LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 7 October 2003, in the school hall, Limpsfield CE Infant School, Limpsfield at 7.30 pm
PRESENT: Chairman Mr C Walker (CW), Councillors Mr B Alexander (BA), Mrs R Harris (RH), Mrs C Heijmer (CH), Mr D Marnham (DM), Mr J Pannett (JP)
1.0 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Mr Jonathan Jensen, Mrs Angela Williams and Mrs Lucy Wingate.
2.0 MINUTES
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a true record.
3.0 MATTERS ARISING
Item 3 of the August minutes: drinking fountain in Detillens Lane. Whilst the land on which the drinking fountain stands belongs to the County, this does not automatically mean that the fixtures belong to the County. Confirmation of ownership of the fountain is still awaited.
Item 5 of the September minutes: co-option of parish councillor. The Chairman formally welcomed David Marnham as a co-opted member of the Limpsfield Parish Council.
Item 11 of the September minutes: JP has responded to the Minerals Replacement Plan consultation on behalf of the parish council.
4.0 PUBLIC SESSION
There were 6 members of the public present.
Two separate cases of dissatisfaction with the standard of roadside maintenance were put to the council by members of the public:
1. Bluehouse Lane between Limpsfield Grange School and Granville Road;
2. Wolfs Hill opposite Hazelwood School.
In both cases there is no footway provision and pedestrians are forced to walk further out into the road in the face of speeding traffic to avoid overhanging brambles and gutter debris. In the case of Bluehouse Lane, residents are in touch with the Surrey Police and are awaiting a visit from the Tandridge Road Safety Officer in view of the total inactivity on the part of Surrey Highways to rectify the situation.
The Chairman invited Dean Cronk, Senior Principal Engineer, Highways to comment. Mr Cronk explained that Bluehouse lane was inspected by a Highways steward on 20 August. Letters were subsequently written to the owners of the bank on the west side of the lane requesting them to cut back the vegetation. No decision was reached at the meeting as to what action would be taken next.
In the case of Wolfs Hill, Dean Cronk agreed to check that Carillion, the Highways contractor, was using the correct equipment to tackle overgrown banks efficiently.
Councillor Eric Morgan commented that a recent survey showed very high levels of satisfaction with the standard of street cleaning generally in the Tandridge district.
5.0 COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
The Chairman welcomed Councillor Morgan to the meeting. Cllr Morgan reported that officers at Tandridge District Council were busy implementing the Community Safety Strategy. The Community Strategy was also now going forward. The new recycling service had just commenced giving all households the opportunity to recycle glass and tins in addition to paper and card.
Some members commented that the new collection dates for the recycling service were not well publicised. Cllr Morgan stated that all households should have received a leaflet detailing these dates together with the instructions for recycling additional waste.
6.0 AN UPDATE ON THE TANDRIDGE LOCAL COMMITTEE INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION
The Chairman welcomed Ann Osborn, Local Committee Director and Dean Cronk, Senior Principal Engineer, to the meeting.
Ann Osborn distributed a report of the work of the Tandridge Local Committee for 2002/3 and highlighted some of the successes achieved since its formation. A list of the grants agreed from the Local Allocation fund for 2003/4 was also distributed.
Ann was pleased to be able to report that Oxted School had now produced a satisfactory specification for its floodlighting installation which will minimise 'upward' light spillage and subsequent light pollution in the area. This should enable the project to go forward at last.
The recent 'notice to quit' issued by Strutt & Parker to the Plumber's Arms Allotment Association was discussed. Cllr Morgan suggested that the Parish Council could exercise its duty to provide allotments by compulsory purchase or lease of the land for this purpose. Further investigations will be made before any action is taken. Action: Clerk
Ann Osborn concluded by confirming that the County Council would be writing to Transport Minister Alastair Darling in support of the Stop London Redhill Airport campaign. Members agreed that the Parish Council would also write in support of this campaign with copies to Nick Skellett and Peter Ainsworth MP. Action: Clerk
Dean Cronk lead the discussion of the transportation items on the subagenda.
6.1 Bluehouse Lane, Limpsfield
Detailed discussion was held regarding the safety issues and technical problems surrounding the provision of a footpath in Bluehouse Lane. Dean Cronk confirmed that £5,000 would be needed to carry out an initial survey of the scheme and it was unlikely that this would be forthcoming until 2004/5. Members were anxious to bring the project forward more quickly and it was agreed to write to Nick Skellett to request that such a modest sum be allocated earlier so that a scheme of work could be scheduled into the LDP as soon as possible. Ann Osborn agreed to bring the matter to the attention of the LDP members before their meeting on Friday, 10 October. Action: Clerk
In response to a request by a member to fund the survey from the Local Committee local allocation, Ann Osborn explained that members had agreed that these funds would not be spent on transportation schemes for which a separate fund, the Local Transport Allocation, was available. Dean Cronk added that the transportation allocation was already committed to schemes proposed for progression in 2003/4, unless Local Committee members chose to amend the Local Transport Plan to give priority to this scheme.
RH asked why White Lane was being given priority over Bluehouse Lane and whether funds could be diverted from this to the Bluehouse Lane survey.
Post meeting note:
Having looked into this query, Ann Osborn has confirmed that there are no funds set aside for works to be carried out at White Lane as yet. If members decided to go ahead this would also need to be added to the LTP at a later date.
In answer to a further query about funding the survey from the Tandridge Community Safety Strategy (TCSS) fund, Ann Osborn has responded that the majority of the fund for the TCSS is provided by the Government Office for the South East to be spent specifically on Crime and Disorder issues. Although the TCSS mentions making travel in Tandridge safer, this reflects the current work of the transportation team. Community Safety funds cannot provide mainstream services.
6.2 Woodhurst Lane
The Chairman asked why there was a need for a further HGV origin and destination survey budgeted to cost £40,000, when it had already been established that Woodhurst Lane suffered above average HGV movements and a previous report showed that only three possible options could be considered to alleviate the problems. Dean Cronk indicated that the survey may not cost this much. A satisfactory answer as to the necessity of a further survey was not given. The Chairman suggested that this sum could be diverted to the Bluehouse Lane footpath scheme.
6.3 Limpsfield High Street
Dean Cronk agreed to instruct Carillion to attend to the sunken footway and loose kerbstones in front of the former Limpsfield Lithographic premises in Limpsfield High Street.
6.4 General upkeep of roads and footpaths in the parish
i) Bluehouse Lane verges - responses to this item are included under minute 4 of these minutes;
ii) Wolfs Hill - responses to this item are included under minute 4 of these minutes;
iii) A25 Westerham Road footpath obstructed by overgrown vegetation between Detillens Lane and Limpsfield High Street. Dean Cronk stated that he was unaware of a problem along this footpath. The Clerk pointed out that a number of discussions had been held with Highways in May which resulted in Highways sending the Clerk a detailed map of this section of the Highway so that the parish council could write to residents requesting vegetation to be cut back. Residents have not taken any action as a result of the letter and the footpath is still overgrown in places. Dean Cronk agreed to investigate.
iv) Park Road - upkeep of road edges. Dean Cronk explained that Carillion has a brief to carry out remedial works within a specified time scale. Post meeting note: emergency repair work should be carried out within 24 hours, non urgent repairs within 28 days and routine maintenance within 3 months.
v) Grants Lane. Members asked for the unsightly, crooked posts in Grants Lane to be removed.
7.0 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT (including correspondence)
Corrrespondence:
· Whyteleafe Parish Council - invitation to ESPLG meeting on Wednesday, 15 October 2003 in the Jubilee Hall, Whyteleafe School, Whyteleafe at 7.30 pm. CW to attend.
Action: CW
· Surrey Community Planning - invitation to a focus group on Thursday, 23 October 2003, West Horsley Village Hall at 7.00 pm. Decline.
· GACC - booklet "Gatwick - why a new runway won't work".
· LCAS - newsletter no 18 September 2003. This sets out the new regulations which came into force on 1 May 2003, for the payment of allowances to parish councils.
Action: CW / Clerk
· Audit Commission - questionnaire to be returned by 7 November 2003. CW to complete.
Action: CW
· KRAG - London Redhill airport proposal. Members agreed to write to Alastair Darling objecting to a major new airport in Redhill. Action: Clerk
· East Surrey Dial-a-Ride - invitation to AGM. Decline.
· Lady Critchett - invitation to attend an open meeting at St Andrew's Hall, Limpsfield Chart on Wednesday, 22 October at 8pm to discuss the feasibility of providing a playground for children on the Chart. CW to attend. Action: CW
8.0 PARISH COUNCILLORS' REPORTS
8.1 Rights of Way
Itchingwood Common: letter from David Sayce, Area Ranger, SWT Countryside Services, recommending that the parish council contact the land owner direct should it still have concerns regarding tree planting on the common.
Footpath 605: Philippa Gates has inspected the footpath but can see no evidence to suggest that the landowner is trying to divert the path away from the field.
8.2 Planning
Planning Application Lists No 35, 36, 37, 38 & 39
Extension requested for discussion at meeting on
Objections to
TA/2003/1301 THORNHILL SCHOOL,WESTERHAM ROAD,LIMPSFIELD
REVISION OF INTERNAL ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS TO SERVE 3 DWELLINGS APPROVED UNDER REFERENCE TA/2000/1166. Amounts to 'creeping' development in the Green Belt.
TA/2003/1392 1,WHITEGATES COTTAGES, GRANTS LANE, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF A SINGLE TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION. Object to this over large development in the Green Belt and AOGLV which will result in the loss of a small dwelling.
No objections
TA/2003/1186 HEATHSIDE, CHAPEL ROAD, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF TREE HOUSE (APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS FOR A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT).
TA/2003/1187 HEATHSIDE, CHAPEL ROAD, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF POOL HOUSE (APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS FOR A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT).
TA/2003/1391 TA/2003/1391 HAWTHORNS, 11 SNATTS HILL, OXTED
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DETACHED GARAGE AND ERECTION OF TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION WITH INTEGRAL GARAGE.
TA/2003/1351 WYMONDLEY, HOOKWOOD PARK, LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY DETACHED POOL HOUSE.
Applications for a Certificate of Lawfulness
TA/2003/1371 LITTLE BATCHELORS, RED LANE, LIMPSFIELD
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING CARPORT, ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION; REAR DORMER WINDOW, WITH 4 VELUX WINDOWS TO FRONT, IN CONNECTION WITH LOFT CONVERSION & ERECTION OF DETACHED QUADRUPLE GARAGE.
TA/2003/1370 LITTLE BATCHELORS,RED LANE,LIMPSFIELD
ERECTION OF DETACHED DOUBLE GARAGE WITH LOG STORE AND ALTERATIONS TO ACCESS LAYOUT.
Planning Applications Withdrawn
TA/2003/1172 Willow Pightle, Ballards Lane, Limpsfield
Erection of first floor side extension with balcony, store room & garages, incorporating conversion of garages to additional accommodation. Erection of rear orangery and detached double garage.
TA/2003/809 Pastens Residential Care Home, Pastens Road, Limpsfield
Construction of car park providing 10 spaces with new access to Pastens Road and erection of 1.8M high replacement closeboarded fence.
Planning Refusals
TA/2003/953 Wansbeck, Uvedale Road, Limpsfield
Demolition of existing conservatory, erection of single storey rear extension and front entrance porch; erection of additional garage attached to garage block with self contained accommodation above new and existing garages. Erection of single storey side extension to provide swimming pool.
TA/2003/1120 Collishaw, Grants Lane, Limpsfield
Demolition of existing covered yard and erection of two storey front and first floor side extension.
Planning Approvals
TA/2003/1114 Former Limpsfield Watercolours, High Street, Limpsfield
Display of non-illuminated fascia and projecting sign.
TA/2003/1061 3 New Lodge Drive, Limpsfield
Erection of single storey side/front extension with new vehicular access.
TA/2003/1077 Braye House, Uvedale Road, Limpsfield
Erection of first floor side extension with new roof over incorporating balcony to rear elevation and erection of front porch.
TA/2003/882 The Horns, Grants Lane, Limpsfield
Alterations to front fenestration and extension to existing porch canopy.
Planning Appeal dismissed
TA/2002/P/1960 Land at r/o 6 Detillens Lane, Limpsfield
8.3 Highways
Correspondence:
· Refuse collection : Mr Keith Masters, Contracts Manager, Tandridge District Council Amenity Services, has confirmed that an extra supervisor has been provided by Biffa to help reduce the time lapse between refuse being removed from households and then collected by the refuse collection vehicle. If long delays are still observed on some roads, Amenity Services has asked to be advised which roads are affected and the time lapse involved.
· Featherbed Lane HGV traffic: reply from SCC Highways. Owing to limited budgets the request for signs limiting HGV traffic cannot be progressed at the present time.
· Bluehouse Lane footpath: copy of a residents' survey sent out by SCC Highways to Bluehouse Lane residents on 26 September 2003.
· Bluehouse Lane verges: e-mail from Mr M Stone. No action has yet been taken by SCC Highways.
· M25 proposed widening: e-mail from Colin Hall to suggest making representations through ESMAC for noise reduction measures to be included in the road widening scheme.
· RH reported that the date for next White Lane task group meeting had been set. Members were in agreement that the lane should remain open and RH will present this view at the meeting.
· DM reported that a meeting had been held between residents of Pollards Wood Hill and Stuart Eastmond, SCC Highways, concerning the number of accidents that had occurred on this stretch of road. Speed appears to be the main problem and Surrey Police has been asked to carry out some speed checks. RH commented that the poorly thought out diversion signs at the junction with Wolfs Hill could lead to a serious accident. Clerk to inform highways. Post meeting note: this diversion has now been removed.
· RH commented on the poor quality of workmanship where roads had recently been re-surfaced and cited Featherbed Lane as an example where the tarmac was lifting up during the hot weather.
8.4 Publicity
The clerk has prepared a press release to seek support for the preparation of a Parish Plan (see item 10 below), a government-sponsored initiative to help local communities have a say in their future.
The final copy date for the December issue of St Peter's Parish News is 31 October 2003, and for the Chart News is 14 November 2003.
8.5 Trees, Village Green & Parish Office
The new notice board has now been delivered and will be installed by KAVBRO within the next few days.
9.0 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
9.1 Limpsfield Common
There was nothing to report.
9.2 Limpsfield School
In response to the parish council's concern about losing its formal link with the school, Mrs Carolyn Lemon, Chairman of the Board of Governors, contacted the clerk to reassure the parish council that the school would do everything in its power to maintain the close ties with the parish council. In the first instance, Mrs Lemon will ensure that the council receives a copy of the minutes of the governors' meetings.
9.3 Police Community Partnership Group
There was nothing to report.
10.0 THE QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL SCHEME
The Countryside Agency - Parish Plans guidance pack for parish councils. It was agreed to try to establish a steering group of parishioners to develop a Parish Plan by putting up notices on parish council notice boards and in the parish newsletters asking for volunteers.
11.0 FINANCE
11.1 It was agreed in principle to provide a parish notice board for Limpsfield Chart. A suitable site needs to be found before an order is placed. Action: CW / Clerk
11.2 Accounts for Payment
· Clerks salary (so 26 September 2003) £380.66
· I A Geal & Sons (redecoration to Parish Office)(chq 196) £750.00
· G Cannon (expenses, BT internet & inkjet cartridge)(chq 197) £69.68
· Tandridge District Council (parish office rates)(chq 198) £94.00
· Seeboard direct debit (electricity parish office) £10.82
· Old Oxted Landscapers (grass cutting)(chq 199) £92.00
12.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
It is understood that part of the main A25 Westerham Road is going to be closed for gas works. Clerk to contact Highways for confirmation and dates. Action: Clerk
13.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the parish council will be held on the second Tuesday of the month, Tuesday, 11 November 2003, in St Peter's Church Hall, Limpsfield at 7.30 pm. Mr Nick Skellett has been invited to attend the November meeting.
The meeting closed at 10.30 pm.