18/08

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 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING held on Thursday, 1^st May 2008

at 7.00pm in the Village Hall

Present: Mrs Bridget Huntington (Chairman)

Mr Brian Apps

Mr Jeremy Clarke

Mr Ian McBryde

Mrs Linda Hainge

Mrs Joan Harwood

Mr Jacob Woodd

Mr Ken Harwood

Mrs Rosalind White (in attendance)

The Chairman introduced herself and welcomed 21 people to the meeting including Parish Councillors.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Mr Ken Rimington - County Councillor, Mrs C Stafford, Mr and Mrs P Robinson, Mrs R. Bingham, Rev S. Bowen, PC Paul Clifton, PCSO Julie Watson, Mr G. Stagg, Mrs C Hunter, Mr P Wickenden.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Thursday, 7^th June 2007 were noted, having been signed previously.

3. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.

4. REPORT FROM CHAIRMAN OF PARISH COUNCIL

Planning has once again featured high on the council’s agenda. Planning is always an emotive issue, whether you are hoping to see an application permitted or denied. What concerns the majority of residents are the multiple house sites which during construction can cause considerable disruption. Additional houses means further stress on already busy roads and oversubscribed school places. What is clear to the council is that due to current government policy, virtually any green space within the permitted development area may be targeted for new housing. Our unique position on the Sussex/Surrey boarder also means that planning issues in Mid Sussex as well as our own district affect us. As a Parish Council we view and comment where appropriate on every planning application for Felbridge, whilst keeping an eye on planning issues in neighbouring areas. It will be interesting to see if the slow down in the housing market translates into the slow down in multiple house applications.

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The Puffin Crossing has also been on our agenda, with Ken Harwood fighting hard to resist Surrey Highways insistence that the crossing is moved to a position originally deemed less safe than the current one. Whilst the new position is only a short distance west, it will directly inconvenience 2 of our residents, which the current position does not.

This year saw the introduction of our Speed Watch scheme, which is now up and running. With parts of the Copthorne and Crawley Down Roads soon to be reduced to 30mph they should find it’s a busy year to come.

Last year saw the installation of new playground equipment and 2 months ago the council funded all weather surfacing for the remaining grass areas within the park. With the new fencing installed by Tandridge District Council and the additional footpath from the car park, the area is now rejuvenated However, we do not intend to stop there and the council are now looking to provide a meeting place and seating in the form of a youth shelter for the older children and teenagers in the village.

There have been a few changes on the Council this year. At Christmas our youngest council member and Vice Chairman Marian Winn resigned due to family commitments. This left us with a vacancy for councillor and Vice Chair. Ian McBryde subsequently agreed to be Vice Chair, taking up the position last month. Also last month Ken Harwood who was juggling the duel roles of Parish and District Councillor stood down from his parish role. This now means we have two new Councillors. Joan Harwood and Jacob Woodd. I’m sure you will wish them both well for their time on the council.

Finally I would like to thank all of the Parish Councillors for the time, which they give freely to the Parish.

Jeremy and also Ian who deal with planning matters. Both have valuable planning experience; Jeremy in particular gives extra time to responding to Tandridge on the council’s behalf.

Brian in his capacity as finance officer. Brian ensues that each audit at least for the rest of us is painless.

Linda and her husband Derek who continue to provide extra services, such as painting the notice boards and bus shelter on Crawley Down road.

Ken Harwood, who never shies away from addressing any issue he feels will be of benefit or not to Felbridge. I’m glad he is on our side.

And of course Ros, our Parish Clerk, for her hard work and most importantly providing the biscuits for our meetings.

Thank you

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Chairman invited questions or comments from the floor. A resident asked for clarification over the roads proposed for the reduced speed limits. The Chairman confirmed that the scheme would reduce all of the 40mph speed restrictions in

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Copthorne Road, Crawley Down Road, Mill Lane and all adopted side turnings to 30mph restrictions.

Mr Spencer Attwell thanked Felbridge Parish Council on behalf of the Village Hall Committee for their work over the past year.

Mr Ken Harwood reported on a meeting at Tandridge District Council offices at Oxted, to which approx. 400 residents came, concerning the TDC Core Strategy. A new set of planning rules are required to replace the District Plan drawn up in 2001. The new Core Strategy could include plans to build on green belt and development within Felbridge.

Mr Harwood also reported on two recent burglaries in Copthorne Road, one during the night whilst the residents were there. He would like to arrange for a group of local people who might be willing to phone other residents and keep a watch when an incident/burglary occurs, so that support and information can be given to the police. Another resident suggested a list of phone numbers of volunteers could be circulated.

A resident asked about the proposed DIY development on the corner of Imberhorne Lane, which is still under consideration by MSDC.

Lis Scott announced that the Village Fair would be held on 21^st June.

The Annual Parish Meeting closed at 7.50pm.

6 May 2008

RW