Chris Townsend      Ashtead Independent    2283 votes  52.4%  (2009  2645  52.6%)

Tim Ashton     Conservative   1332 votes   30.6%  (2009  2082  41.4%)

Chris Townsend is duly elected – congratulations!

Just a few points on the subject of the possible development along the Leatherhead – by – pass :-

1. Merton College, who are driving these proposals, own 70% of the land involved and could put forward proposals whether Mole Valley land were included or not. Merton College land is green belt – Mole Valley’s is NOT green belt ;

2. The Allotments at Leatherhead Road alongside the Ashtead Hospital are TOTALLY safe. They are ‘STATUTORY’ allotments and any change would require either a Secretary of State approval and/or an Act of Parliament – Mole Valley DC has NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER to sell or move these allotments ;

3. Should the BW allotments move, the ONLY access would be via Barnett Wood Lane, alongside the motorway in the field containing ponies/horses. This field is NOT involved in any other way. The end of Links Road will NOT be opened up NOR will Caenwood Road be used ;

4. The decision on the marketing exercise was taken by 3 Conservatives and 3 Ashtead Independents who are the Mole Valley Executive. The Portfolio Holder fronting MVDC’s involvement is also a Conservative -  however any decision on this issue will effectively be taken by ALL 41 councillors of Mole Valley DC ;

5. Finally, this is COMPLETELY a Mole Valley DC issue (MVDC elections are next year 2014) – Surrey CC have NO involvement whatsoever and have no jurisdiction on this matter which is why I did not refer to it in my election leaflet.

I trust this clarifies the situation – this is a SURREY CC ELECTION.

Chris has worked hard to get Ashtead a fair share of the highways budget and there is more to come.

• As a result of his efforts, Culverhay, Links Road and Greville Park Avenue are due to be re-surfaced during 2013/2014. Parts of Grays Lane and of Epsom Road/Leatherhead Road will also be included on this list.

• The Priors is due for re-surfacing in 2014/2015, with Oakfield Road, Broadhurst and Oakhill Road/Green Lane due the following year.

• Crampshaw Lane, Parkers Lane, Read Road, Stag Leys, Taylor Road and West Farm Avenue will all benefit from repair and surface treatment.

These improvements form part of a new Surrey Highways programme that he has supported to ensure that Ashtead is included in all future Highways budgets.

• Regarding flooding, he has pressed Surrey Highways to work with Thames Water to solve the problems at the Ashtead Cricket Club and in Barnett Wood Lane. This work is ongoing.

• Parking restrictions and yellow lines are planned for Barnett Wood Lane, Meadow Road/ Bramley Way and possibly Craddocks Avenue during 2013/14. In Barnett Wood Lane this is likely to take the form of restricted parking to enable school children to be dropped off  and to allow shoppers to use Craddocks Parade but not to benefit commuters coming into Ashtead. He is also going to approach Network Rail, once the station and car park work is completed, with a view to them reviewing their parking charges.

• Finally he is bidding for a pilot 20mph scheme on the roads surrounding two of our schools, St Giles Infant School and City of London Freemens, the aim being to create a safer environment for school children and their parents.

You may have seen the election literature distributed by the Conservative Candidate in which he claims to be campaigning to stop the above development, and that it is being promoted by Ashtead Independent Councillors.  The facts are these:

This is NOT a Surrey County Council matter – it is a Mole Valley District Council issue.  Conservatives are an integral part of the Mole Valley Executive, including the cabinet member responsible for the Council’s land and assets.

The Coalition Government – which is of course Conservative led – has relaxed Green Belt policies. Mole Valley Council was approached by Merton College, who own 70% of the land involved, to see if it was worth marketing. Professional advice is that the site could produce an income stream for the Council which would remove the need to reduce its services and perhaps improve them, for the benefit of ALL Mole Valley residents. The Council can also monitor the Merton College proposals.

Any proposal would face considerable problems – not least Green Belt issues, Highways/Motorway issues and the Allotments issue – and would in any event have to obtain planning consent which is in no way assured.

If  Mole Valley Council declines all offers, Merton College could still go ahead using only their land which is everything except the present allotment site.

IF an agreement were to be reached, the Allotments would be transferred to a larger area, giving more plots. It would be conditional on the provision of improvements that Allotment Holders wanted for the new site (e.g. Parking, Water, Power, Security, Fencing etc.).

FINALLY – I voted for a Surrey County Council resolution that said we would protect the Green Belt whenever and wherever possible.      I stand by that statement.

The Sunday service on our 479 bus route is half way through its trial  period.    It runs every two hours on the route between Bookham and Epsom. The first service towards Bookham passes Ashtead Pond at 7:57, and the first towards Epsom passes the pond at 9:28. It’s a service that many would like to keep but it’s a case of ‘use it or lose it’, so please take advantage of it!

Just heard from Abdool that the Pharmacy in The Street has been approved. BRILLIANT NEWS

Abdool says -

More progress has been made in the past eight months than in the previous eight years.    Surrey Highways undertook a
consultation last autumn on possible solutions to the increasingly dangerous and frustrating traffic congestion in the tree-lined
section of Woodfield Lane between Barnett Wood Lane and the level crossing.

Detailed designs for three options were shown, the most favoured of which was for widening the road to allow two-way traffic as well as parking.  The parking would be for a limited time so as to benefit shoppers and dog walkers, but deter commuters who will have access to a considerably expanded car park at the station. However, several issues remain to be addressed before a final decision can be taken, including the necessity of ensuring that the iconic avenue of trees is not damaged.

We are most grateful to all who participated in this consultation exercise as this congestion affects so many Ashtead residents.

Following completion of the car park extension in    October, Work started on the new building in November, following completion of the car park extension. The very wet weather in December and January has delayed the project slightly but good progress is now being made and the new building is planned to open at the end of May. The final phase, the removal of the old building and the restoration of the parking and circulation area, is scheduled for completion by mid July. There will then be 67 more parking spaces than before, and parking for 120 bicycles.

Ways of reducing the visual intrusiveness of the fencing to the car park extension, when seen across the Woodfield, are being explored. 

On Thursday (16th) Peter Williams will be standing as an Independent Candidate for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey. He has 17 years experience as a magistrate, has worked for 20 years in the Crime Justice System and has a made a commitment to community safety. He has also spent the last four years as Chairman of the Surrey Police Authority. He is promising to :

• Address all aspects of anti-social behaviour
• Give fair treatment to all residents
• Keep Constables at the heart of policing
• Continue to reduce crime
• Hold the Chief Constable to account
• Progress collaboration with neighbouring forces
• Encourage Innovation
• Ensure value for money
• Improve services to crime victims

… and keep Surrey at the top of policing

We believe that he is worthy of your support. Please look at this link if you wish to know more

www.policingnotpolitics.co.uk

After some considerable discussion and negotiation the following statement has been produced. There is still more work to be done over the coming months but we have an agreed approach and some stability for the Kids Club.

Joint statement from Surrey County Council and Ashtead Kids Club -

We want to reassure the community that the provision of Ashtead Kids Club will continue at Ashtead youth centre until suitable alternative premises are found. This joint statement sets out the background to the proposed relocation and ongoing joint work to find alternative premises.

In December 2011, Surrey County Council agreed a policy to maximise the use of its youth centres by young people in line with the council’s legal duties. Additionally the Government has recently changed the law, requiring young people to participate in education and training up to age 18. This means that the council needs the space at
Ashtead Youth Centre to support, educate and train young people who are not in education, employment or training.

Whilst Surrey County Council is increasing support for young people through the use of youth centres, this does present a policy tension and is necessarily balanced with other duties, such as the duty to secure sufficient childcare to meet local need. The county council will not therefore act in a way which reduces childcare in Ashtead.
Ashtead Kids Club will continue to operate at the youth centre until a suitable new location has been found. The value that the club provides to the community is recognised and we wish to remind all residents that we will continue to work collaboratively to explore options and to find a solution.

 
Yours Sincerely

Garath Symonds                    Chris Townsend                                        Louise Ditrana
Assistant Director                 County Councillor                                   Ashtead Kids Club for Young People