To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The unemployment rate in Spelthorne stood at 0.8% at the end of June, the lowest figure recorded for the Borough. This represents approx. 500 claimants.
The Council has welcomed the recently published report from the Airports Commission which recommends that a third runway be built to the north west of Heathrow. The report recognises the economic case for expanding Heathrow and also suggests a number of measures to address environmental concerns such as noise and air quality. The Government is expected to make a decision in the autumn.
Residents are being reminded that they can sign up for ‘airAlert’ to receive early warnings of high pollution levels via text, email or voicemail. It is available to everyone but aimed particularly at those with asthma or other respiratory diseases.
The Council is in the process of reviewing its Local Plan which sets out how much development should be allowed in Spelthorne. Forming part of the information needed for the review, the Council has drafted a Strategic Housing Market Assessment and is currently seeking views on the document from residents. The closing date for comments is 3 August.
Team Spelthorne celebrated a successful weekend at the 19th annual P&G Surrey Youth Games. Over 550 young people represented Team Spelthorne in 29 teams at the event held at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford on 20 and 21 June. Team Spelthorne came sixth overall, winning gold medals in tennis, girls’ touch rugby and touch tennis; silver medals in under 9 girls’ football, under 13 netball, under 13 squash, under 15 table tennis and tennis. Bronze medals were won in contact boxing and under 10 squash. Two judo competitors were also awarded individual medals and Korben Mitchell, age 12, won Volunteer of the Games.
As it is holiday season, residents are being advised that kennels and catteries, including those run from private homes, must be licensed by the Council. The Council inspects premises annually to check that a minimum standard of care is being provided. Residents can check a licence by calling Environmental Health on 01784-446291.
The summer Bulletin will be delivered to residents from 18 July and includes articles on Spelthorne’s local councillors, the textile collection scheme and the Spelthorne Joint Enforcement Team. The magazine also contains the rubbish and recycling collection calendar.
During July, stickers are being placed on the bins of residents who put food waste in their rubbish bin. They are being encouraged to use the food waste collection scheme and offered a new caddy if they need one.
The Environment team are running roadshows in local supermarkets during July to encourage residents to recycle more plastic. Food waste roadshows for schools will start again in September and work continues to promote the new textiles collection service.
Residents living in Sunbury-on-Thames were treated to a free performance of ‘Our June’s Wedding’ on Sunday 28 June, a play about family, celebration, love and tradition.
A 5K running route has been installed at Laleham Park.
Despite very strong opposition from Spelthorne Council and local residents, Surrey County Council has started work to build an Eco Park in Charlton Lane, Shepperton. The build is expected to take two years to complete. The progress can be followed at www.ecoparksurrey.uk and residents with queries can call Surrey County Council on 01932-766905.
Staff from the Council, Police, Fire Service, A2 Dominion and Trading Standards held a Partnership Action Day in Staines-upon-Thames on Thursday 9 July. Organised by the Spelthorne Safer Stronger Partnership, this regular event gives the various agencies an opportunity to meet with residents and share information about their work and priorities. An evening meeting was also held at the Stanwell Rose Community Centre to hear from local residents about any concerns and the possibility of establishing a neighbourhood watch scheme.
Residents are being invited to attend one of the free music events being held in the Walled Garden and the Lammas Park over the summer. More details are available at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/whatson
Affinity Water experienced supply problems early in July following a burst water main at the Egham Water Treatment Works. Fortunately this did not create the wide scale problems which were first envisaged and following successful repairs, water levels are now almost fully replenished.
The Council Tax collection rates (cumulative) up to end June were:-
· Council Tax: 35.9% (35.8% sply)
· Council Tax Support: 28.5% (25.5% sply)
· Business Rates: 32.17% (33.96% sply)
· Business Rates growth 0.64%
The Economic Development Team is working in conjunction with Customer Services to look at the possibility of acquiring ‘CoStar’, a product which would enable the Council to easily identify available commercial properties and changes in occupancy.
Heathrow are sponsoring the annual Spelthorne Business Forum riverboat breakfast meeting planned for September. The annual Heathrow Business Summit is due to take place on 10 November.
The Leisure Services team is hosting a cycling festival on Thursday 23 July with an 8 mile guided ride at 10.30am and a 4 mile guided ride at 12.30pm. For more information visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/cyclingforhealth.
Independent Living have selected Centra to run the SPAN alarm call centre and are in the process of transferring clients to the new system.
The Council’s new look website will be going live in the next couple of weeks. It has been designed to make it easier for residents to find the information they need in just a few clicks and work better for residents viewing the site from mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets.