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Council Meeting Minutes - March

   

 

 

The Minutes of the Meeting of Bolney Parish Council held on

Tuesday 16th March 2010

 

PRESENT:

Mr E Hazel (Chairman) (EH)                      Mr D Williams (DW)                    Mrs A Moir (AM)

Mr F White (Vice Chairman) (FW)             Mr A Smith (AS)                           Mr T Steer (TS)

Mrs J Dennis (JD)                                       Mrs D Thomas (Clerk) (DT)        

 

Mr P Griffiths (WSCC) (PG)

3 members of the public

 

Questions/Comments from Members of the Public

bulletAidan McGrath spoke about the £15,000 grant that was awarded to the Bolney Under 5’s for improvements to be made to the Rawson Hall, and to put play equipment in.  A condition is that they must not leave the current hall for 18mths. As the Rawson Hall Management Committee (RHMC) has advised that the new hall project is likely to go ahead, WSCC have put a hold on the grant. Mr McGrath asked if it is likely that the hall will be built within that time and if not could the RHMC write to WSCC to ensure the funds are released.

EH explained that the RHMC is a separate body to the parish council and asked that Mr McGrath put his request in writing to both the RHMC and the parish council.  It was advised that a meeting is due to take place on 7th April with the RHMC to find out their plans for the hall. Councillors were very supportive of the issue.

PG confirmed that if he could do anything to help to release the money he would do so but needs to receive formal notification by letter or email.

PG agreed to verify if Bolney Under 5’s can still apply to WSCC/DSCF for capital grant – originally part of Rawson Institute plan for village hall.

 

Report from County Councillor

Supporting the community

·       PG has been asked if funds from SureStart are likely to be available for any future scheme.  He confirmed that there aren’t funds in the budget but if conservatives gain power then any project to benefit the community will likely to be given precedence.

·       PG would like to use the successful relocation of the post office in Bolney as an example.  FW agreed to provide information about the process that took place.

Schools

·       This is a busy time of year due to school admissions.  Bolney school was oversubscribed.  All catchment children gained a place however there are some siblings that are out of area who have not currently got a place.

Highways

·       The cost of potholes has been so great (£10m) that some schemes for School Safety Zones have had to be put on hold.

·       PG stressed the importance of encouraging people to report potholes to ensure they get filled.  WSCC are very dissatisfied with the quality of work done by the current contractors so will not be renewing their contract.

·       Rodney Jackson represented the parishes on the recent snow summit. PG advised to ask him for feedback if it is not received from WSCC.

·       PG asked that the council reviews its emergency plan and was advised that this is being looked at by TS.

·       PG has received notification from Mr Batchelor that the buses are not using the agreed route around Bolney and is following this up.  FW advised that they appear to be using the correct route and has not received any adverse comments.

·       The £5000 Community Initiative Grant for fingerposts has now been agreed.

 

PG left the meeting.

 

Report from District Councillor

In the absence of Mrs Seward no report was available.

 

1.    Apologies for Absence

Ms B Sands and Mrs S Seward.

 

2.    Minutes of the last meeting

It was agreed by all that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16th February 2010 be approved and signed by the chairman.

 

3.    Declarations of Interest

       There were none.

      

4.    Finance

4.1   Agree the previously circulated list of accounts for payment

The list of accounts for March was agreed by all and signed by the Chairman.

 

5.    Receive a report from the roads and highways focus group

DW advised that he and TS would be doing a survey of the roads in Bolney next week.  This will be done twice a year.

 

6.    Receive a report from the footpaths focus group

FW advised that Nick Scott and the footpath rangers did the nine month visit a week ago and he is awaiting the report.  The footpaths are generally in a good condition with no major concerns.

EH mentioned the footpath maintenance group that has been set up in Horsted Keynes

 

7.    Receive a report from the communications and action plan focus group

FW advised that the Open Doors sessions are continuing on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month.  Feedback from individuals is being progressed.  It is important to focus on things that are important to the community

 

8.    Receive a report from the housing and development land focus group

AM advised that the housing event took place on 3rd March and had a good turnout of 34 people.  The housing survey has now been posted out so are currently awaiting results of this.  DW will put out notices around the village to remind people to respond to the survey.  AM will also put an article in the parish magazine.

There has been some conflicting information about the availability of Drovers to residents.  AM will arrange a meeting with the trustees of Drovers.

 

9.    Receive an update on the fingerposts

The £5000 grant from WSCC has now been agreed.  Work will start at the end of March or beginning of April when the weather improves.  The contractors will start with the missing posts, then those that need replacement, finishing with those that just need some refurbishment.  Hopefully it will be done soon but could take several months.

 

10.  Receive an update on the Pavilion and Pavilion Cafι

EH, FW and JD met with MSDC to discuss the ongoing plans for the pavilion, the possibility of taking a lease and the rent.  MSDC have asked for formalised plans for the area.  The parish council is due to meet with the RHMC on 7th April to find out their plans for the hall before this can be considered.

The parish council is waiting to hear from MSDC as to what they can offer with regard to the rent on the pavilion.

JD carried out a financial review of the pavilion cafι with Phil and Sara Silcock.  JD has put together a proposed budget for the next six months and will discuss this with them.  They are concerned about the impact of the new village hall on the cafι and would like confirmation that it will be available until at least September.  Further information should be available following the meeting with RHMC.

EH advised that a note of the meeting with MSDC will be circulated once the content has been agreed by MSDC. 

 

11.  Receive an update on the school safety zone

FW advised that a letter of confirmation that the parish council will fund the school safety zone has been sent to WSCC.  The project may be done sooner now as some WSCC funding for school safety zones has been redirected to potholes. A period of consultation will now take place.

FW read out a thank you from the School Travel Committee.

 

12.  Village Day

AM asked who would like to be involved in running the welly wanging stall for Village Day this year.  Several councillors are already involved in the day and some will be away but it is hoped that the stall will go ahead.

 

15   Date of Next Meeting

       Tuesday 20th April.

       The meeting closed at 9.40pm

 

Signed:……………………………………………………………….  CHAIRMAN

 

Date:……………………………………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

   

last updated April, 2010