Report from County Councillor
Mr
Griffiths was unable to attend the meeting but provided the
attached report which was read out by the Chairman.
Report from District Councillor
Mrs Seward
explained about the standard charges that MSDC has on its
pavilions and that it’s not easy to change a policy. The café
project is very worthwhile but grew without a formal beginning.
If it had this then it could have got into a funding stream to
help subsidise the rent. It’s very important to work together
to regularise this.
Budget –
There have been no redundancies and they have looked at smarter
working. Major savings have resulted from amending the car
scheme which wasn’t in line with other areas. There is also an
increased income from car parks.
Mrs Seward
has been receiving comments and concerns about the litter on the
A23. The responsibility for this is with the County Council.
There are problems with traffic management in order to litter
pick but MSDC are trying to resolve this.
Mrs Seward
commented on the success of getting Twineham and Bolney working
together on the Waste Development issue. She extended thanks to
Frances Jones for arranging this.
Questions/Comments to District Councillor
There were
none.
1.
Apologies for Absence
Mr P Griffiths (WSCC) (PG)
2. Minutes of the last meeting
It was agreed by
all that the Minutes of the meeting held on 19th
January 2010 be approved and signed by the chairman.
3. Declarations of Interest
There were none.
4. Finance
4.1
Agree the list of accounts for payment
The list of accounts for February was agreed by all and signed
by the Chairman.
4.2 Consider a request for a grant from Bolney Youth Club
Following discussion, it was agreed to donate £250 to the
Bolney Youth Club.
5.
Receive a report from the roads and highways focus group
EH advised that he has spoken to Neil Smith about flooding and
the deterioration of the roads. At a recent Open Doors session
concern was expressed about lighting at Bankside. EH has spoken
to WSCC lighting about this.
DW advised that Highways will be due to start summer work in
April. During March, DW would like to compile a list of faults
that the parish council would like looked at, ready for the
inspection in April. He asked for someone to assist him with
walking the roads in order to do this.
6.
Receive a report from the footpaths focus group
FW advised that the parish were due a visit from the Footpath
manager but no date has been given yet.
7.
Receive a report from the communications and action plan focus
group
FW has circulated a report from the last Open Doors session.
The Mid Sussex Network for Older People were at the session and
are keen to start a focus group in Bolney. This would be an
informal session to start with, possibly within the café. Their
first link will be with the Rendezvous club and they will do a
presentation at a meeting about what they offer. They have a
lot of information for older people as well as others to ensure
that rural areas have access to services.
FW advised that there is still a notice board to put up in the
village and asked for suggestions for its location. Suggestions
made were to put it at the bottom of the church steps, at the
Eight Bells Pub or at the top of Top Street.
8.
Receive a report from the housing and development land focus
group
AS advised that posters have now been produced to announce the
information day on 3rd March, remind people of the
deadline to return their questionnaire and to direct people to
the meeting place for the information day.
A letter is due to go to parishioners within the next week to
introduce the survey and to invite them to the information day.
This is currently being drafted and will be circulated for final
comments before printing. There will be costs incurred for
printing, envelopes and postage.
9. Receive an update on the fingerposts
FW and EH met with JK Engineering and have asked them to start
replacing fingerposts not currently in place. They will be
starting this at the end of March or April when the weather
improves. The approval of the £5000 grant from WSCC is still
outstanding, and FW advised that he would refer this to Peter
Griffiths. All Agreed.
10. Receive an update on the Pavilion and Pavilion Café
The Parish Council are in discussion with MSDC to ensure the
best result for the pavilion and grounds to be maintained for
the good of the parish. The football club are concerned about
the changing room and toilet facilities. There is also the
possibility of the Community shop being sited on Batchelors
Field.
Members of the Parish Council will be meeting with senior
members of MSDC next week to discuss the Pavilion and the
Pavilion Café. With regard to the rent, this does include the
cost of services such as electricity, water, insurance etc which
does need to be taken into account.
Clare Riley-Watson came to look at the pavilion in respect of
tenancy issues and will be confirming the legal position.
SS declared a personal interest in the following item and
took no part in the discussion
11.
Agree a decision on funding a school safety zone
FW advised that the cost of the school safety zone is likely to
be in the region of £7,500. If the council agrees in principle
to fund this then it is likely to be done this year.
TS advised that the location of one of the signs was a concern
and FW confirmed that the locations would be discussed with the
School Travel Committee.
All agreed to funding but consultation will have to take place
before anything is done. The safety zone will belong to WSCC.
12. Update on the Partnership Board for the children and
family centre
FW advised that he has joined the Centre Partnership Board of
the WSCC Rural Bolney and Balcombe Children and Family Centre,
on a personal basis. This is the group that provide the mobile
facility to Bolney and was formerly SureStart. Only two people
attended the first meeting.
13. Discuss the impact of proposed library changes on the
mobile library service in Bolney
AM visited the mobile library and advised that it is used by the
Under 5’s, Drovers, and public on a regular basis. They
wouldn’t provide statistics on its usage and although there is a
review going on in the libraries there doesn’t seem to be
anything for mobile libraries.
FW advised that he though they were increasing the outreach
services but AM confirmed they are cutting the number of vans
from three to two. It was suggested that Freedom of Information
is used to find out the required statistics.
14 Correspondence
There was none.
15 Date of Next Meeting
WSCC County Councilor Report to Bolney Parish Council 16 Feb
2010
1. Highways
Drains
I followed up the request for clearance of drains on A272 and
old London Road with Neil Smith. I will follow up if roads and
highways focus group has not been satisfied with any action
planned, notified or preferably done.
Potholes
£2.35 million into tackling potholes caused by the recent
severe weather was approved at County Council and this activity
remains a high priority for WSCC Higways. Please could
Councillors encourage people to report potholes conditions. In
the neighbouring Parish of Twineham , an RTA and consistent
accurate reports by residents enabled me to endorse an upgrading
of maintenance of Hickstead and a major re-surfacing activity
will take place to remove the ‘coffin holes’. Works ‘At the
request of the local member’ are given this sort of priority.
School Safety Zone
I am delighted to endorse the Parish Council’s plan to support
the school endeavour to secure this. It should be related to the
School Travel Plan (up to £6000 availablle). 3 years seems along
time but, as in Warninglid’s case it eventually will be
executed.
2. Schools
Mid Sussex Special
The decision to go to the design phase is now with the
Department, despite some ‘enthusiastic, perhaps even bellicose
protest. As I am learning building a new school in 21st
century is all about parking for local residents and access for
the community.
Admissions
Notes have been
sent to prospective new entrants to schools and I am confident
that the great majority of places will be made in accordance
with the wishes of parents. However the Mid Sussex bulge which I
predicted during the ‘Fit for the Future ‘ consultations is
nearing its peak and that will make demend for the best schools
such as Bolney even higher
3. Waste management sites
I was regrettably unable to attend the joint meeting with
Twineham last week. I have told the Cabinet member responsible,
Mr Derek Whittington that I completely support the objections
jointly made and those by Cllr Sue Seward.
Peter A.D. Griffiths , County Councillor, Hurstpierpoint and
Bolney Division 07515 33 2925
