LIMPSFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 1 April 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 C Heijmer (CH), Mr R Hollywood (RHo), Mr J Pannett (JP), Mrs A Williams (AW), Mrs L Wingate (LW)
1.0 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Mr J Jensen.
2.0 MINUTES
The of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a true record.
At the request of the Chairman, the business of the meeting was taken in a revised order. For the sake of clarity, the minutes have been prepared in accordance with the original agenda.
3.0 MATTERS ARISING
CH reported on the meeting held for Tandridge Parish Councils to discuss Surrey's Rural Strategy. It was suggested that Parish Councils could make a contribution by completing a 'village appraisal' to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the local community. Government grants are available to help with the administration of appraisals. Concern was expressed about the future of farming in the area and where the next generation of farmers will come from. Farms may need to diversify to survive and this may cause environmental problems. Housing problems were also discussed and ways to enable young people to be able to afford to buy locally.
4.0 COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
There were no reports received.
5.0 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT (including correspondence)
The Chairman thanked members for submitting their nomination forms for re-election. No other nominations had been received by Tandridge District Council.
Corrrespondence:
· DEFRA - the 'Quality' Town and Parish Council initiative.
· Tandridge Leisure Ltd - Summer Playschemes. Clerk to request further information. Action: Clerk
· GACC - list of suggested actions to take to oppose new options for developing Gatwick airport.
· Department for Transport - National consultation on the future development of air transport in the United Kingdon, second edition February 2003. Action: AW
· Tatsfield Parish Council - invitation to Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday, 9 April, 2003 at the Village Hall, Westmore Green, Tatsfield, at 7.30 for 8.00 pm. CW/AW to attend.
· TDC - Corporate Strategy News February 2003. Circulated.
6.0 PARISH COUNCILLORS' REPORTS
6.1 Rights of Way
The clerk reported back on enquiries made regarding the planting of trees on Itchingwood Common.
6.2 Planning
The Chairman had received a letter from Mr R Wright of Sandstones, requesting permission to plant five trees on The Waste of His Lordship's Manor. It was unanimously agreed to decline permission. Clerk to write. The Chairman agreed to speak to Mr John Tolley about the problem of cars parking on this area next to the memorial stores. Action: Clerk / CW
Correspondence:
· TDC - copy of letter to Longmor Tree Management re Limpsfield Lawn Tennis Club planning application TA/2003/103/TCA to fell one weeping willow tree.
Planning Application List No 10, 11, 12
No objection to
TA/2003/210 98, BLUEHOUSE LANE, OXTED. RELAXATION OF CONDITION 3 ON PREVIOUS PERMISSION TA/2000/660 TO ALLOW ERECTION OF FENCE DIVIDING FRONT DRIVE.
TA/2003/292/TCA SANDSTONES, HIGH STREET, LIMPSFIELD. FELL 3 HOLLIES & 1 YEW.
TA/2003/368 44,GRANVILLE ROAD,LIMPSFIELD. DEMOLITION OF EXISTING LEAN-TO & ERECTION OF SINGLE STOREY FRONT INFILL EXTENSION.
TA/2003/338 HIGH CHART WOODLAND,KENT HATCH ROAD,LIMPSFIELD CHART. DISPLAY OF 3 NON-ILLUMINATED SIGNS.
TA/2003/400 39,GRANVILLE ROAD,OXTED. ERECTION OF FIRST FLOOR REAR EXTENSION.
TA/2003/423 GREENFIELD COTTAGE, PAINS HILL, LIMPSFIELD. EXTENSION TO PART OF EXISTING ROOF TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION WITHIN ROOF SPACE.
Objections to:
TA/2003/307 BRIARS CROSS COTTAGE, RIDLANDS LANE, LIMPSFIELD. ERECTION OF FIRST FLOOR SIDE EXTENSION. Concern that further extension to the property may contravene policy RE8 of the Local Plan. Leave to officers.
TA/2003/326/TCA ST. PETERS RECTORY, HIGH STREET, LIMPSFIELD. CROWN REDUCE OAK TREE BY 30% ON FRONT BOUNDARY AND CROWN RAISE UP TO 3 METRES FROM GROUND LEVEL. REMOVE DEAD DAMAGED BRANCHES. SECTION FELL ONE ASH ON CORNER OF BARN. Object to removal of long branches on the Holm Oak; request outside expert advice prior to work being carried out. Object to felling of ash.
TA/2003/334 33,STONELEIGH ROAD,LIMPSFIELD. DEMOLITION OF EXISTING SINGLE STOREY ELEMENT AND ERECTION OF 2 STOREY SIDE EXTENSION. Building construction details were not shown on the drawing making decision difficult. However, no objection provided the proposed roof is in keeping with the existing roof.
Clarification required
TA/2003/385/TPO 14,BRASSEY HILL,LIMPSFIELD. TPO 2, 1993 (T) - REMOVE ONE ACER FROM FRONT GARDEN. REDUCE ONE OAK IN REAR GARDEN BY 30% AND REMOVE DEADWOOD AND REDUCE & RESHAPE ANOTHER OAK IN REAR GARDEN BY 15% AND CROWN THIN BY 25%. No acer was evident in front garden. Concern regarding work to protected oak trees but no objection if work is absolutely necessary.
Planning Application withdrawn
TA/2002/1867 SNATTS BARN, ROCKFIELD ROAD, OXTED. Erection of detached double garage & 2.4m high retaining wall to front of property.
Planning Appeals lodged
TA/2002/1379 40 Park Road, Limpsfield. Demolition of existing garage/utility room and erection of new detached dwelling.
Planning Appeals dismissed
TA/2002/473 Chartcroft Lodge, Pastens Road, Limpsfield. Retrospective application for a car port with an access deck and escape stair over.
Planning Refusals
TA/2002/1960 Land at rear of 6 Detillens Lane, Limpsfield. Demolition of existing garage; erection of 3 bed detached bungalow with detached double garage and detached double garage serving no 6.
Planning Approvals
TA/2002/1974 62 Stoneleigh Road, Limpsfield Chart. Erection of first floor side extension.
TA/2002/P/1836 3 Bluehouse Gardens, Limpsfield. Erection of 2 storey side/single storey rear extension.
TA/2003/P/13 The Russetts, Brassey Road, Limpsfield. Erection of single storey rear extension and pitched roof over existing integral garage (to be converted) and erection of rear conservatory.
6.4 Highways
Clerk's report on telephone discussion with Charlie Marsh on 17 March 2003
1. The verges on the western side of Bluehouse Lane between Limpsfield Grange and Granville Road are privately owned and not part of the public highway. Theoretically, residents should not allow debris and brambles to obstruct the highway.
2. The consultation re Bluehouse Lane will include the footpath from the Grange to Granville Road.
3. Limpsfield High Street: Highways has written to Limpsfield Lithographic about unauthorised crossing of vehicles over the footpath onto their premises. No reply has yet been received. It is not just a question of lowering the kerb, the footway needs strengthening underneath the block paving to cope with the weight of delivery vehicles. Highways will send a stronger letter. A last resort would be to prevent them from using the access by installing bollards or similar.
4. Sign cleaning is still being carried out. All the signs between the Kent Hatch Road and the A22 have now been cleaned. Also a number of signs in the south of the parish.
5. A new contractor, Carillion, will be taking over from RCS from 28 April. Carillion will be based at the Godstone depot and will have a 5 year MAMOTH (maintenance and management of the highway) contract for the eastern Surrey districts. Ringway will have an identical contract for the western districts and will be based in Bagshot.
6. Jet patchers for potholes: a number of different models are being tested at the moment. They do have their uses on roads with a reasonable depth of construction where there is a single pothole. In many cases, the country roads and lanes (which have evolved from old farm tracks) do not lend themselves to jet patching because whole areas are crazing and breaking up, often with edge erosion, and jet patching is not suitable.
7. Fence in Grant Lane: the sloping end rail has been removed. The crooked posts between the fence and Short Lane should be removed soon.
8. Parking on Pebble Hill. Really a matter for the police if people are parking badly. If measures were taken to stop cars parking on the pavement they may park further into the road which could be more dangerous.
6.4 Publicity
There was nothing to report.
6.5 Trees, Village Green & Parish Office
RHo thanked members for helping to clear out the Parish Office. RHo reported that he had chased up Mr Fawson regarding the new door. He confirmed that Cornhill Insurance had accepted the claim. Once the door has been replaced the remaining decoration will be put in hand. RHo also confirmed that grant monies had now been received from Tandridge District Council (post meeting note: a letter of thanks has been sent to TDC).
At the Chairman's suggestion members agreed to sort through old files from the parish office by taking home a file at a time, listing the contents and returning them in new folders for storage. This may take some time but there is too much for any one person to tackle alone.
7.0 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
7.1 Limpsfield Common
The Chairman thanked Mark Richards for the work that had been carried out at the top of Limpsfield High Street. Mark reported that recent work has included clearing the Greensand Way. Mark pointed out that he has been advised to replace broken stiles with gates to enable disabled access.
7.2 Limpsfield School
CH reported that a new Head teacher was still being sought. The Chairman reminded members that the council would need to appoint a new Governor to the Board of Governors when Charlotte Heijmer's term of office ended in May.
7.3 Police Community Partnership Group
The Chairman welcomed PC Dan Hazel and Policy Community Support Officer, Glen Bates to the meeting. Glen Bates explained that he was a civilian employed by Surrey Police as a supporting officer to fully fledged police officers. His role is to patrol the areas of Oxted, Limpsfield and Hurst Green to deal with minor crime such as graffiti, under age drinking, disturbances etc. He does not have powers of arrest but is in constant contact with the police. He is based at Oxted Police Station and is an additional resource to the existing police force.
The Chairman discussed the problems of parking on pavements both in Limpsfield village and outside Limpsfield School.
The next meeting of the PCPG is on 14 April 2003, at Hurst Green Community Centre, at 8.00 pm.
8.0 PUBLIC SESSION
The Chairman invited Mr Bradford of Bombers Cottage to address the meeting. Mr Bradford asked the Council to clarify the reasons it had objected to the latest planning application submitted for Bombers Cottage. After lengthy discussion it was agreed that AW would speak to the Planning Officer to clarify the planning rules for a replacement dwelling in the Green Belt. Action: AW
Mr Ron Bristow highlighted that the footpath along the A25 Westerham Road was already beginning to get overgrown.
9.0 FINANCE
Resolved: to grant the sum of £50.00 to the Bishop's Lent Call to show the Parish Council's support and appreciation for the Limpsfield Lent Litter Pick organised by Marianne Bell and Eric Scadeng.
9.1 Accounts for Payment
· Clerk's salary (so 26 March 2003) £380.66
· G Cannon (Broadband connection & expenses March)(chq 160) £23.65
· Age Concern (s137 grant agreed March meeting)(chq 161) £150.00
· Tangent Printers (Limpsfield Report)(chq 162) £278.35
· Tandridge District Council (first half rates)(chq 163) £94.70
· Old Oxted Landscapers (grass cutting x 2)(chq 164) £92.00
· HM Land Registry (fee for office copy)(chq 165) £4.00
· Bishop's Lent Call (payable to Mr E Scadeng)(chq 166) £50.00
10.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman and AW expressed concern at the poor treatment they received at the recent Annual meeting of Oxted Parish Council. Although invited, they were not welcomed to the meeting. A reference was made by the Chairman, Mr M Fisher, during discussions about raising funds for Master Park that "trouble was had getting money out of Limpsfield Parish Council for Oxted car parking, when only a pitiful amount was contributed". This was the second time such a reference had been made by Oxted Parish Council at a public meeting. In fact the £500 contribution towards Oxted car parking represented 7% of Limpsfield Parish Council's annual precept at the time. Furthermore an amount was included in the budget for Oxted car parking the following year but a further request for funds was never received.
11.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 6 May 2003.
The meeting closed at 9.45 pm.