WSVA MEETING
11th September 2023
Present: Janet Sutton, Belinda Baker, Robert Grimmond, Ali Johnson, Bilal Akhtar , Bob McShee, Paul Cragg, Dave Grey, Anne Brown, Kate Avery
Apologies: Helen Bell, Alex Waugh, Caroline Mankelow, Alex Russell, Nicky and Martin Parsons, Philip Brooker, Honor Brooker, Keith Witham
MATTERS ARISING
The Chairperson was absent so Bob McShee took the Chair.
There were no matters arising.
HESTER’S YARD PLANNING APPLICATION
Details of the latest consultation on the planning proposal for housing on the site are available on the Guildford Borough Council website for comment. The proposals are very much as described by the developers at the WSVA meeting in July, and only slightly changed from the original plans submitted in the autumn of 2022.
A discussion about the new plans took place and everyone is encouraged to submit their comments to GBC. Currently there are 78 comments objecting to the planning application.
SUMMER SHOW
The show was held on one of the windiest days of the year. Consequently there was a lot of last minute rearrangement of gazebos etc, but unlike several other events due to be held that day, it did go ahead. There was praise for the maypole dancers performing in the extreme wind. Comments received have been very positive, and thanks are in order to the very many people who helped on the day, before and afterwards. There was a positive financial outcome with around £2000 surplus being generated on the day. The treasure hunt and tombola accounted for about a third each of these. Income from the bar, sponsorship, stallholders etc covered the costs of the event with a small remaining surplus. The church seemed very happy with the income generated from the Tea Tent.
The Colts cricket club had a successful and popular drinks evening.
There were fewer people at the evening musical session than last year (the weather didn’t help) but those who were there enjoyed it and it is a nice way to round off the show day.
The Jazz event on Sunday was a great success adding to the Wood Street Festival. The weather was kinder and a record sum was raised for the charity.
There will be a thank you evening held at The Royal Oak for all those who helped with the Show (and anyone else who regularly helps with community events) on Tuesday, 3rd October at 7.30pm. Bob McShee to book the pub and Alex Waugh to organise.
SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL
Keith Witham was unable to attend, but wanted to draw attention to the new “on demand” bus service, which started on 4th September..
Surrey County Council has created the new electric “Surrey Connect”Bus Service to replace the current 17 bus route, being discontinued by Stagecoach.
The SCC website links are: http://www.surreyconnect.org.uk
with more info at https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/buses-and-other-transport/community-transport/surrey-connect
Posters have been placed at bus stops, to inform current bus users. There are social media posts and Worplesdon Parish Council have kindly put this information on their website: https://worplesdon-pc.gov.uk/news/surrey-connect-new-bus-service-to-replace-the-no-17-fairlands-wood-street-village/
There will also be a leaflet distributed to inform more residents, most of whom don’t currently use a bus – as the new service may well be of interest.
Residents in the catchment area of Fairlands and Wood Street Village will be able to book seats, outbound and return, 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays. All usual bus passes apply (after 9.30am for older persons bus pass).
As with anything new, there may well be initial queries, but hopefully this new service will bed in quickly and be far more useful for residents, including those who work in Guildford and wish to go to work on the bus!
Booking seats is a change of concept from the traditional bus “route” with a “timetable” to this On Demand bookable service.
Surrey County Council had agreed to allocate nearly £2 million a year extra, from Council Tax, to pay for more and improved bus services, particularly in rural areas such as ours, that have been poorly served by reduced commercial bus services in recent years. This is one of several new buses being introduced across Surrey by SCC.
Ali Johnson to contact Keith Witham and ask how the new bus service is being advertised. There needs to be a telephone number advertised at the bus stops.
GUILDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Regarding Hester’s Yard planning application, Bilal is going to speak to the planning committee about the villagers’ concerns and to see if there is any technical reasons that can be used to object to the plans.
The hedge along Oak Hill opposite the shop is too wide to allow use of the path by a parent and child side by side. Bilal intends to visit the site and report back.
There is a hedge in Oakfields that also needs surveying and Bilal will visit that too.
WORPLESDON PARISH COUNCIL
Community Speed Watch (CSW)–CSW is continuing to be deployed in Wood Street Village. Volunteers are welcome. All training is now via online tutorials. Anyone interested in joining the CSW Scheme should contact the Assistant Clerk (01483 300094/admin@worplesdon-pc.gov.uk).
Flytipping – We have seen an increase in fly tips in public parts of the village. These have predominantly been mattresses. There is currently a free recycling scheme for mattresses taken to the recycling centre at Slyfield.
Pavements – An email of appreciation has been sent to Surrey County Council to thank them for the works undertaken by their contractors. We understand that the small area of pavement adjoining the service road near Aldershot Road is the subject of further discussions within SCC.
Toxic Plant – The Parish Council is aware of the presence of a potentially toxic plant in the verge on Frog Grove Lane (near the cricket club access road), which Surrey County Council have been made aware of.
Hesters Yard – The consultation date on the application for the site closes on 12 September 2023.
John Gunner’s Memorial Bench – Following a request by the family the permission for a bench has reverted to the original design, albeit on a smaller scale and with minor modifications to one of the panels.
Challengers Jazz Festival–The Parish Council were pleased to see that Challengers generated a record sum of money at the jazz festival. We would like to thank the villagers for their ongoing support for this valuable endeavour.
Flood Forum Meeting–The next formal Flood forum Meeting will take place on Friday 17th November at the Parish Office. All are welcome to attend.
Armistice Day – As in previous years wreaths will be laid at multiple key locations around the parish simultaneously. The two formal events will be taking place in Jacobs Well – with the larger event taking place in Harry’s Meadow (behind Jacobs Well Village Hall), and a smaller event taking place at the war memorial in Queenhythe. All are welcome to attend either event.
Local Government Boundary Commission Review recommenndations- Worplesdon Parish Council will be objecting to the proposals, which could see part of Wood Street (the Broadacres and Broad Street end) move into the county ward of Guildford West (Park Barn and Westborough), Jacobs Well move into the Guildford North ward (Slyfield and Bellfields) and Ash South would join the County ward of Worplesdon. If approved by the Boundary Commission, the Parish of Worplesdon would be represented by three separate county councillors.
AOB
There has been a request from a parent who lives in Wood Street and has a child attending Worplesdon School for a usable footpath to get to school. Enquires have found that there are at least 43 children from Wood Street who need to get to Fairlands. This enquiry will be passed to Keith Witham.
There are some specific points at the entrances to the common that are impassable for many months of the year. Ali Johnson to ask Surrey CC if anything can be done to make the commons more accessible.
Fresh soil used to infill after the path works along Frog Grove lane is full of Thorn Apple. Nicky Parsons has reported this to the Parish Council.
Weeds are already coming through the new path from the post box to number 5 Frog Grove Lane. Janet Sutton to monitor.
Janet Sutton is arranging a maypole dancing with MacMillan coffee morning on Saturday 30th September at 11.30 with dancing at 12 noon
St Mary’s has an event to improve the kitchen and toilet facilities on October 8th at 3pm.
Carol singing is arranged for December 16th 2023.
The meeting finished at 9.05pm.
The next meeting will be on Monday, 9th October 2023 at 8pm at St. Alban’s Church.
