13/08

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 3^rd April 2008

at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

Present:            Mrs Bridget Huntington (Chairman)

                        Mr Brian Apps

Mrs Linda Hainge

                        Mr Ian McBryde

Mr Ken Harwood (attended part of meeting)

                        Mrs Rosalind White (in attendance)

 

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Mr Jeremy Clarke and Mr Ken Rimington.

 

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            There were no additions to those previously registered.

 

The Chairman announced that Mr Ken Harwood has decided to resign as a Parish Councillor.  FPC therefore have a vacancy for two councillors.  The Chairman proposed a motion which was seconded by Ian McBryde and Linda Hainge that Mrs Joan Harwood and Mr Jacob Woodd be co-opted onto Felbridge Parish Council.  Mrs Harwood and Mr Woodd joined the remainder of the meeting.

 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Andy Yule from Felbridge School Governors and WPC Moira Cocks from Surrey Police.  A discussion followed about parking issues, particularly at school times, which has been aggravated by contractors’ vehicles from the Linden Homes development.  Andy Yule pointed out that the school are concerned about the safety of children and staff and this subject has been discussed at governors’ meetings.  Letters have been sent to parents and articles placed in school newsletters asking for consideration when parking near the school.  Bridget Huntington suggested a walking bus from the carpark at the Felbridge Sports Ground, which could perhaps be introduced during Walk to School Week, w/c 19^th May.  Moira Cocks suggested car sharing and said that ultimately zigzag lines outside schools will be enforceable.  She also felt that parents need educating to park safely outside schools.  PC Paul Clifton has spoken to the Linden Homes’ contractors and Moira Cocks will visit the site again and update FPC.  Moira suggested a Surrey Police item with the Surrey Police Crest in a school newsletter.  The school was asked to point out to parents that the village hall carpark is not a public carpark and therefore parents should not park there unless they are using the village hall.

 

The Chairman welcomed Jenni Nuttall, the new reporter from the East Grinstead Courier.

 

3.         MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

            The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6^th March 2008 were approved and signed.

14/08

 

4.         MATTERS ARISING

 

(i)         Overdevelopment in Felbridge:  Replies are awaited from Surrey Education Authority and SGN Connections.

(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:  Jeremy Clarke has written a further letter to Peter Langham, Chairman TDC Local Committee, enclosing a formal request to SCC for all documents and communications since March 2005.  Once the speed limit reductions have been implemented, flashing signs near the school reducing the speed limit to 20mph at school times were suggested.

(iv)       A264 Copthorne Road, Puffin Crossing:  Ken Harwood is trying to arrange a site meeting with SCC, TDC and our local MP.

(v)        List of Surrey Highway Repairs: 

(i)  A draft letter to residents of Copthorne Road regarding parking on verges was agreed.  Ken Rimington has passed our letter 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, to Surrey Highways, who have promised a response within 20 working days.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up with Linden Homes regarding damage on the verges near their development and ask them to confirm that they will reinstate the verges once the development is completed.

            (ii) A reminder has been sent to Surrey Highways regarding the potholes along Copthorne Road between Doves Barn and the county boundary and those in the lay-by at the entrance to Furnace Wood, which are getting worse.

(vi)       Playground:  The work to resurface the remaining grassed area has been completed.

(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 but still cannot confirm a start date.

(viii)      Youth Shelter:  It was agreed to obtain brochures and pricing and visit the youth shelter at The Ark, Turners Hill.

(ix)       Felbridge Sports & Recreation Association:  A letter has been received from Mr Voller confirming that FPC’s donation was spent on a new table tennis outfit and chairs in the lounge.  Resolved:  Linda Hainge agreed to inspect.

(x)        Information Leaflet:  Final draft will include the names of the two new councillors.  It was agreed that up to £100 could be spent on printing costs. 

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

(xii)      Development Statement:  Anne Bott has replaced Paul Hartley at SCAPTC and may be able to assist with this.

(xiii)      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 now broken.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up with SCC.

(xiv)     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.

15/08

 

(xv)      Village Shop Closure:  TDC Planning are monitoring the situation.

(xvi)     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.

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

(xviii)    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.

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

(xx)      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.

(xxi)     St John House:  TDC have confirmed that the sewer pipe does not impact on the Linden Homes development.

(xxii)     CCTV:  Security Systems have been asked to quote for an extra camera directed towards the gateway.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

(xxiii)    Street Name for Dundori Development:  TDC have confirmed that the name will be Twitten Lane.

(xxiv)    Trees with TPO’s:  TDC agreed to visit the Dundori site to identify the trees with TPO’s.

(xxv)    Fence in Copthorne Road:  An email has been sent to Jo Sanford, TDC Planning regarding fences erected against the footpath by nos. 55 and 57 Copthorne Road.

 

5.         COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(i)         Year End Figures:  Figures for the year ending 31^st March 2008 were circulated subject to audit.

(ii)        Insurance:  Came & Co, who specialise in policies for parish councils, have given a quotation through Norwich Union with increased cover.  The current excess with Allianz is £125.  The excess with Norwich Union would be £250.  For the 12 month period from 1^st June 2008 Allianz have quoted £979;  Norwich Union have quoted £797 for a 1 yr policy with a 5% reduction for a 3 year agreement.  It was unanimously agreed to take out a 3 yr agreement with Norwich Union.  Resolved:  It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Village Hall Committee asking them to insure the CCTV equipment as it is on Village Hall premises.

(iii)       FPC Precept:  A resident has queried the increase for 2008/09 and has asked for details of FPC’s expenditure.  Resolved:  It was agreed that Brian Apps would send a copy of FPC’s budget to the resident.

(iv)       Rubbish in Woods:  Rubbish has accumulated in the woods behind the village hall alongside Copthorne Road.  Resolved:  Clerk to report to Amenity Services.

(v)        Water Board Inspection Cover:  The centre of the inspection cover in Rowplatt Lane at the junction with Copthorne Road is missing and needs urgent attention.  Resolved:  Clerk to report to East Surrey Water Company.

(vi)       Thornhurst Sign:  A yellow sign has been left on a telegraph pole in Copthorne Road.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact Antler Homes.

(vii)      Daffodil Bulbs:  It was agreed that up to £30 could be spent on daffodil bulbs for the common land along Crawley Down Rd and the triangle at the end of Rowplatt Lane.  Resolved:  Linda Hainge to arrange.

16/08

 

(viii)      Quad Bikes:  These have been used in the fields behind The Limes.  This has been reported to TDC. 

(ix)       Felbridge Showground Sign:  An old sign along Copthorne Road needs repairing or removing.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact Felbridge Showground.

 

6.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Applications Acknowledged 3^rd – 7^th March

TA/2006/1285/D:  41 & Land r/o 43 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Demolition of 41 Copthorne Road.  Erection of 3 detached dwellings and 2 semi-detached dwellings with associated access.  (Reserved matters)  Resolved:  Although FPC accept that outline consent has been granted, they are concerned about road safety on A264.  FPC also ask that amount of street lighting at entrance and within development is reduced to absolute minimum and designed to prevent light pollution entering neighbouring properties.

TA/2008/253:  Little Kibbles, 24A Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge.  Variation of condition 4 on permission granted under TA/91/631 to allow use of garage as habitable accommodation and erection of infill extension to form porch.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2008/334:  Partney Oak, Domewood, Copthorne.  Erection of 2 dormer windows to rear roofslope and insertion of 3 rooflights to front elevation.  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 10^th – 14^th March

TA/2008/350:  86 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Erection of extension to roof of dwelling and new roof over garage.  Conversion of garage to habitable room and erection of shed.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2008/357:  High Timber, Effingham Road, Copthorne.  Erection of rear conservatory.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2008/382/TPO:  5 McIvor Close, Felbridge.  TPO 1, 1998 (T) – Remove 2 lowest limbs extending over property from 1 oak tree.  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 17^th – 21^st March

TA/2008/367:  Churchill Farm, West Park Road, Newchapel.  Use of barn as a commercial workshop for the repair and maintenance of motor vehicles (Certificate of Lawfulness for an existing use).  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2008/368:  Churchill Farm, West Park Road, Newchapel.  Use of land for commercial moto-cross events with associated parking (Certificate of Lawfulness for an existing use).  Resolved:  FPC support this application but would like to see restrictions on frequency of events, days and times.

Applications Acknowledged 24^th – 28^th March

TA/2008/444:  Firview, West Park Road, Copthorne.  Conversion and extension of garage to provide ancillary self contained unit.  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 31^st March – 4^th April

TA/2008/459:  Halcyon, Herons Lea, Copthorne.  Erection of pitched roof over existing flat roof to garage.  Resolved:  No Action.

 

Linden Homes Proposals for Felbridge Common – FPC would welcome the opportunity to discuss the issues with Linden Homes and suggest they provide something for the village, such as kerbstones along Crawley Down Road, posts on the green, or a seat for the green.

 

7.         CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

Mr Harwood joined the meeting.

(i)         Annual Parish Meeting:  It was agreed to invite someone from TDC Planning Policy to speak at the Annual Parish Meeting on 1^st May.  The meeting will commence at 7pm and invitations will be sent to local residents and groups.

17/08

 

(ii)        Village Hall Carpark:  Linda Hainge and the Clerk will obtain a quote for improvements to the carpark and access.

(iii)       Surrey Air Ambulance Fund:  A letter has been received  thanking FPC for their donation.

(iv)       Surrey Community Action:  A letter has been received asking FPC to update their details on the SCA database.  Resolved:  It was agreed that the Clerk should complete the update form but not take out membership.

(v)        Tandridge Voluntary Service Council:  An invitation has been received to a Network Lunch on 24^th April.  Resolved:  No representative is available to attend.

(vi)       SCAPTC:  An invitation has been received to the AGM on 5^th July when the new constitution will be adopted.  Resolved:  No representative from FPC is available to attend.

(vii)      ESPLG:  An invitation has been received to a meeting on 17^th April.  Resolved:  No representative from FPC is available to attend.

(viii)      English Rural Housing Association:  An invitation has been received to the official opening of its latest affordable housing development in Chiddingfold.  Resolved:  No representative from FPC is available to attend.

(ix)       TDC Local List of Planning Application Requirements:  Comments requested by 25^th April.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact Jeremy Clarke.

(x)        In circulation:  TDC News Release re Tandridge Magazine, 20^th Mar 08;  TDC News Release re Chairman’s Golf Day, 20^th Mar 08;  Email from J. Bruce re tree survey, 17^th Mar 08;  TDC News Release re TDC Website, 11^th Mar 08;  TDC News Release re Funding for Affordable Homes, 17^th Mar 08;  East Surrey Volunteer Sector Health Bulletin, Mar/Apr 08;  Town and Country Standard, Mar 08;  Email re Trading Standards Publicity, 17^th Mar 03;  TDC Development Control Committee Agenda, 13^th Mar 08;  TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 5^th Mar 08;  TDC Resources Committee Agenda, 27^th Mar 08;  Clerks & Councils Direct, Mar 08;  TDC News Release re Council Tax Discount Review, 25^th Mar 08;  Surrey Matters, Spring 08;  Surrey Nature, Spring 08;  Natural World, Spring 08;  Stepping Out, Spring 08;  TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 26^th Mar 08;  TDC Development Control Committee Agenda, 3^rd Apr 08.

 

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

 

620      Cotswold Playgrounds Ltd        Installation of Allplay in Village

Hall Playground                                    £3,454.50

621      B. Wright                                 Bus shelter cleaning for Apr                      £29.38

622      R. White                                   Clerk’s salary for Apr                             £188.21

623      HM Revenue & Customs          Income Tax for Apr                                  £53.02

624      R White                                    Office Allowance for Apr

and Petty Cash for Mar                            £82.87

625      SCAPTC                                 Subscription 2008-09                             £532.13

 

9.         ANY OTHER BUSINESS

            None

 

10.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting will be held on Thursday 1^st May 2008 at 7.30pm.

 

The meeting closed at approximately 10.35pm.

RW  

8 April 2008