Looking back at 2012 - Quarter Two

The second quarter of 2012 was very much dominated by the build up to and the event of Jubilee celebrations.  I was pleased to play a small part in Horsell's massive street party

April to June 2012

Horsell was in shock at the loss of its bridge over the canal for 9 months (little did we know it could be a year!) and I worked hard to ensure the diversion route was clearly signposted and concerns of residents along the route were alleviated.

I nominated Nathan Novelli from Horsell and was delighted that he won Woking Outstanding Achievement Award for setting up his own drama school.

My suggestion to have a Powerpoint display to help any members of the public attending council meetings was rejected by Conservative councillors.  I did achieve one small success in getting planning application numbers displayed on visuals during planning meetings.

Kanye West opens Horsell's new allotments

A new Horsell allotment site was opened by Cleve West and I was delighted to be an invited guest.  I had requested more allotment provision back in 2008.  It was great to see the aim for extra allotment space achieved four years later.

Stamp prices rose to 60p for First Class and 50p for second class.

I was elected as Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Group on Woking Council.

The wooden canal bridge leaves Horsell

The bridge over the Basingstoke canal was removed in May having been cut off since April as part of works on the new WWF building.

The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee and Horsell celebrated with a street party attended by thousands despite the ever present rain.  This great event spawned the Horsell Second Thursday Club which has went on to launch other community events in the second half of 2012.

Looking back at 2012 - first quarter

2012 seemed to fly by rather quickly.  I couldn't believe that Easter arrived when it did or that it was already summer amid all that rain.  Autumn followed fast behind, then it was Christmas and now we are entering 2013.  I decided to take a look back at the Olympic Jubilee year that was 2012 and was amazed at just how much had happened in the last twelve months.

January to March 2012
Plans were submitted for a new Horsell Scout Hut and an extension to Horsell Village Hall.  The scouts and guides are desperately in need of a new home and I know the extra space will be well used at the Village Hall.

Even my daughter was driven crazy by
the long wait for the new crossing

The crossing from the Lightbox to the Council offices and theatre was finally completed after several false starts – just in time for it to be rendered sadly underused as the bridge over the canal closed.

A report revealed that Surrey was the only police force to increase its number of officers in the previous year.  There was a 5.2% increase in officers in the county.

Brewery Road car park as it had existed for many years closed in February.  We should get a surface level car park back albeit with the WWF offices above it by the end of 2013.

PC Parish who had been Neighbourhood Officer since 2006 left Horsell following a promotion.  We have seen less of his replacement officer but the latest PCSO for our area Derek Slee has done sterling work throughout the year.

Brewery Road car park to building site

Work started to build the new WWF (World Wildlife Fund) headquarters on the site of Brewery Road car park.

Woking Commuter Trains are Crowded - news?

No surprise to learn that a Woking commuter train is at number 2 in the list of most overcrowded trains in England and Wales.  The weekday train that leaves Woking for London Waterloo at 7.32 has a load of 164% says a Department of Transport report covered by BBC News.

Also, at number 9 in the list is a service from Alton to London.  This is the train that leaves Woking at 7.52 for London Waterloo.  It is one of a number of trains that are overloaded by the time they arrive at Woking.  The load on this train is at 152%.

With more flats going up around the station and a key selling point being the fast commute to the capital isn't it time Woking had the long promised new carriages or even a train that starts at Woking.

Patrick Moore in Horsell

Sir Patrick Moore acted
with HADS

As I heard of the death of national institution Sir Patrick Moore last week I remembered that he had a Horsell connection.  I vaguely recalled that he had trod the boards with a local drama group.

My memory alone was not reliable so I did an online search to remind myself of the details.  Horsell Amateur Dramatic Society (HADS) website confirmed my memory.

Patrick Moore taught at St Andrew's School for a short time.  The school is still in Horsell and situated at the end of Wilson Way.  Whilst teaching at the school the man who found fame presenting The Sky at Night acted in five HADS productions.  HADS' website notes that the future Sir Patrick "had an amazing photographic memory".  Apparently he only had to read a play once to know his part.  

The Bedser Bridge Arrives in Pieces

One side of the new Bedser Bridge

I looked out of the window early on Sunday morning to discover there was traffic control on Brewery Road. I had one vain hope it might be Surrey County Council contractors come to find out why the road flooded last week.  But I was soon to find out this was not the case.  

A little later in the morning I went out to take my daughter to a party and learnt the arrival of the new Bedser bridge across the canal was imminent.  I was a little concerned about the pedestrian arrangements during this activity as we were told to wait for the "banksman" and be escorted along the road.   How would the workmen cope with the pedestrian traffic heading into town after 11 on a Sunday morning I wondered.  I needn't have worried.  An hour later after I had dropped off at the party, wandered through the French market, checked out the new Maplin shop on Commercial Way and done a little Christmas shopping; the road was fully open. The bridge, or pieces of the bridge,  two sides as far as I could see, had been safely delivered to the site.

The main structure of the bridge will be wooden.  It looks so much better than the concrete monstrosity which was proposed initially.

Now we just have to wait for the pieces to be put into place and the rest of the structure around the bridge to be completed.  We were promised a new bridge early in 2013 but my recent questioning suggests it could be Easter before we can cross the canal from Brewery Road again.  If it as late as this that will have been a year we have all had to make the long walk around via Chobham Road and the five point crossing to get into Woking.

Supporting Woking's Voluntary Sector

In my role as Shadow Portfolio holder for Grants I attended and spoke at the annual Woking Council Grants meeting last week.

Woking has a clear process for grants whereby local groups are invited to apply for funding by the end of August each year.  Applications are made through the Window on Woking website.  Applications are considered by the Council and representatives from voluntary groups and recommendations are made to the Executive.

My view doesn't hold much sway with the Conservative Executive but I am allowed to put the Lib Dem view on a number of applications.

Several applications stood out for me on Thursday.

I expressed my surprise that having refused to fund the Neighbourhood Advice Centre (which primarily served Maybury and Sheerwater) last year, giving the reason that CAB were doing work in the area, the Executive has now refused CAB funding for this work.  I spoke in favour of CAB getting extra funding to cover the need in this area.

I was pleased that Outline Surrey received funding this year. Outline provides a telephone helpline and information and organises events for those who are Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender. I have supported the charity's applications for the last three years.  In 2010 no funding was given, in 2011 a small amount was allocated.  This year Outline got their full application.

I spoke in favour of giving CORAM, a group offering life education to school children in the borough, funding for alcohol awareness work.  The work of the group has already been much appreciated in local schools and I spoke based on the experience of my Lib Dem colleagues who are teachers.  Listening to the statistics of the young people affected by alcohol I supported prevention rather than picking up the pieces.  The portfolio holder did not seem keen to fund this part of the programme.  Her view was that the drinks industry should pick up the bill.  I agreed that if the Council agrees to adopt a late night levy this money could be used in future to fund such programmes but money was needed this year.

Why would anyone do this to young children?

St Peter's Church Centre - the blaze which thankfully
burnt out started in an outbuilding at the centre

I was totally horrified, and somewhat incredulous to read today of yet another act of arson affecting a community facility in Woking.  I wrote just over a week ago about the blazes that caused serious damage at Toad Hall nursery in Goldsworth Park and the village hall in Mayford.  I also mentioned the fire at Sayers Croft in Cranleigh, an educational facility used by Woking school children.

Thankfully the latest blaze,  at St Peter's Church Centre in Old Woking, did not do any serious damage.  However the intention of those who started the blaze would appear to have been destructive.  As the Surrey Advertiser reported this episode also involved a burglary, not a factor (as far as I am aware) in any of the other arson incidents.

In the last two cases, St Peter's Church Centre and Toad Hall, it must have been very evident that the premises catered for young children.  I just can't understand why anybody would want to deliberately damage facilities that provide care for young children.

The police did arrest two young men after the Toad Hall blaze.  They have been bailed until January.  I hope there is further progress on these cases and that all our local community facilities remain vigilant until this situation is resolved.

Starstruck Woking

It's been a starstruck few days for Woking.  On Saturday the annual panto kicked off at the New Victoria Theatre starring Stephen Mulhern and Pudsey the dog (winner of Britain's got Talent).  In the audience for Dick Whittington  was comedian, author and extreme charity fundraiser David Walliams.

David was very complimentary about our local panto.

"It's brilliant. Stephen is really funny and Ashleigh & Pudsey 

are so entertaining. Tonight Stephen even got me 

up on the stage. So much fun..!"

David doesn't seem to be alone in his praise for Dick Whittington.  I've seen lots of good reports on the show in its first few days.

But the excitement doesn't end there.  Today the Law and Order UK team were back recording in Woking and Bradley Walsh was spotted in the town centre.  Bradley or should I say DS Ronnie Brooks was on a seat in the vicinity of the Woking Martian.

A Bridge Too Far ... Away

The old canal bridge leaves the site

Earlier this year residents of Horsell and beyond were horrified to learn that the bridge over the Basingstoke Canal was to close for 9 months.  The old bridge has been removed and a new bridge is being built as part of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) building on the Brewery Road car park site.

I know residents will be even more upset to now learn it could be a whole year before the new bridge is in place.

I heard rumours just over a week ago about how far behind the project is running.  Quite understandable, given the heavy and persistent rain that delayed work over the summer and beyond.  A previous conversation with the site manager had told me there had been delays but they would be caught up over time.  The bridge wasn't mentioned.

I had to put a formal question to the last meeting of the full Council to get the facts.  The public information supplied tells us the bridge will be open "early in 2013".  i had taken this as January.  In fact at one point I had heard we may get a bridge back in December.  At the council meeting I was told that the bridge will be completed "early" in 2013 and that the contractor will finish within the contract period.  Further questioning then confirmed that the period defined in the contract is April 2013.  Hardly "early" in the year.  

This all makes rather a mockery of the statement posted on Woking Council's website when they listened to "people power" and changed the original bridge plans back in late 2011.

"Once development commences in early 2012, we will work closely with WWF-UK and its contractors to minimise disruption to local residents caused by the construction of the Bedser Bridge."

Affinity want your views

Affinity Water (the new name for Veolia Water as I reported back in October) is consulting its customers on future investment in 'our community'.

There is an online survey for customers to complete which asks about    abstraction, reducing consumption, reducing leakage, installing meters, temporary use bans (such as happened earlier this year), customer expectations, ownership of connecting pipework, social tariffs and securing water supplies for future generations.

It is not very clear on the Affinity website but you really need to read the background to the consultation before completing the survey.

The key message of the consultation seems to be 'would you like this improvement?', if yes it will cost you the customer.  Surely if leakage is reduced there should be lower costs and it is the responsibility of the company to invest to make this happen.

I raised the issue of future supply with our local water supplier (still called Veolia at that time) at a Council meeting back in June.  This is Surrey reported on my concern that just 5% of water was being saved by the hosepipe ban then in place but 21% was being lost through leaks.

There was an opportunity to meet Affinity and discuss the consultation in person.  I would have liked to have gone along but I was rather surprised and disappointed to discover that the consultation event in Woking was held on Thursday 6 December.  The first time I saw it advertised was in a newspaper which was published on Friday 7 December and I didn't buy until Sunday 9 December.  There are other events but I don't fancy a trip to Great Missenden or St Albans!

Customers can also contribute to an online discussion board. This seems to cover a range of areas but there is a specific discussion topic on the consultation.  There wasn't a lot debate on there when I took a look.

The consultation closes on 21 December so if you would like to contribute make sure you do it before the deadline.

Tories Reject Freeze on Town Centre Parking Prices

Woking Tories tonight rejected a Liberal Democrat bid to freeeze Woking town centre parking prices at the currrent level.

Introducing an amendment to Tory proposals for increased parking charges Lib Dem Leader Denzil Coulson pointed out that increased parking charges put at risk all the work that has gone into the town centre.  There is no point having a beautiful new town square and new shops if shoppers choose to go elsewhere.  Other Surrey towns are cheaper and even some London shopping centres charge less for parking.

Cllr. Louise Morales noted the high number of people who park for two hours in Woking.  She suggested a cheaper third hour rate to encourage shoppers to linger a little longer, maybe to patronise a cafe or restaurant or do a little more shopping.

I raised concerns on how rising parking charges lead to an increase in commuters, town centre workers and shoppers parking on residential roads in Horsell.  As parking charges rise the level of parking on local streets moves further out into Horsell.  Parking has already gone so far out that I have seen somebody park in Horsell, take a folding bike from their boot and cycle into the town centre.

Parking on residential streets ends up costing money as residents ask for 
parking restrictions.  Councillors and officers consult on parking restrictions.  
Restrictions are implemented and there are then extra roads for enforcement officers to patrol.  Residents already tell me that existing parking restrictions are not sufficiently policed.

Other Lib Dem councillors raised similar concerns but it all fell on deaf ears.  Only the Leader of the Council, his Deputy and another Executive member spoke to defend the increase in parking charges before the Conservatives voted en bloc against a freeze in charges.

Busy week ahead

I have a busy week ahead of me with some key issues affecting Horsell residents on the agenda.

Monday - A briefing on the market ahead of paper at Council on Thursday.

Tuesday - Putting up the Christmas Tree at home.

Wednesday - Local  committee - the joint meeting of Woking borough and Surrey county councillors. A petition is being presented on Chobham Road crossing?  Also on the agenda is the council officer response to a petition on traffic measures around Woking High School. The response is rather disappointing.  It amounts to yellow lines on dangerous corners which it could take a year or so to put in place.

Thursday - Meeting  of full Council. Matters under consideration include increasing town centre parking charges and the future of Woking market.

Friday is a 'night off' and I am out at The Cricketers In Horsell for my first Christmas meal of the season.

Community Assets Affected by Arson

Busy day doing "family stuff" today. Getting things done around the house this morning, then off to visit relatives for lunch, a nice walk with the dog and some Christmas tree decorating.  Lovely day.

Toad Hall Nursery before the fire
that seriously damaged the roof

Then during the drive back early this evening I saw the dreadful news of a fire at Toad Hall nursery in Goldsworth Park.  The nursery occupies the same building as Goldwater Lodge, the community building that sits at the edge of the Goldsworth Park lake.  I was at Goldwater Lodge for a community association meeting on Thursday last week.  The association, although reporting some minor vandalism on the building, was saying how much the situation had improved in recent years with regular and effective policing in the area.  Now it would appear a criminal act has destroyed the roof of the nursery and caused slight smoke and water damage to the community halls.

This is likely to have a terrible impact on the nursery, the business, parents losing their childcare and the children missing out on their time at nursery.  The nursery has places for 109 children so this is a huge impact locally.

Worst of all this is not the first fire to affect community facilities in recent weeks.  Sometime over the weekend of 17/18 November fire destroyed the roof of a roundhouse constructed at the Sayers Croft education centre down in Cranleigh.  This is a residential centre that caters for many Surrey schools.  I know Horsell Junior children use this facility and my daughter is one of many who have had a great time there on a school trip.

On the same weekend Mayford Village Hall was badly damaged by another suspicious blaze.  This is another important community facility which has a pre-school and is booked for events such as meetings and children's parties.  The good news is that part of Mayford Village Hall should be open for business again from 10 December but much work is needed to repair the damaged part of the building.

I'm sure the police are taking appropriate action and working hard to catch those who have committed these acts.  Let's hope police are able to bring the perpetrators to book before any more damage is done to community assets.