Woldingham Parish Council

MINUTES of a Meeting held at the Village Hall, Woldingham on 30 June 2005 at 7.30 p.m.                                           

Present:           Jeff Jeffery; Colin Packington; Julie Moylan; Jill Meekings (Chairman); Michael Batterbury; Maggie Bantick;Sally Marks; Bobby Johnson (Vice Chairman);Rodney Fuller

Also in attendance:     Karen Newman – The Clerk

1. Apologies: None

2. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on the 26 May 2005 had been circulated and were signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

Jill Meekings listed twice

Add Bobby Johnson.

3. Declarations of Interest:

Cllr Marks declared that she is an elected member of another authority

Cllr Fuller declared an interest in planning application 05/641/N Warren Barn Farm

4. Matters arising:

The Chairman mentioned that in last months minutes she was going to write to TDC regarding the situation in Church Road.  The Chairman advised that she had been to look at the parking situation on a number of occasions during the month and feels the level of parking is not any worse than before the increased charges.  The Chairman advised that a letter to TDC is on hold but the situation will be monitored.

5.  Planning Matters:

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 Bantick asked for the Parish Council to consider the following applications:

Nutfield, Station Road and Down End, Lunghurst Road. 

After a discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would have no objections to either planning application.

Appeals: Cllr Bantick advised that the Landr/o Cherrys, High Drive had been allowed.

Current:

a.      Springfield BW92 - Cllr Bantick advised that all documentation had now been submitted and that the CPRE have also submitted a document on the Council’s behalf.  Cllr Bantick mentioned that the Woldingham Association document had been returned as it arrived after the date deadline.

Cllr Bantick advised the Chairman that appeal decisions are not available on the web but this is something that is being looked at for the future.

Cllr Bantick advised that Park Mews is now under offer.

b. Infringements: Cllr Packington read through the Infringement report which had been circulated to all Councillors before the meeting.  Various infringements were discussed.

Cllr Packington advised that he had written a letter enclosing photographs regarding Mr Drea’s property with a copy to Cllr Richard Butcher.   Cllr Packington advised that it is now time to push at a district level and the Chairman asked Cllr Packington to speak to Cllr Butcher and formally ask him to push this forward.

Springfield:  Cllr Packington advised that he had asked why the Appeal Inspectors recommendations had not been carried out and advised that prosecution had been deferred in view of the appeal.  Cllr Marks asked for a letter to be written Peter Ainsworth as the Chairman of the Environment Audit Committee and Cllr Bantick asked that Park Mews is used as an example. Action: Cllr Packington and Clerk to write letter to Mr Ainsworth

The Chairman advised that we had received a copy of the Surrey Structure Plan which was passed to Cllr Bantick and that the Clerk also has a copy.

c. Local Development Framework: The Chairman advised that a Consultation document had been received and Cllrs Moylan, Johnson, Marks, Packington, Bantick and the Chairman will meet on Monday 4 July at 7pm to discuss the proposals. 

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

b.    External Audit: The Chairman advised that the Clerk and met with the internal auditor to complete the annual return for the year ended 31 March 2005.  The Chairman read out the Statement of Assurance to all Councillors who agreed a ‘Yes’ response to each question given.  The Chairman and Clerk signed the Statement of Assurance. 

7.  Highways & Rights of Way:

a.         Highways Monitoring and Reporting:  Cllr Fuller advised that he had received one report this month.  Cllr Packington expressed concern that he had reported that the kerb at the bottom of the footpath on Station Road was dislodged and the work had not been carried out.  Cllr Fuller will chase up.

            Slynes Oak Road:  Cllr Marks advised that Highways had been to look at the road  twice and agree that a poor job has been done.  The work is now on the Contractors list to be rectified at their own expense.  

b.         C 72 Woldingham Road: The Chairman advised that proposals had been received from Shelley Benson Mobility Manager SCC with regard to the safety of cyclists, horse riders and walkers crossing the C 72 Woldingham Road between bridleways.  The Chairman and Cllr Fuller looked at the proposals and made the following comments: ”We support what is proposed however, we would like to make the additional comment that, in our view, this still remains a dangerous crossing place.  The sight lines have now been addressed.  They are still poor and dangerous for riders, cyclists or walkers who are crossing from the South West side of Woldingham Road”.  This report has been sent to Shelley Benson who will report to Committee on the 8 July.

            C72 Station Road, Woldingham - Revised Road Markings: The Chairman advised that she had received correspondence re revised road marks in Station Road.   

c.         Crescent: Nothing to report.

d.         Service Road: The Chairman advised that good progress had been made and that the Clerk will be in a position to issue invoices shortly to all Landlords who have a liability for maintenance of the road, based on the rateable value or residential banding rate.  The Chairman advised that she had produced a spreadsheet which shows the apportionment Service Road main costs and that the Parish Council had kindly agreed to spread the costs over 10 years.

            Cllr Packington advised that he needs to get estimates for the design and erection of road signs and asked for guidance on what the signs should say.   After a discussion it was agreed that the signs would say:

            Private Road

            Access Only

            No Parking

            By order of Woldingham Parish Council

Cllr Packington advised that he will obtain estimates for the road markings and the trimming of hedges that needs to take place and will report at the next meeting. 

            Cllr Packington advised that with regard to the large payment made this month the Council is able to claim the VAT back.  The Clerk will speak to the external auditor.

c.         Footpaths & Bridleways: Nothing to report.

8.  Reports: No reports.

9.  Miscellaneous Matters:

a.      Airports: Cllr Johnson issued all Councillors with a brief analysis of the latest developments at Biggin Hill Airport.   Cllr Johnson advised that she attended the Gatwick Draft Plan on 31/5 where the purpose was to listen to a presentation.  The single runway will take the airport through to 2015-2030, there are no increases in night flights.  Stanstead’s runway will be up and running in 2013.

b.     Village Design: Cllr Jeffery advised that he will be having a consultation with Tandridge to take the document forward.  He mentioned that he had contact Sue Edwards to speak to Jenny King and Cllr Butcher with regard to the comment they made about ½ acre plots.  

c.      Newsletter:  The Chairman advised that the next newsletter is planned for September and asked whether the Council produces 2 a year instead of 3 ie April and October.  Cllr Jeffery asked whether the timings could be flexible.  The Chairman asked Cllr Johnson to investigate the cost of producing a different format and to contact the Clerk of Whyteleafe to ascertain their costs in producing a newsletter. 

d.    Recycling: The Surrey Minerals and Waste Development Framework document precise had not been received by Councillors and Cllr Batterbury will re-email with his recommendations.  Cllr Jeffery asked for a letter to be sent with regard to the rubbish collection in North Down Road and the Chairman asked for Park View Road to be included.

e.     Post Office: Nothing to report.

f.       Litterpick: Cllr Packington advised that a document has now been prepared on “How to run a litter pick” and that he had noticed that Warlingham’s litter pick had been advertised in the Surrey Mirror.  The next litter pick will be on 24 September.

g.      Road Group: Cllr Jeffery advised that he will arrange a meeting with Surrey Highways.

h.     Security: Cllr Jeffery advised that Kia is moving on and is being replaced.  Cllr Johnson mentioned that an article will be in the next Magazine.  Cllr Jeffery mentioned that there is an experiment of the general public using speed guns and he has been approached to run this experiment in Woldingham.  Cllr Jeffery advised that the 8 volunteers would go out in pairs and would have to write down car number plates and then the police will issue warning letters.  A vote was taken and carried that the Parish Council supports the scheme.

i.       Woodlea Parking: Nothing to report - ongoing.

j.       Trafalgar Day:  Cllr Packington advised that he had received a letter stating that the Parish Council need to apply for Planning Consent to hold this event and read out a letter received from Mr Lawrence of TDC who stated that no consent is needed.  Cllr Packington advised that he had been in contact with our Insurers with regard to Public Liability Insurance and as long as it is a Parish Council event then we are covered.  11 Cllr Packington advised that Events Insurance will cost about £100 and he is looking into the costs of Asset and Cancellation cover. Cllr Packington advised that the Committee had received a loan in the sum of £500 from the Magazine and Cllr Moylan is still in talks regarding the millennium fund.

k.      Station Parking: Covered in matters arising.

10. Meetings to attend

            Tandridge Local Committee 8/7

            Glebe AGM 5/7 - Cllr Johnson

11.  Correspondence:

The Chairman advised that a letter of thanks had been received from the East Surrey Museum in respect of the £400 grant.

12.  Any Other Business:

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

b.         Cllr Marks mentioned that 2/3 Parish Councils have pulled out of the East Surrey Parishes Liaison Group and asked whether the Council should consider pulling out.

            Cllr Marks advised that it has been brought to her attention that there is a Bird Sanctuary in Church Road and asked whether this could be a Village Project.  Cllr Jeffery advised that the land is in quite a bad state and it was agreed that expert advice is needed.  Cllr Jeffery will contact the Downsland Project to come and have a look at the area.

c.         Cllr Batterbury mentioned that whether Woldingham had considered becoming a Quality Parish Council.  Cllr Jeffery advised that this had been looked at 3 years ago and it was felt that there were too many things to satisfy at the time.  The Chairman asked the Clerk to look into Quality Status.

d.         Cllr Bantick advised that she had sent off for 2 new policy documents which she had submitted expenses for.

e.         Cllr Batterbury mentioned that the last phase of the white lining needs to be carried out in the Crescent and he will obtain a cost and report back to the Council.

Meeting finished at 9.45

1 members of public present

Next meeting 28 July 2005.

APPENDIX B

WOLDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Gold Account

Balance as at 30 June 2005                                               £11,645.77

Transfer on 13/6                                                                 £1,500.00

Transfer on 30/6                                                                 £1,000.00

VAT refund                                                                         £2,576.32

Payments Authorised during the month

Allianz Cornhill                                                                     £629.18

Service Road                                                                      £38,093.51

Savings Account

Transfer on 30/6                                                                £1,000.00

Karen Newman Wages & Expenses                                     £438.90

Caterforce    (re Post Office)                                               £411.25

Village Hall Rent for 2 Rooms                                               £47.25

Assistant Expenses                                                             £257.00

Viking Direct                                                                        £103.27

(previous cheque never rec’d cancelled at bank)

Maggie Bantick Expenses                                                    £47.21

Clifford Catt Auditor charge                                                  £1.00

Expenses for the month                                                    £1,305.88

Balance                                                                             £731.27

Trafalgar Celebrations

Monies paid in from Woldingham Magazine                          £500.00

(Loan)

The Firework Company                                                        £470.00

Village Design Account

Balance                                                                             £3,584.27