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Council Meeting Minutes - July

 

 

 

 

The Minutes of the Meeting of Bolney Parish Council held on

Tuesday 21st July 2009

PRESENT:

Mr E Hazel (Chairman) (EH)                               Mr D Williams (DW)          

Mrs J Dennis (JD)                                                Mr P Hopgood. (PH)

Mr A Smith (AS)                                                  Mrs A Moir (AM)

Mrs D Thomas (Clerk) (DT)

 

Mr P Griffiths (WSCC) (PG)                                Mrs S Seward (MSDC) (SS)

 

7 members of the public

 

Questions/Comments from Members of the Public

  1. It was advised that the posts at the junction of Foxhole Lane /A272 are in a poor state of repair. PG noted this.
  2. It was advised that the willow tree in Batchelors Field by the footpath at the south of the toilet block is in need of pruning.  Also the hedge along the length of Batchelor’s Field.  DT will report this.

Report from County Councillor

CLC - PG advised that he is now the chairman of the CLC for the next year and was pleased that 3 councillors from Bolney attended the last meeting.

Highways – PG has received the fingerpost report from Frank White and has been to see the new fingerpost in Stairbridge Lane and Colwood Lane. He also commented that although the potholes had been filled, that the footway up the steps to the church hadn’t been cleared which he will pursue.  There is also a lack of consistency on verge cutting around the village that will be taken up with the contractors.

Questions/Comments to County Councillor

1.        In relation to the formation of the National Parks Authority, DW asked about the large number of members on the committee and also about the loss of planning authority from the District Council to the National Parks Authority.

PG confirmed that the large number of committee members was usual due to the very large area covered and that it would be managed by a good chairman.  There would be 6 representatives from parish councils on the committee.  If a parish council wants a place they will need to make a case for their eligibility. In relation to planning, the National Parks Council will make strategic decisions for the whole park but the local planning authority will still have delegated authority for individual planning consents.

2.        Following the meeting to discuss the bollards at Forge Cottage, EH asked about the funds that PG had indicated were available to put in a kerb. PG corrected this matter stating that he would put aside funds in the new budget to cover the cost and has spoken to Bob McKinnon who will be asking Peter Bleathman, a designer, to cost this.  There will not be funds to do the work until next year.

3.        SS commented that the new fingerpost at Stairbridge Lane is missing its fourth finger that points to Ansty/Haywards Heath.  EH confirmed that he is aware of this.  The cost to correct it will be quite high as it will need to be taken back to the workshop to be dealt with but it will be considered as part of the full fingerpost refurbishment program.

PG left the meeting.

Report from District Councillor

SS confirmed that she is now the Cabinet Member for Economic Investment and Regeneration.  SS also discussed the unemployment situation in Mid Sussex and advised that with 2% of people now claiming benefits this is the lowest in West Sussex.

Questions/Comments to District Councillor

1.        DW asked about the new contracts for the management of the leisure centres.  SS confirmed that they are still owned by MSDC who remain responsible for delivering the service.  The reason for contracting out is to save on business rates and VAT which then goes back into the services.  The contract commenced on 1st July 2009.

2.        Carl Willis asked whether the National Park would restrict development as 10% of Mid Sussex is within the National Park. SS advised that an AONB is the highest landscape designation and has the same controls within planning so it will remain the same.

3.        In relation to the minimum standards report concerning the size of new dwellings, Carl Willis asked whether this would impact on the number of new houses in the area.  SS advised that the density would remain the same at about 30 units per hectare as the houses would be built higher.

4.        JD mentioned that at the top of Colwood Lane, where it joins the Warninglid Road, the welcome to Warninglid sign blocks the view of traffic when turning right.  SS will contact PG concerning this.

SS left the meeting.

1.     Receive a notice of resignation from Councillor Mayer

DT read out a notice received from Mr Mayer on 10th July 09, advising of his decision to leave the council.  EH expressed his thanks to Mr Mayer for his contribution to the council and all agreed.

2.     Apologies for Absence

Mr F White and Ms B Sands.

3.     Minutes of the last meeting

        It was agreed by all that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16th June 2009 be
       approved and signed by the Chairman.

4.     Declarations of Interest

        There were none.

5.     Finance

5.1    Agree the list of accounts for payment

The list of accounts for July was agreed by all.

5.2    Consider a donation to the Bolney Rovers Football Club          

Following discussion, it was agreed to defer a decision until the next council meeting.

6.     Receive a report from the roads and highways focus group to include an update on the bollards and parking issues at the end of The Street.

EH advised that WSCC are preparing Parking Restriction signs to manage the parking issue at the end of The Street.  There will be a further meeting with Highways staff at WSCC to address the matter of improving the service and deal with issues in regard to the roads in the parish. 

7.     Receive a report from the footpaths focus group.

EH read out a report prepared by Frank White (FW) summarised below;

A list of work carried out in Bolney on the rangers last visit has now been provided which includes 23 new way markers placed on footpaths and bridleways, clearance work on 1155 metres of footpaths and bridleways and a bridge repaired and new handrail and plank installed.  There was some work not completed which will be done on the next visit if they don’t get time in the interim. 

Nick Scott will provide an article for the parish magazine reminding landowners of their responsibilities with regard to footpaths and FW will provide details of user rights for the notice boards, website and parish magazine.

FW now has a template for reporting issues on footpaths and bridleways and a further meeting will be set up with Nick Scott in another month to look at the work gang templates and any other issues or opportunities to improve the footpaths and bridleways in the parish.

8.     Receive a report from the housing and development land focus group to include an update following the County Local Committee meeting held on 8th July 2009

AM reported on the CLC meeting.  In relation to affordable housing AM advised that MSDC need to build 350-400 affordable units per year.  Last year there were 158, of which 78 were new and only 38 are to be delivered this year.

AM, DW and AS had a meeting to discuss housing and planning and the outcome was that more information about the actual housing mix in the village is needed from MSDC.  They are also still looking into the need to hold a Housing Needs Survey and will be meeting with Carol Tomkins from MSDC to discuss this.  If the decision is taken to do a survey then it is likely to be in the autumn and the parishioners will be made aware of why it is being done and what it will achieve to ensure a good response to the survey. 

EH mentioned the Village Design Statement.  AM confirmed that they have terms of reference for this and need to arrange another meeting to progress it. 

9.     Receive an update on the village hall

DW advised that the RHMC are considering what works are required to keep the hall running.  They have had an independent fire risk assessment done and the main committee will discuss the recommendations at their next meeting although some have already been carried out.  The RHMC have also looked at other possible improvements including the implications of replacing the boiler, taking out 2 windows at the back of the hall and bricking it up, replacement of the front window, improving the toilets and general redecoration to the interior.  The roof of the main hall will be overlaid with felt in the next month.

10.  Receive an update on the fingerposts

EH read out a report prepared by Frank White (FW) summarised below;

FW and EH have met with J&K Engineering who are responsible for the maintenance and replacement of fingerposts on behalf of WSCC and have shown them the fingerposts that need to be refurbished.  Following receipt of a complete document of  the nine fingerposts requiring repair or replacement, J&K Engineering have now provided estimates for the work and contact has been made with WSCC to get the work approved and completed.  The split of costs between WSCC and BPC is still to be worked out.

 

11.  Receive an update on the notice boards.

Following agreement of the number and location of notice boards at the last meeting, 4 notice boards have now been ordered.  They will be open fronted air dried oak with plywood back, measuring 100cm x 80cm.  Each will have a header board with ‘Bolney Public Notice Board’ engraved on it.  One will have posts to enable it to be put into the ground, the others are to be mounted on the bus stops and wall.  The total cost should be approximately £1068 which is within the budget of the £1100 grant.  Delivery is expected within the next 3 to 4 weeks.

DT has spoken to Bob McKinnon (Highways Officer) who is sorting out the licence for the notice board to be put at the Colwood Lane/Jeremys Lane crossroads. 
 

12.  Receive an update on the Community Bus Burgess Hill test route

Following the final bus service to Burgess Hill on 13th July, DT has spoken to Mrs P Long, secretary of the Handcross and District Community Bus Service, to find out the future of this service.  Mrs Long advised that it will be on the agenda for discussion at their next meeting on 10th August.  Her feeling was that it may not continue as a regular route but may be put on as a once a month excursion.  DT advised that between 5 and 8 people used the service each time but that some had been put off by the cost. 

 

13.  Receive an update on the pavilion on Batchelors Field

EH and FW had a meeting with David Harper from MSDC Leisure.  MSDC are unable to do any significant improvements at present as funds are no longer available although it was agreed that they would make the showers more serviceable. They were considering putting a small kitchen area in the main room and installing a toilet/officials area in the kitchen area but will now also consider a proposal to maintain the current kitchen but still incorporate a toilet.

 

14.  Correspondence

AS took the following document to review: Partial Review of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East. Provision for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.  Recommendations for new policy H7

DW, AM, AS and EH(for FW) took copies of the Mid Sussex Sustainable Communities Strategy 2008-2018

 

19.  Date of Next Meeting

        Tuesday 18th August

 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.45pm

 

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

 

Date:………………………………………………………………

                               

 

 

 

   

last updated August, 2009