Blackheath Village Society AGM Tuesday 9th September 2025

DRAFT Minutes of the AGM Held in the Village Hall on Tuesday, 9th September 2025

Present: David Grisley, Shelly Grisley, Paul Brodie, Helen Brodie, Max Gibbs, Simon Jones, Anne Jenkins, Andy Taylor, Ben Moore, Paul Cope, Jan Cope, Peter Maggs, Olive Maggs, Oscar Suarez, Graham Hayward, David Allen, Patricia Allen, Gerald Whetstone, Richard Peter Stoten, Lesley Hayward, Jane Hayward, Jackie Beadell, Adam Side, Elaine Vincent, Paul Vincent, David Bushill, Gina Bushill, Helen Stimson, Cindy Hindle, Gay Harvey, Derek Pye, Susan Pye, Jane Hume, Caroline Nunan, Nicola Duffey, David Syes, Charles Bennett, Colleen Carter, Cheryl Braime, Duncan Sinclair, Jane Hunter, Paul Thompson, Elaine Thompson, Peter Walshaw, Christina Hartshorn.

Apologies: Ranald Shultz, Penelope Kirkwood, Ralph Broadbent, Laura Terry, Jill Wilkinson, Alistair Taylor, Hamish Whiteman, Henia Whiteman, Luke Dunkley, Mia Dunkley, Nick Harrison, Wendy Harrison, Patrick Venning, Hilary Venning.

1. The Minutes of the Last Meeting Held on Wednesday, 19th June 2024
These were agreed and proposed by Shelley Grisley and seconded by Andy Taylor.

2. Matters Arising
No matters arose in connection with the minutes of the last meeting.

3. Chairman’s Report
A full copy of the Chairman’s Report is available on request, and a summary of the presentation by David Grisley is detailed below:

David reflected on the recent Heathland fire that swept across our landscape and brought into stark reminder the increasing extreme weather conditions. Unfortunately, representatives from the Fire Brigade and Waverley Borough Council were unable to attend the AGM and we will discuss this matter in detail later on during the meeting.

David expressed his thanks to all of the existing Committee Members and extended a warm welcome to Andy Taylor as a new member of the BVS Committee. Further thanks were expressed to Charlie Bennett, who is not on the Committee but helps throughout the year with posters and updating the Blackheath website, which has been invaluable.

Our Committee shares a clear objective to the well-being of village life and extends an invitation to any residents who wish to join the Committee.

4. The Villagers Public House/Cafe
On 21st August a planning application to change use from a Public House to Residential use and joining it to the neighbouring cottage to form a single dwelling was approved by Waverley Borough Council.

The BVS contested this decision and as a result of a Judicial Review the case was brought before the courts by the BVS. The court agreed that the Local Plan had not been adhered to and Waverley Borough Council now have to re-determine their decision in a legally compliant way. We are waiting for this to be ratified by Waverley Borough Council, who are still engaging with the owner Ben Moore about his recent survey.

If Waverley Borough Council revoke the recent planning permission, the BVS will present Ben our vision for a licensed Café, shop and community hub together with our business plan. We believe that we can find a workable solution that will retain this as an important community asset and provide Ben with a commercial opportunity. If mutually agreed, we will then organise a wider village meeting to update everyone with the proposed plan.

5. Flooding and Verges
David confirmed that these areas are shared responsibilities that need to be co-ordinated with Waverley Borough Council (ditch maintenance), Surrey Highways (drains and soakaways), and nearby house-owners (gulleys).

Both David Bushill and Max Gibbs have developed a plan to build soakaways near the crossroads, but this is expensive. One credible option suggested by Surrey Highways is to create a pond in the southwest corner of the crossroads for all of the excess water to flow into throughout the year. This will be progressed with the appropriate authorities.

6. Security
We had a spate of break-ins and considered installing cameras and using patrols, which was prohibitively expensive. Instead, we installed CCTV signs at the village entrances which has made a difference with no further break-ins in the last fifteen months.

7. Vans in Village
The two abandoned white vans have been removed by Waverley Borough Council and we are grateful to Simon Jones for heading up this issue with such diplomacy.

8. Road Signs
The BVS administered works to replace and repair the posts and also clean and repair the Blackheath signs in the village entrances. This has proved to be very successful and has improved the entrances to our village.

9. Village Fair
This is now fifty years old, with music stalls and games, and we held a very successful event over the May Day Bank Holiday. Contributions have been paid to the following local charities and organisations:
The Abbey £500
Wonersh and Shamley Green School £500
Wonersh Scouts £100
The Cricket Club £500
The Village Hall £500
St Martin's Church £200

10. Summer BBQ on the Cricket Green
We enjoyed sack races, egg and spoon races, with a giant inflatable slide and thanks to Andy Taylor for organising the games. Unfortunately, we were unable to have an open BBQ and David thanked the residents for cooking the lamb joints for the party.

11. Other Events
David confirmed that Guy Fawkes night would be held at the Cricket Club on 1st November, with the Christmas Party being held at the Village Hall on 13th December, and the Boxing Day walk being our usual annual event.

We also celebrated Billie’s 100th birthday at the Cricket Club and it was a privilege to mark such a milestone together.

12. Treasurer’s Report
Anne Jenkins presented the income and expenditure figures, and she confirmed that for the year ending 31st December, the general reserve stood at £11,182. The accounts were proposed by David Allen and approved by the residents.

As a result of the success of this year’s fair the Finance Committee were allocated £2,000 for distribution. £1,000 for the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund and a further £1,000 (reduced to £800 at the request of Graham Hayward) for benched on the lawn next to the Village Hall. These will be distributed in due course. Thanks were offered to both Jan Cope and Jill Wilkinson for their help and assistance in allocating these funds.

13. Committee Members
The committee members were confirmed and approved as follows:
David Grisley - Chairman
Paul Brodie - Secretary
Anne Jenkins - Treasurer
Max Gibbs - Parish Councillor
Ralph Broadbent
Simon Jones
Laura Terry
Ranald Shultz
Andy Taylor

14. Fire on Blackheath Common and National Trust Land
A document was provided with our proposals to Waverley Borough Council and the response from David Olliver, who is the Ranger at Waverley Borough Council.

The matter was discussed in great detail, and a number of suggestions were put forward during the course of the meeting, which will be listed separately and distributed to residents by email for their comments and suggestions. It is our intention to engage with Waverley Borough Council, Surrey Fire Service and National Trust in developing a fire management plan to protect residents' houses, which is of the greatest concern.

15. Village Website
It was suggested and agreed that we should introduce a facility on the website for views about any particular subject by way of a poll. This will enable residents to provide their thoughts on important matters that affect us. The BVS will send an email advising residents when any matters arise for their input.

16. Any Other Business
a) It was agreed we would repair and refurbish the Jubilee sign and Peter Walshaw agreed to carry out this work on our behalf.
b) There were no other points to discuss, and the Blackheath Village Society Committee was thanked for their hard work throughout the year, and the meeting closed accordingly.