To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The following are the latest service updates from various Council departments.
Spelthorne Council has secured the conviction of an Ashford man for fraudulently claiming benefits. Abdur Rahman, of St Margarets Avenue in Ashford, appeared at Guildford Crown Court on 29 January after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming Housing Benefit between April 2007 and October 2014 and Council Tax benefit between January 2005 and October 2008. Mr Rahman was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence, and was ordered to repay £24,511.17 and the Council’s costs of £1,916.
A planning application (Ref 15/01718/FULand 15/01718/LBC) has been submitted by Bellway Homes for the redevelopment of the Bridge Street car park site. The application is for 205 residential units (a mix of 1, 2, and 3 beds) plus 358 square metres of restaurant/retail space, a residents’ gym, 140 parking spaces and open space/landscaping through the site and down to the River Thames. The building heights vary from 4 stories to a 12 storey tower on the corner closest to the bridge. Consultation letters have been sent to local residents and the application will be considered by the Planning Committee in due course.
Over 30 people attended a welding workshop at the Greeno Shed in Shepperton on 27 January. The Shed opened last July with the aim of providing a regular social activity for people who enjoy making and mending things. Thanks to a grant from The Rotary Club of Shepperton Aurora and training from Supercraft in Byfleet, the group have been able to add MIG welding equipment to their list of kit.
In the run up to Valentine’s Day residents were reminded to check the food hygiene ratings before choosing where to eat. Food businesses should display a sticker showing their rating but residents can also check this information online. Currently in Spelthorne, 52% of food businesses are rated as very good and 82% are rated as satisfactory, good or very good.
A natural play area has been installed in Orchard Meadow in Sunbury-on-Thames. Designed for children aged under 11, it includes climbing logs, play boulders and a balance structure, all made from robinia wood. The Council received external funding for the project from Surrey County Council's Community Improvement Fund and Fields in Trust.
Work is well underway on the Bulletin magazine which is due to be delivered to residents from Saturday 19 March. It includes articles on the Surrey Youth Games, Staines Moor and the development of Bridge Street car park in Staines-upon-Thames.
Communications are working with Independent Living to produce an A-Z guide of services for older people.
Spelnet, the Council’s intranet, has undergone a redesign and will go live next week.
The Environmental Health and Licensing teams have started a hot desking trial which will help with planning the Council’s office relocation.
Environmental Health are preparing for the introduction of new laws which will require all dogs to be microchipped from April. The team will also take on new responsibilities regarding the licensing of park homes.
The Environment team is working with Action Surrey and local GP surgeries to help ensure the homes of older vulnerable residents are kept warm.
The new fortnightly small electricals collection service launched in December (alongside textile collections) and roadshows are being in held at supermarkets and primary schools to promote the new services.
The recycling rate for the second financial quarter of 2015/16 was 44%. The target is to achieve 50% by 2020.
The cumulative Council Tax collection rates up to the end of January were:-
• Council Tax: 96.7% (96.7% sply)
• Council Tax Support: 77.5% (73% sply)
• Business Rates: 92.53% (91.08% sply)
• Business Rates growth 0.12%