Felbridge Parish Council

Detailed information on all discussions and decisions made by FPC, including planning applications, can be found under the Minutes tab.

FELBRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL – COUNCILLOR/RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER VACANCY

Our Responsible Financial Officer/Councillor will be moving on from March 2018 and the Parish Council would like to recruit a new RFO.  If you would like to be part of the friendly group of volunteers who make up the Parish Council and have relevant skills and experience, please contact the Parish Clerk on clerkfpc@aol.com for an informal discussion. 

Parish Councillors attend the monthly full Parish Council meetings which take place on the first Thursday of each month (excluding January and August) and shorter planning meetings which take place on the third Thursday of each month.  The RFO is also responsible for maintaining monthly financial records and preparing the year end accounts for the auditor.  It is estimated that on a monthly basis the RFO role would take about two hours a week with additional time at year end.  A role specification is below for information.

Overall Responsibilities:

The Responsible Finance Officer is responsible for ensuring that the instructions of the Council with relation to financial matters are carried out. The person appointed will be accountable to the Council for the effective management of finances and will report to them as and when required.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. To prepare and balance final accounts in accordance with regulations.

2. To produce accounts and records for internal and external audit in accordance with regulations.

3. In conjunction with the Parish Clerk prepare estimates for budget settings.

4. To prepare precept for submission to the District Council and any breakdown requested by the required dates.

5. To prepare monthly financial reports for the Council recording expenditure against budget.

6. To ensure invoices are paid in a timely manner and revenue is received into the bank account. 

7. To prepare quarterly bank reconciliations.

8. To complete VAT returns and ensure that all eligible funds are recovered.

9. To manage insurance risk – provide schedules for the internal auditor to review and make sure risk assessments are up to date. 

TANDRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL GARDEN VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

The Local Plan: Garden Villages Consultation starts at 9am on Monday 14 August and will run until 5pm on Monday 9 October. This consultation is an opportunity for residents to have their say on the vision, objectives and principles of a garden village development as well as the potential location. A garden village development forms part of the preferred strategy the Council is pursuing in preparing the Local Plan.  The Garden Villages Consultation document will be available to view on the website from 14 August at www.tandridge.gov.uk/localplan. The website also contains information about how to take part in the consultation and a Get the Facts leaflet.

In addition, anyone can make comments by:

Visiting our consultation portal at http://consult.tandridge.gov.uk/portal.

E-mailing us at localplan@tandridge.gov.uk.

Writing to us at Tandridge District Council, 8 Station Road East, Oxted RH8 0BT. 

Councillor Peter Bond, Chairman of the Planning Policy Committee, said: “We hope to see many of you at one of our public exhibition events and look forward to meeting you and hearing your views. There are many different ways to have your say and we would like to encourage all our residents to take part in this important consultation and help us shape the future of our district.”

A22 ROADWORKS

These roadworks take place outside Felbridge but may affect local residents.

Surrey County Council will be carrying out road repairs and drainage works on the A22 for approximately 6 to 8 weeks from 24 July-18 September.  The A22 Eastbourne Road will be closed from the Godstone Bypass roundabout to the junction with Miles Lane and Harts Lane. The road will be closed 24 hours a day due to the extensive excavation work to both lanes of the road. There will be a signed diversion in route place for the duration of the works. You can view the diversion route at www.surreycc.gov.uk/roadworks. Please look out for advance warning signs for any date changes or check on www.roadworks.org. More detailed information on these works can be found on www.A22.today, call 0300 200 1003 or e-mail contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk.  

TEMPORARY TOILET IN VILLAGE HALL GROUNDS

A temporary toilet has been again placed in the Village Hall grounds.  It is located at the back of the Village Hall near the playground and adult gym.  The facility will be in place until October half-term.

SHANLY HOMES DEVELOPMENT (Copthorne Road) - REPORTING ILLEGAL PARKING

The Parish Council have been working with the developers at the Shanly Homes development near the junction of the Copthorne and Crawley Down Road in an effort to avoid the risk of accident and reduce the impact of the development on local residents and road users. 

At the request of Felbridge Parish Council, Surrey Police are closely monitoring the issues relating to vehicles parking illegally on the Crawley Down Road near to the junction with Copthorne Road.  It is illegal for a vehicle to park within 10m of a junction. This equates to at least two car lengths.  Anyone who witnesses a vehicle illegally parked is asked to call 101 and make a report.  Please provide a description of the vehicle and if possible the vehicle registration number.  

To help assess the impact of such parking, please email clerkfpc@aol.com with the details so a record can be kept. If you're walking or a passenger in a car please provide a photograph if safe to do so.  

(posted 27th March 2017)

COUNCIL TAX 2017-2018

Tandridge District Council have agreed an increase of £5 (for a Band D property) in Tandridge District Council’s share of the council tax for 2017/2018.

This means Band D council tax will increase by £5, which is just 10p a week. Tandridge District Council’s share of the Council Tax helps fund a wide range of services including recycling and waste collection, planning, street sweeping, housing, housing benefits and children’s play areas.

Surrey County Council, which provides services including schools, adult social care, children services, roads, fire and rescue and libraries, together with the office of the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, have both agreed to increase their Band D level for 2017/2018.

Surrey County Council’s Council meeting of 7 February agreed a council tax rise of 4.99% in 2017/2018 which includes 3% for social care.

Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner agreed an increase of 1.99% at its meeting on 6 February. 

BUS SERVICE TO GATWICK FOR FELBRIDGE RESIDENTS

APH based behind the Shell Garage are offering Felbridge residents and their family and friends return coach travel to and from Gatwick airport from their terminal on the Copthorne Road. The return fare costs £5 per person.  There's no restriction on when the return journey is made and it can also be used for day trips, for example if travelling by train to London.  
Coaches run every 10-15 minutes, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
This service may be used by commuters travelling by train, plane, etc
There is no parking available with this product, it is a transfer service only
Customers must book in advance and phone 01342 710071 and quote the code FELBR.

FOOD RECYCLING BINS

Residents can now line their food waste caddy with plastic bags or liners, which makes it easier, cleaner and cheaper to recycle food waste. You can use anything from old shopping bags to bread or salad bags, but not black bin bags or plastic food packaging.

To find out more visit www.recycleforsurrey.org.uk.  

ADVICE FROM THE FORESTRY COMMISSION REGARDING OAK TREES

Alert for caterpillar pest in oak trees 
  People in parts of London, northern Surrey, West Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire are being reminded to look out for and report caterpillars of the oak processionary moth (OPM), which could be damaging oak trees in the area. 
  They are also advised to keep away from the caterpillars and their nests, because their hairs can cause itching skin rashes and other health problems, and to report sightings to the Forestry Commission. 
  OPM is a tree pest which was accidentally introduced to England. They feed on oak leaves, and in large numbers they can severely defoliate trees and leave them vulnerable to other pests, diseases and drought. 
  Their tiny hairs contain a protein which can cause itchy skin rashes and, less frequently, eye and throat irritations and breathing difficulties in people and animals. The hairs can be blown on the wind, and left in their nests on and under oak trees. The greatest risk period is May to July, when the caterpillars are active, although nests should not be touched at any time. 
  The Forestry Commission, councils and land managers are tackling the pest with a carefully controlled programme of oak tree treatment and nest removal. Alison Field, the Commission's South-East England Director, said the public could play an important role in helping to control the pest by reporting sightings. 
  “We need reports of the caterpillars or their nests from the public or others, such as gardeners, tree surgeons and ground-care workers, who work or relax near oak trees,” Ms Field said. “However, they should not try to remove the caterpillars or nests themselves. This needs to be carefully timed to be effective, and is most safely done by specially trained and equipped pest control experts.” 
  Dr Deborah Turbitt, London Deputy Director of Health Protection for Public Health England, endorsed the ‘don’t touch’ advice, saying: 
  “We strongly advise people not to touch or approach the caterpillars or their nests because of the health risks posed by the hairs. Pets and livestock can also be affected, and should be kept away as well. The Forestry Commission website has pictures to help identify the pest. 
  “See a pharmacist for relief from milder skin or eye irritations following possible OPM contact, or consult a GP or NHS111 for more-serious reactions. Contact a vet if animals are more seriously affected. 
  “We have issued advice to local GPs and health professionals to help them identify when patients have been affected by the caterpillars, and to advise them on treatment.” 
  Infested oak trees should be treated by qualified operators under strict controls to ensure it is safe for people, pets, livestock and the environment. 
  • Report OPM sightings to the Forestry Commission, preferably with its Tree Alert on-line form available from www.forestry.gov.uk/opm1. Anyone who cannot use Tree Alert may email or telephone reports to opm@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or 0300 067 4442. 
  • Health advice is available from the “Insects that bite or sting” area of the NHS Choices website, www.nhs.uk/livewell. 
  • Anyone pruning or felling oak trees in the affected areas should contact Forestry Commission England’s Tree Health Unit beforehand onopm@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or 0300 067 4442 for advice about safe removal of the material. 
  • Further information is available from www.forestry.gov.uk/opm1. 

COVERED SEATING AREA

The new shelter has now been installed in the Village Hall grounds.

DEFIBRILLATOR

A defibrillator has now been installed next to the entrance to the Village Hall.  To access the equipment you first need to dial 999 and the emergency services will provide a code to open the cabinet.  The equipment works automatically with audible instructions on use.  It will not work if not correctly positioned so is safe to use.  The equipment and location were selected with advice from our local First Responder and SECAmb.