Present:           Jill Meekings  (Chairman); Bill Williams; Julie Moylan; Colin Packington; Jeff Jeffery; Michael Batterbury; Rodney Fuller; Sally Marks; Bobby Johnson; Karen Newman (Clerk)

1. Apologies: 3 apologies received from members of the public including Cllr Richard Butcher

2. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on the 30 November had been circulated and were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

3. Declarations of Interest:

Cllr Marks - member of another authority Surrey County Council

Cllr Johnson - Company Secretary of Woldingham Magazine

Chairman Jill Meekings - Registered owner of the Domain of Woldingham.com

4. Matters arising:

Action list which had been circulated to all Councillors before the meeting was discussed and will be updated for the February meeting.

Drain on the Green: Cllr Marks will contact Highways re the collapsed drain.

Slines Oak Island: Cllr Jeffery to chase meeting

Deepsound: Despite 2 letters and numerous messages being left it was agreed that a final letter be sent explaining that if further dumping occurs then the Parish Council will have no alternative but to arrange for removal and send the bill for recovery of costs. Clerk to send letter 

5.  Planning Matters:

a.      A copy of Appendix A had been circulated to all members before the meeting and the Council voted to ratify the recommendations of the Planning Group.  Cllr Johnson advised the meeting that she had applied to Mr Puddy in Bristol requesting an extension of six days as the paperwork sent to the Clerk had never arrived.  Cllr Johnson asked whether the Parish Council wanted to have legal representation and it was agreed that we would not as TDC would be represented.

b.     Infringements:   Cllr Packington read through the infringement report which had been circulated to all Councillors before the meeting. 

 6.  Finance:

a.      Payments: The payments as Appendix B were signed and approved.  28.

b.     Auditors Charges: The Chairman explained that the Clerk had been contacted by the Auditors as Mr Blackburn had raised questions re the purchase of the Service Road and in this respect the Parish Council would be charged £125.  The Chairman advised that the Clerk had pointed out to BDO Hayward that the questions raised by Mr Blackburn were outside of the accounting period which will prevent any further costs arising.  Concerns were raised over the Auditor being able to bill without warning, especially that this appears to be due to a loophole in the law and therefore it was agreed that a letter raising our concerns would be sent to Mr Peter Ainsworth and to the partner at BDO Haywood. Clerk to write letters to Peter Ainsworth and BDO Haywood.

7.  Highways & Rights of Way:

a.         Highways Monitoring and Reporting:  Cllr Fuller advised that he had received one report which had been passed to Cllr Marks.  Cllr Marks advised that the community gang should be coming to Woldingham every 6 weeks and she asked for permission to arrange a meeting with the Clerks of Whyteleafe, Caterham, Woldingham, Cllr Fuller and Steve Cunnah to find the most appropriate way to get items on the list for repair and effectively completed.  Cllr Marks advised that you can track items on the list at the Contact Service Centre which will show whether the job had been carried out or not but will not show a time scale. Cllr Marks to arrange meeting.

b.         Slines Oak Island: covered above.

 The Chairman advised that a resident had raised concern over the verges throughout Woldingham.  It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Water Company to request reinstatement after works are completed.

8.  Reports:

The Chairman advised that both herself and the Clerk had attended a meeting with Mr O’Brien to see whether the Parish Council could answer any of his grievances.  The outcome of the meeting was inconclusive but Mr O’Brien did agree not to correspond with the Parish Council any more.  Since the meeting the Clerk confirmed that she had since received 5 letters and 2 invoices.  The invoices received were for Mr O’Brien’s time in attending the meeting and his time in taking photocopies of the Declarations of Interest as requested by himself.  On the basis of legal advice received there is no obligation to pay these invoices.

Village Hall: Cllr Jeffery confirmed that the committee are still advertising for a Caretaker and the cottage is being repaired.  Cllr Jeffery reported that there is a good application for bookings in 2007, the hall is a lot of cleaner and quotes are being obtained for refurbishment.

9.  Miscellaneous Matters:

a.         Airports: nothing to report.

b.         Recycling: nothing to report

c.         Litter Pick - Cllr Packington advised that the next litter pick will be on April 28 2007.

d.         Security:  The Chairman advised that Cllr Jeffery will contact the Police to get their views on improving security in the Crescent area and to discuss the different types of CCTV systems available. The Chairman commented at the disappointment of feedback as only 2 residents had written in against the scheme and does that mean that the rest of the Village is happy!

g.   Christmas Tree/Carol Service: The Chairman advised that there had been many positive comments and offers of help for this year.  It was agreed that a donation of £50 would be sent to the salvation army and asking them to attend this year’s event. A date for this year’s event was agreed as Friday 14 December 2007.

h.   Parking: The Chairman advised that no complaints had been received with regard to the 20 minute ‘restricted’ parking.

i.    Village Event: Cllr Moylan advised the meeting that things were progressing and had put together a list of the proposed ‘entertainment’ for the day.

j.    Newsletter: The Chairman asked all Councillors to think about articles for the April newsletter.

k.   Community Gang: covered above

l.    Improved signage: Cllr Jeffery advised that he was looking into aluminium signs for the Green.

m.  No Cold Calling: The Parish Council agreed that it was something that Neighbourhood Watch should take on and a letter will be written to David Lockett expressing the Council’s support.

n.   Viewpoint: Cllr Jeffery advised that the new barrier, post and padlock will be put up soon once Surrey and East Surrey Water has vacated the area.

o.   Storage: Cllr Fuller advised that he had got costs for a 20ft container which would cost in the region of £915 which include the electricity supply.  Cllr Fuller mentioned that he would be willing to have the container on his land and not charge the Parish Council rent.  It was agreed that Cllr Johnson and Fuller would make an appointment to view the container and report back.

10. Meetings to attend:

1 February Neighbourhood Watch

5 February Licensing Hearing - Woldingham Dene - a vote was taken and carried for Cllr Johnson to have the delegated power to speak on behalf of the Parish Council at the Licensing Hearing.

27 February Park Mews

11.  Correspondence: Correspondence received during the month was circulated to all Councillors during the meeting.

12.  Any Other Business:

a.         Diary: All Councillors completed diary dates for February.

b.         The Chairman advised that notification had been received that bus routes 409 and 411 will cease operating on the 1 June 2007.

c.         APM: The Chairman asked all Councillors to think of any ideas for the APM.

d.         Sat Nav: The Chairman advised that a resident had written concerning the increased problems of Sat Nav’s directing large lorries down unsuitable roads in the village and a discussion took place over whether more signage was needed in the Village.  It was agreed that Cllr Williams would look into this problem.

e.         Cllr Packington mentioned that there had been a tree down in Station Road which had been infested with Ivy and raised concern over the remaining trees.  It was agreed that a letter would be sent asking the house owner to consult an arbour culturist to examine the remaining trees.

f.          Cllr Packington and Jeffery both advised that they are looking into the ’spring’ at the top of Station Road which had been bought to the Council’s attention by a concerned resident.

g.         Concern was expressed regarding a leaflet which had been dropped into many houses indicating that clothes and other unwanted household effects can be put outside properties every Wednesday for collection the next day.  With no contact name or details, there is no assurance as to the reliability of this company and this may detrimentally affect the appearance of the village.  The Police are aware of this.

Meeting ended at 9.47pm and was attended by 1 members of the public part of the time.

Matter raised before the meeting: David Lockett re Cold Calling