Monday, 30 May 2011

Open Committee Meeting on Monday, 6th June in the Leatherhead Institute 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence

2. Notice of Matters for Any Other Business

3. Minutes of:
    - Open Meeting held on 4th April 2011
    - Committee Meeting held on 24th May 2011

4. Matters Arising,from the minutes which are not on the agenda below.

5. Correspondence

6. Reports from sub-committees and from other meetings.
    - Membership
    - Environment
    - Planning
    - Highways
    - Other meetings

7. Matters raised by the Committee:
    - Summer Newsletter
    - Seats for the Elderly
    - Provision of “Doggy Bins”
    - Tree Preservation Orders

8. Any Other Business (as agreed under Item 2)

The meeting will be proceeded by a Police Panel beginning, I believe, at 6.50 pm

Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Mole Valley District Council and Social Media

Yesterday I received the following from Louise Bircher of Mole Valley District Council:
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I am hoping to canvass your and your residents' views on how Mole Valley District Council uses social media please. By this I mean our website (www.molevalley.gov.uk), Twitter (@molevalleydc), Facebook (facebook.com/molevalleydc), YouTube and, more recently QR codes. We are wanting to engage with as wide range an audience as possible so, in addition to the traditional methods of magazine, leaflets, posters and information available over the telephone and face to face, we are also making use of these aforementioned social media engagement tools.

Our Twitter and YouTube accounts have been live for about six months and our followers are steadily growing. I would like to know whether or not you and your residents make use of these forms of communication and whether you find them useful? Are there other forms of social media you would like to see us using? Or could we use what we use now more effectively?

I would be most grateful if you could encourage your residents to consider this and let me have their views - perhaps through your newsletter if one is imminent or via your website or whatever means you consider appropriate...
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Louise would like to collate all responses by Friday 20th May. If you have any observations please add them as comments.

Thank you.

Monday, 9 May 2011

Olympic Road Cycling events in 2012

In March we contacted you with news that Surrey had been chosen to host the men’s and women’s Olympic Road Cycling events in 2012 and also the test event this year on Sunday 14 August.

At the time of the announcement, exact details of the Olympic Road Cycling route had not been finalised and so we were unable to share with you the map of the route. We now have the route confirmation and attached with this email is a PDF of the first Road Race Newsletter, which will be distributed to residents living close to the route from next week. This includes a map showing road names and numbers, as well as other useful information about the races.

We hope you find the newsletter helpful and interesting. If you’d like to know more about how Surrey is celebrating and preparing for the Games visit our website www.gosurrey.info.

Kind regards

2012 Team

Surrey 2012 Team¦ Surrey County Council¦ Penrhyn Road¦ Kingston upon Thames¦ KT1 2DN¦ www.gosurrey.info¦ olympic.cycling@surreycc.gov.uk¦

Surrey - Host County - Be part of it

Saturday, 23 April 2011

Annual General Meeting Monday, 9th May 2011 Leatherhead Institute at 7.30 pm

Agenda
1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of the AGM held on 10th May 2010
3. Matters arising from the Minutes.
4. Chairman’s Report
5. Treasurer’s Report
6. Amendment of Constitution:
i.To append ", or otherwise with the approval of the Executive Committee" to clause 3 (Membership), so that the clause will read:

Membership shall be open to anyone aged 18 or over and residing in the area of benefit who supports the objects of the Association, or otherwise with the approval of the Executive Committee.

ii.To change "EIGHT" in the first sentence of Clause 7 (The Executive Committee) to "FOUR" so that the sentence will read:

The Executive Committee of the Association, referred to above and hereinafter as “the Committee,” to whom the general management of the Association’s affairs shall be entrusted, shall consist of the Officers and not less than FOUR and not more than SIXTEEN other members of the Association.

7. That the monthly meetings of the Association shall normally be open Committee meetings.
(This is explained in the Spring Newsletter.)
8. Election of Officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary
(Officers in 2010 were: Hubert Carr, Hilary Porter, Paula Sabine, Ray Brown)
9. Election of Committee members
(Members in 2010 were: Cheryl Allen, Fran Barnby-Smith, Caroline Brown, Ann Cardew, Flip Cargill)
10. Reports from sub-groups
(a) Membership
(b) Environment
(b) Planning
(c) Highways
11. Summer Newsletter
12. Any Other Business

Friday, 1 April 2011

Singing Surrey: Leatherhead’s New Community Choir

This spring residents in North Leatherhead are invited to get involved in a new community choir organised by Mole Valley District Council and Arts Partnership Surrey. The choir has been set up as part of the county-wide ‘Singing Surrey’ community arts project, which aims to develop new singing groups that are supported and owned by the community.
                                                                                              
The North Leatherhead Singing Surrey choir offers residents regular singing practice and the opportunity to learn different styles of music and gain new singing skills. Sessions will be informal and attendees will rehearse and perform a wide variety of music. The choir is also open to suggestions from members for new music, giving the community the unique chance to choose how their choir develops. No previous experience is needed and all ages are welcome, although children must be accompanied by an adult. 
                                                 
The Singing Surrey group will be led by Olivia McLennan, a community musician dedicated to empowering and developing the musical skills of others. Olivia studied music at City University and Goldsmiths, University of London and has a wide range of experience developing diverse and exciting community music projects.

As well as encouraging the community to take ownership of their choirs, the county-wide Singing Surrey project aims to develop new singing leaders in Surrey who will support the new singing groups and build new projects for the county in the future.

Research will be undertaken throughout the project that will explore the benefits of singing to a person’s health and wellbeing. This will help to promote the benefits of community choirs, and encourage more people to get involved in Singing Surrey.

Patrick McCord, Partnerships and Development Manager, said: “Singing Surrey offers a high-quality singing experience for residents in North Leatherhead, promoting wellbeing and social inclusion. The health benefits of singing are well documented and I hope that lots of residents will get involved and reap the rewards.”
                         
Singing Surrey takes place every Tuesday evening during term time from 6.30pm - 8.00pm at the Leatherhead Children’s Centre on Aperdele Road, Leatherhead, KT22 7QT, from Tuesday 10 May 2011. 

Monday, 28 March 2011

Agenda for Meeting on Monday, 4th April at 7.30 pm in the Letherhead Institute

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of the 7th March meeting

3. Matters arising from the Minutes

4. Police Report

5. Reports from subgroups
   a. Membership
   b. Environment
   c. Planning
   d. Highways

6. AOB

Breath of Life 2011: Be the difference: learn to save a life.


 
St John Ambulance in Surrey is holding its annual Breath of Life first aid training day for the public on 2 April, 10am - 3pm. 

Our goal?  To show over 1,500 more people how to save a life in an emergency.  These are simple skills everyone should know: how you can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

Faced with an emergency, would you know what to do?

This year, the free training sessions will be held at 15 venues across Surrey one more than last year.  The 30 minute drop-in sessions will take place in Ash Vale, Caterham, Cobham, Camberley, Cranleigh, Dorking, Epsom, Farnham, Haslemere, Horley, Guildford, Leatherhead, Reigate, Woking and Walton-upon-Thames.

To check the venue details, phone 01483 450000, option 3.

St John Ambulance believes that no-one should suffer from the lack of life-saving first aid knowledge and over the last few years, our Surrey volunteers have trained thousands of members of the public, free, in how to assess a casualty; put them in the recovery position; clear their airway and administer chest compressions and the breath of life.
There is no need to book.  Bring the whole family and just turn up on the day children, grandparents anyone can learn how to save a life in an emergency.  The sessions last just half an hour.  They are free -  but what price can we put on a life?

Breath of Life Venues 2011:
·         Ash Vale - Ash Community Centre
·         Camberley - The Atrium Shopping Centre
·         Caterham - St John HQ, Timber Hill Road
·         Cobham - Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall (opposite Waitrose), 25 Between Streets
·         Cranleigh - Cranleigh Village Hall
·         Dorking - Harpers, Dorking Sports Centre, Reigate Road
·         Epsom - Ebbisham Centre, 67 Derby Square
·         Farnham - St John HQ, The Hart
·         Guildford - Guildford Spectrum
·         Haslemere - Haslemere Town Hall, High Street
·         Horley - St John HQ, Massetts Road Car Park
·         Leatherhead - Nuffield Health, Fitness & Well-being Centre, The Crescent
·         Reigate - Reigate Priory School, Bell Street
·         Walton-on-Thames  - Walton Leisure Centre, Waterside Drive
·         Woking - Woking Pool in the Park, Kingfield Road

Sunday, 13 March 2011

Mole Valley District Council - Shaping Your Community

On 13th December 2010 the Government announced its Localism Bill. This was the first stage in an important process which over the next few years will see the structure of the planning system being 'radically' reformed.

How the Localism Bill and the changes in the planning system impact on the preparation of the Mole Valley Local Development Framework (LDF) is an extremely important issue for the Council and its communities. The Council has therefore prepared a Discussion Paper outlining a number of key issues that need to be considered.

The Council is seeking views on this Paper from Friday 4th March until Friday 8th April 2011.  The Discussion Paper and Comments Form can be downloaded from www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=11716

Also there will be a longer article on Localism by our Chairman in the LRA Spring Newsletter. Please read it.

Saturday, 12 March 2011

Future "Transition" events

The following were to be included in our Spring Newsletter; unfortunately it has been delayed by two weeks, so while there's still time ....

Wednesday, March 16th: Transition Bookham meeting

7.30pm to 9.30pm at St Nicolas Church’s Pastoral Centre.
A talk on "Gardening for Bees" with a honey bee keeper speaker from Epsom.

Saturday 19th March: Compost Works Open Day

2.00pm - 5.30pm at 8 The Drive, Fetcham, KT22 9EN. Admission free. For more information visit www.compostworks.org.uk/news.htm

Hopefully, the Newsletter will be out in time for the next announcement, but just in case ....

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th March: Surrey Eco-house event

Action Surrey, an organisation set up by Woking Borough Council, is organising this event to inspire the public and homeowners to learn about energy saving measures and renewable technology from those who have already been there and done it.
Viewing a Surrey Green Home is free but booking is strictly required. Please visit www.actionsurrey.org/surreygreenhomes to find out more and book free tickets

Tuesday, 1 March 2011

Help Stop Surrey's proposal to cease FREE parking in Towns and Villages

Your Market Towns and larger villages in Surrey need your help, and they need it now.
 
Surrey County Council proposes to remove the FREE on-street parking in the centre of our towns and villages,install machines to issue half hour parking tickets at 50-70p, and enforce payment!
The cost of doing this could be considerable for the return, but the folly is in what it could destroy.
We could lose a lot of the remaining vitality in our High Streets people will stop that quick pop and shop, and just shop where parking is free.
 
If you don’t want to see that,  Please sign the ePetition on the www.surreycc.gov.uk website AND tell your friends.  
The Petition URL is http://petitions.surreycc.gov.uk/ParkingCharges
 
This is on www.wurreycc.gov.uk until the 23rd March, as the Council will be reviewing this matter soon  
- so Act now or lose FREE High Street Parking in a town near you!
 
If we do nothing that is what we will get.
Lets pass a message to Surrey CC that we have had enough of them messing around with  the vitality of our market towns and Larger Villages.
 
Source: 
 
Caroline Salmon
The WOW! Gallery , 78 South Street, Dorking, RH4 2HD
Tel: 01306 743 403  Mobile: 0771 293 2630 Fax: 01306 713 300
email: caroline.salmon@thewowgallery.co.uk

Monday, 28 February 2011

Agenda for Meeting on Monday, 7th March at 7.30 pm in the Letherhead Institute

1. Apologies

2. Ratification of Minutes of 10th January & 7th February

3. Matters arising from the Minutes of 7th February

4. North Leatherhead Community Group -
   presentation by guest speaker, Simon Woodhams, North Leatherhead Project Worker

5. Reports from sub-groups.
   (a) Membership
    (b) Environment
   (c) Planning
   (d) Highways

6. AGM & Newsletter

7. AOB

Wednesday, 16 February 2011

Home security cold callers warning

Surrey Police and local Trading Standards are warning residents to be wary of cold callers who initially make contact by phone, claiming they work with local agencies to provide home security systems. 

In the past few weeks, a number of residents ac
ross the county have reported receiving a cold call about home security and the caller then tries to sell home security products or offers them a free burglar alarm.

During the call it is implied that the company is, either working directly with the local authorities including the police, or undertaking research on their behalf. Some have also claimed to guarantee a police response to any alarm activation. The caller will often say that the alarm is free but fails to mention the installation charge and ongoing maintenance agreement.  Please note that these companies are not local to
Surrey and do not have any specific local knowledge.

Surrey Police is not working in conjunction with any private home security company and we do not endorse particular products. Surrey Trading Standards Service is now investigating the companies involved.

If you are considering installing an intruder alarm system, you can obtain independent home security advice from your local Crime Reduction Advisor, PC 1836 Mike Bessent, by calling Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222.

Call 0845 125 2222 for all non-emergency policing matters.
Call 999 if you have a genuine emergency requiring the attendance of the police (e.g. a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger).
Call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have information about crime and don't want to leave your name.

Wednesday, 9 February 2011

Leatherhead Town Centre Environmental Enhancements

Mole Valley District Council and Surrey County Council are considering a range of projects that would be of benefit to Leatherhead town centre.

The projects are intended to support the vitality of the town and improve access and convenience for customers of the many shops, restaurants and businesses. Funding is available to start the process, but both councils are also looking towards the future and the preparation of an action plan or infrastructure plan.
A public consultation has taken place to gauge reaction to priorities for the town and how these priorities might be implemented. The first stage was the circulation of a questionnaire in the autumn of 2010 and a business survey. The results of both surveys are available as downloads from this page.
The second stage was an exhibition mounted at the end of January suggesting what the main priorities should be in the short term. The exhibition is also downloadable from this page. http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=11577

Comments made during the exhibition will be available shortly. Additional comments are welcome and can be made up until 28th February.  A report of this final stage of the consultation with recommendations for future work will be prepared for the County Council's Local Committee on 3rd March and Mole Valley District Council's Executive on 5th April. 

The email address for additional comments is ldf@molevalley.gov.uk and should be marked for the attention of Rod Shaw. 

Making it in Mole Valley

This spring residents in North Leatherhead are invited to get involved in a series of workshops run by professional craft-makers as part of the Making Surrey community project. The project is being organised by Mole Valley District Council and is funded by Arts Partnership Surrey and The National Lottery. 
Residents will get the chance to come together, have fun and get creative through workshops, in which they will explore how to solve issues ranging from anti-social behaviour to littering and fly tipping.
During the project, which will run until Christmas time, the craft-makers will take up residency in Leatherhead alongside the community.  
There will be opportunities for aspiring or established local artists to develop their skills and volunteer for future community development projects. 
There will also be apprenticeships aimed at residents who wish to specialise in community engagement work, with the craft-makers as mentors. 
Councillor Vivienne Michael, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing and Customer Service, said: “The Making Surrey project is a wonderful way for residents to come together to explore ways of solving problems within their community. The Council is proud to be a part of it; it’s a new and exciting way to engage with our residents.”      
    
Workshops will take place in North Leatherhead and involve different community groups, including the new Leatherhead Community Garden at West Hill School. More details will be announced soon. 
Seven other Surrey councils are involved in Making Surrey, and are running similar activities for their communities.
In Mole Valley the project is being organised by the Partnerships and Community Development team.

Ends
Media contacts for further information:               
Sally Horsburgh
Communications & Marketing Officer
Customer Services & Partnerships
Tel:  01306 879269
Email: sally.horsburgh@molevalley.gov.uk




                                                                   

Monday, 31 January 2011

Agenda for Meeting on Monday, 7th February at 7.30 pm in the Letherhead Institute

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of meeting on 10th January

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes

4. Police report by PCs Gaynor Grout & Chris Lewis

5. "Accident Reduction" -
   presentation by PC Tom Arthur, Mole Valley Casualty Reduction Officer

6. Report on outcome of the Sainsbury's negotiations

7. Town Centre Plan Exhibition

8. Localism and the Vanguard Project

9. Reports from sub Groups
   a) Membership
   b) Planning
   c) Highways

10. Newsletter and AGM

11. Any Other Business

Wednesday, 26 January 2011

Surrey Police: Crime Prevention Advice - DNA Property Marking

THEFT from residential properties in three areas of Surrey has dropped dramatically following the use of forensic property marking solution SelectaDNA by householders.
Burglaries from homes in Guildford, Elmbridge, and Epsom and Ewell, fell on average by 66% in the six months following the launch of the project and 58% when compared to the same time period the previous year.
Following the success of the initiative, part of Surrey Police’s Beat the Burglar campaign, all residents in the county are now being offered the chance to buy a SelectaDNA home property marking kit at a reduced price. 
SelectaDNA is a uniquely coded, non-toxic liquid enabling homeowners to ‘forensically mark’ valuable posessions such as laptops, games consoles, jewellery, electrical items and tools.  It can also be used to mark property stored outside the home, including garden equipment, pedal cycles etc.  Barely visible to the naked eye and almost impossible to remove, the solution glows under ultraviolet (UV) light making it easy for police to detect and return property to the rightful owner,  if stolen.
Mole Valley Crime Reduction Advisor, PC Mike Bessent, has been involved in working in our community and demonstrating the benefits of using this product and would recommends its to residents and businesses.
Householders can buy the SelectaDNA home property marking kit at 40% discount until the end of April 2011. Call 01689 860757 or visit www.selectadna.co.uk/surrey-police.html

Surrey Police
Tel: 0845 125 2222

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Here we go again....

Once more because of thoughtless and inconsiderate parking, the bin lorry was unable to access the the higher part of Oaks Close. Once more we have space left only for a car to pass between the parked cars - forget about lorries or larger vehicles.


Long gone is the time when cars did not park on corners, opposite T-junctions and in other places where they were obviously likely to cause obstruction. Now, if there is not a double-yellow line, motorists will park there - to hell with anyone else.

For Surrey County Council to introduce parking restrictions on neighbouring roads in 2009 and do nothing about the road nearest to the station is, in my opinion, crass negligence. For years, cars parked only on one side of this road; it was so obvious that parking on both sides would block the roadway. Then about four or five years ago, as parking got more difficult, they began parking on both sides.

It is so patently obvious that double yellow lines should have been extended at least up to the turning circle on one side of the road. I have spoken with local police and with people from MVDC and everyone seems to be of much the same opinion. So why wasn't it done? Why hasn't it been done?

Do we have to resort again to making our own unauthorized notice asking cars not to part on one side so that the bin lorry can get through? Do we have persuade the local press to highlight our case again?

Tuesday, 18 January 2011

Children’s Book Festival - 19 February - 12 March 2011





Received from Surrey CC .....

The second Surrey libraries’ Children’s Book Festival begins on Saturday 19 February and continues for 3 fun-filled weeks. 

An exciting programme of events for children of all ages will be taking place in libraries throughout Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge.

There is a fantastic opportunity to meet Darren Shan, the master of horror, at Bourne Hall, Ewell, on Friday 25 February.

Tony de Saulles, illustrator of the popular Horrible Science books, will be running Horrible Science drawing workshops, and manga fans will be able to develop their technique at our manga workshops run by best-selling cartoonist James Parsons.

Children will also be able to make pop-up books, write ghost stories, create their own monsters, join a Roald Dahl workshop, meet Elmer the Elephant and the Gruffalo, and much, much more.

To see the full programme, and to book tickets, visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/childrensbookfestival. Tickets can also be bought at participating libraries or by calling 01483 543599.

To avoid disappointment, please book your tickets in advance.

We look forward to seeing you at our festival events.

Surrey libraries - inspiring a lifelong love of reading.

Press release on the future of Leatherhead town centre

Received from Mole Valley District Council ....



Exhibition Explores Future of Leatherhead Town Centre

Mole Valley District Council and Surrey County Council are working together to make improvements to Leatherhead town centre. Last year they began a consultation on what changes should be made. On Friday 28 and Saturday 29 January the results of the consultation will be explored at an exhibition in Leatherhead.

Nearly 350 people responded to the questionnaire. Questions covered issues such as access and parking in the High Street, the visual appearance of key streets and the allocation of space for events such as the town market.

The exhibition will explore the results of the consultation and look at how the councils’ spending plans can respond to its findings. It is also a chance for residents, visitors and those who work in the town to make suggestions about the key issues surrounding its future and to comment on how the proposals could impact on them.

The exhibition will take place on both days from 10.00am to 4.00pm. On Friday it will reopen in the evening from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. It will be located at 36 Church Street, close to the Church Street car park entrance.

Councillor Chris Hunt, Portfolio Holder for Partnerships at Mole Valley District Council, said:
“We are grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation. The results provide a helpful pointer as to where our priorities should lie. The exhibition allows us to feed back results to the community and encourage further, detailed discussion on how projects that will benefit the town can be designed.”

Tim Hall, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Change and Efficiency, said: “It's important that residents are involved in helping us shape the future of Leatherhead town centre. Local people's views are vital because they know the area better then anyone so I would urge them to come along to the exhibition and let us know their thoughts. If we all work together we can ensure Leatherhead continues to thrive for many years to come."
Ends
Media contact for further information:                 
Sally Horsburgh
Communications & Marketing Officer
Customer Services & Partnerships
Tel:  01306 879269

Monday, 3 January 2011

Agenda for Meeting on Monday, 10th January at 7.30 pm in the Letherhead Institute

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of meeting on 1st November 2010

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes

4. "Transition Towns: different flavours of Bookham, Ashtead & Dorking, and why we like living in the Mole Valley"
- presentation by Flip Cargill


5. Reports from sub Groups

   a) Membership

   b) Planning

   c) Highways.

6. Any Other Business