Woldingham Parish Council

MINUTES of a Meeting held at the Village Hall, Woldingham on 26 June 2003 at 7.30 p.m.                             

Present:            Jeff Jeffery (in the Chair); Rodney Fuller;  Michael Batterbury;  Colin Packington; Sheila Butcher;  Bobby Johnson;  Sally Marks; Jill Meekings (Vice-Chairman)

Also in attendance:            Karen Newman (the Clerk), Richard Butcher (part of the time)

1. Apologies:  Cllr Bantick

2. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on the 29 May 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:

1. Current Applications: A copy of Appendix A had been circulated to all members before the meeting. In Cllr Bantick’s absence Cllr Johnson read through Appendix A as agreed at the Planning Meetings on 3 and 20 June.
   Cllr Packington queried the decision made on Forest Ridge, Station Road.  In reply Cllr Johnson read out the letter sent to TDC.  The Chairman asked Cllr Butcher whether he felt TDC would put a bond on this building.  Cllr Butcher confirmed that they could and the Chairman advised that the Parish Council would pursue this.
   
   
2. When Cllr Johnson reached the Millennium Stone, the Chairman took the opportunity in the light of the recent letter sent to the local press to reiterate that the Parish Council are not paying for the Millennium Stone but were approached by the Millennium Committee to apply for Planning Permission on their behalf – this was stated in February 2003 minutes.
   
   
3. The Chairman also took the opportunity to say that the Parish Council had not refused a grant to Dial A Ride this was covered in the minutes of March 2003.
   
   
4. Cllr Johnson read out the letter sent to TDC regarding Gable Cottage to the meeting for the benefit of Cllrs and members of the public attending.  If was agreed that a second letter would be sent to TDC incorporating comments from members of the public who attended the meeting but the Chairman advised that members of the public must write in personally with their objections.  Cllr Butcher confirmed that this will go to Committee where the Parish Council and one other will be able to speak for 3 minutes.
   
   
5. The Chairman passed Cllr Johnson a letter received from Marion Pleydell re Dukes Hill.
   
   The Council voted to ratify the recommendations of the Planning Group including the further objections to Gable Cottage.

  Appeals:

a.         Holmwood, Park View Road: Cllr Johnson advised the meeting that the Parish Council’s solicitor had advised that we obtain the briefing of a barrister.  Cllr Meekings questioned the cost implication.

b.         Cllr Johnson asked whether the Parish Council could agree the fees for Gina Burgess Winning and a resolution was passed to pay the fees in respect of Park Mews and Chalk Quarry.  Cllr Meekings asked whether we have a ‘pot’ allocated for legal fees and commented that the Council should be aware of what can be afforded within the budget.  Cllr Marks mentioned that the Parish Council should build up a contingency legal fund.

c.         The Chairman queried the letter from Tim Harrold CPRE re BW92.  Cllr Johnson advised that she did not have a copy of the letter and Cllr Bantick will be asked to up-date at the next meeting.

Infringements:

a.         Bridleway 92: Cllr Packington reported that he had spoken to the Infringement Officer that day and he confirmed that TDC had written to Mr Drea concerning his number of horse boxes. They are not heavy vehicles so do not require licensing.

b.         Sand School: Cllr Packington advised the meeting that he had just heard that the planning application had been withdrawn.  This is because no retrospective planning consent can be granted with regard too the existing sand school as it is too close to the boundary.  The Sand School will have to be reapplied for in a more appropriate position.  Cllr Packington advised that the height of the fences, are higher than permitted boundary fencing.  Also that the skids on the mobile loose boxes appeared to be set into concrete.

c.         Whistlers Steep, Chalk Pit Lane: Cllr Packington confirmed that TDC have asked Mr Patel to submit an application for rebuilding the barn.  Cllr Packington confirmed that the owner did not realise that he needed planning consent for his extension behind the house nor the driveway.

d.         Downswold,  Park View Road: Cllr Packington confirmed that TDC had sent a letter to the owners regarding the roof finish.

e.                  Tillingdown: Cllr Packington advised that he had received a response in the form of a letter to Peter Ainsworth (copies distributed to Cllrs).  He advised that Cllr Bantick urges him to press for TDC to also take part particularly with regard to the bund adjacent to Paddock Barn towards Godstone.  There are a number of prosecutions in place to various people including the firms who take the material their and not just the owners of the land. 

f.        Cotters Hill: Cllr Packington advised that he had received a memo from Cllr Bantick regarding concerns over tools which are lying in the field.  Cllr Packington advised that he felt the tools were for the tradesmen who worked in the fields and were not objectionable. The use of the barn for business purposes TDC and Inland Revenue had visited and rated the premises to their satisfaction.  It is neither agricultural nor commercial – cut flowers and essential oils come between the two so they have a special rate for that business.

g.         Cotters Bungalow – Cllr Packington confirmed that he had received an objection regarding the name so he had consulted the Oxford English Dictionary and a bungalow is the Hindustani word for a single storey house.  Cllr Packington visited Cotters Bungalow and confirmed that it fitted the description of a bungalow. 

h.         The Chairman asked Cllr Packington if there was any movement on the trellising around the ‘Green Shed’.   Cllr Packington confirmed that Mr Rose has agreed to put up the trellising and plant honeysuckle and he will follow up.                                 Action: Cllr Packington           

6.  Finance:

1. Payments: The payments: as at Appendix B were approved and signed.
2.       The Chairman advised the meeting that the Audit for 2002/2003 had been received and the date for submitting is the 26 August.
3.        The Chairman advised that he had received a letter from East Surrey Community Mediation Group who involve themselves with neighbours problems.  They are asking for a Grant and it was agreed that the request would be looked at along with Dial A Ride and any other applications toward the end of the year.

7.  Highways & Rights of Way:

1. Highways Monitoring and Reporting: Cllr Fuller confirmed that he had received one road report.  The Chairman advised that he would like to chase up the hole reported in the crescent and the subsiding soakaway, which was raised at a meeting with Charlie Marsh a few days ago.  The Chairman advised that he understood there was a new contractor which Cllr Marks confirmed had started on the 1 April.  Cllr Packington advised that he had written to Charlie Marsh with regard to the road markings on Chalk Pit Lane and had received a positive response.  Chalk Pit Lane is divided into 3 and will omit road markings from the wide section of road up as far as the ridge down to about 200m prior to reaching the M25 bridge, road markings are then needed through the residential area and where again road markings are not needed.
   
   
2.   The Crescent : Cllr Batterbury advised that a recent meeting had taken place with Charlie Marsh and one of the matters discussed was the maintenance of the footpaths  adjacent to shops and it was agreed that Highways would maintain the maintenance.  It was agreed that the PC would go to Fairalls to decide on what type of paving would be used.
   Cllr Batterbury advised that he had received 3 quotes for the proposed path edging around the Crescent Green and a vote was taken to agree the quote of £8,849.75 + VAT for the paving work on the grassed side of the road.  Tandridge Parks to be contacted.
   Cllr Batterbury advised that the road markings will go ahead.  A vote was taken that Cllr Batterbury can order the works for a cost of up to £500 without coming back to the Parish Council.  Any figure above Cllr Batterbury would present the quote at the next meeting for discussion.
   The Chairman confirmed that he would contacted the Parks Department to take out the middle tree after advice from the Horticultural Society.  Parks Department have confirmed that the tree will be removed and the hedge will be cut in September.
   
   
3. Service Road: Cllr Packington advised the meeting that the Treasury Solicitors have acknowledged that they now have the property in their possession and are now able to sell it to the Parish Council. The Treasury Solicitors have written to all the surrounding properties informing them that this is their intention of disposing of the property in this manner. The Chairman asked if we will get the definitive title deeds and diagram and Cllr Packinton advised that we would.  The Chairman confirmed that the PC had received a lot of positive response with regard to the parking. Action: Cllr Packington
   
   
4. Cllr Marks advised that she had seen the aftermath of two accidents at Bug Hill and had reported this to Charlie Marsh.  Cllr Fuller queried why SCC could not cut the hedge and recoup the costs.          Action: Cllr Marks.
   
   Footpaths & Bridleways: Cllr Packington reported that both FP28 and FP29 have been obliterated where passing through Tillingdown valley and that the SCC rights of Way Officers will be examining the situation.

   8.  Reports:

   1. Woldingham Countryside Walk 6/6:  The Chairman advised that both himself and Cllr Packington attended.   
   2. CPRE 30/5: Cllr Fuller attended and advised that the meeting was about traffic problems in surrey but no constructive points came out of the meeting.
   3. PC/WA Meeting 9/6: The meeting was cancelled by the WA.
      
      

   9.  Miscellaneous Matters:

   1. Biggin Hill Airport: Cllr Johnson reminded the meeting that the deadline for people to write in is the 30/6.
   2. Surrey Compact Draft: The Chairman advised that he had received this document and passed it to Cllr Fuller to answer.
   3.  Gatwick Airport: Cllr Johnson advised that she attended the meeting at Dorking but felt no new information was addressed.
   4. Village Appraisal: Cllr Meekings showed a list of questions that need to be pushed through and advised that someone needs to keep on top of items.  Cllr Meekings will produce a progress sheet where items can be ticked off when actioned.
   5. Web Site: Cllr Meekings advised that she has updated the web site and it was running smoothly.
   6. Village Design Statement: Cllr Johnson confirmed that the Quiz Night will be taking place on the 10/10 and asked if the Parish Council would like to support a team.  At the meeting on the 18/5 people were asked to fill out a questionnaire and these answers have been analysed. Cllr Johnson advised that three areas came out of the questionnaire which were not relevant to the Village Design but more relevant to the Parish Council.  These items were: Planning, Consevation Areas and Highways.  At the next meeting of the committee (date to be arranged) a draft copy of the Statement will be available.  Cllr Meekings mentioned that every photograph that goes into to the document should have the permission of the owner.
   7. Parking in the Crescent: covered previously
   8. Millennium Stone: Cllr Packington advised that we are still waiting the outcome of the planning application.
   9. Village Hall Keys:  The Chairman advised that he had not arranged a meeting and mentioned that parts of the planning applications are going missing and he asked for ideas on other ways for plans to be made available to the public.  Cllr Meekings will contact The Glebe to obtain a cost of renting a room. Action: The Chairman/Cllr Meekings
   10. Amendments to Standing Orders: A meeting will be set up between The Chairman, Cllr Johnson and Cliford Catt the internal auditor to discuss the amendments.
   11. Viewpoint: Cllr Packington advised that Surrey Hills Partnership and Oxted PC are on board and a meeting will now be arranged.
   12. Newsletter: The Chairman asked for any items for the newsletter to be submitted by the end of July for publication in August.
   13. John O’Brien – the Chairman read out a letter received from John O’Brien re the Millennium Stone.  He confirmed that a lot of letters received from Mr O’Brien contain about 90% of false facts and asked the Parish Council to pass a resolution not to reply to his letters.   After the discussion the Chairman withdrew his resolution and a further resolution was proposed in which it was agreed that the Parish Council would take legal advice over recent correspondence and an acknowledgement only would be sent in answer to any future letters received from Mr O’Brien’s.  This was carried.
   14. Police: Cllr Marks reported that for future Police emergency calls the number is now 0845 125 2222.
   15. Noticeboard: Cllr Packington reported that an inscribed brass plate had been affixed noting the contribution of Mr George Psyden in its manufacture.

   10. Meetings to attend

   a.      TVSC AGM 2/7

   b.      Rural Speed Management Seminar 3/7 – We would enquire whether there are any places still available (subsequently we have been advised that the seminar is full but we will receive the papers).

   11.  Correspondence:

   a.      The Chairman advised that a copy of a letter sent to TDC had been received from the Chairman of the WA regarding Woldingham Golf Course.

   b.      The Chairman confirmed that he had received a Surrey Hill Management Plan Consultation Document which was passed to Cllr Packington to answer.

   c.      The Chairman confirmed that correspondence had been received from Nick Skellett SCC re Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill.

   12.  Any Other Business:

   a.      Diary: July diary was circulated.

   b.      Cllr Packington reported that the Pridmore Seat on Northdown Road had recently been restored and a contribution to the cost thereof had been received from the Secretary of the Northdowns Golf Club.

   c.       Cllr Marks suggested that it was important to carry out a ‘Litter Pick’ in the village and Cllr Packington volunteered to organise the activity.

    Meeting ended 11.20  –  12 members of the public in attendance.

   Next meeting Thursday 31 July  at Woldingham Village Hall.