At this incredibly difficult time for Ukraine, I am heartened to see the country pull together as it has done and step up to support those who have been displaced by this despicable invasion. We will continue to work with government to ensure everyone has all they need to provide whatever help we can, while making it as straightforward as possible to do so.

Residents who wish to offer accommodation to Ukrainians fleeing the fighting can find details on how to register through the SCC website, while those who want to donate can continue to do so through the British Red Cross Disaster Emergency Committee Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal.

Finally, let me add my thanks to the residents of Surrey and the whole country for everything that they have done so far.

Weybridge Recreation Ground: The works on the footpath alongside the Weybridge Recreation Ground being undertaken by Surrey County Council continue towards completion. All things being equal the surfacing will be done by specialist machinery over two or three days from May 10th.

This will be a significant improvement and provide excellent shared space for residents walking to and from the town centre. Many thanks to the Weybridge Land Charity and to the Allotment association (WAGHA) for their support and co operation in delivering this scheme.

My article on how we create the communities of the future – https://bit.ly/2OgM2Nz 

Proposals for amendments to waiting and parking restrictions in Heath Road, Brooklands Lane and Waverley Road, Weybridge

For more information on the proposals or to give us your thoughts on them by 22nd Jan, please visit – https://bit.ly/3pY1nQc

Things are moving forward with the Weybridge Regeneration

This is a once in a generation opportunity to re energise that end of the High Street starting with the reprovision of the medical facilities. 

Re-providing health care and other services has been a pressing issue for Weybridge for some time, as its GP practices and other medical services have been operating from temporary units since 2017, following a fire that completely destroyed the town’s old hospital buildings. Meanwhile, Weybridge’s 1960s library building is also at the end of its life and needs either vast repairs or replacement. Local residents have long lobbied for an integrated solution to both problems, with a view to construction of a community centre that brings many services together.

In Weybridge, the regeneration project will adopt a ‘campus approach’ that seeks to build on and integrate services across both sides of Church Street, which runs between the old hospital site and the library.

The participation of Well North Enterprises was crucial in bringing together decision-makers for the project. Prior to the October meeting, which articulated local concerns and began to organise and plan the project, Well North held more than 60 conversations with individual residents and representatives of various authorities and charities. The town’s main residents’ association, the Weybridge Society, which since 2018 had presented its own vision for an integrated approach, is now a key participant in the project.

Next key step: finalising an outline business case for the health care elements of the project which will next be submitted to NHS England for approval.

Any further works between now and January will depend on what is found while the route is cleared and will be communicated as soon as we have more information.

 

I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to engage with you, so please join what I’m sure will be a lively discussion. 

You can sign-up to either of these events on 1st or 17th December by following this link

Elmbridge moves to Tier 2 of Government’s new local COVID alert level

Elmbridge Borough will move into Tier 2 of the Government’s new three-tier system for England, meaning it is now deemed an area of HIGH risk. 

Under the country’s new Local Covid Alert Level system, Tier 2 is for areas with a higher rate of infections and means some additional restrictions are in place to slow the spread of the virus. This includes reducing household to household transmission by preventing all mixing between households or support bubbles indoors. The Rule of Six will apply in outdoor spaces, including private gardens.

This is in addition to national restrictions already in place on wearing face coverings, social distancing, and working from home when possible. If you can’t work from home you should walk or cycle where possible, or try to avoid busy times on public transport.

The last 6 months have been incredibly challenging for residents but we really must all come together now to do what we can to overcome this virus.

Just to let you know that Monument Hill will be closed from the 1st September from outside Roadway House to the roundabout and junction of Hanger Hill. The work will be done overnight but the road will be closed from 8pm to 6am and will take 7 nights.

More details can be found on the Surrey County Council website

Surrey welcomes extra £6,368,952 to support local services during coronavirus

• Takes total additional funding for Surrey County Council to £53,367,397 
• Direct Government funding to help councils respond to the pandemic reaches £4.3 billion

Surrey County Council has welcomed the announcement that it will receive a further £6,368,952 from the Government to help pay for its comprehensive response to coronavirus, as part of a £500 million package of additional support.

The extra £500 million – which brings support for pressures local authorities are facing to £4.3 billion – will ensure councils in England can continue to deliver crucial frontline services, support those most in need and continue delivering for residents.

This additional support forms part of a comprehensive package of Government support to help councils respond to the pandemic, including an unprecedented new scheme to help local authorities recover lost income.

Surrey County Council Leader Tim Oliver said: “Surrey County Council has been busy over the last four months working with our partners to prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep our residents safe.

Surrey’s Local Resilience Forum has carried out some fantastic work in its response to and facilitation of the recovery from COVID-19. From contacting over 30,000 shielding residents, to delivering thousands of food parcels, to supporting our social care providers financially and with equipment, we’ve worked really hard to support residents throughout this tough time.”

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick added: “Councils are playing a vital role in our national fight against coronavirus, providing a lifeline for so many and supporting communities at a time when they need it most.

“That’s why we are giving them an extra £500 million – taking our total additional funding provided to £4.3 billion – and today I am setting out how this will be allocated to councils fairly based on the pressures they have told us they are facing.”

Over the past few months we have seen a huge increase in the number of lorries parking around the Sopwith Road area. This has created dangers for other drivers and for pedestrians.

I’m expecting double yellow lines to be laid down on the 16th July (weather permitting!) which will hopefully resolve this escalating issue.

🚧Surrey County Council’s notice of Temporary Prohibition of Traffic Order 2020: Brooklands Road (B374) & Byfleet Road (A245), Weybridge. This Temporary Traffic Order starts on 17th July 2020 and will enable highway maintenance, resurfacing and/or improvement works on behalf of Surrey CC. Works will be carried out between 8pm and 6am, as possible within the 18 month period of operation of this Order. Access for emergency services, businesses, pedestrians, cyclists & equestrians will be maintained at all times.

Surrey County Council Cabinet – Facebook Live Q&A on 9th July at 7pm

Surrey’s plan of action to tackle spread of COVID-19 locally

Surrey County Council has published its Local Outbreak Control Plan, outlining its readiness to control the spread of COVID-19 and quickly manage any local spike in infections.

Surrey is one of 11 ‘good practice’ areas across England chosen to work together to innovate and share best practice in the development of Local Outbreak Control Plans.

The plan is a result of weeks of intense planning from many health and social care partners in Surrey including: the NHS, Surrey County Council, Districts and Boroughs and military planners.

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “It is imperative that all Surrey residents play their part and continue to follow public health advice and comply with NHS Test and Trace instructions, so we can prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep Surrey safe and open.

“Whilst this is new territory for everybody concerned, we have developed a comprehensive plan combining the expertise of Public Health, Local Government and advice from central government.

“We are forensically analysing the data, to monitor infection rates locally to see if there is any spike in cases occurring.”

It is hoped that any ‘localised lockdown’ in Surrey can be avoided if people continue to follow important public health messages and comply with the NHS Test & Trace system.

This includes:

• Self isolate if you have symptoms and get tested
• Share your contacts if you test positive
• Self isolate when alerted to by Test and Trace
• Keep your distance if you go out
• Work from home if you can
• Wear face coverings where appropriate
• Wash your hands regularly

The Local Outbreak Control Plan will only be triggered where there are suspected or confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks in any setting or community. An ‘outbreak’ is defined as ‘a greater than expected occurrence of an infection compared with the usual background rate for that particular place and time’ or a number of people linked by place and time, usually two or more people.

It is likely that outbreak control measures will be used in specific settings such as schools, care homes, workplaces, hospitals etc. rather than whole town or area ‘lockdowns’.

However, the LOCP will be updated and adapted as the situation changes and more is learned about outbreak control elsewhere.

As part of the response a communication campaign will be put into action. Key public messages will be shared across social media, local press as well as digital and outdoor advertising.

In the event of a specific outbreak extra control measures will be activated. A rapid response team will issue real time messages to residents across social media and notify them of any additional action they need to take.