by admin | Oct 7, 2018 | Cranleigh, Waverley Borough Council
The next meeting between Cranleigh Civic Society and Waverley will take place on Monday 29th October at 3pm.
Is there something you would like us to raise on your behalf? Please let us know ASAP, either by responding to this post or emailing membership@cranleighsociety.org. We can then write to ask for a response on that day.
Many groups and individuals have concerns about how our elected Councillors and our paid for Council Officers make decisions on our behalf and spend the money they collect.
Some of the Questions we are pursuing:
- What is the current rate of Borough Recycling to act a a base for comparison with future achievement ?
- What are proposals to improve communication to the Community ?
- Can there be an Annual Presentation by the Council Leader – in say December – to all Resident/Community/Commercial Groups on the Council’s Objectives for the following Fiscal, with planned Expenditure /Rates ?
- Please can CCS be included in the monthly report to the Parish Council on : Section 106 Funds unspent, Proposals for spending Section 106 Funds.
- When the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan is finally approved, can the CCS be informed of the 25% of the CIL that will be available to the Neighbourhood Plan Committee to decide on ?
- When will the Sewerage Plant be expanded to cope with the new houses in Cranleigh ?
- What can be done to deal with the serious environmental problem of the Sewerage Plant discharge into Cranleigh Waters, especially when the hot weather has meant the flow is dry ?
- When will the Waverley Infrastructure Delivery Schedule be updated, since there are so many information gaps ?
Questions on Planning, etc.
- What is the genuine need for meetings between Developers and Councillors, and Developers and Officers?
- Is Development in Waverley transparent and understandable?
- Could Pre- planning Appliations meetings be minuted, and published on the web where possible?
- Can the Status of Planning Applications be updated promptly on the Planning web, so we can be informed promptly of decisions?
- What is the proposed timetable for developing/replacing the Cranleigh Leisure Centre?
- Are there any proposals to merge Councils in Surrey to achieve savings, as there are in many other Counties ?
- Since the proposal to install an all-weather pitch at Cranleigh School is for a private commercial school, can these Section 106 funds be diverted to install an all-weather pitch on Cranleigh football fields ?
If you think there is anything we’ve missed, please take this opportunity to let us know and we will report on Waverley’s reply.
by admin | Sep 29, 2018 | Cranleigh, Housing, Waverley Borough Council
Cranleigh Society met with Waverley Borough Council councillors and officers. Many topics were covered, which we continue to share openly with you here as well as action points that may make improvement or provide further information:
HOUSING QUESTIONS
We asked about low cost and affordable housing and part of the answers included that WBC cannot MAKE developers build low cost and affordable housing! But, they have a bit more say if they have a working “LOCAL PLAN“.
ACTION
It is suggested that Cranleigh Society and ALL LOCALS lobby their MP Anne Milton about this.
When asked why developers sometimes say they cannot offer 30% affordable housing, the reply is that “It is a viability issue. Where viability is capable of being a planning consideration, Waverley appoint an independent viability consultant to test the evidence.” so that’s clearly a difficult question then.
We asked, what is the definition of Affordable Housing? Waverley’s officer explained that the National Planning Policy Framework contains the definition of Affordable housing. So, we obtained the definition from the Government’s website, see below:-
“Social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. Affordable housing should include provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision.
Social rented housing is owned by local authorities and private registered providers (as defined in section 80 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008), for which guideline target rents are determined through the national rent regime. It may also be owned by other persons and provided under equivalent rental arrangements to the above, as agreed with the local authority or with the Homes and Communities Agency.
Affordable rented housing is let by local authorities or private registered providers of social housing to households who are eligible for social rented housing. Affordable Rent is subject to rent controls that require a rent of no more than 80% of the local market rent (including service charges, where applicable).
Intermediate housing is homes for sale and rent provided at a cost above social rent, but below market levels subject to the criteria in the Affordable Housing definition above. These can include shared equity (shared ownership and equity loans), other low cost homes for sale and intermediate rent, but not affordable rented housing.
Homes that do not meet the above definition of affordable housing, such as “low cost market” housing, may not be considered as affordable housing for planning purposes.”
Waverley’s Local Plan includes the required percentage, 30% of affordable housing on schemes above a certain size. The tenure split is informed by advice from our Housing Enabling Team. A contract with a registered provider, as negotiated through a section 106 agreement, is effected in liaison with Waverley’s housing team.
ACTION
In answer to the question about the provision of starter homes, this could be incorporated into a future Neighbourhood Plan.
DEVELOPERS AND THEIR AGREEMENTS WITH WAVERLEY
Cranleigh Society asked what the council is doing about ensuring that planning permission requirements are complied with. In the past the officers have pointed out that they struggle to oversee everything and rely on the public’s help.
WBC has recently appointed a new officer called a Section 106 Enforcement Officer. Although the role is part-time, this should help.
ACTION
However, we the public still very much need to bring information to WBC. So, please keep your observations up and report.
Thank you for your continued support.
by admin | Aug 20, 2018 | Cranleigh
Cranleigh Society representatives met with Waverley council leaders – Councillors and officers – for the second time on behalf of Cranleigh’s residents.
We pursued many of your worries and were given the councillors’ and officers’ replies. Due to the number of topics covered there will be more than one post on this website.
n.b. Waverley Borough Council employs Officers to carry out the Strategic plans of the Senior Officers plus our Councillors. Many plans take years, even decades to be carried forward by which time we the public are sometimes somewhat surprised!
WORKING TOGETHER
CCS asked the Council to make an annual presentation to all residents groups (e.g. in December) to explain current Objectives for the next Fiscal year with stated expenditure plans.
In reply, WBC asks that all the residents’ groups contact each other and work together as well as working with our local Cranleigh Parish Councillors.
We pressed for a more active role, along with our councillors, in the early stages of thinking.
The council says that they are doing a total review regarding improving information to all residents. They will re-activate email Newsletters on the website. (You can search many newsletters at https://www.waverley.gov.uk/site/)
DRINKING WATER PIPES
CCS asked WBC to challenge Thames Water. We believe all the old asbestos cement pipes (as much as 29% of our pipes) should be replaced urgently. They burst very often and are made of fibres that might cause health problems in the future.
WBC officer replied that he had an extensive conversation with Thames Water recently and in such circumstances they undertake a risk assessment process. Thames Water will prioritise in the areas where the system is failing but works are aligned to their budget.
WBC stated that they had sought legal advice that confirmed that WBC was complying with its legal responsibilities. The Parish Council’s recent letter to the Secretary of State was welcomed.
ACTION – Cranleigh Civic Society and members could lobby their MP Anne Milton on this issue.
WBC’s position is that whilst there is no evidence that deteriorating water mains pipes cause harm WBC cannot “require” TW to act. BUT WBC agree that the disruption caused by so many bursts plus all the new housing is very inefficient.
CRANLEIGH RESIDENTS SUFFERED FROM NO WATER RECENTLY DURING A LONG HOT DROUGHT
WBC officer provided an update: Recently, demand outstripped supply. An electric pump that fed the reservoir failed and Thames Water supplied tankers to top up the reservoir. (n.b. Thames Water’s contract as a provider is with the government and not WBC. OFWAT is the regulator in England and Wales.)
WBC help where they can and have responsibility only for knowing and ensuring that the water is safe to drink.
Meanwhile in Cranleigh a pipe burst, and TW did supply bottled water, eventually. However they weren’t able to co-ordinate with the community affected well.
ACTIONS – CCS & Cranleigh Parish Council need to help put a plan in place to help residents. WBC Officer to contact TW and suggest they develop their own database of vulnerable people in the area.
Also Residents can contact Thames Water https://www.thameswater.co.uk/Help-and-Advice/Customer-Commitment/Priority-services
SEWERAGE ISSUES
CCS asked WBC about the capacity of the sewerage works and the problems with the treated outflow into Cranleigh Water; our sometimes dry “river” which is said to be too high in phosphates
CCS asked: why has planning permissions been granted when the water and sewerage issues have not been resolved?
CCS said that there was yet to be a full discussion with regard to the sewage treatment and we have a copy of a letter written in both 2017 and 2018 to which there has been no response.
CCS asked whether the permit issued in 2009 was still in use? CCS believes that there could be a contravention of the Water Common Framework Directive if Thames Water’s actions and inactions knowingly led to a “class reduction” in river water quality status.
WBC have told us they will meet with TW soon to discuss, and therefore were unable to provide us with comment on the above at this stage.
CRANLEIGH LEISURE CENTRE
Waverley have an outside expert consultants’ report (2017) advising on the best way to improve and maintain all the leisure centres in Waverley. Their remit includes pleasing the public and making a profit for the partner. A recommendation is that Cranleigh Leisure Centre will benefit from a rebuild; CCS is aware that the “plant” the pool, the roof and the air conditioning are all past their replace by dates. How, when, where and at what cost has yet to be decided. The amount of money from current Section 106 receipts has been decided and Cranleigh will benefit.
We have been informed there will be a consultation “soon”.
ACTIONS look out for consultation and engage with the process.
That’s the end of our first set of topics, please feel free to comment. The next instalment will be shared here soon.
by admin | Jul 6, 2018 | Cranleigh, Development, Housing, Waverley Borough Council
Can you attend any of the dates next week?
There are three Neighbourhood Plan Exhibitions planned taking place in the Village Hall, on the following dates:
- Thursday 12 July 9am – 4pm
- Friday 13 July 4pm – 8pm
- Saturday 14 July 9am – 12.30pm
These plans affect how our Parish will be developed until 2032.
Click here for more details.
If members can attend on one of these dates and/or encourage your friends and neighbours to do the same we can help ensure Cranleigh has a say on these plans.
News from Waverley…
Also, if you haven’t so already perhaps you’d like to subscribe to the Waverley e-newsletter to keep up to date on all plans effecting the area. You can do so here: www.waverley.gov.uk/newsletter
by admin | Jun 27, 2018 | Cranleigh, Development, Waverley Borough Council
Response to Waverley Council on their Public Consultation on the Waverley Local Plan (Part 2).
Deadline is 9th July.
The draft Local Plan, Part 2 considers:-
– Sites for Additional Housing in Cranleigh
- Proposed sites for Travellers in Cranleigh
– The Settlement Boundary for Cranleigh
- Housing Standards for New Housing
The objective of the consultation exercise is to clarify whether we as a village are in agreement with the proposed Policies.
It is important to consider the accuracy of the Council’s ‘statements of fact’, whether we object to the proposed policies or other proposals and if so, why.
Accordingly, whether you were able to attend either of the exhibitions at the Arts Centre (31st May & 25th June) CCS invite you to let us know if you have any:
a. queries
b. concerns
c. comments or
d. objections to the proposals outlined in the Local Plan, Part 2 consultations.
CCS are compiling a list of comments and objections, which has to be lodged with the Council by Monday, 9th July.
We are happy to consider any points you would like to raise and to include them (if appropriate) in our representation to the Council.
Any objections should be supported with evidence, demonstrating how/why the Council’s proposed policies are inaccurate/incomplete/ill thought through.
Please email us before the deadline to be included.
Thank you
