To receive any announcements from the Leader.
Minutes:
The following are the latest service updates from various Council departments:
The Council has submitted a detailed response to the Heathrow consultation making it clear that Spelthorne can only continue to support expansion if a) the 16 requirements outlined by the O&S Committee are adequately addressed b) impacted communities are properly compensated via the Wider Property Offer Zone and c) the Heathrow West proposal is explored further.
The application to develop a hostel for single homeless people on the site previously occupied by the White House on Kingston Road in Ashford was approved by the Planning Committee on 18 September. The Committee also approved an application to create a patio area for the Greeno Centre in Shepperton.
A planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment of surplus land at Ashford Hospital. The project includes 115 residential homes, some of which will be reserved for key workers.
Preparations are underway for Living Well Week which aims to encourage older adults to take up exercise. The Community Centres and Leisure Centres will be running classes and activities, some of which will be free.
The Council has secured the conviction of Tracey Bulley from Ashford for fraudulently claiming housing benefits for almost nine months. She received a 12 month community order, must carry out 100 hours of un-paid work, complete 15 rehabilitation days and repay £8544.38, plus the Council’s costs of £3500.
The finalists for the Spelthorne Means Business Awards have been short-listed and a black tie dinner will be held on 17 October to announce the winners.
The 2019 Spelthorne Skills and Careers Fair was held on Thursday 19 September at Kempton Park Racecourse. Over 50 of Spelthorne’s leading employers and skills providers exhibited at the event. Free buses to the event were provided from Staines and Ashford.
The Housing Options team has sent a survey to 2000 clients to gain feedback on its housing advice services as part of the Homelessness Strategy review. All councillors have been invited to attend the Stakeholder events being held on 24 September and 14 October.
The Council has been running a consultation on plans to introduce a Public Space Protection Order for mooring along the Thames. It follows an increase in the number of boats overstaying or mooring in authorised areas. The consultation closes on 30 September.
Spelthorne Leisure Centre has been declared ‘outstanding’ by Quest – Sport England’s national quality scheme. Quest is the best-known improvement programme within the leisure industry and its rigorous assessments look at all aspects of a leisure centre’s performance.
The Council has been awarded a share of a £1.2 million grant to install energy efficient measures into homes. The money will be made available to the Council and four other local authorities.
Over 1,000 year 6 pupils from 20 Spelthorne primary schools attended this year’s Junior Citizen programme at Walton Fire Station which aims to help children stay safe and learn important life skills.
Sunbury Cemetery was declared the overall winner of Cemetery of the Year at the South East in Bloom awards, with Ashford and Staines Cemeteries also picking up Gold awards in the same category. There was also more good news for Sunbury, with the ever-popular Sunbury Walled Garden claiming Gold in the Small Park category.
The Council has convicted two individuals for offences related to fly-tipping. Mr Mohammed Bhatti from Hounslow pleaded guilty to one offence of ‘breach of duty of care in the disposal of waste’ in Hithermoor Road, Stanwell Moor in August and was fined £1172 and ordered to pay costs of £700 plus a victim surcharge of £117. Mr Dean Beldom from Slough pleaded guilty to two offences of fly-tipping in Sheep Walk, Shepperton in May and June 2018 – he was fined a total of £4840 and his vehicles forfeited.