Tag Archives: Surrey County Councillor

Footway and carriageway patching works Upper Mount, Grayswood

From: Works Communication Team/EAI/SCC
Sent: 15 January 2021 13:28
To: Nikki Barton <Nikki.Barton@surreycc.gov.uk>
Subject: Delays possible on Upper Mount, Grayswood – Footway and carriageway patching

Good afternoon,

Please find attached the leaflet for the footway and carriageway patching works Upper Mount, Grayswood. The leaflets will be delivered to local residents and businesses over the next few working days.

Delays possible

25 January

7am – 5.30pm

For 8 days

Mon – Fri only

Roadworks during the coronavirus restrictions

The government and Department for Transport have asked the Highway Sector Council to make every effort to deliver essential highways projects on all local authority highway networks, whilst abiding by the COVID-19 safe working practices. We are therefore carrying out these works in line with central government and COVID-19 safe working practises and in accordance with the CLC Site Operating Procedures, endorsed by Public Health England.

Our sub-contractor will have appropriate procedures in place to ensure their staff can comply with government advice. We would ask that you please respect these workers as they deliver these highways services.

We will continue to keep Surrey moving and all key routes will remain open and safe for key workers. For more information visit www.ourroads.today.

Sometimes our plans have to change, often due to bad weather or problems on other works in the same programme which can have a knock on effect. If anything changes with the details of these works, we will let you know.

You and your residents can also find up to date details and receive updates of the works on https://one.network/

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 0300 200 1003 or email works.communication@surreycc.gov.uk.

Kind regards

Works Communication Officer

Works Communication Team

Surrey Highways

Roadworks Next Week in Lower Street, Haslemere

Reminder. Road works are due to start tomorrow in Lower Street, #Haslemere. Expect delays. For more roadworks info: https://t.co/0HrsxlX4R8 #SurreyHighways via @WaverleyLC— Nikki Barton – Independent (@VoteNikkiBarton) April 14, 2019


https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roadworks-and-maintenance/roadworks#help

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.

A286 roadworks delayed

I heard earlier today that the A286 resurfacing has been put back from the planned start next Monday 29 September by two weeks. BT very recently notified SCC that they want to cable the A286 for high speed broadband – this has the backing of the Leader – so they will be going in on Monday for two weeks with surfacing to follow. I understand they plan to use existing ducts but are likely to need to dig down where they encounter obstructions, so it is best they go in ahead of us and in advance of the five year embargo on excavation for planned works once the new surface is in. The electronic signs will be changed to read ‘Road closed for BT works’ or similar.

September Update

I hope all readers had a great Summer. The Barton Family were in Kenya fundraising for the Tusk Trust and Magnet School & Orphanage. We survived the Safaricom and volunteered in the orphanage. More about our adventure towards the end of this blog post but first…

Here are some county councillor updates…

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT ROADWORKS

Resurfacing Works: A286 Haslemere Road / Grayswood Road : Godalming / Haslemere

Surrey County Council will be carrying out essential carriageway reconstruction and resurfacing works on the A286 Haslemere Road / Grayswood Road  between Gasden Lane & Highercombe Road. The resurfacing works will involve day time road closures and diversion, between the hours of 09:00 – 16:30 week commencing  the 29th September 2014.

In an effort to minimise disruption to local schools, residents and businesses the works will be undertaken in three phases as detailed below-

  1. Gasden Lane to Roke Lane.
  2. Roke Lane to The Mount / Lower Road
  3. The Mount / Lower Road to Highercombe Road.

Due to the nature of work being undertaken access to your properties will be severely restricted and could be subject to long delays. If you need vehicular access during the above period it may be advisable to find alternative parking arrangements away from the A286 during the above working times otherwise please allow additional time for your journey. Please read more information here.

LOCAL EVENTS

Haslemere Visitor Centre is celebrating the Arts and Crafts Movement that was centred in Haslemere 100 years ago with several events to enlighten and inspire all ages. Whether you love history or arts and crafts you will be intrigued to find out more about the history of Haslemere right here on your doorstep! Please click here more information. Events include Guided Tour of Local Arts & Crafts Buildings by Catherine Eyre (Saturday 13th September) and Guided Tour of St. Christopher’s Arts & Craft Church (Saturday 27th September).

Haslemere Food Festival. On Saturday 27th September 2014, Haslemere will play host to a one day celebration of all things food and drink; a chance to experience the best the region has to offer! Click here for more information about the Festival. Click here for information about The Food Festival’s Schools Competition.

The Tour of Britain will take place this month. Stage 7, Camberley to Brighton will pass through Haslemere on 13th September 2014. You can check out details here.

The Tour of Britain

The Orchard Club, Friends of Age UK, Haslemere, is hosting a Harvest Wine & Dine on Monday 29th September @12 noon. Bookings: 01428 658190 Visit their website: http://www.orchardclub.org.uk/

SURREY EVENTS

Take on the Surrey Travel Smart Challenge

The Travel SMART Challenge is now under way. It encourages Surrey residents to take their everyday journeys by sustainable means. Throughout September, workplaces across Surrey will battle it out to show that their employees make the smartest travel choices. Please encourage your residents to register for the Travel SMART Challenge by visiting www.travelsmart.getmeactive.org.uk.

Surrey’s Mobile Advisory Service for the Deaf will be in Haslemere

The service will be at Rolston House, Vicarage Lane, on Thursday 18th September 2014 between 2pm and 4pm. September 2014 Mobile Advisory Service venue list.

MEETINGS THAT I WILL BE ATTENDING.

1. The Surrey County Council Residents’ Association/Independents will be meeting in Kingston on 9th September 2014.

2. Surrey County Council’s Environment and Transport Select Committee will meet on 10th September 2014. Agenda here. Items being considered are

  • Operation Horizon – Annual Report
  • Gully Cleaning Update
  • Annual Report Of The Winter Maintenance Task Group
  • Local Transport Review
  • Surrey Wildlife Trust

3. During the day of 11th September 2014, I am meeting SCC’s Highways team in Haslemere.

4. Haslemere Town Council will meet on 11th September 2014 at 7pm. Here is the agenda. There will be a presentation from the 20 is Plenty group regarding 20 mph speed limits.

5. The Waverley Local Area Committee will meet on 26 September 2014 1.30 pm at Wrecclesham Community Centre, Greenfield Road, Farnham GU9 8TJ. See the Waverley committee page here.

LOCAL COUNCILLOR NEWS

Derby Road potholes outside St Bart’s School

Work has begun on the school extension. As big lorries will be using this road for access, we have decided to delay the repair of the road until December 2014. This has been agreed in consultation with the school’s Headteacher, Mr Beckerson, and the Derby Road Residents’ Association.

Workshop at Haslemere Skate Park

Enjoyed attending a skate park workshop last month. Part of my members’ allowance was given to the skate park.

Haslemere Skate Park

 

A BIG THANK YOU

AND! Finally…My husband, Jerry, my daughters and I were in Kenya fundraising for the Tusk Trust and Magnet School & Orphanage over the summer.

Barton Safaricom

We competed in one of the toughest running events in the world this summer.  The 15th annual Safaricom Marathon took place in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya, home to all the “Big 5” species and a leader in developing local communities alongside wildlife conservation.  Our daughters, Camille and Eléa, ran in the 5km race for under 16s, and were sponsored for Magnet School & Orphanage in the deprived Nairobi suburb, Ongata Rongai, raising over £1500.  Jerry and I ran in the half-marathon for the Tusk Trust, which promotes sustainable development, education, healthcare and wildlife conservation across Africa.

Before the race, helicopters and armed wardens cleared the wild animals from the route of the race which runs through the bush. This year, the children’s race was delayed while a pack of hyenas was cleared off the course. The race is tough due to its demanding cross-country route, combined with being at an altitude of 6000ft and the intense African heat, not to mention the adrenaline from the risk of meeting a rhino or buffalo straying onto the course. Camille and Eléa came in the top half of a 220-strong field made up mainly of local Kenyan boys and girls, finishing 1st and 3rd ‘mzungu’ or non-Kenyan girls.

During the trip we visited a local community water project in Lewa that showed how a small investment can improve the lives of thousands of people via the installation of a low tech system to make better use of precious fresh spring water.  We also spent the night at Magnet School & Orphanage in Nairobi, hosted by the Principal, Bishop Jeremiah Kibobi. They delivered 9 large boxes of much-needed stationery, books, shoes and clothing as well as sports equipment and musical instruments. We would like to thank everyone who very generously gave us donations to take to Magnet, including the girls’ classmates at Amesbury and Guildford High School, friends and parishioners at St Stephen’s Church in Shottermill, Nobb’s the Newsagents, The Sports Locker and Chamberlain Music. It is impossible to describe the joy of the Magnet High children, many of whom are orphans, on receiving the gifts we brought with us.

We also saw how every penny of the sponsorship money Camille and Eléa have raised so far has been effectively used by Bishop Jeremiah to improve the school.  Four years ago when Camille and her father visited Magnet for the first time, the girls’ dormitory was also used as the school dining room. The girls slept two to a bunk in the extremely hot, corrugated tin shack.  On this visit, the Magnet girls proudly showed off their separate brick dormitory, built using the sponsorship funds, where now each girl has her own bed.

For more information and the opportunity to sponsor us, go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Barton_Family

Councillor Update

Here is an update of some of my county councillor work for Haslemere over the past weeks.

Serpent Trail Re-Launch

I am Surrey County Council’s representative for the Two Parks Project (South Downs and New Forest). The Serpent Trail re-launch and event was a success due to a very positive partnership between Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex County Councils, the South Downs National Parks, Haslemere Visitor Information Bureau. The National Trust very kindly hosted the launch event, and Waitrose provided invaluable refreshments.

Serpent Trail 2

Haslemere is Surrey’s perfect gateway to the South Downs and benefits from frequent and fast train links. The joy of the Serpent Trail is that it is a circular route by getting the Number 70 bus (running on Sundays through the Summer between Haslemere station to Midhurst) or the train from various points on the route back to Haslemere.

Serpent Trail

Bus Shelter in Border Road, Shottermill

There is now a new bus shelter at the Border Road bus stop in Shottermill.  The majority of funding for this was through utilising some of my member’s allocation, plus a contribution from Haslemere Town Council with a “top up” from some local PIC (Planning Infrastructure Contribution) monies. The bus shelter blends in very well with the environment and has been installed to a high standard.

Bus Shelter in Border Road, Shottermill

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

Met with volunteers from the Haslemere Citizens’ Advice Bureau. Delighted to fund laptop and microwave for the CAB office from some of my member’s allocation.  Attended staff meeting, learnt that recent benefit changes are having a significant negative impact on residents.

CAB laptop

Kenya Visit

Delighted to meet Jeremiah and Sarah Kibobe who run Magnet High School and Orphanage in the outskirts of Nairobi. They visited local schools in Haslemere recently. The Bartons will be running as a family in the Safaricom half marathon in the Lewa Conservancy to raise money for the TUSK Conservation Trust and Magnet High School and Orphanage.

Kenya Visit

Scouts’ funding

Met the 1st Haslemere Scouts group. With funds from my member’s allowance, they purchased a parol tent, hike tents, an event shelter and a gazebo.  The equipment will be used during the summer at a number of events including the Surrey Scout’s Scoutabout, the Haslemere District Scout’s Muir Challenge, their summer camp in the New Forest, Cub’s Senior Sixers Camp and on a number of hikes; the equipment will benefit about 80 children.

At the moment the scouts wish to attract new adult helpers. 1st Haslemere Scouts are looking for adult volunteers to join the team organising and running the different scouting sections.

There are a number of different roles available including Scout, Cub and Beaver Leaders working with children between the ages of 6 and 14. Each role is different and offers everything from outdoor adventure, sports, developing new skills and arts and crafts to using organisational and management skills, communicating across the scouting movement and working with a variety of people. All roles include lots of fun, are very rewarding and can offer flexibility supported by full training.

If you can help or know someone who could and would like more information about the roles or the scouting movement in the UK, please contact them; info@haslemerescouts.com

http://www.haslemerescouts.org.uk/leaders-volunteering/

Interim repairs for College Hill

Intervened to arrange next day interim repairs for dangerous potholes on College Hill.

College Hill repair

Haslemere Vision

Dropped into the community planning workshop to consider future uses of the Wey Hill Fairground.

Attendees were asked what ideas they have for this site. We were informed of the legal status of the land. It is common land and whatever Waverley Borough Council decides to do must be for the benefit of the neighbourhood.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT re Haslemere Vision. Hard copies of the final consultation are being distributed to over 8,000 households in Haslemere and the villages. Feedback during this consultation is vital if the final Neighbourhood Plan policies are to be a true reflection of the community’s wishes.  Now is the time for input on some of the key issues and options facing the area we live in.  Please read the booklet (which will be delivered to every household) and fill in the questionnaire, ideally on-line. Go to:  http://haslemerevision.org.uk/surveys/consultation-survey/

Suderburg – German youth football exchange with Haslemere Town FC U11s

Met Haslemere Town Football Club for their U11s two ‘Friendship Trophy’ games with the visitors from Suderburg, with Cllr Libby Piper (then town Mayor). Provided funding for the team to support the exchange visit.

Teams Football Exchange

Football Exchange

Wey Hill in Bloom Volunteers

Met up with the Wey Hill in Bloom volunteers earlier this month where they were re-planting beds and flower boxes.

Wey Hill In Bloom 1 Wey Hill Bloom 2

Haslemere Town Council: Amenities Committee

Attended this meeting on June 12, 2014. Discussed the possibilities for the green space at the junction of Lower Street and Shepherds Hill. I am very keen that it should become an attractive pocket park, as a valuable green refuge at the intersection of 2 busy roads with a bus stop.  I have agreed £200 of member allocation towards a new tree, and will negotiate with SCC Highways to see how the lower railings on Shepherds Hill could be altered to integrate the 2 spaces. Discussion included planting, a bench, a sculpture or piece of art possibly to mark WW1.

Sickle Mill Estate

Met with residents to discuss the failing bank below the recreation area and the impact on the road surface and drainage. Follow up research confirms that the bank is the responsibility of Waverley Borough Council.  Also raised the very poor state of Sunbrow Road link with Sturt Farm with Highways. Continuing to follow this up.

Polecat Valley

Met with residents concerned about trees overhanging the highway, and drainage issues.

Parking enforcement in Haslemere

Met with Kevin McKee who heads up the Guildford Borough Council parking enforcement team to discuss  the issues raised by residents and businesses of parking enforcement on bank holidays.  GBC have a contract from SCC to carry out the on-street parking enforcement, while Waverley Borough Council are responsible for enforcement in their own car parks. We agreed that Kevin would meet with businesses to discuss concerns in early September. Businesses do have the right to load. Any businesses that experience problems with the parking wardens should get in touch with Kevin immediately. His email: KevinMcKee@guildford.gov.uk.

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS UPDATE

1. “20 is Plenty” petition presented to the LAC in March, 2014 calling for reduced speed limits in the High Street, Lower Street and roads where requested by residents. I expressed my support for the principle of reducing traffic speeds through Haslemere. Currently many of our streets do not feel safe to walk and cycle, and crossing roads for the elderly and young can be challenging.  There is a record of accidents on Lower Street near the station. The 2005 Haslemere Health Check identified a reduction in traffic speeds as a community priority.

Haslemere Town Council held a meeting of the Planning and Highways Committee on 29 May 2014. The committee voted to submit an official objection to the petition (see link).  Given that the objection was based on out of date and factually incorrect information I requested that the objection letter be withdrawn. I understand this has been done.  The issue of 20mph speed limits will be discussed at the next Haslemere and Western Villages task force. SCC Highways have adopted a new revised policy on 20mph limits.  Existing traffic speeds are required to be 24 mph or less before a 20mph limit can be considered, without additional highway traffic calming infrastructure.

Traffic speed reduction can be achieved by altering the streetscape to alter how drivers perceive the road environment.  I have secured £25,000 of Local Area Committee funding for “gateways” on the entries into Haslemere, with the aim of clearly stating that drivers are entering a built up area and should reduce their speeds.

2. Fosters Bridge flooding issues: the LAC funded report providing a full assessment of the catchment area and the drainage issues is nearly complete. Other reports are also being finalised, Combers’ Triangle and Critchmere Hill.

3. Jetters: There are 165,000 gullies across the county, a fleet of jetting machines clean each gully once a year, with a regular cleaning audit to assess the silt levels in the gullies.  Recent severe storm events have caused gullies to overflow as the drainage system has been overwhelmed. The Lion Lane catchment, surrounded by a steep silty catchment, has experienced flooding issues. An extra £50,000 has been made available for additional jesters, Lion Lane gullies should be jetted during July.

One issue of concern is the lack of coordination between the Waverley Borough Council road sweeping schedule and the SCC Highways jetting schedule.

A 24 hour emergency flooding response team is available where properties or homes are at risk of flooding- See here: http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/emergency-planning-and-community-safety/flooding-advice/reporting-flooding,-trees-and-power-cuts

4. Tour of Britain Cycle Race: Stage 7, passing through Haslemere 13 September, 2014. I have discussed my concerns with SCC Highways about the condition of the road surface on the Sturt Road section of the route.

5: Haslemere Vision: I have had input as a member of the policy writing group focusing on transport issues.

6: Haslemere Road Re-Surfacing:

Delighted that SCC Highways has agreed to carry out extensive road resurfacing of A286 and A287 under the flood recovery program.

A286: Haslemere Road, 7.8 km will be resurfaced between Gasden Lane and Highercombe Lane, June-Oct 2014.

A287: Hindhead Road, 2.46 km will be resurfaced between Polecat Lane and Lion Lane, June-Oct 2014.

In addition major maintenance work will be carried out at the currently failing Deepdene Embankment, works planned for Oct-Dec 2014.

7: Road Outside St Bartholomew’s School: Also reached agreement with SCC Highways that the hazardous potholes on Derby Road East outside St Bartholomew’s primary school will be repaired during the summer holidays. SCC Highways will not be adopting the road, but have agreed to carry out a repair to resolve the current health and safety issues for the school and SureStart Children’s Centre.

Waverley Local Area Committee

Attended Waverley Local Committee, Friday, 20th June, 1.30pm

All information re LAC meetings can be found here: http://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=195

Environment and Transport Select Committee

Attended Committee meeting on June 12, 2014.

Information re this committee can be found here: http://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=136

Now full member of select committee (vs. previously substitute), raised my concerns that the current SCC sustainable transport activities have a very urban bias – the Local Sustainable Transport Funded Travel SMART programme working in Guildford, Woking, Reigate and Redhill.  Going forward, there is very little, if any emphasis on improving sustainable transport provision in the smaller towns and villages in Waverley.  I suggested a key issue that needed addressing is the lack of connectivity between communities for anyone who does not own a car.  This results in physical, social and economic isolation. SCC Highways acknowledged this shortcoming.

The Waverley Local Transport Plan (shortly to be going out to local consultation) and Local Cycle Plans will be taken through the Local Area Committees going forward.

I also raised the issue of the need for proper integrated transport planning when schools are expanded.

PAY INCREASES FOR SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

I sent the following statement to the Haslemere Herald.

It is totally unacceptable that the SCC Conservative leadership team have yet again ignored the findings of the independent remuneration panel and awarded themselves massive pay rises, without any proper transparent and open discussion.  I am not surprised the panel has concluded that they have no alternative but to resign.

The Conservative party should reflect on the message this sends to the electorate.  I am particularly disappointed that the SCC leadership has chosen to award themselves an extra £200,000 while cutting the funding for small local community projects across the county by the same amount.

Below is a link to a blog from Conservative Home. Although not linked officially to the party, it is run by Paul Goodman, former Conservative MP for Wycombe (01-10) and during that time he was shadow minister for local government.

http://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2014/05/conservatives-should-champion-lower-councillor-allowances.html

There is a petition online: http://petitions.surreycc.gov.uk/moneygrab/

Surrey County Council Community Improvement Fund

Here is the briefing information on the County Council’s Community Improvements Fund 14/15, which sets out minor changes to the fund this year, along with the criteria and guidance, and application form.  When talking to potential applicants, please could you use the new forms attached in place of any forms from previous rounds as these have been updated.  These changes include the following:

  • a reduction to the upper limit of applications to £30,000
  • applications requesting 100% of funding are unlikely to be supported
  • the requirement to demonstrate the wider community benefit of the project
  • the recommendation that all relevant permissions should be in place at point of application (there is a requirement that they will all be in place 12 months from date of decision)
  • the requirement that there is a minimum term of at least 5 years left on a lease (from date of decision), if the application relates to a project that is on leasehold property/land;
  • being able to demonstrate that the project is scalable, in case all of the funding requested is not available;
  • a word limit on sections of the application form to help ensure concise answers.

This fund has been set up to support local community based initiatives which make a real difference to people’s lives.  Bids to the fund can be submitted for requests between £10,000 and £30,000 from 6 May until 25 July 2014. The funding is intended primarily to cover capital costs linked to community infrastructure projects.

Please see below a link to the County Council website for further information. Your local Community Partnership and Committee Officer (CPCO) will be happy to provide advice to applicants: http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/voluntary-community-and-faith-sector-vcfs/community-improvements-fund-leaders-initiative

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Food Bank AGM

The Haslemere and District Food Bank will be holding an Annual Meeting at the Methodist Church on Lion Green at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25 June both to celebrate its first anniversary and to account to the many stakeholders who have helped to make the Food Bank a very effective agent for good in our area.

They do not expect the meeting to last more than one hour; they will cover the progress they have made with collection and referral agencies, Food Bank logistics, customer demand and outreach generally. They do hope you can find the time to come along as the Food Bank has touched so many people in many ways. Do please invite anyone else you think may be interested – there is no charge – and contact Chris Gibson on 01428 661462 if you need any further information.

Local Policing Board Session

There will be a Local Policing Board session held on 3rd Sept 2014 between 5pm and 7pm. The venue is to be confirmed. These county sessions have been instigated by the Police and Crime Commissioner and take the form of a stall staffed by local Surrey Police officers and representatives of the Safer Waverley Partnership to give residents an opportunity to discuss policing priorities and local concerns relating to community safety.

Next Friday’s Waverley Local Area Committee

The next Local Area Committee for Waverley will be on 9th May 2014. Items for Haslemere include parking (phase 1) and a 20 mph speed limit petition for Haslemere.

Agenda

Waverley Local Committee
Friday, 9 May 2014 1.30 pm

Venue: Godalming Baptist Church

Contact: David North, Community Partnership & Committee Officer  Godalming Social Services Centre, Bridge Street, Godalming, GU7 1LA

 
No. Item
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive any apologies for absence.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PDF 42 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.
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. PETITIONS PDF 24 KB

To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer at least 14 days before the meeting. Alternatively, the petition can be submitted on-line through Surrey County Council’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures (30) has been reached 14 days before the meeting.

Two e-petitions have been received:
5. FORMAL PUBLIC QUESTIONS

To answer any questions from residents or businesses within the Waverley Borough area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.
6. MEMBER QUESTIONS

To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47.
7. WAVERLEY PARKING REVIEW – RESPONSE TO FORMAL ADVERTISEMENT PDF 52 KB

This report sets out the response to statutory consultation for the locations included in the 2013/14 review. The Committee is asked to consider the objections, support and other comments received and agree how to proceed in each location.

Additional documents:

Temporary Traffic Signals Along A286

I would like to inform you of some works due to start on April 7 2014. SSE will be undertaking works to renew High Voltage electricity cables utilising temporary traffic signals along the Grayswood Road between Highercombe Road and Lower Road.

The works are essential and are to replace electricity cables which (as I am sure you are aware), have recently failed resulting in many residents being left with generators providing their electricity supply. The works have an anticipated duration of approximately one month.

In order to minimise traffic congestion we have permitted the works to start early and utilise the Easter break when schools will be closed.

Whilst works along this road are never desirable removing generators and providing residents with a new robust electricity supply would seem paramount.

Haslemere Councillor Update For Recent Weeks

County Councillor Update March 19 2014

LOCAL WORK IN HASLEMERE

Finalised Spend of Members’ Allocation 2013/2014

  • Haslemere Town Council: Replacement tree bottom of Shepherds Hill: £200
  • Crossways Counselling Service: setting up new couples and families branch: £2400
  • Waverley Borough Council: Waverley Skate parks project 2013: £500
  • SCC Corporate Parenting: Look after children savings fund: £500
  • Haslemere First Responders: 2 full responder medical kits including mobile defibrillators: £2000
  • The Wave Volunteer Project: New hedge cutter: £552
  • Haslemere and District Scouts: Mess tent, hiking tents and events tent: £765
  • Tennyson’s Sure Start Centre:  Wet weather clothing for One O Clock Club: £400
  • Haslemere Town Youth Football Club: Exchange program for parents and children: £500
  • Haslemere Hockey Club: After school hockey program: £2426
  • Citizens’ Advice Bureau: Enhancement of service provision: £600
  • Haslemere Library:  Art and crafts for the Under 5s: £150
  • SCC Travel and Transport Group: New bus shelter at Critchmere/Border Road Junction: £5200

Total expenditure:

  • Revenue £12,876
  • Local Committee Capital £3,888

Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP)

Invited by Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport to join an MSCP working group following a letter I sent to his offices expressing my concerns about the proposals to push through a MSCP without full consideration of all the facts. Attendees at the meeting: representatives from SWT, Dept for Transport, MP Jeremy Hunt’s office, HTC, WBC, Haslemere Chamber, SCC parking team.

DfT representative explained that the finances of a multi-deck MSCP at Haslemere train station don’t stack up because the additional revenue from any extra spaces provided at the station are included as ‘costs’ rather than revenue.  This is because all day parkers would incur a ‘cost’ in losing their access to free on-street parking having been effectively ‘driven’ into the MSCP by yellow lining and parking restrictions.

SWT agree to pursue the additional 60 spaces on the Jewson’s side of the tracks currently used as a bus depot and to carry out a cost/benefit analysis for a single storey construction at the station. This would be a cheaper option (£2.5 m) and could provide an additional 150 spaces which is it presumed would be filled by those on the season ticket waiting list. I agreed this could a viable be an option if 1) no town wide, all day on-street parking controls were required, 2)  a proper, open and transparent public consultation was carried out, 3) a new planning application was submitted subject to full traffic and environmental impact assessments.

I also stressed that any decision on the MSCP should be made on the basis of what is right for Haslemere, not on political expediency and that I assumed that Haslemere Town Council would consult publicly if it intended to raise the precept/local taxes in order to provide a large contribution to the MSCP.

I continue to believe a holistic transport strategy for Haslemere is needed going forward. The one deck MSCP and the use of the bus depot space should provide an additional 210 spaces at the station freeing parking space on our streets but only for a short period and then what?  In the longer term more parking at the station will attract more cars, increase traffic/congestion and pollution in the town.

There is potential for more creative transport thinking, Haslemere Vision is currently considering these issues. For example, season ticket data shows that a cluster of 338 commuters live in and around Fernhurst, suggesting opportunities for car and taxi shares/hoppa buses. In the longer term, a park and ride may be a viable option given the prospect of large housing developments to the south of the town.

Shepherds Hill/Lower Street

Project Horizon repair: Shepherds Hill to be fully reconstructed starting April 1st, 6 nights of road closure 20.00-06.00 hrs. Courts Hill Road and The Avenue to follow in immediate sequence.

Shepherds Hill/Lower Street Railings: the case has been referred to SCC Customer Care team who deal with complaints across all services.  Haslemere Town Council Planning and Highways Committee has submitted an objection to the railings. The railings were the project of ex-Councillor Renshaw and cost £40,000 (Members allocation, plus Local Area Committee contribution).

Lower Street pavement resurfacing: recent resurfacing was carried out as part of the above project.

Shepherds Hill tree: Agreed that existing split tree should be removed, and contributed £200 for new tree to be planted on adjacent grassy area, however investigations have revealed an air raid shelter too near the surface to plant a significant new tree. New discussions to enhance this ‘pocket park’, options include planting a number of smaller trees, bench and possible art work.

Shepherds Hill angled parking. In January last year this change from angled to parallel parking was over-ruled by the SCC committee as 1) there had been no reported accidents here, 2) it provides vital parking spaces for the shops and 3) it provides vital parking for residents of Lower Street and Shepherds Hill who have no off street parking.

Haste Hill: agreement with WBC and HTC to remove old railings and replace with wooden posts.

Derby Road, St Bartholomew’s School: reached agreement with SCC that potholes will be repaired, anticipated repair date during Easter holidays.

Serpent Trail Launch Event, Friday June 13th, 2014:  Working with SCC and other partners to organise a community walk to celebrate and promote the upgraded Serpent Trail section linking Haslemere to the South Downs National Park.  All will be welcome to join, more information to follow.

Haslemere and train station identified as ‘gateway’ to South Downs National Park as part of Two Parks Project.  Local Sustainable Transport Funding (£150,000) has upgraded the Serpent Bridal path from the Petworth Road, will provide new route signage, support a Sunday public service to Midhurst during summer months and fund a reconfiguration of the train station forecourt to facilitate bus use.

Wey Hill Fairground Public Inquiry Cancelled: Waverley Borough Council dropped their application to redevelop the Wey Hill Fairground site and turn it in to a pay and display car park. I strongly objected to the proposal, and regret the waste of public money in pursuing this application given the very high levels of public opposition that forced a public inquiry to be held.

Letterbox pilot project: Community building initiative as part of Families, Friends and Communities project to increase social capital in a local area.  Haslemere has been identified as a pilot town for Letterbox. The project will start by end of March, and will start with a letter drop, followed by a series of conversations with residents to understand their interests, their needs and what they are willing to do to help others in the area.  Participants in the project will also be offered membership to an on-line community forum.

SCC Highways Strategy meeting: Discussions with SCC transport strategy team on the issue of transport and movement data available for Haslemere, essential for the development of a holistic transport strategy and to support the work of Haslemere Vision. Agreement that data available will be pulled together by SCC intern during summer 2014, data gaps to be identified with a view to further research.

Conservation Area Appraisal for Haslemere: Input as member of CAA working group, following acceptance by WBC executive CAA report will be available for six weeks of public consultation, estimated to start from 14th April subject to approval by WBC’s Executive on 1st April..

Followed up on resident requests including:

  • Street lights out in Whitfield Road Haslemere.
  • Discussions about potholes throughout the town, and in Kings Road, Hindhead Road, Shepherds Hill. Please report all potholes online here. You’ll find the Highways Incident Claim here on SCC’s website here.
  • Referred the double yellow lines parking outside the station to the parking enforcement officers and the police.
  • Request for directional spikes to prevent drivers exiting the train station via entrance would have to be dealt with by Network Rail as the owners of that land
  • Midhurst Road/Hill Road speed checks
  • VAS speed sign on approach to High Street vandalised, waiting for new parts
  • Alley way down to Waitrose from zebra crossing, concerns over vehicle use and lack of hand rail, a problem when icy, referred to SCC highways
  • Verge damage due to parking Beech Road
  • Bus pass information
  • Council tax increase
  • Several meetings with residents as part of the current parking review consultation which ends on April 4th

Notification of requirement for a new school governor. A Haslemere Primary School looking for a governor: One of our excellent local schools is looking for a governor to join the governing body, please do contact me if you would be interested in knowing more.

MEETINGS/EVENTS ATTENDED: Jan-March 2014

Various site meetings with SCC highways and parking teams, met with new CHO Robert Mac Pherson, replacing Ian Fowler who is being seconded to Guildford team

Full council yesterday Kingston and RA/Independent Group meetings, Kingston

National Library Day event, Haslemere Library

Dr Helen Bowcock, High Sheriff of Surrey, reception to celebrate her very successful Shrieval year.

Haslemere Herald, reception to open new offices in King’s Road.

 

Haslemere Vision, Transport group and policy writing.

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL NOTICES for Haslemere

Parking Review: formal advertising of the parking proposals approved at committee in December began 7th March.

See my blog post last week about the consultation and deadlines to submit comments.

Local area Committee meeting takes place on 21st March. See my recent blog post relating to this here.

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL NOTICES county-wide

Surrey Libraries’ Children’s Book Award: Reading Groups are busy reading the 5 brilliant books shortlisted for this year’s Surrey Libraries’ Children’s Book Award. They are looking forward to a visit from one of the shortlisted authors and will be voting for their favourite book. The winner will be announced at the Award Ceremony at the H G Wells Centre in Woking on 30th April. There is still time for other schools to join in with the Award.  For more information, go to our Book Award web pages – www.surreycc.gov.uk/childrensbookaward. Hashtag on Twitter is #OffThePageAward.

Public Consultation: Review of the Surrey Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP).

We are inviting comments on a review of the County Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The Plan was first published in 2007, this is the first review (Copy of Draft here).

We are seeking the views of path users and those with an interest in access to Surrey’s countryside including land managers, owners and neighbouring authorities. Government guidance states that the Rights of Way Improvement Plan should be reviewed once in every ten years, and DEFRA Statutory Guidance (Nov 2002) indicates the Plan should include:

·        context / relation to other plans, statutory duties and responsibilities

·       an assessment of user needs, including duties with respect to people with mobility problems

·       an assessment of the rights of way network based on the definitive statement

·       a statement of action and indication of how the action will be delivered

·        a monitoring arrangement for implementation

The criterion for this review is a ‘light touch’; however there have been changes to a number of linked plans and strategies since 2007, particularly with respect to policy context. Our five key objectives for improving rights of way have not changed.

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan forms part of the Surrey Transport Plan.

Improving and promoting the public rights of way network can contribute towards many County Council priorities set out in the STP and other plans and strategies, including some targets for health and well-being.  Please do forward this on to anyone who may have an interest or may wish to comment.

The Surrey Transport Plan is available on the County Councils web site:

www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/surrey-transport-plan-ltp3

The closing date for comments is Friday of 9th May 2014. You may send comments by email to: alec.baxterbrown@surreycc.gov.uk

or by post to:  Alec Baxter-Brown, Surrey County Council, Countryside Access, Whitebeam Lodge, Merrow Complex, Merrow Lane, Merrow, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7BQ (please address comments as ‘Rights of Way Improvement Plan Comments’).

Full list of Surrey County Council duties:

There are a great number of new duties that local government has been required to take on since 2010. Here is a full list of duties attached for your information: New Duties for Local Government since 2010.

Scrutiny Bulletin

February’s Scrutiny Bulletin. It is intended to give a brief summary of the work being undertaken by the Council’s Select Committees, as well as advising you of the dates for the next public meeting of each Committee: Scrutiny Bulletin February 2014.

Foster’s Bridge Update

The SCC Highways team has begun work on trying to improve the drainage under Foster’s Bridge which has repeatedly flooded during the extreme, heavy rainfalls we have recently been experiencing.

To increase the catchment area for the runoff water, six new gullies are being created and larger frames and lids will be put on the six existing gullies. To reduce the debris that currently washes down into the gullies during heavy rains from the railway embankment, a retaining curb is being constructed on the approach to the bridge.

It is hoped these measures will go some way to prevent the flooding.

In the longer term, SCC is carrying out an investigation into the issue and I have secured Local Area Committee funding to carry out any more significant works should they be identified as necessary.