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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 4th February 2010

at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

Present:            Mr Ian McBryde (Chairman)

                        Mr Brian Apps

                        Mr Jeremy Clarke

                        Mrs Linda Hainge

Mrs Joan Harwood

Mrs Bridget Huntington

Mr Jacob Woodd

Mr Ken Harwood (District Councillor)

Mr Michael Sydney (County Councillor)

                        Mrs Rosalind White (in attendance)

 

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – None.

 

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            Mrs Linda Hainge declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application TA/2009/1560, the nature of the interest being that she lives in a neighbouring house.  In accordance with the Members’ Local Code of Conduct, she was not present at the meeting for the discussion and voting thereon.

 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Paul Thorpe, a resident of Woodcock Hill, who is concerned about the increase in quantity and speed of traffic travelling along the A22.  The Chairman pointed that that, until local residents spoke about their concerns at the November Parish Council meeting, FPC were unaware of problems of speeding along the A22.  FPC had agreed to support residents’ concerns and have approached Surrey Police, who have agreed to install a flashing sign near to the entrance to Park Farm.  This sign will also record the speed and count the traffic in one direction.  The following suggestions were discussed:- cut back foliage to increase visibility when exiting drive;  improvements to white lines and hatching which are badly worn in places;  possibility of a sign warning of a concealed entrance;  approach Surrey Highways and Police once data has been collected from flashing sign;  investigate reasons for frequent ice on road where recent fatal accident occurred;  better signage (some existing signs bent and dirty);  slow painted in big letters on road surface;  The Chairman confirmed that FPC will keep this matter on their agenda until the matter is resolved.  PC Moira Cocks confirmed her willingness to meet up with residents.  Councillor Michael Sydney agreed to follow up with Surrey Highways if Mr Thorpe could give him names of SCC officials that had been contacted in the past.  It was agreed to suggest a meeting with local residents, Surrey Police, Surrey Highways officials, which FPC could facilitate.

 

3.         MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

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

 

4.         MATTERS ARISING

 

(i)         Road Signage at Newchapel roundabout:  Tony Cox attended the December meeting and asked if the road direction signs at this roundabout, which currently


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direct traffic to Gatwick and Crawley towards East Grinstead and along the A264, could be changed to direct traffic via the improved junction at Judges Corner.  Resolved:  Michael Sydney agreed to follow up with Surrey Highways.

(ii)        Linden Homes development in Copthorne Road:  A valid planning application has now been submitted to TDC to lower the panels closer to the roof.

(iii)       Vehicle Activated Signs:  FPC will discuss further once the speed limit reductions have been implemented by SCC.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask SCC to confirm that the speed limit reductions will be carried out by the end of the current financial year.

(iv)       Number of Parish Councillors:  TDC Policy Adviser has confirmed that unless there has been a recent review, a PC can request a review at any time.  If the request is accompanied by a resolution of the PC and a valid petition (signed by local electors), then TDC has a duty to undertake a review.  Resolved:  It was agreed to monitor the situation this year and consider a review if FPC are having difficulties in meeting quorum.

(v)        Village Hall Carpark:  The planning application has been approved by TDC subject to a condition relating to the protection of the Evelyn chestnut tree.  An Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan have been approved by the TDC Forestry Officer.

(vi)       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.  Linden Homes are unable to offer any financial assistance.  TDC have confirmed that a Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed development will be required.

(vii)      Skateboard Ramp:  It was agreed that 3BRamps should paint the ramp in forest green at a cost of £220 plus VAT.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

(viii)      Management of Public Highway Verges, Ditches and Hedges:  Jeremy Clarke will circulate a map of Felbridge for councillors to mark all verges, hedges, ditches and drains that could be included in this scheme.  Michael Sydney has details of the lengths of all verges, which he will forward to the Clerk.  Following cancellation of the meeting on 27th January, a meeting is being planned for early March.

(ix)       Village Sign:  Details of signs under consideration by FPC have been sent to Steve Hyder, TDC.  Resolved:  It was agreed that FPC would apply for planning permission with the path from the Puffin Crossing.

(x)        Woods behind the Village Hall:  Steve Hyder, TDC, does not propose to carry out any work in this area at present.

(xi)       BMX Track/Provision for Older Children:  Ken Harwood has seen the plans for the proposed BMX track at EG Sports, which are being submitted to MSDC.

(xii)      Bus Shelter in Copthorne Road:  The Clerk has obtained 3 quotes for seating inside the shelter.  Queensbury Shelters have quoted £75 per metre for a free standing perch plus £210 to install.  SCC have carried out their investigations and will send the licence to FPC.  They will also confirm their agreement to our proposal for a 1 metre perch.

(xiii)      Routine Inspection Reports for Roads:  Jeremy Clarke confirmed that these reports show that routine surveys have taken place in accordance with SCC policy.

(xiv)     Parking on Verges/Pavements:  Steve Hyder, TDC, has visited Evelyn House.  PC Moira Cocks has also visited Evelyn House and asked them to stop their visitors parking on the footpaths.  TDC Parking Services Manager has confirmed that, if a vehicle is parked on the pavement and causing an obstruction to pedestrians, it constitutes a criminal offence and can be dealt with by the Police. 


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Resolved:  Clerk to contact Steve Hyder, TDC, to suggest posts alongside the green and ask for costs.  Residents should be asked to phone the police if a car is obstructing access to their driveways.  Clerk to write a letter to owner of the car parked regularly on the pavement by the bus stop on the A264.

(xv)      St Catherine’s Hospice:  A letter has been received asking for a grant.  Brian Apps confirmed that this request is outside the scope of FPC support.  Resolved:  It was agreed that the Clerk should reply saying that FPC cannot donate to general funds.  If St Catherine’s Hospice can identify a physical object, FPC would consider a donation of £100 towards the cost.

 

5.         SURREY HIGHWAY REPAIRS:

 

(i)         28025659/90084036:  Street Lights at Oak Farm Place/Flashing Lights near to school.  Email from D Curl on 11.12.09 saying still no information.  J Clarke sent email to Michael Sydney re lights near school on 28.1.10 – Michael Sydney agreed to follow up with SCC.

(ii)        83043189:  The dead tree outside No. 53 Rowplatt Lane was inspected by SCC in Dec 09.  The tree will be removed pending resources.

(iii)       83062912:  Potholes on A264 between Doves Barn and county boundary reported on 28.01.10.  SCC Call Centre aware of problem and agreed to suggest warning sign.  Michael Sydney reported that potholes are a county wide problem and SCC have put additional £½m resources towards filling potholes.  He will urge SCC to attend to the A264 potholes urgently.

 

6.         COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(i)                  Gritting:  An email was sent to David Curl on 21st Dec asking why Crawley Down Road and Rowplatt Lane were not gritted.  He has asked the gritting team to comment.  At the TDC Local Committee Meeting on 29th January, SCC explained the current highway gritting operation in Tandridge.  As a consequence of severe weather and the government directive on 5th Jan, Surrey Highways are limited to salting A roads and links to isolated communities.  SCC to suggest that parishes buy stocks of salt, which would not be part of the strategic stock and parishes could negotiate with SCC on usage.  SCC to carry out review of farmers and contractors who would assist with snow clearance.  Parishes can purchase locked grit bins from SCC, which would be filled once a year by SCC. 

(ii)                King George’s Field Plaques:  Jeremy Clarke has removed the plaques from the old gates posts at the village hall.  The plaques legally relate to the recreation field.  Jeremy Clarke has sent an email to TDC asking for a formal statement regarding the position of these plaques as they are not in the location designated by the National Playing Fields Association.

(iii)       Village Hall Carpark:  The Village Hall Committee have received a request to allow a vehicle selling Thai food to use the carpark.  It was suggested that Linda Hainge contact TDC re the necessity for a licence. 

(iv)              Accidents at junction of Crawley Down Road/Copthorne Road:  Jeremy Clarke confirmed that Stage III of SCC’s Safety Plan proposed the re-alignment of this junction.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask Moira Cocks for accident data for this junction.

(v)                Vegetation outside 51/53 Copthorne Road:  This is now overhanging the pavement.  Resolved:  Clerk to write to residents.

(vi)              Parking in Rowplatt Lane near to junction with Crawley Down Road:  Clerk to send general letter to nearby residents of Rowplatt Lane, Crawley Down Road and Rose Cottages.

(vii)             VAT Return:  The Finance Officer will complete this in February.

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(viii)           Surrey Police Meeting:  Brian Apps and Joan Harwood attended a meeting on 29th January, at which the Chief Constable explained plans for 200 more police constables in Surrey in the next 3 years.  A copy of the presentation has been circulated to councillors.

(ix)              Parish Council Meetings:  A suggestion that FPC should meet in January and August will be discussed at the next meeting.

(x)                Footpath along Copthorne Road:  Concern was expressed over the leaf debris on this footpath.  This pavement to be added to the Felbridge map.

(xi)              Verges outside 96 and 98 Copthorne Road:  These verges have been damaged by vehicles parking on them.  Resolved:  Clerk to send letters to residents.

(xii)             Dip in road by Hydropool showroom:  SCC have placed a sign in the dip.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact SCC.

(xiii)           Hub Project:  Michael Sydney has discussed this project with SCC leaders and believes that he will be able to negotiate money from Surrey Highways.

(xiv)           Judges Corner Roundabout:  SCC are waiting for EDF to connect the lighting.  Michael Sydney will find out when the verges/landscaping will be completed.

(xv)            Footpaths:  The Ombudsman is involved with the footpath sign in Domewood.  Mr Wickenden has widened the gap between his bales of straw along footpath 365.

(xvi)           Bridleway 257:  The site is now cleared of caravans.  All hard standing must be cleared from the field within 2 months from 7th March.

(xvii)         Makandras:  Residents have complained about the builders’ sign.  TDC are discussing 12 planning issues.

Mr Harwood left the meeting.

 

7.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Planning Meeting held on 17th December 2009 – attended by Jeremy Clarke, Brian Apps, Joan Harwood and Linda Hainge.

Applications Acknowledged 30th November – 4th December 2009

TA/2009/1488:  The Coach House, Wards Farm, London Road, Felbridge.  Erection of single storey side extension.  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 7th – 11th December 2009

None in Felbridge

Applications Acknowledged 14th – 18th December 2009

TA/2009/1495:  107 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Erection of single storey and first floor front extension and two storey side extension.  .  Resolved:  FPC are concerned about potential overlooking from the 1st floor terrace (accepting that the existing eastern boundary hedge is 4m high) and wish to raise this to the officer’s attention. We have no further comments as long as the proposal conforms to the percentage increase permitted for Green Belt Development.

 

Planning Meeting held on 7th January 2010 – attended by Brian Apps, Ian McBryde and Jeremy Clarke.

Applications Acknowledged 14th – 18th December 2009

TA/2009/1511:  Mere, Domewood, Copthorne.  Erection of detached garage.  .  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 21st – 31st December 2009

TA/2009/1560:  8 Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge.  Erection of side conservatory extension and conversion of garage to habitable accommodation.  Resolved:  FPC have no issue with the internal conversion of the garage.  However, they are concerned that the new conservatory does not have the 1m gap necessary against the property boundary for new constructions.  They would prefer to see the conservatory plan reduced to provide the required gap

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Planning Meeting held on 21st January 2010 – attended by Brian Apps, Jeremy Clarke, Linda Hainge and Bridget Huntington.

 

Applications Acknowledged 4th – 8th January 2010

TA/2010/2:  Everglades, Domewood, Copthorne.  Demolition of dwelling.  Erection of dwelling and detached garage.  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 11th – 15th January 2010

TA/2009/1186:  23 Birch Grove, Felbridge.  Conversion of garage to provide smaller garage and study (Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed development).  Resolved:  FPC are very opposed to this proposal. When these houses were built they were provided with the minimum permissible car parking spaces including the garages. The main access road through the site is only accessible to emergency and refuse vehicles when there is no on street parking. There is no kerbside parking available along the adjoining A264, therefore the garage must be retained as a usable car parking space to prevent on street parking which would make emergency vehicle and refuse collection access to other dwellings impossible.

TA/2010/23:  Little Sandford, Snow Hill, Copthorne.  Demolition of existing garage.  Erection of replacement garage with studio/store above.  Resolved:  No Action.

 

Parish Council Meeting held on 4th February 2010

Mr Harwood left the meeting

Applications Acknowledged 11th – 15th January 2010

TA/2010/22:  Roseleigh Farm, West Park Road, Copthorne.  Retention of 3 x stable blocks and tack room and creation of hard standing.  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 18th – 22nd January 2010

TA/2010/17:  St Valery, Herons Lane,. Copthorne.  Erection of single storey extensions to north-west wing.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2009/1463:  The Cherry House, 3 Tithe Orchard, Felbridge.  Erection of garage.  Resolved:  FPC are concerned about the position of the proposed triple garage impacting on the views of the residents in Warren Close.  They would prefer to see the triple garage building much closer to the site of the old garage.

TA/2010/49:  1 Warren Close, Felbridge.  Erection of pitched roof to replace existing flat roofs to the southeast and north-east elevations.  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 25th – 29th January 2010

TA/2009/1343:  Plots 33-35, land rear of 46&56 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Variation of Condition 10 on consent granted under 2006/1611 to allow the repositioning of solar panels to Plots 33-35.  Resolved:  FPC has no objection, as long as the solar panels are not visible from a car waiting at the end of Crawley Down Road.

TA/2010/19:  Charter Towers, Felcourt Road, Baldwins Hill.  Redevelopment of Charters Towers site to form a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) (Use Class C2) comprising refurbishment, extension and conversion of the existing manor house to provide a communal facilities building including a restaurant and consulting rooms and 5 Extra Care units and guest accommodation; conversion of entrance lodge to 1 Extra Care unit, demolition of remaining buildings and construction of 77 Extra Care units; 60 bed care home, roads, footpaths, cycle and parking spaces, provision of open space, balancing ponds and associated landscaping works and ancillary works and structures. (Outline)  Resolved:  No Action.

 

Mr Harwood returned to the meeting.

 

8.         CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

(i)         Felbridge Village Fair:  This will be held on Saturday, 19th June, 12 – 4pm.

(ii)        Felbridge Luncheon Club:  A letter of thanks has been received for FPC’s donation of £25 towards the cost of their seasonal lunch in January

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(iii)               EG Community Play:  An email has been received from this group.  Resolved:  Clerk to suggest they contact Lis Scott for a stall at the village fair.

(iv)              Questionnaire on Sustainability:  A copy of the initial analysis has been circulated to councillors.

(v)                ‘Have your say’:  An invitation has been received to an event for Surrey residents in Dorking on 25th March.  Ian McBryde may attend.

(vi)              Charters Towers development proposals:  A letter has been received offering a presentation to FPC on these proposals.  Resolved:  Clerk to reply saying FPC have already discussed these plans and think this is an excellent scheme but it has no impact on Felbridge.

(vii)             Village Green:  The Clerk has spoken to Steve Hyder, TDC, regarding clearing the ditches alongside the village hall carpark and the fallen tree on the grass outside the School carpark.

(viii)           Precept:  The Clerk has confirmed FPC’s precept of £14,000 for the year 2010/11 to TDC.

(ix)              The London Temple:  Details of Tree Preservation Order No 23, 2009, have been sent to FPC.

(x)                TVSC:  An invitation has been received to a Funding Surgery on 17th March.  Details were given to Linda Hainge.

(xi)              Dog Fouling along footpath in Crawley Down Road:  A resident has reported a problem between the village hall and McIver Close.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask Lis Scott to put a note in her column in the EG Observer.

(xii)      In circulation:  NALC E-bulletin, Dec 09;  Newsletter from Chiddingfold Community Fund, Dec 09;  TDC News Release re best district councils, 7 Dec 09;  TDC Planning Committee Agenda, 17 Dec 09;  Stepping Out, Dec 09;  TDC News Release re Chairman’s New Year Message, 24 Dec 09;  TDC News Release re staff pay increase, 23 Dec 09;  NCYPE The Voice, Autumn 09;  LCR Winter 09;  TDC Resources Committee Agenda 7 Jan 10;  Email from Surrey Care Trust re London Marathon, 5 Jan 10;  TDC Planning Committee Agenda, 14 Jan 10;  Email from NALC re Local Council Awards 2010; 11 Jan 10;  Email from TDC Planning re new online Planning Policy Maps, 20 Jan 10;  Letter from TDC Planning re Data Protection Act, 25 Jan 10;  SCAPTC Bulletin, Jan 10;  TDC Council Agenda, 21 Jan 10;  ICO Newsletter, Jan 10;  Surrey Greenspace Project Newsletter, Jan 10;  Press Release re Surrey Police changes, 15 Dec 09;  Surrey Police Briefing, Jan 10; Surrey Community Action Magazine, Winter 09/10;  Clerks & Councils Direct, Jan 10.  Email from Surrey Police re terrorist threat, 2 Feb 10.  SCC Highways Bulletin. Tandridge;  Jan 10. St John’s Church Parish News, Feb 10;  Results from Questionnaires on Settlement Sustainability, 29 Jan 10.  TDC Housing Committee Agenda, 28 Jan 10.  TDC Overview & Scrutiny Committee Agenda, 12 Jan 10.

 

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

 

745      B. Wright                                 Bus shelter cleaning for Feb                     £28.75

746      R. White                                   Clerk’s salary for Feb                           £222.19

747      HM Revenue & Customs          Income Tax for Feb                                 £55.40

748      R White                                    Office Allowance for Jan/Feb

and Petty Cash for Dec/Jan                   £657.43

749      My Security Systems Ltd          CCTV Service                                     £111.63

750      Tandridge District Council         Village Hall Planning App Fee      £85.00

 

 

 

 

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10.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS –

 

            Councillors to read email circulated by Ken Harwood concerning TDC Small Grants.

 

11.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting will be held on Thursday 4th March 2010 at 7.30pm.

 

The meeting closed at approximately 10.30pm.

 

RW

17 February 2010