FARNHAM ROYAL PARISH COUNCIL
Mrs K H Holder
Clerk to the Council
clerk@farnhamroyal-pc.gov.uk
01753 648497
Sherriff House
The Broadway
Farnham Common
SL2 3QH
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FARNHAM ROYAL PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY
28th JANUARY 2013 AT 8.00 P.M. IN FARNHAM COMMON VILLAGE HALL
Present
Mr. Bill Youel (Chairman)
Mr. John Hodges
Mr. Bob Milne
Mr. Karl Tipping
Mr. Clive Robinson
Mrs.Heidi Hodgkins
Mrs. K H Holder – Clerk
Eleven members of the public including County Councillors Mr. Egleton and Mrs. Hazell
and District Councillors Mr. Dhillon and Mr. Anthony.
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 8.00pm. The meeting was adjourned for
OPEN FORUM. The Chairman reconvened the meeting.
13/84/PC
Apologies for absence
Mr. Peter Cathcart, Mr. Alan French and Mr. Trevor Clapp.
13/85/PC
To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26th November 2012
The minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record and were then signed by the
Chairman.
13/86/PC
Matters Arising (not covered elsewhere on the agenda)
There were none.
13/87/PC
To consider the request to acquire access over FCSC land
The Chairman reported that the Parish Council had received a letter from Eltze Estates
Limited wishing to acquire an access drive over FCSC land. The Chairman proposed
that the Parish Council refuse to give any access rights over the land – except as
currently exist for access to FCSC facilities and the Guide Hut. This was agreed.
13/88/PC
To consider the proposal for new cricket nets at FCSC
Scott Wilcox of FCSC explained that as part of working towards a Clubmark
Accreditation it was vital to provide first rate training facilities. New cricket nets had been
resourced at a cost of £25,000 and the training area would have artificial grass. Two
plots had been identified but the scheme to replace the existing nets – although bringing
them more into the field to allow a pathway behind them – was the best solution as it
was cheaper and caused the least disruption. He requested the Parish Council’s
approval in principle for FCSC to go ahead and apply for planning permission. In
response to Mr. Robinson’s concern about balls coming through the nets, he confirmed
that the new state-of-the-art nets were guaranteed for 10 years and would be regularly
repaired. They would consider adding chicken wire fencing but they did not consider this
would be necessary at the moment. He added that a cherry tree – thought to be about
30 years old – would have to be removed but they would replant a tree to make up for
its loss and its normal lifespan would only have been another 10 years at the most. The
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Chairman proposed that the Parish Council agree for the scheme to go ahead in
principle subject to the planning process. This was agreed.
13/89/PC
To agree to proceed to develop the questionnaire and budget
relating to the Parish Plan
Mr. Milne reported that the Steering Group meeting had been well attended and had
gone well with a wealth of ideas and experience on hand. The next meeting would take
place on 19th February and everyone was welcome to attend. The aim was to have a
questionnaire that could go out in the June edition of the Farnhams’ Magazine. Although
it was too early to consider funding requirements, an idea had been suggested to
consider sponsorship or some sort of incentive scheme to encourage people to return
the form. It was agreed that an incentive scheme would be appropriate – any
sponsorship would have to be on the basis that the sponsor could not promote
themselves and had no presence in the parish to ensure the independence of the
questionnaire. Mr. Hodges recommended that the form was put online.
13/90/PC
To consider progressing with the installation of a defibrillator in the
light of liability issues
The Chairman reported that the NHS had been keen to install a defibrillator in the area
and the Parish Council had approached SBDC for it to be placed on their toilet wall.
SBDC were demanding a blanket indemnity from the Parish Council but the Clerk had
spoken with the Parish Council’s insurers who had explained that the Parish Council
would be exposed to the extent of any claim for which the Parish Council would not
otherwise be legally liable if the blanket indemnity was given. For example in respect of
any damage to persons or property due to vandalism giving rise to a claim against
SBDC.
It was agreed that rather than the Parish Council buying the defibrillator and having it
installed and incurring direct liability, the Parish Council’s role should be that of a
sponsor and it should offer to refund the costs – previously advised- incurred by the
NHS should they arrange to have a defibrillator placed in an agreed location in Farnham
Common.
13/91/PC
To consider issues relating to the woodlands
Mr. Hodges reported that the Parish Council had taken over two copses and intended to
take over another one from Bucks County Council (BCC) although we were still waiting
for a draft lease. A working party had been set up, looking into how to maintain the
copses. This has become more pressing as the Parish Council’s contractor had felt the
need to spend his own money to obtain an arboriculturalist’s report at a cost of £650
and there had been an incident when a tree had fallen on a car. It was agreed to refund
the contractor the cost of the report undertaken. Mr. Hodges added that the working
party were in the process of obtaining quotes from a number of arboriculturists with a
view to developing a plan to manage the woodlands long term.
13/92/PC
To agree sites for the MVAS
The Chairman had circulated a list of the sites surveyed by BCC which had identified
seven viable sites of the ten originally proposed. He explained that BCC still had to
advise whether to have a ground screw or lamppost fixing for the One Pin Lane site.
It was agreed to proceed with six of the approved sites, being:1 Parsonage Lane Farnham Common – southbound, outside Grey Gables
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A355 Farnham Royal – southbound north of Dair House School by Lamp FR33
Blackpond Lane Farnham Royal –northbound north of Hill Place
One Pin Lane – westbound between Mayflower Way and Mount Close
Collum Green Lane – northwestbound approaching One Pin Lane junction just
before the houses and
6 Parish Lane - southeastbound by Ponds Wood Farm before Christmas Lane
junction and houses.
Bearing in mind Mr Harper-Jones’ concerns during Open Forum, the Clerk was
requested to ask BCC- provided no extra costs would be incurred- whether the
Blackpond Lane site could be moved to half way between Cherry Tree Road and the ‘S’
bend southbound.
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13/93/PC
To consider the LAF Project funding request
93.1 Mr. Milne reported that the priority funding criteria drawn up by the LAF were
Road Safety, Environmental Improvement, Young People and Getting Active. These
were to be dealt with by workshop and he and Mr Robinson would be on the road safety
and environmental improvement group, meeting the next day, and Mr Milne was also
on the Getting Active group meeting next week.
93.2 There was a deadline of 31st January to submit applications for transportation
related projects for priority funding and 8th February for any other project. The ideas
they had considered included allotments and Kingsway Green regeneration although no
detailed figures were available with which to make an application for funding. Other
suggestions such as funding for the Parish Plan, squaring the curve at Burnham
Beeches, improving bus shelters, removing the yellow lines outside Sainsbury’s and
fitness for adults were also put forward. It became clear that, given the cost of land in
the area, allotments were never going to be realistically achievable and Kingsway
Green and other projects mentioned required a lot more thought and would benefit from
feedback from the Parish Plan.
93.3 It was agreed to resubmit the application in respect of Green Lane’s footway and
put in an application for the removal of the yellow lines in The Broadway. The Chairman
wished it to be recorded that he objected to the submission of the application in respect
of the removal of the yellow lines at a cost of up to £6,000 of public money.
13/94/PC
To consider issues relating to and funding for the Farnhams
Magazine
Mr. Hodges reported that he and Mr. Clapp had been asked to consider the Parish
Council’s relationship with the Farnhams’ Magazine. He referred to the report he had
written with Mr. Clapp following a meeting they had had with the Editor and Treasurer
and which had been circulated with the agenda. They had discussed the value the
Magazine had to the community and its finances. At the moment the Parish Council
asks for the Farnhams’ Magazine to be circulated to all households in the parish twice a
year but the amount the Parish Council has contributed has been going up and the
Parish Council didn’t want to spend too much more money on this. The proposal agreed
by the parties at the meeting was that the Parish Council agree to share equally the
costs of the two ‘bumper’ issues up to an agreed budget of £3,500pa each. If
expenditure was likely to exceed that then it would require further discussion. This was
agreed.
13/95/PC
To consider issues relating to the Farnham Royal Play Area
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95.1 The Chairman reported that there were areas of wear and tear. These included
around the base of the gyrospiral, under the swings and the broken gate latch for the
toddler area. Following discussion of the concerns and risks raised by each of these
issues, the Chairman concluded that none of these amounted to a real hazard and
proposed that the Parish Council wait until the ROSPA report in the Spring to decide
what, if anything, to consider repairing.
95.2 In relation to the high mound, complaints had been received that it was too steep
and there had been erosion in one area exposing the stones underneath. The mound
could be reduced in gradient – which would be quite expensive and involve the same
difficulties in allowing the grass to regrow as were present at the installation - or steps
put over the eroded area which SBDC’s groundsmen had suggested. Wicksteed had
advised against steps for health and safety reasons but had quoted £3,800 to install a
bespoke jungle ramp. Mrs. Hodgkins asked whether recourse could be had to
Wicksteed or SBDC for recommending and/or approving such a high mound which
seemed beset with problems. It was agreed to wait until after the Rospa inspection to
decide what was best to do.
95.3 Mr. Robinson advised that he visited Farnham Park at the weekends and had
been chatting with parents from Dair House School who had not been aware of the play
area. Mr. Robinson suggested a small sign by the pedestrian entrance near Sospel
Court would raise awareness. The Clerk advised that new signs had recently been put
up by SBDC near the main entrance gates referring to the play area. She added that
she and the previous Vice Chairman had personally delivered letters to each household
in Farnham Royal and visited the school about the play area. The promotion for the
opening day had been sent to every child in both the villages including Dair House
School so it was unlikely any resident didn’t know about it. The Chairman added that a
sign could cost around £200 plus installation costs and it was agreed to keep this item
under review.
13/96/PC
Planning
96.1 Mr. Hodges raised the issue of Allerds Farm’s application for a car repair
business on which the Parish Council had already objected. Mr. Hodges requested that
a more forceful objection- based on the need to retain the Green Belt- be submitted and
it was agreed that the Clerk should do so.
96.2 The Chairman raised the issue of the application relating to land to the rear of the
SBDC car park (referred to as land behind Honey Cottage). A planning objection letter,
submitted by Mr and Mrs Stebbings who were neighbours of the land referred to, was
read out. This outlined some of the history of the site and in particular the allegation that
assurances had in the past been given by SBDC that the land would not be developed.
They also were concerned about the apparent conflict of interest where SBDC were
deciding on an application that they would benefit from. The Chairman highlighted that
the main planning concerns were insufficient parking, using the car park as an access
road and the overdevelopment of the site. It was agreed to object to the application.
Cllr Anthony commented that BCC’s approach to using the car park as access had
changed in recent times and that the plot was seen as surplus to SBDC’s requirements
and ideal for development. There had been an extensive marketing exercise and this
had been the only proposal.
96.3 Planning decisions were noted.
13/97/PC
Finance
97.1 Payments as per the cashbook circulated prior to the meeting and checked by
Mr. Youel were approved for payment.
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97.2 Mr. Milne noted that FC Village Hall did not seem to have invoiced us yet for this
year’s hall hire. When contact is next made, Mr. Milne urged that they are reminded that
for the last two meetings the furniture was not put out as requested and that the hall had
not been heated. Mr. Tipping advised he would be attending the next meeting on 4 th
February and would pass these comments on.
97.3 Forms applying for dispensation under S33 Localism Act were received by the
Clerk on behalf of all councillors and it was agreed that dispensation would be given to
all councillors for decisions taken in respect of the Precept or other financial matters
concerning the Parish Council.
13/98/PC
Any other business
98.1 The Chairman was concerned about fly-tipping on private land in Farnham Royal.
The Clerk was asked to contact SBDC to enquire what pressure can be put on the
owner to remove the fly-tipping and block the hole in the boundary which encourages
such fly-tipping.
98.2 The Chairman advised that Stoke Poges Parish Council had written requesting
representatives to attend a meeting next week about creating a new Sikh school in
Stoke Poges. The Clerk was asked to circulate the invitation but it was made clear that
anyone attending did so in a personal capacity as the item had arrived too late to go on
the agenda and a formal Parish Council position could not be taken.
13/99/PC
Next Meeting
The meeting closed at 10.20pm
The next meeting will be on Monday 25th February at 8pm in Farnham Royal Village
Hall.
NOTES from the public open forum of the meeting
Judy Tipping was concerned to read in the November minutes that there was a proposal
to remove the double yellow lines from outside Sainsbury’s as she believed this area
was required for lorries to be able to load and unload. Mr. Tipping explained that it was
felt the lines had related to access to a building which was now no longer required and
removing the lines would create more space for parking and ease the burden of parking
in the area.
Frank Harper- Jones said he had written to the Clerk about speeding in Blackpond Lane
and would like an MVAS site to be where the road became narrower near the ‘S’ bend
rather than between the Emperor and Spring Lane as had been suggested. The
Chairman explained that his comments had been received too late to be taken into
account when undertaking the site survey and another survey would cost £350.
Cllr. Dhillon advised he had resigned from the Planning Committee as the commitment
to it had become too onerous in the light of his increasing commitments at work and at
the County Council. He was, however, willing to represent the parish at the planning
committee on any issue. He reported that a Stop Notice had been issued by County in
respect of the illegal dumping at Allerds Farm. The police had helped in the process. An
enforcement notice had been issued but 6 months had been allowed for compliance
because the Owner was co-operating to bring the undesirable activities of the Tenant
under control.
Cllr. Dhillon advised he had been asked by the Clerk to look into the incident of a lorry
obstructing traffic outside Costa Coffee during the Christmas period. He added that
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further problems had occurred on the first day of the snow when obstructing lorries had
caused huge tailbacks in both directions for 40 minutes. He had discussed these issues
with BCC’s highways department who had acknowledged that issues about deliveries
had not been thoroughly addressed in the past but going forward anyone making a new
planning application in the Broadway would be asked to ensure they had their own
delivery arrangements. He added that owing to complaints from neighbours about
lorries using the rear service road deliveries had been encouraged to take place at the
front by the shops.
This concludes the public session.
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