Meeting Minutes, September 2003

Parish Council Meeting

The meeting was opened at 7.15pm on Monday, 15th September 2003 at Chilworth Infant School.

Present

1. Apologies

Apologies were received in respect of PC Bridge.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 14th July 2003, having been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

3. Matters Arising

3a. Blacksmith Lane - Water Leak

It was reported that probably due to a lack of rain there was no longer a leak. It was however notified that a hole had been left in the lane at its junction with Halfpenny Close. The Clerk was asked to write to Thames Water to have the hole filled or some form of protection place around it.

3b. Post Boxes - Sample Oak Lane

The Clerk reported that application had been made to have the post boxes listed but that no acknowledgement had been received. The Clerk was asked to write again to the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport to ask for an acknowledgement.

3c. Halfpenny Lane - Signage

Cllr Peake reported that the "leaning post" had been re-installed and it was now upright and that a new "No horses" notice had been placed near the entrance to Long Mead.

He also reported that the meeting with Mike Robinson of the Surrey Hills office had taken place and he had agreed to provide wooden posts at various heights and that if they were placed in position by SCC (Surrey County Council) the Surrey Hills office would pay for them. If however they were provided by residents then the residents would have to make a contribution towards the cost.

It was agreed that a sub committee comprising Cllrs Allen, Peake and the Chairman would contact the residents but that no action should be taken until the Surrey Hills office had notified the costs.

3d. Lamp Standard - Tangley Level Crossing

At the 14th July 2003 meeting it was reported that the front cover of the post had been removed and that bare wires were displayed.

Cllr Peake reported that the necessary repair had been completed quickly.

3e. A248 - Hole in Road near Postford House

At the 14th July 2003 meeting it was reported that a hole had appeared in the road near Postford House that the Clerk reported to the Highways Department who had acknowledged receipt.

It was reported that no remedial action had been taken. The Clerk was asked to take the matter up with the Highways Department.

4. Adjournment for Public Debate

4a. Titan Sheds - Proposed Listing

The meeting was addressed by Mrs Hastings and Mrs Anthony who expressed concern over the Parish Council's application to have the Titan Sheds listed as historical buildings.

Cllr Peake reported that he had produced the photographs required by the Ministry of Culture, Media and Sports, which were handed to the Clerk for despatch.

4b. Percy Arms - "A" Boards

It was reported that "A" Boards outside the Percy Arms were obstructing the public footpath. The complainant was asked to take the matter up directly with the manager of the Percy Arms.

5. Police Spot

In the absence of PC Bridge, who sent his apologies, the Clerk submitted a verbal report on his behalf.

He reported that PC Bridge had been allocated £200 by the Chief Constable to use on community projects for which the Council could bid for an allocation.

He also reported that PC Bridge had spoken to a number of residents about parking on the pavement, some had been formally warned and some ticketed.

Cllr Allen raised the matter of the need for High Visibility vests for use by those escorting children from the school. She agreed to contact PC Bridge on the matter.

6. Correspondence

6a. The Global Experiential Marketing Group (GEM)

Members noted that GEM are working closely with Guildford Borough Council (GBC) to raise the profile of recycling in a drive to increase participation in its Green Box system which is offered to 47,000 houses in the Borough.

Members also noted that the Group is looking for members of the local community to act as "Street Leaders" and set an example to others with their recycling and encourage others to recycle more of their waste.

6b. SCC Local Guildford Committee

Members noted that the SCC Local Guildford Committee are to hold their next meeting in the Council Chambers, at GBC at 2.00pm on Thursday 18th September 2003.

6c. Proposed Alterations to Consultation Document on Energy and Tourism - Public Examination

Members noted that the panel considering comments upon the Consultation Document will hold a preliminary meeting at Reading Town hall commencing at 2.00pm on 12th September 2003, and that the full public examination will be held at the same venue on 24th November 2003.

6d. Local Bus Service - Reductions

Members noted that the SCC proposed reduction in certain local bus services had been postponed and that the matter is to be considered by the SCC Executive at their meeting scheduled for 30th September 2003, and will then be considered by the Full Council on 21st October 2003, and that there will be no reduction in services until after the meeting on 21st October 2003.

6e. Cllr Childs - Removal from GBC Planning Committee

Members considered the article recently published in the Surrey Advertiser which reported the removal of Cllr Childs from the GBC Planning Committee on which he had served for 12 years.

Members agreed unanimously that a joint letter should be written from all three Parish Chairmen in the Tillingbourne Valley protesting at Cllr Childs removal from the Planning Committee. It was agreed that the Chairman should liaise with the other two Chairmen in drafting the letter.

It was also agreed that a copy of the letter should be forwarded to the GBC Leader and the leader of the Liberal Democrat party on GBC.

Cllr Childs expressed his gratitude for the manner in which the Council had supported him.

6f. Army Presentation - Guildford Grammar School

The Chairman brought to the attention of the Council an invitation he had received to attend the above event.

6g. Surrey Strategy on Mineral Extraction 2004-2016 - Consultation Document

Cllr McIntyre expressed an interest in commenting upon the Consultation Paper.

The Clerk was asked to provide Cllr McIntyre with a copy of the paper to enable her to comment.

6h. Draft Planning Guidance - Telecommunications

Members noted the receipt of the Draft Planning Guidance.

It was agreed Members would submit comments to the Chairman by 26th September 2003.

7. Highways

7a. Safe Routes to School

Cllr Allen introduced a letter from Surrey Police which explained that speed cameras would not be installed as there had been too few accidents; priority being given to "black accident spots".

The letter also reported, Cllr Allen advised, that the A248 would be classified as a "red road".

It was unanimously agreed that a vote of thanks should be recorded to Dennis Yardley for all his work in connection with "Safe Routes to School".

8. Planning

8a. 02/1637: South Oaks, Dorking Road - Outline Application for Replacement of Two Mobile Homes with Two Bungalows

Withdrawn.

8b. 03/0394 & 03/1596: Little Halfpenny, Blacksmith Lane - Extensions

Pending.

8c. 03/0767: Crofts, Blackheath - Extension

Approved.

8d. 03/1352: Land at 3 Redwood Grove - New Bungalow and Garage

Withdrawn.

8e. 03/1430: Oaklea, 27 Dorking Road - Erection of a Rear Conservatory

Approved.

9. Rights of Way

Footpath Leading from Sample Oak Lane

Cllr Allen reported that the footpath was still impassable despite the Clerk having reported its condition on several occasions.

The Clerk was asked to report the matter to Highways yet again and to ask why no action was being taken to clear the undergrowth.

10. War Memorial

Cllr Allen reported that all was well with the War Memorial but she urged any Cllr passing the memorial to collect any rubbish that may have been dropped by others.

11. Gunpowder Mills Estate

Cllr Lunnon reported that the Annual Public Meeting is to be held on 6th November 2003 and that there would be two speakers, namely Prof Alan Crocker who would talk on "Gunpowder" and Gordon Hartman who would speak on "Trees in the Tillingbourne Valley".

12. Land Below St Martha's

The Chairman reported that with help, all the ragwort had now been removed.

Cllr Peake reported that his proposed meeting would take place on 13th October 2003, commencing at 8.00pm.

13. Grant Aid to Parish Councils (Concurrent Functions) 2004/05

The Clerk reported the receipt of application forms for Grant Aid for the year 2004/05.

The Clerk was asked to check with GBC to ascertain whether the grant for use at Chilworth Station could be used in 2004/05.

After note

GBC have subsequently confirmed that the Grant Aid previously made available for use at Chilworth Station could be used in 2004/05.

14. Surrey County Association of Parish & Town Councils

The Clerk reported on the election of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Committee Members at the recent AGM of SCAP&TC.

15. Affordable Housing

Members agreed the content of the questionnaire drafted by the Rural Housing Trust.

Members agreed that the Clerk should write to the Trust explaining the Planning Application in respect of Hayward's Yard had been withdrawn and that the site owners had not submitted the application.

It was also agreed that the Trust should be asked whether they still wished to conduct a survey.

16. Finance

16a. Items paid out of committee

16b. Invoices for payment

17. The Future of GBC Housing (Housing Options Appraisal) - Consultation

Members noted the information that had been delivered to the GBC's tenants, leaseholders and shared owners, regarding a Housing Options Appraisal that the Council is currently undertaking.

Members completed a questionnaire which had been received from GBC.

Members also noted that a meeting is to be held at the Park Barn Centre, Park Barn Drive, Guildford on 27th September 2003, commencing at 11.00am.

18. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for 17th November 2003, commencing at 7.15pm. It was agreed that the next agenda should include:

• Tree Warden
• Parish Councillor Vacancy