Newsletter, January 2001

St Martha-on-the-Hill

Meetings of St Martha Parish Council are held every two months throughout the year at Chilworth Infant School. Members of the public are very welcome to attend and are invited to comment during the adjournment for public discussion. Regular visitors to our meetings include Councillors Keith Childs and Patricia Gumbrell (Borough Councillors for Tillingbourne Ward) and Councillor David Davis (Surrey County Council).

Most of St Martha Parish is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Great Landscape Value. It is the aim of the Parish Council to safeguard this lovely part of Surrey and to protect this heritage both now and for the future. St Martha is one of the smallest parishes in the Surrey Hills but it is renowned for its wonderful walks and views and we are anxious to keep it that way.

During the past year we have dealt with a range of issues which affect many people in the Parish. We have had several guest speakers who have made interesting presentations and we have been involved in events which have attracted significant numbers. Examples of some of these issues and activities are outlined below.

Planning

One of our main tasks is to comment to Guildford Borough Council on planning applications in the Parish. Twenty six were considered last year, ranging from small house alterations to a proposed telecommunications mast. Comments were made on the Guildford Local Plan and we are currently considering the Surrey County Council Structure Plan Deposit Draft. On occasions, Councillors attend appeals, hearings and meetings of Guildford Borough Council's Planning Committee.

Highways and Rights of Way

We have been involved in trying to solve problems with flooding on some of our roads; we have reported to the Highways Department on damaged verges and poor road surfaces; replacement of highway signs; maintenance of bus shelters; speed limits; school crossing lights; obstruction caused by parked cars and overgrown footpaths and verges. Together with Chilworth Infant School, we are looking at ways of improving the safety of routes to the school, as part of the Surrey County Council 'Safe Routes to School' Challenge.

January 2000

Vodafone Mast application

An application by Vodafone Ltd to erect a telecommunications mast adjacent to Chilworth Station was a cause of local concern on the grounds of visual impact and because of its proximity to Chilworth Infant School with the possibility of health risks to school children. Representatives from Vodafone were invited to make a presentation to the Parish Council and many members of the public attended in order to listen to and take part in the debate. The Parish Council opposed the application which was eventually withdrawn by Vodafone 'for legal reasons'.

April 2000

The Lanes: Halfpenny Lane, Blacksmith Lane, White Lane & Guildford Lane

The proposal to make Halfpenny Lane into 'Access Only' was finally quashed with the outcome that it is proposed to implement a 30mph speed limit along the whole length of the lanes. This was the result of representations from ourselves and neighbouring parishes, together with support from our Borough Councillors.

There is also an expectation that, as a result of the 'Surrey Hills Speed Management and Signing Project', more effective road signs will be installed in the lanes to deter unsuitably large vehicles etc. The project was launched by the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Office in May.

July 2000

The Pageant 'Tillingbourne - The Violent Valley'

Some members of the Parish Council helped with the Pageant which took place in Chilworth in July. Our congratulations and thanks go to the Shalford Millennium Association and to all who contributed towards staging this very successful and memorable event, which was based on the history of the Tillingbourne Valley and the Gunpowder Works. Money raised enabled the Association to donate £2,000 to each of Shalford, Tillingbourne and Chilworth Schools.

November 2000

Presentation on Affordable Housing

Mr Andrew Smith of the Rural Housing Trust braved storms and floods to make a presentation on Affordable Housing in villages and rural areas at our November Parish Council meeting. The Rural Housing Trust can facilitate the provision of small, affordable, local accommodation where there is seen to be a need for such housing within the local community. Once a parish council becomes aware of such a need, it can enlist the help of the Rural Housing Trust (which is a registered charity) to take action on their behalf towards providing affordable accommodation. If you would like to know more on this topic please contact the Chairman of the Parish Council.

Chilworth Gunpowder Mills - meeting and presentations

On 16th November the Gunpowder Mills Working Group held its fifth public meeting in Chilworth Village Hall. These meetings attract a considerable amount of interest. The Gunpowder Works represent an important piece of local history and archaeology, and are located in an environmentally sensitive area. The Gunpowder Mills Working Group is chaired by Mr Kim Owen (nominated by the Parish Council) and was set up to further the understanding and conservation of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills site.

Crime Prevention

The Parish Council is keen to assist the police to minimise crime in the Parish. One way in which this can be achieved is to encourage people to take part in the police 'Property Marking Scheme'. If you would like to participate we can arrange, through our local policewoman, to provide you with a pack which contains a UV marking pen with instructions for security marking your possessions. Marking your property with your postcode, for example, should enable the police to identify the owner should stolen property be recovered. To take part in the scheme, or for further information, please contact the Clerk or one of your Councillors.

Some useful contacts

Police

PC Jane Hughes is our Police Community Liaison Officer. She can be contacted on 01483 531 111, extension 3096. PC Hughes occasionally attends Parish Council meetings and keeps us up-to-date on local crime and policing issues.

Refuse Hotline

To report the dumping of rubbish on local roads or lanes, bridleways or public footpaths, please phone the Borough Council's Refuse Hotline: 01483 444 499.

Future Projects

The War Memorial

The Parish Council has sought expert advice concerning necessary maintenance work to the War Memorial. This includes repairing, repointing and cleaning the monument. Applications for funding will be submitted to help cover the cost of this work but some local fund-raising may also be necessary. Please contact the Chairman or Clerk if you would like to make a donation towards the upkeep of the War Memorial.

Re-location of bus stop and erection of a bus shelter

There is currently a proposal to move the Dorking Road bus stop from its present location east of Blacksmith Lane to a new position to the west of Blacksmith Lane, adjacent to the grassed area known as Old Manor Green (near the Parish Council notice board). It has also been suggested that a bus shelter should be erected on Old Manor Green for use by people waiting for a bus heading in the Albury direction. The Parish Council will be expected to contribute at least 50% of the anticipated cost of £2,500 for the bus shelter. If you have any views on this proposal, please contact one of your Parish Councillors.

School Crossing Patrol

Chilworth Infant School is in need of a road-crossing patrol. Should you know of someone who might like to undertake this responsibility, please contact Chilworth Infant School on 01483 562 476.

Parish Council Meetings

Prior notice of meetings, which are held on Mondays and commence at 7.15pm, is put up in the bus shelters adjacent to Chilworth Station and opposite Lockner Farm, and on the Parish Council Notice Board by the entrance to Old Manor Lane.

We are pleased to announce that the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Thornberry, will be a guest at our meeting on 19th March. Also Rob Fairbanks, the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Officer, has kindly agreed to make a presentation at the same meeting.

Feedback

We are always keen to hear your views on any Parish matters. We would particularly welcome feedback on the following current issues: Affordable Housing in the Parish; the police Property Marking Scheme; the proposal to move the bus stop adjacent to Blacksmith Lane and the erection of a new bus shelter.

Most of our £3,288 Annual Budget is already committed, but we would like your views on priorities for spending remaining funds.

Either write or phone to let us know, or better still come along to a meeting!