To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The following are the latest service updates from various Council departments.
At the Conservative Group Meeting on 17 September, it was unanimously agreed that Staines Park should be excluded as a potential site for a new Leisure Centre. Members acknowledged the concern expressed about the location and the value residents place on the park and will now revisit alternative options before holding a further consultation.
The Council has announced the purchase of The Charter Building in Uxbridge, The Porter Building in Slough and Thames Tower in Reading for £285m. Income from these and other similar investments are enabling the Council to maintain local services and provide homes for residents.
The Council has raised concerns regarding Heathrow’s plans to significantly increase parking provision in preparation for a third runway. Heathrow is currently proposing to create new parking spaces for up to 25,000 cars in Stanwell with additional room for taxis, rental companies and HGV parking. Spelthorne is calling for the existing cap on parking to remain in force and for any new car parks to be sited away from built up areas.
As part of a long-term strategy to make the best use of its assets, the Council has submitted an application to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) for prior approval to convert part of the Council offices to residential use.
Sunbury Walled Garden and Staines Cemetery have been awarded Green Flag status. This international award is an endorsement that a public area is well maintained, has excellent visitor facilities and the highest possible environmental standards. Stanwell, Staines and Sunbury Cemeteries and the Sunbury Walled Garden also picked up awards at the South East in Bloom competition.
After liaison with Ashford North Residents’ Association and the Staines Commons Steering Group, a new boardwalk has been installed at Shortwood Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The replacement boardwalk is made from recycled plastic and has received praise from local residents.
This year’s Junior Citizen took place at Walton Fire Station from 10 to 24 September. Over 1,000 year 6 pupils attended the event which teaches children about staying safe and being good citizens. Topics covered included fire safety, first aid, online security, stranger danger and contacting the emergency services.
Spelthorne has taken enforcement action to clear Green Belt land at Thames Meadow in Shepperton. The action marks the end of a battle which started after Council served an Enforcement Notice in September 2016 for ‘the unauthorised residential use of a boat, land and mooring and storage of vehicles, white goods, building materials, and general debris on Green Belt land without planning permission.’ Mr Keith Dracup appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and the High Court, but lost at both stages.
The owner of a plot of land on Chertsey Road in Shepperton has been ordered to pay more than £7,500 in fines and court costs for failing to comply with a Stop Notice preventing him from building a wall. Edward Cash appeared before Guildford Magistrates' Court on 6 August where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The Council has prosecuted a number of individuals for fly-tipping. Samuel Watson from Stanwell has been fined £1,753 and ordered to pay costs of £2,160 after a lorry load of building waste was discovered in Oaks Road in Stanwell in January 2017. Claudia Santos from Ashford has been convicted of fly-tipping in Stanwell and ordered to pay a total of £3,616 and Charmaine Williams was fined £430 after pleading guilty to fly tipping in Stanwell Moor. A car sales firm has also been issued with a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice after a car registered to the company was captured on CCTV dumping rubbish in Sheep Walk in Shepperton.
Over 60 young people have taken part in a series of workshops in preparation for a new competition organised by the Mayor called ‘what I love about Spelthorne.’ The workshops showed the young people how to make their own short films, design and print their own t-shirts, and write and produce music.
Tennis courts at Cedars Park in Sunbury, Lammas Park in Staines and Bishop Duppas Park in Shepperton have been pressure washed and remarked.