26/08

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 5th June 2008

at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

Present:            Mrs Bridget Huntington (Chairman)

                        Mr Jeremy Clarke

Mrs Joan Harwood

                        Mr Ian McBryde

                        Mr Jacob Woodd

                        Mr Ken Rimington (attended part of meeting)

Mr Ken Harwood

                        Mrs Rosalind White (in attendance)

 

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Mr Brian Apps and Mrs Linda Hainge

 

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            Mr Jacob Woodd declared a non prejudicial interest in the request from the Village Hall Committee for a donation towards the cost of CCTV insurance.  There were no other additions to those previously registered.

 

The Chairman welcomed Jenny Smith, a Felbridge resident, and Richard Bailey, Chairman of the School Governors.  Jenny Smith expressed her objections to the planning application submitted to TDC to fell two Evelyn chestnut trees in Twitten Lane.  In previous years bats have been seen roosting in these trees.  The Chairman explained that this planning application would be discussed later in the meeting.  FPC urged residents to write independently to TDC planning to stress the historic value of these trees and register their objections.

 

Richard Bailey explained that he had been Chairman of Felbridge School Governors since September 2007 and that a new Head and Deputy Head have been appointed.  The Head is very concerned about car parking and actively encourages walking and cycling to school.  Some lighting is needed in the staff carpark and Mr Bailey will contact FPC again once the school has the consultant’s plans.  £75,000 of capital expenditure will be required for repairs and maintenance to the old part of the school which is a listed building, and the school’s computers need replacing.  Mr Bailey suggested a shared approach with FPC on certain issues:-  relationship with the developers and pedestrian safety of children walking to school;  developers’ contributions to the local community;  impact of construction work and lack of TDC monitoring.  Mr Harwood explained that Section 106 monies are not currently being collected by TDC Planning.  Mr Rimington suggested a question is submitted to the TDC Local Committee Meeting on 20th June asking what action SCC will take to provide additional school places in Felbridge.  The Chairman agreed to contact Richard Bailey to set up a separate meeting to discuss these issues.

 

3.         MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

            The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 1st May 2008 were approved and signed.  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 1st May 2008 were approved and signed.

27/08

 

4.         MATTERS ARISING

 

(i)         Overdevelopment in Felbridge:  Reminders have been sent to Surrey Education Authority and SGN Connections.

(ii)        Vehicle Activated Signs:  Cost of two signs would be £7,780 + VAT.  £4,000 has been set aside by FPC.  Ken Rimington has explained that he cannot use money from his allocation from the TDC Local Committee due to the number of parishes requesting VAS.  It was agreed that two signs are also needed along Eastbourne Road.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask Lingfield Parish Clerk who funded their VAS?

(iii)       Speed Limit Reductions:  Jeremy Clarke has received the documents from SCC and has summarised the delays, mainly with SCC.  He will send a letter to the new Chairman of TDC Local Committee, Mr David Hodge, with a copy to Peter Langham.  A reply is awaited to the letter to Councillor Skellett asking when the speed limit reductions were advertised, as instructed by the TDC Local Committee at their meeting in December 2007.

(iv)       A264 Copthorne Road, Puffin Crossing:  The local MP has written to SCC, TDC and Linden Homes asking for a meeting.  Ken Rimington has been trying to contact Roger Archer-Reeves and agreed to try to arrange a meeting with Jenny Isaac, Head of Surrey Highways, before 20th June.  Ken Harwood will also contact Jenny Isaac and agreed to attend the TDC Local Committee meeting on 20th June when this will be discussed.

(v)        List of Surrey Highway Repairs: 

(i)  Ken Rimington has reported that SCC have agreed to one reflective post on the edge of the kerb behind the Star Inn.  Linden Homes have confirmed by email that they will reinstate any damage to verges.  Replies have been received to a letter sent to MSDC and TDC, regarding parking on the verges by contractors working on the Strath Cottage development.  MSDC replied that there are no powers under planning law to force the builder to use space set aside for on-site parking.  Jo Sanford, TDC Planning, visited the site and spoke to the site manager who has given his assurance that when the development is completed, his company will reinstate any damage done to the highway verges.   Resolved:  Clerk to send copies of emails to Richard Bailey.

            (ii)  Potholes in Rowplatt Lane were reported to SCC on 20.05.08 (Ref 82073311).  Hilary Orr, TDC, has been asked to investigate enforcement of the Method Statements for the developments at Dundori and in Copthorne Road, as contractors vehicles are being parked in Rowplatt Lane and mud is being left on the roads. 

(iii) A22 outside Glendale -  The dip in the road has not been repaired reported 03.03.08 – Ref 82061107.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

(iv) Crawley Down Road - The road surface is very uneven outside the Oak Farm development.  Reported to SCC 22.05.08 – Ref 82073357.

(v) Copthorne Road – There is a bad hump by the puffin crossing.  Reported to SCC 22.05.08 – Ref 82073358.

(vi)       Outstanding Surrey Highways Issues:

            (i) Felbridge Village Sign on Crawley Down Road:  Derek Poole has replied saying that he regrets that this cannot be a priority for Surrey Highways at this time.  It may be possible to reconsider at the time of implementation of the new speed limits in the area.

(ii) Footpaths alongside A22:  Steve Cunnah, Surrey Highways, has confirmed that he has secured funding for this work but still cannot confirm a start date.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up with SCC.

(vii)      Youth Shelter:  Linda Hainge will visit the youth shelter at East Court.  Resolved:  Clerk to arrange a meeting with Linda Hainge and Steve Hyder, TDC Amenity Services, to discuss suitable companies and shelters.

28/08

 

(viii)      Crawley Down Road Street Lights:  4 lights near Oak Farm Place are still not working.  The 30mph sign at the end of Rowplatt Lane is still not repaired (reported 19.03.08 – Ref 82063883) despite reminders.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact SCC re lights.

(ix)       Village Shop Closure:  Jo Sanford, TDC Planning, has asked for evidence of multiple occupancy.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask Jo Sanford if they can instruct the owner to clear the rubble left outside the shop.  Ken Harwood agreed to speak to neighbours to ask for appropriate times for TDC to make an unplanned visit.

(x)        Surrey Highways:  A reply is awaited to Jeremy Clarke’s letter to Bob Evans, TDC, asking who actually considered FPC’s comments on the puffin crossing.

(xi)       Verges: The verge near Housman Close is badly damaged.  Antler Homes have been asked to ensure they are repaired.

(xii)      Planning Applications:  A draft letter has been prepared to the Secretary of State regarding planning decisions overturned by appointed inspectors.  Resolved:  Chairman to agree draft letter.

(xiii)      Travel Lodge on A22:  The broken fence has been reported to the Spirit Group who own this site.  Resolved:  Clerk to check if it has been repaired.

(xiv)     Gullivers Café Notices:  Jo Sanford, TDC Planning will look at the 3 notices on trees and a board on the southbound carriageway of the A22.  Resolved:  Clerk to check if any signs still remain.

(xv)      CCTV:  Security Systems have quoted £560 plus VAT for an extra camera directed towards the gateway and installation.  It was agreed to go ahead.  Resolved:  Clerk to arrange date for installation with Tom Goodall.

(xvi)     Fence in Copthorne Road:  Jo Sanford, TDC Planning, has visited nos. 55 and 57 Copthorne Road.  Both fences need planning permission and she has written to the owners.

(xvii)     Insurance:  The Village Hall Committee have responded and have requested a reconsideration.

(xviii)    Village Hall Carpark:  A quote for £5415 has been received from Nick Dance Agricultural Contractors.  TDC have confirmed that planning permission will be required.  A meeting has been arranged for 10th June with Geoff Finch, Jonathan Bruce and Jacob Woodd.

(xix)     42/44 Copthorne Road:  Tracey Horton, TDC Senior Revenue Officer, will investigate the situation.

(xx)      Burglaries:  A reply is awaited to a letter sent to Elaine Burtenshaw, Surrey Police, asking if burglaries in Felbridge have increased over the past two years, compared to somewhere like Bletchingly. 

(xxi)     Rowplatt Lane:  The raised manhole cover in the middle of the road near Lyric Cottage was reported to SCC on 22.05.08 – Ref 82073311.

(xxii)     Crawley Down Road:  Vehicles have been seen speeding when leaving football matches.  Resolved:  Clerk to report to Moira Cocks in Sept when football matches recommence.

                        A letter has been sent to Mr Voller asking FSRA to put a board on the verge on the days matches take place, to ask footballers not to park on the verges.

(xxiii)    Linden Homes Development:  Philip Evans, TDC Planning Enforcement, has visited the site.  In consultation with Surrey Highways, Linden Homes used tarmac to fill a hole as a temporary measure.  When the development is complete, they will reinstate the verge according to Highways requirements.

(xxiv)    Highway Improvements:  An email has been received from Ken Rimington saying that the plans including Stub Pond Lane have been in the pipeline for months.  Resolved:  Clerk to submit a question to the TDC Local Committee meeting on 20th June asking for Rowplatt Lane to be resurfaced instead of Stub Pond Lane.

(xxv)    Anti-Graffiti Kit:  This has been delivered to FPC.

29/08

 

(xxvi)    TA/2008/368:  Churchill Farm, West Park Road, Newchapel.  TDC Planning have confirmed that all evidence from Churchill Farm and local residents will be studied carefully and activities will be limited to those proved in the evidence.

 

5.         COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(i)         TDC Local Committee Meeting:  The next meeting will be held on Friday, 20th June at 10am at the Victoria Club, Lingfield.   Questions in writing can be submitted 7 days before the meeting.

(ii)        TDC Core Strategy Submission Draft:  This includes two sites in Felbridge – Land North of Felbridge Hotel for Extra Care Housing and Land opposite Doves Barn Nursery and 103-109 Copthorne Road for residential.

(iii)       Judges Corner:  Total cost - £1.2m. with £700,000 set aside from the 08/09 budget.

(iv)       SCC Surface Treatment:  Resurfacing work has been carried out along Copthorne Road.  Ken Rimington suggested a question be raised at the TDC Local Committee meeting to ask why the road had been resurfaced without the potholes being repaired, despite frequent reports being sent to SCC about these potholes.

(v)        Grass Cutting:  The grass on the verge and island near the layby into Furnace Wood is very long and obstructing the view of motorists.  Resolved:  Clerk to report to SCC.

(vi)       Rubbish in Mill Lane:  It has been reported that the residents of 122 Copthorne Road leave their rubbish overnight every week for collection outside their back gate in Mill Lane.  The bags get torn by vermin. .  Resolved:  Clerk to write to the residents asking them to contain their rubbish in a vermin proof bin.

(vii)      Travellers: are parked on the verge near the Newchapel roundabout.  Resolved:  Ken Harwood to report to TDC.

(viii)      Finance:  The current account balance is currently £2409, with £20,290 in the savings account.  NatWest wrote to say they were introducing charges on both accounts.  The RFO investigated and discovered that this advice should not have been sent to FPC.  FPC accounts will continue to operate free of charge.

(ix)       TDC Development Committee:  The leader of the local Conservative Party has changed the representation on the TDC Development Committee reducing the number of seats from 15 to 10. This has resulted in the loss of a seat for Ken Harwood the District Councillor for Felbridge. It was agreed that considering the extremely high profile of housing development within Felbridge it was unacceptable for the Felbridge electorate to not have a direct input into this Committee.  Resolved:  Clerk to send letters to Gordon Keymer, Peter Ainsworth MP and David Cameron MP expressing our concerns and providing information regarding the level of planning activity within Felbridge.

(x)        Village Fair:  FPC would like their usual pitch.  Jeremy Clarke will erect the stand, which will be manned by councillors.

(xi)       Housman Close Sign:  This sign blocked the view of motorists travelling along Copthorne Road.  Ken Harwood has agreed with Antler Homes that the sign will be moved.  As the existing residents of Housman Close do not want their house numbers changed, the new houses in the extension to this Close will have individual names.

 

6.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Applications Acknowledged 28th April – 2nd May

TA/2008/654:  101 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Demolition of existing garage.  Erection of double garage with store over.  Resolved:  No Action

30/08

 

TA/2008/655:  59 The Chase, Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Erection of single storey rear extension.  Resolved:  No Action

Applications Acknowledged 5th – 9th May

None in Felbridge

Applications Acknowledged 12th – 16th May

None in Felbridge

Applications Acknowledged 19th – 23rd May

None in Felbridge

Applications Acknowledged 26th – 30th May

TA/2008/578:  3 Wembury Park, Newchapel.  Demolition of conservatory.  Erection of rear conservatory.  Resolved:  No Action

TA/2008/755:  Hedgecourt Lake, Mill Lane, Felbridge.  Erection of wall, fence and earth bank on top of dam adjacent to Mill Lane.  (Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed development).  Resolved:  FPC object to the wire mesh fence as it would give no flood defence and are concerned about the lack of pedestrian provision.

TA/2008/805/TPO:  Former Dundori, Twitten Lane, Felbridge.  TPO 169 (T) – fell 2 sweet chestnut trees (T9 and T10 on TPO plan).  Resolved:  FPC object as they have always fought to retain these historic protected trees.

 

7.         CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

(i)         Felbridge School:  A letter has been received regarding an application for Listed Building Consent for the demolition of a detached timber shed.

(ii)        Development at 41 Copthorne Road:  Work has ceased as development only has outline planning consent.  As work has commenced, planning permission is valid indefinitely.

(iii)       Surrey Wildlife Trust:  An invitation has been received to the Extraordinary General Meeting on 18th June.  Resolved:  It was agreed not to send a representative.

(iv)       SCAPTC Training:  A course has been arranged for new councillors on 9th June in Caterham.

(v)        Churchill Farm:  A local resident has reported trailer bodies left in a field behind the farm.  Resolved:  Clerk to inform resident that they are used for annual farm work.

(vi)       Felbridge Village Website:  It has been suggested that FPC have a specific email address on the website – parish.council@felbridgevillage.co.uk .  It was agreed that this would be useful.

(vii)      Skateboard Ramp:  A report has been received from Paul Matten detailing work costing £175 plus VAT.  Resolved:  Clerk to inform 3B Ramps to go ahead with the work.

(viii)      GACC:  A request for membership renewal has been received.  It was agreed that FPC should continue its membership at a cost of £20. 

(ix)       In circulation:  Planning & Regulatory Committee – Enforcement Monitoring Report, 30 Apr 08;  Clerks & Councils Direct, May 08;  LCR Journal, May 08;  GACC Newsletter, May 08;  TDC News Release re Elections on 1 May, 2 May 08;  TDC News Release re illegal advertising, 2 May 08;  TDC News Release re Government Denies Tenants around £200m., 9 May 08;  TVSC Newsletter, May 08;  Email from SCA re Review of Surrey Rural Strategy Project, 12 May 08;  Email from SCAPTC re AGM and 5th Redraft of Constitution, 14 May 08;  Email from LORD re database of roads with lorry problems, 15 May 08;  TDC Council Agenda, 22 May 08;  Surrey Minerals and Waste Development Framework – letter re adoption of plan on 6 May 08;  TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 8 May 08;  TDC Development Control Committee Agenda, 29 May 08;  SEERA Review of Sub-Regional Allocation of Primary Land-won Aggregates

31/08

 

consultation document, 15 May 08;  TDC News Release re New Chairman, 23 May 08;  SCAPTC Update Bulletin, May 08, TDC News Release re National

Bike Week, 3 Jun 08, TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 29 May 08;  TDC Local Development Framework Steering Group Agenda, 2 Jun 08.

 

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

 

632      B. Wright                                 Bus shelter cleaning for June                       £29.38

633      R. White                                   Clerk’s salary for June                 £193.03

634      HM Revenue & Customs          Income Tax for June                                  £48.20

635      R White                                    Office Allowance for June

and Petty Cash for May                           £103.54

636      TVSC                                      Membership Subscription 08/09                £10.00

637      Surrey Wildlife Trust                 Membership Subscription due 01.05.08  £38.00

638      The Felbridge Village Hall         Committee Room hire April 08/09           £157.00

 

9.         ANY OTHER BUSINESS   -   None

 

10.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting will be held on Thursday 3rd July 2008 at 7.30pm.

The meeting closed at approximately 10.40pm.

 

RW  

9 June 2008