To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The Leader made the following announcements:
The Council announced the purchase of a surplus car park on the site of Ashford Hospital to develop into much needed housing for local residents, including key workers. This marks another milestone in the Council’s ambitious building programme which aims to produce over 600 housing units across the Borough over the next five years.
Also part of the programme are the new homes recently completed on the site previously occupied by the Bugle Returns pub in Upper Halliford, providing two one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments for local people.
The new combined reception is now fully reopened and most of the work to relocate staff into renovated offices in the east and south wings are complete. Congratulations to Siraj and his team for delivering this.
The Council’s response to Heathrow’s latest consultation on proposed changes to airspace and future operations includes that there should be no increase in flights before the third runway, no interim measures introduced that will result in newly overflown areas, that the Compton Route needs to be removed without delay, and that a night-time ban should mean just that.
Following on from the success of the first Spelthorne Means Business Awards last year to recognise and celebrate our thriving business community, the second SMBA Awards were launched at an event held at the Hazelwood Centre in Sunbury on 7 March. With an additional five categories and new sponsors, there are plenty of opportunities for a variety of businesses to get involved.
Thirty-five primary school children from seven Spelthorne schools were treated to an interactive conference by charismatic environmentalist Phil Williams on Tuesday 5 March in the Council Chamber. Phil started these conferences in Spelthorne and his inspirational events are now held across the whole of the UK.
The Secretary of State has confirmed that he does not intend to ‘call in’ the planning application to expand Shepperton Studios. The expansion will now be able to go ahead subject to the prior completion of measures to ensure public benefits and mitigation, including junction improvements, new crossings in Charlton and Laleham, and a River Ash Community Park.
The Council had a lovely compliment about our Leisure Team’s Walking for Health Scheme from inspirational 87 year-old Shepperton resident, Peter Cooper, who told us what a positive impact the volunteer-led walks have made to his life since losing his wife last year. It is uplifting to know that our schemes can make such a difference in helping improve physical and mental wellbeing in our communities.
The Council is continuing to work with Staines Park Residents’ Association to achieve ‘Fields in Trust’ status for Staines Park. The Council is also committed to progressing plans to build a new Leisure Centre in an alternative location.
The extension to the Greeno Centre is nearing completion, providing a dedicated space for those who need a bit of extra support when visiting the Centre.
Following a petition presented to the Joint Committee in December by Stanwell Moor Residents Association about HGV movements in the village, the Borough stepped in to pay for an engineering survey to look at solutions. This has led to a scheme being drawn up to restrict HGVs going through the village and local people are currently being asked for their views.
The Council’s noticeboards have been replaced as part of a project called ‘every ward at its best’, set up to look at making small improvements to sites across the Borough to improve the ‘street-scene’, and works to improve a number of smaller shopping parades in the Borough are expected to complete in early April.
Spelthorne has raised concerns about Surrey County Council’s proposals to reduce future fire service cover in Spelthorne from two full-time crews to two day-time and one night-time crew.
A report to look at parking issues in Ashford Town and the impact of increased parking enforcement checks was discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny meeting on 19 March. A further period of enhanced enforcement checks is now planned, with the intention of comparing the results with data obtained from the first trial. Recommendations will then be considered by Cabinet in the summer.