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The current committee is as follows:
The Drive (north) Pam Jackman The Drive (south) Susan Millard Mellersh Hill Road (north) Stephen Cork Mellersh Hill Road (south) Chris Kelly Grantley Avenue Suzanne Vermigle Hill Close Ellen Rogers Bracken Close Tom Hayman Chair Mike Smith, The Drive Treasurer Jon Griffiths, Bracken Close The committee proposes to hold a General Meeting every 2 years to elect committee members, review subs and discuss issues relating to the upkeep and safety of the Park . The Last GM was held on 26th June 2023 - see minutes below. The next GM is planned for 2025. All regular Committee & AGM Minutes are stacked below. Wonersh Park Association Committee Meeting Tuesday 26th November 2024 @ 7:30pm Meeting Minutes for Distribution Attendees: Mike Smith (Chair), Jon Griffiths (Treasurer), Suzanne Vermigle (Grantley Avenue Rep), Steve Cork (Mellersh Hill North Rep), Susan Millard (The Drive South Rep), Tom Hayman (Bracken Close Rep), Chris Kelly (Mellersh Hill South Rep), Ellen Rogers (Hill Close Rep) Apologies: Pam Jackman (The Drive North) Finance Update – Jon Griffiths (Treasurer)
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Wonersh Park Association Committee Meeting Thursday 8th February 2024 – 7:30pm Meeting Minutes for Distribution Attendees Mike Smith – Chairman Jon Griffiths – Treasurer Chris Kelly, Ellen Rogers, Pam Jackson, Stephen Cork, Suzanne Vermigle & Janet Paterson - Street Representatives Apologies: Susan Millard (Street Representative) Minutes: Finance Update – Jon Griffiths Treasurer -Bank Account is currently in good health with c. 1 year worth of float -Current £50 resident contribution to remain as is and currently provides c. 5% - 10% above minimum costs for the year which will be critical to enable float for any unforeseen extra costs in a year -C. 50% of 2024 subscriptions now received which is in line with expectations and street reps will continue to monitor and chase to aim for 100% contribution across all 103 residents Community & Social -It was agreed that one of the most important roles of the WPA was to encourage a strong community and establish connectivity between residents within the park -It was noted that recent events for the Jubilee picnic (May 23) and Safari Supper (Nov 23) were well attended and had very strong positive feedback with a desire to do more events like this -The Committee agreed to continue to organize the annual Safari Supper in the Autumn -The Committee also agreed to trial 3 new WP events so that there is an opportunity for the community to come together roughly quarterly:
Ongoing Communication with Residents -The Committee are working on a “welcome pack” for new residents going forwards to support awareness of the WPA as well as making new neighbours feel genuinely welcomed into our community -The Committee recognises that preferences range between the 103 households as to the easiest communication mechanisms between the Committee and residents. It was therefore agreed that we would trial the introduction of a WhatsApp Community Group to enable “Push” announcements to residents. Importantly, this will be in addition to the usual email communications. The core communication group will not be a place for residents to comment or create posts themselves as we understand this has deterred people from joining in the past. -It was also noted that the WhatsApp Communities features would also provide additional opportunities for residents to form sub groups around personal interests to further encourage community and connectivity in the Park. A number of ideas were floated that residents may be interested in (Golf, Running, Walking, Book Club, Cycling, Wine Tasting, Baby Sitting etc). -A separate communication will be made on this shortly both to register to receive the push notifications as well as polling around interest sub groups Planning -Given some recent larger scale planning applications, it was debated whether the WPA should be taking a more active role in highlighting or opining on reasonableness of applications. It was agreed that there should be no change to our core responsibilities and that it remains inappropriate for the WPC to comment on any residential planning applications -Should residents ever be concerned around individual residential planning applications, they should take these up with the council through the established routes and should feel empowered to raise awareness with the local community as appropriate -For the avoidance of doubt, the WPC will not take any action or communicate comments/perspectives in relation to residential planning applications within the park WP Upkeep & Gardening Services -Following discussions with SAGE (who provide gardening maintenance services for the park), it was agreed that we would trial the payment for a tipper lorry to support the removal of vegetation disposal at key points in the year where there is major foliage falling from the islands in the park as a more cost effective solution (vs payment for multiple garden waste bags). This trial is being carried out within existing funding and will have no impact on subsidies -We would like to remind residents that they are individually responsible for the verges outside their own properties -We would also like to remind residents that Surrey County Council (SCC) is responsible for road, verge and tree maintenance. Residents should contact them direct via the SCC website to report issues: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/do-it-online/report-it-online or for example google "Waverly Potholes" -It has been noted that there has been an increase in dog faeces in the park. Whilst it is acknowledged that we do have non residents walking dogs around the Park, we would like to highlight this issue to residents more generally to please act as responsible dog owners where applicable Security & Crime -It was noted that concern in the park had risen around crime levels given a number of cases of intruders either trespassing on private property or indeed break ins -WPC would like to remind residents (especially new arrivals) that we encourage residents to install CCTV cameras and consider appropriate deterrents ( -Where residents install security lights, please do ensure that motion sensors and timers are fitted and that uplighting is ideally avoided or kept to a minimum to respect the Dark Skies nature of Wonersh. -It was noted that, whilst we had looked into CCTV at the entrance to the park, this was not a viable solution given that it would not be admissible as evidence following discussions with the policy -The committee agreed that it would continue to consider joint security measures that may be viable to deter criminal activity -The committee would also like to highlight the importance of reporting any crime or attempted crimes to the police in addition to sharing with local neighbours so that the Police can monitor and adjust patrols and approach accordingly. KEY WPA SOCIAL EVENTS & DATES FOR DIARIES (Details to follow) -Next WPA Committee meeting – 1st May 2024 -Wonersh Park Summer Picnic – Sunday 9th June 2024 -Wonersh Park Safari Supper Night – October 2024 -Wonersh Park Winter Blues Drinks – February 2025 -TBC – Easter Egg Hunt – Easter Weekend 2025 Minutes of the 52nd General Meeting held on Monday 26th June 2023 Welcome The Chair opened the Biennial General (BGM) by welcoming the 25 residents and 8 Committee members present, held in the Wonersh Sports Pavilion. Email notification of the BGM had been cascaded by each Committee rep to their road, three weeks in advance and again a few days in advance of the meeting, as well as being advertised on the Park website. The addition of advertising on an A board at the Park exit was welcomed by all attending. Gigaclear Broadband Presentation 3 members of Gigaclear attended to explain the new fibre broadband offer coming to the Wonersh area, including the Park:
Feedback on the main questions raised via the ‘contact’ section on the Park website over the last 2 years:
Treasurers Report – Mike Smith As of 26thJune 2023 the cash balance position was as follows: YE 2020 close £5,490 YE 2021 close £4,875 YE 2022 close £4,747 YE 2022 estimate ca. £5,000 This year the committee reps have done a sterling job of chasing up residents to pay the full £50 p.a and move to a January payment date (as well as changing from £40 to £50 p.a). A record 95 households have paid this year with 8 still outstanding. The main spend is Sage gardeners (increased to £390 per month) with minor spend for the website and some £50 for net costs of the very successful Coronation street picnic. Most now pay by standing order. Others are asked to follow: Lloyds Godalming Sort code: 30-93-49 Account name: Wonersh Park Association Account number: 00177956 Please include your name and house name as reference. The full treasurers report will be uploaded to the Treasurers section of the WPA website. Park Questionnaire Feedback – Chris Kelly Summary of results from the Park survey in 2022:
Election of Committee The Chair noted and thanked the former treasurer Julian Cathrew for his many years of service to the Park. The Chair has announced he is standing down with Mike Smith offering himself forward as Chair, in turn being replaced by Jon Griffiths offering to stand as Treasurer, in turn being replaced by Janet Paterson offering to stand as rep for Bracken Close. All the other current Road Representative have kindly agreed to continue in office. The election of the Committee was proposed/seconded and the Committee members are confirmed as: Mellersh Hill Road (North) - Stephen Cork Mellersh Hill Road (South) - Chris Kelly The Drive (North) - Pam Jackman The Drive (South) - Susan Millard Grantley Avenue - Suzanne Vermigle Hill Close - Ellen Rogers Bracken Close - Janet Paterson Treasurer - Jon Griffiths Chair - Mike Smith Mike Smith took up the Chair for Other Business (not already covered in the points above) The Chair offered thanks to the outgoing Chair, Anthony Shutes, for all his continuous energy and efforts made on behalf of the community. Tree Status: These are owned by SCC who do undertake tree inspections. Residents with any concerns should report issues online. If they are unhappy with the response of SCC, then they should contact our Surrey County Councilor Kevin Deanus <[email protected]> Barnett Fields Purchase: Anthony Shutes updated the meeting on the Parish Council purchase of 20 acres of land/woods adjacent to the Barnett Hill footpath. The purchase is being bridge funded by a generous resident. Contracts are due to be exchanged soon with the parish owning the freehold, on behalf of the community. Some £200,000 has so far been pledged to help reduce the public works loan (to be repaid over 50 years by an increase in the parish precept component of the council tax). Fund raising continues with a target of a further £100,000 sought. All donations are via the Wonersh Village Foundation charity. Please contact [email protected] to make payments direct to the Wonersh Village Foundation CIO ref: BHF Fund or deliver a cheque c/o Sparkes Place, Wonersh Common, GU5 0PH. Reminder: Wonersh Connections. www.wonershconnections.com has been set up by volunteers to aid village communications and engagement. It has been designed and built by a Park resident, with the support of the Parish Council. This website lists the ca. 40 Wonersh Village organisations, clubs and societies, including their key contact details. Safari Dinner. Following the spectacular success of last year’s dinner, another safari dinner is planned for 11th November 2023. Watch the website and your inbox for details The meeting ended at ca 9 pm. The next BGM is scheduled for June 2025. It was re-confirmed that the GM will continue to be biennial (every 2 years) by show of hands. Minutes of 22nd June 2022 WPA Commmittee Meeting: Attendees – Anthony Shutes, Suzanne Vermigle, Pam Jackman, Ellen Rogers, Chris Kelly, Mike Smith, Jon Griffiths. Apologies – Stephen Cork, Susan Millard.
46 replies (out of 103 houses):
ACTIONS : 1) Ellen/Mike to canvas ideas and propose a social event – possibly this winter. 2) Ellen’s daughter to design a welcome card for new residents. 3) new WPA householder meeting June 2023 to review meeting frequency. 4) Anthony to include minutes ‘Highlights’ on Front page of website
22 households have expressed interest. B4SH has indicated that demand has increased recently and hence a threshold of 60 households would be required to trigger a formal evaluation. No further action will be taken by the Committee.
Some 90% of households have paid, although a few have only paid £40 as opposed to the £50 requested. ACTION : Road reps to chase the outstanding fees and request standing orders are updated to be paid each January.
A host for a camera system and power has been agreed in principle at the Park entrance. The committee proposed boundary conditions of a) user pays, and b) no obligation on the host or committee members to provide security footage on request. ACTION : Mike to continue evaluation of cost and security footage recovery protocol. This would then be emailed to all residents seeking an ‘expression of interest’. 24th Jan 2022 Committee Meeting Summary and Actions: 1. New online Bank account is now set up and the status of 2021 fees received reconciled. Status spreadsheet issued by Treasurer 25th Jan.. ACTION : committee reps to follow up the small number of fees still outstanding for last year. 2. Draft invoice for the 2022 fees (at £50) approved. ACTION : Committee reps send email to all, with request to those already paid, to please pay the additional £10 due for this year and to amend standing order to £50 for next year. 3. Wide ranging discussion on draft Questionnaire prepared by Chris Kelly. Key discussion on whether the option of setting up a Park wide WhatsApp group, with consensus that the current email cascade worked well and would be confused by a further WhatsApp group, with GDPR concerns that all mobile numbers become public. ACTION : Chris to make changes and circulate to committee for final comments. 4. Jubilee Celebration (2-5th June). Committee fully supports concept of a Park event if there is demand. It was agreed to have a second questionnaire, to canvas interest in having a street party and availability of volunteers to help organise. It was noted this was half term and many might be away. ACTION: Chris to prepare small questionnaire, to circulate to committee for final comment. 5. AOB. a) Suzanne Vermigle has researched options for keep left signs on each of the 3 main islands. Discussion concluded that the advantages were outweighed by the disadvantage that trucks had difficulty going left, to turn right, and damage the verges doing so. b) Rural broadband provider B4SH has approached the chair to see if residents are interesting in superfast fibre optic broadband. Their system has currently reached Derryswood and could be extended across the road and fields to enter the Park via Mellersh Hill road residences, subject to landowner approvals. The Park is not zoned for the Digital Voucher scheme and hence users would be required to advance fund some £2500 per household. There are extra difficulties and no doubt costs in crossing Surrey CC owned verges and roads in the Park. It was felt that take up of this would be limited, but we would consult further with B4SH to clarify costs, schedule and practicalities. ACTION: Chair to consult and revert to committee and residents. c). Rumours abound the Seminary is being purchased by Longacre, for a new senior school. Should this happen there with be increased traffic and possibly sports grounds on the fields behind Mellersh Hill Road. This is speculation at present, We are unlikely to know the status until plans are made public and planning permission sought. The chair, with his Parish Council hat, will be one of the first to hear anything firm and will forward any information when available, for residents to then consider what actions might be needed. 29th Nov 2021 Committee Meeting: Summary and Actions: 1. Committee expressed deepest condolences to the Sharpe family on the tragic death of David and extended thanks to all the work David did on behalf of the WPA. 2. Committee welcomed new member Ellen Rogers to represent Hill Close. 3. Julian to handover all Treasurer responsibilities to our new Treasurer Mike Smith, by end year. 4. Mike, Julian and Chair to meet at Lloyds bank on 17th Dec to effect bank account changes and move to online banking. 5. Julian to complete handover of Mellersh Hill South details to new member Chris Kelly, by end year. Welcome to Chris. 6. Considerable progress made on collection of outstanding 2021 WPA fees. Mike/Julian to collate latest position and advise reps of status and follow-up of late payers. 7. Sage gardening costs have gone up this year due to rate increase, imposition of VAT and extra costs of collecting and disposing of garden waste. Committee noted that we need to collect 100% of the increased fees in 2022 (£50 pa) to cover annual running costs. Chair to ask Sage to copy all invoices to new Treasurer (done). 8. Residents are reminded not to blow garden waste off their verge frontages on to the islands, as this just increases our costs of waste collection. Committee agreed extra costs of 5 jumbo bags to collect waste build up on the islands, with provision for 5 more bags should they be required. 9. Chair to circulate letter, for 2022 fees, to be cascaded to all residents in January, asking residents to amend online payments to £50 payable by end Feb 2022. 10. Suzanne Vermigle offered to investigate cost of imaginative “keep left signage” for the 5 main islands. 11.Chris Kelly offered to draft proposal for a Park survey on what residents want from the WPA. 12. Strong committee enthusiasm for moving beyond collecting gardening fees and promoting better communication, engagement and community activities across the Park - based on Survey results. 13. Committee expressed thanks to Julian Cathrew for the tireless work he has undertaken as both Treasurer and road representative over many years. 14. Next Committee meeting Monday 24th January 6.30 pm, hosted at Mills Meadow. 9th June 2021 GM minutes: Wonersh Park Association Minutes of the 51st General Meeting held on Wednesday 9th June 2021 via Zoom Welcome The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming the 18 residents and 8 Committee members present. Due to covid19 restrictions the meeting was held via Zoom, with email notification cascaded by each Committee rep to their road, three weeks in advance and again a few days in advance of the meeting, as well as being advertised on the Park website. The Chairman advised two aspects reported in the Park website www.wonershpark.co.uk 1) the ‘news’ section is periodically updated for relevant Neighbourhood Watch and Police information. 2) we have a new Police contact now Phil Snow has moved on; his replacement is PCSO Gavin Greenway, who is based in Cranleigh. See Park website for contact details. Feedback on the main questions raised via the ‘contact’ section on the Park website over the last 2 years: 1. Speeding. A constant issue. As reported in the 2019 meeting minutes getting the speed limit changed to 20 mph is unlikely to be accepted by Surrey CC. The committee sponsored “20 is plenty” bin stickers in 2019 and will order more if residents request them via their Committee rep. 2. Dog mess. A rare but unpleasant event. It still happens at night, so residents are asked to please keep dogs on a lead at night. 3. Litter/fly tipping. The trailer dumped at the park entrance was removed after intervention by the Chairman direct to Waverley officers. Residents generally pick litter dropped on adjacent verges and can join a wider Village litter pick when advertised in the Parish Council website, Facebook Wonersh Past and Present and the Church magazine. 4. Potholes/Tree damage. Surrey County Council do respond when pothole and tree damage is reported online – please report any potholes or tree issues adjacent to your house - see the Park website for how to do this. As you can see many potholes have been filled, albeit not very well! 5. Untended frontages. While Surrey CC own the verges and trees they do not mow them! Accordingly most residents do mow them, and in the interests of biodiversity might consider leaving the grass long through May to August and instead mow a thin strip along the road to keep it looking tidy? 6. Bonfires. Seems to be a growing concern. Residents are asked to do this infrequently (as per Waverley website advice) and only light on windy & non sunny days and therefore not just because it is the day your gardener attends. 7. CCTV. As reported in the 2019 minutes this has been addressed a number of times, with the outcome that the lower cost option of a resident (near the Park entrance) agreeing to host a system with power and wifi, as well as making video evidence available on demand, is an unreasonable burden and intrusive. The alternative of securing independent power and wifi, needing permission of the land owner (Surrey CC) and possibly planning permission, will be high cost compared to installation of a low cost CCTV system in private resident’s drives. A parents Park What Apps group is understood to be relooking at the concept and the Committee is of course open to new ideas as technology changes. 8. Builders work hours. This is not a WPA concern, as this should be covered under conditions imposed by Waverley in the planning consent. For non-planning works, it is suggested you ask your builders to work sensible hours so as not to disturb neighbours. 9. St John Seminary. The Seminary is up for sale including we understand the field backing on to Mellersh Hill Road houses. The Borough and Parish Councils are in discussion with the appointed land agents and await any formal plans submitted. Given the field is in green belt and not designated for building in the draft Local Plan update it is unlikely any building will be proposed. Residents should however arrange to be kept up to date. Treasurers Report – Julian Cathrew As of 31st December 2020 the position was as follows: YE 2019 close £5626 Collections £2999 Expenses £3776 YE 2020 cash balance £5490 This represents only three-quarters of residents paying annual subs in 2020. Residents are asked to pay outstanding subs due for year 2020 and of course this year, 2021. The main spend is on Sage Gardeners who continue to do a satisfactory job. They have however recently increased their charges to £330 per month due to the addition of VAT. Expenditure therefore now exceeds income and the Committee proposed the annual subscription for each household be increased from £40 to £50 per annum, payable in January each year. This was unanimously agreed by those present online. At the last meeting in 2019 The Committee had agreed to investigate if the brick entrance can be reasonably insured; this has been investigated and it is not possible as we are not the owners of the brick entrance – this is technically Surrey CC owned. Some 70% of residents pay by standing order. Others are asked to follow: Lloyds Godalming Sort code: 30-93-49 Account name: Wonersh Park Association Account number: 00177956 Please include your name and house name as reference. The full treasurers report will be uploaded to the Treasurers section of the WPA website. Election of Committee All current members of the Committee have kindly agreed to continue in office, with Chris Kelly offering to stand for Mellersh Hill Road (South), which Julian Cathrew has been covering in the interim. The election of the Committee en block was proposed/seconded and the Committee members are confirmed as: Mellersh Hill Road (North) - Pauline Hawkins Mellersh Hill Road (South) - Chris Kelly The Drive (North) - Pam Jackman The Drive (South) - Susan Millard Grantley Avenue - Suzanne Vermigle Hill Close - David Sharpe Bracken Close - Jon Griffiths Treasurer - Julian Cathrew Chair - Anthony Shutes Any Other Business (not already covered in the 9 points above) Gas smell in Mellersh Hill Road. This has been reported a number of times and is understood to be an old main gas line – residents are encouraged to continue to log a report, as the more you report it, the more it might be replaced! Wonersh Connections. www.wonershconnections.com has been set up by volunteers to aid village communications and engagement. It has been designed and built by a Park resident, with the support of the Parish Council. This website lists the ca. 40 Wonersh Village organisations, clubs and societies, including their key contact details. The meeting ended at 8.10 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for 2023, hopefully back to face to face. 5th June 2019 GM minutes: Minutes of the 50th General Meeting held on Wednesday 5th June 2019 at the Lawnsmead Hall Welcome The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming the 22 residents, 7 Committee members and 4 Guests present. Actions From Previous Meeting
Presentation by PC Philip Snow, Sgt Claire Sutherland
Surrey Neighbourhood Watch Malcolm Taylor attended to advise that the Neighbourhood watch has been resurrected in Surrey and he is appointed co-ordinator. WPA can join for free and can install a sign at the entrance and receive regular bulletins. We agreed to test this and use the Park website to post bulletins. Discussion on local Parish Issues Rod Weale, Chair of the Parish Council, gave a short presentation and kindly took questions:
Treasurers Report – Julian Cathrew As of 31st December 2018 the position is as follows: YE 2017 close £5253 Collections £4115 Expenses £3731 YE 2018 cash balance £5638 The main spend is on Sage Gardeners, currently at £250 per month, who continue to do a satisfactory job. He proposed that the annual subscription for each household be retained at £40 per annum. In response to a question, it is proposed to maintain this level of cash, to cover future contingencies such as entrance brick work repair and likely gardeners cost increase. The Committee also agreed to investigate if the brick entrance can be reasonably insured. Almost all residents now pay the annual fee. Some 70% of residents pay by standing order. Others are asked to set this up if possible, as follows: Lloyds Godalming Sort code: 30-93-49 Account name: Wonersh Park Association Account number: 00177956 Please include your name and house name as reference. The full treasurers report will be uploaded to the Treasurers section of the WPA website. The Park Website www.wonershpark.co.uk has been up and running for 2 years. It has recently been updated to reflect the GDPR guidance and all email amongst residents are now blind copied. We will continue to post Minutes on the site, as well as any useful information in the ‘News’ section. Anyone can contact the Chair via the ‘Contact’ section. Election of Committee Three committee members have stood down – Ann Dorrian, Graham Oliver and Claire Gumpel. Jon Griffiths has in the meantime taken over Bracken Close and Barry Clifford took over Mellersh Hill (South), but has now had to stand down. A huge thank you to all for their contribution. Without volunteers stepping up our Park would not be maintained. All other members of the Committee have kindly agreed to continue in office, with Suzanne Vermigle offering to stand for Grantley Avenue. A vacancy exits for Mellersh Hill Road (South), with Julian Cathrew offering to cover until a replacement comes forward. The election of the Committee en block was proposed/seconded and the Committee members are confirmed as: Mellersh Hill Road (North) - Pauline Hawkins Mellersh Hill Road (South) - Vacancy (Julian as current stand in) The Drive (North) - Pam Jackman The Drive (South) - Susan Millard Grantley Avenue - Suzanne Vermigle Hill Close - David Sharpe Bracken Close - Jon Griffiths Treasurer - Julian Cathrew Chair - Anthony Shutes Any Other Business (some by email)
28th Jan 2019 Committee Minutes: Apologies - Pauline Hawkins, Ann Dorrian 1. The Treasurer (Julian Cathrew) advised that some 90% of residents had paid the 2018 subs - the missing subs being the few who refuse to pay, a few who haven’t answered the doorbell and a few houses which have changed ownership or are empty. 2. The wording of the Data Protection section of the website has been agreed and will now be posted on the website. A reminder please that all emails are to the blind copied. ACTION - Anthony Shutes. 3. It was agreed the WPA will fund some 200 “Twenty” stickers (ca. £200) to be issued to The Drive residents and others who wish to use them on their bins. ACTION and thanks - Susan Millard. 4. It was agreed to keep the subs for 2019 at £40 p.a, with a review for next year if/when the gardeners increase the cost, as expected. Letter attached for sending to residents. ACTION - All. 5. It is proposed the bi-annual AGM be held on Wednesday 5th June 2019. ACTION - Anthony Shutes to check venue and availability of PC Snow plus Chris Couch (Parish Counsellor) and revert to the committee with a Notification to Residents letter. 6. AOB. Following the recent car theft from Grantley Ave, we are again reviewing the practicality of a low cost CCTV system at the Park entrance. Advice is being sought from Security companies. ACTION - Anthony Shutes 11th Dec 2017 Committee Minutes: Apologies from Pam (away) and Julian (stuck at Waterloo). 1. Welcome to Jon Griffiths who has taken over from Claire Gumpel as Bracken Close rep. 2. 2017 subs status - Julian will email status of those paid/not paid. nb. Most have paid. Those not paid to be chased up by the committee reps. 3. 2018 subscription to remain at £40 per household. The main expenditure continues to be the Gardeners, who are doing a good job. A brickwork repair has also been undertaken where a truck damaged the Park entrance wall. Anthony to email an updated request to pay in February, emphasising it is for the calendar year and reminding residents to use direct debit if they can. 4. Actions from 2017 GM: a). Investigate having speed limit reduced to 20 mph. Surrey Highways Department advise the process would be as follows: a) Council to undertake a survey of each road to determine speed statistics b) If the average speeds were above 35 mph then they would consider (ie subject to budget and other priorities) invoking a Traffic Regulation Order, involving notifications to the police and in the local paper requesting feedback. c) If this was unopposed then the existing 30 mph signs would be changed to 20 mph and new signage would be introduced at the park entrance and around the park roads alerting drivers to the new speed limit d) Total cost to the Council would be ca £10,000. This all sounds similar to the last time the WPA investigated this and was rejected by the Park residents. The committee agreed not to proceed. b). Investigate Low Cost CCTV at entrance to the Park. A lower cost concept would be to have a HD infrared motion triggered camera on a tree overlooking the Park entrance, relayed back to a recorder in an adjacent private property, which recorded on a loop overwriting historic video footage every 30 days. In the event of a crime the relevant recording would be downloaded on to a USB for handing over to the police. Indicative cost is £300-500+ depending on camera quality etc plus installation. The issue is the system needs power, courtesy of a private house overlooking the entrance, and a location to store the recording box, and access to the recorder box for testing and recovery after an incident. It also requires approval of the selected tree’s owners. Providing stand alone power with CCTV relayed to a third party security company under a maintenance contract has not been investigated. The committee concluded this was an unreasonable burden to ask a resident. If residents wish to place CCTV in their own driveways then that is up to them. If crime increases in the Park then the concept of a stand alone professional system can be revisited. 5. AOB. a) Pauline raised the thought of sending a Christmas hamper to the recently widowed wife of our Gardeners, who is now running Saffron Garden Services. This was fully supported by the the committee. b) Graham is stepping down as a rep in 2018 and will introduce his proposed replacement. c) Ann is also due to step down and is seeking a replacement. A vote of thanks was given to Graham for his sterling service over many years. Next meeting is planned for mid/late April tbc. The 2017 and 2015 GM minutes are attached as follows: |
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