08/08

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 6th March 2008

at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

Present:            Mrs Bridget Huntington (Chairman)

                        Mr Brian Apps

                        Mr Jeremy Clarke

                        Mr Ken Harwood

Mr Ken Rimington (attended part of meeting)

                        Mrs Rosalind White (in attendance)

 

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Mrs Linda Hainge and Mr Ian McBryde.

 

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            There were no additions to those previously registered.

 

3.         MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

            The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7th February 2008 were approved and signed.

 

4.         MATTERS ARISING

 

(i)         Overdevelopment in Felbridge:  A reply has been received from EDF stating that they have not identified Felbridge as being an area of high load growth.  They are carrying out some reinforcement for The Birches industrial area and are aware of possible housing development in the Imberhorne Lane area.

(ii)        Vehicle Activated Signs: Information has been received from Roger Mann, TWM Traffic Control Systems.  An email has been received from David Waugh, Senior Traffic Engineer, SCC, confirming that the VAS signs requested for Copthorne Rd and Crawley Down Rd are considered a low priority and funding is not available for them this financial year.

(iii)       Speed Limit Reductions:  Ken Rimington confirmed that implementation should be later this year and that this matter is on the agenda for discussion at the TDC Local Committee Meeting on 7th March.  A reply has been received from Peter Langham, Chairman TDC Local Committee, stating that advertising of these proposals is not a top priority.  The dates given by WSCC of when they provided information to SCC do not agree with the dates given by Surrey Highways.  Ken Rimington agreed to ask Surrey Highways, at the Meeting on 7th March, to provide details and dates of correspondence with WSCC since March 2005

(iv)       A264 Copthorne Road, Puffin Crossing:  Ken Harwood will raise this matter at the TDC Local Committee Meeting on 7th March.

(v)        List of Surrey Highway Repairs: 

(i) Jeremy Clarke has surveyed all the verges along Copthorne Road and has calculated that 250+ posts would be required to protect all the verges.  A county bylaw prohibits parking on or driving across grass verges.  Resolved:  Clerk to draft a letter to residents of Copthorne Road regarding parking on verges.  Clerk


09/08

 

to send a letter to Ken Rimington, with a copy to WPC Moira Cocks, suggesting an area is white-hatched on the bend of the A264 by the entrance to Felbridge Court, posts on the corner of the A22/A264 outside the Star Inn and posts on the pavement alongside the A264 behind the Star Inn.  Ken Harwood to speak to Linden Homes regarding damage on the verges near their development and ask them to agree to reinstate the verges once the development is completed.

            (ii) Surrey Highways have assessed the potholes along Copthorne Road between Doves Barn and the county boundary and those in the lay-by at the entrance to Furnace Wood.

(vi)       Playground:  Due to bad weather the work planned to resurface the remaining grassed area has been delayed.

(vii)      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.  Start date to be confirmed.

(viii)      Youth Shelter:  It was agreed to discuss this at a future meeting.

(ix)       Felbridge Sports & Recreation Association:  A reply is awaited to FPC’s letters stating that the money must be used for a physical object of benefit to parishioners.  Resolved:  Clerk to phone Mr Voller.

(x)        Oak Farm Hedge:  Jo Sanford, TDC Planning Dept, has confirmed that the fence has now been cut back.  Resolved:  It was agreed that the Clerk should sent a letter to Bob Evans, TDC, to pass on FPC’s thanks for the way Jo Sanford has handled this matter and all FPC’s other enquiries.

(xi)       Information Leaflet:  Final draft has been agreed.  It was agreed that up to £100 could be spent on printing costs.  New telephone number for Village Hall Bookings and details of the new councillor need to be added.

(xii)      A22 outside Glendale:  The dip in the road has not been repaired.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

(xiii)      Development Statement:  Mona Johansson has suggested that Paul Hartley from SCAPTC may be able to assist with this.

(xiv)     Football Club:  The gate to the carpark has been left open.  Jonathan Bruce confirmed that, although this is not a public carpark, the public do have access to park their cars.

(xv)      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 turned round.  Resolved:  Clerk to report to SCC.

(xvi)     Crawley Down Road Verges:  Jonathan Bruce has agreed to put in more posts in the next financial year.  The verges will also be re-seeded.

(xvii)     Linden Homes Sign:  The sign has not been removed from the front of no. 48 Copthorne Road.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up with Linden Homes.

(xviii)    Village Shop Closure:  A reply has been received from Bob Evans explaining that presumably the enforcement notice was served in Cambridgeshire because there had been a change of use from retail to residential without planning consent.  Resolved:  Clerk to write to Bob Evans, TDC Planning, with a copy to Ken Harwood, pointing out that structural alterations are taking place and to ask if a certificate for multiple occupancy is required.

(xix)     Surrey Highways: FPC are concerned that Surrey Highways send their comments to TDC on planning applications before the end of the consultation period and therefore have not taken account of all comments made by other parties.  They have a legal obligation to consult.

10/08

 

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

(xxi)     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.

(xxii)     Travel Lodge on A22:  The broken fence has been reported to the Spirit Group who own this site.

(xxiii)    Resignation:  It was agreed that the two potential candidates should be invited to a meeting at 7pm on Thursday, 20th March.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact candidates.

 

5.         COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(i)         SCC Council Tax:  It has been agreed that the rise will be 4.8% this year.  The funding from Central Government is £205 per resident in Surrey, compared with a UK average of £595.

(ii)        School Admissions:  SCC have confirmed that children from Lingfield and Dormansland will get priority for places at Oxted secondary school.

(iii)       SCC Highways:  The contract with Carillion has been extended by two years.  The new TDC Community Highway Officer is Colin Pearce.

(iv)       Community Gang:  will be in this area w/c 10.3.08 and w/c 28.4.08 and then every six weeks.

(v)        Surrey’s Past:  A new website has been set up www.exploringsurrey.org.uk.

(vi)       Speed Cameras:  At fixed camera sites, there has been a 47% reduction in collisions and a 72% reduction in collisions involving death or serious injury.  In 2007 Surrey Police issued 3319 fixed penalty notices for using hand held mobile phones whilst driving.

Mr Rimington left the meeting.

(vii)      Gullivers Café Notices:  There are 3 notices on trees and a board on the southbound carriageway of the A22, advertising this café inside Beaver Water Farm.  Resolved:  Clerk to send an email to Jo Sanford.

(viii)      Parking outside School:  PC Paul Clifton has been enforcing parking outside the school which is causing a massive backlog of cars along Crawley Down Road.

(ix)       St John’s House:  Ken Harwood will make enquiries as to where the sewer crosses Copthorne Road.

(x)        CCTV:  It was agreed that an extra camera is required to record registration numbers of cars entering and exiting the gateway.  Resolved:  Clerk to obtain quote.

(xi)       MSDC Core Strategy & Sustainability Appraisal:  Jeremy Clarke agreed to draft a response from FPC to be agreed by all councillors prior to the deadline of 20th March.  He also agreed to draft a letter to be delivered to all residents with the PRC leaflet. 

(xii)      Vice Chairman:  Bridget Huntington proposed that Ian McBryde take over as Vice Chairman, seconded by Jeremy Clarke, with a view to Ian taking over as Chairman from July 2008.

(xiii)      Street Name for Dundori Development:  It was agreed to suggest Chestnut Grove, Chestnut Way and Twitten Lane.  Resolved:  Clerk to send email to TDC.

(xiv)     Trees with TPO’s:  Ken Harwood agreed to contact Bob Evans to ask if there is a method of identification of these trees on a development site.

Mr Harwood left the meeting.

11/08

 

6.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Applications Acknowledged 4th – 8th February

TA/2008/170:  Marinoll, Effingham Road, Copthorne.  Demolition of Garage.  Erection of single storey extension and dormer window to rear roof slope.  (Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed development)  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 11th – 15th February

None in Felbridge.

Applications Acknowledged 18th – 22nd February

None in Felbridge

Applications Acknowledged 25th – 29th February

TA/2008/211:  Birchwood, Effingham Road, Copthorne.  Erection of rear conservatory.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2008/267:  Hedgecourt Place, Felbridge.  Erection of gates to entrance of Hedgecourt Place.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2008/278:  The Acorns, 45 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Demolition of garage.  Erection of single storey side extensions with insertion of roof lights to roof slope to east elevation.  Resolved:  No Action.

Mr Harwood returned to the meeting.

 

7.         CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

(i)         Woodland in Mill Lane:  A letter has been received from a resident querying ownership of a piece of woodland, around which a fence was erected in February 2007.  Resolved:  Clerk to write to resident confirming that the woodland belongs to Ash Farm.

(ii)        Surrey Police:  A Spring 2008 newsletter has been circulated to councillors, which includes dates of Felbridge Neighbourhood Panel meetings. 

(iii)       Bus Shelter Cleaning:  Brian Wright has increased his charge by £1 + VAT. per month.

(iv)       Society of Local Council Clerks:  FPC agreed to pay the Clerk’s annual subscription of £70.

(v)        Village Website:  The website team have suggested that they could pay for a perpetual banner to help advertise the annual village fete.  Resolved:  Clerk to reply stating that FPC are in favour.

(vi)       WRVS:  A letter has been received asking for a donation in support of emergency services.  Resolved:  Clerk to reply asking for information on any local events the WRVS are involved in.

(vii)      Surrey Wildlife Trust:  A request has been received for a donation towards grazing projects.  Resolved:  It was agreed not to send a donation as the projects are not within the Felbridge area.

(viii)      In circulation:  TDC News Release re Weekly Recycling, 15th Feb 08;  TDC News Release re Council Tax Increases, 15th Feb 08;  TDC Development Control Committee Agenda, 21st Feb 08;  TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 13th Feb 08;  Email from Environment Agency re advisory committees, 21st Feb 08;  TDC News Release re A to Z of Local Services, 20th Feb 08;  TDC News Release re Electoral Register, 20th Feb 08;  TDC News Release re Postal Votes, 20th Feb 08;  Email from SCAPTC re new constitution and meeting dates, 29th Feb 08;  Brochure on St George’s Day, 08;  TDC News Release re Playgrounds, 3rd Mar 08;  TDC News Release re New Parking Rules, 3rd Mar 08;  TDC Planning & Environment Committee Agenda, 27th Feb 08;  TDC Local Committee Agenda, 7th Mar 08;  Surrey Police Newsletter, Spring 08;  LCR Journal, Mar 08;  TDC


12/08

 

Community Services Committee Agenda, 6th Mar 08;  TDC News Release re Easter Collections, 5th Mar 08.

 

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

 

612      Security Systems                      Supply & install UPS for CCTV             £270.25

613      B. Wright                                 Bus shelter cleaning for Feb                      £29.38

614      R. White                                   Clerk’s salary for Mar                            £188.21

615      HM Revenue & Customs          Income Tax for Mar                                 £53.02

616      R White                                    Office Allowance for Mar

and Petty Cash for Feb               £108.79

617      The Society of Local Council Clerks – Annual Subscription                       £70.00

618      Surrey Air Ambulance Fund      Contribution  towards helicopter             £100.00

619      B. Apps                                   RFO Expenses 2007/08                           £37.05

 

9.         ANY OTHER BUSINESS

            A fence has been erected against the footpath by two new properties in Copthorne Road.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact Jo Sanford, TDC Planning.

 

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

 

The meeting closed at approximately 10.25pm.

 

RW  

19 March 2008