Welcome to the LOSRA Website
As with any other local neighbourhood, the policies and actions which affect the character and future of Lower Sunbury are generally framed and implemented by a combination of local and national government, along with the vested interests and market forces which operate within those frameworks. Lower Sunbury is by no means unique in being under threat from a creaking infrastructure brought about by rapid urban development, the growth of traffic, and other pressures affecting the quality of life and the character of the area.
Working with the local authorities, we see it as the responsibility of residents’ and amenity groups such as LOSRA to address the underlying issues which fundamentally affect their members’ lives, as well as the minutiae of everyday life with which such groups are often concerned.
Please sign up to receive our regular e-bulletins by subscribing via the facility at the top left hand of this page. It goes without saying that, without your continued support we would cease to function so we urge you to join, or renew your membership now Subscriptions (£5 per household) for 2024 are now payable.
Call for Magna Carta charter bearers
The following email from Spelthorne Council has been received by LOSRA and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Up to 33 people from Spelthorne, Runnymede and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead will be able to play a special role in June's Magna Carta celebrations as charter bearers.
Charter bearers will help carry a replica of the Magna Carta down the River Thames on the Royal Shallop Jubilant on the various legs of Magna Carta 800th - The River Relay, which is taking place over the weekend of Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June.
Cllr Penny Forbes-Forsyth, Cabinet Member for Leisure said: "The Magna Carta is one of the most important documents in history and it is very fitting that we celebrate this momentous anniversary with events which involve the community. If you know someone who you think would enjoy being part of this special weekend, please let us know about them.”
Nominations are now open. Community groups - including local faith groups, charities, schools, clubs and societies - are invited to make nominations, explaining why they feel the person should be considered for the role.
The nominees must live, work or study in Spelthorne, the Royal Borough or Runnymede and be over 16 years old by 12 June 2015.
The application form can be found at rbwm.gov.uk/web/museum_mc800_river_relay_charter_bearers.htm and completed online or posted. The closing date is Thursday 2 April and the names will be announced by the end of April.
Invitation to Mayor's Charity Ball and Weybridge Male Voice Choir
As our local Sunbury East Councillor, Suzy Webb's office of Mayor approaches the end of her year as first citizen, she extends an invitation to two events in aid of her chosen charities:
• Parkinson’s UK (Staines branch and Spelthorne Parkies) – offering information, friendship and support to local people with Parkinson’s
• The Purple Angel – helping to raise awareness of dementia-related illnesses, including giving assistance to Alzheimer’s sufferers and their carers
• The Salvation Army Youth Outreach Service - providing a supportive environment to help young people achieve their full potential.
The first of these events is this Saturday, 14th March, at St. Peter's Church, Laleham Road, Staines, and features a concert with the Weybridge Male Voice Choir. For details, click here.
The second event, the Mayor's Ball will be held on Saturday, 21st March at the Runnymede-on-Thames Hotel. For details and print-off booking form click here.
LOSRA is pleased to publish these fundraising events on Suzy's behalf.
Gordon Giltrap Comes to Sunbury Cricket Club on 20th March
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club falls on Friday 20th March, and it promises to be a very special evening indeed as the Club welcomes one of UK’s finest acoustic and electric guitarists GORDON GILTRAP. He is a greatly respected personality, not least by his peers in the business – Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple and Rainbow has said that “I think Gordon Giltrap is one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world….He was always way ahead of his time…….His concerts and playing are breathtaking.”
His music defies definition and transcends the genres - his career goes back to the ‘60s working in folk clubs with the likes of Bert Jansch, but he was highly successful on the prog rock scene, and has recorded with major names like Rick Wakeman, Brian May and Midge Ure He had a big hit in 1977 with “Heartsong” from his landmark album “Perilous Journey” – the tune was used for a long time as the theme for BBC’s “Holiday” TV programme. Indeed, several of his compositions have been featured as TV music.
He is a very engaging and witty raconteur as well as a quite extraordinary performer, so an enthralling evening is assured. The Sunbury audience loves a top class guitarist and this is a chance to see one of the UK’s very best. Please note that since he has to travel a long way for the gig, we will be starting the show promptly at 8.30 p.m., so he can get away at a reasonable hour, so please make sure you arrive on time.
You are urged to have a look at his web site at www.giltrap.co.uk – there’s a wealth of fascinating background and biographical detail, which will set the scene for his performance. The Club looks forward to seeing you there.
Spelthorne Council is introducing a new textiles collection service
From 23 March, the Council will collect all your unwanted textiles, making it easier for you to have that spring clear out and do your bit for charity at the same time.
Collections will take place on an alternate weekly basis so look out for information being sent in the post from 9 March explaining what items you can include and which week your collection will be made. Your textiles will be collected on the same day as your bin but at a different time.
The items collected will be sorted by the Salvation Army. Wearable items will be sold through markets in Eastern Europe, as long as they are clean and dry, raising vital funds for the Salvation Army’s charitable work. Old textiles, even if they are worn, torn or stained, can be recycled to make industrial cloths or padding for chairs and car seats.
Some properties will not receive this collection service initially. If you have not received an information card by 18 March visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/home and put your address in to ‘My Spelthorne’ to find out if you are included and which week your collection will be scheduled.
From 18 March, you will find a list of the items you can include at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/textiles. Alternatively call Customer Services on 01784 451499 for more information.
Follow LOSRA on Twitter
After a long period of absence and following a software upgrade to this website we are pleased to announce that we are finally back on Twitter.
Keep up to date with all the latest news by clicking here to 'Follow LOSRA on Twitter'.
You will receive a tweet every time we add a new news article.
Residents Question SCC Cabinet on Viability of 'Eco Park' Plan
The planning permission that Surrey County Council gave to itself for the construction of an incinerator at the Charlton Lane Community Recycling Centre is now to be re-considered by the SCC Cabinet on grounds of affordability and value for money. When the Cabinet met on 24th February it heard that delays, (for which our campaigners combining with SATEP may justifiably claim credit!) have resulted in revisions to pricing'.
LOSRA campaign member, Brian Catt took the opportunity to address the Cabinet stating that the Eco Park is "now an avoidable mistake" based on it being an expensive disposal of waste, having minimal energy recovery and having "a very high risk of failure". He added: "In the light of these clear facts, especially that the Eco Park is low volume expensive disposal, and not yet begun, can the County assure its councillors that officers' value study will include the better available opportunities for the County to realise best practice in treating our dry waste?"
At the same meeting, LOSRA member, Peter Crews, asked what options are due to be considered in the review and was told by Cllr. Furey (acting Cabinet member for Environment and planning) that it would be either amending the existing waste contract, or terminating the waste contract and achieving recycling and landfill diversion improvements without new infrastructure by securing alternative technology. Peter concluded: "Finally, do you agree the value for money assessment completely misses the point as it is based on the [erroneus] assumption that Surrey must build an incinerator?" The Leader, David Hodge said their questions would be answered after the meeting.
Last Tuesday's Cabinet meeting was originally earmarked to further detail the impacts of delays in the delivery on value for money and affordability of the Eco Park project but the decision has now been put back to 28th April. Cllr. Furey confirmed that the evaluation of each option would include the 'whole life cost' of construction, operation and maintenance.
More...
Review of Spelthorne's Local Plan - Statement of Community Involvement
The Council has prepared a draft SCI which updates the current version adopted in 2006. This ensures that the Council takes account of changes to planning legislation and guidance since the current SCI was adopted. A link to the 2006 SCI can be found at the bottom of this page.
The Council is now seeking views on the draft Statement of Community Involvement over a four week period from Friday 27 February 2015 to Monday 30 March 2015. The draft SCI is also available to view at the Council Offices in Knowle Green during normal opening hours. Copies of the draft SCI can be made available in large print, Braille or another language on request. Please contact the Council on 01784 446345 or alternatively email Planning Policy if this is required.
Comments on the draft SCI can be submitted by using the online form or by downloading and completing the comments form on the Council Website. Copies of the comments form are also available at the Council Offices during normal opening times.
Comments forms can be returned either by email or by post to:
Planning Policy & Implementation
Spelthorne Borough Council
Knowle Green
Staines-upon-Thames
Surrey
TW18 1XB
Comments must reach the Council no later than Monday 30 March 2015. Please note that comments cannot be treated as confidential and will be made publicly available on the Council's website either in full or in summary. Whilst the names of those responding and their comments will be made publicly available personal details such as addresses or contact details will not.
Following consultation the Council will consider all of the comments made and whether any changes are required to the draft SCI. The SCI is scheduled to be adopted Summer 2015.
For full details and access to all relevant links, click here: https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/
Councillor Daxa Patel Resigns from Spelthorne Cabinet
Our local Halliford and Sunbury West Ward Councillor, Daxa Patel (pictured), has announced her decision to resign from her position as Cabinet Member for Emergency Planning to concentrate on her duties as Ward Councillor. She will be replaced by Cllr. Colin Davis (pictured).
In a letter to Chief Executive Roberto Tambini, Councillor Patel said "I have found the work as Portfolio Holder for Emergency Planning to be stimulating and rewarding, and very much appreciate the support and encouragement I have received from staff and fellow councillors".
Leader of the Council, Cllr Robert Watts said: "I would like to express my sincere thanks to Cllr Daxa Patel for the strong contribution she has made; particularly her work with the community during last year's flooding. I am pleased to welcome Cllr Colin Davis to the Cabinet. Colin brings a wealth of experience to the Cabinet and I very much look forward to working with him."
He added: "I am taking this opportunity to review the roles of all the Cabinet Members and will announce a change to the portfolio holders' responsibilities shortly."
Little Schnauzer Back on the Mend after Dog Attack
Readers will be pleased to hear that the little schnauzer, which survived an attack by an American bulldog (see article of 3rd February), has now fully recovered. Following a police investigation, the owner has signed a voluntary agreement for his dog to be muzzled when in public. This, it seems, is the least the owner is prepared to do as he has offered no apology; nor has he offered to repay the £400 vet's bill.
Settlement via the small claims court is an option now being considered by the schnauzer's owner.
Additional powers were granted to the police and local authorities in October 2014 under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, designed to give them greater flexibility when dealing with irresponsible dog owners and incidents involving dogs. These powers include acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs), community protection notices (CPNs) and public spaces protection orders (PSPOs).
All are designed to give greater flexibility in tackling irresponsible dog owners and incidents involving dogs. The Act also amended Part 7 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to extend the offence of a dog being “dangerously out of control” to all places, including private property where the dog has the right to be and to make explicit that an attack on an assistance dog is an aggravated (more serious) offence.
Bad Influence to Make Debut Appearance at SCC, 27th February
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club falls on Friday 27th February, when the Club welcomes BAD INFLUENCE for the first time. They have been on the Club's radar for a while since they were recommended by a couple of their regulars but, until now, it has been difficult to pin down a suitable date.
They've been together for a long while, having originally been formed in 1986 by Val Cowell (vocals and guitar) and Richard Hayes (lead & slide guitar), who have been permanent members ever since, and the line-up is completed by Pete Stroud on bass (he was formerly with Peter Green’s Splinter Group and will be familiar to you as bass player with Buddy Whittington) and long-time drummer Harry James (former member of Thunder and Magnum). They play a distinctive brand of up-front blues and rock, blending original material from their albums with interpretations of material from the likes of Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt and Fleetwood Mac—their most recent CD features tracks that they recorded for broadcast on Paul Jones R&B show on Radio 2 – getting a session on that show is itself a considerable accolade.
It will be a fine evening of archetypal Sunbury Music Night rocking blues, and the Club looks forward to seeing you there. There’s plenty of info and some music samples on their web site at www.badinfluence.org.uk
Shepperton Players - Are You Interested?
Are you interested in drama, lighting, directing, sound, costumes, set design and construction, directing, production, photography or props?
Have you recently moved to the area and want to meet new people?
The Shepperton Players, based at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, Sunbury, have the most varied programme of any local group including dramas, comedies, farces, musicals, Shakespeare productions and pantomimes. The Players have around 70 members of all ages. Some are primarily interested in performing, but are happy to turn their hand to all manner of backstage, front of house or technical tasks for productions in which they are not cast. Others are experienced, or chiefly interested in these non-performing roles in the theatre.
If you are interested, find out more by contacting the Membership Secretary, Marion Millinger on 01932 851323 or visit www.sheppertonplayers.org.uk
200 Residents Attend Hazelwood Public Meeting on Green Belt
Spelthorne Council hosted the much awaited public meeting last Tuesday (see article of 19th January) to clarify its position with regard to any potential development on Green Belt land at Kempton Park Race Course.
The meeting, held at the Hazelwood Centre in Green Street, and chaired by Spelthorne Chief Executive, Roberto Tambini, was called after residents expressed concern that the Jockey Club might be planning to develop homes on Kempton Park. Around 200 residents attended and many submitted questions in advance of the meeting.
Cllr Robert Watts, Leader at Spelthorne Council, started the meeting with a statement outlining the Council’s strong commitment to protecting the Green Belt. “We can’t stop developers putting planning applications in,” he said. “But we can be clear about how we will deal with them if they do.” “We have a very clear Green Belt policy and it is backed up by an equally clear government policy.”
The Head of Planning Services, John Brooks, whilst also ruling out the prospect of developing on designated Green Belt, then gave a presentation on the planning context, an overview of what Green Belt means and planning for future needs and associated issues.
Pre-submitted questions about Kempton Park were then addressed and supplementary questions taken.
The panel included planning staff from Spelthorne Council, local councillors, Chair of the Planning Committee and the Cabinet Member for Planning. MP Kwasi Kwarteng also attended and answered questions relating to Sunbury Health Centre during the latter part of the meeting where broader local issues were discussed.
The Campaign Group, Keep Kempton Green (KKG) has also commented on the meeting and its report may be viewed by clicking here: keepkemptongreen.com/2015/02/04/the-new-friend-of- a-friend/
Spelthorne's Sunbury Flood Volunteers - Are You Interested?
Spelthorne’s Sunbury Flood Volunteers was founded on Facebook 10/02/2014 in response to last winter's local flooding. As well as running the local flood resource center at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Green Street, they coordinated much groundwork, including sand-bagging removal of household goods to storage etc.
They have helped over 150 residents and over 70 households with cleaning and removal of slurry from their properties, to filling in 'repair and renew' grants, and moving residents back into their homes. The work is still ongoing and they are currently removing debris from our local waterways
The SSFV Unit has been developing for 12 months to provide initial training to individuals in Module 1 Water Awareness safety. In addition, SSFV have successfully completed level 5 water incident management, a 4 day component for team leaders responsible for management and co-ordination; health and safety; and liaison with other team leaders regarding tasking and welfare.
SSFV’s aim is to provide trained Flood Emergency Responders who will be able to react quickly to a flood emergency and provide support within the affected community. In the recent floods a number of residents were left isolated for more than 7 days even though the flood water wasn't very deep. . Unfortunately, the response available was provided by volunteers who were poorly equipped and untrained for the role they were given. Trained Flood Emergency Responders would have been able to visit the local residents simply to reassure them about the situation and to provide logistical support.
Last winter's floods demonstrate the requirement for properly trained Flood Rescue Responders. The need for more people to be trained around the Country is also evidenced within DEFRA documentation including the Flood Rescue Concept of Operations. Furthermore, the Pitt Review clearly demonstrates the need for Flood Rescue Teams and the benefits that these teams can provide. SSFV will supply free training for volunteers and also improve life skills.
If you are interested in joining SSFV or would like more information on either clean-up or rescue volunteers. please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Alert - Police Investigating Dangerous Dog at Large
On Sunday 1st February, a local resident in The Creek, and the owner of two dogs, has reported a completely unprovoked attack by what appears to be a breed similar to, and of the same colouring, as the American bull dog (pictured).
The dog came hurtling out of its house after the door had been left ajar and set upon both the resident's dogs, flattening the smaller of the two, a docile little schnauzer, before sinking its teeth into the schnauzer's back, thigh and stomach. Thankfully the owner came straight out and, with a lot of effort, managed to pull the dog off.
Had it not been for this intervention the local resident is certain the attack would ultimately have resulted in the death of her little dog.
Local enquiries reveal that this snarling muscular dog has been spotted frequently in the past and is known to have roamed freely in peoples back gardens, the Bathing Station field and on Wheatley's Ait.
The attack has been reported to the police (Crime number 45150008889) and is being investigated. This notice is intended to alert local residents whilst awaiting the outcome of police enquiries.
