LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

   Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 3 August 2004,

in the school hall, Limpsfield CE Infant School, Limpsfield at 7.30 pm

 

 

PRESENT:        Chairman          Mrs A Williams (AW)

                        Councillors        Mr B Alexander (BA), Mrs R Harris (RH),

                                                Mrs C Heijmer (CH), Mr D Marnham (DM),

                                                Mr J Pannett (JP), Mrs A Williams (AW), Mrs L Wingate (LW)

 

1.0  APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Mr Jonathan Jensen and Mr Colin Walker.

2.0  MINUTES 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a true record.


3.0  MATTERS ARISING

 

Minute 9:  The investigator for the Standards Board for England telephoned the Clerk to request photocopies of the Declarations of Acceptance of Office signed by Mr Pannett.  These have been sent.

 

Minute 6.0 para 1:  In response to the Clerk’s letter to Strutt & Parker suggesting that the flower bed adjacent to the old printing works in Limpsfield High Street be planted with a bank of hydrangeas, Strutt & Parker has indicated that until the future use of the building has been decided no further action will be taken other than to regularly strim the weeds.  The proposal to plant hydrangeas will, however, be considered as part of any future landscaping scheme.

 

Minute 7.4 para 3:  Eric Morgan telephoned the Clerk to explain that Surrey Highways had not actually purchased their own jetpatcher but were hiring one on a rotational basis with the other East Surrey District Councils.

 

4.0  PUBLIC SESSION

 

There were no questions from the floor.

 

5.0  COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS

The Chairman acknowledged Colin Hall’s decision to retire from office next year and expressed the sincere thanks of the Council to him for the superb way in which he had carried out his role as District Councillor.  He will be greatly missed.

Colin Hall reported on the following items:

·         Housing stock options:  a steering committee will be reviewing the four options open to the District Council for managing its housing stock, a process which must be completed by 2010.

·         The District Council has agreed to use the powers available to it under the Anti-social Behaviour Act in conjunction with Surrey Police.  Dispersal tactics may be used in certain areas.

·         The District Council is negotiating a new waste disposal contract which is its biggest, single contract.  It will be working on this in conjunction with Surrey County Council.

·         Voluntary sector news:  a 3 year funding agreement has been reached with East Surrey Dial-a-Ride.  Tandridge Voluntary Service Council will now operate on a 3 year budget process to facilitate forward planning for many of the voluntary services in the area.

·         Representations are being made to the Government about under funding, with all party support.

·         Housing capacity study:  this has now been adopted and sufficient land has been ear-marked to meet Government housing requirements. It is unlikely that new development will need to take place within the Green Belt.

6.0  PRESENTATION OF THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK AND COMMUNITY STRATEGY BY PAUL NEWDICK

The Chairman welcomed Paul Newdick, Head of Forward Planning, Tandridge District Council, to the meeting.

 

Paul Newdick gave a presentation to clarify the Government’s plans for local councils to replace their Local Plans and the countywide Surrey Structure Plan with a Local Development Framework (LDF) in 2007.  The process of preparing the LDF has been termed “Tomorrow’s Tandridge”.  In addition the South East England Regional Assembly will develop a plan for South East England, the “South East Plan” which will be linked to district level plans.  Tomorrow’s Tandridge will be a proactive rather than a reactive plan to provide a vision for the future of the district.

 

Paul Newdick fielded a number of questions from Members about the loss of the existing Local Plan Policies, the provision of key worker housing, concerns about the infrastructure (particularly the water supply and hospital facilities), and the danger of giving in to back-land development to safeguard the Green Belt which may be built on in the future anyway.

Paul emphasised the need to build a “consensus” on which to base the LDF and asked Members to write to him with any thoughts they may have now, in advance of the formal consultation which will be issued later this year.

The Chairman thanked Mr Newdick for his informative presentation.

7.0  CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including correspondence)

Corrrespondence:

·         Limpsfield School hall will not be available for hire on Tuesday, 7 December 2204.  Post meeting note:  the Glebe Room in St Peter’s Church Hall has been booked for the December meeting.

·         Minutes of the Governors Meeting held at Limpsfield School on Tuesday, 18 May 2004.  AW noted a reference to an extension to the two reception classrooms which should be achieved in summer 2005, of which the Council was unaware.  JJ to report at next meeting.      Action:  JJ

·         LLTC – copies of correspondence sent to Mr R Evans and Mr E Morgan with regards extending the floodlighting shut off time from 9.30 pm to 10.00 pm.  It was agreed to await the formal planning application before commenting.

·         Oxted & District Social Centre – notification that the User Committee will be disbanding and handing over to Tandridge District Council who are the owners of the centre.

·         Oxted CAB – letter of thanks for the Parish Council grant towards office equipment.

·         Government White Paper – The Future of Transport.  RH to study and then circulate to other Members.  Action:  RH

 

8.0  PARISH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

8.1  Parish Plan Committee

The Clerk has written to Nick Skellett to request funding assistance for the Parish Plan.  JP reported that the steering group’s next task was to prepare the design and content of the questionnaire to be distributed November time so that responses can be in by January 2005.  Vicky Stevenson is organising an overall presentation of Parish Plans from various parishes on 25 September 2004, to which Limpsfield has been invited.  The next Parish Plan meeting is being held on 20 September 2004.
8.2  Rights of Way

 

DM reported on a site meeting held between Patricia Birch of Surrey County Council’s Rights of Way Group, The National Trust and the Parish Council to discuss an application under Schedule 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the upgrading of part of public footpaths 52 and 53 to bridleway status CP499.  The application has been made by the British Horse Society which is claiming a right to upgrade the footpaths by submitting evidence that they have been used by horse riders for 20 years.  The footpaths cross National Trust land and Mark Richards confirmed that the application had been passed on to its legal department.

 

In a letter subsequently received from Mrs Birch about the application, she states that The National Trust has only had an interest in the land since 1978.  Her letter seeks the Parish Council’s formal comments on the application.

 

After lengthy discussion, it was resolved to:

 

1.  Write to Mrs Birch advising that The National Trust has owned the land since 1972 and stating that the footpaths in dispute are clearly waymarked as a footpath and bridleway.  Also that there is evidence that horses are using the correct route (Public Bridleway 54) marked A-C on her map.   Request sight of the evidence forms claiming use “as of right” for the past 20 years.

2.  Ask Paul Clayden i) whether it is possible to acquire rights over National Trust Land; ii) whether it is possible to acquire “uninterrupted use as of right” when a path is clearly waymarked as a footpath and not a bridleway; iii) whether uninterrupted use has to be by one person or the public in general.

3.  Contact Mr Grantham to ascertain the purpose of his letter sent to Surrey County Council in January 1972, a copy of the reply to which he has forwarded to the Parish Council for information.

4.  Write to Andy Wright, Head Warden, North Downs East, to request confirmation of the date on which the land in question was acquired by The National Trust and to ascertain whether rights of way can be claimed over land owned by The National Trust.

                                                                                                                  Action :  Clerk

 

Correspondence has been received from two parishioners objecting to the proposed redefinition of footpath 52 and part of footpath 53 to a bridleway.
 

8.3  Planning

Correspondence:

·         Copy of reply sent to John Pannett by Tandridge District Council Planning Department regarding planning enforcement at Chartcroft Lodge.  The letter confirms that Mr Cox has until 16 February 2006 to comply with the Enforcement Notice owing to his particular circumstances.  It was agreed to write to the Planning Department to establish, for future reference, when personal circumstances will be taken into account when planning regulations have been flouted.

·         CH reviewed the decision taken by the Parish Council at its last meeting with regards the planning application at 75 Granville Road, as a result of two complaints from neighbouring properties.  It was found that the application did meet planning requirements and that a precedent in the road had already been set for similar house extensions.  No further action will be taken.

·         RH reported that a tennis court was being constructed at Staffhurst Lodge where a Certificate of Lawfulness had recently been granted to use adjoining land as part of the residential curtilage.  Post meeting note:  where it can be proved that adjoining land has been used as part of the residential curtilage for a period of 4 years, the land takes on the normal permitted development allowance for residential use which includes the construction of a tennis court.

 

Planning Application List No 27, 28, 29 & 30

No objections to

TA/2004/1065  47, WESTERHAM ROAD, OXTED

ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION WITH EXTERNAL STAIRS TO GARDEN AND ROOM UNDER FOR STORAGE PURPOSES.  

 

TA/2004/1073  34, SNATTS HILL, OXTED

DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE, SHED AND COVERED WALKWAY. ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION INCORPORATING GARAGE.

 

TA/2004/1136/TPO  26 DETILLENS LANE, LIMPSFIELD

TPO 152(T) - REDUCE/RESHAPE LATERAL BRANCHES OF TWO CORSICAN PINES (PROJECTING TOWARDS NO. 24) BY 3-4 METRES, CUTTING BACK TO SUITABLE GROWTH POINTS

 

TA/2004/1111  62 STONELEIGH ROAD,OXTED

ERECTION OF FIRST FLOOR SIDE EXTENSION. (AMENDED DESIGN TO THAT APPROVED UNDER REFERENCE TA/2002/P/1974).

 

TA/2004/1131/TCA MANOR COTTAGE, HIGH STREET, LIMPSFIELD
FELL 1 CUPRESSUS & 2 SYCAMORES.

 

TA/2004/1150 TANDRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL, COUNCIL OFFICES, STATION ROAD EAST, OXTED
INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS TO ROOF (APPLICATION UNDER REGULATION 4).

 

Planning Refusals

TA/2004/714  85 Bluehouse Lane, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing garage and car port.  Erection of side extension incorporating replacement integral garage and accommodation within the roof.  Infill extension to east elevation and formation of pitched roof over existing flat roofed areas to rear incorporating accommodation within the roof.

 

Planning Approvals

TA/2002/1379/D  40 Park Road, Limpsfield

Demolition of existing garage and erection of 4 bed detached dwelling with integral garage.

 

TA/2004/728  Pedlars Cottage, Ridlands Rise, Limpsfield Chart

Erection of first floor side extension.

 

TA/2004/770  2 Detillens Lane, Limpsfield

Erection of conservatory to west elevation.

 

TA/2004/837  98 Bluehouse Lane, Limpsfield

Erection of 1.83M high gates and pedestrian gate with 2 x 2M high pillars.

 

TA/2004/P/3393  Staffhurst Lodge, Grants Lane, Limpsfield

Use of adjoining land as part of residential curtilage.

 

 

8.4  Highways

 

Old style street light on the corner of Sylvan Close:  the column was confirmed in stock as at 6/7/04.  The contractor is now awaiting a tie-up date with EDF.

 

B269 Kent Hatch Road:  dangerous crossing just north of Chapel Road.  RH reported that a site meeting had been held with Stuart Eastmond, Colin Hall and Brian Alexander and all parties agreed to take action to improve the safety at this crossing.  BA will liaise with the Golf Club to install signs to help improve disciplines at the crossing ie crossing no more than two at a time.  Stuart Eastmond agreed to look into the provision of a suitable warning sign before the northbound bend.

RH asked for something to be done about the heavily pollarded tree on Tidy’s Green.  Clerk to speak to Keith Masters, Amenity Services.                          Action:  Clerk

 

8.5  Publicity

 

JP submitted an article about the Parish Plan to the Chart and St Peter’s newsletters. 

 

8.6  Trees  & Parish Property

 

·         Notice board for Limpsfield Chart – defer to September meeting.

·         The Clerk has put in a bid for £800 local committee funding towards the shrubs and granite sets for the area adjacent to the Memorial Stores.

·         A Verification of Insurance has been received from Old Oxted Landscapers as requested.

·         The roof of the bus shelter in Station Road East is badly in need of repair.  Clerk to request an estimate from Mr Hayward.                                Action:  Clerk

·         CW has sanded and oiled the bench outside St Peter’s Church and cut back the hedge around the drinking fountain.

·         BA agreed to remove the dilapidated bench situated down Pastens Lane.  Post meeting note:  BA has repaired and creosoted the bench.

 

 

9.0  REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

 

9.1  Limpsfield Common

Mark Richards reported that fly tipping is still one of his biggest problems.  Signs are to be erected warning of CCTV camera installations.

Work is about to commence at Yalden Spring with the intention of restoring it to a ‘wet area’.  Two sycamores adjacent to the Parish Pound are about to be felled.  The wall of the Pound may deteriorate if the ivy growing on it is not removed.

 

The Committee has agreed to the purchase of a new mower with a side arm flail which will enable much more accurate cutting back of vegetation.

 

RH asked Mark for his help in opening up the access to the footpath on the eastern side of the B269 Kent Hatch Road at the crossing point just north of Chapel Road (see minute 8.4).  Mark agreed to liaise with the Golf Club green keeper.

 

 

9.2  Limpsfield School

There was nothing to report.

 

9.3  Police Community Partnership Group

 

There was nothing to report.

 

 

10.0  FINANCE

 

10.1  1^st Quarter Internal Audit – defer to September meeting to enable DM to audit the books.

 

 

 

 

10.2  Accounts for Payment

 

·         Clerk’s salary (SO 26 July 2004)                                                           £393.75

·         Clerk’s expenses & broadband (£4.09 +£14.00)(chq 250)                          £18.09

·         Limpsfield School hall hire (July-Nov 04)(chq 251)                                     £75.00

·         Viking Direct (re office equipment for CAB)(chq 252)                                 £81.71

·         Old Oxted Landscapers (grass cutting)(chq 253)                                     £102.00

 

10.3 

To minute that at the Parish Council meeting held on 27 May 2004, it was resolved to continue to pay the Clerk’s car allowance as a lump sum.  The amount was increased from £130 to £137 as suggested at the meeting held on 4 May 2004, and is now included in the monthly standing order payment to the Clerk.

 

Part II  Pursuant to Section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings ) Act 1960, it is resolved that, because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, the public leave the meeting during consideration of the agenda item 11.0.

 

11.0  ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

 

There was no business to transact.

 

 

12.0  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

It was agreed to invite Gail Sperrin from the Surrey Hills AONB Office to speak at next year’s Annual Parish Meeting in conjunction with Mark Richards, National Trust Warden for Limpsfield Common.  A provisional date of Wednesday, 16 March 2005, has been booked for the meeting.

                                                                                                                  Action:  Clerk

 

13.0  DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 7 September 2004.

 

Please note that the meeting on Tuesday, 7 December 2004, will be held in the Glebe Room, St Peter’s Church Hall, High Street, Limpsfield, at 7.30 pm as usual.

 

The meeting closed at 10.00 pm.