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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 7th October 2010

at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

 

Present:            Mr Jeremy Clarke (Chairman)

                        Mr Brian Apps

                        Mrs Linda Hainge

Mrs Joan Harwood

Mrs Bridget Huntington

Mr Ian McBryde

Mr Ken Harwood (District Councillor) – attended part of meeting

Mr Michael Sydney (County Councillor) – attended part of meeting

                        Mrs Rosalind White (in attendance)

 

1.            APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Apologies for absence were received from Mr Jacob Woodd

 

2.            DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

            There were no additions to those previously registered.

 

3.            MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

 

            The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 2nd September were approved and signed.

 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Dean Cunningham, General Manager, The Star Inn and Mr Peter Bateman, a Felbridge resident.

Mr Harwood left the meeting.

Mr Bateman spoke about his concerns over planning application TA/2010/1107.  He applauds the restoration of the original Ebor Lodge but is concerned that the new dwelling will be very close to his boundary and pointed out that the site has already been cleared resulting in loss of wildlife habitats.

Mr Harwood returned to the meeting. 

 

4.            MATTERS ARISING

 

(i)                  Press Policy:  The proposed Press Policy was agreed and adopted subject to the removal of two lines in para 1, page 2 - “as a Political Group Leader” and “as spokesman or as Press Officer for a political party”, and line 1, para 3, page 2 to read “Take particular care .....”.

(ii)                Parking in Crawley Down Road:  Work to install posts along the verge from the entrance to the school carpark to the end of the village hall grounds will be done w/c 25th October.  Jeremy Clarke and the Clerk to meet Howard Searle on 23rd October to agree exact position of posts.

(iii)               Repairs to fencing on bank in front of Village Hall:  Howard Searle has suggested hedging with posts in the gap.

(iv)              Posts on verge in Crawley Down Road:  Some of the posts opposite the football pitch have been knocked down.  Resolved:  Clerk to ask Howard Searle to reinstall them when new posts are installed.

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(v)                Woodcock Hill:  The VAS sign is now working.  Moira Cocks is having problems obtaining speeding data from the sign due to laptop problems.  In some areas the white lines on the bends are very worn and a 40mph repeater sign has been knocked down in the area of the new drain.  Resolved:  Clerk to report to SCC.

(vi)       Path from Puffin Crossing and Village Sign:  At a meeting on 22nd May 09, 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.  FPC agreed the design of sign required.  Jeremy Clarke has prepared the planning application for the path across the green and the sign and will contact TDC for pre-application advice.

(vii)             Daffodils:  Linda Hainge and Joan Harwood to co-ordinate dates for planting.  Councillors agreed to submit their suggestions of locations for the bulbs to Joan Harwood.  The Youth Offenders Placement Co-ordinator in Crawley is willing to send a team to help with planting.  It was agreed that before and after photos should be taken.

(viii)           Surrey Council for Voluntary Youth Service:  Marie Silvester, the new Youth Development Worker, was unable to attend this meeting but will speak at the FPC meeting on 2nd December.

(ix)              Governance and Accountability:  Brian Apps agreed to review FPC’s Financial Regulations now that FPC have received a copy of the new details from SCAPTC.

(x)                Tree on verge in Copthorne Road:   It was agreed to remove the dead tree and replace it with a flowering cherry tree when the tree planting on the village green is done.  Resolved:  Clerk to obtain quotes.

(xi)              Tree Planting:  It was agreed that 5 trees could be planted on the green.  It was suggested that a plan for the green be drawn up with the new sign, new trees and bulbs.  Clerk to obtain three quotes from specialist tree nurseries for 5 trees plus planting.

(xii)             Verges on A264 Copthorne Road:  Jeremy Clarke is awaiting a reply to his letter to Roger Archer-Reeves, SCC, about the lack of grass cutting near to Furnace Wood.

(xiii)           Speeding:  The kit is currently with the Woodcock Hill group.  There is already an authorised site in Rowplatt Lane and shown in the Felbridge Guidance Booklet.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact Graeme Stagg to discuss the two Felbridge groups working together.

(xiv)           TDC Planning:  Piers Mason has agreed to attend the Planning Meeting on 20th January 2011 to carry out some training on planning systems and to discuss the latest changes and new government policy affecting planning in Felbridge.

(xv)            Parking on Verges in Crawley Down Road:  Clerk has sent an email to Ian Marshall, FSRA, to ask them to remind players not to park on the verges during football matches.

(xvi)           Felbridge Gate:  Parts are missing and the gate needs repairing.  Clerk has obtained a quote for £395 to clean, repair and apply wood preserver to the gate.  It was agreed to go ahead.

(xvii)         Footpath 286:  This path will be cleared by volunteers from the East Surrey Ramblers starting on 12th October.  The volunteers work one day a month and it is anticipated that the work will take 2 to 3 days.

(xviii)        Posts on verge on A264:  Some of these posts have been knocked down.  Colin Pearse has agreed to take a look.

(xix)           Fence along Woodcock Hill:  Michael Sydney has had a meeting with Surrey Highways solicitors who will issue notices to the two residents.

(xx)            Queen Elizabeth II Fields:  An article in the Playing Field newsletter has been circulated and was discussed.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact Fields in Trust for information on how to apply.

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(xxi)           ESPLG Meeting:  Linda Hainge and the Clerk will attend the meeting on 27th October.

 

5.            SURREY HIGHWAY REPAIRS:

 

(i)                  Collapsed drain on A264, westbound carriageway, opposite Star Inn:  This has now collapsed again and is coned off.  Resolved:  Clerk to re-report to SCC.

(ii)                83074773:  Repairs to the potholes on the A264 near to Furnace Wood are now breaking up.  Michael Sydney sent email to SCC on 07.09.  Resolved:  Clerk to re-report to SCC and ask PC Moira Cocks to erect warning signs.

(iii)               28025659 – Flashing lights near to School:  Email received from David Curl 15.09.10 – hoping to replace light soon.

(iv)              90084036 – Street Lights at Oak Farm Place:  Resident has been told that SCC contractors will be working during October digging trenches to link up the street lighting.  EDF should connect lamps on 22.10.10.

(v)                83077038 – Mill Lane:  The broken fence beside the pond has not been repaired.  Reminder sent to Colin Pearse on 07.09.

 

6.            FORMAL REVIEW OF EXPENDITURE vs BUDGET

 

            The Finance Officer circulated a copy of the 2010/11 Budget Update as at 30.09.10.

 

7.            COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(i)                  Felbridge Showground:  A resident has contacted FPC about vehicles towing horse boxes turning round in the village hall entrance and damaging their fence.  Resolved:  Clerk to contact the Showground to ask for better signage when events are taking place.

(ii)                Precept:  The second half yearly payment was received on 10.09.10.

(iii)               Surrey Highways:  John Lawlor, an experienced Highways Manager, has taken over responsibility for Reigate & Banstead, Mole Valley and Tandridge areas.  Michael Sydney has arranged a meeting on 10th December in Lingfield, venue tbc.  Parishes will be asked for a list of what work is required.

(iv)               Hub Project:  Michael Sydney had a meeting with Jason Russell, Head of Change and Performance, and has given him a copy of the Hub Proposal.  Michael will call another meeting when further information received from SCC.

(v)                Strategic Review:  SCC will set their budgets following the government review on 20th Oct.

(vi)               Gritting:  SCC winter programme report was submitted to a recent TDC Local Committee Meeting.  Resolved:  Clerk to confirm with SCC that they have contacted the 3 local contractors whose names have been given to them.

(vii)             Grit Bins:  Michael Sydney has provided details of a supplier of salt bins.  As all A roads are gritted prior to freezing, the grit bin on Woodcock Hill is not necessary.  All Felbridge roads are covered by Priority 1 and 2 gritting.  Crawley Down Road is a Priority 2 route but is a bus route.  Michael Sydney agreed to discuss with SCC the suggestion that this road is treated as a Priority 1 route, as it is only 1 mile to the county border. 

Mr Harwood and Mr Sydney left the meeting.

 

8.            PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

            Planning Meeting held on 16th September 2010 attended by Jeremy Clarke, Brian Apps, Joan Harwood, Bridget Huntington and Jacob Woodd.

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Applications Acknowledged 31st August – 3rd September 2010

None in Felbridge

Applications Acknowledged 6th – 10th September 2010

TA/2010/1103:  75-77 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Demolition of existing dwellings and erection of 5 x 5-bed dwellings with associated garages and access.  Resolved:  FPC object to this proposal for the following reasons:-  The South side of Copthorne Road around the proposal site is predominantly bungalows and chalet style buildings. The layout and density of the proposal is therefore inappropriate to the immediate vicinity; Plots 1, 2 & 5 are overpowering due to their height and minimal distances to the boundary in relation to the single storey adjacent properties;  FPC support the retention of a varied size of dwellings within the village and this proposal removes smaller properties replacing them with larger 5 bedroom dwellings;  The design and access statement frequently compares the proposal site to Hedgecourt Place immediately opposite. It fails to include the details that Hedgecourt Place was a brown field site redevelopment rather than the removal of green field gardens;  Hedgecourt Place residents also have the sole use of the large community recreational space to the rear of the development and thus the direct comparison of the plot sizes between the proposal and Hedgecourt Place is not appropriate;  The proposal generates an additional entrance for 3 extra dwellings onto Copthorne Road directly opposite Hedgecourt Place;  The group of trees near the centre rear of the plot including a number of protected trees is clearly visible from Copthorne Road along both the east and the west approaches to the site. These trees therefore form part of the visual amenity of our rural village. Therefore FPC do not accept the reasons stated for the felling of the protected trees.

Parish Council Meeting held on 7th October 2010

Applications Acknowledged 13th – 17th September 2010

TA/2010/1107:  Ebor Lodge, London Road, Felbridge.  Erection of detached two storey dwelling with detached double garage.  Resolved:  FPC do not object to this application subject to the following:  the screening is maintained on all sides;  FPC are slightly concerned that the smaller property on the plot has a higher roof height than the dominant property and would be more in-keeping at a lower scale.  FPC have been advised that there has potentially been a recent extension to the rear of Ebor Lodge for which planning permission has not been requested and FPC would ask the Officer to investigate as part of this application.

TA/2010/1131:  Chequers, 12 Wembury Park, Newchapel.  Erection of 2-storey & single storey rear extensions.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2010/1081:  West Park Road Entrance, Domewood Estate, Copthorne.  Erection of 1.3m high sliding entrance gate and associated 1.5m high equipment enclosure, 1.3m high pedestrian gate and fence and re-sited 1m high post and rail fence to West Park Road Entrance, Domewood Estate.  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 20th – 24th September 2010-10-06

TA/2010/1126:  Land to r/o Dewley Mead, Twitten Lane, Felbridge.  Erection of dwelling with integral double garage.  Resolved:  FPC object on the following grounds:-  overdevelopment of the plot;  the dwelling is not in-keeping with the surrounding properties in relation to the jetting windows and large overhanging roof.

TA/2010/1147:  The Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge.  Erection of single storey side extension.  Resolved:  No Action.

TA/2010/1168:  Amber Cottage, 10 Wembury Park, Newchapel.  Erection of 2 front dormer windows.  Resolved:  No Action.

Applications Acknowledged 27th September – 1st October

None in Felbridge

Applications Acknowledged 4th – 8th October

TA/2010/1068:  Blendworth, 60 Copthorne Road, Felbridge.  Erection of detached double garage to front.  Resolved:  FPC request that a restriction is put on the


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development to ensure screening between the carport and the road cannot be removed in future.

Mr Harwood returned to the meeting.

 

9.            CLERK’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE

 

(i)         Felbridge School:  Lead has been stolen from the roof of the school during the nights of 2/3/4 October.

(ii)        Re-cycling Collection:  TDC have confirmed their policy of only collecting plastic drinks bottles, and no other plastic types.

(iii)       Surrey County Playing Fields Assoc:  It was agreed to send a cheque for £25 to cover the Affiliation Fee due for the year to March 2011.

(iv)       CCTV:  There is significant interference on the camera images.  Tom Goodall has been contacted to get the system serviced.

v)         St Catherine’s Hospice:  A letter of thanks has been received for FPC’s donation of £100 towards the costs of replacement garden furniture.

(vi)       Parish Plan:  Gershon Berkowitz, Rural Community Development Worker, Surrey Community Action, can be invited to an FPC meeting to discuss undertaking a parish plan.

(vii)      Surrey Crimestoppers:  An email has been received thanking FPC for their donation of £40.

(viii)           The Grassroots Grants Programme:  Parish Councils are not eligible for grants from this programme but independent voluntary groups can apply.

(ix)              Volunteer Fair:  TVSC have organised another volunteer fair for Saturday, 5th March 2011.  Voluntary and community organisations are invited to get involved.

(x)                Circulation  GACC Newsletter, Sept 10;  Surrey Crimestoppers News 2010;  TDC Press Release re New e-petition service, 8 Sept 10;  SCAPTC Autumn Bulletin, 2010;  TDC News Release re Safety for Youngsters, 9 Sept 10;  Info re SCC Buywithconfidence.gov.uk website, Sept 10;  TDC Community Services Committee Agenda, 16 Sept 10;  TDC News Release re Charity Collections, 13 Sept 10;  EGCVS AGM Agenda, 28 Sept 10;  SCC schools admission leaflet, Sept 10;  Email re SCC Transport Plan web consultation, 14 Sept 10;  Email from SALC re Electoral Review, 15 Sept 10;  TDC Local Committee Agenda, 24 Sept 10;  TDC Planning Committee Agenda, 23 Sept 10;  TDC List of Delegated Action Taken, 15 Sept 10;  TDC News Release re Street Cleaning, 17 Sept 10;  TDC News Release re new Whyteleafe Play Area, 17 Sept 10;  TDC Overview & Scrutiny Committee Agenda, 28 Sept 10;  TDC News Release re Coffee Morning, 27 Sept 10;  TDC Housing Committee Agenda, 7 Oct 10;  TDC Befriending Scheme, Sept 10;  Email re SCC Preparing for winter Campaign, 1 Oct 10;  TVSC The Voice Newsletter, Oct 10;  EG Community Play Newsletters, Sept 10;  LCR Autumn 10;  St John’s Parish News, Oct 10;  Surrey Playing Fields Assoc Annual Report & Accounts 2009/10;  ERHA The Bulletin, Summer 10;  Clerks & Councils Direct, Sept 10;  Email re SCC Fund for Small Disadvantaged Areas, Sept 10;  Public Value Review of SCC Countryside Service, 4 Oct 10;  TDC Resources Committee Agenda, 14th Oct 10. 

 

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

 

799            K Harwood                                Bulbs for village green                £246.75

800            B. Wright                          Bus shelter cleaning for Oct               £29.38

801            R. White                           Clerk’s salary for Oct                         £222.19

802            HM Revenue & Customs            Income Tax for Oct                                 £55.40

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803            R White                           Office Allowance for Oct

and Petty Cash for Sept                          £69.03

804            G Thayre                          Repairs to bus shelter                           £260.00

805            Surrey Wildlife Trust            Donation towards tools                               £50.00

 

11.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

 

(i)                  Complaints have been received from residents of Domewood about aircraft turning in an easterly direction.  This has been reported to Gatwick Airport who have produced reports showing the flights are still within the funnel but are keeping to one side. 

(ii)                The Village Hall Committee have been donated money towards the cost of rewiring the village hall.  The work may commence in March.

 

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

 

The meeting closed at approximately 10.00pm.

RW

18 October 2010