JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2000

MINUTES of a Meeting of Tatsfield Parish Council held on the 10th July 2000 in the Parish Room, Westmore Green, Tatsfield at 8 p.m.

Present: Mr Tony Erbes (in the Chair).
Mrs Margaret Boadella Mr Bob David
Mrs W Maddison Mr Ian Mitchell
Mrs Dorothy Reeve Mr David Wood

Apologies: Mrs Tina Fry (TD Councillor)

In attendance: Mr John Sandiford (Clerk), Mr Harry Pettifor (SC Councillor) and 3 parishioners.

1. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on the 12th June 2000 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the following amendments:
Para 2b Transport: The insertion of "in the Parish Magazine" after "a page" in the third line;
Para 7(2) Crossways Court: the substitution of "write to TDC" for "pass them on to Tina Fry" in the third line;
The renumbering of Para 10 Property & Land Maintenance to read "11" and thereafter sequentially;
Para 11c(4) Oak Seat: To read "Remedial work was in hand and there would be a cost of up to Ł150 to the Parish Council".; and
Para 14b Tatsfield Church: The substitution of "David Wood" for Bob David" in the first line.

2. Matters Arising:
a Parkwood Road: Bob David indicated that there had still not been any response from TDC.
b Crossways Court: Bob David indicated that he was asking TDC to circulate a questionnaire to the residents in order to ascertain their wishes and he was also suggesting the form that such a questionnaire should take.
c Basketball Stand: The Chairman drew attention to the fact that Tina Fry had circulated to all councillors and to Peter Ainsworth MP a copy of a letter written by her to David Gentles of Tandridge DC. He considered that this called for a reply and it was agreed that he would write setting out the facts. He also agreed to obtain a quotation for the erection of the stand in the L-shaped Field. It was noted that the questions of both insurance and of planning consent would have to be satisfactorily resolved before any definite decision could be reached.

3. Planning Matters
a Applications as at Appendix A: David Wood reported on the applications listed in Appendix A and the following action was agreed:-

00/691 Bransgore, Ship Hill: A request for the imposition of the usual conditions had already been lodged.
00/614 The Bakery Restaurant, Westmore Green: No objection
00/638 Holt Cottage, Kemsley Road: No objection.
00/779 Ship Hill House West, Ship Hill: Objection to be made if development involved the loss of a small dwelling.
00/795 Tatsfield Primary School, Church Lane: Letter protesting at the retrospective application by Surrey CC to be lodged.
00/820 Hawthorndene, Ricketts Hill Road: No further objection.
00/487 Westwood Farm Barn, Clacket Lane: To be considered by the next Planning Councillor.
00/585 Wayback, Ricketts Hill Road: No further objection.

b Tandridge District Local Plan: Ian Mitchell indicated that as yet further observations on the Plan had not been requested. He had however written expressing the Council's support for the preservation of the buffer zone between Tatsfield and Biggin Hill.

c Planning Councillor: Tony Erbes

4. Finance
a Annual Accounts: The Clerk had circulated to all members copies of the Annual Account, Balance Sheet and Supporting Statements and these were approved.
b Payments: as at Appendix B were approved.

5. Highways & Rights of Way
a Sundry Highway Matters:
Approach Road Crossing: Bob David reported that this was now complete.
Titsey Hill Roundabout: New design details were still awaited.
Ship Hill: The railings had not yet been replaced as SCC Highways were considering whether or not to install stronger railings.
Ricketts Hill Road: Resurfacing had not yet been completed.
Lusted Hall Lane: Bob David agreed to see if HGV signs similar to those recently erected on Titsey Hill could be installed.

6. Reports
a County Councillor: Harry Pettifor mentioned the following matters:-
(1) He would be attending a TPATS meeting the following day and hoped to expedite the new designs for the Titsey Hill roundabout.
(2) He would make representations about the new School signs that were partially obscured by vegetation.
(3) In answer to his enquiry as to co-operation by SCC Highways, Bob David confirmed that everything requested had been done in preparation for SE in Bloom.
(4) .He would try and arrange a meeting with SCC Highways about the extension of the road salting route.
(5) He indicated that he was in favour of incinerators for the disposal of waste because he considered them much preferable to landfill. He appreciated only too well that this would mean increased traffic levels near the incinerator sites.
b District Councillor: In the absence of Tina Fry, there was no report.
c Parish Constable: Ian Mitchell indicated that there had been a number of house burglaries recently. He also reported that funding for a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator had come to an end but there was the possibility of a volunteer coming forward. He considered that local Neighbourhood Watches were not functioning. Tony Erbes reported that Yellow Watch would be functioning once more with effect from 1 August
d Biggin Hill Airport: Ian Mitchell reported that the next meeting would be on 27 July.
e Transport matters: Ian Mitchell reported that Metrobus had responded to his recent letter and had apologised for failing to update the timetable in the village. It agreed that there should be more publicity but wanted the Council to do it and would provide suitable material. It was suggested that a display should be arranged on Westmore Green and consideration should be given to rewarding commuters if they used the bus service on a regular basis.
f E Surrey District Scouts: No attendance.
g SCAPTC Web Site Presentation: No one able to attend.
h SCC Seminar on Waste Local Plan Review: No one able to attend. It was agreed that the Chairman would submit a response to the matter on the Council's behalf.

8. Council Aims & Objectives
a L-shaped Field Committee: Bob David reported that the Committee had had a meeting on the 4th July with Martin Eagles, the senior partner in the appointed architects JS Partnership, to discuss the details of the scheme and it had been arranged that they would give the matter further consideration before submitted a detailed scheme for consideration.

9. Notified Items
a Millennium Committee: The Clerk indicated that the Committee was holding a meeting on 27 July when it was proposed to discuss the future of the Committee and, in particular the two continuing projects – the Millennium Wood and the Millennium Beacon. The Committee had asked that Parish Council representatives ensure their attendance.
b Tatsfield Post Office: Bob David reported that he understood that Post Office Counters had concluded their investigation and that they had written to Sean Spooner. It appeared that Sean Spooner remained suspended and as a consequence the Post Office had not re-opened. Sean Spooner had a right of appeal against the enquiry findings and it was not known whether he would be exercising his right of appeal. It was impossible therefore to speculate on what the outcome would be. General discussion took place during which concern was expressed that some consideration should be given to the various possible outcomes and the actions that might be taken in response to those outcomes.

10. Village Hall
a Building Project Committee: Ian Mitchell indicated that the report of the flooring expert had just been received and would be discussed by the Committee shortly. This would include taking any appropriate action as recommended by the report. He also reported that the cause of the dampness in the Green Room would be the subject of a specialist investigation at a cost of Ł200. Tandridge had recently carried out an inspection to satisfy itself that the landscaping requirements imposed on the original planning consent had been complied with. Certain demands had been made as a result that the Architect considered unjustifiable and consequently the matter would be considered further.
b Management Committee: Bob David reported the Committee was considering dispensing with the public telephone due to the large cost involved. A fundraising event was scheduled for 21 October. A recent disco held at the Hall had been extremely rowdy and disorderly and the Committee had now decided that no further lettings would be made where mainly young people were involved. It also intended to amend its letting regulations so that there was some additional recourse to deposits to cover cases of this sort..
c Review of Constitution: The Council was due to meet on the following day to discuss the matter informally and the matter would appear on the September agenda for formal discussion.

10. Property & Land Maintenance
a Property:
The Police House: A request had been received from the owners Mr & Mrs Carr to cut the hedge (separating their property from the Village Hall) on their side. It was agreed that the Parish Council would not accept responsibility for this and that the Clerk should write accordingly.
Threeways, Ricketts Hill Road: The Clerk reported that a request for a grant of rights of access and services had been received from the owners of this property. Both himself and the District Valuer had approved the terms of the Deed. The District Valuer had advised that there should be a consideration of Ł1,300 and this had been agreed by the owners. In addition the District Valuer's costs and the Clerk's costs would be paid. It was agreed that the necessary rights would be granted in terms approved by the District Valuer and that Tony Erbes and Ian Mitchell be authorised to sign on behalf of the Council.
(3) Pond: Nothing to report
b Land:
Tatsfield in Bloom: Bob David reported that permission had now been received for the new Notice Board opposite the Ship and this would be installed as soon as possible and in time for the judging on 17 July. Mrs Elaine Edwards exhibited the map that she had designed that would form the centre panel of the Notice Board. The design was unanimously approved and Mrs Edwards was thanked for her considerable work in producing the map. Whilst neither Mrs Edwards nor her employers proposed making a charge for their work, Bob David indicated that it would normally have cost approximately Ł1,500. This did not include the cost of laminating and this would amount to Ł130 + VAT It was agreed that a contribution of Ł235 (inclusive of VAT) should be made towards the costs of production of the map. It was further agreed that an additional Ł30 should be paid for a CD of the map for future use and that the Council in full should meet the cost of laminating the map.
Parish Land: The Chairman apologised for the fact that he had not obtained further quotations for the fencing and undertook to deal with the matter.

11. Meetings to attend:
a SCAPTC AGM: Saturday 15 July at 2.30 p.m. at East Horsley Village Hall – Chairman to attend..
b Surrey Rail Forum: 17 October at 10.00 a.m. at County Kingston on Thames – Denis Hayes to attend.

12. Correspondence –. None.

13. Any Other Business
a Westmore Green: It was agreed that the WI be given permission to plant more bulbs on the Green.
b Transport Solutions around London: Ian Mitchell drew attention to this and it was agreed that the Chairman would complete the questionnaire on the Council's behalf. It was also agreed that all councillors would decide whether they wished to be the Council's representative at the bi-annual meetings. If there was no volunteer it was agreed that Denis Hayes would be invited to be the Council's representative.
c Noise Nuisance: Ian Mitchell drew attention to certain recent incidents that had involved fireworks and noisy parties. After discussion, it was agreed that this was not a matter in which the Council should become directly involved but that the Clerk should write to Tandridge DC expressing concern that the response by the Environmental Department had not been as good as was to be expected.
d Wedgwoods: Ian Mitchell drew attention to a drawing of the original buildings on this site that had just come to light.
e Dr Benison: Ian Mitchell drew attention to the recent retirement of Dr Benison who had been initially responsible for the building of the Surgery/Parish Room in the village. This had been of enormous benefit to the village and he felt that the Chairman should write a letter of appreciation ion the Council's behalf. This was agreed.
f Clacket Lane MSA: It was noted that the gates were often left open and that inadequate checks were made on those seeking to obtain entry. It was agreed that the matter should be brought to the attention of Tandridge DC when specific details were available.

The meeting closed at 11.10 p.m.

INDEX OF MINUTES