Meeting Minutes, November 2004

Parish Council Meeting

The meeting was opened at 7.15pm on Monday, 15th November 2004 at Chilworth Infant School.

Present

Opening Address

Prior to the formal business of the meeting the Chairman addressed the Meeting.

The Chairman welcomed the new Parish Clerk, Mr Christopher Karney.

1. Apologies for Absence

None.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 12th September 2004, having been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

3. Declaration of Personal and Prejudicial Interest

The Chairman, Cllr Burt declared a Personal Interest in agenda item 14, Land Below St Martha, and notified his intention to leave the meeting if the matter was discussed.

No other Councillor declared any Personal or Prejudicial interest in any agenda items.

4. Matters Arising

4a. Halfpenny Lane - Signage and Verges

Cllr Allen reported that the signposts were ready but that the siting of the posts remained a problem. It was hoped to hold a further meeting on the subject before the Surrey Hills Officer responsible retired in December. Concern was expressed amongst councillors on the possible profligation of signs on a rural lane.

RESOLVED To send note as to where the signs are wanted.

4b. Entrance to Halfpenny Close - Trees and Shrubs (North side removal of shrubbery, South side replacement of three ornamental trees)

Cllr Peake reported that a reply to the Clerk's letter was still awaited.

4c. Gunpowder Mills - Vegetation Survey - Removal of red survey posts

Cllr Peake reported that Mr Perrin, the GBC Officer responsible, has left the Council. The matter was being pursued with his successor Adam Owen.

4d. 3 Dorking Road, Shrubbery overhanging footpath

Cllr Slater reported that although no letter had been sent he had spoken to the occupier. The occupier was aware of the problem and the potential danger to children etc. It was a problem that he had inherited and had already done some trimming. It was possible that some of the responsibility for the cutback may lie with the highways authority (SCC).

RESOLVED To pursue with Highways Authority.

4e. Village Safety Scheme

Cllrs were reminded by Cllr Allen of the importance of the meeting of the Safe Routes to School Working Group on December 4th 2004. The SCC officer responsible was David Sharpington.

5. Police Spot

In the absence of any representative from the police no report was given.

6. Highways

6.1

Cllr Allen presented a report on a Traffic Calming meeting held at Blackheath Village Hall on the 11th November 2004.

Represented Traffic Calming Working Group, Surrey Hills, Wonersh Parish Council, Public

The Working group had divided their objectives into three phases, which were put to a vote at the meeting:

Phase 1
Signing pledges and displaying car stickers, "Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 'Go Slowly Enjoy'". New Blackheath road signs advising a maximum speed limit of 20mph.

Phase 2
New hedges just before entry to village (not accepted).

New enlarged, raised grass verges to narrow the entrance to village and so slow traffic. AONB posts at the four corners of the crossroads (not accepted).

Coloured road surfacing (Ripple Prints), road marking signs at the three entrances to the village (not accepted).

Phase 3
Mandatory speed limit of 20 mph. Build up of verges throughout village, give way signs on all four directions at crossroads (not accepted).

Nick Morris (SCC) had expressed a wish to come and talk with St Martha Parish Council. There followed a discussion on the suitability of the Blackheath measures to St Martha, the need to involve neighbouring parishes and the type of meeting required.

RESOLVED To clarify the purpose of the meeting with Mike Richardson and to invite Cllrs from neighbouring parishes, and Surrey Hills, to participate in a closed meeting.

6.2

Cllr Lunnon has informed SCC of the damaged T-junction sign near Roseacre Gardens.

7. Rights of Way

7.1

Cllr McIntyre reported that cyclists using the pathway to Blackheath from Lockner Farm were cutting up the path surface. NOTED

8. Correspondence

8.1

30th July 2004 et seq. Polytunnels at Farley Heath. Letters from Mr Dyer, Mr Woods, Mr Edwards objecting and from Mrs Goodwin in favour. NOTED

8.2

17th September 2004. Quote for replacement of War Memorial from Harvey and Jefferson Mosaics at £4,890. NOTED

8.3

18th September 2004. Letter from Mrs Squance about parking at Chilworth station. Reply from Police Inspector and action taken by PC Martin Weare.

The net effect of the actions appears to have caused motorists to park on the Dorking Road and Sample Oak Lane both of which are legal parking.

Concern was expressed in council at the state of the empty signal box at the station, which is in a poor condition. NOTED

8.4

20th September 2004. Letter from Mrs Elizabeth Lane thanking the council for its letter of condolence on the death of her mother Lady Heald. NOTED

8.5

17th & 23rd September 2004. Letter from HLB AV Audit on report for the year ended 31st March 2004. Clerk telephoned on 23rd September 2004 to confirm formal acceptance at this meeting.

Written confirmation could not be sent to HLB AV Audit since the Council's Internal auditor, Mr Smith, had not yet returned the accounts.

RESOLVED To seek an alternative internal auditor.

8.6

4th October 2004. Letter from GBC Dept Env. and Planning Services requesting lists of environmental improvement works for spending S106 monies. See item 20.1.

8.7

8th October 2004. Correspondence re parking on Dorking Road. See item 10.1.

8.8

26th October 2004. Invoice for wreath £16.50. APPROVED

8.9

28th October 2004 et seq. Notes & letters from Mr Yardley about road sweeping. NOTED

8.10

10th November 2004. Letter from the Electoral Commission confirming new electoral arrangements in Surrey. NOTED

8.11

November Notes on information given to Mrs Campbell for contacts on environmental issues. NOTED

8.12

Undated. Local channel information on the benefits of the internet to the local community. NOTED

8.13

Undated. Woodland Coppicing Training Day 27th November 2004 letter to Mrs H Parker as Tree Warden. From Adam Owen Tree and Countryside Manager GBC. NOTED

9. Councillors' Business

9.1

The Chairman reported that the annual act of remembrance took place at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. About forty people attended a short but moving ceremony. The Chairman commented that for one of those attending, Gordon Mayne, as a veteran of World War 2, the memories were first hand. It would be fitting to record some of those memories of wartime Chilworth and those who went to war from Chilworth before it is too late. It was suggested that The Chilworth History Society is approached to see if they could undertake the task.

9.2

RESOLVED To review the agenda with a view to streamlining proceedings, before the next meeting.

10. Adjournment for Public Debate

10.1 Parking outside 156 Dorking Road (ref 8.7 minutes)

Mr McHugh (householder) gave a robust defence of his parking practices, to which Cllrs appeared sympathetic. Discussion was constructive and focussed on possible solutions.

11. Planning

11.1 04/P/1538: Two Ways and Wychway Cottages, White Lane - Conversion of semi-detached pair of houses to form one dwelling

No comment from Parish Council. REFUSED

11.2 04/P/1682: 21 Roseacre Gardens - Two storey side and rear extension

No comment from Parish Council. APPROVED

11.3 04/P/1788: 1 Halfpenny Close - New garden building to provide gym following demolition of existing shed

Parish Council submitted comments. APPROVED

11.4 04/P/1945: Greenbank Cottage, Blacksmith Lane - Detached double garage following demolition of existing single garage

No comment from Parish Council. WITHDRAWN

11.5 04/P/2115: 34 Roseacre Gardens - Part two storey / part first floor rear /side extension

No comment from Parish Council. PENDING

11.6 04/P/2325: Gable End, Blacksmith Lane - Two storey side extension and front porch extension following demolition of existing garage

Parish Council to submit comments. PENDING

12. War Memorial

No further matters raised under this agenda item.

13. Surrey County Association of Parish & Town Councils

No matters raised under this agenda item.

14. Gunpowder Mills Estate

14.1

The Chairman reported on a consultative meeting held on 14th November 2004 in the village hall by the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills Group. Although the numbers attending (70) were less than previous occasions, a varied content was presented which was much appreciated by the audience. In fact so much material was on offer that the length of the meeting had to be extended.

Content as follows:

• Introduction by Chairman Cllr Peter Burt
• "Restoration v. Conservation" A report by Alison Davidson GBC's Design and Conservation Manager
• Presentation on the Chilworth History Society by Sally Schupke
• "Alder Buckthorn, The Powdermaker's Dogwood" by Dr Maurace Moss
• Presentation on Paper making by Professor Alan Crocker

In particular Professor Crocker's practical demonstration on making paper was highly enjoyable and actively supported by both the Chairman and the Mayor of Guildford.

14.2

Letter to GBC relating to local listing for the Titan sheds may have been wrongly directed. The clerk to clarify with Alison Davidson (GBC).

15. Land Below St Martha's

Awaiting response from solicitors.

16. Parish Newsletter

The Chairman appealed for contributions to articles. One subject could be recycling.

17. Parish Web Site

Most councillors had now had an opportunity to view the Parish web site and there was a general view that Pete Western the site designer had made a very good job of it. Cllr McIntyre was asked to convey the councils thanks to him.

18. Albury Land Fill Site

Members noted that an invitation had been received for all Cllrs to attend an Open Day at the site on Saturday 7th August 2004 commencing at 9.00am.

19. Finance

19.1 Parish Precept 2005/2006

The draft precept for 2005/2006 was approved for £3,743 with one exception. The Clerk had recommended an actual precept of £3,000 to reduce the reserves to a level consistent with NALC recommendations. However in committee it was argued such a recommendation was unsuitable for very small councils where the precept was so low that a single item of unexpected expenditure could threaten the Council's solvency.

19.2 Items paid out of committee

19.3 Invoices for payment

19.4 Clerk's Salary and Expenses

20. Scope for Involvment in the Process of and Options for the Allocation of Revenues from Section 106 Planning Agreements

20.1 Signal Box at Chilworth Station

RESOLVED To write to GBC requesting local listing for the signal box.

21. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled to be held on 17th January 2005 in Chilworth Infant School, commencing at 7.15pm.