To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The following are the latest service updates from various Council departments:
Graham Tattersall and Ann Trewren who ran a ‘private members club’ in Stanwell Moor in breach of planning laws were fined £2800 and £3500 respectively at a hearing at Kingston Crown Court on 15 June having pleaded guilty to planning offences. They were previously ordered to pay a confiscation figure of £45,000 at a sentencing hearing on 1 June, the judge having ruled that money made by the spa whilst committing a criminal offence amounted to proceeds of crime. They were also ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £7747.87.
The Council has announced support for the introduction of a light railway scheme linking Staines to Heathrow. Light railways schemes have been successfully introduced in many countries around the world offering seamless and frequent connectivity. If given the go-ahead, the light railway scheme would run alongside the M25, using ‘brownfield’ land without encroaching on Staines Moor.
Shepperton Studios is seeking pre-application discussions with the Council’s planning officers regarding proposals to develop and extend their site. The Studios will be undertaking public consultations.
Events to publicise the Issues and Options consultation on the new Local Plan have nearly concluded, with just two visits to residents’ association meetings still to go (consultation ends on 25 June). The information events have been well attended, with many local people coming to talk to the team. The most frequently raised issues have been about how well the new Local Plan will address the provision of infrastructure, particularly congestion on the borough’s roads and the lack of GPs.
Plans to build a new leisure centre in Staines-upon-Thames have been announced. Staines Park has been identified as a possible location for the new leisure centre and the first public consultation is planned to start in the next few weeks. The current centre will remain open while the new one is being built to ensure continuity of service.
The Council is calling on Heathrow to broaden the compensation scheme which will be applied if expansion at Heathrow goes ahead to include the whole of Stanwell Moor and large parts of Stanwell. Spelthorne has also issued a press release asking Heathrow and the Government to ensure Staines Moor is protected from the potential impacts of expansion at the airport.
An 87-year-old man who suffered a cardiac arrest while swimming at Sunbury Leisure Centre has paid tribute to the staff who saved his life. Jake Mole, the on-duty lifeguard, noticed Mr Pleece was in difficulty and performed CPR until the emergency services arrived. Mr Pleece returned to the Leisure Centre in May to thank Jake and the team for their swift actions.
A representative from the Housing team is visiting Staines Police station in July to give some advice and assistance to officers regarding housing and homeless queries.
The Spelthorne Business Plan Competition final was held on 24 May at BP’s headquarters in Sunbury-on-Thames. Six finalists pitched in a Dragons’ Den style final for a chance to win £3,500 and a year’s package of business support. First place went to Louise and Levi Yearwood for their proposal to create ‘The Rustic Bar Company’, making unique furniture from recycled wood.
A survey is being undertaken to assess the parking in Ashford Town Centre and the surrounding roads. Set to take place in the next few weeks, the survey will look at the current pressure on car parking spaces and take into account commuter parking, needs arising from development in and around the town centre and the retail environment.
Recycling roadshows are being held outside Waterstones in Staines every Wednesday and Friday during June and July (10am to 2pm) to promote the weekly food waste, textiles and small electricals collection service.
The Communications team has started a project to refresh the Council’s website, introducing a new design and improved navigation.
The Mayor hosted an event at the Lammas Park in Staines on Friday 25 May to celebrate the opening of a new refreshment kiosk and reopening of the spray ground.