LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on
in the school hall, Limpsfield CE
Infant School, Limpsfield at
PRESENT: Chairman Mrs A Williams (AW)
Councillors Mr B Alexander (BA), 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
There were no apologies for absence.
2.0 MINUTES
The minutes of the previous meeting were
approved and signed subject to the following amendment:-
Minute 9.0
Finance: the Clerk requested
the following omission from the Minutes to be added.
“It was agreed to amend the insurance value of the
Parish Council’s assets in line with current replacement values. The total sum of property damage items
insured will be amended from £35,542 to £34,430.”
3.0 MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
4.0
PUBLIC SESSION
The Chairman welcomed Mr Richard
Maskell from Warlingham Parish Council and Mr David Bell to the meeting. There were no questions from the floor.
5.0 COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
There were no reports received. District Councillor Colin Hall sent a letter
to CW announcing his intention to step down as a Member for Limpsfield next
May.
6.0
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including
correspondence)
Jeanne Morris telephoned the Clerk regarding the weed infested border
alongside the former Limpsfield Lithographic building in the High Street. Mrs Morris has asked if Members would be
willing to tackle the weeds themselves. The
Clerk contacted Strutt & Parker, this strip of land being in the ownership
of the Titsey Estate, and the weeds have now been strimmed by the Estate
Manager. The area still looks unsightly
and it was agreed that the Clerk should contact Strutt & Parker again to
request that the bed be planted with a bank of hydrangeas which would be low
maintenance but provide a colourful display in the summer. Action: Clerk
Corrrespondence:
·
Oxted CAB –
would the Parish Council like to appoint a representative to the Management
Committee for the coming year. It was
agreed to decline the offer. Action: Clerk
·
Tandridge Local
Strategic Partnership – report on the seminar ‘Tomorrow’s Tandridge’ held on
·
ESPLG – Minutes of the meeting held on
·
Strutt &
Parker – copy of a plan showing the relationship of the administrative
boundaries around the Moorhouse Sandpits as requested.
·
Environment
Agency – information for communities situated within a fluvial floodplain.
·
TVSC –
invitation to AGM to be held at the United Reformed Church, Bluehouse Lane, on
Wednesday, 14 July at 12.30 for
·
·
Mr R Bristow –
report on Annual Passenger Transport Assembly held on
·
SCAPTC –
7.0 PARISH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
7.1 Parish Plan Committee
CW reported on a very successful
two days spent promoting the Parish Plan at recent village events. The mobile display unit supplied by Tandridge
District Council proved very useful and enabled a large aerial map of
Limpsfield to be displayed alongside large publicity posters, together with the
prize winning pictures drawn by the children of Limpsfield CE Infant
School. Over 100 visitors came to the
display (representing 5.5% of the electoral register). A record was taken of where they lived and
the issues they considered to be of greatest importance. The three most important issues highlighted
were Conservation and the Countryside, Crime and Vandalism, and Traffic,
Transport and Parking.
The next meeting is being held at the British
Legion on Monday, 12 July at
7.2 Rights of Way
SCC Highways has issued Notices
to the landowners concerned to remove encroaching crop on Public Footpaths 55
and 67.
DM confirmed that there was a
real problem with access across the field on footpath 219, the farmer’s crop
also obstructing its junction with footpath 219a. Footpath 605 requires inspection.
Action: DM
AW reported that there was once again graffiti on the fence along
footpath 78a and agreed to ask Tony Yates to creosote over it, with the owner’s
permission. Action: AW
RH has a supply of yellow, metal
arrows that could be used to improve waymarking.
7.3 Planning
·
CH has asked Charlotte Hammerton of Tandridge District
Council to check that the sign outside Boulthurst Farm in Pains Hill to
advertise the new craft barn meets planning requirements.
·
CH visited Mr & Mrs D Blundell of Manor Cottage, High
Street, Limpsfield, at their request to discuss the removal of some trees in
their garden which is within the Conservation Area. CH did not consider the Parish Council would
raise any objections.
·
Correspondence:
·
Copies of letters of objection to Tandridge District Council
Planning Department from the Park Road Residents’ Association and five further
residents opposing the development at
No objections
TA/99/633/R 1,
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING CONSERVATORY. ERECTION OF TWO STOREY REAR EXTENSION TO PROVIDE
FAMILY ROOM WITH BEDROOM AND EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM OVER AND PORCH. (RENEWAL).
TA/2004/850 19,
ERECTION OF FIRST FLOOR SIDE EXTENSION.
TA/2004/794
8 WOLFS ROW,OXTED
ERECTION OF REAR EXTENSION OVER
EXISTING FLAT ROOF.
TA/2004/898
170,
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY FRONT
EXTENSION TO PROVIDE PORCH AND FIRST FLOOR SIDE EXTENSION OVER EXISTING GARAGE
WITH OVERHANG TO SIDE AND REAR.
BA and JP declared a prejudicial interest in the following application
and withdrew from the discussion:
TA/2004/910 LONG MEADOWS, PASTENS ROAD, LIMPSFIELD CHART
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE AND ERECTION OF DETACHED DOUBLE GARAGE.
TA/2004/882 75,
DEMOLITION OF
EXISTING SIDE ADDITION & ERECTION OF TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION.
TA/2004/956 73 BLUEHOUSE LANE, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF
DETACHED DOUBLE GARAGE/WORKSHOP
TA/2004/983/TCA
FELL 5 CONIFERS.
AW declared a prejudicial interest in the following application and
withdrew from the discussion. BA took
over the Chair:
TA/2004/785 THE COACH HOUSE, ROWLANDS,
CHANGE OF USE OF COACH HOUSE TO FORM
3-BED DWELLING & ERECTION OF SINGLE & TWO STOREY EXTENSION TO SOUTH
ELEVATION WITH CHIMNEY STACK & BAY WINDOW TO NORTH ELEVATION.
Objections
TA/
ERECTION OF 1.83 M HIGH GATES AND
PEDESTRIAN GATE WITH 2 X 2 M HIGH PILLARS. Object on the grounds that
it might create a harsh and incongruous feature in a rural area. Policy BE14.2 of the Local Plan refers.
CW and JJ declared a prejudicial interest in the following application
and withdrew from the discussion:
TA/2004/512 REAR OF 10,
DEMOLITION OF
EXISTING OUTBUILDING. ERECTION OF 3 X 5-BED DWELLINGS WITH ATTACHED GARAGES. Object on the grounds that the access road is
too narrow and may set a precedent for other applications in the road. The application will result in
overdevelopment of the site. The plot
sizes of the 3 new dwellings and the existing dwelling are too small and the
new houses excessively large. The
development is out of keeping with the surrounding area and will affect the
privacy of neighouring properties. Badgers and other wildlife may be adversely
affected.
LW declared a prejudicial interest in the following application and
withdrew from the discussion:
TA/2004/888 WISTERIA COTTAGE,16 WOLFS ROW,LIMPSFIELD
WIDENING OF EXISTING VEHICULAR CROSSOVER INCORPORATING EXTENDED HARDSTANDING
AND PAVED AREA.
Object on the grounds that
lowering the kerb will result in the loss of a parking space on an already
congested road. The application to construct
extended hardstanding in the front garden will alter the visual look of the
property inappropriately within the Conservation Area and will result in the
loss of an old stone wall.
TA/2004/995 WANSBECK,
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY FRONT
& REAR EXTENSIONS. ERECTION OF EXTENSION TO GARAGE BLOCK WITH FIRST FLOOR
OVER PROVIDING SELF ACCOMMODATION AND SINGLE STOREY SIDE EXTENSION TO PROVIDE SWIMMING
POOL WITH PLANT ROOM UNDER. Reiterate
previous objections that the signifcant increase in size of the original
dwelling amounts to overdevelopment of the site.
JP and BA
declared a prejudicial interest in the following discussion and withdrew from
the room.
The Chairman read out a letter from
Mr John Pannett concerning the Enforcement Notice issued by Tandridge District
Council on
Post meeting note:
the period of compliance with the requirements of the notice is two
years from the date of issue. Action: Clerk
TA/2004/198 Moorhouse Sandpits,
Siting of a portakabin for use as
offices.
TA/2004/161 Chestnut
Retention of fence and gate to front
boundary.
TA/2004/499 Sandridge, High Street, Limpsfield
Erection of single storey side
extension and installation of window to first floor rear elevation.
TA/2004/257 Brambles Cottage,
Demolition of existing dwelling and
erection of 4-bed detached house.
TA/2004/424 North side of Cricket Pitch,
Erection of play equipment in
connection with children’s playground, enclosed by 1M high palisade fence and
gate.
TA/2004/432 Chartview,
Erection of side conservatory.
TA/2004/407 45 Stoneleigh Road, Limpsfield Chart
Erection of single storey front and
first floor side extension.
TA/2004/563 The Sheiling, Grub Street, Limpsfield
Demolition of existing garage and
rear bay. Erection of rear and side
extension and detached single garage.
TA/2004/597 & 598 & 599 Friars, Pains Hill, Limpsfield
Erection of canopy style porch roof
to front elevation and associated works.
TA/2004/573/TCA
To fell one holly.
TA/2004/605/TCA Vine Bank Cottage, High Street, Limpsfield
Reduce 12 cypress by up to 2 metres.
TA/2004/655 42 Park Road, Limpsfield
Demolition of garage and erection of
single storey side extension.
TA/2004/668 11 Snatts Hill, Limpsfield
Demolition of existing detached
garage and erection of 2 storey side extension with integral garage.
TA/2004/731/TCA Tuckers, High Street, Limpsfield
Reduce 1 large flowering cherry
canopy by 20%.
Planning
Appeal Dismissed
TA/2003/1392 1 Whitegates Cottage, Grants Lane, Limpsfield
A single and two storey extension to
provide ground floor dining area and first floor bedroom.
7.4
Highways
·
RH reported on a
meeting called by SCC Highways on
·
Clerk received
a telephone call from Mrs C Chandler pointing out that the litter bin near the
bus stop at the southern end of Limpsfield High Street has been removed. Also the dangerous kerbstones and pavement in
front of Rosewell Cottage. Action: Clerk
·
RH was pleased
to report that Surrey Highways had finally invested in a Jetpatcher for
repairing potholes which had been suggested by the Parish Council in February
2002.
·
The verge needs
cutting back at the junction of
·
BA reported the
dangerous crossing point just past
·
RH reported the
numerous potholes down Pains Hill as a result of water flowing down the hill
over the past month. The edges of the
road have also been eroded. Action: Clerk
Wolf’s Row parking: correspondence
has been received from Stuart Eastmond, SCC Highways, explaining that any new
parking restrictions must be deferred until the process of transferring
enforcement of parking restrictions from the Surrey Police to Surrey County
Council has been completed. The request
for restrictions at the Wolf’s Row junction with the A25 has been placed on
file for future consideration. It was
agreed to raise this again with Highways in early October.
Action: Clerk
7.5
Publicity
BA asked to put on record
his thanks to the Clerk for supplying articles to the parish newsletters. CW agreed to write an article about progress
with the Parish Plan for the next issues.
Action: CW
7.6
Trees & Parish Property
CW and RH
held a site meeting with Mr Wright of Sandstones to discuss landscaping plans
for the area adjacent to the Memorial Stores.
Unfortunately, the bench needs to be re-sited from its current position
directly under overhanging branches which are populated by birds! Mr Wright has agreed to apply for permission
to cut back the trees. RH suggested laying
granite sets alongside the pavement at the same time as the bench is moved to
improve the appearance. Quotations are
being sought for the work. Planting will
be carried out in the Autumn. Action: RH / CW
It was
agreed to accept Old Oxted Landscaper’s quotation for £10 to cut the grass
outside the parish office in addition to the village green. The Clerk has
requested a copy of Mr Hayward’s insurance certificate as per the internal auditor’s
suggestion. This is still awaited but Mr
Hayward has given his verbal confirmation that he has a standard landscaping
policy (premium £145) with public liability cover for £2 million. The Clerk will make it clear to Mr Hayward
that a copy of the certificate is essential if the Council is to continue to
employ his services. Action: Clerk
The
Chairman asked CW if he would agree to manage the Maintenance Schedule of
parish property by assigning items of street furniture to Members to check on a
regular basis and thus ensure that they were in a sound condition. Agreed. Action: CW
Mr David
Bell mentioned that a litter bin has been installed on the village green. AW agreed to take a look. Action: AW
The Chairman deferred
discussion of the notice board for Limspfield Chart to the next meeting.
8.0 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON
OUTSIDE BODIES
8.1
Limpsfield Common
Mark Richards reported that Surrey Highways were
slow to cut verges resulting in obscured sight lines for motorists in some
cases. Members agreed that Surrey
Highways were responsible for cutting the first metre of verge adjacent to the
highway. Fly tipping continues to be a
problem, particularly in Post Office Row and at
Mark confirmed that he
would be attending a meeting at
The Chairman invited David
Bell to comment on the playground boundary.
Mr Bell confirmed that a decision was taken some time ago to allow fence-like
materials to be used to support and protect newly planted vegetation until it
formed a hedge. The fence does now
appear to be on the wrong side of the vegetation.
8.2
There was nothing to report.
8.3
Police Community Partnership Group
AW announced that Inspector
Schurr had been transferred and a new Inspector appointed.
9.0
TO DISCUSS AN ALLEGATION AGAINST A PARISH COUNCILLOR
JP and BA
declared a prejudicial interest in this agenda item and withdrew from the room.
The Clerk has received written
notification from the Standards Board for
The Complainant has
stated that Cllr Pannett is a Planning Officer and neighbour of Mr J Cox and it
is alleged that Cllr Pannett participated in a discussion on a planning
application submitted by Mr Cox and voted on it. Furthermore, the Complainant states that Cllr
Pannett did not declare an interest and failed to withdraw from the room.
The planning application to which it is believed
this allegation refers was discussed at the meeting of the Parish Council held
on
A Planning Appeal was
lodged in October 2002, by which time Mr Pannett was a Member, having been
co-opted to the Council on
The Council does not,
therefore, consider that there is a case to be answered. Resolved: to write to the Investigations Administrator
at the Standards Board for
It should also be noted
that Mr Pannett is not a Planning Officer, and is not, nor has been, the Member
for Planning for the Parish Council.
10.0 FINANCE
David Bell carried out a thorough independent
internal audit of the Council’s accounts on
The Chairman proposed a very sincere vote of thanks
to Mr Bell for acting as the Parish Council’s internal auditor.
A further supply of taxi vouchers to the value of £30
has been issued to a Limpsfield Chart resident who has short term mobility
problems.
The Clerk was asked the Bank of Ireland interest rate
currently payable on its account. Post meeting note: 4%.
10.1 Grants
Resolved: (i)
to grant the sum of £35 to Surrey Crimestoppers under s137 of the LGA 1972 and
(ii) to purchase 4 chairs plus a slim
flipchart at a cost of £180 (inc VAT) for Oxted CAB under s142 of the LGA 1972.
10.2 To discuss a contribution
towards the cost of preparing a Parish Plan
Resolved: to contribute
the sum of £100 from the Council’s finances towards the cost of preparing a
Parish Plan. CW stated that he would
open a separate bank account for this purpose.
It was agreed to make a bid to the Local Committee for
£3,000 funding from the local allocation to assist with the production costs,
owing to the fact that grants from the Countryside Agency were no longer
available.
10.3 Accounts for Payment
·
Clerk’s salary £393.75
·
Old Oxted Landscapers (May and
June grass cuts)(chqs 242/243) £184.00
·
Clerk’s expenses & broadband
(chq 244) £18.77
·
Glebe Room hall hire
·
Seeboard DD
·
LCAS expenses (visit to Limpsfield
to advise on allotments)(chq 246) £48.00
·
Mr R Bristow (travelling expenses)
(chq 247) £5.00
·
Mr C Walker – Parish Plan account
(chq 248) £100.00
·
Surrey Crimestoppers (s137 LGA
1972) (chq 249) £35.00
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
See
appendix I.
12.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Members
asked for clarification with regards declaration of interests. Action: Clerk
13.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next
meeting will be held on
The meeting closed at