To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The following are the latest service updates from various Council departments:
The Council secured the conviction of Firoz Mohammed of Feltham, a former taxi driver who grossly overcharged six vulnerable adults and invalidated his insurance by carrying too many passengers. The defendant charged the six adults between £10 and £15 each for a journey that started at Staines railway station and ended in Shepperton, and which should have cost around £35 in total. Mr Mohammed was found guilty of all 14 charges. He was given six points on his licence and fined £180 for having no insurance, £650 for breaching taxi licensing bye-laws, a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £1,000. He also had his Spelthorne hackney carriage licence revoked.
Four of the Council’s car parks have been given Disabled Parking Accreditation. Elmsleigh surface and multi-storey, Tothill and Riverside were all recognised for being user-friendly for disabled drivers and providing good access, clear signage and accessible payment machines.
A Spelthorne Licensing Officer took part in an enforcement day with an officer from Surrey Police’s Roads Policing Unit on Wednesday 15 February. A vehicle licensed within the TFL area was reported for illegal parking, and a Spelthorne-licensed driver was given penalty points for the same offence. One driver was reported for offences under smoke-free legislation and another given a police notice for a broken number plate. Several drivers were given warnings for minor breaches of taxi licensing bye-laws. Following the success of the day, evening and late night enforcement dates are planned.
Three defendants appeared at Southwark Crown Court on 20 December 2016 charged with conspiracy to commit Housing Benefit fraud and making false representations. Between 2008 and 2013, the defendants, Fadi Ajjaoui and Abo Zeinah, formerly of Staines, and Ali Zeine, formerly of Sunbury, made fraudulent Housing Benefit claims totalling over £100,000 by providing false details. All three pleaded guilty in Court. Fadi Ajjaoui was sentenced to twelve months in prison, suspended for 18 months, Ali Zeine was given an 18 month community order and Abo Zeinah was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
The Council has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a 16-week consultation on their draft National Policy Statement (NPS) regarding Heathrow expansion. Residents can find out more about the proposals at one of the DFT consultation events being held on Monday 20 February at the Hythe Centre in Staines and Tuesday 28 February at Stanwell Moor Village Hall. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 11.45pm on 25 May.
Landlords are being reminded about the new Spelthorne Rent Assure scheme which allows them to let their properties through the Council. Rents are guaranteed to reflect the local rate and are paid monthly in advance directly to the landlord. Other benefits include a six week security bond and free inventory. Adverts in the local press and social media updates are planned for February.
Work has started on the spring Bulletin which will be delivered to residents from 18 March. It includes articles on Kempton Park, changes to the recycling service and improvements at Sunbury Cross.
The Leader of the Council has expressed his strong opposition to the proposals put forward by the Jockey Club and Redrow Homes for the redevelopment of Kempton Park. In an open letter the Leader stressed that the ‘call for sites’ is a statutory part of the Local Plan development and that the Council is not bound by any particular proposals from developers.
Slough and Spelthorne Councils have announced the formation of a "Working with Heathrow" group, designed to maximise the huge employment, apprenticeship and investment opportunities which could arise from a new runway at Heathrow Airport.
Cllr Ian Harvey and Kwasi Kwarteng MP welcomed the news that Surrey County Council has agreed to keep Staines fire station open until the new Fordbridge station is up and running. The Leader has said he will continue to lobby for a second fire engine with a retained crew to be stationed at the Fordbridge site.
The Council recently announced the purchase of a business property, Elmbrook House, in Sunbury-on-Thames for just over £7m. Situated next to Sunbury railway station, the newly refurbished property is occupied by insurance provider, Complete Cover Group. The company recently relocated from Hampton and their 10 year lease on Elmbrook House will provide the Council with a secure income stream during that period.