and Farleigh Parish Council

The minutes of the meeting of the parish council held at the St Marys church hall Farleigh on 2nd September 2019.

In attendance,

Jan Moore – chair Lesley Brown – vice chair Nancy Marsh Barbara Lincoln Peter Cairns

The meeting opened at 8.02pm under the chairmanship of Jan Moore.

1. Apologies for absence were received from –Michelle Richards – clerk illness. Jeremy Pursehouse. Annual leave.

There were no other apologies received.

The previous meetings minutes were agreed subject to the amendment in item 3 below as a true record and signed by the chair.

2. There were no declarations of interest. It was noted also that the Clerk also needs to fill in Declaration of Interest form.

One member of the public arrived after the meeting opened. A local resident Mrs Elizabeth Gates. Mrs Gates requested that the parish council contact C.C. with regard to the overgrown hedge on both sides of the road from the Old Rectory Cottage right through to the farm buildings where the Farleigh Court Golf course side entrance meets the road. This applies to both sides of the road along this section. The hedge is a hindrance to both horse riders and larger vehicles due to it hanging down in the middle of the road. The old Moat is also in desperate need of attention. The Parish Council should write to Merton College who we believe are responsible for it and to highlight the condition requesting that they consider giving it some attention.

3. Amendment to previous minutes dated 1st July 2019.

The tree overhanging the pond at a dangerously low angle was removed as part of the pond-clearing project at an additional cost of £350.

!1 Minutes 2019-September-2nd 4. Resignation of Emma and David Earl – two positions are now vacant for Farleigh councillors. District Council contacted with regard to any interested parties for suitable replacements. It was noted that we as a council can co–opt new applicants/members after the 31.08.19.

Agenda Items

5. Planning – Highview - Peter has spoken to Neil Langley [T.D.C. Planning Department] and learned that two planning applications have been submitted – 1.- One for Highview. 2.- One for 1,2,3,4 plots. One of these has been approved but unknown as to which one. Awaiting confirmation.

Holt wood - Neil Langley has confirmed with Jan that there has been approval for six houses, three are already built and three are under construction. All six have permission granted by T.D.C. The four plots recently advertised have had the for sale signs removed but are still for sale on the Internet. Neil has asked that if there is any activity or rumours in relation to the land in the coming months that we contact him immediately. [Action All] Lesley has had a reply from her email to Simon Morrow in which he states that there are lots of “scams” of this nature going on in this area and that permission for development is highly unlikely. Land near old Gunsights - It was confirmed that Nick Fuller has permission for a barn to be constructed. Chestnuts Farleigh common - Peter reported that T.D.C. are not sending out applications in paper format and are changing to email, therefore the website needs to be checked on a regular basis. Barbara confirmed that all applications go to the library. A photocopy of the Chestnuts planning application was tabled for information. Jan to contact T.D.C. for all information to be sent directly to her until such times as the Clerk returns to work. [Action Jan] Henley Wood - Alleged Planning application for an additional house to be constructed between the existing no’s 4 and 5 Henley Wood. In addition there is an application to extend no 5 to the rear of the property. This has been seen in the local press but nothing has been forwarded to the Parish Council for consideration. Harrow Road - Peter reported that there is an application to develop the commercial area to the rear of the Harrow Road shop into 3 houses. He feels that this is not appropriate and that we as a council should show support and object to the development for the following reasons, access for emergency services, to further increase the already dangerous existing parking problems down the whole length of Harrow Road. You cannot use the footpaths now. [Action Clerk]

!2 Minutes 2019-September-2nd Road Sign at Farleigh - Lesley, Peter and Jan are meeting with Anita Guy at 11.30am on Wednesday with regard to the sign No 2 and tasking the S.C.C. nominated contractor to install. [Action Lesley, Peter and Jan]

6. Common Land – Barbara had nothing to report and that all was progressing.

7. Chelsham Common - The works to renovate the pond are coming along well with the removal of many tons of silt being excavated and spread around the surrounding area to enable any wildlife to return to the pond. All those that have seen the works have been pleased with its progress. There are two new overflow pipes installed that will be cut down to the appropriate height to control the final water level as the pond fills back up over the coming months. The seats next to the pond require repair/replacing in the near future. Nancy offered to paint them in the interim, however we note that it was a kind offer but due to their overall condition it was decided to plan to replace the seats. It was agreed that this needs to be an item added to next years annual plan and budgeted for in the 2020 financial plan. As the water level in the pond will be higher when conditions allow the councillors agreed that warning signs to alert the public of the dangers would be required. Jan to contact the Brunton Centre to see if they can make a suitable sign.

Bull Inn – There still has been no response to the letter we sent to the Bull and Heineken with regard to their housekeeping around the area of the common next to the pub. Clerk to chase up and resubmit if required. Barbara reported that she had received complaints with regard to the noise generated by the pub over the bank holiday weekend. [Action Clerk.]

8. Highways – Peter and Jan conducted a survey of the roads and reported that most of the potholes had been marked ready for repair. Nancy reported that Chelsham Common road and Chelsham road have been surveyed and the damage marked so it may be programmed for resurfacing.

9. Tree Works - There have been significant resolutions to the tree survey works whereby all the required works required on the report have been completed. In addition to the report requirements the tree blocking the footpath in front of Cherry Tree Cottages has also been cleared. Surrey C.C. has been informed as they had officially put a closure notice on it. The damaged tree in front of Stone Cottage will have broken limbs removed and a general tidy up to reshape the tree on Friday 6th September.

!3 Minutes 2019-September-2nd 10. Bus shelter – The bus shelter has been damaged again. Lesley’s husband does have a couple of pieces left over from the previous repair that may be enough to effect another repair. The paint left over from the bus stop is to be located and used to paint the new wood again. The Clerk to provide the information as to where the paint is stored. [Action Clerk, Lesley.]

11. Health and Safety Policy – A new policy was drawn up by Emma and it was agreed at the July meeting that we would adopt it and place on the website. We also now have a sample Risk Assessment form from our insurers to use as a template. The council agreed to adopt this for future use. [Action Clerk]

12. Local Plan - There were no reports available as no Surrey or T.D.C. councillors were at the meeting.

13. GDPR guidance – A training session for all parish councillors was carried out immediately before this monthly meeting. The trainer highlighted that we should be registered I.O.S. this needs to be reported to Clerk for action. [Action Clerk]

14. Facebook page – Facebook page to be updated when Clerk returns to work from sick leave. [Action Clerk]

15. Committee Standing Orders - Jan, Barbara and Peter to review and update as required on a regular basis. Lesley to stand in for Peter if he is unavailable. [Action Jan, Barbara, Peter and Lesley.]

16. Agendas and Minutes - to be carried over to next meeting.

17. Chelsham, Farleigh and relief in need Charity - Lesley to liaise with Keith Chaundy with regard to placing a wreath on behalf of the Parish Council and attending the charity AGM. Another option is to invite Mike Webb to lay the wreath as he has done so on behalf of the council for many years and he may wish to continue doing so. [Action Lesley]

18. Monthly timesheets and records - The clerk is to submit weekly timesheets to provide a transparent record of activity. [Urgent Action Clerk]

19. Bank details - To be discussed in the second part of the meeting due to confidentiality.

20. Correspondence - The clerk receives notifications from T.D.C. on the dates of their quarterly meetings. Jan has asked T.D.C. to send directly to the chair.

21. Outstanding Accounts – There are two invoices to be paid –

!4 Minutes 2019-September-2nd DH Tree Services Trees Chelsham Common £744.00 Aquatics Pond clearance £3785.00

22. Finance and Audits - To be discussed in second part of meeting.

Any Other business

It was agreed that we would consult Jeremy on his return to determine whether anything could be done to control the excessive noise from The Bull when they hold an event. Peter added that they do hold an events licence. [Action All]

The councillors agreed to the purchase of posts for the fixing of the horseride signs – prices to be obtained. [Action Lesley]

Grass cutting -The council agreed the quotations be sought to carry out the autumn cut of the whole of Chelsham common to leave it tidy for the winter months. Peter mentioned that he could ask Peter Cheeseright who is a qualified sprayer to quote for spraying the perennial weeds to eradicate. [Action Jan, Clerk] Jan questioned why she has to sign two copies of the minutes? One for the clerk and one for the library.

There being no other business the meeting finished at 9.25pm 9/3/19.

Signed ………………………. Date………………..

Date of next meeting 7th October 2019. 8.00pm St Marys Church Hall

!5 Minutes 2019-September-2nd