LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on
in the Glebe Room, St Peter’s Church
Hall, High Street, Limpsfield at 7.30 pm
PRESENT: Chairman Mr B Alexander (BA),
Councillors Mrs R Harris (RH), Mrs C Heijmer (CH), Mr J Jensen (JJ),
Mr
D Marnham (DM), Mr J Pannett (JP), Mr C Walker (CW),
Mrs
L Wingate (LW)
1.0 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from the Chairman, Mrs
Angela Williams. The meeting was Chaired
by
Mr Brian Alexander.
2.0 MINUTES
The minutes of the previous meeting were
approved and signed as a true record.
3.0 MATTERS ARISING
A new litter bin has been installed next to the bus
stop near Sylvan Close in Limpsfield High Street as requested. The new street column has now been painted and
is in working order.
Hydrangeas have been planted outside the former
Limpsfield Lithographic works.
A letter has been sent to the owner of 26 Stanhopes
explaining that the hedge running alongside the footpath between number 26 and
the village green is not owned by the Parish Council who cannot, therefore,
assist with the removal of the hedge cuttings.
4.0
PUBLIC SESSION
There were no questions from the
floor.
5.0 COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
There were no reports received.
6.0 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including
correspondence)
Corrrespondence:
·
Valuation
Office Agency – business rates revaluation of the Parish Office. CW to check.
·
Limpsfield CE
Infant School – notification of increase in hall hire charge from £15 to £20
per session. Resolved: to
request a lower hourly charge more compatible with other available premises. Action: Clerk
·
TDC – Code of
Conduct – revised advice concerning Freemasonry.
·
·
SCC –
consultation on A Waste Development Framework for
·
Surrey Hills –
letter of thanks for grant towards the Inspiring Views Project on Limpsfield
Common
·
·
·
The Chairman thanked Mr Bristow for his comprehensive reports on the
above transport meetings.
·
Open Spaces
Society – plea for more funds to cover legal costs incurred in recent
litigation. It was decided not to send a
donation as this does not directly benefit the people of Limpsfield.
·
Standards Board
for
·
The Misses H
Gregory and J Cannon – letter suggesting that
Action: Clerk
·
Save Our Countryside – letter recommending a cautious
approach to the extension of CPRE’s Quite Lane Scheme in
·
TDC – Standards Committee reminder about the Joint Training
for District & Parish Councillors.
Next session Thursday, 16 December.
CW has already attended a training.
JP and DM will attend on 16 December.
Clerk to write requesting a further session for remaining members in the
New Year. Action:
Clerk
·
TDC – Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Pre-submission Consultation on Draft
Statement of Community Involvement under Regulation 25. Comments / completed questionnaire by
·
TDC – notification of Government announcement that it will
hold its Official National Celebrations to mark VE/VJ Day 2005 on
·
LCAS –
Newsletter No
7.0 PARISH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
7.1 Parish Plan Committee
CW reported that the software package had now been received to assist
with the compilation of the questionnaire.
The questions need slimming down to a more manageable number. A grant of £200 has been received from
Neighbourhood Watch. Gatwick Community
Trust has still not forwarded a grant application form. CW agreed to write an article about the
parish plan for the Annual Report. The
next meeting is at Mrs Hollywood’s on Thursday, 9 December at
Action: CW
7.2 Rights of Way
Upgrading
of footpaths 52 & 53 to Bridleway Status:
Mrs Birch, Surrey Rights of Way
Group, has advised David Kennington of the discovery of a revocable deed
declared by Charles Gresham Leveson Gower in 1930 applicable to Limpsfield
Common and other commons in the area.
The Clerk has contacted Strutt & Parker to request a copy conveyance
for a transaction made over Limpsfield Common ca 1938, but they are unable to
help.
Mrs Birch has asked to be supplied with the names and address of the horse
riders who attended the last parish council meeting and who agreed that if
Bridleway 54 was improved there would be no need to pursue the upgrading of the
footpaths. The Clerk has written to Mrs
Linda Thompson, the spokesperson for the riders, suggesting that she supply the
information direct to Mrs Birch.
Philippa Gates, SCC Rights of Way
Officer, is unable to give a timescale for work to Bridleway 54. Whilst accepting that the Bridleway is muddy
and steep, Mrs Gates does not consider that it is dangerous.
A letter has been received from
Mr M Grantham acknowledging the Parish Council’s request for patience and
understanding until the matter can be resolved.
The Clerk received a telephone
call from Mrs Linda Thompson expressing the view that the horse riders do not
have a preference as to which route is used to access Limpsfield Chart. Mrs Thompson does not share the view of the
Parish Council that SCC will have to improve the gradient of Bridleway 54
whatever the outcome. Furthermore, the
Limpsfield Common map shows footpath 52 as a Bridleway.
The Chairman invited Mark Richards to comment:
Mark Richards confirmed that the
National Trust’s solicitors were looking into the litigation relating to the
bye laws and order of limitations on the Common. Mark confirmed that there is an error on the
Limpsfield Common map which shows Bridleway 54 continuing a short way down
footpath 52, although this comes to a dead end at the junction with footpath
53. The maps are being recalled. Mark reported that the National Trust has
opened up Bridleway 54 even more and expressed the opinion that it could be
brought up to a standard suitable for horse riders at a cost of approximately
£1,000. Mark does not agree with Mrs
Birch’s view that “No horses” signs should be erected everywhere on the Common
that horses are not allowed to ride.
Resolved: to write
to Nick Skellett to request assistance with implementing the improvements to
Bridleway 54. Action: Clerk
·
Rights of Way
and Countryside Access Annual Report 2003 – 2004. DM to study.
7.3 Planning
Correspondence:
·
Copies of correspondence between the owner of Mountain Ash,
·
Copy of correspondence between the owner of Saffron,
·
Copy of resident’s letter of objection to planning
application TA/2004/1661 2A
·
Four letters of objection from residents and one from the
Park Road Residents’ Association regarding the three planning applications at
·
E-mail from Mr Peter Humphrey advising that tree felling
started at
·
·
SCC –
No objections to
TA/2004/1700/N COULDENS FARM,
TA/2004/1726/TCA 21 STANHOPES, LIMPSFIELD
FELL
CHERRY.
TA/2004/1747 HARE HILL COTTAGE,
ERECTION
OF FIRST FLOOR EXTENSION TO WEST ELEVATION.
TA/2004/1772 18 TITSEY ROAD, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION
OF SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION.
(APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS FOR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT)
TA/2004/1777 BALLARDS HOUSE,
ERECTION
OF PITCHED ROOF TO REPLACE FLAT ROOF
TA/2004/1793 CHARDLEIGH COTTAGE, PAINS HILL, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF 2 STOREY EXTENSION TO NORTHWEST ELEVATION &
PART TWO STOREY/FIRST FLOOR EXTENSION TO NORTHEAST ELEVATION.
TA/2004/1810 THE PRINTING WORKS, HIGH
STREET, LIMPSFIELD
USE OF BUILDING TO PROVIDE OFFICE (B1) USE (APPLICATION FOR
CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS FOR A PROPOSED USE).
FELL 1 X CUPRESSUS AND PRUNE BACK 2 X HOLLY AND 3 X ELDEN.
TA/2004/1825 THE BULL INN, HIGH STREET, LIMPSFIELD
DISPLAY OF 1 EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED FASCIA SIGN TO SOUTH
ELEVATION & 1 EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED DOUBLE SIDED FREESTANDING SIGN.
Objections
to
TA/2004/1687 85,
DEMOLITION OF
EXISTING GARAGE/CAR PORT. ERECTION OF 2 STOREY SIDE EXTENSION & SINGLE
STOREY INFILL SIDE EXTENSION WITH FIRST FLOOR OVER EXISTING REAR ADDITION. Object on the grounds that the extension is
too bulky and unneighbourly.
TA/2004/1640 TREVEREUX MANOR, TREVEREUX HILL, LIMPSFIELD
CHART DEMOLITION OF EXISTING LOGGIA AND ERECTION OF SINGLE
STOREY EXTENSION TO EAST ELEVATION AND PORCH TO WEST ELEVATION. Object on the grounds that the extension and
the porch are both out of keeping with the existing building. The porch roof obscures the profile of the
windows on the upper storey.
TA/2004/1641 TREVEREUX MANOR, TREVEREUX HILL, LIMPSFIELD
CHART DEMOLITION OF EXISTING LOGGIA AND ERECTION OF SINGLE
STOREY EXTENSION TO EAST ELEVATION AND PORCH TO WEST ELEVATION. (APPLICATION
FOR LISTED BUILDING CONSENT).
LW declared an interest in the
following application
TA/2004/1759 24 WESTERHAM ROAD, OXTED
DEMOLITION
OF EXISTING GARAGE. ERECTION OF TWO
STOREY SIDE/REAR EXTENSION, FIRST FLOOR EXTENSION AND SINGLE STOREY FRONT
EXTENSION. Object on the grounds that it
is too close to the boundary, bulky and un-neighbourly.
TA/2004/1789 BOMBERS COTTAGE, DWELLY LANE, EDENBRIDGE
ERECTION OF 1.5M HIGH GATES AND PIERS AND 1M HIGH WALL WITH
0.6M HIGH RAILINGS TO FRONT BOUNDARY.
Object on the grounds that these detract from the
rural character of the area.
Contravention of Policy RE8.
Planning
Application Withdrawn
TA/2004/1549 Land rear of The Ridge, Brassey Road,
Limpsfield
Demolition of garden shed. Erection of 2 storey 5 bedroom dwelling with
attached garage.
Planning Refusals
TA/2004/1364 5 Tally Road, Limpsfield Chart
Erection of single storey
rear extension providing link to existing outbuilding.
TA/2004/1495 9 Tally Road, Limpsfield Chart
Erection of first floor front/side
extension and raised pitch to existing roof.
Erection of pitched roof on existing single storey side/rear extension.
TA/2004/1215 33 Granville Road, Limpsfield
Erection of side conservatory
TA/2004/1462 170 Bluehouse Lane, Limpsfield
Erection of first floor side
extension over existing garage with overhang to rear and single storey side
element to provide covered walkway.
TA/2004/1510/TPO 5 Padbrook, Limpsfield
Various tree works to Atlas cedar
TA/2004/1563/TCA 24 Stanhopes, Limpsfield
2 x silver birch to be reduced in
height.
TA/2004/956 73 Bluehouse Lane, Limpsfield
Erection of detached double garage /
workshop.
Planning
Appeal
2003/437 Land adjacent to Pitchfont Lane, Limpsfield
Appeal against Enforcement Notice No
8 of (2004). The installation without
planning permission of telecommunication apparatus consisting of a 15 metre
high trailer mast with two antennae, a dish and integral radio housing
equipment. Clerk to write to Planning Inspectorate in support of TDC’s Enforcement
Notice. Action:
Clerk
7.4
Highways
Correspondence:
·
Mr David
Claridge – e-mail requesting consideration be given to erecting a
·
Mrs Brenda
Ralph, Co-ordinator for BTH Neighbourhood Watch – letter concerning the speed
of traffic along Pollards Wood Hill /
·
Mark Richards
reported the damaged verge at the junction of Pollards Wood Hill and Wolf’s
Hill. RH to discuss with Stuart Eastmond. Action: RH
Footpath repairs in High Street,
Limpsfield: JJ reminded members that Highways had advised the Council in May 2004
that repairs to the footpath would be carried out by the end of the year. The Clerk will contact Highways for an
update. Action: Clerk
The Chairman
thanked RH for her hard work on Highways.
7.5 Publicity
The finance committee had
recommended seeking an independent quotation for producing the Limpsfield
Report. Oxted Colour Printers supplied a
written quotation of £445.00 to produce 1500 copies. Resolved:
to use Tangent Printers who had produced the 2004 report for
£350.00.
BA asked Members to submit
their articles for the Annual Report to the Clerk by early January 2005.
7.6
Trees & Parish Property
Landscaping adjacent to the Memorial
Stores: Durham
District Land Registry has confirmed that there is no register entry for the
triangle of land adjacent to the Memorial Stores. Old Oxted Landscapers has submitted an
estimate of £600 to carry out landscaping work to include labour and materials
(not including compost or shrubs). Resolved:
to accept the estimate for works to
be carried out as soon as possible, subject to CW first explaining to Mr Wright
of Sandstones that the land is unregistered. Action: CW / Clerk
Notice board on Limpsfield
Chart: the Clerk
has spoken to Lady Critchett who considers the grass verge alongside the
Carpenters Arms PH would be a good location for a notice board. Titsey Rotary Club want to mark their
Centenary in some way and Lady Critchett has suggested to Malcolm Lowe that
they may like to supply a notice board and perhaps a new bus shelter as well. If they agree to a bus shelter, the notice
board could be incorporated into it. BA
has also discussed this with Malcolm Lowe who has confirmed that the suggestion
will be considered at the next meeting of the Rotary Club.
Playground on the Chart: the committee is awaiting
permission from DEFRA and the National Trust before active fund raising
commences. A major concern is the
ongoing fund raising that will be needed to pay the ‘high risk’ annual
insurance costs.
8.0
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
8.1
Limpsfield Common
Mark is organising the next
guided walk of the Common on Tuesday, 28 December, at
The Chairman thanked Mark
for all his work on the Common.
8.2
There was nothing to
report.
8.3
Police Community Partnership Group
There was nothing to
report.
9.0
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING PREPARATION
There was nothing further
to discuss regarding the Annual Parish Meeting.
10.0
FINANCE
10.1 Approve 2nd
quarter internal audit (deferred from November meeting)
The
second quarter internal audit was approved and signed by David Marnham and the
Responsible Financial Officer prior to the meeting.
10.2 To discuss the budget and
precept requirement for 2005/06
JP reported on the Finance Committee meeting held in
November. The Committee put forward a
policy proposal that the grants budget should amount to no more than 10% of the
annual income. Furthermore, it was
suggested that the availability of Parish Council grant funding should be
advertised in the Annual Report and the village newsletters with an invitation
to submit applications (that would benefit local associations) by the end of July
each year for consideration within an agreed period. A vote by show of hands was carried 7 for and
1 against. It was agreed to defer a firm
resolution until the Chairman was present at the next meeting.
Members were in agreement with JP’s suggestion to
grant £25.00 to each of the two parish newsletters. To be confirmed at the January meeting.
JP presented the budget proposals for 2005/06. There was no increase in the precept last
year. To keep pace with increased
insurance and staff costs, a 3.3% increase in the precept is recommended for
the year 2005/06, taking it from £9,200 to £9,500. It was agreed to defer a resolution to adopt
the budget and precept until the January meeting.
The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to JP and DM
for their hard work on the Finance Committee.
10.3 Accounts for Payment
·
Clerk’s salary £393.75
·
Durham District Land Registry
(office copy & plan)(chq268) £8.00
·
CPRE membership renewal £25.00
·
Seeboard (DD
·
Woodland Trust membership renewal £21.00
·
LCAS annual fee £305.00
·
Mr R Bristow expenses £3.10
·
St Peter’s Hall room hire £18.00
·
Old Oxted Landscapers (bus shelter
repairs / grass cutting) £184.00
Part II Owing to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, the
public will be requested to leave the meeting during consideration of agenda
item 11.0.
11.0 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
See
Appendix I
12.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
DM
referred to his suggestion at the October meeting to get ‘Limpsfield’ re-instated
as a recognised postal address. The post
office will only agree to allow ‘Limpsfield’ to be included as a separate line
of the address (subject to filling out numerous application forms), but they
will not agree to it replacing ‘Oxted’.
DM’s view is that this is not worth pursuing.
13.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next
meeting will be held on
The meeting closed at