To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Notice should be given in writing or by e-mail to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer at least 14 days before the meeting. Alternatively, the petition can be submitted on-line through Surrey County Council’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures (30) has been reached 14 days before the meeting.
Minutes:
Councillor Jan Fuller joined the meeting.
Four petitions were received.
Details of the petitions are attached as Annex A to the minutes.
PETITION 1
Mr Tony Nockles spoke for three minutes explaining why an unmanned pedestrian crossing was being requested at the top of Cigarette Island Lane. He described how the top of Cigarette Island Lane doubles as a vehicle access road and a pedestrian and cycle crossing and although a Road Safety Audit in 2007 on the proposed Jolly Boatman development recommended the installation of a pedestrian crossing that Surrey County Council had done nothing and was not planning to do anything in the near future. In addition he explained that when construction restarts 50% of the expected 100 vehicles per day using the lane will be HGVs and how the public is currently expected to mingle with the construction traffic which is dangerous and it will not improve once the site is occupied, as it will be a multi-purpose site requiring access by a large variety of vehicles.
He added that the petitioners are requesting that the crossing is installed before construction starts in March 2014, but that it is paid for by the developer not the taxpayer. The petition was initiated by local residents and supported by Molesey Residents Association and Hampton Court Rescue Campaign.
The County Councillor Stuart Selleck and the Borough Councillor Nigel Cooper both spoke in support of the petition. The Chairman confirmed that the officer will provide a response at the next meeting on 24th February 2014 and will meanwhile liaise with Councillors.
PETITION 2
Ms Jenny King, Chairman of Stompond and Links Residents Association spoke for three minutes in support of the petition requesting safety measures in Stompond Lane, Walton. Ms King explained how the bend in the road along with the current 30 mph speed limit and the lack of road markings on Stompond Lane make it difficult for vehicles to safely pass on the bend and presents a number of risks. In 2008 SCC had objected to a planning application on safety grounds at no. 24 Stompond Lane, suggesting that SCC already had concerns about road safety.
Ms King described the accident history in the road and other evidence of recent accidents. She proposed some solutions to the issue and also said other suggestions by SCC traffic engineers would be welcomed.
Ms King said the petitioners did not want to wait until a fatality occurred and the ward Councillors and the SCC Councillor had shown their support for the petition as had the tennis club, based in Stompond Lane.
Member of the Local Committee Councillor Stuart Hawkins expressed his support and also requested that work wasn’t delayed due to the Stompond Lane development.
The Chairman confirmed a response would be brought to the next Local Committee on 24th February 2014.
PETITION 3
Ms Aileen Widdowson spoke in support of the petition requesting the Local Committee to write to Hinchley Wood School. Ms Widdowson explained how Hinchley Wood School had requested a temporary change to their admissions policy in July 2013 which would have disadvantaged KT6 children. She said the change would have prioritised KT10 and KT7 children above KT6 and KT9. Fortunately the change had not been ratified by the Education Funding Agency, but there was concern that the school may attempt to repeat the request and therefore the petitioners were requesting that the Local Committee write to the school to ensure the admissions policy was fair and balanced and does not disadvantage children who live in postcode area KT6. Ms Widdowson said it appeared that the proposal by Hinchley Wood School had been the result of parental and political pressure. She does however agree that SCC need to make appropriate provision for children in the area, but as Hinchley Wood School is the closest secondary school for The Dittons, so pushing out children from The Dittons should not be the aim. If changes to the over subscription criteria were considered necessary, Ms Widdowson listed the following methods used by other schools: reviewing the catchment areas, tightening up on sibling criteria and prioritising partner schools.
The Chairman read out a letter to the Chairman of Governors at Hinchley Wood School prepared prior to the meeting and the Committee agreed for the letter to be sent. The letter is attached as Annex A to the minutes.
PETITION 4
Mr Chris Collins spoke in support of his petition objecting to the proposal to replace the red brick paving in Pound Close, Long Ditton with tarmac and asking SCC to repair or replace any loose or damaged bricks. He described how over the years various utility and cable TV companies had taken up parts of the pavement and not replaced it properly and in some cases have patched it with tarmac so totally out of character with the rest of the pavement. As a result it has led to large parts sinking and some bricks coming loose.
He explained that SCC wanted to replace the entire pavement with tarmac when in fact 80% of the pavement is in a satisfactory condition and could not understand how it would not be cheaper to repair the 20% requiring work. In addition as 90% of the damage is due to contractors SCC should be following this up with the companies.
He summarised by saying two thirds of the households in the close had signed the petition and requested that SCC carry out the necessary work, seeking financial compensation from the responsible contractors not the residents.
Both the County Councillor Peter Hickman and the Borough Councillor Barry Fairbank spoke in support of the petition.
The Chairman confirmed a response would be provided at the meeting on 24th February 2014.
The Chairman thanked the petitioners and added that they do help the Committee to do their work by bringing the issues to their attention.