Annual Report 2023 - 2024 More information on the Parish Council and local community can be found on the website: www.bletchingley.org.uk
2 SUMMARY OF THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS OF BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL The Statements of Accounts represents fairly the financial position of the Council as at 31 March 2024, and reflects its income and expenditure for the year 2023/24. Receipts and Payments for year ending 31st March 2024 RECEIPTS 2023/24 2022/23 Precept 41,000.00 40,320.00 Interest Receivable 450.48 82.13 Allotment rents & key deposits 1,356.00 1260.00 Field Rents 472.50 602.50 Cemetery 4,173.00 6490.50 Website - 150.00 CCTV 88.72 0.00 Grants/Donations - 2.00 CIL Receipts 0.00 0.00 General Administration 413.67 0.00 VAT Reclaimed 5248.34 2705.57 Insurance Claims (Misc.) 0.00 0.00 PWLB 0.00 0.00 Total Receipts 53,202.71 52,612.70 PAYMENTS Parks & Open Spaces 7,100.06 6009.43 Allotments 743.65 360.95 Fields - 0.00 Highways & Rights of Way 3,410.00 277.43 CCTV Costs & Maintenance 1,285.05 1253.70 Cemetery 13,794.03 9,117.14 Asset Repairs 1399.45 1363.40 CIL Payments 74.95 1315.46 Website 1278.99 28.99 Village Hall 132.00 132.00 Subscriptions 1,296.06 1,566.67 Donations 50.00 1,500 Insurance 1055.05 881.27 VAT 4093.13 1,779.83 Parish Clerk Salary 11,859.78 10,413.23 Parish Clerk Expenses 4.40 37.50 Parish Clerk Employers NI and Tax - 260.92 Stationery & Reference Books 148.68 95.78 Chairman’s Allowance 66.00 0.00 Auditor’s Fees 576.90 573.65 Parish Office 2753.88 2680.01 General Administration/Misc. 985.20 487.00 Christmas Tree Lights - 0.00 Training for Clerks and Councillors 20.00 35.00 Hog Roast for Village Fair 310.00 0.00 Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) 4998.08 4901.06 PWLB Interest 276.78 373.80 Telephone/Broadband 1256.28 994.58 Winter Maintenance - 0.00 Total Payments 58,968.40 46,456.78 NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) for the year -5765.69 5122.92
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 3 Chair’s Report The Parish Councillors are delighted to have this opportunity to set out what has been done on behalf of the Bletchingley community during the last year. The following pages set out what the Parish Council has been doing in 2023, and will be doing in 2024. The Parish Council operates with a limited budget and at present finances are extremely constrained. Councillors give their time for free. In May we were joined by two new Councillors Emy VerzaniMatthews and Kathrine Everett. In October the Parish Council launched a new website including modernised branding (www.bletchingley.org.uk), which has greater accessibility features and complies with current regulations. We are able to more easily promote village events and encourage Parishioners to pass details of items which they would like to be included to the Clerk. We were saddened to hear of the death this year of Robert Trottman who served for many years on the Parish Council including as chair. Councillor Ian Borman (Chair) Finance Bletchingley Parish Council have pleasure in submitting the draft accounts for the year ended 31 March, 2024, which will be available for public viewing following audit by the internal and external auditors. The Clerk will post the dates for public viewing of the accounts on the Parish Notice Board at the appropriate time. Parish Council Income and Expenditure during the year 2023/24 has been largely in line with forecast. Income was slightly higher than budget in part as a result of increased income from the Allotments and Cemetery. Expenditure was conversely slightly lower than budget but this was only because the Stychens Lane Playground upgrade has been delayed. Indeed spend on several budget lines including the Cemetery and Village Asset repairs was higher than forecast due to increased costs on maintenance and additional works for the New Cemetery as well as necessary repairs to the War Memorial and replacing the Defibrillator pads and batteries to the Parish Council Defibrillator which is located at the entrance to the Bletchingley Village Primary School. The Parish Council examined in detail the budget for 2024/2025 to ensure that the demands being placed have been carefully costed. We reviewed the current Precept and agreed that due to inflation and the increased additional costs for the new Cemetery, significant tree safety work needed, and Stychens Lane Playground it was necessary to make a small (£2,000) increase for the coming year. Councillor Sally-anne Ray
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 4 Allotments & Fields The Parish Council is responsible for two allotment sites in Little Common Lane and Stychens Lane. Given rising costs, the rent was increased from April 2023 to £40 per annum per plot. Both sites have two water taps and water is supplied during summer months. The Little Common Lane site also incurs the cost of cutting the hedge bordering the road annually. We are grateful to Community Services who have assisted to clear some of the plots that were in poor condition. Anyone who would like to be put onto the waiting list should please contact the Parish Clerk. The Best Kept Allotment Competition was run in 2023 with the cup awarded at the Horticultural Society Show and will be run again in 2024. All allotment holders are automatically entered into the competition unless they specifically ask not to be. The parish council leases out two fields, one off Stychens Lane and the other the remaining half of the field next to the new cemetery, both of which are currently occupied by livestock. Councillor Kathrine Everett Cemetery The Cemetery continues to be one of the largest items of expenditure of the Council. The stolen capping stones have been replaced and we have provided a drainage channel across the entrance gates. The first phase of the rose garden has been completed and planted. We will be allowing ashes to be scattered in the area and small memorial plaques for those who wish to remember loved ones in this manner. We continue to maintain the area as a “meadow” with one cut a year but with more regular maintenance cutting to facilitate access from the old cemetery to the new and to the graves and ashes already interred. We are still engaged with the battle against weeds at the entrance and turning area at the new cemetery, given the need for a permeable surface due to planning regulations. A number of benches have been donated to the new cemetery and we have facilitated their placement. This will become an additional service for those who wish to remember loved ones in this way. In the old cemetery maintenance continues as before and the existing gates have been refurbished. We have completed some limited tree maintenance and are considering what can be done with the box planting which is showing signs of disease and box caterpillar. The Cemetery regulations are under review with the aim of extending the services offered. Finally, we would wish to remember Robert Trotman who did so much for the village and whose ashes are interred in the Woodland area of our Cemetery alongside those of his wife Katharine. Councillor Paul Tarrant
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 5 Planning The Parish Council has statutory rights to be consulted by the District Council on all planning issues determined by the District and County Council within the parish. Planning issues are normally the longest item on the Parish Council agenda and one which is most often of interest to villagers. The Parish Council is obliged to respond to planning submissions within 3 weeks of the validation of the application by the District Council and for this reason the Parish Council considers applications at the Full Council meeting (usually the second Monday of each month) and again at Planning Committee meetings (usually on the last Monday of each month). Planning issues at TDC have been taking much longer than normal and much too long in recent times. We are still hopeful this will improve this coming year. It should be made clear that the Parish Council does not decide planning issues, but rather comments to the District Council using its local knowledge. This can be important in contentious applications as an objection by the Parish Council may help ensure that an application is then considered by the full planning committee of the District Council and not by the council officers alone. Permitted Development rights are available and presently allow an increase in depth of rear extensions from 4m to 8m for a detached dwelling and from 3m to 6m for other dwellings – this additional right brings with it the requirement for neighbour consultation. Permitted Development takes some householder applications out of the normal planning but villagers can apply for a “Certificate of Lawfulness” to avoid any future controversy about the works. If any parishioner is considering building alterations, additions, or demolitions it is always worth consulting the Tandridge Planning Department for advice and for a fee you can submit basic drawings and obtain Pre-Application Advice which can be useful guidance – it is also wise to consult on work to trees, walls and fences. Keep in mind that Bletchingley Village and certain other parts of the parish are Conservation Areas which demand additional restrictions while the remainder of the parish is in Green Belt. SCC Proposed Gypsy & Traveller Site at Pendell Camp. At present it appears that this proposal is less likely to proceed. The Whyte Harte Hotel Has undergone a significant refurbishment and has brought centre of the Village back to life with all the business and village amenity benefits that will ensue. The Old Prince Albert We continue to be concerned with the untidy state of the Old Prince Albert. In February, the owner was convicted and fined for failing to comply with a TDC enforcement notice due to the state of this listed building. As of the date of this report, the owners latest planning application for an additional dwelling in the garden (which the Parish Council has objected too) is pending with TDC Planning. Councillor Dick Kiss
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 6 CIC /Sports Association The roadway and car park have now been completed and seem to be standing up to use, and are making a difference. Subject to finalising an extension to the lease, there are plan to upgrade the Pavilion, improve the drainage of the pitches and plant a Community Orchard. The Children’s Playground continues to be well used, as is the Adult Playground (Outdoor Gym). Road lighting and CCTV cameras continue to be in operation. The Sports Clubs are coming out of hibernation from the winter to normal activities after the winter and the Bowls Club will be holding their open evenings. If you would like to see if Bowling is for you go to https://bletchingleybowls.co.uk. Rifle, Model Car Clubs and the ‘Fitness at The Shed’ all continue to be well attended. We are also looking for a cricket club/group to use the pitch regularly. Bletchfest is run by Grange Meadow CIC, with a series of village events planned during 2024. Another Bletchfest Comedy night at the Village Hall on the 27th of April and a themed music night at the Village Hall in the Autumn. After last year’s success another Pantomime is planned as well. The Art Exhibition at the Sports Pavilion will this year be from 17th to 19th of May and Music in the Meadow on Saturday the 20th of July. For more information see www.bletchfest.org. The Pavilion is also open to be hired for meetings, parties etc. Please contact Jeff Marks by telephone on 07941 102179 or email jeff.marks@sky.com Councillor Linda Baharier Stychens Lane Playground Stychens Lane playground area is looking very shabby, but not for much longer. The Parish Council have been successful in obtaining some funding from Surrey County Councils ‘Your Fund’. We have decided on the contractor and we have been working with them on our plans for the playground. Should you be able to help in any way including any additional fundraising ideas or if there are any generous donors out there that wish to contribute to the funding, please contact the Parish Clerk or Councillor Barbara Wantling at thewantlings@btinternet.com. Councillor Barbara Wantling
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 7 Environment & Mineral Issues Surrey Minerals and Waste Plan The Minerals and Waste plan is a framework for SCC policy and planning decisions in relation to the use of local mineral resources and waste disposal. The timeline for the new Minerals and Waste Plan has been delayed due to the potential impact of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, Government review of National Planning Policy Framework and forthcoming regulations in Environment Act (2021) and the AONB boundary review. A further call for potential waste sites concluded at end of February 2024 and it is likely the Preferred Options will be published in 2025. North Park Quarry (Sibelco) The Liaison Group met in May and November 2023. Work on the Brewer Street sand extraction area has started with an archaeological survey and footpath diversions being put in place. There will be a bridleway running above the Brewer Street and Pendell sites although this will require water diversion measures. The area of “Big Pickle” has moved into the Aftercare phase and it is planned to reopen the footpath which runs above it towards North Park Lane in due course. There have been issues with rising groundwater and there is a planning application for a management plan including drainage into Mercers West Lake yet to be determined. Mercers South Quarry (J & J Franks) Sand extraction is continuing with activity currently permitted until 2036. The landscape is being restored using inert waste imported from offsite. The planning application to install a crusher facility to process construction, demolition and excavation waste and recover soil for use onsite as backfill was passed. Kings Farm (iGas) The site on Tilburstow Hill Road continues to produce gas and oil but the application to generate hydrogen was refused. TAG-A25 (A25 Traffic Action Group) Meetings were held in March and September with representatives from Nutfield, Bletchingley and Godstone and our local district and county councillors. Discussions have included the impact that planning applications for Ashill housing development at Godstone quarry and Nutfield Green Park might have on traffic on A25, HGV movements, concerns about the condition of Nutfield High Street and air quality monitoring. QOG (Quarry Observation Group) The group has continued to be active during 2023, meeting in May, June and October. It has expanded to include some of the neighbours of the extended area being quarried in Brewer Street and Pendell, some of whom now attend the North Park Quarry Liaison Group meetings. Air Quality The Parish Council is funding NOx (Nitrogen dioxide) Diffusion tubes which have been placed at six sites along A25. These are changed monthly and sent off for analysis. High concentrations of NOx in the air can have negative health implications and affect the environment. We are pleased to report that so far the annual mean readings detected have fallen within the statutory maximum concentration level but we will continue to monitor the same sites in 2024. Councillor Elisabeth Sherlock
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 8 Tree Management & Biodiversity The Parish Council continues to maintain the trees on Tilgate Common, the Cemetery, the new Cemetery, Stychens Field, the High Street and the allotments at Little Common Lane and Stychens sites. A tree survey was completed late last year and initial tree works have now been completed. This included the felling of a tree on Tilgate Common which had developed a nasty low level split. Additional works are required in 2025 and 2026 and the Parish Council will be arranging the a resurvey in 2026. Later this year we will be applying for planning permission to continue with the pruning of the trees on the High Street in front of the Whyte Harte Hotel. Despite the numerous named storms this period trees on land owned by the Parish Council have survived with little damage. Elsewhere trees that have fallen have been cleared quickly by landowners or Surrey County Council (SCC). SCC and local landowners have also been carrying out some preventative work felling trees close to roads in the local area. The Parish Council will be looking at biodiversity in the Parish as this is now an area which has been added to our responsibilities. The Parish Council are managing the new cemetery, Stychens field and Tilgate common with biodiversity in mind, however, if anyone has any ideas or thoughts on the topic please let us know. Councillor Paul Tarrant Hevers Pond Hevers pond is a permanent spring fed pond on the southern end of the Village off Outwood Lane and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Unfortunately, last Summer it went down to practically nothing, but we are glad to say has now filled up again. It is an important habitat for many species of animals and plants including five of Britain’s seven native species of amphibians are present and breeding in Hevers Pond including the Great Crested Newt. There is also a lot of Wildlife on the pond including at this time of year nesting moor hens & ducks, which is why you are asked not to go into the water or throw things in the pond. Please keep your dogs under control so as not to upset or cause problems with the very young birds. If you see anything down there that concerns you, please contact Linda 07815842133. Councillor Linda Baharier Footpaths Public footpaths around the village continue to be a wonderful resource for the village. During the last year we have reported a number of problems with signage, stiles and downed trees and local landowners, and removed a number of downed trees brought down by storms. We are grateful to local landowners who have also removed many downed trees. Surrey Council Council are responsible for footpaths. Problems with footpaths can be reported to the Parish Clerk (with clear description please) or reported directly to Surrey County Council at: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/do-itonline/report-it-online Councillor Ian Borman
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 9 Neighbourhood Watch/Police Liaison Crimes in the village remain relatively low with sheds, outbuildings and vehicles remaining the main targets. There has also been an increase in criminal damage, often projectiles shot from moving cars. There are however a number of crimes which have not been reported to the police. It is important to report all crimes as this provides a better picture of crime in the area. Online crime and scams continue with ever more inventive ways to attempt to make you part with large sums of money, or worse access to your bank account, debit and credit cards. Please remain vigilant and always remember that the police and banks will never ask for bank details and PIN numbers, so never ever give them out. The Neighbourhood watch team remains without a coordinator. Neighbourhood watch does make a difference and has an impact on crime in the area. If anyone is interested, please contact the Parish Clerk or a councillor. Councillor Paul Tarrant Community Speedwatch We have a Speedwatch coordinator and a small team of volunteers who have carried out some Speedwatch sessions, catching a number of speeding vehicles. The weather, however, has been against the team as has the small number of volunteers who like us all have limited time. Traffic issues in particular traffic calming is high on residents priority list for the Parish Council and the Parish Council continue to receive representations wanting something done. SCC has carried out a traffic speed survey which showed average traffic speeds to be a little over 30 mph, peak speeds were considerably higher. Speedwatch is an effective deterrent to speeding so if there is anyone prepared to be part of the team and help make a difference, please contact the Parish Clerk or a councillor. Councillor Paul Tarrant
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 10 Traffic Incidents Given the high-profile accidents that have occurred in the last year, resulting in serious injury to a pedestrian on the A25, a car accident at the top of the High Street and then more recently a fatality in Outwood Lane alongside a number of other minor accidents and near misses it was inevitable that traffic calming measures was listed as the councils first priority. The Parish Council has met with Surrey County Council (SCC) Highways and we have put forward a number of proposals. After pressure from the Parish Council, Highways has also been monitoring the speed of vehicles through the village centre, which we await the results. While ultimately it comes down to Surrey Highways budget and priorities, the Parish Council will continue to do everything in its power to push Highways and our Surrey County Councillor for additional improvements. In the meantime, the Parish Council has invested in a sign at the kissing gate access to Grange Meadow. Trees along the verge with Grange Meadow have also had work done to improve sightlines. The Parish Council do maintain a Traffic Incident Register which helps us continue to put pressure on Surrey Highways so please report any traffic incidents (whether accidents or near misses) across the village to the Clerk (Bletchingleyclerk@btinternet.com). Councillor Sally-Anne Ray & Dick Kiss Transport Gatwick Airport -The main issues being discussed with the stakeholders are the new Airspace Modernisation and the Expansion of the Northern runway . Airspace Modernisation - The Government and the CAA are leading a programme to modernise and redesign UK airspace. There are 21 airports working with the Government to redesign UK airspace, including London Gatwick. The programme is called the Future Airspace Strategy Implementation South (FASI-S) initiative. All airports affected, including London Gatwick, will lead their own airspace changes below 7,000 feet. Changes will be overseen by the CAA and follow the airspace change process set out in the CAA’s CAP 1616. All desired new routes (Stage 2) were submitted by LGW on 1 September 2023. On October 17 the CAA approved Gatwick to progress to Stage 3 which will involve Full Appraisal and public consultation With the aim to integrate their proposals into an overall system wide airspace design for London and the Southeast Runway expansion - The Northern Runway is currently limited to acting as a taxiway, only available when the Main Runway is out of use. Gatwick’s planning application proposes repositioning the centre line of the Northern Runway 12 metres north to allow dual runway operations. Construction could start in 2025 and be completed and ready for operational use by the end of the decade. Gatwick Airport submitted their Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) on 6 July 2023 - outlining their plan for the use of the Northern Runway as a routine Route.
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 11 The second week of the planning application examination by a panel of experts has now been completed (started on Feb 27). The Planning Inspectorate have now published their 'Rule 8' letter which gives the timetable for the next batch of hearings, there are more oral hearings and written submission deadlines between now and the end of August. Redhill Aerodrome - In air space parlance, Redhill users are categorised as “general aviation” and their planes do not come within the remit of the CAA’s deliberations on the future of SE airspace. The aerodrome is continuing to operate as best it could, despite the exceptionally wet weather which had caused a significant number of flying days to be lost. Furthermore, the increasing trend for home working was reflected in the unlet office space on the site. An ACP (Airspace Change Proposal) has been submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority to enhance the capabilities of the Air Ambulance and National Police Air Service flights from the Aerodrome. The procedures would: ▪ enable increased utilisation of air ambulance aircraft, with the potential to deliver significant improvements to patient outcomes; and ▪ be likely to expand the operational capability of the NPAS resource based at Redhill and would provide an enhanced service to the region. During the last Redhill Aerodrome Committee, attention was also drawn to the incident on 25th August 2023 when a “BE76 wing tip struck a vehicle which was parked behind the white safety line”. The Aerodrome Manager explained that, while the pilot had admitted the error, the aerodrome was seeking to reduce the number of vehicles permitted to be airside. Bus services – These have proved to be far more reliable than in the past. Vehicle Charging - Connected Kerb and Surrey County Council have formed a partnership to deliver an EV chargepoint network across Surrey The participating organisations will be working together to install thousands of chargepoints across the county in the coming years, forming the new Surrey EV Chargepoint Network. The agreement will last for the next 15 years with a phased approach that will see public chargepoints installed on residential streets (especially households with no offstreet parking) and car parks. There is no cost to join the contract. The contract was procured through the CCS Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Solutions framework. Connected Kerb will pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the EV chargepoints. Councillor Emy Verzani
BLETCHINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024 12 PARISH COUNCILLORS ▪ Ian Borman (Chair) ▪ Linda Baharier ▪ Kathrine Everett ▪ Dick Kiss ▪ Sally-anne Ray ▪ Liz Sherlock ▪ Paul Tarrant ▪ Emy Verzani-Matthews ▪ Barbara Wantling PARISH CLERK ▪ Janette Coulthard ▪ Phone: 07483 410 506 ▪ E-Mail info@bletchingley.org.uk ▪ Website www.bletchingley.org.uk PARISH OFFICE ▪ Sports Pavilion, Grange Meadow ▪ Opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30am to 12:30pm COUNCIL MEETINGS The Parish Council has its main meetings on the second Monday of the month and, if needed, a Planning meeting, usually held on the last Monday of the month. The public may attend any meeting and raise matters or ask questions during the Residents Request agenda item. Agendas are published three working days before meetings and can be found on the BPC Notice Board located in the High Street or by visiting the website. The Minutes are also available on the Website. COMMUNITY ASSETS is responsible for, and operates: ▪ 2 Allotment sites (35 plots) ▪ 2 Grazing fields ▪ The Cemeter Woodland burial areas) ▪ Stychens Lane Playing Field ▪ Tilgate Common ▪ Viewpoint, Caterham ▪ The Pound (by Castle Square) ▪ The War Memorial ▪ 6 x CCTV cameras ▪ Defibrillator at the Village School. ▪ Bus Shelter, Notice boards, Seats, Picnic Tables. ▪ Kiosk, Christmas Lights ▪ Air Quality Monitoring NOX Tubes th ABOUT THE COUNCIL 2023 – 2024