The meeting was opened at 20:10 by Ian Nelson, Chairman, with approximately 60 residents present.
Ian Nelson thanked all residents for attending and also Councillors Roger Whittaker,
David Tipping and James Vickers and PC Phillip Jebb representing the police.
Apologies were received from Councillors John Butcher and Jan Fuller and PC Lee Fabry
The meeting was started by PC Jebb (who was kindly representing the police in PC Lee Fabry's absence) as he had limited time available. He informed us that one of the PCSOs, Eugene Terblanche, has left the area and is now in training to become a police constable. A replacement will be arriving in approximately two weeks. PC Jebb offered to answer questions from the residents and Michael Davidson, Woodlands Lane expressed concern over speeding and said he had written to the police and the council about it. PC Jebb answered that James Eames, Traffic Officer for Elmbridge, had been working in the area and observing the problems. The concern over heavy lorries is more of a council issue than a police one but it would be noted. There is still the problem of autograph hunters outside the entrance to Chelsea's Training Ground and further discussions will be held with Chelsea to see if they can make things safer. It is a problem as the 'fans' are on the pavement and not breaking any laws but there is the safety issue of crossing the road as the cars come out and the possibility of stepping or falling onto or in front of a vehicle. It was also noted that there have recently been wires placed across the Stoke Road as a traffic check.
PC Jebb said crime was generally low in our area. The next Police Panel meeting will be on 2nd December when local issues can be raised again.
Annual Accounts: The unaudited draft accounts were printed on the back page of the agenda. The Association has a surplus of 65 pounds but more subscriptions were collected at the door. Ian Nelson thanked Jenny Vickers, Treasurer, for her work in the past year and also Nigel Stevens for auditing the books. Nigel Stevens was asked if he would kindly audit the accounts for the coming year and he agreed.
As all the committee had agreed to stand for another year the election was proposed by Barry Jones and seconded by John Stevens.
Ian Nelson next introduced Councillor James Vickers, Mayor of Elmbridge and Rosemary his wife and Mayoress. James Vickers had agreed to come along to the AGM and give those present a short insight into his duties as mayor. James and Rosemary have attended 205 events since being elected on 20th May and will probably top 600 by the end of the mayoral year. James has lived in the area for over 30 years and has served on the council for 17 of those. James said how proud he was to be elected and how much he is enjoying duties as mayor so far. The office of mayor dates back to the Normans, the Doomsday book, Feudal system etc. and although the position does not carry the powers it originally had, it is still a symbol of authority in society but the position is now open to all regardless of race or gender and is no longer the privilege of the white upper classes. James Vickers chosen charity is Newlife, a charity offering care and action for disabled and terminally ill children and he intends to raise as much money for the charity as possible during his year in office.
Ian Nelson thanked James and Rosemary Vickers for coming and for the brief insight into his duties as mayor.
Ian Nelson then introduced Diana Thornton the new vicar at St. Mary's, Stoke D'Abernon.
Diana said how pleased she is to take up the position; was looking forward to joining the community and hoped she could enlarge the congregation and intended to keep to traditional worship.
Committee member and dog owner, Sue Prentice addressed the meeting by pointing out the disturbing proposal by Elmbridge Council for restricting dogs in open spaces.
She urged those present to express their disquiet by going onto the website and filling in the questionnaire. Although not everybody was against the proposal it is anticipated that there will be a lot of very unhappy dog owners and it is only by voicing their views either for or against that Elmbridge Council will get a true idea of general feeling. It was pointed out by Mayor James Vickers that people coming down by car from London to exercise large numbers of dogs has prompted the council to look at the problem it has caused to residents with dogs forming packs and appearing out of control.
We were all reminded of our Christmas event - the lighting up of the tree on Saturday 5th December. A fairground organ has been requested, the vintage bus will be in attendance as will the choir and mulled wine will be available (donated by the Old Plough with all proceeds going to the Christmas Tree Lights fund).
Our website is receiving about 250 hits per month with the bus and train timetables and the schools information being the most popular.
Probably due to the recession there has not been much to report on planning matters.
Committee member and Oxshott and Stoke D'Abernon Tree Warden, Warwick Hutchinson told us the plans for the tree planting in the area are nearing completion. It is intended to plant Crab Apple, Rowan and Robinia trees as they are native to this country reasonably sized, and quite robust. We have now acquired 1200 pounds towards the trees so it is hoped some quite large, sturdy specimens will be planted.
The daffodil planting goes on and the aim is to plant 400 or so per year with 1200 daffodils already planted.
Youth Activities (CODS) have received an encouraging number of volunteers to help the scheme started by PC Lee Fabry and it is hoped more activities can be included now.
Roads and Parking: On 7th December a committee made up of Surrey County Council and Elmbridge will consider the proposal for cutting the speed limit along the Stoke
Road from 40 mph to 30 mph. 311 people signed the petition to get the speed limit reduced.
In the Envisage report the area that received the most adverse comment was the area around the station and shops. Ian Nelson has collected 320 pounds from the shops to have a sign made to discourage all day parking in the slip road. The 'pothole' out side the pool shop is to be filled in with a generous amount of money offered by the Pool shop and the rest being made up by the other shopkeepers.
It is hoped that by the end of the year the yellow lines will have been painted along Tilt Road. The old cottages will be allocated 'on street' parking for their own cars. It is hoped that this arrangement will dissuade commuters parking which has been a real problem and hazard for some time.
The proposal by Surrey County Council to install alternate flow traffic lights on Blundel Lane bridge (a draft of which was placed on our website) has received 38 responses of 3 against , 2 undecided and the others enthusiastically in favour. There will however be a delay to this proposal as the embankment is unstable.
Brian Hopley made the comment that with a lot of traffic on the road there could be queues and another member suggested that part of the adjoining field could be purchased to allow a footpath.
Surrey County Council have agreed they will look at the problem of the concrete blocks along the bridge which are really unsightly.
It is possible that a lift will be installed at the station in 2015 which would be a great help to all station users as would another ticket machine.
Councillor David Tipping informed those present that they are working on a proposal to enhance the area around River Hill in Cobham and are encouraging Surrey County Council to put in a pavement as it has become a really difficult and dangerous place for pedestrians with cars parked along the road.
The meeting was closed by Ian Nelson who thanked everyone for attending and hoping to see everyone again on 5th December for the Tree Lighting.
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