53/09

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 5th November 2009

at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

Present:            Mr Ian McBryde (Chairman)

                        Mr Brian Apps

                        Mr Jeremy Clarke

                        Mrs Linda Hainge

Mrs Joan Harwood

Mr Jacob Woodd

Mr Ken Harwood (District Councillor) for part of meeting.

                        Mrs Rosalind White (in attendance)

 

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Apologies for absence were received from Mrs Bridget Huntington and Mr Michael Sydney (County Councillor)

 

2.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            Brian Apps declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application TA/2009/1327, the nature of the interest being that Mr Apps is on the electoral role at St John’s Church.  In accordance with the Members’ Local Code of Conduct, he left the meeting for the discussion and voting thereon.

 

The Chairman welcomed Judy and Frank Lilley and Peter Lockwood, who are residents of Park Farm and the access road off Woodcock Hill.  These residents are very concerned about the speed of vehicles travelling in a 40mph limit and would like to see VAS signs to warn motorists of the speed at which they are driving.  The Chairman explained that the Parish Council view speeding within the village as a problem but have not been aware of speeding along the A22 out of the village.  He reassured these residents that FPC are concerned.  One of the reasons given by the Planning Inspector for a dismissal of a recent planning appeal was that he considered the junction unsafe and substandard.  TDC have refused the residents’ application for a mirror.  Resolved:  It was agreed that the Clerk should contact PC Moira Cocks to ask for a speed trap along the A22 to record the speed of vehicles travelling in both directions.  Once this data has been received, FPC will use this data to strongly urge SCC to take some action.

 

The Chairman then welcomed Mr John Sisley, who pointed out that FSRA have not yet dug channels in the bank of earth alongside the Gullege bridleway to drain water from the path.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact Ian Marshall, FSRA to ask that this work is done immediately as the path is now flooding. 

 

Mr Sisley then spoke on behalf of another resident of Warren Close, about the green banners advertising Addidas on the fencing surrounding the tennis courts.  The resident has contacted Steve Hyder, TDC, who is negotiating with the tennis club.  The resident feels that these banners affect the openness of the green belt.  Linda Hainge agreed to visit the site and FPC agreed to take some action if this matter is not successfully resolved.

 

Mr Sisley then pointed out that the street lights near to Oak Farm Place, Crawley Down Road, are still not working.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up with SCC.

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3.         MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

            The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 1st October 2009 were approved and signed, subject to the following amendment:– P49/09, section (xiii) should read “2011/12 Precept”.

 

4.         MATTERS ARISING

 

(i)         43-47 Crawley Down Road:  Ian Marshall, FSRA, has confirmed that FSRA would consider allowing this company to use their carpark during the week for a fee, subject to liability and insurance cover, which he is checking.

(ii)        Flooding in Copthorne Road:  Colin Pearse, Surrey Highways, will arrange to contact the resident and visit the site.  Clerk to check if this meeting has taken place.

(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.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact TDC.

(iv)       Vehicle Activated Signs:  Dormansland Parish Council have purchased two solar powered VAS signs at a cost of £7268 incl VAT and installation.  SCC are to supply and erect the posts.  FPC will discuss further once the speed limit reductions have been implemented by SCC.

(v)        Verges:  A letter has been sent to the new Construction Director of Antler Homes to remind them that they agreed to level out and re-seed the verges near Housman Close during September.

(vi)       Number of Parish Councillors:  The Chairman has received a letter from TDC Policy Adviser.  Resolved:  Clerk to obtain detailed guidelines of the process required by TDC.

(vii)      Rules of Common Sign:  Steve Hyder has ordered new signs.  Resolved:  Clerk to follow up.

(viii)      Village Hall Carpark:  Jeremy Clarke has spoken to TDC and agreed a way forward without the need for a tree survey.  He is completing the planning application forms.

(ix)       Letter of Complaint to SCC Customer Relations Team:  Jeremy Clarke has received a formal reply to the letter he sent on 5th May detailing 6 separate complaints that he wanted investigating.  SCC upheld 3 out of 6 complaints and put forward actions for SCC to prevent such issues occurring again.

(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.  Linden Homes will consider FPC’s request for financial assistance.  Resolved:  Clerk to send a plan of the proposed route to Linden Homes.

(xi)       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.

(xii)      Management of Public Highway Verges, Ditches and Hedges:  Michael Sydney’s proposal was discussed at a meeting at Smallfield on 4th November, attended by clerks and councillors.  All 7 parishes are in favour in principle.  Liz Cutter, Chair Lady of Burstow Parish Council is collecting names of suitable contractors.  The next meeting will be held on 27th January 2010, at which each parish will submit a list of work that could be carried out under such a scheme.  A report on the Burgess Hill Scheme is being circulated.

(xiii)      Meeting with new SCC Chief Executive:  Michael Sydney has arranged a meeting at Smallfield Village Hall on 10th November.  The Clerk and Linda Hainge will attend.

55/09

 

(xiv)     Village Sign:  SCC are reviewing their policy on signs and will therefore not approve any requests for new signs until their new policy is in place (April 2010).  FPC to consider Jeremy Clarke’s suggestion of a rural sign erected on the common land at the next meeting.

(xv)      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.

(xvi)     Local Development Framework – Questionnaire on Sustainability: Drafts of the completed questionnaires for Domewood and Felbridge have been circulated for councillors comments.  Ian McBryde to submit agreed questionnaires.

(xvii)     BMX Track/Provision for Older Children:  TDC would share the cost of fencing the gaps in the existing hedge.  Jacob Woodd agreed to investigate the cost of a large trampoline which could be sunk into the ground and a sunken half pipe for BMX use.

(xviii)    ESPLG Meeting:  The Clerk summarised the items covered at the meeting on 28th October.  Joan Harwood will circulate application cards for a Home Fire Risk Check to elderly residents.  FPC agreed to the annual payment of £10 towards the Bletchingly Clerk’s time and paperwork involved in arranging these meetings.  The date of the next meeting will be 27th October 2010.

(xix)     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.  Resolved:  Clerk to write to Mark Winstanley, SCC, to ask for SCC’s agreement to a one metre perch.

 

5.         SURREY HIGHWAY REPAIRS: The list of outstanding items was circulated and will in future appear on the website and village hall noticeboard with the minutes.  Any actions will be minuted.

 

6.         COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(i)         Routine Inspection Reports for Roads:  Jeremy Clarke proposed that FPC request the last three routine inspection reports for each and every road in Felbridge from Surrey Highways.  Resolved:  FPC agreed that the Clerk should write to Colin Pearse.

(ii)        Surrey Minerals Plan:  Ian McBryde agreed to respond to this.

(iii)       Surrey Highways:  SCC have announced that they are looking to secure a new contractor, when the current contract ends in March 2011.

(iv)       Clerk’s Review:  Following the Clerk’s annual appraisal, it was agreed that her salary is increased to Grade SCP 19 on the NALC/SLCC recommended salary scales with effect from 1st December 2009.  It was also agreed to purchase a new computer up to the value of £499.

(v)        Budget:  Brian Apps circulated a suggested budget for 2010/11.  FPC approved the budget and agreed to keep the Precept unchanged at £14,000.

Mr Harwood joined the meeting.

(vi)       Manhole cover in Rowplatt Lane:  This should be repaired on 9th November.

(vii)      Bends along Copthorne Road:  Ken Harwood has contacted Surrey Police.

Mr Harwood left the meeting.

 

7.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Planning Meeting held on 15th October 2009 – attended by Jacob Woodd, Joan Harwood and Bridget Huntington.

56/09

 

Applications Acknowledged 28th September – 2nd October 2009

TA/2009/1067:  Oakcroft, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge.  The use of detached garage building as a separate residential dwelling (Certificate of Lawfulness for an Existing Use).  Resolved:  Not discussed as papers not received from TDC.

Applications Acknowledged 5th – 9th October 2009

TA/2009/1219:  Land at Eden Place, Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Erection of metal railings and vehicular and pedestrian gates.  Resolved:  FPC’s only concern is the distance between the gates and Copthorne Road.  They are concerned if 11m is adequate when considering the amount of housing in this development and an already congested area of Copthorne Road; the entrance being very close to the Pedestrian Crossing and very nearly opposite the back of Felbridge Primary School.

Applications Acknowledged 12th – 16th October 2009

None in Felbridge

 

Parish Council Meeting on 1st November.

Applications Acknowledged 19th – 23rd October 2009

TA/2009/1282:  The Ferns, Lake View Road, East Grinstead.  Retention and completion of single storey extension to north elevation.  Resolved:  FPC strongly support this application as a significant improvement over a very small dwelling.

Applications Acknowledged 26th – 30th October 2009

Brian Apps left the meeting

TA/2009/1327:  St John’s Church, Felbridge.  Demolition of store.  Erection of single storey extension to north elevation to provide cloister, meeting rooms, WC and kitchen.  Resolved:  FPC fully support this application.

Brian Apps returned to the meeting.

TA/2009/759:  A letter has been received from the owner of this property querying the comments made by FPC.  A reply has been sent explaining the procedure followed by FPC.

Mr Harwood returned to the meeting.

 

8.         CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

(i)         Speeding along West Park Road:  An email has been received from a resident who uses some stables along this road.  Clerk has suggested that she contact PC Moira Cocks.

(ii)        SCC Winter Maintenance Programme:  This plan shows that every public highway in Felbridge is either priority 1 or priority 2 except Stub Pond Lane and no through roads.

(iii)       Sustainable Communities Act:  MP Peter Ainsworth has replied to FPC’s letter dated 25th September.  Email circulated to all councillors.

(iv)       CCTV Service:  Tom Goodall has agreed to carry out an annual service for £100 plus VAT.  Resolved:  Clerk to arrange.

(v)        MSDC Statement of Community Involvement:  A questionnaire has been received.  Resolved:  Clerk to complete by 27th November 2009.

(vi)       William Buckwell Almshouses:  A vacancy has arisen.  Closing date for applications is 30th November 09.

(vii)      TVSC:  An invitation has been received to the network lunch on 26th November.

(viii)      Electronic Banking Pressures:  Brian Apps agreed to reply to the email received from SALC/SCAPTC.

(ix)       In circulation:  TDC News Release re Caterham Community Partnership, 5 Oct 09;  Email from SCC re Surrey Alert Facebook Page, 6 Oct 09;  TDC News Release re Graffiti, 7 Oct 09;  Email re Amendment to Goods Vehicles Act 1995 and complaints to VOSA, 7 Oct 09;  GACC Newsletter, Oct 09;  Email from SCC re road surface treatment, 12 Oct 09;  TVSC Newsletter, Oct 09;  TDC News Release re new play area in Bletchingley, 13 Oct 09;  Email from TDC


57/09

 

Planning re Statement of Community Involvement revision consultation, 15 Oct 09;  Email from SCC re Passenger Transport Assembly, 15 Oct 09;  TVSC The Voice, Oct 09;  Minutes of SCAPTC AGM held on 6 Oct 09;  Email from TDC re distraction burglary campaign, 20 Oct 09;  GACC Press Releases, 21 Oct 09;  TDC Planning Committee Agenda 22 Oct 09;  SCA Magazine, Autumn 09;  The Playing Field, Autumn 09;  TDC News Release re Remembrance Day Parades, 27 Oct 09;  Surrey Wildlife Trust AGM Agenda, 30 Oct 09;  Email from Surrey Police re safer neighbourhooods, 29 Oct 09;  Handouts from councillor training at Bletchingley in Oct 09;  TDC Council Agenda, 5 Nov 09;  TDC News Release re Community Payback scheme, 3 Nov 09;  Email re Goods Vehicle Operators Licensing Training, 4 Nov 09;  Burgess Hill TC – New Dimensions in Parnership;  Surrey Minerals Plan, Nov 09.

 

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

 

            730      Destroyed

731      B. Wright                                 Bus shelter cleaning for Nov                     £28.75

732      R. White                                   Clerk’s salary for Nov                          £200.32

733      HM Revenue & Customs          Income Tax for Nov                                £50.00

734      R White                                    Office Allowance for Nov

and Petty Cash for Oct                £97.88

735      Surrey County Playing Fields Assoc Affiliation Fee to 31.03.2010            £25.00

736      Surrey Wildlife Trust                 Donation towards Dormouse Project       £25.00

 

10.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS –

 

            None

 

11.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting will be held on Thursday 3rd December 2009 at 7.30pm.

 

The meeting closed at approximately 10.23pm.

 

RW

12 November 2009