To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The following are the latest service updates from various Council departments.
Firstly, it is with great sadness that I report the passing of former councillor and past mayor, Sam Budd. Sam was a long-serving, hard-working public servant who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. My sympathies go to his family at this sad time.
The Council is calling on Heathrow to conduct meaningful community engagement and is urging residents to respond to the public consultations starting in January 2019.
We are also calling for Government to approve the SLR scheme which we believe is the quickest and cheapest option to improve airport connectivity from the south and west. We think this will bring enormous economic benefits to the local area, have real benefits to residents and fewer environmental impacts compared to heavy rail schemes, including protecting Staines Moor.
An extensive list of frequently asked questions have been added to the Council's website to explain the rationale behind Spelthorne's commercial investment strategy.
To be located in Staines-upon-Thames, we have recently announced that an initiative to provide dynamic business incubation space for start-ups and pre-starts in the science, technology and creative sectors will be opening in spring 2019. To be known as the Heathrow Launchpad, the scheme is a new partnership between Spelthorne Borough Council, Royal Holloway University of London and the University of Surrey.
Works to provide extra space for people with additional support needs have commenced at the Greeno Centre.
Work is also progressing to clear the west wing of the Council Offices in preparation for development into residential.
Mayor Cllr Jean Pinkerton, OBE, celebrated the winners of a ‘what I love about Spelthorne’ creative arts competition at an awards ceremony on 12 November.
The Council is actively encouraging residents to respond to the five Surrey County Council consultations on Children’s Centres, Community Recycling Centres, SEND, Libraries and Concessionary Bus Travel. The Council will be also making robust representations.
A special ceremony was held on 14 November to mark the planting of 100 trees in Thameside, Laleham Park, to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. We plan to plant a tree for every soldier lost during that conflict over the coming months as a fitting and lasting tribute.
Staying on the tree theme, five trees donated to MP Kwasi Kwarteng were planted in Staines Park on 16 November. The trees were from the Woodlands Trust, Queens Commonwealth Canopy project, to mark Her Majesty's lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.
Following our assurance to residents that the new leisure centre will not be sited in Staines Park, we are looking obtaining a “Fields in Trust” designation for the Park.
To spread a little Christmas cheer and support our town centre shops, we are offering free parking in our town centre car parks for late night shopping on Thursdays in the run up to Christmas. Festive events include an Art Open Day, Christmas Explorer, Santa Stroll, a free Christmas lunch at the Greeno Centre and the ever popular Lantern event held in Stanwell on 30 November.