48/09

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 1st October 2009

at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

Present:            Mr Ian McBryde (Chairman)

                        Mr Brian Apps

                        Mr Jeremy Clarke

Mrs Joan Harwood

Mrs Bridget Huntington

Mr Michael Sydney (County Councillor)

Mr Ken Harwood (District Councillor)

                        Mrs Rosalind White (in attendance)

 

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Apologies for absence were received from Mrs Linda Hainge and Mr Jacob Woodd

 

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            Joan Harwood declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application TA/2009/986, the nature of the interest being that Mr Harwood had supplied supporting documents and was named in the application.

 

3.         MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

            The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 3rd September 2009 were approved and signed.

 

4.         MATTERS ARISING

 

(i)         43-47 Crawley Down Road:  FPC have written to the company asking them not to park on the grass verges or in the Village Hall Carpark.  TDC have visited the site and have confirmed that no breach of planning control has been identified and there is no condition relating to hours of opening.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact Ian Marshall, FSRA, to ask if FSRA would be interested allowing this company to use their carpark during the week for a fee.

(ii)        Flooding in Copthorne Road:  Colin Pearse, Surrey Highways, will arrange to contact the resident and visit the site.

(iii)       Linden Homes development in Copthorne Road:  TDC are still waiting for a reply from Linden Homes.  To try to avoid a Breach of Conditions Notice, TDC will contact the current owner, Downland Housing Association.

(iv)       Vehicle Activated Signs:   Although PC Moira Cocks has a supply of temporary VAS signs, SCC are unable to erect the poles. 

(v)        Verges:  A letter has been received from Antler Homes confirming that during September they will level out and re-seed the verges near Housman Close.

(vi)       Number of Parish Councillors:  It was unanimously agreed to withdraw this request at this time.  Resolved:  Clerk to draft a letter to the TDC Deputy Leader to establish the rules for procedure.

(vii)      Rules of Common Sign:  Steve Hyder has ordered new signs which will be ready in approx. 8 weeks.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

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(viii)      Village Hall Carpark:  Following the meeting with Nick Dance, Linda Hainge and Jacob Woodd on 15th June, a revised quote has been received for £6,350 plus VAT, which includes ‘Ts’ to mark out the car park spaces.  It was unanimously agreed to go ahead with this quote.  Steve Hyder, TDC, has given his approval to this quote.  The planning application is being prepared.

(ix)       Letter of Complaint to SCC Customer Relations Team:  Jeremy Clarke is still waiting for a formal reply to the letter he sent on 5th May detailing 6 separate complaints that he wants investigating.

(x)        Path from Puffin Crossing:  At a meeting on 22nd May, Steve Hyder, TDC, suggested railings alongside the pavement and a path across the green avoiding the trees.  A quote has been received from Nick Dance for £3,330.  Resolved:  Clerk to write to Linden Homes to request financial assistance.

(xi)       Skateboard Ramp:  It was agreed that 3BRamps should paint the ramp in forest green at a cost of £220 plus VAT.

(xii)      Meetings with County Councillor:  Councillor Michael Sydney is arranging monthly meetings with Parish Clerks starting in October/November and quarterly meetings with Clerks, Chairmen and David Curl, Tandridge Highways Manager.

(xiii)      Management of Public Highway Verges, Ditches and Hedges:  Michael Sydney’s proposal was discussed.  FPC support this proposal in principle and feel that it is a sound plan but would prefer the scheme was run at parish level, possibly tendering the same contractors as adjoining parishes.  FPC also want to see some rebate from SCC.  Timescale – 2010/11 Precept.

(xiv)     Meeting with new SCC Chief Executive:  Michael Sydney has arranged a meeting at Smallfield Village Hall on 10th November to which Clerks and Councillors will be invited.  The Chief Executive will officially open Judges Corner roundabout on this day.

(xv)      TDC Local Committee:  Each County Councillor will be allocated £6,000 to spend on local highway improvements.  Resolved:  Clerk to send list of Felbridge requirements to Michael Sydney.

(xvi)     Footpath along Copthorne Road:  The brambles and hedging is obstructing the footpath between Mill Lane and Hedgecourt Place.  (Reported to SCC on 15.09.09 - Ref 83033899).  SCC CHO has suggested that volunteers could undertake this kind of work.  Resolved:  Clerk to reply to CHO to say that they are not in favour of this suggestion.

(xvii)     Parking at the Junction of Rowplatt Lane and Crawley Down Road:  Letters have been sent to residents nearby.  PC Paul Clifton will attend asap.  Resolved:  If problem persists, Clerk to circulate general letter to residents over a wider area and FPC will request double yellow lines on this corner.

(xviii)    Village Sign:  The owners of the village shop and hairdressers are in favour of a sign on the village green.  Resolved:  Clerk to obtain prices for double-sided finger signs which could perhaps be mounted on the existing road sign.

(xix)     FSRA:  Linda Hainge attended the AGM on 9th September and agreed to stand for a further year.  FSRA will do their utmost to stop vehicles parking on the verges.  The Village Hall Committee will allow 10 cars max. to use the village hall carpark when necessary.

(xx)      Woods behind the Village Hall:  Ken Harwood has reminded TDC that they agreed to tidy the area of the old BMX track after the school holidays.

(xxi)     Local Development Framework – Questionnaire on Sustainability:  FPC have been asked to complete a questionnaire for Domewood and Felbridge by 30th October.  Ian McBryde will complete the Felbridge one and Ken Harwood will complete the Domewood questionnaire.

(xxii)     Planning Meetings:  The Chairman emphasised the need for all councillors to try to attend these meetings and to notify Jeremy Clarke of their availability.

(xxiii)    New Sign on roadside outside Doves Barn:  TDC will investigate the sign advertising Garden Adventure Ltd.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up with TDC.

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(xxiv)    BMX Track/Provision for Older Children:  East Grinstead Sports Club are investigating the possibility of a BMX track on their land and are liaising with TDC and MSDC.  Ken Harwood is liaising with TDC and EGSC.  Jacob Woodd is investigating alternatives for older children within the Village Hall grounds.  TDC would share the cost of fencing the gaps in the existing hedge.

(xxv)    SCAPTC:  FPC have asked SCAPTC for justification/rationale behind the change in method of calculation of their subscriptions.  Michael Sydney agreed to raise this at the AGM on 6th October.

(xxvi)    ESPLG Meeting:  The next meeting will be held on 28th October.  The Clerk and Joan Harwood will attend.

(xxvii)   Bus Shelter in Copthorne Road:  A resident has asked if this shelter can be improved.  Resolved:  Clerk to obtain 3 quotes for seating inside the shelter.

 

5.         FORMAL REVIEW OF EXPENDITURE AND BUDGET

 

            Brian Apps circulated the Budget update as at 30th September 2009 and confirmed that the £7000 balance of Precept had been received.  Clerk to look at CCTV contract for details of servicing.  Brian to prepare Precept details for November meeting.

 

6..        COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(i)         Request under Freedom of Information Act:  A request for financial information was received on 29th August.  The information was collated and a reply sent by email on 13th September.  The invitation to inspect the information has not been taken up.

(ii)        Footpath Clearance along Copthorne Road:  The footpath along the north side of Copthorne Road from the beginning of Footpath 365A near Doves Barn Nursery, westwards to the point where it crosses to the south side of Copthorne Road, and from this point to the county boundary, including the footpath alongside the lay-by into Furnace Wood, is impassable for pushchairs and wheelchairs due to the overgrown edges to the paths and hedges.  Resolved:  Clerk to report to SCC.

(iii)       Accident in Copthorne Road:  At a Casualty Reduction Working Group Meeting on 21st October, the Tandridge Casualty Reduction Officer, WPC Moira Cocks, will ask for this road to be added as a police site, following 6 reported accidents between May and September 2009, one of which was serious.

(iv)       Noise Pollution in Stubb Pond Lane:  Ken Harwood has written to TDC, with a copy to Councillor Michael Sydney.

(v)        Community Infrastructure Levy:  This will succeed the Section 106 levy and is designed to raise money on new builds for infrastructure projects within the district.  The tariff will be finalised, according to size of house, on receipt of planning permission.  It is due to come into effect in April 2010.

(vi)       Clerks’s Salary:  It was agreed that the Clerk’s salary should be increased by 1% backdated to 1st April 2009 in accordance with NALC/SLCC recommendations.  Ian McBryde agreed to carry out an annual appraisal with the Clerk.

Mr Harwood left the meeting.

 

7.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Planning Meeting held on 17th September 2009 – attended by Jeremy Clarke, Brian Apps, Joan Harwood and Ian McBryde.

Mrs Harwood left the meeting.

51/09

 

Applications Acknowledged 1st – 4th September 2009

TA/2009/986:  Churchill Farm, West Park Road, Newchapel.  Erection of barn.  Resolved:  FPC strongly support this application as it supports the sustainability of agriculture in Felbridge.

Applications Acknowledged 7th – 11th September 2009

None in Felbridge

Mrs Harwood returned to the meeting.

Applications Acknowledged 14th – 18th September 2009

TA/2009/1112:  Felbridge Showground, Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Erection of riding arena.  Resolved:  No Action.

 

Parish Council Meeting on 1st October.

 

Applications Acknowledged 14th – 18th September 2009

TA/2009/1021:  St Valery, Herons Lea, Copthorne.  Erection of single storey extensions to north-west wing.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2009/1143:  3 Wembury Park, Newchapel.  Erection of two dormer windows to front roof slope.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2009/1125:  Unit 46, Hobbs Industrial Estate, Newchapel.  Construction of hard standing for storage of equipment.  Erection of warehouse building, staff welfare building and vehicle wash down area all surrounded by 2.4m high palisade fencing.  Erection of 14 x 8.3m high lighting columns.  Resolved:  FPC do not object in principle but are concerned over potential visible impact from green belt and request vegetative screening along northerly boundary fence and height restriction of 3 metres on storage.  FPC also request restrictions on storage of hazardous materials.

 

Applications Acknowledged 21st – 25th September 2009

None in Felbridge

 

TA/2009/902:  Ivy Hatch, Dowlands Lane, Copthorne.  This application was updated.  Resolved:  No Action.

Mr Harwood returned to the meeting.

 

8.         CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

(i)         Surrey County Playing Fields Association:  It was agreed to send a cheque for £25 to cover FPC’s affiliation fee for the year to 31st March 2010.

(ii)        Speeding along A22:  Residents living along the drive to Park Farm, Woodcock Hill are concerned about the traffic speeding along this section of the A22 which makes it very dangerous for residents turning out of this lane.  Clerk has contacted the Speedwatch co-ordinator and WPC Moira Cocks.

(iii)       TDC Local Committee:  The next meeting will be held on 2nd October.

(iv)       Pedestrians crossing Crawley Down Road:  An email has been received from a resident concerned about the difficulties for pedestrians crossing the road from the school to the newly opened village shop, due to the number of parked cars and suggesting a pedestrian crossing.  Resolved:  Clerk to reply suggesting that the reduction in speed limit to 30mph should help.

(v)        GACC:  The AGM will be held on Friday, 13th November at the Gatwick Manor Hotel.  The speaker will be Rt Hon Francis Maude, MP for Horsham.

(vi)       All Things Nice Events:  The organiser of the Lindfield Christmas Festival Night has suggested a similar event in Felbridge.  FPC agreed that this would be a nice idea but do not think it would be well supported in Felbridge.

(vii)      Surrey Community Action:  The joint SCA/SCAPTC AGM will be held on 6th October in East Horsley.

52/09

 

(viii)      Local Works:  A letter has been received asking for donations towards their work on the Sustainable Communities Act.  It was agreed not to send a donation.

(ix)       Surrey Wildlife Trust:  A letter has been received asking for a donation towards their Dormouse Project.  Resolved:  It was agreed to send a donation of £25.

(x)        In circulation:  TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 27 Aug 09;  Stepping Out, Autumn 09;  TDC News Release re Meet Tandridge Business, 9 Sept 09;  Email from SE Coast Ambulance Service, 17 Sept 09;  Surrey Matters, Summer 09;  LCR Autumn, 09;  TDC Planning Committee Agenda, 24 Sept 09;  TDC Licensing Committee Agenda, 30 Sept 09;  Overview $ Scrutiny Committee Agenda, 29 Sept 09;  TDC News Release re Junior Citizen Event, 25 Sept 09;  DisabledGo Launch, 8 Oct 09;  Felbridge Parish News, Oct 09;  TDC Local Strategic Partnership leaflet;  TDC Local Committee Agenda, 2 Oct 09;  TDC Resources Committee Agenda, 1 Oct 09;  TDC News Release re new centre for voluntary services;  TDC News Release re Warlingham Playground;  Surrey County Playing Fields Assoc Annual Report 08/09.

 

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

 

            724      Tandridge District Council         Planning Application for Village

                                                            Hall Carpark improvements                     £85.00

725      B. Wright                                 Bus shelter cleaning for Oct                      £28.75

726      R. White                                   Clerk’s salary for Oct incl backpay       £212.08

727      HM Revenue & Customs          Income Tax for Oct                                 £53.00

728      R White                                    Office Allowance for Oct

and Petty Cash for Sept                           £74.99

729      Soc of Local Council Clerks     Parish Councillors Guide (19th Ed)           £13.60

 

10.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS –

 

            None

 

11.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting will be held on Thursday 5th November 2009 at 7.30pm.

 

The meeting closed at approximately 10.10pm.

 

RW

16 October 2009