Parish Plan - Balcombe Village

CONTENTSBalcombe, A Brief IntroductionWhat is a Parish Plan and why does Balcombe need one?Producing the Balcombe Parish PlanPage 3Page 4Page 5Reports based on responses to the QuestionnaireSummary of ConclusionsReport on Living in BalcombeReport on Housing & Environmental MattersReport on Facilities & AmenitiesReport on Traffic MattersReport on Safety & Security MattersPage 6Page 7Page 8Page 10Page 12Page 14Other ReportsReport on the views of Young PeoplePage 15Report on the views ofLocal Voluntary Organisations, Societies and ClubsReport on the participation by Balcombe CE Primary SchoolThe Way AheadAcknowledgementsPage 16Page 17Page 18Page 192The Balcombe Parish Plan

WHAT IS A PARISH PLANAND WHY DOES BALCOMBE NEED ONE?The Government has stated that it wants eachlocal community to take more control of itsown life, to say what it wants to be done inthat community, and to engage with others toget it done. The creation of a Parish Plan is animportant part of this process.In its Rural White Paper published in November2000 – Our Countryside: The Future – theGovernment set out its agenda for the countryside,and launched the concept of the Parish Plan. Thestated purpose of a Parish Plan is to:“… set out a vision of what is important, hownew development can best be fitted in, thedesign and quality standards it should meet,how to preserve valued local features and tomap out the facilities which the communityneeds to safeguard for the future.”It further states that a Parish Plan should:“… identify key facilities and services, set outthe problems that need to be tackled anddemonstrate how the distinctive character andfeatures can be preserved.”Thus the intention is that the creation of a ParishPlan will enable a rural community to exerciseinfluence in the determination of its own destinyby setting out what the inhabitants would likeand by suggesting how these wishes might beachieved. It will strengthen the arm of the ParishCouncil, the elected body that represents thecommunity, by providing it with definitive evidenceof the wishes of the community it serves.Each wish that is identified will fall into one ofthree categories:♦ Matters on which it is possible for the ParishCouncil to take the necessary action.♦ Matters that are outside the powers of theParish Council but on which it can makerecommendations to the authorities that dohave the relevant powers. For these mattersthe Parish Plan provides the Parish Councilwith a powerful tool with which to influencethe decisions and actions of these authorities.Such matters include the establishment ofstrategies for the use of land, the determinationof individual planning applications, trafficmanagement, and the preparation ofCommunity Strategies (drawn up by LocalAuthorities to identify the services, activitiesand support that each community needs).♦ Matters on which it is possible for thelocal people to take the necessary actionthemselves, given the appropriate supportand funding.Balcombe Parish Council is responsible for fundingand receiving the Balcombe Parish Plan. However,it decided to establish a completely independentAction Group to which it delegated responsibility forconsulting the community and producing the Plan.The manner in which the Action Group set aboutthis task is described on the following page.There are some who say that producing a ParishPlan is a pointless exercise as it is unlikely thatit will achieve anything. Those who have beeninvolved in producing the Balcombe Parish Planbelieve that, unless one tries, it is certain thatnothing will be achieved.4The Balcombe Parish Plan

PRODUCING THE BALCOMBE PARISH PLANIn February 2006 Balcombe Parish Council helda public exhibition in the Parish Room at whichit displayed information on the matters that theCouncil considered were important to the residentsof Balcombe. Those who attended were invitedto indicate matters of particular concern, andnames were taken of those who were interestedin participating in the process of producing aParish Plan for Balcombe.Following the exhibition, those who had expressedan interest were invited to attend an initial meetingof the Balcombe Parish Plan Action Group, atwhich Norman Howard agreed to facilitate theformation of a Steering Committee.This Committee held its first meeting in May2006. Rodney Saunders was elected its chairman,and a provisionalprogramme culminatingin the publication ofa Balcombe ParishPlan in February 2007was agreed.Thereafter, the Committeeheld regular, sometimeslengthy, meetings. Aq u e s t i o n n a i r e w a sprepared, and in August2006 two copies ofit were delivered to eachof the 772 residences inthe Parish of Balcombe.This questionnaire sought the views of everyresident aged 16 and over on a range of subjectsin five categories: Living in Balcombe; Housing &Environment; Facilities & Amenities; Traffic; andSafety & Security.The Committee believed that for the Parish Planto reflect accurately the views of the residents itwas essential to obtain completed questionnairesfrom a significant proportion of the populationof Balcombe. In consequence, it decided that,in addition to a publicity campaign, completedquestionnaires would be collected. A thirty-strongteam of volunteer collectors was mobilised, andduring the second half of September 2006 everyresidence in the Parish was visited at least once,some several times.This policy was a success, and by the closing date,early in October 2006, a total of 784 completedquestionnaires had been received, one or more from66.3% of the occupied residences in the Parish.Of those residents who returned completedquestionnaires:·♦♦♦57% were female and 43% were male.26% were aged 44 or less, 74% were age45 or more.34% had lived in Balcombe for 10 yearsor less, 36% for between 11 and 30years, and 26% for 31 years or more(4% did not say).Different questionnaireswere prepared anddistributed to youngpersons (aged 11 to 15)and to local clubs andvoluntary organisations.Once all the completedquestionnaires had beencollected, the process ofcapturing the data fromboth the “tick boxes” andthe “text boxes” began.A different team dealtwith each of the fivesubject categories, and this work was completedaround the end of November 2006. Thereafter,during the run up to Christmas, the teams analysedthe results and prepared reports complete withproposed action plans. During January 2007 thereports were collated and edited and the Parish Plandocument was designed, approved by the Committeeand despatched to the printers.The whole process, from the first meeting ofthe Steering Committee to the publication of theBalcombe Parish Plan, was completed in lessthan 10 months.The Balcombe Parish Plan5

SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONSIn responding to the questionnaire, residents wereinvited to express their opinions on a range of subjectsdivided into five categories, and a summary of theirviews in each category is set out below. On thepages that follow there are five detailed reports,one covering each section of the questionnaire.In this summary, and in the reports, a“respondent” means a Balcombe resident fromwhom a completed questionnaire was received.materials, and respondents favour enhanced oradditional recycling services.Facilities & AmenitiesFew respondents use the bus service and less thinkit is satisfactory. A majority of respondents thinkthe train service is satisfactory, but most wouldlike to see more trains stopping at Balcombe. Forthose with impaired mobility, the pavements, roadcrossings etc. are considered to be unsatisfactory.Large majorities wish to retain the existingbusinesses and other communal facilities.In general respondents are satisfied with localamenities, but the locations and management ofdog-waste bins, and the unwillingness of somedog owners to use them, is a concern.Living in BalcombeAn overwhelming majority of respondents enjoyliving in Balcombe. This is attributed to the attitudeof the residents, the beauty of the surroundings, andthe rural character of the village. Most respondentsfeel that communications on village matters aresatisfactory, and a substantial number say thatthey do, or would be prepared to, help with thework of the numerous voluntary organisations,societies and clubs within the village.Housing & Environmental MattersMaintaining the rural character of Balcombe isvery important to most respondents. A largemajority oppose the construction of any furthernew houses outside the existing built-up area,but a small majority favour building on “in-fill”sites within the village. There is support for theidea that some of any new housing should besuitable for the elderly or infirm, and that someshould be low-cost housing. In both categoriesrespondents believe that priority should be givento existing residents and their families. It isconsidered important that all new houses shouldbe energy efficient and environmentally friendly.There is much support for the recycling of wasteTraffic MattersThe speed of vehicles travelling through thevillage on the two main roads is the principalcause for concern, and a majority of respondentsfavour additional traffic calming measures togetherwith enforcement of the speed limit. Parking ofvehicles, particularly in Newlands but also in thevillage centre and Bramble Hill, is another majorcause for concern, and a majority of respondentsbelieve that there should be some control overwhere vehicles are parked. In addition, there areconcerns over safety at road junctions, particularlythose in the centre of the village and whereDeanland Road joins Haywards Heath Road.Safety & Security MattersMost respondents feel safe and secure, both in theirhomes and elsewhere, but there is much supportfor an enhanced police presence in the village.Most concerns over accidental injury are associatedwith road traffic.6The Balcombe Parish Plan

REPORT ON LIVING IN BALCOMBEThe first, introductory section of the questionnairewas intended to establish the overall feelingsof the residents about the experience of livingin Balcombe at the beginning of the 21 st Century.In addition, it sought to find out whether or notpeople feel well informed about village matters,and whether they are willing to assist any of thelocal voluntary organisations with their work.sustain several local businesses, but smallenough to retain a village character – all ofthis in our beautiful landscape.”These sentiments were not untypical, and reflectthe feelings of many respondents about living inBalcombe.79% of respondents expressed themselves satisfiedwith communications about village matters, 10%were not satisfied, and 11% did not know. Fromresponses in other sections of the questionnaire,it seems likely that many of those who did notexpress themselves satisfied live away from thevillage centre and thus do not have regular accessto the village “grapevine”.Balcombe has a wide selection of voluntaryorganisations, societies and clubs that enable residentsto both get to know one another and to providesupport in a variety of ways. The continued successof these bodies is essential if the friendly and caringcharacter of the village is to be maintained.It must be gratifying to those who care about thevillage to learn that some 97% of respondentsenjoy the experience of living in Balcombe. Thereasons given for this were various, but thatquoted most often was the friendly and caringattitude of the people. Other reasons included thebeautiful surrounding countryside to which there iseasy access, the convenient location of the village,the fact that Balcombe has managed to retain itsrural character, and that residents may enjoy arelatively peaceful and tranquil lifestyle.There has been much anecdotal evidence in thepast about the friendly nature of Balcombe, butthis is now supported by factual evidence that thepeople of Balcombe form a friendly communityand consider themselves fortunate to be livingin such an idyllic part of Sussex.In response to the question about willingnessto help with the work of these bodies, 41%of respondents indicated “Yes”, 37% indicated “No”and 22% did not know. On this basis, at least321 people within the Parish are either alreadyactively involved with one or more of the bodies, orare willing to become involved. This is consideredpromising for the future of Balcombe.While no direct actions are proposed as aconsequence of this particular Report, residents areencouraged to study the Balcombe Parish Magazinewhich contains reports on the activities of the variousorganisations, and contact details for them.One respondent wrote:“It is one of the few places in theSouth-East which has a genuine mix of localtraditional jobs and crafts, plus professions,London commuters and other local commuters.It is balanced by this, even if all do notagree on everything. It is large enough toThe Balcombe Parish Plan7

REPORT ON HOUSING& ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERSThe Balcombe environmentThe character of Balcombe is essentially rural and90% of respondents believe that when any newhousing or other development is proposed theimpact on the character of the village should bean essential consideration; 72% of respondentsfavour the extension of the Conservation Areato include the whole of the Parish.91% believe that the existing trees and hedgesshould be protected, although many feel thatpruning regimes and other aspects of tree andhedge management that affect street lights, roadsigns, footpaths etc. are not satisfactory. No lessthan 95% consider that the existing open spaceswithin the village must be preserved.The question concerningstreet furniture (e.g. roadsigns) included street lightingwithin this category, andthis may have resulted insome confusion. Commentsindicate that respondentswould be happy to see areduction in unnecessarystreet furniture other thanstreet lighting.HousingThere is clear evidencethat a large majority ofrespondents like Balcombe as it is and areopposed to any further expansion of the built-uparea of the village or other substantial changeswithin the Parish.There is support (48% of respondents in favour,41% against) for the building of additional houseson “infill” sites between existing buildings withinthe built-up area of the village. However, 78%of respondents oppose any further developmentson green-field sites at the edges of the village.Virtually all respondents expressed some degree ofconcern over the impact of any further developmenton the character of the village, and many areconcerned that additional housing may be createdwithout due regard to the effect it will have onthe existing infrastructure of roads and services.If new houses are to be built in Balcombe, 78%of respondents believe that some should besheltered or other accommodation designed forthe elderly or infirm, and 72% agree that someshould be social/low cost housing. There is astrong feeling that existing Balcombe residentsand their children should receive priority access tothese categories of new housing. It is a matter ofregret to many residents that the next generationcannot afford to remain in the village when theyleave the family home. 83% of respondents feelthat the designs of any new houses should beenergy efficient and environmentally friendly.PlanningApproximately half of the respondents feel wellinformed about most planning matters, but analysisof written comments suggests that those who liveaway from the villagecentre feel less wellinformed. However,only 32% of respondentsfeel well informed onthe controversial matterof applications to erectmobile-phone masts.There is concern thatthe recommendationsof the Parish Counciland the decisions ofthe District Council, thedemocratically electedbodies representing the community, are too oftenoverturned by officials on appeal.Recycling82% of respondents say that they use both the blueand green recycling boxes provided by the DistrictCouncil and the glass recycling facilities adjacent tothe Victory Hall, and 54% that they support localjumble sales. There is enthusiasm for the conceptof recycling and demand for enhanced recyclingservices, including larger boxes, kerbside collectionsfrom all houses in the Parish, kerbside collectionof glass, more frequent collections, and centralcollection of additional categories of material (e.g.garden waste, shoes, textiles, aluminium, all typesof cardboard, etc.).8The Balcombe Parish Plan

The proposed action plan arising from the Report on Housing & Environmental Matters is as follows:objective Action ByTo e x t e n d t h eConservation Area.♦ To determine whether or not this is feasible,and proceed accordingly.Parish CouncilTo improve tree andhedge management.To remove unnecessarystreet furniture.To limit new housingto infill sites within theexisting built-up area.To ensure that someof any new housing issuitable for the elderly.To ensure that someof any new housing issocial/low cost.To ensure that Balcomberesidents and theirchildren receive priorityallocation of any newsheltered or social/lowcost housing.To ensure that alln e w h o u s e s a r eenergy efficient ande n v i r o n m e n t a l l yfriendly.To a c h i e v e g o o dcommunication on allplanning matters to allresidents.To provide enhancedrecycling services.♦ Ask the District Council to improve the managementof trees that are their responsibility.♦ Encourage owners to adopt considerate managementof trees and hedges on private property.♦ Review all existing street furniture, identify anythat is unnecessary, and seek its removal byWest Sussex County Council.♦ Adopt this as Parish Council policy and baseall recommendations to the District Council onthis policy.♦ Adopt this as Parish Council policy and baseall recommendations to the District Council onthis policy.♦ Adopt this as Parish Council policy and baseall recommendations to the District Council onthis policy.♦ Adopt this as Parish Council policy and baseall recommendations to the District Council onthis policy.♦ Adopt this as Parish Council policy and baseall recommendations to the District Council onthis policy.♦ Review current practices to see whetherany improvements in communications canbe implemented.♦ Consult the District Council to determine whatenhancements to the existing services are possible.Parish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilThe Balcombe Parish Plan 9

REPORT ON FACILITIES & AMENITIESPublic Transport ServicesOnly 7% of respondents use the local bus service,whilst just 5% of respondents think that the serviceis satisfactory. Comments such as “What busservice?” frequently appeared in written comments.While some respondents are grateful for any busservice at all, it appears that most do not evenconsider the bus service as a transport option. Manyrespondents would welcome regular bus services atappropriate times to and from Crawley, HaywardsHeath and to include other destinations.51% of the respondents said that they use the trainservice regularly, and 36% of respondents thinkthat the service is unsatisfactory. Users of the trainservice are predominantly in the 45 – 64 agegroup. A small minority of respondents over65 use the service; the difficult access to theplatforms appears to be a key issue. By far thelargest number of comments (155) related to thefrequency of trains stopping at Balcombe, andvirtually all would like to see trains stoppingevery half-hour in each direction.Moving around Balcombe72% of respondents consider that the existingfacilities for moving around Balcombe aresatisfactory for pedestrians and 55% think thatthey are satisfactory for cyclists. However only36% consider that they are satisfactory for thosewith pushchairs, 19% for those in wheelchairsand 15% for those with visual impairment (inthese categories “don’t knows” were 34%, 52%and 52% respectively). In summary, respondentsbelieve that for those whose mobility is impaired,the existing facilities are not satisfactory. Themajority of comments concern the widths ofpavements/paths, the lackof them within the villageand the outlying area, theunsatisfactory maintenanceof the pavement surfacesand overgrown vegetation.Other concerns are the lackof road crossing points/pedestrian refuges in criticallocations, vehicle speedsand the impact of parkingupon pedestrians; thesematters are addressed in theReport on Traffic Matters.Services & FacilitiesNot surprisingly, overwhelming majorities ofrespondents believe that it is important for Balcombeto retain the Social Club (88%), the Parish Room(92%), the Victory Hall (96%), the Recreation Ground& Pavilion (98%), the School, the Post Office, theShops and the Doctor’s Surgery, each of these lastfour attracting the support of 99% of respondents.Local AmenitiesMajorities of respondents consider that footpaths(75%), play areas (68%), benches (64%), sportsfacilities (60%), and litter bins (52%), in the villageare satisfactory. However majorities of respondentsdo not know whether or not after school activities(76%), childcare facilities (66%), activities forteenagers and young adults (63%), and activitiesfor senior citizens (51%) are satisfactory. Of thosewho did express an opinion, 28% felt activities forteenagers and young adults were unsatisfactory.Respondents’ opinions about dog waste bins aredivided, 38% believe these are satisfactory, 25%that they are not, and 37% don’t know.Of the written comments about local amenities thesubject attracting the most attention, often withconsiderable strength of feeling, was dog wastebins. Comments concerned the number, locationsand emptying of bins, and the unwillingness ofsome dog-owners to make use of them. Othersubjects that attracted comments in this sectionwere the need to raise the standards of localshops, the difficulty of accessing locally grownproduce, poor maintenance of the existingequipment and lack of facilities suitable for olderchildren in the Recreation Ground play area.10The Balcombe Parish Plan

The proposed action plan arising from the Report on Facilities & Amenities is as follows:objective Action ByTo improve the busservice.To improve the trainservice.To make it easier forthose whose mobilityis impaired to movearound Balcombe.To retain the existing,and much valued,services and facilities.To help improve thestandards of localshops.To eliminate dog wastein public places.To promote locallygrown produce.To provide youngp e o p l e w i t h t h efacilities and activitiesthat they would like.♦ Consult Community & Rural Transportat West Suusex County Council (W.S.C.C.) toestablish any options for additional services.♦ Consult the bus operator to determine whatimprovements can be made to the existing service.♦ Consider establishing a local bus service usergroup.♦ Join Brighton Line Commuters and helpinfluence the service decisions made by FirstCapital Connect and Southern.♦ Conduct a survey of pavements/paths in andaround the village; their widths and conditions.♦ Engage with the relevant authorities to establishprogrammes to upgrade pavements where thisis found to be necessary.♦ Promote considerate maintenance of hedgesand other vegetation adjoining pavements.♦ Maintain hedges etc. in a considerate manner.♦ The Report on Traffic Matters covers actionsassociated with additional crossing points.♦ Promote these services and facilities.♦ Use best endeavours to ensure that each newresident receives a Welcome Pack that includesdetails of all local services and facilities.♦ Make use of these services and facilities.♦ Review existing standards and consider howthese might be improved.♦ Increase support for local shops.♦ Review the number, positions and clearance ofexisting dog waste bins, and revise as necessary.♦ Promote the collection of dog waste by dogowners as a civic duty.♦ Always collect dog waste.♦ Advertise and promote locally grown produce.♦ Include the sale of locally grown produce atexisting local events.♦ Consider organising a local event dedicated to thepromotion and sale of locally grown produce.♦ Consider establishing a young persons'consultative group to establish what facilitiesand activities they would like within the villageand to assist in providing them.Parish CouncilParish CouncilUsers of busesRegular users of trainsParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilBalcombe residentsThose responsibleParish CouncilBalcombe residentsLocal ShopkeepersBalcombe residentsParish CouncilParish CouncilDog ownersProducersLocal organisationsLocal organisationsParish CouncilThe Balcombe Parish Plan 11

The proposed action plan arising from the Report on Traffic Matters is as follows:objective Action ByTo reduce the speed ofthrough-traffic on theHaywards Heath andLondon Roads.To reduce the amountof on-street parkingin the centre of thevillage.To reduce the amounto f p a r k i n g b ycommuters in Newlandsand Bramble Hill.To improve safety atthe crossroads in thecentre of the village.To improve safety atother road junctions.♦ Identify the most effective traffic calmingmeasures, seek the necessary approvals andfunding, and implement these measures.♦ Seek regular additional speed monitoring bythe police.♦ Support Community Speedwatch.♦ Consider parking restrictions and methods ofenforcement.♦ Consider if there are any possibilitiesfor additional off-street parking.♦ Actively promote responsible parking.♦ Park responsibly.♦ Consider parking restrictions, including“Residents Only” parking in Newlands, andmethods of enforcement.♦ Engage with Network Rail in addressingthe problem.♦ Seek to replace the existing “Give Way” signwith a “Stop” sign.♦ Seek the assistance of the police in enforcingthe priorities at the junction.♦ Investigate ways in which the safety ofpedestrians crossing the roads in the centre ofthe village may be improved.♦ Investigate the feasibility of creating additionalcrossing points/refuges in locations where theseare justified by pedestrian use.Parish CouncilParish CouncilBalcombe residentsParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilCar driversParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilTo improve pedestriansafety in the areaaround Balcombe CEPrimary School.To improve pedestriansafety throughoutthe village.♦ Review the effectiveness of the 20 mph sign,the effect of parking by those deliveringand collecting children, the effect of themini-roundabout, and the adequacy ofexisting pedestrian routes.♦ Review the condition and extent of existingpavements.♦ Review the adequacy and locations of existingstreet lights.♦ Consider what can be done to improve currenthedge management.Parish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilParish CouncilThe Balcombe Parish Plan 13

REPORT ON SAFETY & SECURITY MATTERSIt is encouraging to know that at leastthree-quarters of respondents feel safe andsecure, both in their homes and elsewhere withinthe village. In fact a number of respondentsindicated that they had never felt safer than theydo living in Balcombe. However, a number ofrespondents do have safety and security concerns,and their major concerns are the risk ofburglary from their homes, expressedby 25% of respondents, and the riskof accidental injury while awayfrom their homes, expressed by15% of respondents. The numberof respondents that expressedconcern over the risk of beingattacked was less than 8%.In connection with the risk ofburglaries there is a perceptionof a lack of an effective policepresence in the village. Respondentsfeel that multiple burglaries, pettyvandalism, and unruly behaviour are, in partat least, attributable to the lack of an effectivepolice presence. There were more than 100individual written requests for the reinstatementof the local “bobby”. However if this cannot beachieved it is felt that regular high profile policepatrols would at least provide some measureof deterrence.A third of respondents feel that a meeting with thepolice officers responsible for Balcombe would behelpful, and a quarter of respondents consider thata meeting with their local Neighbourhood Watchco-ordinator would be beneficial. Approximately100 respondents said that they already hadsome involvement with Neighbourhood Watch,and a further 160 indicated an interest inbecoming involved.Respondents concerned about the riskof accidental injury while awayfrom their homes feel that roadtraffic represents the biggest risk.The issues that cause concern,i.e. vehicle speeds, parkedvehicles, crossing points etc.are covered in the Report onTraffic Matters.Opinion is divided on thedesirability of additional streetlighting to improve security. 40% ofrespondents are in favour (apparently,largely those who use the station and otherswho have reason to walk regularly in the villageafter dark) and 46% are against. Again, this matteris dealt with in the Report on Traffic Matters.The proposed action plan arising from the Reporton Safety & Security is as follows:objective Action ByTo create an effectivepolice presence inBalcombe.♦ Consult the Sussex Constabulary to establishhow the police presence in Balcombe can beimproved.Parish CouncilTo increase support forNeighbourhood Watchin Balcombe.♦ Review the effectiveness of the currentNeighbourhood Watch scheme in Balcombe.N e i g h b o u r h o o dWatch Coordinator14The Balcombe Parish Plan

REPORT ON THE VIEWS OF YOUNG PEOPLEA separate questionnaire was designed anddistributed to young people between the agesof 11 and 15 who live in Balcombe. 28young people each completed and returned aquestionnaire; of these 20 indicated that theyattend state schools and eight that they attendindependent schools.ConcernsAsked to identify the things that worry them orcause them a problem, two subjects dominated theresponses; having nothing to do, and speedingvehicles.Some concerns were expressed about poor streetlighting and dog waste, a few about bullying andviolence, and none about being offered drugs.Ways to improve Balcombe for young peopleFour ways in which Balcombe could be improvedfor young people attracted similar levels of support.In descending order of the numbers of respondentsmentioning each, these are:♦♦♦♦Better public transport.Places for young people to get together.Young people to be consulted over villagedecisions.More/better sports facilities.The questionnaire asked for information about theirlifestyles and their opinions in five areas: modesof travel; spare time activities; concerns; ways toimprove Balcombe for young people; and likesand dislikes about living in Balcombe.Modes of travelA large majority of respondents travel to andfrom school by bus, but most travel by car ortrain in their spare time.Spare time activities and locationsRespondents were asked to select, from a listof ten activities, the ways in which they usetheir spare time. Watching television, using acomputer, sport and meeting friends are equallypopular, and between them these activitiesrepresented some 70% of all responses. Someparticipate in part-time work, visit the cinemaand attend after-school activities, but theserespondents showed limited interest in Churchactivities, Scouts & Guides, and the Youth Club(which is currently without a Leader). The reasonsgiven for limitations on spare time activities were:lack of time; lack of public transport; desiredactivity not being available locally; and cost. Placesvisited during spare time, in order of popularity,are Haywards Heath, Crawley and Brighton.Likes and dislikes about living in BalcombeThe comments made by respondents indicate thatyoung people like the same things as adults aboutliving in Balcombe; the friendliness of the people,the beautiful countryside that surrounds the village,and its convenient location.The majority of dislikes about living in Balcombewere on the theme of having nothing to do.An objective to provide young people with thefacilities and activities that they would like is includedin the proposed action plan arising from the Reporton Facilities & Amenities.The Balcombe Parish Plan 15

REPORT ON THE VIEWS OFLOCAL VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS,SOCIETIES AND CLUBSIt is generally accepted that a range of voluntaryorganisations, societies and clubs (referred to inthis report as organisations) that cater for a widevariety of interests and activities is likely to be afeature of any successful rural community. Theyprovide opportunities for residents to get to knowand to support one another. Balcombe is wellprovided with such organisations, and the futureof the village, as a community, depends in parton their continuing success.A separate questionnaire was designed and sentto local organisations, and 24 of them completedand returned a questionnaire. The questionnaireaddressed four broad areas: membership;activities; finance; and premises. A summary ofthe responses is as follows.MembershipAbout two-thirds of the responding organisationsreported difficulties in recruiting as many membersas they would like. All make use of the ParishMagazine to publicise their activities and to attractnew members, and some use the Town andCountry News section of the Mid Sussex Times,posters or circulars, and the Balcombe website.Most organisations report that there are sufficientpeople prepared to take on the responsibility oforganising their affairs and activities.Activities17 of the responding organisations considerthat attendance at their activities is satisfactory,however, most would welcome the increasedattendance that additional new members wouldgenerate.FinanceWith one exception, all the responding organisationsare confident that their financial resources aresatisfactory for the day-to-day running of theirpresent activities. However, about half feel thatthey do not have sufficient resources to expandtheir activities as much as they would like to.There seems to be little awareness of any possiblesources of grants or other types of funding toassist the development of such organisations.PremisesAll the responding organisations, except one, feelthat the premises and/or facilities that they areusing at present meet their current needs.Other mattersComments made by responding organisationsregistered concerns over traffic, parking, thecondition and width of pavements, street lighting,vandalism and dog waste. All these mattersare addressed in other reports. In addition asignificant number seemed to feel that some“new blood” would be beneficial to the futureprosperity of their organisations.The proposed action plan arising from the Reporton The Views of Local Voluntary Organisations,Societies and Clubs is as follows:objective Action ByTo obtain funding toexpand activities asdesired.♦ Seek the advice of the Parish Council onpossible sources of funding.Representatives oforganisations16The Balcombe Parish Plan

REPORT ON THE PARTICIPATION BYBALCOMBE CE PRIMARY SCHOOLAt an initial meeting the headteacher of BalcombeCE Primary School, Terry Harris, advised thatthe involvement of the children in the BalcombeParish Plan project would fit in very well with thecurriculum requirements.A representative of the steering committee wasinvited to address the children during a Mondaymorning assembly in September, and this addressevolved into a dialogue with the children aboutthe things that they liked and the things that theydisliked about Balcombe. It transpired that thethings that they like, in no particular order, are:the recreation ground; the cricket field; walkingin the fields; the tennis courts; their school; the(sweet) shop; their homes; the Victory Hall; thestation; the pub; and the social club. The thingsthat they do not like are emphatically: fast cars;then main roads; the poor and (sometimes) brokenapparatus in the recreation ground play area;and the state of Victoria Road.The children were shown a map of West Sussexwhich some of them recognised and with the locationof Balcombe identified, and this was followed bya brief explanation of the layers of administration:the Parish Council, the District Council, the CountyCouncil and the Government.The assembly concluded with the announcementof a competition in which all the children wereinvited to participate. They were asked to producea drawing or painting of “My Favourite Place inBalcombe”, and for each class there was to be aprize (a £10 voucher) for the drawing or paintingthat the steering committee adjudged the best.Throughout the autumn term, the children ofCoombe, Forest, Spring and Mill classes producedtheir illustrations, with the active support of theteachers. The children are applauded for theirefforts, which were all displayed at the launchof the Balcombe Parish Plan. The winners of theprizes, whose illustrations are reproduced opposite,were: (top) Primrose Dolly-Sparkes of Coombe;(upper centre) Tatra Mundy of Forest; (lowercentre) Hannah Teasdale of Spring; and (bottom)Oliver Holland of Mill.The Balcombe Parish Plan 17

THE WAY AHEADWhen Balcombe Parish Council decided to initiatethe Balcombe Parish Plan project it set out itsobjective as follows:“A Parish Plan will establish the issues thatmatter most to the community. The Planwill help the Parish Council to identifyParish views and priorities and to initiateactions with other levels of governmentsuch as Mid Sussex District Council andWest Sussex County Council.”To further this objective the Parish Council hasundertaken to study carefully the reports andassociated action plans set out on the preceedingpages of this document and to consider these,together with any other comments received fromresidents, including the views expressed by thosewho attended the exhibition in the Victory Hall on24 th February at which the Plan was launched.The current Parish Council will express its viewson the Plan in a newsletter to be published inApril 2007 which will be distributed to everyhousehold in the Parish.In May 2007 a new Parish Council will beelected, and it is this body that will have theresponsibility for deciding what actions to takeas a consequence of the Plan.Thereafter, the quarterly Parish Council newsletterswill include progress reports on the actions thatare being taken.It is almost certain that some things that peoplewould like to be done will not be achievable.Other things may take a long time. But at thevery least the Parish Council will know that if itadopts policies and takes actions in accordancewith the Plan then it will be doing so on thebasis of a mandate from the majority of thepeople of Balcombe.Thus the publication of the Balcombe ParishPlan is not an end in itself but, in the wordsof Winston Churchill, it is, perhaps, "the end ofthe beginning."18The Balcombe Parish Plan

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe processes of consulting the community and producing the Balcombe Parish Plan were managed by asteering committee comprising:Sandy ChenKeith ParryGraham Gosney*Lisa PayneJeffrey GunningCaroline RixNorman HowardCarolyn RobertsonSarah Moore-WilliamsRodney Saunders* Co-opted representative of Balcombe Parish CouncilThe following people also contributed to these processes in various ways:Iain BrownAndrew EdmondsonSue EtheridgeRick EvansAnne FairweatherLeslie FairweatherJane FitzpatrickIsabel GordonLyn GoughEddie HammondAlex HendersonJane HorrellCarol JarvestJacqueline KehoeSuzi Lewis-BarnedStephen MalkinsonHarry MalthouseTony MusgraveLiz NastysMichael NobleJean PappaAngela ParryRoger ReeseRosemary RobertsonLucy RothmanBarbara SaundersRobert SaundersGlenda ThompsonSue TibbottPam TudwayBarbara WallMargaret WilliamsonPriscilla WilliamsonThe Steering Committee would like to record its sincere thanks to:Balcombe Parish Council for funding the Balcombe Parish Plan project, assisted by grants fromWest Sussex County Council.Mid Sussex District Council and Action in Rural Sussex for their support and advice.The Headteacher, staff and children of Balcombe CE Primary School for their participation.Airtech Air Conditioning Services Ltd. for its sponsorship.The people of Balcombe for their encouragement and support for the Balcombe Parish Plan project.The Balcombe Parish Plan 19