Since the start of the year Citizens Advice (CAB) have been holding a surgery at Knaphill Methodist Church but due to technical reasons the CAB has had to move. From next week the CAB will be holding a weekly surgery at The Vyne. The surgery will be open from 2.00pm to 4.00pm on a Monday. Residents do not have to make an appointment, anyone needing help should just go along and see an advisor from the CAB at The Vyne.
Attached are the minutes of the KRA Committee meeting in February. KRA Minutes February 2015
In response to the decision by a Planning Inspector gave New Vision Homes & Woking Borough Council permission to build a three storey block of flats on the site of the old library our local Councillors said that they had been against the plans but added that there is a silver lining to the decision because the flats will add to Woking’s stock of social housing. Similar words were used by Woking Borough Council when they signed over Brookwood Farm to Cala Homes. What our Councillors failed to comment on was the fact that although Woking’s own Planning Committee rejected the plans for the old library site on the grounds that is was yet again a piece of overdevelopment for the centre of Knaphill Council leaders agreed with New Vision Homes to appeal the decision reached locally.
The KRA are not arguing against the development of this site but do not believe the plans produced by New Vision Homes is the best use of this land.
Attached are the agreed minutes from the Committee’s January meeting.
The village sign that stood on the High Street outside the old library has required a new coat of paint for some time. Thanks to a generous donation from Tesco’s in Knaphill the KRA can have the sign repainted. Having received permission from Woking Borough Council the sign was taken down this morning, thanks to John and Paul, and is off to be painted.
A number of residents have contacted KRA asking about tree felling in the Park close to Percheron Drive and The Mount. According to Woking’s Tree Officer Serco manage the Park on behalf of the Council and a number of multi stemmed Beech trees have been felled as a matter of urgency due to significant decay having been discovered on the trees. Other felling has been carried out to open up the Park and make it more accessible. The tress are in a Tree Protection Area (TPO) and therefore Serco has to consult the Council’s Arboricultural Officer before felling any tree.
Sergeant Chris Lee who was the neighbourhood police sergeant for Knaphill and Brookwood has taken up a new position within Surrey Police and on behalf of the KRA I would like to say thank you to Chris, I always found him approachable and answered a question as he saw it.
So in Woking we have a new police commander, Nolan Heather and we are to get a new neighbourhood sergeant. We have a police forum meeting scheduled for 7th April at Stef’s Café, Knaphill High Street starting at 7.30pm. An opportunity to find out more about local policing.
Over the last twelve months there have been several reports of fly tipping in the centre of the village. The rubbish dumped has always been the same, a specific brand of empty cooking oil drums (see photograph). It could be the actions of a single person or group of people, whoever they know the village because they dump the containers on private land and out of site of the road. This means that they do not attract the attention of the Council. If anyone has any information please contact the KRA.
The Residents’ Association has been informed by WBC that the planning application to demolish 11 garages and build 3 houses has been withdrawn. The only document on line is a letter from Fielding Architecture to the Planning Officer stating that they had withdrawn the planning application PLAN/2014/0895.
Further to our earlier statement, Woking Borough Council have been economical with the facts. A reporter at Woking Advertiser has been doing some digging and has been informed by someone at WBC that the withdrawn of the planning application is only a temporary move. WBC plan to carry out further survey work at the site and then submit another planning application. (21/01/2015)
Attendees: – Susan Stoker (chairman), Rachel Carney, Yana Petrosyan, Anthony Polak,
Tony Hayes-Allen, Neville Hinks, Phil Stubbs.
Observers: Cllr. Debbie Harlow, Cllr. Saj Hussain
Apologies: – John Butler, Ann Mason, Cllr Melanie Whitehand.
Prior to the start of the Committee meeting Cllr Hussain met 29 residents from Waterers Rise and Barley Mow Close who wanted to express their concern with both the proposed demolition of 11 garages and building of 3 houses on Waterers Rise. Cllr Hussain answered questions.
Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 14th October 2014 were approved and agreed for publication.
Matters Arising
The chairman stated that the majority of items discussed in September had moved on and would be covered by other agenda items.
At the last meeting the idea of a village quiz night was discussed and a tentative date added to the diary, on reflection it was felt that January would be a poor month to run a quiz and that we should also check on what days other organisations held similar events. It was agreed to carry the discussion forward to the New Year.
Litter Pick
Anthony reported that 10 residents, some with children, turned up and 12 sacks of rubbish were filled.
Cllr Harlow reported that one resident who had helped suggested that we should organise a litter pick more than once a year.
Christmas decorations
Phil reported that he had contacted all the businesses that had brackets for Christmas trees and all had indicated that they would want a tree this year. A number had also indicated that they would make a contribution to the costs.
Susan reported that she had obtained some red ribbon and had been make bows for the trees. It was suggested that we also had white ribbon to dress the trees.
Phil proposed that due to costs we did not place the large tree outside the Anchor PH. Both Susan and Cllr Hussain thought that this was a bad move and Cllr Hussain would speak with the landlady to see if the brewery would contribute.
It was asked why a large tree is not placed outside the old library. The reason is lack of electricity supply.
Phil asked members if they could make themselves available on Saturday 29th November to dress the trees and assist with the placing of the trees in their holders.
Action point: All members to assist with the placing of the trees, 29th November 10.00 am.
Vyne bollards
Phil reported that we continued to receive comments on the bollards and that we would be placing an article in the next magazine inviting residents to continue with their comments. In addition to the views on the actual bollards residents had also raised the question of a pedestrian crossing on Redding Way to assist with parents and children crossing that road. There was also a problem with the car park close to the bollards on the Redding Road side. This car park is regularly full as it is used by staff from Alpha hospitals.
Cllr Harlow suggested that the Redding Way also required some speed humps given the problems with speeding.
Where do we go from here? Phil said that the issue around the bollards was directly linked to the bigger problem of traffic in general. He pointed out that the air quality around Anchor Hill traffic lights was to be reviewed in March by the Joint Councils Committee and these bollards should form part of that larger debate.
Action point: Phil to investigate setting up an online petition.
Planning Issues
Phil circulated the revised planning report and he highlighted four current applications.
Waterers Rise development had been fully discussed prior to the formal meeting.
Good news in that the proposed development at Copthorne Meadows farm had been rejected. Bad news, New Vision Homes had appealed the decision of the Planning Committee to reject the proposed development of the old library site. At the time of this meeting WBC had not published any details of the appeal.
Cllr Hussain reported that the application from the owners of 48 Lower Guildford Road to build a bungalow in the garden was scheduled to be discussed at the next meeting of the Planning Committee.
Knaphill Schools
Phil reported that Knaphill School and Brookwood School had recently been revisited by Ofsted inspectors. They had been revisited because there last full inspections had failed to achieve a satisfactory outcome. The inspectors had now reported that standards in both schools had improved but that there was still a long way to go.
John had received a copy of a consultation document from the chair of Knaphill Governors. The consultation was on the idea that Knaphill School and Knaphill Lower School should become a federation of Schools. This would mean that both schools would retain their independence from a teaching position but there would be a single Executive Headteacher and a single governing body. Having read the consultation report Phil suggested that he felt that proposal made good sense.
It was agreed that Phil should write on behalf of the KRA agreeing to the proposal and offering the Governors the Residents’ Association support.
Treasurer’s report
Yana reported that all cheques had now been banked and that she was working on the end of year accounts.
Secretary’s report
Phil informed the Committee of a letter he had received from Jonathan Lord MP which outlined an investigation into GP coverage in Woking. Phil had also written to NW Surrey CCG with regards to GP coverage around Knaphill given the development on Brookwood Farm. To date Phil had not received a reply from the CCG.
Phil reported that it was almost 12 months since the KRA was asked to find new leaders for the Cabin Youth Club. We had persuaded Donna to take on the role of leader and Phil had agreed to assist in the role of secretary/treasurer. Rachel also assisted as a volunteer. However given the lack of volunteers Phil was now helping out on a weekly basis. He stated that the work was both challenging and rewarding. During the next 12 months Woking BC and Surrey CC were reviewing all their youth work and it was important that Knaphill was not, again, left out when it comes to support from the local authorities.
Given the work with The Cabin and other responsibilities Phil reported that he had informed John that he would be standing down as Secretary to the KRA at the next AGM. Phil reported that John had asked if Phil would stay on and deal with planning issues. Phil had replied that if that was the wish of the members then he would stay on the Committee in that capacity but he could not continue with the current work load.
Any other business
10.1 Cllr. Hussain reported that WBC was planning to convert the old tennis court on Sussex Road recreation ground into a schools car park. The car park would have gates that would only be open during school hours but could also be used by the members of the bowls club. Outside these specific hours the space would be closed to vehicles and return to being a play area. Cllr. Hussain was asked what was being done about the standing water in the small children’s play area. Cllr. Hussain replied that WBC would deal with drainage as part of the project. Phil asked if this change of use would require planning permission. Cllr Hussain said no but agreed it was important that local residents were consulted.
10.2 Cllr. Hussain reported that there were plans to resurface and extend the car park at Waterers Park.
10.3 Susan asked if the Councillors had any news on a replacement for the village sign at the bottom of Anchor Hill. Cllr Hussain stated that they were still working on it.
10.4 Susan reported that she was still in communication with Barclay’s Bank re the redundant sign outside their office.
Susan was also in contact with WBC re the tree stump outside the cycle shop. WBC had missed several deadlines on the removal of this tree stump.
10.5 Cllr. Hussain reported that he had a bunch of young people who were willing to carry out community work like hedge trimming for elderly people.
10.6 Cllr Harlow reported that Rev Richard Sherlock had announced that he was leaving Knaphill for a position elsewhere. Richard and his wife will be missed and it was agreed to invite him to out December buffet for volunteers.
Dates for the diary
10 December Christmas party for Committee members plus the volunteers who deliver magazine.
6 January 2015 KRA Committee meeting, Stef’s 7.30pm
Meeting closed
myKnaphill 