Woldingham Parish Council

MINUTES of a Meeting held at the Woldingham Village Hall, Woldingham on 31 January 2008 at 7.30pm.

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

1. Apologies: Cllr Williams

2. Minutes.
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 29 November had been circulated and were signed by the Acting Chairman as a correct record.

3. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Packington - Forestridge
Cllr Johnson - Company Secretary of Woldingham Magazine
Cllr Marks - member of another authority Surrey County Council
Cllr Fuller - Storage
Cllr Meekings - Registered Owner of the domain Woldingham.com

4. Matters arising
The Action list was discussed and will be updated for the February meeting.

Slines Oak Island: Cllr Jeffery mentioned that he had been advised by Knights not to plant until the end of March.

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 for December and January. Cllr Johnson advised that two late applications had come in: Rosemullion refused and Melville Refused. The Parish Council agreed that Cllr Batterbury would represent the Council on the 19 February re Fox Barn, Marden Park.
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.
b. Risk Assessment: The Chairman thanked Cllr Johnson for all her hard work in putting together the risk assessment document. The document had been circulated to all Councillors before the meeting and the Parish Council voted to pass a resolution to accept the risk assessment.

7. Highways & Rights of Way:
a. Highways Monitoring and Reporting:
Cllr Fuller expressed concern again about the overgrown hedges along Haliloo Valley Road near the Golf Club as the hedges have grown through the fence and needs to be cut back to the fence line/Bug Hill/Church Road and Slines Oak Road. The Clerk confirmed that she had spoken to the Golf Club and will chase. Clerk to contact Woldingham Golf Club.

Cllr Fuller asked for a standard letter to be sent to householders in Slines Oak Road to ask them to cut back their hedges and will advise the Clerk of the names of the houses to write to.
Cllr Fuller to provide House names and Clerk to send letters

Cllr Packington advised that the new lamp post installed is still not yet wired up and the steps need repairing on footpath 40 from Park View Road to Station Road. Cllr Marks advised that she will chase. The Chairman will also write formally to SCC re the standard of work completed and time taken to rectify the problem (meeting held with SCC August 2007). Action: Chairman to draft letter to SCC.

Cllr Johnson advised that in Cllr Williams' absence she was asked to comment on Surrey's Distribution Network as to the suitability of roads suggested by SCC for local distribution. The map sent out by SCC did not show Woldingham, so a local map indicating the position of Woldingham relative to Warlingham and Oxted was forwarded to SCC. Cllr Johnson advised that Peter Jeffs of the LORDS campaign had requested copies of the maps sent to SCC.

Cllr Johnson reported that a Surrey Highways Engineer has a meeting with 5 residents of the North End of Butlers Dene Road to discuss the road repair.

8. Reports:
Alan Simmonds read through his monthly report to the Council.

1. Although a replacement Chair-person has not been appointed, FlightPath will continue to be run by two volunteers on a join management basis.
2. A direct link is soon to be established between the FlightPath website and our Woldingham one. An article on the Biggin Airport threat is due to appear in the February edition of the Parish magazine, highlighting the aforementioned web-site link. In future, information on Biggin's expansion plans will be posted on Woldingham's website and it will be updated regularly.
3. Woldingham's support for FlightPath's objections to Biggin's development plans has been registered by way of a letter sent to the relevant Bromley Councillors and one at Tandridge.
4. In addition to the works Biggin applied for late last year, (see item 3 in my last report), the airport has submitted yet more plans for new buildings. It is also expected to try and renew a 20-year old application for a 50- bedroom hotel, and to increase flights at "shoulder times", (i.e. early morning and evening, weekends and Bank Holidays). This latter proposal is of particular concern to Woldingham as it will result in more over-flights, more noise and at more intrusive times.
5. Although some of the developments applied for by the Airport last year have since been given the go-ahead by Bromley Council (e.g. The first floor extension to the Terminal Building), others have either been refused permission or are being challenged by the Council. It also appears to be taking a tougher stance in reinforcing the terms of the Lease, which could be good news for Woldingham. However, this will become clearer at a Council Hearing due to take place on January 30th.
6. FlightPath continues to pressurise Bromley Councillors to be even more rigorous and it has just identified a possible breach by the Airport in its proposed buildings construction and design - they don't appear to conform with the standards specified in the Lease - which will be brought to Councillors attention.

Cllr Johnson advised that the yearly subscription for Flightpath had been received and a vote was taken and carried for a subscription of £50. The Clerk to raise a cheque and send.

9. Miscellaneous Matters:
a. Airports: Covered above.
b. Station Car Parking: The Chairman advised that 35 residents had attended the Police Meeting which was held before the Council meeting. The Chairman confirmed that a letter had been written to Gordon Keymer of Tandridge District Council but a negative reply had been received and asked the Council for ideas on how to move this forward.

It was agreed that another letter would be written to Roger Archer Reeves of SCC and copying in Peter Langham who is the Chairman of the Tandridge Local Committee.

A long discussion took place and it was agreed that Cllr Fuller would contact the lady owner of the scrub land next to the car park and ask whether she would be willing to either rent the field or sell the land and obtain costings for discussion at February's meeting. It was agreed that once all the facts had been received then the Council would consult the Village on the way forward. Action: Cllr Fuller to determine facts for car park extension.

It was agreed that yellow lines need extending on both sides of the road along Woldingham Road to stop people parking and Cllr Marks advised that she will be pushing for this but it will not happen within the next few months. The Police are going to place leaflets on the parked cars as it is illegal to leave a car with no lights on in the dark on a derestricted unlit road.

Cllr Marks suggested that the Council funds a Hopper Bus which will pick up passengers at a number of main points around the village or do a fixed circuit.
Action: Cllr Marks to investigate the feasibility and practicalities of a Hopper Bus.

Church Road: Cllr Marks suggested putting yellow lines up to the bridge and also mentioned the possibility of curfew parking. However, her opinion was that both of these were unhelpful for commuter parking and may push parking onto other Woldingham roads. The Chairman suggested residents only parking. It was agreed that a letter would be written to Derek Poole and Roger Archer Reeves in this respect.
Action: Chairman to write to SCC re Church Road.

c. School Parking: Cllr Johnson advised that she had discussed with the Glebe about allowing school parents to drop off and pick up in the space between the tennis courts and Station Road - she confirmed that she had received confirmation that the Glebe was not adverse to this. The Chairman suggested that a discussion on site to be arranged with the School's Transport Group, the Glebe and one Parish Councillor plus Cllr Marks as the SCC representative.
Action: Cllr Johnson to arrange meeting.

Cllr Johnson confirmed that Cllr Jeffery will be representing the Parish Council at the School Governor's Meeting on the 11 March and Cllr Marks will be attending as a Surrey County Councillor. Cllr Moylan mentioned that little feedback is received from meetings held with the school

d. Improved signage: Cllr Jeffery to chase and report back at February's meeting.
e. Storage: The Chairman confirmed that the storage area is now 'up and running' and it was agreed that this would now be taken off the agenda.
f. Xmas Event: Cllr Jeffery advised that to conform with new regulations an earth socket needs to be fitted just under the flat window and Park & Bailey are in full agreement for this to be carried out. The cost of these works is £436.80 and a vote was taken and agreed for this to go ahead.

It was agreed that in next year's advertisement of the event it would include for people to bring torches in order for them to see the hymn sheets more easily.

The Chairman mentioned that a number of people have asked for a Summer Event and it was agreed that a Village Picnic would be arranged on Sunday 20 July from 2.30 - 4.30 pm. Cllr Moylan will get costings from Oxted Band and report back at February's meeting. Cllr Moylan would contact Sue Edwards to ask whether she wished to get involved with the arrangements.
g. Speedwatch: Cllr Jeffery confirmed that people had been back out.
h. Security: Cllr Johnson confirmed that there is money available for the PCSO until the end of the year. It was agreed that this item would now be removed from the agenda.
j. New Councillors Meeting: The Chairman advised that another meeting had been arranged for the 4th March and asked Councillors to think of people they should invite and for the Clerk to issue invitations.

Cllr Moylan advised that she and the Clerk had attended a New Councillor meeting held by Paul Hartley of SCAPT. Posters will now be placed in the notice board and Village Hall and an article will go on the website.

10. Meetings to attend:
School Governors Mtg 11/3 at 8p[m
Informal Hearing 19/2 at 10am at TDC Offices

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 2008.
b. Cllr Jeffery advised that the toilets in the Village Hall should be finished by the early part of next week. The final cost appears to be less than previously advised but it is not known who has carried out the work. The Clerk will check that an appropriate quote and invoice is received before the grant can be paid.
c. Cllr Packington advised that he had carried out a yearly inspection of the notice board, name boards, benches and bus shelter. He confirmed that he had contacted David Knight to arrange for the bus shelter to be recoated. The Clerk to write a formal letter of thanks to David Knight.
d. Cllr Jeffery asked the Clerk whether she had received a response from Parks Department re the hedge in the Crescent. The Clerk advised that she had received no response and Cllr Jeffery will follow up.
e. Cllr Jeffery advised that the Surrey Hill Society has been formed and a steering group will be put together in the next couple of months.
f. Cllr Fuller asked whether there was any progress in getting a replacement caretaker for the Village Hall and Cllr Jeffery advised that until the cottage was finished no advertisement would take place.

Meeting ended at 9.34

4 members of the public present

Appendix A December 2007
Recommendations of planning group:

07/1887 Birchwood Farm, Woldingham Road -retention of fence along north boundary. Erection of covered walkway between farm buildings, stable block and temporary field shelter/stable for a period of 12 months.
This is in reality a retrospective application and does not include change of use of office. Letter sent.

07/1901/TPO Grey Cedars, Station Road - TPO 47 (T) - fell 1 Lime tree
Objection - see no valid reason for felling the tree.

07/1919 Oakwood, Butlers Dene Road - erection of double garage to front garden. No objection

07/1947 Rosemullion, Northdown Road - erection of pitched roof over detached garage. No objection - conditions placed if permission granted.

07/1946 Melville Cottage, Park View Road - demolition of garage. Erection of gararge. (certificate of lawfulness for a proposed development)
No objection

07/1940 Pipers Dene, Southfields Road - retention of balcony and stairs to south elevation. No objection

07/1988/TPO Beech Tree Cottage, Northdown Road - TPO10,2007 (T) - reduce crown of 1 Beech tree by 20% and crown lift by up to 6.1 metres.
No objection

07/1987/TPO - Rest Harrow, Upper Court Road - TPO 210 (T) - reduce 6 Yew trees to house by 20%; reduce height by 25% and thin by 20%.
No objection

Decisions by TDC under delegated powers:

Approve

07/1276 Conewood, Upper Court Road - demolition of single storey extension to west elevation. Erection of 2-storey extension to west elevation, first floor extension to front elevation and hipped roof to east elevation.

07/1513 Byron House, Slines Oak Road - widening of access by 0.75 metres and erection of a pair of brick walls with piers 1.65 metres high to front of property.

07/1721 The Gables, Station Road - use of roof area of attached garage as ancillary residential accommodation. ( Certificate of lawfulness for an existing use.)

Refuse

07/1637 Beau Coin, Southfields Road - demolition of conservatory. Erection of 2-storey front/side extension and single storey rear extension with balcony.

Appeals

07/1341 Chaldons Farm, Gangers Hill, Godstone - decision to be decided on the basis of exchange of written submissions needed to be with the inspectorate by 25th December.

Informal hearings

07/434 Fox Barn, Marden Park - erection of stable building together with hardstanding and access onto bridleway.
19th February 2008

Appendix A January 2008 Meeting

Recommendations of planning group:

07/1991 Glenside, Long Hill - demolition of side extension and bay windows to front. Erection of side/rear extension and two dormer windows to rear roof slope. No objection

07/1989 Forest Ridge, Station Road - erection of single storey extension to west elevation and part single storey part two storey extension to east elevation with balconies over and erection of dormer window to south slope.
No objection- letter sent expressing reservations as to the viability of application

07/2036 Tynwald, Park View Road - part conversion of garage to habitable
room. (Certificate of Lawfulness for a Proposed Development). No objection

07/2052 Little Kemp, Upper Court Road - erection of porch to front elevation. No objection

08/14 The Warren, Church Road - demolition of dwelling. Erection of 7-bed dwelling with detached triple garage. Objection

08/35 Quince Cottage, Station Road - demolition of existing dwelling and garage, Erection of 2/3 Storey house and detached triple garage. Objection

08/49 Foxlease, Upper Court Road - demolition of dwelling and outbuildings. Erection of 2x5-bed detached houses with garages and access.
Objection

08/78 Little Oaks, Park View Road - Erection of first floor side extension
No objection

Decisions by TDC under delegated powers:
Approve

06/1773 Chaldons Farm, Gangers Hill - demolition of conservatory. Part 2-storey/part single storey extension to west elevation and erection of dormer window to 2nd.floor rear and front roof slope.

07/1823 Millray, Slines oak Road - demolition of rear dormer. Erection of 2-storey rear extension.

07/1988/TPO Beech Tree Cottage, Northdown Road - TPO - reduce crown of 1 Beech tree by 20% and crown lift by up to 6.1 metres.

Withdrawn

07/1887 Birchwood Farm, Woldingham Road - retention of fence along north boundary. Erection of covered walkway between farm buildings, stable block and temporaoy field shelter/stable for a period of 12months.

Refuse

06/1773 Chaldons Farm, Gangers Hill - erection of single storey extension to north and east elevation

07/1901/TPO Grey Cedars, Station Road. - fell 1 Lime tree.

Appeals

APP/M3645/C /07/2042538 The Old Nursery, Lunghurst Road - the appeal is dismissed and the enforcement notice is upheld.

APP/M3645/A/07/2054643 Wychwood, Upper Court Road - the appeal is dismissed.

APP/M3645/C/07/2041357 1&2 Tillingdown Cottages,Tillingdown Lane, Caterham - the appeal is dismissed.

Hearings

07/525 Land to the R/O Gable Cottage - an informal hearing has been set up by TDC at 10.00am on 8th April 2008 at the Council offices.

APPENDIX B: JANUARY 2008

Gold Account
Balance as at 31 January 2008 £63,213.80

Transfer on 31 January 2008 £1,000.00
Invoices Paid During the Month:
Mr N Fuller re Storage £963.50
Bobby Johnson re new cllr mtg £48.42
Karen Newman wages £434.40
Expenses £78.00
Robert Acton Product Dev- litter pickers £352.50
Litho Techniques - newsletter £279
Jill Meekings - expenses re carol evening £161.85
Jeff Jeffery expenses re new cllr mtg £10.05
Karen Newman expenses re carol evening £79.50
Village Hall Rent re Public Mtg £51.75
Woldingham Village Store - Christmas Carol Eve £45.90

Monies Paid In During the Month:
Mr Amin re service road £486.23

Expenses to be paid:
Karen Newman Wages £445.16
Backpay £96.84
General Expenses £74.00
Village Hall Rent for PC £14.63
Viking Direct Stationery £98.95
Salvation Army Donation re Carol Evening £100.00
Europahost £76.38
Bobby Johnson Expenses re stamps £5.76

Expenses for the month £911.72

Balance £1,460.90