Chairman's Report - Annual Parish Assembly - 2011

The Parish Council Annual Assembly for 2011 has been brought forward by one month due to the forthcoming elections on the 5th May. Consequently this report covers the last eleven months which have been eventful, and successful in many respects.

Last year the Council lost the services of David Williams and Tony Smith both of whom decided that they had to leave the Council for personal reasons. On behalf of Councillors I wish to record our thanks to David, who had served for some six years, and to Tony who had served for just a year. During their time on the Parish Council both made significant contributions to our endeavours and they have been greatly missed.

The complement was therefore reduced to six but towards the end of last year the Council was fortunate to gain the services of Debbie Smith, Paul Hollands and Aiden McGrath, who we welcome again this evening.

The Council now comprises; Eddie Hazel (Chairman) Frank White (Vice Chairman) Joy Dennis Paul Hollands Aiden McGrath Annabel Moir Brenda Sands Debbie Smith Tony Steer

Debbie Thomas - Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer

The Parish Council again had a full complement of 9.

The Parish Council continues to benefit from the services of our Clerk, Debbie Thomas, who is close to gaining her Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) qualification.

Training - is expected and acknowledged as an important requisite for the role of Parish Councillor and the new members will undertake the Sussex Association of Local Councils (SALC) Training Courses as soon as these are organised.

Monthly Meetings; Council and Planning - have been held as usual on the third Tuesday of each month with the appropriate time allowed for questions from members of the public who wish to speak before the formal proceedings commence.

The attendance and support of our County and District Councillors, Peter Griffiths and Sue Seward, has been invaluable and we look forward to their continued support in the coming year.

Finance - Careful management of the Council activities have resulted in savings in certain areas. However, having kept the underlying Precept amount at the same level for the past three years, it has been increased this year predominately to fund the snow grit/salt bins and spreader for the extreme weather conditions.

Planning Applications - we have reviewed and responded to 45 applications this year, the same number as last year. 41 received our blessing and it may be of interest that Mid Sussex Planning agreed with us on all but one of them. 3 applications were withdrawn prior to the MSDC decision. There are 3 still awaiting a decision by MSDC.

The New Hall Project - The Rawson Hall Management Committee have resuscitated their project and recently applied to the Parish Council for support for a large grant application and affirmation of a Public Works Loan for the balance of financing. However, due to financial considerations the Council have not been able to accede to their request for the former at this time.

What else has been done so far?

Our Focus Groups have been very active throughout the year.

Housing Needs Survey - Following the completion of the survey suitable and available sites for affordable housing are being sought in conjunction with Action in Rural Sussex and Mid Sussex District Council

Parish Survey and Action Plan. The Community Led Plan survey has been distributed to all households in the parish. It is hoped we will receive a high response rate so the parish council can consider all shades of opinion when making decisions on the future needs of the parish. The results will be published later this year once the information has been analysed by Action in Rural Sussex.

'Open Door' Sessions - introduced in September 2009 ceased last November having served their purpose. It is the intention that they will be alternative Parishioner contact events.

Highways & Roads Maintenance - The Parish Council has continued to engage with WSCC Highways and to monitor the frequency and locations of inspections carried out by them. Following overtures to WSCC the Parish is reasonably well served by WSCC Highways Rangers, who are responsible for the Footways and verges.

Fingerposts - All of our fingerposts have now been replaced. They are both an attractive 'characteristic' feature of the Parish and a directional necessity.

Footpaths - Since the initiative taken to engage with the WSCC regarding the maintenance of the Parish Footpaths they have continued to receive appropriate attention and are in relatively good order.

Police - A very good working relationship with our local community police has been established, and continues to be developed. This had been complemented by

· Being part of, and promoting, the new Neighbourhood Panel scheme, · the joint promotion of Project Greenstripe, · the Farm Watch initiative, · displaying posters, and · working with the local police to identify current issues and areas of vulnerability within the parish.

School Safety Zone - A safety zone has now been installed in The Street to provide a controlled environment for the school children at crucial times.

Emergency Plan - A plan has been created which embraces personal safety advice and also deals with the issue of extreme weather conditions. The Plan will be an evolving process which will develop as requirements are identified and addressed.

Buses - the controversial issue of the direction of the buses along The Street continues to be monitored. This should also improve the safety of pedestrians, especially the children, and other road users and should also prevent hold ups and congestion.

Pavilion on Batchelor's Field - Both the Pavilion and the Public Toilets are scheduled to be made compliant with the disabilities regulations. This has been deferred by MSDC pending the outcome of the likelihood of a new hall on Batchelor's Field incorporating these facilities. Once the future of the new hall has been finally determined this will need to be addressed.

Café - After a year of operation the Café in the Pavilion was closed in September last. There was a rent deficit outstanding for which the Parish Council was to be liable but after negotiations with MSDC this was limited to the cost of the energy that had been used

Toilets on Batchelor's Field - the Parish Council has continued to ensure that they are clean and maintained in a proper manner by securing and retaining the services of a Parishioner, and by providing the necessary funding for that purpose. We acknowledge and thank Elaine Newington for her support in keeping this facility operational.

MSDC and WSCC Meetings - During the past year the Parish Council has continued to represent Bolney at most of the key meetings on local and national issues, such as;

· WSCC and the County Local Committee, · MSDC and MSALC · Highways Agency Road Developments and Safety etc;

The profile of Bolney has been significantly raised across the board to ensure that we are not overlooked, that our opinion is sought and considered, and that we get our fair share of attention and any funds or grants which are available.

Grants - A total of £ 4212.99 has been made on behalf of the Parish to the following Village Societies and Charities;

Bolney Village Day Bolney Parochial Church Council 1st Bolney Brownies Rawson Hall Bolney Youth Club Bolney Rovers Bolney Area Community First Responders

Key Contacts - key contacts have continued to be identified, their responsibilities established within their respective organisations, and relationships have been built to provide services to the Parish viz;

- WSCC Highways and Rangers - WSCC Highways Lighting - MSDC; Core Strategy, Rural Issues, Planning, Waste Management, Leisure etc. - SALC

With these enhanced communication channels now established, speedier responses to problems and issues within the Parish are more likely to be achieved.

Website - www.bolney.com ­- continues to be available to Parishioners and others as a source of information. A new styled website has been set up and we hope that this will prove to be an improvement for all.

Particular thanks are due to those Parishioners who continue to work in various ways to serve Bolney and make a significant contribution to the community living and well-being in the Parish and Village of Bolney.

This concludes my Report for 2011.

Any questions please

Eddie Hazel - April 2011