To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The following are the latest service updates from various Council departments.
The Council has been warning residents to stay away from unregistered tattooists following an increase in the number of complaints across the country. Skin piercing procedures can cause scarring and transfer life changing infections such as Hepatitis and HIV if they are not done correctly. Unregistered tattooists often operate from home and, although they may be cheaper, are often inexperienced and fail to maintain a clean, safe environment.
For the sixth year running, theWalled Garden in Sunbury-on-Thames has won the prestigious Green Flag Award which recognises the best green spaces in the country.
The Environment Agency and Spelthorne Council have undertaken a joint project to restore part of the River Ash in Shepperton. Various techniques were used to create a bypass and naturalise this newly opened section of the River, making it easier for fish to swim between the River Colne and the Thames. Work was also undertaken to improve the water quality and provide an enriched habitat for fish, birds, amphibians and invertebrates.
New pay and display machines have been installed in car parks across the Borough. Drivers will be able to pay for their parking using cash or a debit/credit card and contactless payment will also be introduced soon.
A 2.5km fun run was held on 26 July to celebrate the launch of a new running route in Laleham Park which has been installed to encourage residents to keep fit and make better use of the Park.
Over forty young people received free skate and scooter instruction at the new skate park in Long Lane Recreation Ground in Stanwell on 27 July. The sessions were organised and funded by Spelthorne Council with support from Team Rubicon who provided the instruction.
The Council launched Get Active 50+ in August to inspire residents aged 50 and over to take up a new activity.
More than 100 local children and their families enjoyed a series of free art and craft activities in the Borough’s libraries this summer. Participants helped create a community art piece which was unveiled at a celebratory showcase event on 31 August in Staines Library.
Leisure Services is in the process of compiling the 2017/18 edition of the Leisure Directory which provides local residents with information on leisure centres, parks, clubs, groups, halls and community centres. The Directory is distributed through libraries, leisure centres and doctors' surgeries and is also available on the Council’s website.
Community Tennis Limited took over the management of the tennis courts in Fordbridge Park in Ashford at the beginning of September. Floodlights are currently being installed and work to build a tennis pavilion will start towards the end of September.
Junior Park Run has been launched in the Borough. This free event is run by volunteers for young people aged 4-14 and takes place in Laleham Park every Sunday from 9am. Spelthorne Council provides grant funding for the initiative.
The Council has received a commuted sum of £794,809 for the provision of affordable housing to help meet our housing needs. This was negotiated as part of the proposed redevelopment of the former London Irish site in The Avenue by Crest for housing purposes. A further sum of £553,250 is due to be secured at a later date.
On 7 September, the Senior Coroner for Surrey, Richard Travers, announced his findings into the sad death of Zane Gbangbola who died at his home in Chertsey during the flooding in February 2014. This followed a five week Inquest which took place in June and July this year. The finding was accidental death caused by Carbon Monoxide poisoning from a petrol powered pump used by the family in their home to remove flood water from the basement. The Council has always maintained that there is no evidence of a link between this tragedy and the former landfill close to the family home.
Spelthorne Business Forum’s annual boat trip took place on 13 September. Almost 60 people attended the networking event which was sponsored by Heathrow and French Brothers.
Alfie Smith of Staines Road West in Ashford pleaded guilty to one count of fly-tipping at Redhill Magistrates Court on 13 September. The offence related to a large quantity of household and builders waste that had been dumped in New Road in Shepperton on 25 November 2015. Mr Smith was fined £2850.
Spelthorne beat off competition from hundreds of entrants to pick up three awards at this year’s prestigious South & South East in Bloom Awards, held in Fareham on 14 September. The ever-popular Sunbury Walled Garden claimed the top-spot, receiving a Gold award and being declared overall winner in the Small Park category for the fourth year running. And there was more good news with Staines and Sunbury Cemeteries both gaining Silver Gilt awards in the Best Cemetery category.
This year’s Junior Citizen is taking place at Walton Fire Station from 12 - 27 September. Over 1000 year 6 pupils will attend the event which teaches children about staying safe and being good citizens. Topics covered include fire safety, first aid, online security, stranger danger and contacting the emergency services.
Planning for the Senior Citizen event is well underway and Shepperton Studios has offered to host the event free of charge on 19 October. The event will include a talk from a Tesco Pharmacist and a presentation about identity theft, with various support agencies on-hand to give information about their services.
The Council is holding its first Living and Ageing Well Week from Saturday 24 September – Sunday 2 October. Designed for the over-50s, this nine-day event promotes some of the activities and services aimed at helping older adults improve their health. Activities are also taking place at the Spelthorne and Sunbury Leisure Centres and various other locations in the Borough.
The Business Improvement District (BID) for Staines-upon-Thames is rapidly gaining momentum. Steven Harvey, Managing Director of Oasis Estate Agents in Clarence Street, has been appointed as BID Chairman with Stephen Gould, founder of The Optical Shop in the Elmsleigh Centre, as Vice Chairman. The vote to decide whether the BID will go ahead takes place from 1 - 28 November. The voting process will be managed independently by the Electoral Commission and the result will be announced on 29 November.
The Surrey Business Awards is taking place at Epsom Racecourse on 30 November and the Council has linked up with the organisers to introduce a ‘Best Spelthorne Business’ category to help showcase local businesses.