Looking after the Village: The missing cross on the pump on The Green is now to be dealt with by a local contractor after our waiting six months for the attention of Mole Valley. We still await the repair of certain street signs, by the same authority, after a similar time. Grass cutting at Balchins Pond is also being carried out (free!) by a local contractor. Middle Street hedges, at the southern end, have been cut back by Andy Jackman, to whom many thanks. The  grass/brambles/nettles there were trimmed back at Parish Council expense  We have also paid for work at the entrance of the Hillside Close/Borough alleyway. Both of these tasks have normally been carried out by Surrey Highways.

 

Police Report - P.C.Dom Lorraine attended to comment on local crime figures (two instances reported in the past month). Following this, he was asked to look into several missing road signs (including a 'school' sign)  and to facilitate their replacement. He also informed us  how to proceed with  a 20mph limit on The Green.  He was asked what action could be taken about late-night gatherings of young people in one part of The Green and the attendant noise and nuisance caused. He gave us the police number to ring to register a complaint, and urged residents to use this. It is 0845-125-2222. Calls will be reported and passed on to him.

 

Parish Plan - Liason with the Village Hall, action on overgrown hedges and reducing traffic speeds on The Green were reported on. Cllr. Hilary Budd reported on the progress of financial bids for more play facilities in the village - there seems to be a chance of grants for play equipment and a hard play area. However, drainage of the Elizabeth Bailey Field had not qualified, and it is hoped that the efforts of the Friends of the EB Field will bear fruit in this respect. They were warmly thanked for their interest.

 

Parking on Verges - Residents at Dodds Park were asked not to park on the green verges there; wet weather will bring widespread scarring in this Conservation Area. We understand that the attention of the Mole Valley Enforcement Officer has been drawn to this matter.

 

Fox Feeding - We have been asked to point out that the number of foxes living on the rural fringes is on the rise. This may be connected to their being fed, or able to find waste food.  Some of these foxes carry a virulent mange that can be transmitted to household dogs through their brushing against bushes etc. where the foxes have been. (We understand that a homeopathic medicine exists that can be bought, mixed with fox food and deter mange. ) Please consider carefully the possible results of fox-feeding or leaving out waste food.

 

Fighting our Corner - At our meeting a list of 16 matters was raised where Surrey County Highways had carried out below-standard work or not carried it out at all, despite frequent requests. This includes the verge along Brockham Lane  and the verge of the A25 to Dorking. Notable too is the grass triangle in Tynedale Road at its southern end where grass was strimmed and left in a mangled mess for a local resident to rake and clear. We want residents to know that we are fighting our corner on these things, but are up against a barrier of poor communication, inadequate funding and a Community Gang of little more than 'two men and a lorry' to cover all of Mole Valley. It is clear that this Parish Council may have to take on more local tasks to keep our village in decent order.

 

Budget Meeting - Our annual Budget Meeting will be on 10th October - this is an informal session to decide on what tasks to tackle over next year and what Parish Precept to ask Mole Valley for. If YOU have any ideas, please let our Clerk know. Letters to Mrs. Celia Plumb, Willow Cottage, Mill Hill Lane, Brockham RH3 7LR.