The Minutes of the Meeting of Bolney Parish Council held on Tuesday 16^th October 2007 

PRESENT:

Mr E. Hazel (Chairman)   (EH)

Mr P George (Vice Chairman) (PHG)

Mr D H Williams (DHW)

Mr F White (FW)

Mr K Mayer (KM)

Ms M Hart (Minute recorder)

Questions/Comments from Members of the Public

1. Mrs R White.

Hedge at No 36 The Street overhanging footpath – dangerous to public, forced to move off pathway into road – Council to request householder to undertake maintenance/pruning.  Afternote:  Upon inspection this had already been done before  the request was made.

2. Mrs H Holmes.

Pathway through Batchelor’s Field overgrown with stinging nettles etc. PC to chase MSDC/WSCC to action proper maintenance. Also enquired about programme for sewer works in The Street. DHW undertook to discuss programme/progress with Contractors Site Agent

3. Mr C Batchelor

Clarification required regarding public (pedestrian) access in Chapel road – currently signage is confusing.

Report from District Councillor

Report from WSC Councillor Mr P Griffiths (PG) on 4 topics

•  Highways

•  Sewers

•  Next years highway programme

•  Waste

Highways

PG undertook to chase the Mid Sussex rangers regarding clearing and maintaining of all pathways. (Councillor F White also undertook to chase MSDC on this issue).

Sewers

On sewers PG stated that all complaints would need to be registered in writing to the Chairman of BPC who should contact WSCC Highways. PG to follow up Mr Batchelor’s query regarding signage in Chapel Road.

Highways programme

PG to ascertain current programme for road improvement at junction of A272 and Chapel Lane: similarly the A23 slip road lane widening at junction with A272.

Waste

PG advised that recycling of plastics and bottles should be loose i.e. not in plastic bags. PG recommended BPC communicate recycling requirements to general public.

PG also agreed to follow up the issue of additional temporary street lighting in Ryecroft Road – URGENT as winter nights make this a priority on grounds of public safety.

PG also gave update and advice on health matters relating to the retention of the Princess Royal Hospital. Recommended people should write to register their views and support. He would provide the address and process to be followed.

1.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs A Moir.

2.   ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

•   Councillor D Williams nominated Mr E Hazel seconded by Councillor F White.

•         Councillor P George to continue as Vice-Chairman. Meeting then handed over
 to new Chairman E J Hazel.

3.    MINUTES

It was agreed by all that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18th September 2007 be approved and signed by the Chairman

4.       DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

Chairman (E Hazel) reported outcome of Standards Board hearing in respect of Councillor Williams as follows: -

On the 28th September 2007 complaints against Councillor Williams alleging breaches of the Parish Code of Conduct were considered by a sub committee of the Standards Committee at a hearing held at MSDC Chamber offices.

The Committee concluded that he had not breached the Code of Conduct and that he did not have a personal or prejudicial interest in respect of Rawson Institute matters.

The allegations against him were therefore dismissed.

5.       MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

None.

6.       C0-OPTION OF NEW COUNCILLORS

It was agreed that the following be co-opted onto the PC. -

Mr Keith Mayer nominated by Councillor F White seconded by Councillor D Williams.

Mr Peter Hopgood nominated by Councillor P George seconded by Councillor F White

Mrs Joy Dennis nominated by Councillor P George seconded by Councillor F White

7.       MEMBERSHIP OF COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Finance:         E Hazel, P George and J Dennis

Planning:       D Williams and F White

Emergency:    Not finalised but D Williams to help

Footpaths:     F White to help P Hopgood

8.       PROGRESS OF RECRUITMENT OF A NEW PARISH CLERK

Parish Council looking to other PCs for support on this matter. PC had advertised but no outcome as yet
 

9.            NEW VILLAGE HALL

a)            Project Progress

             Report from David Robins (DWR) on behalf of RIMC

•   Relatively little to report.

•   MSDC grant application to be heard on the 5^th November 2007.

•         Leasing agreement with Head of Legal Services MSDC has promised this would also be resolved on the 5^th November.

•         Architect had commenced detailed design work.

•         MSDC legal costs have yet to be agreed but hopefully 5^th November would see resolution.

•         Invitations seeking expressions of interest from prospective developers/ constructors shortly to be issued.

•         Do MSDC/WSCC need to approve contractors list? Answer no but comment would be invited.

•         Potential conflict of programme with sewer and new hall works.

•         Public Works Loan.  How long does this take? Process is quick but not before April 2008.

•         Check list to be provided to DWR before future meetings enabling time for proper considered response.

•         DWR – When could RIMC expect to receive grant funding of £10k from PC?

•         DWR would like a member of the BPC on their Project Sub-Committee and a Councillor for the main RIMC, as in earlier days, to improve communication and understanding.

b)      Finance

Councillor F White left the room.

•   Viridor Credits – It was agreed that £5102 be paid to Viridor – proposed by Chairman and seconded by Councillor K Mayer. Councillor D Williams did note vote.

•   Regarding the £10K grant, BPC require current statement of need from RIMC.

10.   TETRA MAST

Councillor P George read out a letter received from MSDC Planning Officer regarding the change from Orange to 0² mast. i.e. planning permission for a 20m mast. There were no material differences to the mast structures from the original application. MSDC recommended to look at OFCOM web site for further info – in summary not very helpful!

Letter received from Bolney School (John Bridger) concerning the use of the mast for Tetra boosting equipment – health implications for nearby school. There has been no conclusive statement regarding use of the mast for Tetra – we need an unequivocal statement from MSDC.

Action

1. PHG to write to John Bridger to advise forwarding the Bolney School letter to OFCOM
2. Parish Council to investigate issue of Tetra masts – it was felt that we didn’t know enough about them.

11.      NEW SEWER

Councillor Williams undertook to meet with Contractor’s agent and obtain details of planning sequence of work with dates to show impact on access to and from properties

Other issues for which Councillor D Williams would seek clarification were: -

•    Spoil from excavations

•    Potential conflict with new village hall works

•    Road diversion signage generally.

12.        CORRESPONDENCE

                           i.      Annual Conference of SALC 9^th November 2007 – Chairman agreed
            to attend.

                          ii.      Councillor P George to ascertain if password is needed to log on
            to SALC website.

                           iii.    E-mail from Janet Wright regarding Mid Sussex rural issue core
            strategy workshop report – receipt noted.

13.        FINANCE

                           i.      List of Accounts for payment distributed to Councillors.

                         ii.      PHG proposed accounts were paid (seconded by FW).
       All Councillors agreed.

                        iii.      Request for Grant £10k from RIMC – Action agreed as above at
        9(b)

14.     MATTERS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSIONS

Suggestions

                     i.            Review needed for Post Office internet account – little used
    and cost £200 per year.

                     ii.            Health Service changes to be on future agenda.

                     iii.          All Councillors to have training on new Code of Conduct to ensure
            mutual understanding.

                     iv.          New Councillor training recommended.

                     v.           Training and communication for Parish Councillors to encompass a
            quality Parish Council concept. Chairman suggested the formation
            of focus groups on these topics.

                   vi.           Church Bells, should they be silenced at night? – complaint has
           been received by environmental dept of MSDC.

                   vii.          How do we disseminate information on crime? Councillor P George
            contact neighbourhood watch.

15.              DATE OF NEXT MEETING

       The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 20^th November 2007 following the
       Planning Committee Meeting at 8.00 p.m.

There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 10.30 p.m.