LEATHERHEAD RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Minutes of Open Committee Meeting 3rd October 2011 at 7.30 pm In attendance: Committee Members: Hubert Carr (Chairman), Hilary Porter (Vice-Chair), Ray Brown (Secretary), Cheryl Allen, Caroline Brown, Flip Cargill, Ann Cardew, Fran Smith, Ray Ward Other Members: Anne Brodrick, Ann Crowhurst, Paul Hamilton, Percy Hawkins, Margaret Ludford, Jane Pratt, Tom Musoke, Pat Tate, Alan Thornhill 1. Apologies for absence Paula Sabine (Treasurer), Cllr Rosemary Dickson, Cllr Bridget Lewis-Carr The Chairman informed us of the election of Cllr Bridget Lewis-Carr as Chairman of Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) for the remainder of the 2011/12 Municipal Year. 2. Notice of Matters for Any Other Business Tom Musoke – Statue of Mr Abraham Dixon Ann Cardew - Police 3. Minutes of meeting on 5th September The minutes were accepted nem. con. 4. Matters Arising,from the minutes which are not on the agenda below. Item 4, Page 1 (Matters arising from August meeting): Question of bonfires in South Leatherhead still ongoing. Item 5, Page 2 (Correspondence): None of the identified aggregates recycling sites are in Mole Valley. No further action Item 6, Page 3 (Report from subcommittee): Alan Thornhill informed the Committee that the situation regarding dog mess in Linden Pit Path is much improved. Page 6, Item 7 (Any Other Business): Letter to Boundary Commission re Surrey Boundary Review - Action: HC to send draft to Committee members on 4th October. 5.. Correspondence The Chairman has received: • letter from Paul Stacey of MVDC (Parks) regarding no cycling signs. Correspondence is ongoing. • invitation from Surrey Historic Buildings Trust for a visit to Watts Gallery on 19th November. • the Longshot Country Club Company Ltd concerning a presentation at Cherkley Court in mid October. Action: RB to post notice of meeting on the LRA Blog. 6. Autumn Newsletter Articles are welcome and should be submitted by October 21st.. Ann Crowhurst suggested an article on the County's neglect of trees and hedgerows in Highlands Avenue. This was welcomed - with photographs, if possible. Action: Ann Crowhurst to submit article. 7. Reports from sub-committees Membership Subcommittee Fran Smith reported the Subcommittee had: Page 1 • attended Ray Ward's offices at the Surrey County FA and met with with the Marking & Communications Officer, Alex Prior, who demonstrated how to set up Facebook and Twitter and offered to do so for the LRA. Action: to involve John Bleackley (LRA webmaster) and set up trial Facebook and Twitter accounts. • looked at websites of other RAs and considered the LRA website needs to add more links to local services and schools Action: to involve JB with developing website • RW to plot the LRA membership on a map of Leatherhead to readily identify areas of low or nil membership. Environment subcommittee Flip Cargill reported that work was underway on applying for “Village Green” status for Leach Grove Woods. She had received help from Steve Newcome who was involved with Fetcham's successful bid to classify 'The Dell' as a “Village Green.” Cheryl Allen reported that: • two subcommittee members had attended the Community Garden Open House on 12 October and given glowing reports back. • She will be attending a meeting at the Community Garden on 12th October when someone from Wisley RHS will be advising on the planting of fruit cage; the Environment Subcommittee had donated the £250 they had received from Green Mole Forum towards this project. • Saw Mill now at the end of its 6th month reprieve; although it has been announced the Mill is to be saved, the manager has been made redundant and the Subcommittee is concerned about the future • Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) will be on the agenda of the MVDC Scrutiny Committee on 4th October. • After a complaint about noise level from Leisure Centre, it appears the noise level is being monitored and the situation improved. CB asked if “Village Green” status is being sought for Teazle Wood FC replied that she understood Lucy Quinnell wished to go ahead with this. HC asked if the Subcommittee were identifying trees that contributed to the environment with a view to seeking a tree preservation order on them CA said the subcommittee had not forgotten this. HC reminded the meeting of the scheme for reporting overhanging bushes given in the Summer Newsletter of 2010. Action. RB to include reminder in the Autumn Newsletter. CA asked Chairman if we could have a representative besides himself on the Town Centre Advisory Committee. HC replied that he would ask the Chairman, Cllr Tim Hall. Planning Subcommittee Caroline Brown reported that: • Brook Willow farm appeal to be head at Pippbrook from 10.00 to 16.00 from the 4th to 11th October. CB will try to attend when possible. Could others offer to attend? • Application by SWT to erect barn at Bocket's Farm to accommodate “commercial” animals; it is claimed that it is required for health and safety reasons. Concern was expressed both at size of building and about the necessity for it. Action: CB to inform MVDC of our concerns. Page 2 • Eskmuir Properties proposing to revamp a large commercial building in Randalls Park Road with a view to letting it to another tenant. • Permission has been given to creating nine flats with parking in Grantham House, North Street. • Permission given to Grundon Waste to put in more car parking spaces. • Permission given for extensions on: 32 Poplar Avenue, 47 Poplar Road, 8 St Mary's Road, and 49 St Mary's Road. • 11 Church Road refused replacement windows. • Railway Station to have new ticket machine on the western side. Highways Subcommittee – Chairman reported on Leatherhead Highways Forum 30th August (see below) 8. Reports from other meetings: Leatherhead Highways Forum 30th August – chaired by Cllr Tim Hall Report given to the meeting – see Apendix Leatherhead and District Forum 15th September Secretary reported Bookham RA had formally withdrawn from Forum; no representatives from Ashtead and Fetcham RAs; representative of Leatherhead Community Association would not be attending future meetings. It is likely the Forum will dissolve itself at the meeting on November 9th. BLeAF (meeting of Bookham, Leatherhead, Ashtead & Fetcham chairs) 23rd September Concern over future of local Forum; MVDC will give local Forum support after the 2012 Olympics. Bookham Vision has made mistakes and will offer advice to any new Forum or other body that is established. Green Mole Forum 26th September Flip Gargill reported that Paul Stacey of MVDC had explained the work of his team and how it tries to find an acceptable balance between biodiversity and health & safety. Transition Bookham 21st September Flip Cargill reported that Catherine Porter of SITA had talked about 'Home Composting'. 7. Any Other Business (see Item 2 above) TM asked that his motion be postponed until the next meeting. AC asked why the South Leatherhead Police had to hold Panel meetings before our meeting. HC answered that the police teams were obliged to hold panel meetings. There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.23 pm Ray Brown, Hon. Secretary The next Open Committee Meeting: Monday, 7th November at 7.30 pm in the Leatherhead Institute Page 3 Appendix Notes on Meeting of Highways Forum 12th September 2011-10-03 The meeting was chaired by Cllr Tim Hall, and attended by Ward Councillors David Sharland, Rosemary Dickson, Bridget Lewis-Carr, and Katherine Westwood, SCC Highway officers, John Lawlor and Paul Mainwaring; and RA Chairmen, Paul Fairweather and Hubert Carr We were told of the various moves within East Surrey Highways, which seems to leave us with John at the top, and Paul looking after maintenance. A number of aspects are now with contractors, Skanska – street Lighting, May Gurney – Roads, and Highlands for the trees and grass etc. Also another firm for the road markings. There have been some serious problems with the computer system that deals with complaints, inquiries and requests to SCC, for example messages have not always been acknowledged and there has been poor feedback – but keep trying. There was some general comment on maintenance schemes and minor maintenance including the poor condition of many road markings and general problems with potholes. We also heard about winter maintenance changes – concentration is on the main roads and in residential roads residents are to be encouraged to use grit themselves. In particular suggestions for grit bins were called for. One is being suggested on the corner of Copthorne Road and Levett Road. It was emphasised that there is no liability attached to the use of salt and snow clearing on the footways outside houses, provided that the surface is not left as a puddle over night so that black ice might form. There is a problem in some areas of residents using salt bins to supply their personal driveways and garden paths. Some councils are now putting dye in the salt and then charging the householders thus identified. Other issues were raised. Concerns over the protection of grass verges (Fetcham) Noisy Manhole covers (Leatherhead) Poor condition of Kingston Road (Leatherhead)) In addition I put forward a list of items; and received the following responses:- Pedestrian Priority is needed on all our Town Roads. To start with there is a need for a crossing of Waterways Road, between Mill Lane and the Pumping Station. I was told that this proposal is still ‘in the system’ and was under consideration. Road Markings are in need of repainting in many places. We were told that there is a 4 year cycle, and that this was being re-setup. Hence some roads may go as long as 8 years before being attended to, but then it should be 4 yearly after that.