Latest news from Spelthorne Council

Latest news from Spelthorne Council - 1 October 2010

Welcome to the latest electronic newsletter. If you have any questions or comments regarding the newsletter please e-mail us at news@spelthorne.gov.uk

Proposed development of an Eco Park at Charlton Lane, Shepperton

A public meeting will take place on Wednesday 20 October from 7.30pm at The John Crook Theatre, Halliford School, Shepperton. A special meeting of Spelthorne Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been called to discuss the proposed development of an Eco Park at Charlton Lane, Shepperton.

The Eco Park proposal is to divert as much waste as possible away from landfill and use waste that cannot be recycled to produce energy.

Among the items for discussion will be:

What is being proposed?
Why in Spelthorne?
What impact will the proposals have on Spelthorne residents?
What are the transport implications?

Committee Chairman Councillor Philippa Broom from Spelthorne Council will chair the meeting.
Representatives from Surrey County Council will be attending including Dr. Lynne Hack - Surrey County Councillor.
Cabinet Member for the Environment and Surrey Waste Management (SWM) will also be present to answer questions.

Members of the public can put questions to the Committee by completing and returning an online form before 15 October.

Other news stories
Boat owner prosecuted
The light fantastic
Surrey HomeBuy Show
Spelthorne Supports Jeans for Genes Day
Interested in fostering?
Funding boost for Shortwood Pond

Spelthorne Together Assembly 2010 - winner by a head Delegates at this year’s annual Spelthorne Together Assembly were greeted with a number of changes to the previous events. Innovations included a chance to vote on a community project to be given £1,000 on the spot; a new and prestigious venue – Kempton Park racecourse; more than 30 stands in a friendly “marketplace” and up-beat presentations on partnership working over the past year. One highlight was a presentation on the London 2012 BP Young Leaders Programme by two local 16-year-olds who are taking part in this exciting life-changing experience linked to volunteering at the upcoming Olympiad. The £1,000 cash boost to a community project saw six bids being put forward to a live vote by the record-breaking crowd of around 150 delegates. The winner was a project to stage quarterly coffee mornings aimed at combating isolation and loneliness in the elderly population. The first one is due in October. During the events main workshop, delegates considered ways of improving community involvement. Feedback from this will assist the local strategic partnership – Spelthorne Together – in delivering the priorities in the Community Plan 2005-2015. The 2010 updated Plan was also introduced at the Assembly. Stands were brought by Spelthorne Together partners including Surrey Police, Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals Trust, NHS Surrey, Neighbourhood Watch, Age Concern, Surrey County Council, Voluntary Action in Spelthorne, A2Dominion, various charities and faith organisations – each showing the wide range of activity being undertaken with the Spelthorne community.
Children's Book Award The latest Surrey Libraries’ Children’s Book Award shortlist has been launched today, 1 October, and children will have until 31 December to vote for their favourite. This year’s shortlist is: Dinking Dings and the Frightening Things – Guy Bass and Pete Williamson Madame Pamplemousse and her Incredible Edibles – Rupert Kingfisher and Sue Hellard City in Peril – Paul Collicutt Fibby Libby: A Shark Ate My Socks – Ros Asquith Tim the Tiny Horse at Large – Harry Hill The books can be borrowed from all Surrey libraries and reserved online. Author and illustrators events will be taking place at libraries for children on the following dates: Wednesday 20 October Illustration workshop – for children aged 7-11 years Pete Williamson - illustrator of Dinking Dings and the frightening things Woking Library - 3.45 – 4.45pm Ticket prices per child - £3 Friday 22 October Author event – for children aged 7-11 years Rupert Kingfisher - author of Madame Pamplemousse Dittons Library - 3.45 – 4.45pm Ticket prices per child - £3 Thursday 4 November Illustration workshop – for children aged 7-11 years Paul Collicutt - author and illustrator of City in Peril Redhill Library - 3.45 – 4.45pm Ticket prices per child - £3 Wednesday 17 November Author event – for children aged 7-11 years Guy Bass - author of Dinking Dings Epsom library - 3.45 – 4.45pm Tickets per child - £3 You can buy tickets at the libraries. Check out the website for all the latest news including competitions, author events and for a chance to be at the award ceremony in January 2011. For more information about the award and events taking place, please visit www.surreycc.gov.uk (external link) or call 01483 543599.
Business rate relief Good news for some of Spelthorne’s businesses; the government has now increased the relief available, with effect from 1 October, 2010. Any business receiving Small Business Rates Relief with a rateable value of £6,000 or less will be eligible for a 100% reduction between 1 October 2010 and 30 September 2011. Businesses with a rateable value of between £6,001 and £12,000 will be entitled to a reduction on a sliding scale. Spelthorne’s Revenues Office has now issued some 502 adjusted bills to businesses who meet the criterion. Should you wish to discuss in more detail please either contact the Revenues Office on 01784 446490 or via e-mail nndr@spelthorne.gov.uk
Garden waste bins - price lowered Did you know that brown garden waste bins currently cost £25 rather £45. This reduced price covers the service until 31 March 2011. We can take your orders now, please call Customer Services on 01784 451499 or send us an e-mail.
Update from Spelthorne Council's Planning team Riverside Works, Sunbury An application submitted by the Environment Agency (EA) on the Island site, Riverside Works was refused permission by the planning committee on 15 September 2010. The proposal was for a new workshop building to replace one which is currently on the mainland and a replacement covered storage area. The EA stated that the scheme was essential to carry out the maintenance and refurbishment of large weir structures and lock gates in order to manage flood risk. Members of the planning committee decided that the scheme was inappropriate for its location within the green belt. Although they understood the arguments which had been put forward by the EA, they did not feel that the case had been made to show ‘very special circumstances’ to allow this development on this site. This refusal will almost certainly be considered at the forthcoming public inquiry into the proposed housing development on the mainland site, which starts on Tuesday 16 November. Airtrack update No date has yet been set for the public inquiry into the Transport and Works Act Order for a new railway line to Heathrow, known as Airtrack. The Order was submitted in 2009 and the Council raised a number of detailed concerns. The Department of Transport have confirmed that the government spending review on 20 October 2010 may have implications for the proposed funding of Airtrack. Until the position becomes clearer they do not consider it appropriate to announce a date for the inquiry. Further details are unlikely to be known until early spring 2011.
Classical music concerts in Lower Sunbury Sunbury and Shepperton Arts Association (SSAA) presents the first of its Winter season Saturday morning coffee concerts at the Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street, Lower Sunbury, on Saturday 9 October. The concert will feature a performance by virtuoso pianist, Robin Zebaida, who will play a programme of intimate Schubert and virtuosic Schumann works. Described as 'a pianist of Herculean stamina', Robin’s performing career has taken him around the world and he has performed at several London venues including St John's, Smith Square and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The SSAA is delighted that he has accepted its invitation to return to the Arts Centre following his performance during the SSAA Festival two years ago when his recital proved highly popular and successful. Coffee and croissants will be served from 10.15am and the recital will commence at 11am. Tickets, including refreshments, cost £7.50 and are available via the box office on 01932 782788 or on the door from 10.15am on 9 October. A further Saturday morning coffee concert at the same venue will be held on Saturday 6November when Rachel Major, soprano, will perform a song recital including many well-known pieces and some which may be new to members of the audience. Rachel recently delighted her audience at St Nicholas Church, Shepperton, during this year’s SSAA Festival when she sang with Ashford Baroque Ensemble. For further information and press review tickets contact Vicki Lenoel on 01932 784357 vicki@lenoelpr.demon.co.uk
Feeling unwell? Remember to choose well If you’ve been injured or are feeling ill, it’s important to choose well so you get the right treatment as quickly as possible. Dr John Omany, Medical Director at NHS Surrey, says: “When we’re ill or injured, we want the best help and we want it fast. Our ‘choose well’ campaign is all about making sure people in Surrey know how to get fast, effective treatment. This doesn’t always mean calling your GP or just going to A&E – there are plenty of other options which can offer help quickly and conveniently. “NHS services are often at their busiest over the winter, so it’s especially important to choose well now and over the coming months. Choosing well ensures you receive the right treatment fast, leaving emergency services to those who need them most.” By carefully choosing the NHS service that’s most appropriate to their symptoms, patients quickly receive the best possible treatment. At the same time, choosing well can help reduce the pressure on A&E and GP services, freeing them up to help the people who need them most. Winter can also be the time when bugs such as norovirus (the winter vomiting bug) can cause a problem. Please remember if you’re visiting friends or family in hospital to do your bit to help stop infection spreading. That means using alcohol rub to clean your hands and following the “Catch it. Bin it. Kill it.” advice if you have a cold. And not visiting at all if you have flu or a tummy bug. And a final thought: getting the right treatment by choosing well is best for the NHS too. Choosing well helps free up emergency services for the most seriously ill patients - meaning precious NHS resources are used well too. A quick guide to choosing well Self-care is the first choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries. A lot of illnesses can be treated in your home with medicine bought at your local pharmacy and plenty of rest. NHS Direct offers confidential health advice and information by telephone, on the internet and through digital TV, 24 hours a day. It can also help you find local health services. Call 0845 4647 Visit www.nhs.uk (external website) Watch Freeview channel 100. Pharmacists can give you advice on illnesses and the medicines you need to treat them. Visit your local pharmacy if you’re suffering from a common health problem which does not require being seen by a nurse or doctor. Pharmacy bank holiday opening times are regularly published on www.surreyhealth.nhs.uk (external website) GPs can provide many services, including medical advice, examinations, vaccinations and prescriptions. Normally you need to book an appointment in advance. When your surgery is closed you can ring Thamesdoc on 0208 390 9991 to get advice from a clinician. NHS Walk-in Centre, Urgent Treatment Centre or Minor Injuries Unit They can all treat minor illnesses and injuries and give you health advice. Most are open from early in the morning until late at night. You do not need an appointment, and you will be seen by an experienced nurse or a GP. In Surrey, these services are available at: Ashford Hospital Walk-in Centre East Surrey Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre Haslemere Hospital Minor Injuries Unit Royal Surrey County Hospital Walk-in Centre Walton Hospital Walk-in Centre Woking Hospital Walk-in Centre. A&E or 999 Accident and Emergency departments are found at most major hospitals. They help people who show signs of being very ill or are badly injured. Emergency services are always very busy and especially over winter. They should only be used in very serious or life-threatening situations.
Looking for a trader you can trust? Let us help you ... Need to get your boiler serviced before winter arrives? Want someone fair, honest and reliable to do the job? Rip-offs, scams, cowboy tradesman – consumers are right to be wary when buying goods and services. The Buy with Confidence scheme brings together hundreds of businesses from across Surrey. These businesses have been certified by your local Trading Standards team to ensure they work in a fair, honest and reliable way. We have every kind of trader listed from electricians, plumbers, gardeners and even car services. We also have a list of traders specialising in smaller jobs for under £75. We monitor all traders on an ongoing basis, and you can give us your views on how our members are performing at any time. For details of traders you can trust, please visit: www.surreycc.gov.uk/buywithconfidence (external website) or call: 01372 371 666.
Mayor's Engagements The Mayor will be undertaking the following official engagements from 1 October 2010:- Melun Trip Reigate and Banstead Civic Reception Awareness Day - Thames Club Cine World and Video Society - Chambers Venice Book Launch - Walked Garden One-to-One AGM - Goddard Room Family Line AGM Service for the Judiciary - Holy Trinty Church, Guildford St Mary's Parish Church, Sunbury St John's Ambulance Services Rotary Club Band Concert, St Peter's Church Waverley Civic Service, Farnham Surrey Womens Aid, Chobham Age Concern AGM, Staines SAVI, Leatherhead Civic Reception, Holiday Inn, Shepperton The Benwell Centre Tea Day Zodiac Musical Society Surrey Heath Civic Service Guildford Cathedral Service Challenging Brass, Addlestone Community Centre

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