The Minutes of the Meeting of Bolney Parish Council held on

Tuesday 20^th April 2010

PRESENT:

Mr E Hazel (Chairman) (EH)                      Mr T Steer (TS)                            Mrs A Moir (AM)

Mr F White (Vice Chairman) (FW)             Mr A Smith (AS)                           Mrs B Sands (BS)                                                            

Mrs D Thomas (Clerk) (DT)                      

Mr P Griffiths (WSCC) (PG)

Mrs S Seward (MSDC) (SS)

5 members of the public

Questions/Comments from Members of the Public

There were none

Report from County Councillor

Please find attached report.

Questions/Comments to County Councillor

·       PG confirmed that the Bolney Under 5’s grant had been followed up and he was currently waiting to hear from Marilyn Barton, Principle Manager, Early Childhood at WSCC. FW advised that the Bolney Under 5’s had now received the contract for the grant.

·       TS showed PG a copy of the pothole survey undertaken by the roads and highways focus group.  PG advised that all holes are referenced and suggested that WSCC Highways be contacted to obtain the reference numbers allocated to them.  He requested a copy of the report and undertook to follow up the initiative with WSCC Highways to ensure that they covered all of the relevant items on the schedule.

·       PG thanked FW for the work done on the school safety zone.  A speed matrix device may be a possible solution to speed issues in the Street.  FW suggested that this could be used at the access to the school on the A272.

·       PG referred to the coming CLC meeting. EH commented that of the £16,500 South CLC funding available this year that £9,500 had already been applied for. The parish council needs to consider any requests for funding soon. PG confirmed that if the CLC’s merge then the money available to all of them would be pooled together.

PG left the meeting.

Report from District Councillor

There may be an opportunity for MSDC to link into Brighton and Hove City Council to solve the problem of litter on the A23.  This is just a consideration at present but if a way can be found to deal with the problem then funding can be sourced to pay for it.

Questions/Comments to District Councillor

·       AM asked what is happening with Marylands.  SS advised that MSDC are considering enforcement. There was a discussion on the A23 widening and the effects on sliproads.

·       SS asked if AM was going to the Mobile Library Consultation in Cowfold on 7^th May. AM advised she is.

SS left the meeting

1.    Apologies for Absence

Mr D Williams, Mrs J Dennis

2.    Minutes of the last meeting

It was agreed by all that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16^th March 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 April was agreed by all and signed by the Chairman.

4.2  To consider a request for a grant from the Bolney Village Society

2 representatives were in attendance to personally request the grant and answer any questions about the request of £249.50 for the cost of Batchelors Field and Pavilion for village day on 3^rd July. Following discussion the grant was agreed.

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

       EH read the following report from DW in his absence.

A23 – Handcross to Warninglid

1.     The Secretary of State has made traffic orders associated with the A23 Widening from Handcross to   Warninglid effective from 22^nd March 2010 covering: -

(1)        Widening of slip roads

(2)        Widening of side roads

2.     The road improvements themselves do not affect Bolney directly except perhaps for any rat running during the construction period. 

3.     The nearest these proposals come to Bolney is a new roundabout north of the Cuckfield Lane Bridge from   the existing A23 North bound carriageway with associated road improvements from this new roundabout onto the B2115 Cuckfield Lane junction.

4.     The current programme for these works is “subject to funds “start summer 2011 with a 2-½ year construction programme to complete the Works.

Local Roads – Bolney Parish

TS advised that a survey of pot holes for roads within Bolney Parish which are the responsibility of WSCC for maintenance and repair has been carried out by David Williams and himself and a schedule of defects has been completed and issued to the County roads authority for incorporation into their 2010 roads repair programme. This local survey will be undertaken twice yearly and WSCC response and performance will be monitored. Pot hole severity has been prioritised for impact and/or location.

TS circulated the report and letter that has been sent to Neil Smith, Highways Manager at WSCC.

FW suggested that Highways be requested to put the reference numbers of the pot holes on the report for future reference.

6.    Receive a report from the footpaths focus group

FW advised that a summary of the works done in March has now been received but the detailed report is still outstanding.

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

TS has spoken to the landlord of the Eight Bells pub who has agreed to have a notice board put up outside the pub.

FW reported on the success of the Open Door sessions. Consideration needs to be given to changing the frequency, inviting outside agencies in, and the location.  All agreed that they should continue on a Wednesday but now run once a month.

EH advised the need to encourage residents to continue to use the Post Office to make it successful.   

AM suggested that an article could be written for the Parish magazine on the council’s success with the potholes and fingerposts.  It was discussed that the council could do a regular slot each month on particular issues with a copy going in the notice boards and on the website.

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

AM advised that following the housing survey, 191 forms have been sent back to Airs.  This is a 40% response and is a very good return. 

9.    Receive an update on the Pavilion and Café

JD to provide an update report on the Café.

EH advised that progress with MSDC on the Pavilion is very slow.

10.  Receive an update on the Village Hall

EH commented on various improvements that have been made on the current Rawson Hall which are welcome.

Regarding the new hall project, EH advised that at the request of RHMC, the Parish Council have met with them to discuss the current position which is that a reliable indication has been received on the likely current value of the Rawson site.  It is therefore at a very early stage at present.

EH explained that the Parish Council are not currently directly involved in the project and would need to be formally engaged to proceed further beyond the consideration to any request for funding or financing.

11.  Discuss options for issue of Concessionary Bus Passes

FW advised that the Post Office in Bolney is no longer handling the issuing of concessionary bus passes. The passes can be obtained from MSDC at Oaklands or Burgess Hill help point but it is also possible for the Parish Council to issue them at the Open Door sessions.  All agreed to make this service available from the Parish Council at Open Door sessions.

12.  Date of Next Meeting

       Tuesday 18^th May.

       The meeting closed at 9.35pm

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

Date:……………………………………………………………