MINUTES of a Meeting held at Woldingham Village Hall on 25 September 2008 at 7.30pm.

Present: Greg Meekings (Chairman) Andrew Barton
Bobby Johnson Nigel Cohen Nicola Howe Sally Marks Alistair Pirie

1. Apologies: Cllrs Fuller and Myers

2. Minutes.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 August had been circulated and were signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

* It was the Woldingham Parish Council's newsletter of April 2006 (Not TDC) that alerted the responsibility for the Viewpoint

* A petition from 33 villagers and several letters had requested the improvement to the Northdown Road footpath.

3. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Johnson - Company Secretary of Woldingham Magazine
Cllr Marks - Member of another authority - Surrey County Council
Cllr Pirie - Edgehill
Cllr Meekings - Owner of the domain Woldingham.com
Cllr Barton - Craigmyle Glebe/Woldingham Cricket Club

4. Matters arising
The following points arose in discussion of the Action List:

Long Hill: Following Cllr Fuller's comment at the last meeting that the old UDC had maintained Long Hill in the distant past, Cllr Pirie reported on the position set out in the Inspector's Report on the status of roads made for Surrey County Council in 1987. At that time the Inspector heard evidence from the public, including both statements that Long Hill had been the original entrance to Woldingham from the north and was freely used, and concern from some Long Hill residents about the possibility of any increase in traffic over the road. He recommended that Long Hill should be recognised as a public highway not maintainable at public expense, or as a bridleway if SCC decided against the former status. He did not therefore offer any prospect that Long Hill might be maintained at public expense in the future.
Slines Oak island: The Clerk confirmed that she had written to Derek Poole (SCC Highways) and was waiting a reponse.
Signage: Cllr Cohen will review quotations received with Jeff Jeffrey and bring a proposal forward at the October meeting.
Overgrown hedges: The Clerk wrote to Woldingham Golf Club outlining the actions agreed at the meeting with Cllr Fuller. An email had been received to advise the Parish Council that the works were being carried out.
Dead Beech Tree: Cllr Marks will chase for the removal.
Barrier at view point: The Clerk advised that she had written to Derek Poole and had a response advising that we should have contacted the main Highways number and he had passed it on. A response from Highways has not been received. Mr Jeff Jeffery advised that he had received a quote for £500 to produce a mild steel barrier. The Council voted that this should go ahead and asked Mr Jeffery to give the details to the Clerk to progress the matter.
Bus stops: Cllr Marks advised that she had yet again chased this matter. Cllr Marks was assured that the bus stops would be re-erected by Wednesday 1 October.
Cold Calling: Awaiting PCSO Clive Harris Ross' return.
Footpath along Northdown Road: The Clerk confirmed that a letter had been sent to Derek Poole and no answer had been received. Cllr Marks will chase for a response from Mr Poole.
Station Car Park: Ticket machine has now been replaced.

5. Planning Matters:
a. A copy of Appendix A was circulated to all members before the meeting. Cllr Johnson read through Appendix A. The Council voted to ratify the recommendations of the Planning Group. Cllr Johnson advised the meeting that the clause BE7 is still included in the Core Strategy - which means no increase in density but advised that Tandridge District Council still need to review and produce another document which will review BE7 and this could then affect Woldingham.
b. Infringements: An infringement report from TDC in response to WPC's usual request was circulated to members before the meeting. Cllr Johnson asked whether the Clerk could order a rubber stamp to read "Property of the Parish Council. Not to be removed from exhibition". All plans will be stamped with this to see if it stops people removing parts of plans from the Village Hall. It was agreed that the Clerk should go ahead and order the stamp.

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

7. Highways & Rights of Way:

a. Highways Monitoring and Reporting:
Cllr Johnson advised the meeting that Cllrs Marks, Barton and Fuller had looked at the frontages of the properties along Slines Oak Road to see which residents need to be written to regarding their overgrown hedges.

8. Reports:

WAG Update Friday 5th September

As they say "A month is a long time in politics" and the last month has been eventful. Since the last update WAG discovered that the Tandridge District Council (TDC) and Surrey County Council (SCC) joint local committee had commissioned an independent report. The consultants were asked to make recommendations to alleviate problems with HGV traffic in and around Oxted but particularly on Chalkpit Lane.

The report was made available on the 26th August and was discussed at the meeting held on the 5th September. The report ran to 70 pages and considered 18 specific options. The report's author shared the view of the Surrey Highways report that a one-way system up to the Ridge was a non-starter and for similar reasons so was the haul road.

The report made the following recommendations

" Widen Existing Quarry Entrance
" Traffic calming on residential section of Chalkpit Lane between quarry and Gordon's Way
" Signal Control on the Chalkpit Lane Railway Bridge
" Improve western section of Barrow Green Road to provide designated 2-way route for HGVs to A25
" Widen Chalkpit Lane to the South of the Quarry
" Monitor the situation and consider further measures

The committee discussed the report and accepted its recommendations by a majority of (11-2); this was after attempts by two Oxted councillors
to delay acceptance of the proposals. It is estimated that the work will cost in the region of £1Million and as funds are not available a phased approach will be adopted. The decision prompted emotional responses from some members of the public and we believe there will be opposition to the proposals at the consultation phase.

Thank you all once again for your continuing support.

9. Miscellaneous Matters:
a. Airports: The Clerk confirmed that she had written to Boris Johnson. Nothing to report.
b. Station Car Parking: Cllr Marks to follow up with Paul Newdick of TDC re 9.15 parking spaces.
c. School Parking: Cllr Barton advised that the school had not responded to the idea of using the land at the Glebe for 'dropping off' pupils. Cllr Marks asked that a letter be sent to the Head Teacher and Head of Governors expressing the Parish Council's disappointment that the school will not consider any ideas at this time but hope that they will contact the Parish Council when they are ready to move forward..
d. WAG: Meeting to be arranged.
e. Cold Calling: PCSO Harris-Ross has submitted an application to Trading Standards. Cllr Johnson advised that this will be a slow process because once Cold Calling has been agreed; permission from Highways will be needed for the signs and then planning permission sought.
f. Litter pick on 27 September: Cllr Marks confirmed that St Johns Ambulance will be inattendance.
g. Northdown Road footpath: Awaiting response from Derek Poole. Cllr Marks to chase.
h. Grants: The Clerk had circulated the list of grants received so far and these will be considered at the October meeting.
i. Maintenance of the View Point: covered above.
j. Newsletter: Cllr Johnson advised that people need to start thinking about their articles for the next newsletter. The Chairman confirmed that he will think and email Cllrs his thoughts on the newsletter.

10. Meetings to attend:
9/11 TDC - re Edgehill
3/10 AGM Peace Hall. Cllrs Marks and Barton to attend.

11. Correspondence:
2 letters had been received this month.

12. Any Other Business:
a. Diary: All Councillors completed diary dates for October 2008.
b. Cllr Marks will place the Wreath on behalf of the Parish Council on remembrance Sunday.

Meeting ended at 8.45pm
4 members of the public present part of the time.