th
October
&
Sunday 20th March 2011
between 10
am & 12 noon, Victory Hall car park.
These are
dates advised to us by MSDC who provide this complimentary service. The Parish Council has no control over this
or any arrangements made between MSDC & their contractor/s that can be
revised, even at short notice.
Dog Bins
MSDC has
now confirmed that the dog bins will be emptied weekly & we ask residents
to advise the Clerk immediately if it is noted that this is not being done.
Under no
circumstances should any dog bin be filled with any waste, other than that
collected from animals at that time.
Library Services
Please do
fill in the WSCC questionnaire available in the mobile library to make sure
that this & other valuable services are retained.
Bus to Handcross Post Office
This will be discontinued
during July & August. We will take a
decision about reinstatement in due course & advise at a later date.
English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) - Reminder
Complimentary Bus Passes - as
previously advised for those who are 60 on or after 6th April 2010
the age of eligibility will rise incrementally between 2010 & 2020
(scheduled to rise by two months every one month) which means that the date
that a bus pass can be obtained will depend on the month born & will not fall on the 60th
birthday.
If you are in any
doubt about your eligibility we suggest that you check it out beforehand with
MSDC (01444 477055) to avoid disappointment.
Confirmation
of eligibility, together with passport size photograph, to be checked by the
Clerk prior to submission of the application to MSDC who
issue the
covering passes. Confirmation of
Balcombe residence likewise required. These
passes enable free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere
in
Senior Rail Cards
Evidence
of eligibility required from all first-time applicants. Following recent rail fare increases the cost
has increased with immediate effect to £17.10
per annum, or £14.10 to those
evidencing receipt of benefit. (Cost direct from the station is now £26).
Please note that to take advantage of this
concession pre-paid vouchers must be purchased direct from the Clerk beforehand
Availability
of the Clerk
The weekly
surgery for the issue of Rail & Bus passes, inspection of current plans
etc. is held each Tuesday, between 9.30 am & 12 noon at 11 Foxwells.
No prior
appointment is required for assistance at that time. If this is inconvenient please telephone
beforehand to make an alternative appointment.
Next Parish Council Meeting Date
The next meeting of the Council takes place in the W I Room on Monday 19th
July at 8 p m.
A copy of
the agenda always appears on the notice board at least 3 days beforehand. All residents are most welcome to attend.
Richard
Greig
Clerk to
the Council