AGENDA FOR OPEN SOCIAL EVENING 8/12/14

Agenda for Leatherhead Residents’ Association

Open Social Meeting

7.30 pm on 8 December 2014 at Letherhead Institute in G5

For the first 45 minutes, we would like to welcome and socialize with our guests many of whom play important roles in the community.   We also wish to thank our Road Stewards who are invaluable in keeping communication links open, especially to those without internet connection.    There will be some name labels as you come in and it would be helpful all round if, especially, our Councillors and other representatives would wear them.   There will be snacks, mulled wine and fruit juice available.

Please be seated at 8.15 pm for The Meeting.

1. Apologies for absence.

2. MVDC’s plan for Leatherhead, launched 1^st Dec. 20143.

3. Leatherhead Area Partnership AGM, 3.12.14 - Report  

4. Minutes of the last LRA (Open) Meeting on 3Nov (see website for text)

5. Matters arising:

            a. Newsletter (6d)

6.Correspondence:

            a. Closure of Leach Ward at Leatherhead hospital

7. Reports on current actions:    (some printed copies available)

            a. Planning

            b. Environment

            c. Forward Planning

            d. Publicity

8. AOB

            a. Consultations (MVDC service, SCC transport)

            b. Future action

9. Date of next meeting:  5^th January 2015 in G6, a closed committee meeting.

Surrey Police: Roadside Petrol Scam

Motorists warned of roadside petrol scam

Surrey Police is warning motorists to remain vigilant following a recent spate of people being conned into giving money for petrolwith the suspects pretending to be drivers in need.
The first incident was reported to police on Thursday, 6 November. The victim, a 64-year-old man from Walton-on-Thames, had been driving along Lammas Lane, Esher, at around 2.15pm when he was flagged down by the suspects stating they needed cash for fuel. He gave them £20 cash in exchange for three gold rings and the suspects promised to repay the money and gave the victim a business card.

The rings have since been established as being worthless and the business card fake.
The two suspects have been described as being smartly dressed, dark skinned, possibly of Arabic origin, having a large build and being around 40 to 50 years old. Their vehicle is believed to be a black Mercedes saloon car.

Two further incidents took place on Saturday, 15 November between 9.45am and 10.10am.
One victim, a 54-year-old man from Byfleet, stopped to assist a man who flagged him down at the slip road of the A3 by the Cobham roundabout. The suspect said he needed petrol to get to Glasgow and offered the victim some rings.
The victim declined the rings but drove to the Sainsbury's petrol station in Cobham whilst the suspect followed in his car. It is believed that the suspect had four passengers in his vehicle.
Having arrived at the petrol station the victim handed the suspect £240 for fuel. The suspect took the victim's mobile phone number, gave him a business card which was later established as fake, and promised to contact the victim to repay the money when he reached his destination. He then got back in his vehicle and left the scene.
The suspect has been described as having an Asian appearance, being around 40 to 45 years old and having a stocky build. He had a moustache and short, dark well-kept hair. He was wearing a white shirt and dark coloured trousers and tie. It is possible that he understood Arabic.


The other men in the suspect's car, which is believed to be a Mitsubishi, have been described as being of a smart appearance and of similar ethnicity to the suspect.
The other victim, a 58 year old man from Farnborough, was flagged down by two men who also stated that no money to get to Glasgow and offered to sell him gold jewellery for £250. The incident took place on the A316.
The suspects have been described as being Asian or Eastern European and having foreign accents. It is believed they were driving a dark blue Saab.

They followed the victim to the BP petrol station on Staines Road East,which is adjacent to Kempton Park in Sunbury, where the victim withdrew £250 for the suspects.
Investigating officerPolice Constable Dave Atkinson, said: "These are despicable offences where innocent people have had their goodwill taken advantage and they have been conned out of money by bogus motorists in need when stopping to help.
"I urge anyone who comes across people acting suspiciously at the roadside or trying to flag passing motorists down for assistance to call 101.

"Similarly, there is a strong possibility that these crimes may be linked and other incidents may have taken place in other parts of the county. Anyone who has been offered jewellery in exchange for money for petrol should contact Surrey Police. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could prove vital to the investigation and bring those responsible to justice.”

Anyone who has information is urged to contact Surrey Police either by using our online reporting system found at http://www.surrey.police.uk/ or calling 101 quoting reference 45140096483.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

See more at: http://www.surrey.police.uk/News/News-Stories/Full-news-story/Article/10503/Motorists-warned-of-roadside-petrol-scam

Surrey Police: Country Watch Update

This is a Country Watch message that we send out out on an occassional basis that I hope you may find interesting. 

However please don,t feel you have to forward it on as it's just to give those of you who are not Country Watch members a feel for some of the rural issues we are dealing with. For more information regarding Countey Watch please read our link:-
http://www.surrey.police.uk/keeping-safe/protecting-your-property-or-business/rural-crime

Rural Round Up.

We urge people living, working and playing in Surrey’s villages and countryside to be extra vigilant, to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity and report it as soon as possible.’ Suspicious activity’ includes everything from strangers seemingly ‘scoping’ an area, to  individuals asking specific questions about, or even photographing, a facility or farm’s processes, to unauthorised attempts to purchase fertilisers, diesel, herbicides or pesticides.

Recent Thefts to Bear in Mind:

Crime Ref:  45140097457. Over the last week an Ifor Williams Trailer was stolen from a warehouse location off the Westcott Road Dorking despite the trailer being locked and chained.

Crime ref:  45140097699. Last night a Red and Grey Takeuchi Digger was stolen from a stable yard in Headley between 22:10 and 22:30.

Suspicious Incidents:

Incident Ref: P14331736. Over the last couple of days a pick up truck with a Reg like TOU97 with a man driving and two passengers, another man and a young girl have been seen snooping around a livery yard in the Headley area.

Incident Ref: P14331790. There have been sightings of a Dark Coloured Mitsubishi Reg L200CDV with two occupants making off at speed from remote locations and lanes near Forest Green and Fourwents Pond.

Incident Ref: P14331813 At around 20:00 last night in Coldharbour report of someone trying to shoot pheasants from a White Transit Van with a Reg something like LD09UND but this may be wrong.

For further crime reduction advice please see our link : -

http://www.surrey.police.uk/Keeping-Safe

Alternatively book an appointment for a free crime reduction survey by calling via 101.

And please remember:-

Report as soon as possible with as much detail as you can provide. Tell us if suspects are alone or in a group; if they are trespassing and whether they have equipment, dogs or firearms with them. Tell us where you think they may be heading and where they may have been. What do they look like? Have they any vehicles? Can you safely note the model and registration number(s)? Can you safely photograph the suspect(s)? Always consider personal safety before approaching any individuals. Call 101 to report crime, or dial 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

Surrey Police: Update from our local Crime Reduction Advisor

Update from our local Crime Reduction Advisor Mr Neil Clarke. To book a free crime reduction survey for your property or business give us a call via 101.

It's getting darker earlier now and I have made visits in Mole Valley residential streets where it is quite obvious that there is no one at home in many houses; i.e. they are in total darkness.  Ideally, people should consider having timer switches - both upstairs and downstairs to come on at different times to imply that someone is at home.  Recently, I re-visited a home where the owners had installed simple times to mirror their normal movements around their home during the darker evenings.  Brilliant - but even a light downstairs from 4.30pm to 8.00pm and one upstairs from 6.30pm to 9.30pm would be effective.

Also, dusk till dawn lighting at the front of a property conveys the impression of occupancy and removes obvious shadows where an opportunistic burglar could try their luck without being seen.  Dusk till dawn lighting is easy to install and very cheap to run.

We are seeing an increase in rogue traders preying on the elderly and vulnerable - and that always happens as the winter sets in.  Rogue traders know that they can cause alarm by pointing out a leaking gutter or damaged roof tiles and some people will be concerned that the rain (or snow) might get into their homes if they don't have the "work" done.  I am visiting two victims this week and it is so upsetting when people have been conned out of hundreds of pounds for unnecessary work.

This week, I'm also visiting local hotels and the big message in general to people staying in hotels is:  If you are staying at a hotel, use the safe in your room and don't leave things around as you would do at home and we've seen quite a lot of high value items go missing during overnight or conference stays.  If the items were in a secure safe then at least the hotel's insurance would be likely to cover some of the loss!!

http://www.surrey.police.uk/Keeping-Safe

Brake Road Safety week – 17 to 23 November

This  week is Brake Road Safety week (17 to 23 November). Surrey and Sussex Road Policing Officers, in conjunction with the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership will be supporting this week of action by conducting educational and enforcement activities across the force areas. During this week, Brake is asking everyone to look out for each other on the roads, particularly calling for drivers to protect people on foot and bike, by slowing down to 20 in communities, looking twice, taking it slow at junctions and giving people plenty of room.

For further information on Brake Road Safety week, please visit the website: www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk

The Brake team will also be using #RoadSafetyWeek, throughout next week to raise awareness of the campaign.
https://twitter.com/MoleValleyBeat

www.facebook.com/MoleValleyPolice

Leatherhead Hospital Leach Ward to close by December 1st

I was not intending to post again on this Blog, but I feel I must bring this to the attention to LRA members.

I conducted the act of worship at Leach Ward this morning and talked with some of the patients afterwards. The patients are always very appreciative and I normally come home thankful that we have been of service to them.

But this morning I came home somewhat shocked and saddened. I heard from patients that the ward is to be closed by the end of this month; one of the nurses confirmed this. When I got home I looked on the Internet and found this article.

Staff and patients have been given precious little notice - presumably to minimize time for any opposition; but, understandably, they are worried. Not a nice Christmas present!

Whenever I have taken services there or taken communion to individual patients, I have always heard nothing but praise from patients at the way they are looked after in Leach Ward. I have always found a friendly atmosphere there and never ceased to be impressed at the dedication of the staff. This is something Leatherhead should truly be proud of.

I am aware that the Dorking & Leatherhead Advertiser article says health bosses deny the closure will be permanent; but as many of us know from experience, temporary closures have a nasty habit of becoming permanent in the end. In my opinion the short notice given to staff and patients in the run-up to Christmas is shabby. I hope the LRA takes up their cause and that readers will write to their councillors and MPs.

Mole Valley Have Your Say.

Hello again,

We have had a really strong response to our survey and much of this is down to the efforts of  the people we have asked to support and extend the message.  Thanks very much if you have been able to help with this, and especially if you have let us have your own views. 

As a quick reminder, we are seeking views on a wide range of issues where we have an influencing role as well as on the services that we deliver directly.  This will help to inform the Mole Valley District Council Corporate Strategy, which will be the key framework for our budget and service decision making from 2015.  As such it is a real opportunity for people to tell us what is important to them, and for us to ensure that the choices we make are consistent with the needs and priorities of those who live and work in the District.

There is still time (the consultation doesn’t finish until 30 November) so if you have not had a chance to respond personally, or if you can help by sharing what we are asking with other people, that would really help us to make this as representative of peoples’ views as we can achieve.  You can complete the survey on line by clicking on the link below.

Mole Valley Have Your Say Survey.

Thanks again for your help and support with this.

Best wishes

Cllr Simon Ling

Executive Member for Finance and Corporate Services

Mole Valley District Council

Open Committee Meeting. 3rd November 2014

Leatherhead Residents' Association

Executive Committee Meeting (Open).

7.30 pm on 3rd November 2014 at the Letherhead Institute

Agenda

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of the last (Closed) meeting on 6 Oct (see Website)

3. Matters arising from the Minutes which are not on the Agenda:

      a. 4a                                                    c. 5

      b. 4b                                                    d. 8d and 8e

4. Correspondance:

     a. To Councillor Howard Jones

     b. To Councillor Chris Townsend

     c. From a troubled member

_____________________________________________________________

5. Our Speaker, Mr. John Howarth, Chairman of LAP and former Director of Market Towns, followed by a "Suggestion Session."

_____________________________________________________________

6. Reports:  

    a. Planning (click link) -  Food Store comments

    b. Environment - Litter pick etc.

    c. Forward Planning - Plan L in general;   anything not quite covered by our                       speaker

    d. Publicity - Notice Board, Halloween, 8b and 8c

7. AOB

    a. Next Open Meeting

    b. Mole Valley Access Group will appear in the Newsletter.

nb.  This posting has been done by the Chairman, Caroline Brown.

Heartstart

Dear Sir / Madam

Please see the attached information on the Heartstart course.

We are hoping that you will be able to assist us in promoting this excellent opportunity for residents in your community to participate in this excellent FREE 2 hour training course that teaches basic Emergency Life Support skills. The aim is  to give people the necessary skills and confidence to deal with emergencies that they may well come across either at home, in the work place or whilst out and about in the community.

What we are looking to do is get an idea of the level of interest and then arrange courses to take place at the most convenient locations within the community, ideally with the use of venues being free of charge for the booking.

So please let me know if this is something that your community would be interested in hosting at your Village Hall or other suitable venue, then once we have decided on the venues for courses I can speak with the providers to confirm their availability, and then bookings will be able to be made direct with:-

Chris SMEWING

Email: chris@professionalminds.co.uk

Phone: 07809602722

The courses will be for any resident of Mole Valley  aged over 16 years, each course will have a maximum capacity of 20 participants and will last for two hours. We are thinking that the most appropriate time to run these courses would be a weekday between 7pm and 9pm.

Ideally we would like to plan the first courses to start in December.

Best regards

David Fanthorpe

Leisure Monitoring Officer

Mole Valley District Council

01306 876370

David.fanthorpe@molevalley.gov.uk