22/09

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 7th May 2009

at 8.10pm in the Village Hall, following the Annual Parish Meeting

 

Present:            Mr Ian McBryde (Chairman)

                        Mr Brian Apps

                        Mr Jeremy Clarke

Mrs Joan Harwood

Mrs Bridget Huntington

                        Mr Jacob Woodd

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

 

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 2nd April 2009 were approved and signed.

 

4.         MATTERS ARISING

 

(i)         Linden Homes development in Copthorne Road:  TDC Planning have received a reply from Affinity Sutton (the affordable housing provider) assuring them that the issue regarding the solar panels was being investigated.  Ken Harwood has contacted Linden Homes again regarding the issue of street lighting and his suggestion that this be replaced with low level lighting.

(ii)        Vehicle Activated Signs:  Ken Rimington reported that SCC have no plans for funding VAS signs in the foreseeable future.  If Parishes wish to pay for signs, SCC engineers will need to agree sites etc.  A reply is awaited to FPC’s letter to the Chairman of the TDC Local Committee requesting funding for VAS signs in Felbridge.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up with David Hodge.

(iii)       Speed Limit Reductions:  Mr Peter Ainsworth MP has received a letter from Jenny Isaac, Head of Surrey Highways, saying that the legal speed limit order and the site work are now planned for the coming financial year. 

(iv)       List of Surrey Highway Repairs:

(i) A22 outside Glendale - The dip in the road (reported 03.03.08 – Ref 82061107) was defected by the CHO and the utility company has been asked to carry out repairs.  On 27.03.09 the CHO reported that he is unable to progress this repair soon.  In the new financial year he will report this as an HSI defect.

(ii) Copthorne Road – The bad hump by the puffin crossing (Re-reported to SCC 14.10.08 – Ref 82093067) has been inspected by the CHO and is on the repair list.  On 27.03.09 CHO reported that this should be repaired by Sutton and East Surrey Water Board.

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(iii) Copthorne Road – On 27.03.09 CHO reported that he now has a specification for the work method which he is trying to monitor.  He is monitoring how well defects wear if fixed in the quick way, instead of a full cut and patch repair.

(iv) Storm Water Drains in Copthorne Road outside No. 51 and opposite the new development at 41 Copthorne Road are broken (reported to SCC (Ref. 82091180 29.09.08).  CHO confirmed 27.03.09 that drains have been ordered and the Community Gang could carry out the work w/c 6th April.

(v) Footpath outside Stone Cottage still needs clearing alongside A22 – (re-reported to SCC on 21.10.08 Ref. 82093891).  SCC confirmed on 7.5.09 that this is still on the SCC list.

(vi) Missing drain cover – south side of Copthorne Road, opposite bus stop on north side, close to entrance to Domewood.  Reported to SCC on 2.3.09 (Ref 83008386 – reported immediately to CHO as considered dangerous).

(vii) Road Sign in Copthorne Road outside Mulberry Gate – EG Access Group have confirmed that the sign meets minimum standard of 1.2m.  The minimum standard has now increased to 1.5m but is not retrospective.

(viii) On 07.03.09 Jeremy Clarke carried out a survey of all adopted roads within Felbridge and reported 107 defects to SCC.  (Ref Nos. 62903460, 62903458, 62903420, 62903456, 62903455).  Resolved:  Clerk to ask SCC for action codes on the road defects.

(ix) Pedestrians crossing at The Star traffic lights – EG Access Group are concerned about the safety of pedestrians at these traffic lights.  The Felbridge Safety Study included pedestrian crossing lights at The Star in the financial year following the lowering of the speed limits.  Resolved:  Clerk to send to EG Access Group copies of FPC’s correspondence with SCC on suggested improvements at this junction.

(v)        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.

(vi)       Crawley Down Road Street Lights:  4 lights near Oak Farm Place are still not working (Ref 90084036).  EDF were asked to leave the site on 20.08.08 by a resident as the cables are on 3rd party land.  Still no progress.

(vii)      Verges:  Ken Harwood sent a follow-up letter to Antler Homes on 5th May asking for the repairs to the verges near Housman Close to be carried out as a matter of urgency.

(viii)      Crawley Down Road:  WPC Moira Cocks has asked the Tandridge RPCSOs to carry out checks along Crawley Down Road and Copthorne Road.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask Moira for results of their visits.

(ix)       Number of Parish Councillors:  Clerk has sent a letter to the Electoral Services Manager at TDC requesting an increase in the number of FPC councillors from 7 to 8.

(x)        Rules of Common Sign:  Steve Hyder will ask his supervisor to have a look at the sign with a view to replacing it.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

(xi)       Speedwatch:  WPC Moira Cocks has re-calibrated the speed watch radar and returned it to Graeme Stagg.  She will also check out a site near to The Limes.

(xii)      Footpaths:  SCC will provide definitive maps and statements for all footpaths within Felbridge parish after they are updated in April..

(xiii)      Parish Council Lengthsman Pilot Scheme:  This is being tested in the Dorking area.  Ken Rimington provided a copy of a draft agreement between SCC and a parish council.  Resolved:  It was agreed that FPC would consider this scheme once the results of the Dorking experiment are known.

(xiv)     Stub Pond Lane:  A reply has been received from David Munro, Executive Member for Highways, stating that on further inspection this road was found to be unsuitable for surface dressing.  Instead, Asset Planning Group engineers,


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local engineers and SCC’s constructor partners will visit the site to determine the best course of treatment.  He also confirmed that Rowplatt Lane is not suitable for surface treatment and needs major maintenance.  It is on the list for review.

(xv)      Letter from PRC:  A reply has been received from Paul Newdick, TDC, stating that TDC does not have the expertise to comment on traffic models.  Resolved:  Clerk to write to Mr W. Bryans, SCC Transport Studies Team Manager, to ask for his comments on the traffic modelling and impacts.

(xvi)     Bike Track:  Ken Harwood and the Chairman will arrange a meeting with Steve Hyder and Paul Newdick at TDC to discuss options available.

(xvii)     Village Hall Carpark:  A meeting has been arranged with Steve Hyder, TDC, Jacob Woodd and the Clerk on 14th May.  Nick Dance has confirmed that his quotation dated 25th April 2008 remains unchanged.

(xviii)    Noticeboard outside Village Hall:  The noticeboard has been cleared.  Resolved:  Jeremy Clarke to supply a coloured copy of the footpaths map.

(xix)     Bridleway 257:  A serious accident has occurred at the junction of this bridleway and Newchapel Road.  Ken Harwood has informed TDC and the Planning Inspectorate.

 

 

5.         COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(i)         Surrey Highways:  Ken Rimington provided a copy of SCC’s Integrated Transport Schemes – Programme and Review dated March 06 and the revised Road Maintenance Prioritisation Criteria and Weightings 2010.

            Mr Rimington thanked FPC for their support and the Chairman thanked Mr Rimington for everything he had done for Felbridge, particularly the Judges Corner roundabout, and wished him well in his retirement.

Mr Rimington left the meeting.

(ii)        TDC Local Committee:  Jeremy Clarke has sent a FOI request to SCC as the Chairman, David Hodge, has been unable to confirm what actions are outstanding.

(iii)       Letter of Complaint to SCC Customer Relations Team:  Jeremy Clarke has sent a letter detailing 6 separate complaints that he wants investigating.

(iv)       Village Hall:  Jacob Woodd confirmed a Tripartite Grant has been awarded to the Village Hall Committee to enable them to replace the front door, the entry system, and the floor in the Club Room.  A major electrical inspection has been carried out in the village hall and important remedial work has been done.  Resolved:  Jacob Woodd to provide Jeremy Clarke with a copy of the section of the electrical report relating to the CCTV equipment.

(v)        Woodcock Garage:  Repairs have been carried out to the existing building.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask TDC to check that the work has planning permission.

(vi)       Puffin Crossing:  A track is appearing across the village green from the puffin crossing.  Resolved:  Clerk to speak to Steve Hyder on 14th May about a permanent path.  Clerk to contact SCC to ask if the puffin crossing is correctly calibrated, as pedestrians have a long wait before the traffic is stopped.

(vii)      Annual Accounts as at 30.03.09: 

            (i) The Statement of Accounts has been agreed by the Internal Auditor.  The accounts were approved by the Council and recorded as minute reference 5(vii)(i).

            (ii) The Annual Governance Statement was approved by the Council and recorded as minute reference 5(vii)(ii).

            (iii) The internal auditor made 3 recommendations:-

               (a) Data Protection Act – The Clerk may have information about individuals recorded electronically on her computer in the form of emails or correspondence


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and will need to register as a Data Controller.  Resolved:  The Finance Officer will query the need for this registration with the internal auditor.

   (b) Cheque Signing – When signing cheques, councillors should also sign the relevant cheque stubs or an invoice summary.  This was agreed and added to the Risk Assessment Schedule.

   (c) Book-keeping Back-ups should be carried out regularly and held in a separate location to the original information .  It was agreed that the Finance Officer will email the current year’s accounting information to the Clerk monthly, and added to the Risk Assessment Schedule.

(viii)      Bus Stops on A264 Copthorne Road between Village Green and Dukes Head:  Metrobus have advised that the 638 and 648 services operate as school routes and the bus stops exist only for these routes.  A direct service between Felbridge and the Dukes Head will be considered for the future but there are currently no plans to divert any Crawley Down routes.

(ix)       Barongs at Doves Barn:  A new free-standing conservatory has been erected.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask TDC to investigate.

(x)        NatWest Interest Rates:  The Finance Officer confirmed that FPC cannot have an internet account as two signatures are required for bank transfers.

(xi)       Eden Brook:  A meeting was held at Hedgecourt Lake on 5th May with TDC, the Environment Agency and Ken Harwood.  The EA and TDC are investigating the damming of Eden Brook.  The work on the wall by Hedgecourt Lake is now finished and the Sailing Club have been asked to provide a life saving ring and bushes along the bank.

(xii)      Use of Email:  It was agreed that email could be used for communicating in between meetings, but no decisions should be made outside of the FPC meetings.  Joan Harwood will continue to print off urgent emails for Linda Hainge and Jeremy Clarke will continue to print off all emails approx. fortnightly for Linda.

 

6.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Planning Meeting held on 16th April 2009 - attended by Brian Apps, Joan Harwood, Linda Hainge, Ian McBryde and Jeremy Clarke.

Applications Acknowledged 30th March – 3rd April

TA/2009/251: Mere, New Domewood, Copthorne.  Erection of detached double garage.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2009/309:  Woodpeckers, Snow Hill, Crawley Down.  Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 91 bedroom budget travel hotel with car parking and ancillary works (Consultation by MSDC).  Resolved:  FPC object to this outline application due to its bulk and size in relation to the existing buildings, the significant negative impact in this rural area, lessening of the strategic gap between East Grinstead and Crawley, increase car journeys on an overloaded local infrastructure.  The proposed association between the hotel and the Duke’s Head Restaurant will cause a loss of this excellent restaurant amenity for the local community as demand for tables will far exceed capacity. The sizing of the hotel includes for a 30% increase at Gatwick, but this proposal is directly linked to APH Parking at Crawley Down Garage which is currently at maximum capacity.  The 30% growth of Gatwick is also supported by improved travel infrastructure schemes to reduce the numbers of travellers arriving by car, this proposal has taken no account of these larger strategic initiatives.  FPC insist that further independent studies are undertaken to prove that a future significant demand is present and cannot be met by growth of existing facilities to overcome the negative impact on the environment generated by this proposal.

Applications Acknowledged 6th – 10th April

TA/2009/283:  Land rear of 48, 50 and 46 Copthorne Road.  Erection of 2 detached houses, 1 x 4 bed and 1 x 3 bed with associated garages.  (Variation to Planning Permission TA/2006/1611).  Resolved:  No Action.

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TA/2009/223:  Peacock Lodge, Eastbourne Road, Newchapel.  Retention of 6 x fascia mounted lamps and 2 x low level wall lamps to east elevation and 5 x fascia mounted lamps to north elevation, and retention of 4 x wall top mounted lanterns adjacent to highway entrance and exit.  Resolved:  FPC request that a planning restriction is placed upon this application to require the lights to be turned off at night after the restaurant has closed to reduce the light pollution impact.  FPC support the application as long as the spot lights (excl lanterns) do not overspill light beyond the property boundary.

Applications Acknowledged 13th – 17th April

None in Felbridge

 

Parish Council Meeting held on 7th May 2009

Applications Acknowledged 20th – 24th April

None in Felbridge

Applications Acknowledged 27th April – 1st May

TA/2009/402:  Orchard Croft, Crawley Down Road, Crawley Down.  Demolition of existing garage and erection of detached ‘granny’ annexe (Consultation by Adjoining Authority).  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2009/360:  Tanglewood, Herons Lea, Copthorne.  Erection of extension to existing garage.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2009/369:  The Homestead, Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Erection of two storey extension to west flank elevation.  Resolved:  In principle FPC have no comment but the plans do contravene the Core Strategy as the plan shows a 46% increase in gross external floor area which exceeds the guidelines.

 

7.         CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

(i)         Insurance:  Came and Company have notified FPC that the renewal premium inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax for the year commencing 1st June 2009 will be £741.12.  Resolved:  It was agreed to continue with this policy with Norwich Union.

(ii)        TVSC:  An invitation has been received to their network lunch on 14th May. 

(iii)       Power of Wellbeing Briefings:  SLCC plan to hold briefing sessions and have invited expressions of interest.  Resolved:  It was agreed that FPC councillors would prefer to attend a briefing session once Burstow Parish Council can show benefit to other councils.

(iv)       Bus Shelter on Copthorne Road:  A resident of Whittington College has asked if this bus shelter could be replaced with one of those sited on the A22, owned by Adshel.  TDC have informed FPC that the cost would be in excess of £2,000.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact the resident to explain that this will not be possible.

(v)        Surrey Police Authority:  An invitation has been received to the next public meeting on 13th May in Godalming.

(vi)       The Big Lunch:  A letter has been received from the TVSC Chairman regarding a suggestion for a nationwide lunch on 19th July.  Resolved:  It was agreed that this idea is unlikely to be followed up by residents.

(vii)      Surrey Wildlife Trust:   An invitation to renew FPC’s membership has been received at a cost of £38.  Resolved:  It was agreed to renew.

(viii)      In circulation:  TDC Resources Committee Agenda, 26 Mar 09;  TDC Overview & Scrutiny Committee Agenda, 7 Apr 09;  TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 2 Apr 09;  TDC Licensing Committee Agenda, 8 Apr 09;  Surrey Community Action Magazine, Spring 09;  Surrey Matters, Spring 09;  TDC News Release re Junior Citizen Scheme, 7 Apr 09; TDC Planning Committee Agenda, 23 Apr 09;  TDC News Release re Chairman’s Golf Day, 24 Apr 09;  Equality and Human Rights Commission leaflet, Apr 09;  TDC Special Housing Committee Agenda, 30 Apr 09;  TDC News Release re Illegal Clothing Collection, 30 Apr 09;  List of TDC Meetings May-July 09;  The Playing Field Newsletter, Spring 09;  Letter


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from Local Works re Sustainable Communities Act and Green Energy Bill;  NCYPE The Voice, Spring 09;  TDC Council Agenda, 30 Apr 09;  TDC News Releases re voting at elections on 4th June;  NALC Bulletin, 1 May 09.

 

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

 

696      B. Wright                                 Bus shelter cleaning for May                    £28.75

697      R. White                                   Clerk’s salary for May              £198.46

698      HM Revenue & Customs          Income Tax for May                                £49.40

699      R White                                    Office Allowance for May

and Petty Cash for April                          £87.70

700      Broker Network Ltd                Norwich Union Insurance Premium       £741.12

701      Information Commissioner        Registration of Data Controller    £35.00

            (cheque not signed)

702      Peter Frost                               Internal Audit fee                                  £123.00

 

9.         ANY OTHER BUSINESS –

 

(i)         It has been reported to TDC that a 14thC moated site at Hedgecourt (a scheduled ancient monument) has been destroyed.

(ii)        Felbridge School are holding a Western Night on 9th May at the Village Hall. 

(iii)       The new owners of the Felbridge Village Store have applied for a premises licence.  Resolved:  Clerk to write to new owners to ask for an update on progress.

 

10.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting will be held on Thursday 4th June 2009 at 7.30pm.

 

The meeting closed at approximately 10.30pm.

RW 13 May 2009