LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 4 October 2005,
 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 S Bryant (SB), Mrs R Harris (RH),

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

                                                Mr J Pannett (JP), Mr C Walker (CW), Mrs L Wingate (LW)

 

In attendance: Clerk                 Mrs G Cannon  

 

 

1.0  APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Stella Bryant and Lucy Wingate.  Brian Alexander joined the meeting late having first attended a District Council presentation about the South East Plan held at the Council Offices.

2.0  MINUTES  of the previous meeting were approved and signed subject to the following amendment:-

 

Minute 7.3 Rights of Way

FP56 Tenchleys Park:  re-word the last sentence commencing “DM has given….” as follows: “DM has given concerned residents an undertaking that he will monitor the situation closely in respect of other sections of the footpath not owned by the National Trust.”

3.0  MATTERS ARISING

 

There were no matters arising.

 

 

4.0  PUBLIC SESSION

 

Mr Ron Bristow reported overhanging vegetation on the footpath between the Limpsfield traffic lights and Limpsfield School.  Clerk to ask Mark Richards to cut back.                                                                 Action:  Clerk

 

5.0  COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS 

District Cllr Colin Walker reported on the Tandridge District housing allocations for the future which have been set at a realistic and achievable level of 110 dwellings per year, which is the lowest requirement of all the Surrey Districts.  The numbers will, however, continue to cause problems of increased densities within built up areas and will add to the strain on existing services and infrastructure.

 

6.0  CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including correspondence)

 

WHAG (Watts Hill Action Group):  The Clerk received a telephone call from Mr Donald Payne on behalf of the Watts Hill Action Group to advise that an informal meeting had been arranged between himself and John Innes to discuss the possible future sand excavation at Watts Hill.  DP telephoned again after the meeting to extend an invitation to the Parish Council to attend a tour of the Moorhouse Pit being arranged for local residents by John Innes on Friday, 14 October at 11.15 am (meeting at the weigh bridge).   DP also advised that he had attended a SCC Minerals Stakeholder Workshop on the Surrey Minerals Plan held on 21 September.  CH/RH to attend site visit.                                                          Action:  CH / RH

 

The Bull Inn PH:  a decision notice has been received in respect of the amended licensing application from the Bull PH.  In summary, the hours the premises will be open to the public with effect from

The Bull Inn PH (cont’d)
24 November 2005, are 0800 to 0000 Sunday to Thursday, and 0800 to 0130 Friday and Saturday.  There are a number of conditions attached to the licence which are contained within the Decision Notice. 

 

Limpsfield in Bloom:  AW read out LW’s notes from the last Limpsfield in Bloom meeting.  See minute 9.0 Finance regarding request for grant funding. 

Corrrespondence:

·         Park Road Residents’ Association – copy correspondence sent to SCC re the provisional Surrey Local Transport Plan and the suggestion that “the Council generally supports the growth of …. General aviation at Biggin Hill, provided any adverse impacts on Surrey are sufficiently mitigated”.

·         Letters of thanks – received from Oxted CAB, Age Concern, Surrey Crimestoppers and Master Park Management Committee.

·         TDC – Planning & Environment Committee agenda for meeting on 21/9/05. See page 8 South East Plan District Housing

·         SCC – South East Plan Part 2 – Public Consultation on District Housing Requirement.  Comments by 31 October 2005.

·         Local Works – The Sustainable Communities Bill – invitation to a local public meeting at Soper Hall, Caterham on Thursday, 20 October from 7.30 – 9.30 pm.

·         TDC – invitation for two members to attend a seminar on the South East Plan housing numbers’ distribution on Tuesday, 4 October from 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm in the Council Chamber.  BA to attend.

·         SCC – summary of the Annual Passenger Transport Assembly held on 14/7/05.

·         TDC – request to alter the street name for that part of Tally Road that is Post Office Row.  Agreed.

 

7.0  PARISH COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

7.1  Parish Plan Committee

 

·         Copy of Janet Mills’ letter to Philip Thomas notifying her decision to resign from the Parish Plan Committee.

 

·         Copy of Surrey Community Action (SCA) letter advising that the Parish and Town Plans Grant is now open for applications.  Parish Councils, on behalf of eligible Parish Plan steering groups, can apply for a maximum grant of £1,000 to be spent by April 2006.

 

JP proposed and it was unanimously resolved that should the Parish Council be successful in its bids for lottery funding and SCA funding, a formal Parish Plan Sub Committee be formed.  Three Members of the Council would be appointed to the Sub Committee and given the power to co-opt other members to assist in the running of the Plan.  The Sub Committee must account to the Parish Council for the funds under its control.

 

7.2  Playground Committee

DM reported that he has now had a site meeting with Mark Richards and Andy Wright and some members of the Playground Association at which it was proposed to site the playground slightly closer to the wood but still a reasonable distance from the road.  CH has found out that planning permission must be re-applied for and Lady Critchett has supplied DM with papers relating to DEFRA requirements.  It is hoped that the Open Spaces Society will not require the proposal to be re-advertised.

 

DM requested and was given the Parish Council’s permission to correspond directly with the National Trust and other parties as necessary to prepare a proposal including a draft lease to bring to the Parish Council for Members’ consideration. 

 

7.3  Rights of Way

Tenchleys Lane:  it was agreed to apply for an office copy and filed plan at a cost of £8.00 to establish ownership of the lane.  Post meeting note:  Durham District Land Registry has advised that

7.3    Rights of Way (cont’d)

 

the lane is not registered under the Land Registration Act and no records are held.  The fee was returned.

 

FP  78a Kissing Gate:  Phillipa Gates has inspected the gate and advised that carrying out repairs is likely to cause more problems .  The gate will be replaced when it is no longer serviceable.

7.4  Planning

Planning Enforcement Seminar held on 19/9/05:  AW reported that the Planning Enforcement Team’s powers are discretionary and involve the Council in making judgements over the planning merits of a variety of unauthorised issues.  As set up the process is essentially discretionary in nature and seeks remediation of the unauthorised works or uses which have proceeded without the necessary planning permission rather than the punishment of those responsible.  Although there is a duty to investigate alleged breaches of planning control, there is no mandatory requirement to undertake enforcement action.  In all cases, the Council will judge the appropriate response according to the harm or potential harm caused to the local environment or amenity of the area.

 

South East Plan Seminar held on 4/10/05:  BA reported on the meeting he had attended earlier in the evening which amounted to a presentation of the strategy for Surrey.  Paul Newdick of TDC believes that the Green Belt should be safe for the next 10 to 15 years and the Council will continue to refuse development on Green Belt sites.  There is concern that the Government may not be happy with SEERA’s proposal to build 28,900 new houses across the region, with 2360 each year in Surrey and there may be added pressure on Tandridge whose allocations are the lowest in Surrey.

 

10 Park Road:  invitation from The Hunt Group to an open meeting at the Grasshopper Inn, Westerham, on Thursday, 6 October 2005 at 7.30 pm to discuss the latest scheme for 10 Park Road.  Decline.  The Parish Council will consider any future applications in the usual manner.

 

Boulthurst Farm:  Application TA/2003/938/A2 for extra Sunday openings was considered by the Development Control Committee on Thursday, 29 September, at 7.30 pm, at which BA spoke against the application.  Permission was granted, but an assurance was given by the Development Control Committee that the farm will be closely monitored to ensure that it is not being used as a retail outlet.

 

Honeypot Farm:  the Parish Council wrote to Mr Evans on 12 September, to draw attention to the matters raised by local residents at the September meeting.  The letter was copied to County Councillor Skellett, Mr S Weigel, Chief Executive TDC, District Councillors Limpsfield Ward, Peter Ainsworth MP and residents who were present at the last meeting.  A response has been received from Mr Ainsworth who has agreed to make contact with Mr Evans about the activities at Honeypot Farm.

 

The Parish Council also wrote to the Traffic Commissioner to object to the request by United Grab Hire for a new operating centre to keep three goods vehicles at Honeypot Farm.  A response has been received to the effect that there is no provision in The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 for Parish Councils to make representations on behalf of any other party such as local residents.  The Traffic Commissioner is therefore precluded by this legislation from considering the representation made.  It also clarifies that this application is intended to replace the authorisation of D A Withers at the same site and is not an application for an additional three vehicles overall.

 

Seven copies of letters of objection sent by local residents to the Traffic Commissioner have been received.  Mrs Gilbert has informed the Clerk that the Vehicle Licensing Office has sent out guidelines advising on what grounds residents are entitled to complain.

 

John Lawrence, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, has advised in his letter to the Parish Council of 29 September, that the use of Honeypot Farm by the present occupiers is technically in breach of a condition attached to the original grant of permission given in 1985, which limits the use of the site as a topsoil and turfing contractors yard in connection with the landscaping business of Mr D A Withers only.  Of greater concern is the fact that the operations have extended beyond the limits of the yard established by the appeal in April 2001.  The new owners have been advised to confine their

Honeypot Farm (cont’d)

 

activities to the lawful area at the front of the land or face prosecution under the confirmed Enforcement Notice.  Their response is awaited in the next 14 days.  Other concerns regarding the nature of activities now being carried on from the site are still being considered and the Parish Council will be kept informed of developments.  The District Council has also sent a letter of objection to the Traffic Commissioner in respect of the goods vehicle licence application.

 

Correspondence:

·         Copy of Mr & Mrs McFie’s correspondence to TDC re erection of dwelling on land at Padbrook Close submitting that the drawings as presented do not satisfy condition 9 of the approved outline planning permission.

 

Planning Application List No 36, 37, 38 & 39

 

No objections to

TA/2005/1302/TPO  17, BRASSEY HILL, LIMPSFIELD

REDUCE 2 LONGEST LOW BRANCHES ON ASH BY 50%. CROWN LIFT TO 4 METRES.

 

TA/2005/1300 11, STATION ROAD EAST, OXTED

ALTERATIONS TO SHOP FRONT.

 

TA/2005/1377/TCA  LAND AT LIMPSFIELD TENNIS CLUB, CORNER OF DETILLENS LANE & HIGH STREET, LIMPSFIELD

REMOVE 1X CUPRESSUS + 1X MULTI STEMED BEECH. CROWN LIFT 1 X OAK TREE.

 

TA/2005/1385  BOWER LODGE, WESTERHAM ROAD, LIMPSFIELD

ERECTION OF CONSERVATORY TO WEST ELEVATION.

 

TA/2005/1384  13 WESTERHAM ROAD,LIMPSFIELD

ERECTION OF A SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION. (CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS FOR A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT)

 

Planning Refusals

 

TA/2005/888  Land at Pitchfont Farm, off Water Lane, Limpsfield

Display of 6.1M x 3.2M advertisement hoarding.

 

Planning Approvals

 

TA/2005/1022  8 Wolfs Row, Limpsfield

Erection of dormer window to rear roof slope.

 

TA/2005/1133  38 Detillens Lane, Limpsfield

Erection of single storey front extension with flat roof.

 

TA/2005/968/TPO  Brassey Hill, Limpsfield

TPO2 1993 (T) Fell 1 ash tree. Crown reduce 1 oak tree by up to 15%

 

 

7.5  Highways

 

CW agreed to take up the matter of vehicle speeds on Titsey Road (minute 4.0 September meeting) with Surrey Highways.            Action:  CW

 

 

7.6  Publicity

There was nothing to report.

 

 

7.7  Trees  & Parish Property

 

An application form for the vehicle crossover next to the Memorial Stores has been received from SCC.

 

RH and CW agreed to weed and tidy the landscaped area next to the Memorial Stores.

                                                                                                                  Action:  RH / CW

 

Overhanging ivy outside Detillens in Limpsfield High Street:  the owner of Detillens will arrange for the ivy to be cut back, but has no objection to this being cut back by a third party at any time if it is causing an obstruction.

 

 

8.0  REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

 

8.1  Limpsfield Common

There was nothing to report.

 

8.2  Police Community Partnership Group

 

AW reported that at the Tandridge Crime Prevention Panel’s last meeting it was emphasised once again not to leave cars unlocked under any circumstances and to keep keys out of sight in the home.

 

Community speed watch in Tandridge:  AW reported on a new initiative by Surrey Police that has been successfully trialled in Woldingham involving volunteers using speed detection devices to assist with reducing traffic speeds.  A small amount of funding will be required and AW agreed to explore the possibility of diverting PCPG funds to this project.  JP voiced his strong opposition to such a scheme which he considered would only be of interest to ‘vigilante’ type volunteers and that it was the job of the police to monitor vehicle speeds.  Further discussion was deferred until the next meeting.

 

 

9.0  FINANCE

 

Limpsfield in Bloom:  a request has been received from the Limpsfield in Bloom committee for a contribution towards a new village sign – draft cost £1300 - £1500.  It was agreed to request a formal written application for a grant together with an undertaking from the Committee to provide a copy of its accounts when these become available as it is a requirement under the Parish Council’s Standing Orders to study these prior to sanctioning grant funding.

 

9.1  Accounts for Payment

 

It was resolved to pay the following accounts:

 

·         Clerk’s salary                                                                                      £410.42

·         Seeboard (DD 14/09/05)                                                                           £8.52

·         Limpsfield CE Infant School (hall hire charges)(chq 316)                            £60.00

·         Tandridge District Council - Parish Office rates (chq 317)                           £52.00

·         Post Office Ltd (100 x 2^nd class stamps) (chq 318)                                    £21.00

·         Tangent Printers (5 x inkjet cartridges (chq 319)                                       £93.35

·         Clerk’s expenses & broadband (chq 320)                                                 £19.94

·         Old Oxted Landscapers (grass cutting) (chq 321)                                    £112.00

·         Durham Land Registry office copy and plan (chq 322)*                                £8.00

 

*  Cheque returned (see minute 7.3)

 

 

 

 

10.0  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

RH raised concerns about TDC’s management of street sweeping in the area.  A specific matter was raised directly by RH with Tandridge Amenity Services.

 

The Clerk advised that she had exceeded her contractual hours in the past six months.  It was agreed to put this on the agenda for the next meeting.

11.0  DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 1 November 2005 at Limpsfield CE Infant School.

(Please note that the December and January meetings will be held at St Peter’s Hall.)

 

The meeting closed at 10.00 pm.