To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The Leader made the following announcements:
“The Council has continued to do its utmost to support residents amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The Borough of Spelthorne has been placed in the medium tier, and I ask residents to adhere to the government guidelines. Neighbouring boroughs, including Hillingdon, Hounslow and Elmbridge, have been placed in the high tier so it is important we all continue to follow the rules to limit the spread. It is coming up to eight months since this Council moved to an emergency footing. Our website contains up to date information for residents and business on how to access support.
I am pleased to announce that the Council has made donations, totalling £71,000 to support local charities and food banks in the Borough which have all played a vital role in supporting vulnerable residents over the past few months.
Following Government instructions designed to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus, the Council will be moving Remembrance Day services online. Following the success earlier in the year of our VE Day and VJ Day virtual commemorations, a fitting tribute will be released on Sunday 8 November on our website and social media channels to ensure that residents can join us with remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
The Council has declared a climate emergency for the Borough. We have always regarded climate change as a very serious threat and have made some great steps to reduce our carbon footprint. However, to avoid any doubt how serious this administration takes climate change we have taken the decision to declare a Climate Emergency. A study has been commissioned to identify our own carbon footprint and in 2021 this Council plans to launch 'Community Climate Change Forums'.
The Council’s green spaces have also been honoured at a regional and national level. Sunbury Walled Garden and Staines Cemetery have, once again been awarded Green Flag status. These two sites also won gold at the South East in Bloom Awards, along with Sunbury Cemetery and Ashford Cemetery.
Spelthorne Borough Council is stepping up its battle against litter with the launch of the #NoRubbishExcuses campaign. I urge you to support our campaign and would like to take this opportunity to thank our officers who work tirelessly to clean up our parks and streets and the growing army of residents who are running regular litter pickups. The Mayor of Spelthorne is also honouring our young litter heroes for their commitment in making Spelthorne a greener and cleaner place to live.
As part of Spelthorne Borough Council's continued drive to improve community safety, a new, modern CCTV camera has been installed at Orchard Meadow car park in Sunbury. The camera will be monitored 24/7 along with cameras in Staines-upon-Thames town centre. The installation was arranged in response to concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in the area.
Entries for the third Spelthorne Business Awards have been extended until 11 December. Highstreets and local businesses across the Borough need our support now more than ever and I would encourage all members to recommend local businesses to enter the competition.
In September this Council voted unanimously to agree motions to oppose a Surrey-wide Unitary Authority. Alongside the other Surrey District and Boroughs Leaders, I continue to work towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the support and services residents receive. We must ensure the needs of residents are put first and the best interests of local areas and different groups within our Borough are fully represented. I look forward to continuing to work with our residents to develop a strong vision for the future of Spelthorne.
I have launched ‘Resident Forums’ designed to give Residents’ Associations a ‘stronger voice’ by providing a direct link to the leaders of the Council and senior staff members. The first meeting has been held and gave us the opportunity to understand more about the issues which are causing concern for individual areas, identify the steps we can take to tackle specific problems and make positive changes for the benefit of local residents.