Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Tandridge District Council offices, Station Road East, Oxted, RH8 0BT

Contact: Sarah Woodworth, Partnership Committee Officer  Tandridge District Council Offices, Station Road East, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0BT

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Items
No. Item

OPEN FORUM pdf icon PDF 37 KB

The questions and responses from the open forum session are included as Annex A to these minutes

27/19

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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    To receive any apologies.

    Minutes:

    Apologies received from Mr David Lee, District Councillor Simon Morrow and District Councillor Tony Elias.

28/19

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 116 KB

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    To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

    Minutes:

    The minutes from the previous meeting on 21 June 2019 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

     

     

    Mrs Steeds wished to update the committee following two matters raised at the previous meeting. Firstly, with regards to the petition received from Burstow Parish Council regarding Wheelers Lane, Smallfield. Mrs Steeds advised that a meeting has been arranged for 10 October on site to discuss options and move the matter forward. Secondly, Wilderwick Road, Dormansland, a high pressure jet will be attending today (20 Sept) to clear.

     

     

29/19

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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    All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter:

    (i)            Any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or

    (ii)           Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting

    Notes:

    • Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest
    • As well as an interest of the Member, this includes any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the Member is living as a spouse or civil partner)
    • Members with a significant personal interest may participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial.

     

    Minutes:

    None declared.

30/19

PETITIONS

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    To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer at least 14 days before the meeting. Alternatively, the petition can be submitted on-line through Surrey County Council’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures (30) has been reached 14 days before the meeting.

    Minutes:

    None received.

31/19

FORMAL PUBLIC QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 78 KB

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    To answer any questions from residents or businesses within the Tandridge District area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers Attending: Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager, SCC

     

    Petitions, Public Questions and Statements: The questions and officer response were published within the supplementary agenda.

     

    A total of eight public questions were received.  Seven of the questions related to parking enforcement and a request to installing parking meters from business owners in Caterham Town centre. One question was submitted regarding ‘re-wilding’ of grass verges in Surrey. 

     

    Questions 1-7

    Sue McGeown, Manager of Caterham Business Improvement District (BID) spoke on behalf of six businesses who had submitted questions. She explained that she represented the businesses in Caterham and felt that the Officer had responded with a statement rather than answering each question that had been asked. 

     

    At the informal Local Committee in June the Members had agreed that parking meters could be installed on Croydon Road, Caterham. This decision would be agreed formally at the September 2019 meeting, however the decision had been deferred.  Businesses felt that by delaying this report, SCC are preventing the churn of customers to their businesses, as cars are parked all day without any consequence.  The Caterham BID have agreed they would pay for the meters and these would be maintained by Tandridge District Council. There would be no cost to SCC, therefore they see no reason for the report to be deferred.    

     

    The Chairman advised that unfortunately an Officer from Parking was unable to attend the meeting.  However, he was aware that there have been some legal and procurement process difficulties in moving forward with the parking enforcement contract. 

     

    Members Key Points

     

    ·         A Member stated he felt that SCC had let businesses down and it is regrettable.  Whilst the delay is happening, local businesses are struggling.

    ·         The Committee agreed that the service from the current parking enforcement contract is poor.  Many felt that this issue was not just in the Caterham area but in all areas of the District.

    ·         It was felt that the contract should be being enforced, and enforcement had been poor for a number of years in Tandridge. 

    ·         Members were disappointed that an officer could not attend the meeting and would like the matter resolved quickly.

    ·         The situation in Caterham has been on-going for a number of years and the BID would like to make it easier for Parking Enforcement Officers to issue tickets and the parking meters would be a suitable solution.

    ·         It was asked if dates could be provided as to when this matter would be resolved.

     

    The Chairman suggested that he take this matter forward with the Cabinet Member for Highways, as the decision for appointing the parking enforcement provider is outside of the Local Committee’s remit and with the Cabinet Member.  The Chairman is keen to move this forward as quickly as possible and will be meeting with Officers at both District and County level to find a solution.

     

    The Chairman felt that a written response to the BID Manager’s statement and supplementary questions would not be sufficient, and suggested that he would meet outside  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31/19

32/19

MEMBERS QUESTIONS

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    To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47.  Notice should be given in writing to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer of formal questions by 12.00 noon four working days before the meeting.

    Minutes:

    None received.

33/19

DECISION TRACKER (FOR INFORMATION) pdf icon PDF 271 KB

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    This tracker monitors progress against the decisions that the Local Committee has made. It is updated before each committee meeting.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Petitions, Public questions, Statements: None

     

    The Chairman introduced the item explaining that this document monitors progress against the decsions that the Local Committee has made.

     

    Members Discussion- Key Points

     

    The following points were raised:

     

    1.    Mrs Rose Thorn advised the committee that the decision for the speed limit review on the A25 Bletchingley was taken by the Cabinet Member for Highways on 3 September.  The Cabinet Member felt that this could not be an exception to the policy and therefore the speed limit would increase to 40mph. Mrs Thorn explained that the Cabinet Member did agree to a traffic island and the road markings will be improved, and this should be carried out this financial year.

    2.    Cllr Cooper expressed his disappointment that Pendell Road was still on the tracker and there are now further delays.  Stressing that this is a busy junction with 18 accidents this year to date, work needs to be carried out urgently.  The Chairman read out an update from the SCC Highways Road Safety Engineer.  Following a site visit with Kier scheme will require a full road closure, as opposed to the two way lights that they originally thought may be acceptable to work under.  There are difficulties in finding a sensible route for all vehicles to divert. The design team are speaking to SCC / Kier reps to ascertain the best way forward to get this scheme installed as soon as possible.

     

     

    Resolution

     

    The Local Committee (Tandridge)

     

    (i)            NOTED the contents of the report

     

    (ii)           AGREED to remove the closed items from the tracker

     

     

     

     

     

34/19

PUBLIC BRIDLEWAY 29 WOLDINGHAM - PROPOSED PARTIAL WIDTH EXTINGUISHMENT (OTHER COUNTY FUNCTIONS) pdf icon PDF 102 KB

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    This report seeks a decision to approve an application to extinguish part of the width of Public Bridleway No. 29 Woldingham.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Declaration of Interest: None

     

    Officer attending: Daniel Williams, Countryside Access Officer

     

    Public Speakers:

    Nicky Hodgetts spoke in objection of the application, and made the following points:

     

    ·         The footpath is used regularly by riders and walkers and this would be handing land over for parking for the few rather than for well-being and enjoyment of all.

    ·         Residents in the properties bought their homes knowing the parking situation and she believes the properties have allocated parking already. It would only benefit the individual home owner financially making their property more attractive when they come to sell.

     

    The applicant Mr Tony Clarke took the opportunity to respond to the objections raised. He made the following points:

     

    • He submitted the application to formalise the arrangements that have been taking place with no complaint in the past 25 years.
    • The bridleway is never obstructed and users can pass by.
    • Horse riders and walkers will still have one of the best surfaced rights of way in the area even with the reduction in width.

     

    The Officer, presented the report and stated that the owner of the land has given his written agreement to the proposal. The Council believes that the 4m width would be sufficient for the bridleway and would formalise the parking that has been taking place since 1995 without complaint.

     

    On a point of order, the Officer confirmed that the land is owned by the owner of ‘The Shires’ and not the County Council, although SCC do have an interest in the surface of the path. Parking has taken place for 25 years without complaint from users of the Bridleway.

     

    The Officer confirmed that if agreed by the Committee, the Council would enter a works agreement with the land owner to ensure that different coloured cobbles are used on the path for uses to distinguish between the parking area and bridleway.

     

    Members Discussion: Key Points

    • A Member felt that whilst on paper it would appear that the decision would reduce access for walkers and horse riders, however having attended a site visit, she felt there would be adequate room for cars to be parked and walkers and horses to pass without any limitations.
    • It was asked if there was a requirement in the assessment for emergency vehicles to be able to access properties, as there are cottages at the end of the path in this situation?

     

    The Officer advised that he did not believe there was a requirement to do so, and therefore it had not been specifically considered in this case. The Area Highways Officer stated that whilst it had not been assessed at this site, in other locations where there are properties in isolated locations, the emergency services have specialist vehicles to access properties.

     

    Resolution

     

    The matter was put to the vote with a show of hands.

    Members in favour of recommendation: 7

    Members opposed to recommendations: 0

    Members abstaining: 2

     

    The Local Committee (Tandridge) APPROVED:

    (i)            The application from the owner of ‘West Stables’ to extinguish part of the width  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34/19

35/19

HIGHWAYS UPDATE (FOR INFORMATION) pdf icon PDF 101 KB

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    To inform the Local Committee on the progress of the 2019/20 Integrated Transport Programme, capital maintenance works, Members Highways Fund works, Operation Horizon, Severe Weather Recovery Programme, Flood Risk Management, Winter Salting Routes and Drainage maintenance.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officer attending: Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

     

    The Officer drew Members highlighted Annex 4, which is additional information on the latest schemes on the Severe Weather recovery programme.

     

    The Area Highways Manager welcomed questions from the Committee

     

    1.    It was suggested that a visit be arranged for all members of the Committee to visit the Highway Depot to see the gritter lorries and learn how the winter service is organised.

     

    The Officer confirmed she would be happy for this to take place and would liaise with the Partnership Team to arrange.

     

     

    The Local Committee (Tandridge) AGREED:

     

    (i)            To note the contents of the report.

     

     

     

     

     

36/19

EVERY DROP COUNTS IN TANDRIDGE- SES WATER PRESENTATION (AGENDA ITEM)

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    Presentation from SES Water, about their water saving campaign in Tandridge.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officer attending: Alison Murphy, SES Water, Water Strategy Manager

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

     

    The Committee received a presentation from SES Water on Every Drop Counts in Oxted.

     

    Highlights from the presentation

     

    ·         SES water at carrying out a water efficiency pilot project in the Tandridge district.  This will allow them to test out a number of technologies and methods in order to reducing demand in the most effective way.

    ·         SES Water currently supply 160 million litres of clean water a day to 707,000 customers across the company area.  It is predicted that the number of customers will rise to 1 million by 2060 so need to consider and test methods now to balance supply and demand in the future.

    ·         SES Water’s Business Plans for 2020-2025 is to

    1)    Reduce leakage by 15% across the network

    2)    Reduce household consumption by 7% per person

    3)    Install water meters for 90% of customers including 10% smart meters

    4)    Monitor water consumption in newly built properties

    ·         The South East, is a water stressed area and the population is increasing. By using water more efficiently will reduced the need for a large scale solutions in the future and protect rivers and wetlands.

    ·         Water consumption on average is 160 litres a day per person in the Tandridge area. SES water would like customers to reduce it to 134 litres a day per person by 2025.  Keen to raise awareness and encourage customers  think about how much water and energy they are using.

    ·         SES Water are offering free home water efficiently checks to homes in Tandridge and their aim is to carry out 1000 properties this year.  This will include fitting water saving devices and fix any leaks on the customer side.  So far there has been 300 visits in social housing properties, Oxted has had a take up of 10% of lettered properties and the Caterham phase has just been launched.

    ·         Other plans include creating an intelligent network so they can use technology to manage the network and find and fix leaks quicker.

    ·         Using Smart metering, for customers to see how much they are using.  Trials for this technology is starting in the autumn in Tandridge, and SES Water wish to recruit 30 households from the district to test the technology before it is rolled out further.

     

    Member Discussion – Key points

     

    1.    A Member asked what is the cost to the customer to have a smart meter?

    It was advised that there is no cost to the customer as the cost had already been factored into the organisations business plan and the benefits outweigh the cost of the meter.

     

    2.    It was asked if Water companies in the South East of England should be speaking more to the Government to highlight that it’s a water stressed area and if the number of customers is expected to rise to 1 million there may be issues in increasing homes in the South East.  The Member commented that even with all the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36/19

37/19

LOCAL COMMITTEE FORWARD PROGRAMME (FOR INFORMATION) pdf icon PDF 48 KB

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    The Committee is asked to note the forward plan for the Committee and propose any items which they would like to see added.

     

     

    (Forward Plan attached)

    Minutes:

    Members of the Committee were invited to suggest additional topics for consideration at future committee meetings.

     

    This included:

     

    1)    Croydon Road, Parking meters (formal)

    2)    TDC litter bin replacement plan (informal)

    3)    School Place planning (formal)

     

    Resolution

     

    The Local Committee (Tandridge)

     

    (i)            NOTED and COMMENTED on the forward plan.