Tag Archives: Surrey County Council

Press statement from Surrey Council’s Residents’ Association and Independent Group

Today is Surrey County Council’s full council meeting in Kingston. Agenda here.

The council will decide on revenue and capital budget 2016/17 to 2020/21 and Treasury Management Strategy Management Strategy. Item here.

Here is the press statement the Residents’ Association and Independent Councillors at Surrey County Council:

Cabinet Budget Papers Reveal Real Challenges Ahead Say Residents’ Association & Independent Councillors

Budget Papers drafted for the Conservative Cabinet’s recommendation to the Surrey County Council Budget Meeting on Tuesday 9th February have been released. The Residents’ Association and Independent County councillors have criticised the budget proposals for their failure to provide any details of cuts, service changes or higher charges.

The Budget Papers show a £46 million funding gap, of which £20 million the Conservative leadership failed to anticipate and they will now dip into the Council’s reserves to plug the hole. Leader of the Opposition Nick Harrison said:

“The Council is in a truly serious position as this is on top of an aggressive savings plan already in hand. The Council leader refused today to set out his stall and tell us where he expects the cutbacks to land. At the Council’s Budget Meeting the Conservatives will produce a budget of large generalised figures asking Members to vote it through without the detail. Those cuts only become public weeks after the budget is passed.   This ‘trust me I’m a politician’ approach to the serious business of reductions to services is undemocratic and lacks any opportunity for informed discussion of spending and service priorities.”                                                                                                                                            

Haslemere Independent County Councillor Nikki Barton said:

“I have real fears for the discretionary services provided by SCC. The funding of much of highways, Children’s Centres, libraries, waste and youth services is not required by law and all these important services could now face cuts. Due to cuts in the waste services budget, Haslemere has recently lost its valued Saturday dustcart collection. Furthermore, and of great local concern is that all SCC funded youth work sessions at Haslewey, the town’s youth centre, have recently been axed. There are fears that the requirement for the Transport Review to reduce transport budget by £2m by the end of 2017/18 will lead to reductions in much needed local bus services.”

 RA County Councillor Eber Kington criticised the Conservatives for their complacency and failure to anticipate and prepare for the Rate Support Grant cut announced by the Government.

“For the past year they have been telling us that they have the County Council’s finances under control and at the December Council Meeting they used their large majority to pass a Motion warmly welcoming ’a new Conservative Government which is listening to the voice of Local Government’. I don’t see much evidence of the Government listening to Surrey County Council when it comes to funding and the needs of our residents.”

Last week, I was interviewed by BBC Surrey on the subject of SCC budgets. Here is my interview (2 hours and 9 minutes in) (23 days left to listen).

Haslemere County Councillor Update from the past 2 months

A belated Happy New Year to readers of my blog. Here is an update of some of my county councillor activities from the past couple of months.

Attended the following Surrey County Council meetings

Other work related to Haslemere

Station Travel Plan (STP). Secured funding for a STP. This is in partnership with Haslemere Vision. The first stage of background research has been completed. Happening now and for the next few days, there will be a travel survey and Haslemere Vision is looking for volunteers. Please click here to see how you could help Haslemere Vision for one or two hours.

Haslemere train station forecourt and additional deck car park. I met with representatives from South West Trains/Network Rail/Surrey County Council to finalise plans before key stakeholder consultation.

Highways schemes. Gateway schemes underway and some of you may have seen SCC notices in town. Work is going to start in the next two weeks. Shepherds Hill railings and Midhurst Road scheme still to be snagged/finished- lighting/electricity supply problems.

Shepherds Hill Road Safety worksRoad markings to improve pedestrian safety outside Grayswood School have been installed. Funded this highways scheme outside Grayswood Primary school to improve the safety of children, parents and staff walking to school.

The 30mph speed limit, Grayswood Road, town end. The 30mph limit on the approach to Haslemere High Street has been extended towards Grayswood. New signage has been installed.

MidhurstRoadSafety

Fosters Bridge: Arranged replacement of missing railing under the bridge.

Wey Hill crossing: Plans finalised for pedestrian crossing opposite Shahanaz. Installation date TBC.

Youth service: SCC paid provision has been re-allocated to Farnham following SCC Youth Services Needs Assessment agreed in Sept 2015. I raised my concerns for Haslemere. Success in lobbying for additional youth work resources at the Wey Centre – external funding has been secured to provide a paid member of staff to work one day per week to support young people. The CCard Scheme, 1-2-1 and ‘Early Help’ support for young people will continue to be provided in Haslemere through the SCC Community Youth Work Service.

Haslemere Station Community Partnership, town promotion: Attended start up meeting – using members’ allocation to fund start up with involvement from National Trust, South Downs National Park Authority, Haslemere Visitor Info Centre, Haslemere Museum, SWT, HTC, SCC, Haslemere Events.  Vacant shop at station to be used as pop up to promote community events and visitor information.

Sandrock lighting. Pedestrian lighting should be installed in the next few weeks.

College Hill right of way: SCC has now submitted a map modification order for the right of way access for the pathway leading from the Petworth Road to College Hill. The process will be delayed as the developer who installed the railings and blocked the access has lodged an appeal. This is now going to be a lengthy process. More here and Haslemere Herald article here.

Press release from the SCC Independents’ Group of Councillors regarding the Central Government’s decision to cut the Rate Support Grant. Read our statement in full here. The Residents’ Association and Independent Group is the largest opposition group within Surrey County Council. It currently has nine members, representing divisions from across Surrey. The group leader is Cllr Nick Harrison and it has members represented on all the committees of the council.

IMPORTANT. Bus Consultation affecting Haslemere. Consultation closes March 16th. Here is a link: www.surreycc.gov.uk/transportreview and a summary of routes affected.

Spend of my annual Members’ Allocation

  • Haslemere Basketball Club. There will be a full press release for my next councillor update but here is an early indication of how the funds will be spent via an email sent to me by the club:

    “We are so grateful for the grant money provided by Surrey County Council via councillor Nikki Barton. We have already bought two match balls as per our funding application, which have been used in a recent match (see photo below). We’re looking into the best deals for the rest of the equipment and kit we require, and hope to have completed purchases and orders by the end of January.”

Members of Haslemere Basketball Club

Members of Haslemere Basketball Club

  • Haslemere Hockey Club’s schools program. Please read (click on thumbnail) Schools Programme 1 and (click on thumbnail)

Schools Programme 2to learn how the Hockey Club has spent the funds for youth coaching.

  • Table Tennis Club lighting. Funded new high-luxe level lights so that the table tennis players can use the Woolmer Hill gym for club nights.
  • Haslemere Events will take on the lease of the train station shop for community event promotion. I have given some of my members’ allocation to fund legal costs.

PLEASE NOTE there is still time to apply for funding for your local organization. Here are my contact details.

Other Items

Lion Green Post Office campaign. Please note the Facebook campaign page to try to keep the Post Office following M&S’ acquisition of the Co-operative site in Lion Lane.

Stepping Stones. High Court Appeal won. More here in the Haslemere Herald.

Haslemere Hub. The HaslemereHub meets at the Georgian Hotel & Spa every Tuesday (from 2nd February) from 9am for coffee with workshops for all local independent businesses. The purpose is to collaborate, share and grow! Your first visit is FREE!. Here is their Facebook page.

Are you a business owner in Hindhead or Beacon Hill? Meet the Mayor – Hindhead and Beacon Hill businesses

Waverley Ensemble. March 5 was due to be the first Waverley Ensemble Concert of 2016, but the concert has been moved to Saturday April 16 at St Christopher’s Church Haslemere at 7.30pm. Program: Arias sung by Amanda O’Brien and Telemann Flute, Violin and Cello Concerto with Susan Milan and Andrew Taylor. For more information please go to: www.ishanibhoola.com.

South Downs National Park Authority volunteering map. South Downs NPA website has a volunteering opportunities map – which enables organisations with volunteer opportunities to promote these opportunities to a wider audience. Link here to their website and map. www.southdowns.gov.uk/volunteering-map

Haslemere County Councillor Update

Here is an update of some of my county councillor activities for Haslemere for the past few weeks. Update also includes some SCC announcements.

HIGHWAYS UPDATE

  • Tanners Lane, met with St Bart’s parents, carers and children to discuss concerns about road safety when crossing near Chestnut Ave car park. Arranged SCC highways team site visit, and agreed to take forward a request for a pedestrian crossing and alterations to Lower Street, Tanners Lane junction to reduce turning traffic speeds.
  • Wey Hill, Tesco lights met with SCC highways to discuss safety following tragic fatality. Further meetings with safety audit team to look at lights and crossing planned. Agreed yellow hatching at Lion Lane/Wey Hill required.
  • Vicarage Lane re-surfacing complete.
  • Damaged railings under Fosters Bridge to be replaced with the work beginning this week.
  • Footpath (604) Map Notice of Modification Order. This Order, made on 4 November 2015, if confirmed, as made, will modify the Definitive Map and Statement for the area by adding a footpath from Lower Street/ Petworth Road beside Lloyds Bank, Haslemere (Grid ref SU 904328) in a south-westerly direction for 52 metres to College Hill (grid ref SU 904327).
  • Old Haslemere Road/Park Road posts to be installed to prevent verge damage
  • WBC/SCC partnership work to resolve bank slippage, drainage and highway damage on Sunbrow Ave has been started.
  • Lower Street: Concerned residents’ request for safer crossing from bus stop to station will be addressed in the station forecourt re-design (see below). A request for a zebra crossing here has been declined as there is no funding available
  • High Street de-clutter completed, posts all painted black, West Street- several obstructive posts with ‘no loading’ signs removed, signs attached to property frontage or existing posts to reduce West Street street clutter.
  • High Street, referred concern to highways team re poor utilities surface with black tar over cobbled surface. Thames Water have been asked by SCC to replace the cobbles.
  • Sandrock, agreed installation of lighting columns- to be installed before year end.
  • West Street, negotiating with SCC to replace existing lights with conservation lighting columns.
  • Weysprings, drainage issues resolved by installation of French drains
  • ‘Gateway’ scheme, Shepherds Hill/Courts Hill Road/Hill Road junction complete- requested traffic speed data to assess impact of traffic calming scheme. Further measures to be pressed for if speed reduction not significant.
  • ‘Pocket park’ at Shepherds Hill/Lower Street junction, plans for ramp access to create accessible green space unfortunately to be dropped as health and safety regs would require railings around the top of the existing small wall so not feasible.
  • Haslemere train station forecourt, meetings with SWT and SCC to discuss improvements, with specific focus on improving pedestrian access to bus stop on north side of station next to The Sewing Room.
  • Waverley Parking Review 2015 now out for consultation. See which roads are covered and have your say.

NOTE: The council now has a new online reporting system for any rights of way problems, which SCC is encouraging everybody to use.  This way both the reporter and the receiver can keep track of the issue(s) they have logged.  I have attached a link to it for you if you would like to use it in the future. https://rightsofway.surreycc.gov.uk/

COMMUNITY VISITS

  • Shottermill Junior School visit with head to see the work of the school.
  • St Bartholomew’s Primary School, talked to year 6 about democracy and the political system.
  • Attended the town’s memorial service and laid a wreath on behalf of SCC.
Remembrance Service November 2015 Haslemere

Remembrance Service November 2015 Haslemere

HASLEMERE STATION TRAVEL PLAN: PARTNERSHIP SCC, SWT and HASLEMERE VISION

Tender process under way for station travel plan.  The aim: to research how and why people travel to station using different transport modes. The goal: to improve station access and identify practical ways to increase pedestrian, cycle and public transport use.

SCC MEETINGS

Submission by: Cllr Nikki Barton 

  • At a recent meeting of the Waverley Local Committee it was reported that there are some highway improvement schemes that have been sitting in pricing with Kier since June 2015, some of which have been carried over from last year. It was reported that this was widespread across the county. I would like to ask the board for some more information regarding this issue. In particular I would like to understand what is causing this log jam within Kier, and the steps that are being taken to resolve these issues. I understand that Kier’s pricing schedules are highly complex and that the costing is high relative to other counties. I would like to request a full explanation of Kier’s pricing rates for highways schemes, and how these compare/benchmark with other county councils. Furthermore I understand that Kier, unable to deliver the schemes with their own workforce is subcontracting work out, with significant cost implications for the county. I would also like to request a full breakdown of both how much work Kier is contracting out annually (in terms of manpower and costs) and the marginal increase in costs added to any highways scheme as a result of this subcontracting.

 Response: 

  • In response to this question, attached is a report detailing performance and progress of this years ITS programme. This provides an overview of works to date of the £4m 15/16 ITS programme, and confirms good progress with over 54% of schemes already constructed. However, it also identifies areas for improvement including how schemes are commissioned and delivered and improving efficiency within the Transport Infrastructure team.
  • The report also provides details of Kier’s resources and pricing. In summary all of the ITS programme is delivered via a range of ten specialist sub-contractors and there are currently no issues with resource availability. Sub-contracting is the normal practice for ITS works, as it requires a degree of specialism and the resource requirement varies from month to month.  To ensure value for money, the majority of schemes are priced using a fixed “Price List” The price list was tendered on the open market and Kier proved to be best value when compared to their national competitors. The fixed “price list” must be used by all of Kier’s specialist supply chain and can only be adjusted each year by inflation, with no additional cost permitted. We are currently undertaking a detailed value for money exercise of the Kier contract, which will be reported to the December EPEH Board, however, if you have any concerns about scheme costs please share with the Area Highway Manager and we will include this cost data with our own value for money exercises. 
  • We recognise that the delivery of ITS schemes remains an area of concern with members, and would be keen to work with the Local Committee Chairs to see how these can be delivered more effectively in the future.

Haslemere and Western Villages Task Group, November 13th, Highways budget forecast and discussion of prioritisation of ITS (Integrated Transport Schemes) for next financial year. Speed reduction and road safety improvements will be our priorities for Haslemere going forward although significant highways budget cuts are expected 2016/17 that will have a negative impact.

SWT stakeholder conference: Basingstoke campus, October 13, 2015 

Discussions on challenges facing the network, ridership increasing, train overcrowding, old track infrastructure is a significant limiting factor.  The points outside Woking present a pinch point in the system, limiting the number of trains per hour that can run to Haslemere, a future multimillion £ investment will be needed to overcome this issue. South west trains franchise is up for renewal 2017.

SOME SCC NEWS UPDATES

Plastics Recycling Campaign                                                    

A county-wide campaign launched on Monday (2 November) to encourage Surrey residents to recycle more plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays. Everyone in Surrey can recycle plastics from each room in the house. That  includes yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, fruit or vegetable trays and every type of plastic bottle. Once recycled they could be reborn as new items like furniture, children’s toys, a football shirt or even another bottle.

Recycling of plastics is important for the Surrey Waste Partnership as only 27% of household plastics are currently recycled in the county.

If every adult in Surrey recycled one more plastic bottle a week it would taxpayers more than £218,000 a year. To find out more, visit the Recycle Surrey

SCC recycling

NHS Health Checks Campaign Continues

Over 17,000 people in Surrey have now had their free NHS Health Check so we’re  looking to build on that success with further communications activity throughout November. Residents aged 40-74 with no history of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke or kidney disease will be reminded that they are eligible for a free NHS Health Check.

Check at a nearby GP surgery or pharmacy. As people get older, their risk of developing these problems increases, but an NHS Health Check will pick up early signs. This allows them to take action to improve their health.

Please encourage residents in your area to visit the Healthy Surrey website to find out how to book an NHS Health Check.

Healthcheck

Surrey Alliance Homeless News: Surrey Alliance Oct 15 news

Latest News from Stagecoach: see link here

Crossrail: Crossrail public consultation

Letters from Police and Crime Commissioner’s office 

Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board Meeting today

Today I’m attending the Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board meeting. Here is the agenda:

Agenda

Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board Wednesday, 21 October 2015 10.30 am

Venue: Ashcombe, County Hall, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2DN

Contact: Huma Younis or Dominic Mackie, Room 122, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames

No. Item
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 9 SEPTEMBER 2015 PDF 269 KB

To agree the previous minutes as a true record of the meeting.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

Notes:

·         In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest.

·         Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

·         Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register.

·         Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.
4. QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

To receive any questions or petitions.

Notes:

·         The deadline for Member’s questions is 12.00pm four working days before the meeting (Thursday 15 October 2015)

·         The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (Wednesday 14 October 2015).

·         The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME PDF 51 KB

The board is asked to monitor progress on the implementation of recommendations from previous meetings and to review its forward work programme.

Additional documents:
6. UPDATES FROM MEMBER REFERENCE GROUPS AND TASK GROUPS

To receive a verbal update from the boards task groups and member reference groups.
7. THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL AND SURREY WILDLIFE TRUST TO MANAGE THE COUNTRYSIDE ESTATE PDF 98 KB

Purpose of the Report: Scrutiny of Services and Performance Management/ Policy Development

This report updates the Board on the review of the Agreement between Surrey County Council and Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) to manage the County Council’s Countryside Estate.  A decision will be going to the County Council’s Cabinet in November 2015, an outline draft of which is attached.  This will set out the variations to the current Agreement and the monitoring process put in place to ensure the service is delivered to the agreed standards. The Board is asked to provide feedback on the proposed changes to the Agreement.

Additional documents:
8. SHAPING SURREY’S COMMUNITY RECYCLING CENTRES PDF 242 KB

Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services/ Policy Development

To enable scrutiny of proposals to change the service offered at the Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) to reduce costs and meet savings targets.

These proposals are due to be presented to Cabinet in November.
9. INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AND MINIMISATION PDF 83 KB

Purpose of the report:  Scrutiny of Services

To review the summary of audit findings and Management Action Plan produced as a result of an internal audit review of the Waste Management and Minimisation 2014/15.

Additional documents:
10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 10 DECEMBER 2015

The next meeting of the Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways board will be held on 10 December at 10.30am in the Ashcombe Suite, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames.

A Guide to Recycling in Haslemere

The Haslemere dustcart service for general waste at Wey Hill car park ended last month.

SCC is mandated to reduce spending across the board due to central government funding cuts. Currently the waste management team is facing £1.8 million cuts.

Ending the Haslemere service will save Surrey taxpayers up to £60,000 a year, money that can be used to support essential services like schools, social care and roads. It will also boost recycling as 78 per cent of waste taken to the dustcart could be recycled through existing services but instead it was ending up in landfill.

Since the dustcart was introduced, there have been improvements to household recycling collections, bring banks and local recycling centres. This has meant use of the dustcart has dropped by 42 per cent in the last four years.

Due to the improvements, 45 per cent of waste collected from Waverley homes is now recycled, as well as 65 per cent of waste taken to Surrey’s recycling centres.

Recycling Services continuing at Wey Hill car park

  • The garden waste cart run by Waverley Borough Council (WBC) will still be available on Saturdays from 8am.
  • The recycling banks take cans, aerosols, cardboard, cartons, small electrical items, foil, paper, plastic bottles, shoes and textiles.

Alternative ways to recycle and dispose of waste

    • Blue Bin Roadside Collection. Your blue bin is key to help reducing landfill and creating a more sustainable Waverley. Cardboard, paper (white & coloured), shredded paper (inside a box or envelope), glass bottles/jars, tins, cans, aerosols, Tetrapaks, foil, food waste and plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays and bottle tops are all collected from your home by WBC. Waverley Borough Council collects mixed recyclable items from your blue recycling bin every two weeks. WBC will provide an additional roadside blue bin free of charge. Telephone: 01483 523524 Visit: http://www.waverley.gov.uk/envenquiryform
    • The nearest Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) to Haslemere are in Witley, Farnham and Cranleigh.
  • Garden Waste can also be taken to CRCs or you can sign up to WBC’s collection. You can also buy a discounted compost bin.
  • Green Food Waste Caddy. For more information please see Waverley Borough Council’s food waste collections page. WBC collects food waste from the green caddy once a week. Check your bin collection day online.
Here is a Recycling A-Z from Waverley’s website: http://www.waverley.gov.uk/directory/15/recycling_a-z

 

This Dust Cart Recycle Alternatives Summary offers a guide where Haslemere residents can recycle.

Other Recycling Initiatives in Haslemere

Please remember that the junk shop (formerly Basix) on Wey Hill will take in many household goods. Also, Cooper Brothers of Hindhead will accept single items cleared to complete house clearance. http://www.cooperbrothershindhead.co.uk/

Freecycle Haslemere has a page http://www.freelywheely.com/haslemere/freecycle

Charity Shops: Haslemere has a range of charity shops that will take in good quality items for sale.

Transition Haslemere will re-sell second hand books. Also, as part of Surrey County Council’s waste reduction programme, they collect unwanted textiles for recycling at their stall in the Farmers Market in Haslemere (first Sunday of the month). Unlike most other textile recyling collections they will even take items that are ‘worn or torn’, so they don’t have to be of wearable quality. Just bring your unwanted textile items along to their stall on the day and we’ll make sure they are put to good use.

The Midhurst Community Website offers Haslemere residents a free listing to sell unwanted items. See here.

The Surrey Reuse Network (SRN)

Please also consider the Surrey Re-Use Network (SRN) http://www.surreyreusenetwork.org.uk/donate

SRN is a charity and social enterprise that represents and supports community based furniture and appliance reuse & recycling organisations in Surrey. It works to encourage collaborative working between SRN members, other charities, social enterprises, local authorities and commercial businesses.

The main aim being to develop and deliver co-ordinated, efficient, high quality and financially sustainable reuse, recycling, repair, employment, volunteering and training services; that have a positive impact on local communities and the environment.

Applications for funding are welcome

Each Surrey County Councillor receives a members’ allocation of £10,600 per year. This year’s must be allocated by the end of February, 2016.  Funding applications must meet the following criteria:

  • projects must benefit the community and be inclusive and accessible to all
  • meet the Council’s agreed policies or priorities
  • one off projects
  • supported by the local County Councillor
Excluded or restricted projects:
  • political organisations
  • delivery of the national curriculum
  • on going revenue costs
  • statutory obligations of other authorities
  • retrospective bids are discouraged

Please contact me if you would be interested in applying for funding for a community project at nikki.barton@surreycc.gov.uk.  The application process has been simplified and is now a straightforward process.  Once an application has been agreed, funding is transferred to the applicant within 2 weeks.

In past years some Haslemere organisations (to name but a few) that have successfully applied for funding include The Citizens’ Advice Bureau, First Haslemere Scouts, Haslemere Hockey Club, Haslewey, Woolmer Hill, Haslemere Library.

CAB laptop bought with contribution from SCC

CAB laptop bought with contribution from SCC

SCC has funded arts & crafts project at Haslemere Library

SCC has funded arts & crafts project at Haslemere Library

SCC has funded Haslewey Brighter Futures course

SCC has funded Haslewey Brighter Futures course

 

Notice of Roadworks on Petworth Road in Haslemere next week

I advise of some impending utility works on Petworth Road Haslemere. The works will be outside Lythe Hill Hotel. The works are using two-way temporary signals.

These works are being carried out by BT  and are due to installing new duct work for a new supply.

These works are due to take place from Monday 15/10/15  for approximately 3 days.

Minutes of the September 2015 Waverley Local Committee

The minutes for Waverley Local Committee, Friday, 25 September 2015, 1.30 pm have been published.

To see the publicly available information, follow the link: Minutes details on public web site

The following items are included in the minutes:

No. Item
28/15 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
29/15 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
30/15 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
31/15 PETITIONS
32/15 FORMAL PUBLIC QUESTIONS
33/15 MEMBER QUESTIONS
34/15 ALLEGED PUBLIC FOOTPATH BETWEEN PETWORTH ROAD/LOWER STREET AND COLLEGE HILL, HASLEMERE (OTHER COUNTY COUNCIL FUNCTIONS)
35/15 HIGHWAYS UPDATE (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION)
36/15 VARIOUS ROADS IN WAVERLEY: SPEED LIMIT ASSESSMENT (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION)
37/15 LOCAL COMMITTEE FORWARD PROGRAMME (SERVICE MONITORING AND ISSUES OF LOCAL CONCERN)
38/15 CHANGES TO THE COMMUNITY YOUTH WORK SERVICE IN WAVERLEY (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION)
39/15 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT FROM SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (SERVICE MONITORING AND ISSUES OF LOCAL CONCERN)
40/15 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SAFER WAVERLEY PARTNERSHIP (SERVICE MONITORING AND ISSUES OF LOCAL CONCERN)
41/15 PROMOTING RESILIENCE TO FLOODING (SERVICE MONITORING AND ISSUES OF LOCAL CONCERN) (TO FOLLOW)

Haslemere County Councillor Update

Here’s my county councillor update from the past few weeks.

HIGHWAYS UPDATE FOR HASLEMERE

  1. The station car park and forecourt plans are being finalised before going to consultation.
  1. SCC Cycling strategy – I have been gathering feedback and sharing with the Haslemere and Western Villages task group.
  1. Lion Lane, resurfacing of pavement/entrance to Shottermill Junior School – planned for October half term.
  1. SCC work gang to carry out extensive maintenance works in High Street. Also Bunch Lane, wooden posts to be installed to prevent drivers parking on verge.
  1. High Street- some of the old lights not removed because Scottish and Southern Energy have been delayed in their new connection work for the lights where Skanska could not carry out transfers, Skanska is not sure why at this stage. Once the remaining lights are connected and commissioned Skanska will remove the old lights and associated fixtures where possible. They didn’t want to remove the old lights which until commissioned still form part of the system of street lighting on the High Street.
  1. Requested Skanska to replace 2 modern lights in West Street with conservation lighting.
  1. Gateways schemes and Shepherds Hill/Lower Street junction pedestrian crossing safety improvement scheme currently delayed due to lack of Kier staff.
  1. Pedestrian crossing at the top of Weyhill, as an option – design being drawn up for discussion.
  1. Lower Street/Shepherds Hill railings – I have halted the repainting until the snagging has been carried out.
  1. Weysprings – French Drain to be installed to resolve flooding issues, Project Horizon surface to be repaired.
  1. Sturt Road added to SCC Speed Management Plan, request for VAS to be considered at next HWV task group.
  1. Hammer Lane footpath to Woolmer Hill, works delayed due to dormice, to be restarted once this issue resolved, E Hants District Council liaising with SCC Highways re pedestrian safety at crossing by Cat Protection League.
  1. Sunbrow/Sickle Mill Road – met with WBC and SCC officers to discuss bank slippage where debris is blocking drains causing flooding, and the highway is deteriorating. Positive that WBC/SCC partnership can address these issues.
  1. Tennysons Lane repairs – Surrey County Council to carry out urgent carriageway repair works. The closure will commence on 22nd September 2015 for a period of up to 5 days. These works are anticipated to be carried out between the hours of 09:00 11:00 within one day of the 5 day period of operation of this Notice. The temporary closure will only operate when the relevant traffic signs are displayed. Tennysons Lane Haslemere S14(2) Notice 22 Sept 2015.
  1.  Sandrock, Haslemere – agreement with SCC Highways to install 2-3 new lighting columns in the upper, currently unlit, section of Sandrock to improve pedestrian safety.

MEETINGS/EVENTS ATTENDED

August 25, 2015 Waverley Cycle Forum

Sept 8, 2015 LSTF (Local Sustainable Transport Fund)  Two Parks Project- concluding conference on the impact of the project to encourage the use of more sustainable forms of transport to visit  the South Downs and New Forest National Parks.

Sept 9th, 2015 Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board. Here is the agenda.

Sept 9th, 2015 Haslemere celebrates longest serving monarch. Attended this event organised by Haslemere Town Council.

Haslemere celebrates the longest serving monarch

Haslemere celebrates the longest serving monarch

Longest Reigning Monarch Girl Guiding badge

Longest Reigning Monarch Girl Guiding badge

Sept 11, 2015  First comedy night at Haslewey community centre, Haslemere.  The event was intended to show case the recent transformation of the centre to a fantastic venue for parties, weddings and other events.

 

Sept 14, 2015  Haslemere cycling visit: SCC cycle officers, VC Godalming and Haslemere and Waverley Cycle Forum to identify opportunities to improve cycling in and around Haslemere.

Sept 17, 2015  Local Area Committee first cycle strategy meeting, Haslemere

Sept 17, 2015 Chairman’s Volunteers Reception, Box Hill, Surrey to celebrate the work of Surrey Volunteers – Sharon and Brian Short were recognised for an award for services to the community, as were their children Jamie and Clare.  Read more about the awards here.

MEETING COMING UP THIS WEEK

Agenda for Local Area Committee (Friday 25th September 2015) here: http://www.haslemerefirst.com/agenda-waverley-local-area-committee-25th-september/

Haslemere items include College Hill alleged public footpath and Changes to Community Youth Work (see below).

SCC CUTS IN SERVICES IN HASLEMERE

SCC’s current Medium Term Financial Plan (2014-19) requires the delivery of £253m service reductions and efficiencies. Surrey is one of the most dependent of all councils on council tax receipts for its funding and the most dependent of all shire counties (i.e. it receives among the very lowest proportion of its funding as Government grant).

Changes to Community Youth Work in Waverley Borough, to be discussed at the Waverley Local Area Committee meeting, Sept 25th (see agenda, item 11).  Proposals include loss of all funded community youth work at the Wey Centre, I am extremely concerned about these proposed changes. SCC’s rationale – cuts of 11% in funding for Community Youth Work across the county, a new strategic goal of employability for young people and SCC Cabinet steer to allocate more resources to areas of greatest need.

Wey Hill Saturday dust cart service will end on September 26th, 2015, the green waste collection will remain.  SCC’s rationale – SCC waste management team have to cut spending by £3.4 million 2015-16, 85% of waste currently being thrown away in the Saturday dust cart is recyclable.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Train Overcrowding

Surrey train services among most overcrowded – Surrey County Council reiterated its support for Crossrail 2 after Department for Transport figures revealed that four Surrey train services were among the most overcrowded in England and Wales. The council is conducting a study into the benefits of extending the planned rail link further into Surrey.

Proposals for the cross-London line currently take in Shepperton, Epsom and Hampton Court in the county. Better rail services and other infrastructure investment are seen as central to Surrey’s continuing economic success.

Find out about fostering Last week, SCC continued its drive to recruit more foster carers for children and young people in our care. The campaign will run for two weeks on the three local radio stations (Eagle, Heart and Jackie). The council is also going to be advertising in local magazines countywide.

Please encourage your residents to consider fostering. We welcome enquiries from people, regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, or cultural background. Residents can call the team on 08000 96 96 26 or visit website for more information.

Could you make a difference to a child's life?

Could you make a difference to a child’s life?

Residents recycled more due to clothing and home textiles campaign

Thirty per cent more clothes and home textiles were collected from homes and recycling banks during a textiles recycling campaign in April and May, compared to the previous  year.

There was also a 20 per cent increase in textiles collected at community recycling centres. The campaign used a range of tactics including advertising in shopping centres and local radio, as well as online and in magazines.

Independent research was undertaken with residents after the campaign and 88 percent said it had encouraged them to recycle more clothes and home textiles.

There were also textile collections in four county council buildings as part of the campaign, with 584kg donated.

A further campaign to encourage recycling of clothes and home textiles will take place in the spring.

From Torn To Re-Born

From Torn To Re-Born

Children’s social work

Surrey County Council has recently announced its ‘confident in our future’ change programme which marks a big change for children’s services and the way it operates. A children’s social work recruitment campaign has been launched following extensive focus group research and staff engagement to ensure that we are tackling the right issues and recruiting in the right areas.

You may be interested to see this news item via the BBC regarding children’s services. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-34204193

Stoptober

Stoptober returns to help you go smokefree – If you stop smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to stop for good.

StoptoberSurrey County Council will be running a campaign to promote Stoptober to smokers in Surrey until the end of October. With new laws coming into force on 1 October making it illegal to smoke in any vehicle with someone under 18 present, there’s now one less place to smoke. That means there’s one more reason to sign up to Stoptober. The campaign offers a variety of free and proven support including packs, apps and emails to help you quit for those key 28 days and beyond.

The Surrey Stop Smoking Service is on hand to arrange local support for you that is personal and tailored to your needs. You can choose from advice over the telephone or face to face support at weekly clinics, pharmacies and GP surgeries. Please help promote the campaign and your local free service with your networks.   Contact the Surrey Stop Smoking Service on 0845 602 3608 or visit the Healthy Surrey website to find out how to sign up and get support. More information here http://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/your-health/smoking/.

A MESSAGE FROM VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH WEST SURREY

Surrey County Council has asked Voluntary Action South West Surrey to send out this link to their annual survey of Voluntary, Community and Faith Organisations. The survey is used to evaluate our performance so we would be grateful if you would take the time to complete it.

The survey has been made shorter and simpler this year so hopefully won’t take too long to fill in. Here is the link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CVS_2015

The closing date is 16th October.

Haslemere family receive SCC Chairman’s Volunteer Awards

Last Thursday, 17th Sept, I attended the SCC Chairman’s Volunteer Awards evening where Sharon and Brian Short, and their children Clare and Jamie were recognised for their services to the community. The Short family are amazing- between them they have given 65 years of voluntary service to Scouting in Haslemere!

1st Haslemere Scout Group is one of the oldest scout groups in the country having been started SVV Volunteer Awardsin 1909 a year after Baden-Powell published Scouting for Boys. The scout group has around 100 children actively involved in the weekly meetings and other events. 1st Haslemere Scout Group is part of Haslemere District which encompasses the scout groups of Camelsdale, Chiddingfold, Churt, Fernhurst, Grayshott, Haslemere & Hindhead.

SVV Volunteer AwardsFor the past 20 years, 1st Haslemere Scout Group has been run by the Sharon and Brian Short; their two children, Clare and Jamie, are also actively involved in group. The whole Short family are also involved in Haslemere District Scout activities.

SVV Volunteer AwardsSharon and Brian Short have been in the scouting movement for over 25 years in the Haslemere area and since 1995 have led the scout group in Haslemere.

Sharon has recently stepped down from the group scout leader role which oversees all the arrangements for the different sections beavers, cubs and scouts. Brian runs the scouts section. Clare is a scout leader for Haslemere Network Scouts and also provides training for climbing for other groups in the district. Jamie is an explorer scout leader and runs activities for 30 young adult members from around the district.

During the year the Short family dedicate a large proportion of their spare time organising activities for the group and district including;

  • Camping trips, both weekends away and week long summer expeditions.
  • Organising fund raising events for the group. Providing training and activities for other scout groups in the district. Running weekly meetings for the scouts.
  • Each year a large number of children in the Haslemere area benefit greatly from the commitment and enthusiasm of the Short family. The Shorts foster interaction between children from different backgrounds and schools around the area which leads to relationships that would not normally be formed.