01/07

FELBRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL

 

Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month (except January and August)

at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 25th January 2007

at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

Present:            Mrs Bridget Huntington (Chairman)

                        Mr Brian Apps

Mr Ian McBryde

                        Mr Ken Rimington (attended part of meeting)

                        Mrs Rosalind White (in attendance)

 

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Mr Jeremy Clarke, Mrs Linda Hainge, Mr Ken Harwood and Mrs Marian Winn.

 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Steve Love, Chairman of the Governors of Felbridge School.  Mr Love spoke about the improvements to the school entrance, which had been well received, and the bicycle rack which hopefully will encourage children to cycle and walk to school.  The school is currently oversubscribed and attracts children from outside Felbridge village.  Mr Love agreed to arrange for an appeal for volunteers for Community Speedwatch in the next school newsletter.  He also invited members of the Parish Council to visit the school.

 

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            There were no additions to those previously registered.

 

3.         MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd November were approved and signed.

 

4.         MATTERS ARISING

 

(i)         Community Speedwatch:  It was agreed to look for more volunteers in the Spring.

(ii)        Speed Survey:  No further news has been received from Surrey Police following speed checks in 2006.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask Surrey Police for results of proposed speed checks on the A264 over the Christmas period.  Clerk to contact Worth and Dormansland Parish Clerks to make enquiries about costs of warning signs to slow down speeding vehicles.

(iii)       Speed Limit Signs:  A letter has been sent received from Les Gillingham, WS Traffic Engineer giving an update on the status of their part of the paperwork and confirming that the new Traffic Regulation Order could be in place by late February, assuming no objections are received when the statutory advertisement is published.

(iv)       CCTV Camera:  The invoice from Taylor Manning for supply and erection of the CCTV pole has been received and paid.  Ken Harwood is obtaining quotes for cameras.  Tom Goodall has confirmed that a licence would be needed to cover all parish councillors at a cost of £30 for two years.  Resolved:  Clerk to invite Tom Goodall, Security Systems, to the next Parish Council Meeting on 1st March.

(v)        Felbridge Hotel:  The appeal is taking place on 24th, 25th, 26th Jan 2007.

02/07

 

(vi)       Beaver Farm:  The application for the retention of the polytunnels has been refused by TDC.

(vii)      A264 Copthorne Road, Puffin Crossing:  Work on the puffin crossing commenced on 22nd January 2007 adjacent to the public footpath, which is the position originally agreed by Surrey Highways, the Parish Council and local residents.

(viii)      Churchill Farm:  Some lorries have been removed.  Resolved:  Parish Councillors to monitor progress of removal of remainder of vehicles.

(ix)       59 Crawley Down Road:  The verge opposite has been repaired.  Resolved:  It was agreed that this situation should be monitored until house is completed.

(x)        Seat at Hedgecourt Lake:  The seat has been repaired and re-positioned near the lake by Mr Harwood, Mr Wickington and his son.  A letter of thanks has been sent to Mr Wickington.

(xi)       Tidiness of Village:  Surrey Highways have confirmed that the safety rail work is part of the puffin crossing programme and should be installed around 5th April.

(xii)      List of Highway Repairs: 

            (i)  Holes in road along Rowplatt Lane – an email has been received from Surrey Highways stating that this has been forwarded to the Tandridge Highways Steward for investigation.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

            (ii) Hole in A22 southbound carriageway outside Hydropool – now repaired.

            (iii) Hole around manhole, which has sunk, on A264 – now repaired.

            (iv) Dips in pavement and road near No. 25 Copthorne Road.

            Surrey Highways have confirmed that a full drainage survey has been carried out along Copthorne Road prior to resurfacing work, which should be carried out in March/early April, followed by resurfacing of the rest of the footpaths.

(xiii)      Judges Corner:  The proposal for a roundabout will be discussed at the Tandridge Local Committee Meeting on 26th January.

(xiv)     St John’s Churchyard:  An email has been received from the Director of Community Services stating that the Community Services Committee have agreed to take over responsibility of the churchyard, subject to it being in good order when handed over.  This will be considered by the Full Council on 25th January.

(xv)      Skateboard Ramp:  Jonathan Bruce, TDC, has agreed that he will arrange for the sides of the ramp to be painted green in the Spring.

(xvi)     Homelands, Copthorne Road:  The sign has been reduced in size to that which does not require planning permission.

(xvii)     The Star Traffic Lights:  Surrey Highways have contacted the driver of the vehicle that hit the post, using the vehicle registration, and will try to recover costs.  They are unable to take legal action unless reported by a police officer.

(xviii)    Bus Shelters:  A cheque for £165 has been received from Allianz Cornhill.

(xix)     Footpath 368:  Philippa Gates, SCC, has met with the owner of No.1 Mount Cottages. who has agreed to move his fence back so that it no longer extends out into the footpath, within the next 3 months.

(xx)      Playground:  Tandridge Local Committee will discuss the application for a grant of £5000 at their meeting on 26th January.  Once their decision is known, the equipment will be ordered w/c 29th January.  Work will commence at the end of February with completion planned for the start of the Easter school holidays.  An opening ceremony was discussed with a local celebratory.  Paul Hemsley has confirmed that once installed, the equipment will be owned, insured and maintained by TDC.  BIFFA have sent a plaque to which could be added the names of other donors.

03/07

 

(xxi)     Trees in Copthorne Road:  Surrey Highways have contacted the contractors, Clancy Docwra, about the two trees that have been damaged during the mains replacement work. 

(xxii)     Hedge on corner of Rowplatt Lane/Crawley Down Road:  The hedge has now been cut back.

(xxiii)    Felbridge School Hedge:  Mr Love has agreed to discuss this with the school.

(xxiv)    Planning Applications:  Mr Chris Rolley, EG Town Council, has supplied figures which show that in the period 2005-06 EGTC had 167 net dwelling units applied for with an electorate of c.18,000, compared with Felbridge which had 102 dwelling units applied for with an electorate of c.1,400.  Thus the applications in Felbridge are in comparison almost 8 times that of East Grinstead.

(xxv)    Flooding in Crawley Down Road:  Surrey Highways will investigate the problem reported by a resident of water running out of the Felbridge School staff carpark during heavy rain.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact the resident.

(xxvi)    Black Spot by Crawley Down Garage:  Mr Archer Reeves has passed our letter to Mark Winstanley for a reply.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

(xxvii)   New Street Name – R/O 96-104 Copthorne Road:  The name has been confirmed at Houseman Way.  Resolved:  Clerk to send a letter to Mr Houseman’s family.

(xxviii)  Policing in Felbridge:  The letter sent to the Chief Inspector of Surrey Police has been passed to Inspector Whitcombe for reply.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

(xxix)    Whittington College:  Concern was expressed that the one historic reference to Felbridge Place will be lost.  Resolved:  Clerk to speak to Jeremy Clarke.

(xxx)    Draft Budget for 2007/08:  A Precept of £12,000 has been requested.  The Clerk and Chairman had a meeting with Jonathan Bruce, TDC on 25th January,  Mr Bruce has asked for an official request concerning a proposed extension to the village hall carpark.  Resolved:    The Clerk to send a letter to TDC.

(xxxi) Felbridge Village Sign on Crawley Down Road:  The original sign was removed by SCC as part of the village improvements and it was to be replaced by a picket fence style of sign.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up with Surrey Highways.

(xxxii) Crawley Down Garage:  TDC Planning Department have confirmed that they did receive a copy of the plans which were posted at the normal venue and recorded in the weekly list.

(xxxiii)  Footpath alongside A22:  The footpath between Whittington College and Felbridge Copse will be cleared by the Community Gang w/c 5th February.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask Surrey Highways if the footpath outside The Stone Cottage could also be cleared. 

(xxxiv)  Affordable Housing:  Mona Johansson of Surrey Community Action has provided more information.  Resolved:  Clerk to invite Ms Johansson to the Parish Council meeting on 5th April.

(xxxv) Parish Council Meeting Dates:  The dates of the full meetings have been changed to the 1st Thursday and with the planning meetings on the 3rd Thursday.  It was agreed that the Clerk’s salary would in future be payable on 20th of each month.  Resolved:  Clerk to arrange for the noticeboards to be amended and a list of the new dates to be posted on each board.  Clerk to also contact Lis Scott to ask for a note about the new dates in her column in the East Grinstead Courier.

 

5.         COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(i)         Gatwick Airport Community Trust:  They will now consider larger grants of £10-13,000).

(ii)        Council Tax:  The SCC budget meeting is in February.  The Government have increased their grant to Surrey by 2.7%, i.e. £2.7m.

04/07

 

(iii)       Business Delivery Review:  Savings of over £30m. have been made.

(iv)       SCC Contact Centre:  This is now working well with 90% of calls answered within 20 seconds.

(v)        New 101 Call Centre:  The Government has abandoned plans for this.

(vi)       Community Gang:  They will be working in Felbridge w/c 5th February.

(vii)      Footpath alongside Copthorne Road:  Nettles and brambles have been cut back by Surrey Highways.

Mr Rimington left the meeting

(viii)      Village Shop:  This may close due to lack of support.  Resolved:  A member of the Parish Council will make contact with the owner.

(ix)       Bus Shelter in Crawley Down Road:  This has been damaged with graffiti.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact TDC.

(x)        Barong Conservatories Sign:  There is a large sign outside Doves Barn Nursery.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask TDC if this sign needs planning permission.

(xi)       Trees on corner of Rowplatt Lane:  Concern was expressed that these might obscure vision for pedestrians.  Resolved:  Chairman to check.

(xii)      Football Club:  Gaps in the hedge alongside the Gulledge need filling in.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact Bertie Voller about the hedge and suggest that the Football Club could now apply for a donation towards the cost of furnishing the new pavilion.

(xiii)      Boards Surrounding Development on Corner of A264:  The boards have murals and advertisements painted on them.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact TDC to ask if they need planning permission.

 

6.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Weekly Planning List 48/2006

TA/2006/1704:  Rest Harrow, Mill Lane, Felbridge.  Erection of 2-storey side extension and single storey front and rear extensions.  Resolved:  No Action.

Weekly Planning List 49/2006

TA/2006/1727:  Crawley Down Garage, Snow Hill.  Erection of Totem style sign illuminated sign.  Resolved:  It was agreed to object on the grounds that this illuminated sign would not be in keeping within a rural area and green belt.

Weekly Planning List 50/2006

TA/2006/1793:  Strath Cottage & 11-15 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Demolition of Strath Cottage and 11-15 Copthorne Road.  Erection of 2x5-bed & 4x4-bed dwellings (total 6 dwellings) with associated garaging and access.  Resolved:  It was agreed to point out concerns over the sightlines and the narrow footpath alongside the A264 and that one of the buildings to be demolished is the ‘Memorial Hall’.  A financial contribution towards a permanent memorial was requested.

Weekly Planning List 51/2006

TA/2006/1813:  Beaver Farm, Eastbourne Road, Newchapel.  Erection of single storey extension to west elevation of administrative building.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2006/1790:  Felbridge Hotel, London Road, Felbridge.  Seasonal airport parking in association with hotel uses (Certificate of Lawfulness for an Existing Use).  Resolved:  It was agreed to object due to lack of evidence of use for 10 years.

Weekly Planning List 1/2007

TA/2006/1832:  Little Sorrel, Herons Lea, Copthorne.  Erection of single storey infill extension to rear elevation, front porch & roof alterations incorporating 3 rear & 3 front dormer windows.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2006/1883:  94 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Erection of first floor side extension.  Resolved:  No Action.

05/07

 

TA/2006/1892:  London Temple, West Park Road, Newchapel.  Removal of part of steeple and erection of statue to steeple.  Resolved:  No Action.

Weekly Planning List 2/2007

TA/2007/13:  Purple Heather, Domewood, Copthorne.  Demolition of detached single garage.  Erection of detached double garage.  Resolved:  No Action.

Weekly Planning List 3/2007

TA/99/1273/A1:  Beaver Farm, Eastbourne Road, Newchapel.  Variation of condition 1 of permission TA/99/1273 to allow continued use of the land for the stationing of a mobile home.  Resolved:  No Action.

Weekly Planning List 4/2007

TA/2007/17:  Domewood Park, Herons Lea, Copthorne.  Formation of Sand School.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2007/76:  Nigh Timber, Effingham Road, Copthorne.  Erection of detached double garage.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2007/79:  Sundore, Lake View Road, Felbridge.  Demolition of conservatory, utility room, pool room and oil store.  Erection of single storey rear extension and pitched roofs over flat roofed dormers to rear roof slope.  Resolved:  No Action.

 

7.         CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

(i)         Gulledge Bridleway:  An email has been received from the Rights of Way Officer, WSCC, thanking Mr Atkins and Mr Sisley for their efforts, which has been forwarded to them.

(ii)        Village Hall Carpark:  Complaints have been received about the lake of water following heavy rain.  TDC have cleared the ditch and the drain covers.  The Village Hall Committee have arranged for the drains to be jetted.  Following a meeting on 25th January, Jonathan Bruce, TDC, has arranged for the carpark to be cleaned twice a year – November and April – and for the drains to be jetted annually.  Resolved:  Clerk to obtain a key for the gate to allow TDC access early morning to clean the carpark.  The Parish Council would consider a contribution towards the costs incurred by the Village Hall for jetting the drains.

(iii)       Damage to verge along Crawley Down Road:  Following a meeting on 25th January, Jonathan Bruce agreed to investigate the cost of kerbstones between the school carpark entrance and the entrance to the village hall.

(iv)       Permissive Bridleway across Imberhorne Farm:  Mr Brian Emmett, Imberhorne Farm, hopes to continue access under a new Defra scheme and will make the necessary application around Easter.  He may need support from FPC and local residents.

(v)        ‘Become a Councillor’ DVD:  SALC/SCAPTC have produced a DVD which will be launched at various roadshows, one of which will be held at Burstow on 29th January.  Resolved:  It was agreed not to send a representative but to review the DVD when it has been circulated.

(vi)       Felbridge Hotel Upgrade:  An email has been received from the General Manager asking if he can attend a Parish Council meeting to give an overview of the major changes taking place.  Resolved:  It was agreed to invite Mr Malby to the meeting on 1st March.

(vii)      SPISE:  A letter has been received inviting FPC to take out membership.  Resolved:  It was agreed not to join.

(viii)      Passenger Transport Forum:  An email has been received from the Transport Officer, Passenger Transport Group, inviting a councillor to attend a meeting on 8th March.  Resolved:  Mrs Marian Winn to be asked to become the FPC representative on this forum.

06/07

 

(ix)       In circulation:  SPISE Newsletter – Winter 2006;  TDC News Release – Disability Equality Scheme, Dec 06;  TDC Planning & Environment Committee Agenda, 6th Dec 06;  TDC Community Services Committee Agenda, 30th Nov 06;  Surrey Matters, Winter 06/07;  TDC News Release – Crime Prevention Message, Dec 06;  TDC News Release – Getting the Right Advice, Dec 06;  SCAPTC Minutes, 18th Nov 06;  Action for Life Walks, Dec 06;  TDC Housing Committee Agenda, 14th Dec 06;  TDC Disability Equality Scheme, Dec 06;  TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 7th Dec 06;  Surrey Wildlife Trust Natural World, Winter 2006;  Surrey Nature, Winter 2006;  TDC News Release – Security Marking, Dec 06;  SCC Waste Plan Minor Changes, Nov 06;  NCYPE Newsletter, Dec 06;  TDC Development Control Committee Agenda, 21st Dec 06;  TDC News Release – Recycling and Refuse Services, Dec 06;  TDC News Release – Failing to comply with planning notice, Dec 06;  ESPLG Minutes, 23rd Nov 06;  LCR Journal, Jan 07;  TDC Overview & Scrutiny Committee Agenda, 9th Jan 07;  TDC Resources Committee Agenda, 4th Jan 07;  TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 3rd Jan 07;  TDC News Release – Get Composting, Jan 07;  ERHA Bulletin, Winter 2006;  Clerks & Councils Direct, Jan 07;  TVSC The Voice, Jan 07;  TDC Development Control Committee, 18th Jan 07;  SCC Local Transport Plan 01-06, Dec 06;  TDC News Release – Dispose of Waste Properly, Jan 07;  Tandridge Local Committee Agenda, 26th Jan 07;  TDC News Release – Citizen of the Year 07, Jan 07;  SCC Passenger Transport Group – Bus Service Changes, Jan 07;  TDC Corporate Strategy News, Jan 07;  The Playing Field, Winter 06/07;  TDC Council Meeting Agenda, 25th Jan 07;  Surrey Community Action Newsletter, New Year 07;  The Clerk, Nov 06;  The Clerk, Jan 07.

 

8.         ACCOUNTS AND CHEQUES SIGNED:  Issue of the following cheques was approved by the Parish Council under Standing Orders:

 

520      B. Wright                                 Bus shelter cleaning for Jan                        £28.20

521      B. Wright                                 Bus shelter cleaning for Feb                       £28.20

522      R. White                                   Clerk’s salary for Jan                               £205.19

523      HM Revenue & Customs          Income Tax for Jan                                   £ 30.19

524      R. White                                   Clerk’s salary for Feb                              £205.19

525      HM Revenue & Customs          Income Tax for Feb                                  £ 30.19

526      R White                                    Office Allowance & Petty Cash               £140.72

                                                                        for December and January

527      K Harwood                              Bench Repairs                                          £95.39

528      Tandridge District Council         Litter Bin Relocation                                 £58.75

529      TVSC                                      Membership Subscription 06/07               £10.00

530      Taylor Manning (Electrical)       CCTV Pole supply and erection            £2914.00

531      M Odell                                   Felbridge Luncheon Club                          £25.00

532      1st Hedgecourt Scouts              Donation towards trailer replacement      £700.00

533      Local Works                            Donation towards campaign                      £25.00

 

9.         ANY OTHER BUSINESS

            None

 

10.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting will be held on Thursday 1st March at 7.30pm.

 

The meeting closed at approximately 10.20pm.

RW

6 February 2007