Meeting Minutes, November 2006

The meeting was opened at 7.15pm on Monday, 13th November 2006 at Chilworth Infant School.

Present

14.1 Apologies for Absence

None.

14.2 Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 11th September 2006, having been circulated to Cllrs, were approved.

14.3 Declaration of Personal and Prejudicial Interest

Cllr Burt declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 14.7 as owner of the Parish Field.

Cllr Hayward declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 14.9.1, as joint owner of Hayward's Yard, for which there is a current planning application.

No other Councillor declared a personal or prejudicial interest in any agenda items.

14.4 Matters Arising

14.4a Chilworth Station Signal Box

The Clerk had not yet written to SPACIA to state that the Council was no longer interested in renting the box. This had been to allow final efforts to seek a viable alternative way of managing the project. However these had not proved successful and the letter would now be sent. It was noted that work had been done on repainting the exterior of the box.

14.4b Mud on the pavement near Pine View Close

The Clerk had reported the problem to Guildford Borough Council (GBC). The mud appears to have diminished either through action by GBC or the passage of time. It was reported that at least one injury had been directly caused by slippage on the mud.

14.4c East corner of the junction of Blacksmith Lane and Dorking Road

The Clerk had raised the question of the overhanging hedge with Highways.

14.4d Slip Road by Chilworth Station

1. The Clerk had been unable, as yet, to determine the status of the application for a one-way system due to prolonged absence of individual staff at SCC Guildford Local Transportation Services (LTS).
   
   
2. The Clerk had spoken to John Cheesman (SCC Guildford LTS) on the subject of the ‘Planter’. Mr Cheesman had requested Network Rail to remove it. The Clerk was instructed to ‘follow up’ with LTS.

14.4e Meeting on possible closure of the Royal Surrey Hospital

A meeting for Parish Cllrs and Clerks was held at Albury Village Hill on 12th September 2006. The Clerk and Cllr Allen represented St Martha. Cllr Wright (GBC) also attended.

Cllr Allen gave a report on the meeting. The Albury Parish Clerk would circulate minutes of the meeting.

14.4f Community Landscape Character Assessment

The Clerk had obtained the Guidance Pack from the Countryside Agency and had undertaken some preliminary work for an initial assessment. However he had been talking to Kay Munt (GBC Landscape Architect) who had informed him the GBC had made an assessment for the whole borough. Relevant sections of the draft would be sent to Parishes for comment.

RESOLVED to wait to see the draft.

14.4g Water Vole Donation

A cheque for £10.00 had been sent to Surrey Wildlife Trust (LGA 1972 Section 137 payment).

14.4h Annual Return for 2005/06

The Annual Return and the Auditor's report had been displayed on the Notice Boards for the statutory period.

14.4i Bus Shelter Repair

Work had stated on re-roofing the Lockner Holt shelter.

Adjournment

The Chairman adjourned the meeting for comments from the floor.

14.5 Highways & Byways

14.5.1 Access by horses to the stream at the eastern edge of the Gunpowder Mills

The Clerk had now received a reply from Adam Owen (GBC Countryside Manager). Mr Owen was actively pursuing the matter of a permissive bridleway with English Heritage and SCC Rights of Way. Mr Owen indicated that the delay was mainly due to English Heritage.

14.5.2 Footpath up the West Slope of St Martha's Hill

The Clerk reported that the footpath had been badly eroded by rainwater run-off. Surrey Wildlife Trust had undertaken some repair work but the upper part of the path, which lies within the Parish, had not been restored. The path, which is part of the North Downs Way, is heavily used and the Clerk had been corresponding with James Browne (SCC Rights of Way) to authorise remedial work.

14.5.3 Footpath to St Martha's Hill via the Pack Horse Bridge

The Clerk had been contacted by Graham Wrigley (owner of Chilworth Manor) who was concerned by the number of trespassers who were crossing his land from the direction of the Gunpowder Mills.

The problem had not been reported in recent years but it was felt that the restoration of the Pack Horse Bridge had encouraged walkers to follow the old path up the Hill. However access along the old path was barred by a barbed wire fence on the North side of the bridge forcing walkers West before proceeding North across the Manor fields. The Clerk had informed Mr Wrigley that at one time there was a laissez-faire arrangement whereby walkers walked along the edge of the Manor field to link up with the public footpath. However when the Parish Council sought to formalize the agreement, Lady Heald withdrew permission.

Mr Wrigley has indicated that he is sympathetic to the idea of a path but that he wanted to inspect the proposed route for himself. Cllrs expressed some concern that it would encourage walkers into that part of the Gunpowder site zoned as a nature reserve, however on balance it was felt to be a good idea. It was felt that Adam Owen (GBC Countryside Manager) would be the best person to pursue the idea and the Parish Council's representatives on the Gunpowder Mills Working Group were asked to raise the matter.

14.5.4 Floodlights at the Percy Arms

Complaints had been received over two of the external floodlights at the Percy Arms. The beams from the lights were dazzling drivers travelling West on the Dorking Road. Cllr Hayward to speak to the owner of the Percy Arms and, if necessary, the Clerk will raise the matter with GBC.

14.6 Correspondence

1. As part of its review of the Guildford Borough Local Plan (to be replaced with the Guildford (Local) Development Framework), GBC is preparing a Site Allocations Development Plan Document. GBC had written to the Parish Council asking it to identify any sites which are greater than one acre and have development potential.
   
   RESOLVED Cllrs were unable to identify any potential sites within the Parish.
   
   
2. The AGM for SCAPTC would take place on 18th November 2006 at Horsley Village Hall. Cllr John Peake will represent St Martha.

14.7 Parish Field Committee

1. Mr Peter Burt reported that he was currently making his third application for retrospective planning permission for the Kissing Gates.
   
   
2. Mr John Peake, as Chairman pro tempore of the committee, will approach members with a view to arranging a meeting of the committee.

14.8 Councillors' Business

14.8.1 Gas Exploration on Blackheath Common

SCC was considering the third application by Star Energy for Gas Exploration Drilling. Comments were required before 1st December 2006. Cllr Allen (St Martha Parish representative on the Liaison Group) reported that the third application was considered an improvement on previous applications, involving horizontal drilling under Blackheath Forest from the existing Star Energy Albury site. However if the first (exploratory) phase were successful, the second phase (development) would involve a five-acre expansion of the site at Albury Park.

It was noted that permission for development for Gas Storage was covered by the terms of the Gas Act (1985) and was a central government responsibility.

RESOLVED to write to SCC Planning Department objecting to the application.

14.8.2 Tyting Farm

The Council noted with satisfaction the progress being made on Surrey Wildlife Trust's bid to manage the farm. The Clerk to write to the Tyting Action Group.

14.9 Planning

Cllr Colin Hayward having declared a personal and prejudicial interest left the meeting.

14.9.1 Hayward's Yard Appeal

A letter had been received from Firglade properties Ltd, the developer, forwarding a letter from their Planning Development Consultants, Carter Planning. The consultants reporting on the adjourned Appeal (see item 14.9.2a) expressed concern that Borough Cllrs would not consider the matter before the Appeal resumed.

After comments from Cllr David Wright GBC, the letter was noted.

14.9.2 Planning Committee Chairman's report

a. 05/P/2098 - Housing Development (14 dwellings) at FES Hayward & Sons Depot, Dorking Road, Chilworth

This second application also covers a proposed housing development covering the whole site. The Parish Council submitted comments and expressed reservations. The application was approved by GBC subject to Section 106 agreement. However the two parties could not reach an agreement and the application went to appeal over non-determination, and a Public Enquiry was held on 26th October 2006. During the enquiry a legal problem arose and the matter was adjourned until later in November.

Cllr Colin Hayward rejoined the meeting.

b. 06/P/1577 – ‘Silvercombe’ Lockner Holt

Side extension, extended rear timber deck, extended roofline to provide enlarged first floor accommodation, new entrance porch and relocation of existing gazebo and shed.

No comment by the Parish Council. APPROVED

c. 06/P/01712 - Sample Oak Farm, Sample Oak Lane, Chilworth

Additional Cattle Shed. This was Prior Approval Determination under Part 6 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 relating to agricultural use. However the use of the Act was considered inappropriate by GBC who have required a normal planning application.

No comment by the Parish Council. WITHDRAWN

d. 06/P/01941 - Sample Oak Farm, Sample Oak Lane, Chilworth

Additional Cattle Shed.

No comment by the Parish Council. APPROVED

e. 6/P/01728 - 13 Dorking Road, Chilworth

Two storey rear extension.

The Parish Council submitted comments. REFUSED

f. 06/P/1595 Titan Sheds, Blacksmith Lane

Conversion of two existing units into 7 live / work units and new two storey unit to provide 2 live / work units. With 19 car parking places and covered cycle racks following demolition of existing lean-to for storage tank.

The Parish Council submitted comments and expressed reservations. PENDING

g. 06/P/01913 – Old Manor Cottage, Old Manor Lane

Two detached dwellings comprising basement, ground floor and rooms in the roof, 4 bedrooms; with boundary wall adjacent Old Manor House; following demolition of the existing dwelling, garage and outbuildings.

The Parish Council considered that this was a considerable improvement on the previous application (06/P/0928) and made no comment. APPROVED

14.10 War Memorial

14.10.1 Cracks in the War Memorial

The cracks in the War Memorial had been addressed by ‘temporary’ repairs by a local resident. The chairman expressed the Council's thanks to the individual concerned.

14.11 Adopt a Station Scheme

14.11.1 Map Panel at Chilworth Station

No progress since the last meeting.

14.12 Finance

14.12.1 Bank Reconciliation

Cllr Hayward had checked the reconciliation before the meeting and signed it as correct. The Council approved the reconciliation.

14.12.2 2006/07 Pay Settlement

The Clerk's pay review date was 1st November. The National Joint Council for Local Council Clerks had reached a National Agreement on a 2.9% rise for 2006/07.

AGREED to implement the National Agreement and raise the Clerk's salary to £17,352 (pro rata) from £16,854.

14.12.3 Invoices paid out of committee

14.12.4 Invoices for payment

14.12.5 Clerk's Salary and Expenses

14.12.6 Financial Forecast

The financial forecast for November was noted.

14.13 Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday 18th December 2006 at Chilworth Infant School, commencing at 7.15pm.