Felbridge Parish Council

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

Last updated 14.6.18

INFORMATION FROM TANDRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL REGARDING THE OAK PROCESSIONARY MOTH

You may or may not have heard of the Oak Processionary Moth (OPM). OPM is a moth which nests in oak trees and feeds on oak leaves, and large populations can strip trees bare, leaving them weakened and vulnerable to other threats. A protein in the caterpillars' tiny hairs can cause skin and eye irritations, sore throats and breathing difficulties in people and animals who come into contact with them.

https://www.forestry.gov.uk/oakprocessionarymoth#Introduction

Oak Processionary Moth is now confirmed within Tandridge (to my knowledge for the first time), and seeing as it’s as far south as South Godstone I think it’s fair to say that we will be seeing much more of it in the future.

It should be noted that Tandridge is located within the area designated as the ‘Control/Buffer Zone’ which surrounds the London ‘Core Zone’ where eradication is now considered impossible. Within the Control Zone areas it is mandatory for public bodies such as County, District, and Parish Councils to report any infestations and eradicate them. Currently the Forestry Commission pays for eradication on private land. The following link explains it all:

https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/beeh-9uzgku

Oak trees can survive defoliation because it happen early enough in the season for a second flush of leaves to be formed. Oak trees should not be removed as a control mechanism as there are effective treatments and the risk to humans and animals is only over short period of time whilst the caterpillars are active.

Please do read the information available from the Forestry Commission website from the links provided.

CRAWLEY DOWN ROAD RESURFACING

Surrey County Council recently announced additional funding for B roads in Surrey which were in most need of repair.  The Parish Council could only select one road so chose Crawley Down Road and submitted a detailed bid for funding.  The bid has been successful and Crawley Down Road will be included in the first batch of roads to be resurfaced.  The bid was supported by County Councillor Lesley Steeds.  Dates and details are to be confirmed.

Tandridge District Council Additional Recycling - Door Step Collection

You can recycle textiles, paired shoes, small electrical items and batteries every week in your own plastic bags, by leaving them out with your food waste caddy.

All you need to do is:

1. Place each type of item in a separate supermarket carrier bag (no larger than 35 x 40cm and not in black bin bags).
2. Put batteries in a separate, sealable/tied up small bag eg a sandwich bag.
3. Tie each bag.
4. Leave the bags at the front of your property boundary next to your food waste caddy on your usual recycling/waste collection day by 6am.

For further information visit https://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Recycling-and-rubbish/Recycling/Textiles-electricals-and-battery-collections

Bulky rubbish clearance weekends 2018

Residents with large bulky items of rubbish, such as furniture that can’t be re-used, can get rid of them at one of the bulky rubbish clearance weekends listed below. At each of the sites a rubbish vehicle will be available to take bulky goods.

Saturday 14 April, Saturday 1 September, Saturday 24 November

Bletchingley

7.30am-10.45am: Coneybury | 7.30am-10.45am: Clare Cottages | 12pm-2.15pm: St Catherine’s Cross

Blindley Heath

12pm-2.15pm: Cottenhams

Godstone

7.30am-10.45am: Club Road, The Green | 12pm-2.15pm: Opposite Evelyn Gardens

South Godstone

7.30am-10.45am: Sports Association car park

South Nutfield

12pm-2.15pm: North Station Approach

Saturday 21 April, Saturday 8 September, Saturday 1 December

Dormansland

7.30am-10.45am: Hollow Lane Garages |12pm-2.15pm: Newhache

Lingfield

7.30am-10.30am: The Star Public House

Smallfield

7.30am-2.15pm: Wheelers Lane

Saturday 28 April, Saturday 15 September, Saturday 8 December

Hurst Green

7.30am-10.45am: Community Centre | 12pm-2.15pm: Coldshott

Limpsfield

12pm-2.15pm: Stoneleigh Road

Oxted

7.30am - 9.45am: Council Offices, Oxted | 10am-12.15pm: Chalkpit Wood

Tandridge

12.30pm-2.15pm: Car park behind St Peter’s School

Tatsfield

7.30am-10.45am: Village hall car park

What can be accepted at the sites

Large items including ceramics, furniture, garden waste, glass, household rubbish, metal items and up to two washing machines..

COUNCIL TAX RATE 2018-2019

Tandridge District Council have agreed an increase of £2.99% (for a Band D property) in their share of the council tax for 2018/2019. This means Band D council tax will increase by £6.09 to £209.71, which is less than 12p 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.

 

FROM HIGHWAYS ENGLAND

M23 CLOSURES FOR RESURFACING - APRIL 2018  (Updated March 2018)

A-one+ Integrated Highways Services, on behalf of Highways England will be carrying out some resurfacing work northbound on the M23 between junction 10 (Copthorne) and junction 9 (Gatwick).

Weekend closures northbound

Three out of the four weekend closures have now taken place.  The final closure will take place between:

• Friday 20th April 10pm – Monday 23rd April 4am

Northbound traffic for the M25 will exit at junction 10 and follow the A264 through Copthorne, turning left (northbound) onto the A22 at the traffic lights at Felbridge.

Traffic will continue northbound on the A22 through New Chapel, Blindley Heath and South Godstone, reaching the M25 at the junction 6 Godstone interchange.

POTHOLES COPTHORNE ROAD AND CRAWLEY DOWN ROAD

All the pot holes along both these road have been reported to Surrey Highways and an officer has visited the roads.  The response is that aside from three near the entrance to Furnace Wood (Copthorne Road end), none are more than 4cm deep which is the specification set down by Surrey County Council.  The Highways officers would like to help but can't.  If you want to report a pothole please do so online https://www9.surreycc.gov.uk/highwayproblem/LocateProblem.aspx?GISDefectTypeId=8 and then email the reference number to clerkfpc@aol.com so we can keep a record.  

SNOW, ICE AND SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS

In severe weather information about collection delays and cancellations will be available on www.tandridge.gov.uk, by e-mailing customerservices@tandridge.gov.uk or calling 01883 722000

SPEEDWATCH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 

The Parish Council are looking at options for operating Speedwatch within the village and would like anyone interested in volunteering to get in touch.  Please email clerkfpc@aol.com . 

TEMPORARY TOILET IN VILLAGE HALL GROUNDS

The temporary toilet in the Village Hall grounds is now in position and will remain until the end of half term in October. 

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.