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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 Jon Griffiths Chair Anthony Shutes, Bracken Close Treasurer Mike Smith, The Drive 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 9th June 2021 via Zoom. The next GM is planned for 2023. All Minutes are stacked below. Minutes of 22nd June 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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