BETCHWORTH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the MEETING of the BETCHWORTH PARISH COUNCIL held on MONDAY 2nd APRIL 2013, at 8pm in the Betchworth Village Hall.
(576) Present: Councillors Wilson, Chalker, Taylor and the Clerk. Also present were potential Councillors Gill Sperrin and Richard Savill. Clerk apologized for the last minute change of venue due to a clash of interest at the Hamilton Room.
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
(577) Apologies had been received from Councillors Hardy, Higgins and Stow and John Foreman the Footpaths Officer.
2 MINUTES
(578) The Minutes of .the Meeting held on 4th March 2013 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
(579) Councillor Taylor declared an interest in Planning Application MO/2013/0362/PLAH for an extension to Great Brockhamhurst Farm.
4 MATTERS ARISING
(580) Casual Vacancy – Chairman welcomed Gill Sperrin and Richard Savill to the meeting as prospective Councillors and said that the Council had been without a seventh Councillor for 5 months and was keen to co-opt an extra Councillor as soon as possible. He felt it was fair if they introduced themselves later in the meeting and took the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the activities of the Council.
(581) Notice Board Damage – Trevor Hurman had confirmed that the damage to the Notice Board at the Coombe was not repairable. Councillor Taylor was in contact with TalkTalk about a replacement. Meanwhile notices were being laminated.
Action: Councillor Taylor
(582) New seat for the post office purchased and awaiting installation by Alan Robertson. Confirmed that it would be disadvantageous to claim for this on insurance. Estimate received from Trevor Hurman for £200 for repairs to the post office notice board accepted. Action: Clerk
5 CRIME AND ORDER
(583) There was no Police presence at the meeting, possibly due to the last minute change of venue. It was noted that John Foreman had had a brick thrown through his window a week ago and a car had had its headlights smashed around the same time.
(584) Agreed to request RPCSO Mo Shuja to carry out a speed check on Pebblehill.
Action: Clerk
6 OPEN FORUM
(585) Chairman stated that this item was being introduced to the Agenda to allow members of the public an opportunity to raise queries. On this occasion he asked the potential Councillors to introduce themselves.
(586) Gill Sperrin stated that she had lived in Betchworth all her life and had worked at Brockham Park until it was closed. She had lived at Barley Mow Court for 25 years and was now a medical writer for the Times. She did not have a lot of spare time. She was involved with the Barley Mow Residents Association. The Clerk noted that she had been very helpful as secretary to the Village Plan Team.
(587) Richard Savill had lived opposite the Station in Betchworth since 2002. He was married with two children and worked as a structural engineer in a design consultancy in Croydon. He had become involved in village affairs via the Jubilee Celebrations and was now a member of the village hall committee.
(588) Councillor Chalker had persuaded Richard to put his name forward as he had proved very positive and helpful for the Jubilee activities. He thought it was good for the Council if there was a steady turnover of Councillors, say every three years. He would be willing to resign to enable both to be co-opted as the Council was limited to seven Councillors. Gill Sperrin was willing to stand back in favour of Richard Sevill. Agreed to discuss and resolve before next meeting. Action: Chairman
7 TRANSPORT, HIGHWAYS AND FOOTPATHS
(589) John Foreman (Footpaths Officer) had reported that the local paths were now beginning to dry out and that he had cleared some brambles on FP458. He had also placed some way markers along the elevated path on Pebble Hill.
(590) Councillor Taylor had witnessed walkers in difficulty because Wonham Lane had flooded again because of the blocked drain running into Moore Place; Noted James Alexander was trying to resolve this with the SCC Highways.
(591) Noted that the potholes outside the Red Lion had been patched but the sunken drain by the level crossing was still causing an obstruction despite being protected by barriers Action: Clerk, expedite with Bob Weston
(592) Nothing further to report regarding Pebble Hill traffic calming. Confirmed the request for a speed check in the vicinity of Holmes Farm. (See Minute 584 above).
(593) The Dorking Rural Hub team had met on 13th March and were making slow progress although funding arrangements had been delayed by two months due to the County Council elections. A Volunteer to act as Hub Co-ordinator was being sought.
(594) Project Horizon, a five year plan for road renovation across the county was briefly discussed. Agreed to circulate details to Councillors for examination.
Action: Clerk
8 PLANNING
New Applications and Appeals
(595) MO/2013/0222/PCL Beechwood, Pebble Hill Road, Betchworth. Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed development in respect of the erection of a single storey rear extension. Previously discussed. No comment.
(596) MO/2013/0274/PLA Maybury Farm, Boxhill Road, Box Hill. (Boxhill (Unparished), Within 20m of Betchworth Parish) Conversion of existing barn into 1 No. residential dwelling. Discussed in conjunction with MO/2013/0275/PLAH below.
(597) MO/2013/0275/PLA Maybury Farm, Boxhill Road, Box Hill. Conversion of existing swimming pool building into 1 No. residential dwelling. Councillors were concerned that these two applications represented urbanization by stealth. If these had been applications for new identical buildings Councillors would have objected as these would be inappropriate development in the green belt/AONB. It was considered that the same criteria should be applied for their conversion to new dwellings, as these would set a precedent for infilling in the AONB. Agreed to object as inappropriate in the Green Belt/AONB and as the previous planning history indicated that this was deliberate planning exploitation. Action: Clerk, objection
(598) MO/2013/0214/PLA Church Farm, The Walled Garden, Off The Street, Betchworth. Creation of a Geranium nursery, including the erection of 1 No. timber shed and 4 No. polyytunnels. Councillors welcomed this local enterprise by a resident of Atkinson House. Considered important to preserve the peace of the nearby Burial Ground and to limit any traffic using the entrance via The Walled Garden. Considered that the location was unsuitable for on site retail sales. Agreed to suggest a restriction to mail order and on line sales only. Action: Clerk, letter
(599) MO/2013/0330/PLA Land at Ashcroft Farm, Gadbrook Road, Betchworth. Installation of 16 No. free standing solar photovoltaic panels. No objection.
(600) MO/2013/0331/PLA Ashcroft Farm, Gadbrook Road, Betchworth. Construction of an additional driveway. No objection.
(601) MO/2013/0343/PLAH Lynchets, The Coombe, Betchworth. Erection of replacement outbuilding. Noted that the replacement was of two garages and a shed with three new garages with an office above. It appeared readily convertible for residential purposes. Evidence for this conclusion was found on the ‘As Built Plan’ where a bedroom and bathroom were clearly shown, and hence the application was a deceit and was actually for a new home in the green belt/AONB. Agreed to strongly object to this false application. Action: Clerk, objection
(602) MO/2013/0362/PLAH Great Brockhamhurst Farm, Brockhamhurst Road, Betchworth. Erection of two storey side extension. Andrew Taylor explained the details of the application but with his declaration of interest the Council was no longer quorate and hence unable to make a decision on this matter. Application to be referred to Councillor Higgins after the meeting for further discussion before responding.
(603) MO/2013/0380/PLAH Cotterstock Lea, Wheelers Lane, Brockham. (Brockham, Within 20m of Betchworth Parish). Erection of first floor extension, including insertion of 3 No. dormer windows and raising roof ridge height. Not discussed, Brockham to comment.
Results
(604) MO/2012/1756/PLA 1, Tynedale Road, Strood Green, Betchworth. (Brockham, Within 20m of Betchworth Parish) Erection of single storey side extension to community shop & add'l window in the rear elevation of the flat above. (Was MO/2012/1463). Approved with Conditions.
(605) MO/2013/0022/PLAH Fraser Wood, Boxhill Road, Boxhill. (Boxhill (Unparished), Within 20m of Betchworth Parish) Erection of pool house over existing swimming pool. Approved with Conditions.
(606) MO/2012/1460 Site of The Old Barley M, Old Reigate Road, Betchworth. Erection of 2 No. detached residential houses following demolition of remains of existing building and removal of fencing and hoarding. Refused.
(607) MO/2013/0041/PLAH 15, Tweed Lane, Strood Green, Betchworth. (Brockham, Within 20m of Betchworth Parish) Erection of single storey side/rear extension. Approved with Conditions.
(608) MO/2012/1563 Land out of Reigate Road known as Common Field, Betchworth. Amendment to Aftercare Scheme for Common Field. Approved with Conditions.
(609) MO/2013/0054/PLAH 1 New Cottages, The Coombe, Betchworth. Demolition of existing side element and erection of new single storey side extension. Approved with Conditions.
(610) MO/2013/0109/PCL Cotterstock Lea, Wheelers Lane, Brockham. (Brockham, Within 20m of Betchworth Parish). Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed development in respect of the erection of a single storey studio/gymnasium. Approved
Other Matters
(611) Mole Valley Green Belt Boundary Review No comments received by the Clerk and hence no response made to this consultation. Chairman concerned that despite the closure of the consultation the Council needed to respond regarding the area east of Brockham bounding the Common Field as he considered that it was essential to keep a strategic gap between Brockham and Betchworth.
Action: Clerk, letter
9 FINANCE
(612) The monthly financial summary was tabled giving the end of year preliminary figures. Income was noticeably lower overall following a more normal year in the Burial Ground, and expenditure was lower due to delays in erecting the Jubilee Pavilion.
(613) The following accounts were approved for payment and cheques duly signed.
i) / Betchworth VWM Hall (Room Hire) / £54.00ii) / B Hawkins (Purchase of Seat PO) / £225.00 / (incl’g £37.50 VAT)
iii) / SALC/NALC Annual Fees / £310.49
iv) / Surrey Est. Management (Mar) / £400.05
10 SCHOOL & NURSERY
(614) Confirmed that a letter had been sent to SCC Education department expressing the community’s concerns that the current changes would adversely affect the viability of Betchworth School, and requesting re-assurance that any subsequent rise in the number of children in the area would be housed in spare Betchworth. An indication of plans for the next 10 years had also been requested.
(615) Councillor Taylor reported that all three bases were considered well funded and the viability of the Betchworth base now depended on the decisions of the local parents who were still very unhappy
11 ALLOTMENTS, BURIAL GROUND & GOULBURN GREEN
(616) Memorials for Mark Thomas Gardner and John M Ryn were approved.
(617) Clerk tabled an estimate for providing a tap on Goulburn Green (£460 +VAT). This however did not include connection to the mains in The Street.
Action Clerk, Obtain further estimate
(618) Sutton Water had reported that the nearest main supply to the Burial Ground was in the Garden of 7 The Walled Garden, and the Council would need to seek permission from the occupier to lay a pipe through their land. Agreed to explore any other options first with Martin Clipperton. Action Clerk
(619) Councillor Chalker was apologetic that he was again unable to provide the drawing for the Jubilee Pavilion. He had held a site meeting before Easter and was embarrassed that the promised drawing was still not available. He would be in contact with MVDC Planners as soon as the drawing arrived. He would welcome suggestions for the text for the pavilion which was to be carved by Martin Higgins.
Action Councillor Chalker
(620) Order for the Greenspan tree seat (£650) was outstanding and the wording for the plaque still needed to be agreed. Action Clerk
12 BETCHWORTH & BUCKLAND SOCIETY
(621) Clerk confirmed that he had written to David Evans inviting him to the APM to report on CAMEL.
13 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Active Papers
(622) The Surrey Rail Consultation was briefly mentioned and the comments on the future of the Guildford/Redhill line were to be examined and a draft letter prepared.
Action Clerk
Passive Papers
(623) Other Communications received as per Appendix 4 (Passive Items) were distributed for Councillors to peruse and report back as appropriate, at the next meeting.
14 FUTURE MEETING DATES
(624) Future Council meeting dates :- Thursday 7th May 2013 and
Monday 3rd June 2013
(625) Annual Parish Meeting Monday 22nd April at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
(626) Parish Forum April 18th at 7.30pm Brockham Pavilion IW/BH to attend.
(627) Chairman volunteered to write an article for the May Parish Magazine.
(628) Chairman closed the meeting at 10.00pm.
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