Woldingham Parish
Council
MINUTES
of a Meeting held at the Village Hall, Woldingham on 27 March 2003 at
7.30 p.m.
Present: Jeff Jeffery
(in the Chair); Jill Meekings; Michael Batterbury;Colin Packington; Sheila
Butcher; Rodney Fuller
Also in attendance: Karen
Newman (the Clerk), Richard Butcher (part of the time)
1. Apologies: Cllrs Johnson, Marks and Bantick
2. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on the 27 February 2003
had been circulated and were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
3. Declarations of Interest: No declarations of interest.
4. Matters arising: No matters arising.
5. Planning Matters:
- Current Applications: A copy of Appendix A had been circulated by e-mail
to all members before the meeting. In Cllr Bantick’s absence Cllr Meekings read through Appendix A. The Council
voted to ratify Appendix A.
- Infringements:
Blue Container: Cllr Packington advised the meeting that he
has been unable to arrange an appointment with Mr William Rose and it
was agreed that Cllr Fuller will follow up and arrange an appointment
for Cllr Packington. The container is being used to house garden tools
and the owner will be asked to disguise the container as soon as possible
by painting it green and placing trellis around it.
Action: Cllr Fuller to arrange appointment for Cllr Packington
Whistlers Steep, Chalk Pit Lane: Cllr Batterbury will prepare a letter for the Clerk to send.
Action: Cllr Batterbury to prepare letter for the Clerk
Appledene, Lunghurst Road: Cllr Packington will contact enforcement officer at TDC.
Marden Park Egg Farm: A
letter has been prepared and will be sent to all residents explaining
the background to the enforcement action.
Land between Woldingham House and Ferrers, Lunghurst Road – it was
agreed that the Parish Council would ‘watch this space’.
Cormont Beeches: A site visit took place on Friday 21 March
by Cllrs Johnson and Batterbury. It was noted that there were a few
discrepancies in the siting of the garage from the original drawings
and the roof space above was of such a size as to provide accommodation.
The developer was asked about the alterations and advised that revised
plans had been submitted. No plans have been received at Tandridge
so Cllr Packington will contact enforcement officer at TDC. Action: Cllr Packington to contact enforcement officer
at TDC
- Appeals:
Mast at The Crescent: The public enquiry is scheduled for 20-21
May at TDC. Cllr Johnson has written a letter for publication in the
May magazine stating the relevant facts and information to assist individuals
to appeal, copies of which have also been given to all PC’s and directly
interested parties.
Holmwood, Park View Road: A public enquiry is now
going to take place in the Austum due to the large volume of letters
received from residents of Woldingham. The Parish Council gives thanks
to all residents who wrote to Bristol.
Mrs
Burgess-Winning: Cllr Packington advised the meeting that
he had been in contact with Cornhill Insurance who referred him to the
original policy. Mrs Burgess-Winning is covered under the Parish Council’s
blanket insurance as an assistant to the Clerk.
Woldingham Golf Course: The Chairman advised that
the original ‘Clause’ where the golf club could only hold golf related
events, was withdrawn in 1991. The Chairman advised that he had a copy
of Tony Christopher’s letter to Richard Butcher and supports the content
contained and the Parish Council will continue to take this matter forward.
6. Finance:
- Payments: The payments: as at Appendix
B were approved and signed.
7. Highways & Rights of Way:
- Highways Monitoring and Reporting: The
Chairman advised that he wishes to leave this item on the agenda to
encourage all Cllrs to keep reporting to Cllr Fuller. Cllr Fuller confirmed
that he had received a few reports this month. Action: All Councillors
Cllr Fuller advised the meeting that the hedge around the
transformers station near the viaduct is very overgrown. The Chairman
advised that he would look at the hedge and then ask the Clerk to write
a letter to Southern Seeboard. Action: The Chairman to visit site and Clerk to send letter
- The Crescent (Service Road): The Chairman advised
the meeting that he had received a response from the SCAPT Solicitor
advising how the Parish Council can take on the responsibility of the
Service Road. The Solicitors comments were very favourable and it was
decided to arrange a Crescent Group meeting to push this forward. The
Chairman will e-mail with dates for the meeting. Cllr Meekings stressed
that this needs to be pushed forward quickly and announced at the AGM.
The Chairman read out a paragraph from the letter and advised that the
solicitors fee when acting for the PC will be in the region of £350
+ VAT and then the land registry fee and other disbursements will amount
to £75. Finally the Treasury Solicitors fees and Land charges might
be in the region of £500-£1,000.
Parking: This will be raised at the Crescent Group meeting. The Chairman
advised that Cllr Marks has spoken to Charlie Marsh (Highways) with
a few ideas.
Disabled Ramp: Cllr Batterbury distributed plans for the proposed disabled
ramp at the Crescent. Cllr Batterbury is working with TDC’s Park’s Department
and will obtain samples of posts.
The Chairman confirmed that there had been no advance
in the exercise to determine the legality of the Highways statement that
the Crescent was a Public Highway. The case f the car parked on the grass
side without current tax would be followed up.
- Footpaths
and Bridleways: Cllr Packington advised that he had written
a letter to SCC about erecting a gate on BW92 but had received a response
that it is not down to SCC. Cllr Packington is having a meeting with
Compton Estates, the other land owners, on 10 April and will report
back at the April meeting.
8. Reports:
- SCAPT Draft Rural
Strategy 11/3: Cllrs Johnson and Packington attended the
meeting. Cllr Packington advised that the report was very similar to
the Surrey Structure Plan and will place the Surrey Countryside Rural
Strategy document in the box.
- Oxted AGM 26/3: The
Chairman attended and advised that Oxted Parish Council had also launched
their website. Gavin Stephens had given a presentation on Crime and
said people’s perception of crime was very high and that the Police
would be changing its strategy to address this. Cllr Meekings mentioned
that ‘Policing’ is not on our agenda and we should discuss this at our
meetings. The Chairman mentioned whether the new Chief of Police could
be invited to give a presentation before the start of a monthly meetings.
- WA/PC Liaison Mtg
10/3: The minutes of the meeting were circulated to all members
before the meeting. The Chairman read through the minutes.
- Recycling: Cllr Batterbury
to contact Martin Barnett
- Village Design meeting:
rescheduled for 14/5
- Speed Gun: Cllr Meekings
said we should publicise that speed checks are taking place on the
noticeboard and on the website
- Emergency Planning: The Chairman confirmed that the
Clerk had spoken to TDC who were not willing to share any plans but
assured her that emergency plans were in place. The Clerk to write
formally to David Holmwood, Surrey Emergency Planning to request information.
- A22 Caterham Bypass: The Chairman confirmed that
the clerk had contacted SCC Highways Department about clearing the
verges of litter. The clerk was advised that the matter will be
passed on to the District Council.
9. Miscellaneous Matters:
- Parish Notice Board: Cllr Packington advised the meeting that he hoped
the board would be ready by the end of next week.
- Biggin Hill Airport: In Cllr Johnson’s
absence Cllr Meekings advised that there was nothing to report at Biggin
Hill and that Redhill was not being developed. Cllr Johnson had received
a large document on Gatwick, which she will precise and report back
at April’s meeting. Action: Cllr Johnson to report at April meeting
- Village Appraisal: Cllr Meekings advised that there were two
issues: (i)
Implementing - what had been reported. The Chairman will e mail the
decisions from the recent ‘Appraisal’ meeting to all councillors so
this can be progressed. and (ii)
Archiving Information. Spare copies of the Appraisal will be
sold at £2 per copy. The spare copies will be split between the WA
and the Parish Council. Frank Edwards confirmed that a copy will be
placed in the ‘Newcomers Pack’.
- Web Site: The Vice-Chairman advised that the site was running
with no problems.
- Village Design Statement: Cllr Meekings
confirmed in Cllr Johnson’s absence that the presentation to the Village
would take place on May 14 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Cllr Meekings
advised that approximately £400 left over from the Village Appraisal
will be given to the Village Design.
- Parking in the Crescent: covered in 7b
- Millennium Stone: Cllr Packington asked
whether Cllr Bantick had discovered whether planning permission was
required? Cllr Batterbury to search for a 1:1250 scale drawing of The
Green in preparation for possible application.
- Village Hall Keys: The
Chairman reported on behalf of Cllr Bantick that it looked like the
Parish Council had the option of 7 keys but would discuss further with
Simon Aggiss.
- AGM: The Chairman advised that the AGM
is taking place on Thursday 22 May and that he would like to go ahead
with the same style as last year. The Chairman confirmed that he has
arranged for Mr Charlie Marsh Local Transportation Director and Mr Bob
Evans Director of Environmental Protection to give presentations. The
Clerk will confirm in writing to both. Cllr Meekings suggested we should
give as much publicity to their attendance as soon as possible.
Action:
Chairman, Cllr Meekings and the Clerk to discuss and advise on what
needs to be done and by whom.
- Post Office: The Chairman reported that takings had steadily
dropped since the Post Office re-opened. Adam Booth predicts that he
is losing between £3-400 per month. The Chairman advised that he had
asked Adam Booth to put together accounts showing where the shortfall
is but reported that the shop was doing ok.
10. Meetings to attend
a.
ESPLG:
16/4 Warlingham Village Hall – to attend Cllrs Marks, Bantick, the Chairman
and Clerk
b.
Chairman’s Seminar 3/4: attending the Chair and Vice-Chairman
c.
Tatsfield AGM 9/4: - the Chairman and Clerk to attend
d.
BW92: Meeting
of Landowners etc. on 10/4 Cllr Packington to attend
11. Correspondence:
a.
The Chairman advised that 1 letter had been received from
Mr O’Brien which he read out to the meeting. The Chairman mentioned that
advise from SCAPT had determined that the Parish Council does not have
a legal duty to answer any correspondence. The Chairman asked all Councillors
to consider for next months meeting whether they wish to pass a resolution
not to answer letters from Mr O’Brien in the future because of their repetitive
nature and the time wasted in doing so. A request had been received from
one Cllr to see all the letters received from Mr O’Brien so the Chairman
confirmed that the file would be placed in the box. Action: All Councillors
to consider passing a resolution
b.
The Chairman confirmed that correspondence had been received
from Christopher Cardona asking for some reimbursement towards the cost
of placing wooden posts in front of his wall. It was agreed that the
Clerk would contact Mr Cardona. Action: Clerk to contact Mr Cardona
c.
The
Chairman advised that a letter had been received from David Locket raising
the following points: (i) Bolts View: The Chairman confirmed
that a letter had been written to the bus company asking them to fix the
damage caused by parking buses. The Chairman also confirmed that according
to the new timetable the bus stop has been reinstated at The Ridge. It
was agreed that the bus company would be contacted to enquire why the
bus stop has been reinstated and for the damage to be rectified.
Action: Clerk to contact bus company (ii) Golf
Club Parking: The Chairman asked the Clerk to write to Northdowns Golf Club asking
them why they have discontinued using the posts to encourage people to
leave gaps in the parking. Action: Clerk to contact Golf Club
(iii) The Crescent: covered in minutes (iv) Station Parking: Cllr Meekings advised that this is the first formal complaint we have
received and we need to encourage people to formally complain to the Parish
Council before we can take any action. This is because any action
is likely to result in complaints from current users and we need to show
that the benefit would outweigh these. (v) Through Traffic: Cllr Meekings asked whether it would be possible to get our speed limits
reduced but the Chairman advised that South of the M25 has been designated
as the area for a series of traffic calming experiments and no changes
would be considered elsewhere until results had been analysed. Action:
Clerk to write letter to Mr Knight
d.
The Chairman advised that he had received a letter from
Oliver Graham asking for the Parish Council’s support in backing his application
to exchange his common land under the Inclosure Acts 1845-1882. The Parish
Council voted to support Mr Graham’s application.
e.
The Chairman had received correspondence from East Surrey
Dial a Ride asking for funding. The Chairman confirmed that he had contacted
Dial a Ride and asked how many people were using the facility in Woldingham.
f.
The Chairman advised that Oxted PC look at ‘grants’ once
a year and advise people when to get their applications in by. Cllr Meekings
mentioned that it would be easier and fairer to allocate the budget by
considering all applications together.
g.
Woldingham Internet Access: Cllr Meekings read out to
the meeting the letter received which suggested that there could be benefits
to the village from supporting the fast access, wireless initiative currently
being set up. It was suggested that it could go on the agenda at the AGM.
12. Any Other Business:
a.
Diary:
April diary was circulated.
b.
Bus Shelter Roof: Cllr Packington advised that he had given all
his supply of shingle to David Knight. Cllr Batterbury still to provide
further shingles and David Knight’s carpenter will fix the roof..
c.
Cllr
Packinton reported that Nicholas Fuller had reinstated the steel barrier
in front of the Village Sign at Old Slines.
Meeting ended 10.15 – 2 members of the public in attendance.
Next meeting Thursday April 24 2003
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