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Council Meeting Minutes - August

 

 

 

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The Minutes of the Meeting of Bolney Parish Council held on

Tuesday 18th August 2009

 

PRESENT:

Mr E Hazel (Chairman) (EH)                            Mr F White (Vice Chairman) (FW)  

Mrs J Dennis (JD)                                                 Mr D Williams (DW)

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

Ms B Sands (BS)                                                 Mrs D Thomas (Clerk) (DT)             

 

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

 

8 members of the public

 

Questions/Comments from Members of the Public

 

  1. Mr Batchelor commented that the fingerpost at Stairbridge Lane should have 4 fingers, not 3.  EH confirmed that this has already been noted following his similar comments at the meeting last month and that it is being addressed as part of the full refurbishment program.
  2. Mr Batchelor commented that there is a litter issue at the roadworks on the A272 whilst motorists wait at the lights. He also advised that there have been 5 accidents in the last 4 weeks along this stretch of road.  EH acknowledged this but asked why the points had not been raised with the Council prior to the meeting.
  3. Mr Batchelor commented on the anti-social behaviour in the village.  FW commented that much had been done to address matters and that he will invite the police to attend the next Parish Council meeting.

 

Report from County Councillor

 

Highways – PG is disappointed that the steps on the old A23 to the church still haven’t been cleared.  He hasn’t seen a schedule for the work but has been told it will be done.

Warninglid sign – PG is pursuing the issue of the poor visibility caused by the sign at the top of Colwood Lane with the new Highways Manager.

CLC – The next meeting will be on 5th October at Birchwood Grove School.  PG asked the Parish Council to write to him before the meeting with regard to the speed limits and skid sections on the A272 to ensure they are effective.

Buses – PG confirmed that there is a review of the use of buses in the community and suggested that the Parish Council continues to pursue the use of a community bus.

 

Questions/Comments to County Councillor

1.       FW advised that flashing speed signs called Casper signs were possibly to be used on the A272.  PG confirmed that WSCC have one which they move around the CLC area and he will arrange for it to be put on the A272.  PG to advise FW when this will be scheduled.

2.       EH advised that Derek Whittington has requested a meeting to agree the way forward with the costs involved for refurbishment of fingerposts.  The Parish Council would like WSCC to provide the resources or the cost to do their element of the work under the new community initiative.  It is hoped that following further discussions, the result will be that all the fingerposts in Bolney are fully refurbished.

3.       EH advised that the Parish Council has dates agreed to meet with Neil Smith to discuss Highways issues.

4.       JD asked if WSCC had thought about budgeting yet for next year.  PG advised that WSCC needs to spend £50m less by 2012.  They have a £2b annual budget.

 

Report from District Councillor

 

Mid Sussex Matters – SS confirmed that this newsletter has been sent out to 17,000 households this week.  MSDC would appreciate any feedback.

Budgeting – A consultation begins in September for next years budget based on setting priorities for what people would like to see council tax spent on.

Statistics – SS is looking into how correct recent statistics are, including the Affordable Warmth Strategy that show Bolney to be an area of deprivation and need.

Pavilion – SS has received a letter concerning the state of the Pavilion from Mr J Bridger (Bolney Rovers Football Club).  SS confirmed that the work MSDC are doing on the pavilion will ensure it is fit for use for the coming season.  Longer term considerations will need to be looked at.  FW confirmed that work has started.

 

Questions/Comments to District Councillor

 

There were none.

 

1.     Apologies for Absence

Mr P Hopgood.

 

2.     Minutes of the last meeting

Following an amendment to point 8, changing AS to EH, it was agreed by all that the Minutes of the meeting held on 21st July 2009 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 August was agreed by all.

4.2    Agree donation of the profit of £43.50 raised by the parish council at Village Day

It was agreed by all that 10% (£4.35) should be donated to the Village Society in accordance with the agreement and that the remaining 90% (£39.15) be donated to the Rendezvous Club.

4.3    Consider a donation to the Bolney Rovers Football Club          

Following discussion, it was agreed to ask a representative to attend a council meeting to discuss this further.  PG suggested that when granting money to local organisations, that we ask them to show our sponsorship on their headed paper etc.  It was also discussed that the parish council needs to consider how to encourage and support local organisations/clubs in Bolney.

4.4  Agree purchase of the new Eighth Edition of Arnold-Baker: Local Council Administration, cost £53.60

DT also requested purchase of the Clerks manual at £45.00.  Both guides are invaluable to ensure statutory requirements are met and good practice in the Parish Council.  Both purchases were agreed by all.

 

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

EH advised that there has been some improvement at the south end of The Street with ‘Please Keep Clear - Bus Route’ signs in place.  A date is being arranged to meet Neil Smith, Highways Manager, with regard to The Street and roads/highways matters in general.  PG asked if the signage for the road works on Colwood Road were adequate.  JD advised that when it says ‘access only’ this doesn’t make it clear how far up the road you can get.  

 

6.     Receive a report from the footpaths focus group

FW advised that there will be future meetings with Nick Scott who is very proactive.  Promised work is done competently and most of the requests have now been completed.  Nick is working with the parish council to publicise general rules about the upkeep of footpaths.

DW asked about the hedge on Batchelors Field which requires cutting on the inside.  It was confirmed that this is the responsibility of MSDC.  Problems with Batchelors Field have been reported to MSDC and are being addressed.

 

PG and SS left the meeting.

 

7.     Receive a report from the communications and action plan focus group and agree a request for funding “Open Door Sessions”

BS talked about “Open Door Sessions” which is a plan to have an open surgery at regular intervals for parishioners to be able to turn up and speak to a councillor about any issue.  They will be held at the Rawson Hall at a hire cost of £12 per session and eventually it is hoped to have various leaflets and information available.  BS would like the launch date to be in October.

AS questioned the capability of councillors to be able to help people and it was discussed that councillors can direct people to the right place for help or enlist other volunteers to help.

Following discussion about the frequency of sessions, it was agreed on twice a month initially on alternate Wednesdays, with future sessions determined by the amount of response and usage.

 

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

DW confirmed that he, AM and AS will be meeting Tom Warder (Airs) and Carol Tomkins (MSDC) on 25th August to go through the Housing Needs Survey.

 

9.     Receive an update on the village hall

DW advised that the RHMC are currently renewing the roof on the hall which should last a further 3-5 years.  The cottage window has been repaired in the Post Office area and proposals to improve the toilets are being evaluated.  A quote for £1200 has been received to decorate the main hall.

DW advised that he had been invited by David Robins to attend a meeting with Mr Raymond Stoner and Mr John Snow concerning their land at the north of the built up area of the Village.  They are suggesting a planning application for a housing development and advising that they would make a donation in the region of £500,000 to £1,000,000 for either improvement to the existing village hall or for a new village hall, should the development of the land be permitted.  The development site is in an AONB.

EH advised that the Parish Council are already aware of this proposal for the site which has been submitted to MSDC with a request that it be considered for inclusion in the SHLAA.

FW suggested that the Parish Council inform our District Councillor that the developer has been making approaches to people in the Parish in that regard.  DT will advise Nathan Spilstead and Sue Seward.

 

10.  Receive an update on the fingerposts

This was discussed at length in the questions/comments to County Councillor.

 

11.  Receive an update on the notice boards

FW confirmed that the notice boards were delivered last week and will be put up as soon as possible.  DT will chase Bob McKinnon for the licence required for the notice board to be put up at the Jeremys Lane/Colwood Lane junction.

 

12.  Receive a report from the police neighbourhood panel

FW reported that the last meeting was held on 30th July and there were four villages represented so this is improving each time.

Speeding – They are looking to use Casper signs on the A272 as it is not a safe place to use speed detectors as there is nowhere safe to pull motorists over.  The Street has been designated as a safe place to have a speed watch service.  .

Antisocial behaviour - There were problems 3 nights in a row at the pavilion where glazing putty was pulled out of a window following which police action has been taken with one youth.  There is discussion as to whether Crossways could become gated to prevent various problems, including prostitution. The police are looking into a programme to help with anti-social behaviour which includes other things such as bad parking issues and dog fouling.

Police have increased their patrols in Bolney and also use an unmarked car. 

 

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

DT advised that Handcross Community Bus service meeting has been delayed so no decision is yet available on the test route.

FW and BS are looking into services offered by Bluebird and will be meeting with them.  There are also other options to improve the bus services.  

 

14.  Agree a position on and response to MSDC on the matter of Councillors allowances and expenses

Following discussion it was agreed to adopt the procedure attached to these minutes which would be advised to any new councillor at interview stage.  This view will be submitted to MSDC.

 

15   Correspondence

There was none.

 

16   Date of Next Meeting

        Tuesday 15th September

 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 11pm

 

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

 

Date:………………………………………………………………

                     

 

 

   

last updated November, 2009