Election win Yesterday

Conservatives gain seat from Lib Dems in South Bucks. Lib Dem voters leaving in droves and  now have the lowest national ratings for years.

Helping our High Street

Your local Conservative Councillors are working hard to help small businesses in our High Street.  This has not happened overnight.  For the past five years the Conservatives have instigated and set up the local Business Community.  Starting with a meeting held in the local area, Cllrs Codd and Smith met up with five local businessmen.  Cllr Codd chaired that first meeting and, when he became Mayor, handed it over to Cllr Smith.

Cllr Smith reported that with the help of local Conservative Councillors he was able to hand over the Chairmanship at a meeting when some thirty-five local business people attended.  He stated that the success in bringing together the local businessmen and women was an indication of the commitment of the Conservatives to our local community and it was time for them to be in the driving seat with the Councillors giving as much support as they could.

Your Conservative Councillors have kept their word and are striving to help the High Street while the local Lib Dem Councillors have opposed the moves we are making with the business community to help with schemes of improvement that would see our High Street not fall into disrepair like so many in the country.

We will not be put off by the Lib Dems when only one ever bothered to attend any of the meetings in the in the past four years.  Is it little wonder that they lost a seat in Beverley Ward?  The lack of support, their failure to communicate with residents, their lack of transparency; all these and more tell us that they are not fit to run the Council.  Cllr Terry Paton has achieved more in four months than the Lib Dems have in four years.

Energy Bills

The Government is announcing the details of its plan to roll back the green levies that add to hardworking people's energy bills

Just like the other things we inherited from Labour – the record peacetime deficit, rising unemployment and out-of-control immigration – the problems with our energy market were allowed to build up over many years.

Instead of gimmicks we are offering the real solution of rolling back the levies that are placed by the government on people’s electricity bills.  These changes will save the average bill £50 off electricity and gas bills. And it’s welcome, for example, that British Gas has said that energy bill rises will be £53 lower thanks to this Government's action.

Our long-term plan offers genuine help for hardworking people: it is deliverable and it will help bring energy bills down. But what is crucial to securing higher living standards for all is delivering on our plan for a responsible recovery.

Councillors help fund New Malden Christmas lights show

Kingston’s Mayor will ride in style when she attends the annual ceremony to switch on the Christmas lights in New Malden next week.

This year’s event has been backed by £1,400 from the council’s Maldens and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee, adding to money from fundraising and donations by local businesses and the community.

The Mayor, Councillor Penny Shelton, will join Santa Claus in his sleigh in a procession down High Street as the town centre’s lights come on next Friday, 29 November.

Organised by New Malden Rotary Club and Malden Fortnight, the festivities include Santa’s Grotto in St George’s Square where presents donated by local store Tudor Williams will be handed out to children.

The lights will be switched on at 5.30pm, and there will be music, food and a Christmas fair at New Malden Methodist Church.

Councillors Patrick Codd and Ken Smith, Maldens and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee co-chairs, said:

“We are pleased to be able to support such a worthy event that helps to promote small business in our High Street.”

Manor Park gets special Diamond Jubilee protection

Manor Park gets special Diamond Jubilee protection

More articles in the news archive

• The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames news feed

Published Friday, 8th November 2013

An award-winning New Malden park is to be given special protection under a national Olympic and Diamond Jubilee legacy scheme.

Manor Park will be dedicated as a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Field after scheme organisers extended the deadline for more applications. Now Kingston Council can apply for a £10,000 grant towards the upkeep of Manor Park from the Fields in Trust organisation.

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge is designed to protect 2,012 parks and playing fields across the country permanently.

Recreation grounds at Elm Road, Kingston, and Dickerage Road, New Malden, were dedicated under the scheme last year.

Manor Park has been awarded a Green Flag for the last three years by environmental campaign group Keep Britain Tidy, rating it among the country’s best-kept green spaces.

The park includes football and cricket pitches, tennis courts and a children’s playground as well as wildlife and wetland reserves.

Councillors Ken Smith and Patrick Codd, co-chairs of the Maldens and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee which approved the move, said:

“Dedicating Manor Park in this way will protect it now and for future generations to ensure that people have access to outdoor sport and recreation.

This special status will help us to improve facilities and encourage physical activity which is good for the community’s health and wellbeing.”

Protecting our children

Google and Microsoft have announced changes to their search engines that will block links to child abuse images and videos.

Back in July, the Prime Minister said that he wanted to do more to protect our children online. But when it came to stopping search returns on child abuse, the search engine companies said nothing could be done. The Prime Minister disagreed, and for the last few months we have been pressing Google and Microsoft to make sure that it happens.

That is why internet search engine providers will today set out how they will take action to stop child abuse material from being available through a simple search online. This will include the introduction of new algorithms that will block child abuse images, videos and pathways that lead to illegal content, covering 100,000 unique searches on Google worldwide.

We are committed to stopping the availability of child abuse content, in the UK and across the world. If search engine providers are unable to deliver on their commitment to prevent child abuse material being returned from search terms used by paedophiles, we will bring forward legislation that will ensure it does happen.

Underspend

The money that was underspent from the Neighbourhood Budget , some £35000 will be used to repair the Pavements that are most in need.
We are also helping local  small Businesses  in the High Street by assisting them to revamp their shop fronts and thus ensuring that our High Street do not become a run down area like so many in the Country . Residents  want to see a vibrant High Street and expect their Councillors to lead on such issues .And that's what you Conservative Councillors will do. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS and unlike some we will continue to do so.

Christmas lights

The Christmas light will be switched on at 5.30pm on Friday the 29th November . New Malden High Street.

Remembrance Sunday 9.45 this Sunday

High Street, New Malden 10th November Closed from "The Fountain" to the War Memorial 9am - 10:30am for Remembrance Services.

Helping with the Poppy appeal in Kingston

The generosity of the Residents not only of Kingston but other areas has once again been outstanding.

It is quite noticeable that parents are letting the children place the donations into the collecting boxes and some asking their Children why they are giving and the reason.

The number of Students who ask why so many are wearing them and then themselves decide to have one it also heartening.

If you are in Kingston look me up outside outside M&S Clarence Street.

My thanks to to a certain young lady Louise from John Lewis for taking this photo  

      

Letter from Cllr Jones

Cllr Howard Jones

Leader of the Conservative Group

DATE: 29^th October 2013

Dear Liz and Bruce

Until now The Conservatives have refrained from making any statements on the charging of Derek Osbourne as we wished to maintain his right to a fair trial. The former Liberal Democrat Leader of Kingston Council, was given a prison sentence today for amongst other things possession and distribution of the most foul types of child pornography. The serious nature of the charges and his sentencing put a line under part of this affair.

We all share enormous compassion and sympathy for Derek Osbournes’s victims; we hope they have the strength to rebuild their shattered lives. Closer to home Kingston’s already tarnished reputation on child protection issues has been further damaged. Kingston’s residents need urgent independent and verifiable reassurance that their elected representatives are up to the task of child protection and must be able to publicly and openly restore public confidence in Children's Services. 

The foundations of public confidence are built on open and frank disclosure of facts. We cannot move forward without first drawing a line on the past. Consequently, I am requesting that the Chief Executive of Kingston Council and the current Lib dem leader Liz Green to commission an independent investigation into the ”Derek Osbourne” era of Council leadership. This investigation should have cross party involvement and findings should be made available to the public. 

The basis for the investigation and review are not covered by the police investigation and should include at a minimum the following:

1.      Much hard work is being undertaken to repair the immense damage and restore public confidence in Children's Safeguarding Services. However, the public have a right to know how this terrible situation arose and what was Mr Osbourne’s involvement in and influence over the management of Child Safeguarding?

2.       To what extent was Mr Osbourne involved in child-related activities in Kingston and was his involvement purely of an administrative nature?

 3. We know that under Mr Osbourne’s leadership the Council made substantial financial grants to youth groups, many in the theatrical and performing arts sector favoured by Mr Osbourne. The public, especially parents, need to know the extent to which Mr Osbourne steered public funds towards his pet projects and whether he had any involvement in these outside his formal duties as Council Leader? Was due diligence followed when the recipients of these grants chosen?  Were all those engaged in these activities properly covered by the necessary criminal records checking at the time?

As a matter of urgency, faith and confidence in Kingston Council and Councillors must be restored. Kingston’s residents need to know the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. Only after we have established this we can begin to move forward to rebuild our reputation and perform our duties in a manner which commands public respect, trust and confidence. 

Kingston’s Conservatives remain committed to cross-party support to the Council on this important issue and offer to lend our assistance in ensuring this process is open and transparent and does not become shrouded in secrecy.

The damage caused by these events and Derek Osbourne’s admission of guilt needs to be scrutinised and any wrong doing publicly purged.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Howard Jones

Group Leader

Ex lib dem leader

Ex Lib Dem Council leader Derek Osbourne has been sentenced to two years in prison for downloading and distributing indecent images of children. The court heard how Osbourne used an Internet pseudonym to distribute the images depicting children aged between three and ten being subjected to sexual abuse. The prosecutor said this was a spectacular fall from grace for an individual who was in a position of significant public trust. At the time of his offending he was the Leader of Kingston Borough Council and was responsible for the welfare of hundreds, if not thousands of children. He committed these abhorrent offences in direct contradiction to the position of trust and responsibility. Mr Zinner prosecuting, said he must have known what he was doing would significantly contribute to the cycle of harm suffered by victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Cllr Howard Jones Leader of Kingston Conservatives, wrote an open letter to the Chief Executive and current Leader of the Council calling for a review into Osbourne’s time at the Guildhall. Cllr Jones said ‘Residents will want to know he has not in any way allowed his private activities to impinge on his work ar any decision making he has made. He was obviously very devious in his pornographic activities – let’s be absolutely sure there is nothing that will leave us with mud in our eyes in six months time.’  

Full Council 8th Oct

Full Council – 8^th October 2013 

The Conservative Leader of the Opposition Cllr Howard Jones presented a motion, seconded by Cllr Priyen Patel, on the future of our high streets titled “Give back the control of the Community to Residents”. The motion called upon the Council to lobby the Government alongside other Local Authorities in order to gain more control in planning law to stop clusters of shops (like estate agents, betting establishments and pay-day loan companies) from blighting our high streets. 

Cllr Jones said that in New Malden there are already 5 betting shops and with the current law as it is this may increase. Cllr Dennis Doe noted that having lots of the same type of shop in one area doesn’t benefit our local economy and we needed the power to be able to prevent this. Cllr Patrick Codd explained that Kingston was once 3^rd on the league tables of the most desired shopping centres to shop in but we have dropped to 14^th because of a failure in traffic infrastructure. If we didn’t deal with the issue of the current overload of road works, we would not only lose customers from betting shops infiltrating our high streets, but also lose customers from all shops due to the current gridlock throughout Kingston. Cllr Priyen Patel concluded that if we did not act, we may become a town centre like Harrow, which has been considered to be family unfriendly and scares away prospective shoppers. Cllr Lynne Finnerty and Cllr David Cunningham also spoke on the motion. 

The motion passed unanimously.

Cllr Julie Pickering asked the Lib Dem Administration 2 questions. The first was regarding the Surbiton Health Centre Needle Exchange Service and the Leader of the Council’s decision to act without adequate evidence to support her. The second question was regarding why the Administration failed to inform residents and ward Councillors about Orchard Hill College using the Beaconsfield Resource Centre during building works, despite requests to be kept informed. Both questions were inadequately answered by the Administration and the Lib Dems openly admitted they had made a mistake with the failure to communicate to residents regarding Orchard Hill College.

Finally, 4 items passed quickly and unanimously. These items were the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, the HIV Prevention Consortium section 106 agreement with Croydon, the Health and Wellbeing Board working arrangements and the changes to Committee appointments. 

Better watch our speed

 20’s Plenty for Us Press Release 11 Oct 2013

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) have toughened up guidance on enforcing 20mph limits.  Speed offences where people live will not be tolerated.  Better enforcement both increases compliance and the safety of the UK’s streets.

ACPO have issued new guidance to forces on how to police 20mph roads (see http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/ACPO-marks-refreshing-of-speed-enforcement-guidance-26e.aspx).   This comes in response to the dramatically increasing number of places democratically agreeing wide area 20mph limits plus requests from Transport Ministers, the Get Britain Cycling Enquiry and many campaigners.

Officers could soon hand out a speeding ticket and three points or offer drivers an education course and therefore avoid points on the licence. Motorists caught driving between 24mph and 31mph would be offered the speed awareness course or a fixed penalty notice fine.  Up to 34mph, they could be fined, and if they were speeding at 35mph or more they would be reported to the courts.

Already over 12m people live in places like Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and the City of London where 20mph limits will cover the majority of roads.

Founder of 20’s Plenty for Us, Rod King MBE, commented :-

“This is very timely. Many of our cities are rejecting the 30mph limits for most roads in favour of a life-enhancing 20mph limit that is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Whilst compliance comes from people understanding the benefits that come when we all drive below 20, the police play an important role in endorsing that through enforcement. Good policing comes from responding to communities and elected representative wishes and the overwhelming number of those want the police to play an active role in making those communities safer, more liveable and secure.”

20’s Plenty for Us National Campaign Manager Anna Semlyen said

“ 20mph limits are law.  Bad drivers can and should be made accountable for their actions. Speeding is anti-social, incredibly dangerous and warrants dealing with strictly. Tougher local roads policing is good news for everyone, especially the young and vulnerable.”

Our ‘Time for 20’ initiative asks the Department for Transport to allow authorities to sign exceptions to 20mph limits which cuts the cost of implementing 20mph limits by up to 50%.  http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/its_time_for_20.htm

Our 209 20’s Plenty for Us campaign branches are at http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/local_campaigns.htm

Our 36 Briefing Sheets on 20mph limits are at http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/briefings.htm

See this press release at http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/Press_Releases/Police_Toughen_20mph_Limit_Enforcement_Guidance.pdf

20’s Plenty For Us campaigns for a 20mph default speed limit in residential streets without physical calming.  Web www.20splentyforus.org.uk  Twitter @20splentyforus

For more information contact

Anna Semlyen 20’s Plenty for Us Campaign Manager anna.s@20splentyforus.org.uk 07572 120439

Thank you

Instead of standing up for hardworking people the last Labour Government, of which Ed Miliband and Ed Balls were senior members, fought bitterly amongst themselves and let the British people down. They left Britain with a deficit of over £150 billion, increased unemployment, a broken welfare system and uncontrolled, mass immigration.

We are firmly on the side of hardworking people and we are clearing up the mess that Labour left behind. There is a long way still to go, but in less than three and a half years: the deficit has been cut by a third; businesses have created 1.4 million new private sector jobs; benefits have been capped and net immigration has been cut by a third. We will continue to strive to make our country great again with your help.

LIB DEMs

Lib Dem poll suggests 75% of voters reject party, No surprise there. 

Prospective Kingston Conservative Councillors Meet Michael Gove 2nd Sept

Prospective Kingston Conservative Councillors Meet Michael Gove

Prospective Conservative Council Candidates for the 2014 local elections met with the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove tackling issues that are of concern to residents across the Borough.

Local candidates spoke to the Secretary of State about issues concerning the new North Kingston Free School, early years education and student career advice.  The Secretary of State agreed to take on board the views of local conservative prospective candidates.

New Malden Councillor Ken Smith, who organised the meeting said "I was delighted that Michael Gove took time out to meet with our young prospective councillors in Kingston.  Our schools and their standards are of core concern to parents across the Borough and we were very pleased to champion the issues that matter so much to residents."

Planning in our County side

PLANNING

Wind farm warning

The Liberal Democrats have suggested that some countryside councils which block wind farms deserve to be sued by developers. In a policy paper, the Liberal Democrats attack Conservative councils which have registered their opposition to wind farms and the party claims that only 10% of the UK population are consistently opposed to turbines. The policy document states: "Liberal Democrats would support developers who seek punitive damages against councils who do not follow National Policy Guidelines in determining consents. For example, many (particularly Conservative) councils have adopted criteria (such as minimum separation distances from dwellings), in contravention of government planning policy." Peter Luff, the Conservative MP for Mid Worcestershire, who last year tried to bring in laws stopping wind farms being built less than 2 km from housing, said: "It’s an extraordinary position. The Lib Dems aren’t going to win many friends in rural constituencies."

When will the lib Dems learn a very important principle of Law, That guidelines are just that, not Law. 

As  once stated by the highest judge in the land.

Thetford Road

I would like to thank Chris and Elspeth  for organising a Petition about the state of the Pavements and potholes in Thetford Road.
It was nice working with them knocking on doors and meeting residents some of whom I had already met.
We will keep you updated on its progress.  

Theft Warning

St James Safer Neighbourhood Team

There has been a spate of high value bike thefts across the Borough. 

Please make sure your bikes are locked.

• Always lock your bike up even if left unattended for a few minutes.
• Keep your bike out of view, possibly in a shed, garage or indoors. 
• Use a good lock on your shed 
• Think about the use of one way screws for the hinges on shed doors. 
• Secure it to an immovable object or consider installing a floor or wall mounted anchor lock for extra security. 
• Another tip is to remove the saddle or wheel when locked up.

Please visit http://content.met.police.uk/Borough/Kingston to check for any bike marking events. We appreciate these things take time when people have busy lives but it’s these little acts that could prevent a theft from occurring. 

Feel free to contact us if you have any or wish to know any further information.

Emergency Number; 999

Non Emergency Number; 101

St James SNT office; 0208 7212595

St James SNT email; Stjames.SNT@met.police.uk

The Liberal Democrat candidate declined to talk to the Surrey Comet.

Meet the Kingston Council by-election candidates for Beverley ward - except the one who would not talk to us

9:00am Saturday 20th July 2013 in NewsBy Nazia Dewji, Reporter

Lib Dem candidate Lesley Heap declined to be interviewed by the Surrey Comet

Kingston Council has endured six byelections since 2010.

With the Beverley ward byelection to fill the seat vacated by former council leader Derek Osbourne after his arrest, taking place on Thursday, July 25, the Surrey Comet asked candidates what the borough’s burning issues were.

- The Liberal Democrat candidate Lesley Heap declined to talk to the Surrey Comet.

Social

SOCIAL

Rural elderly isolation report

Elderly people who retire to the countryside face spending their final years in isolation as villages suffer cuts to bus services and post office closures, a new report has warned. The study, published by the Age UK charity, found there were 1.2m people older than 50 who were socially isolated in Britain. Almost 600,000 older people left their houses just once a week or less, the survey says. Loneliness and social isolation "can have a severe impact on people's quality of life in older age", the report adds. It also says rural communities have more elderly members than other parts of Britain, with about half of the rural population aged over 45, compared with 36% living in major urban areas. Across rural England, the number of people aged over 65 who need help with basic washing and dressing every day is projected to increase by 70% over the next 16 years. At the same time, the number of cases of depression and dementia are also projected to increase faster in the countryside than urban areas.

Just News that caught my eye this week

Second Gatwick runway backed

West Sussex County Council has voted in favour of the expansion of Gatwick as part of the solution to increase the UK's airport capacity. Councillors fear that if a second runway is not approved there is a risk of the loss of 10,000 jobs if a new hub for London is built in the Thames Estuary.

BBC News

EDUCATION

Cheating parents

Hundreds of children have been banned from the state schools of their choice because their parents cheated to win them a place. Council leaders, who have demanded greater powers to track down the cheats, said they were being forced to carry out scores more checks every year following tip-offs from disgruntled parents. 

ECONOMY

More positive numbers expected

Figures on Thursday are expected to show that growth has doubled in the past three months. Forecasts predict 0.6% growth in the second quarter of 2013 - double the 0.3% in the previous quarter. Crucially all four major sections of the economy - services, agriculture, manufacturing and construction - are thought to be growing together for the first time since the third quarter of 2010. Consumer confidence is also returning with a rise in the numbers hopeful that the worst is over. One in four of those questioned by consumer watchdog Which? said they were confident the economy would improve over the next 12 months.

Sunday Express, Page: 2

Thetford Road Petition

We will be doing a Petition on the 26th July with local residents in Thetford Road.
More Info Later

Road Works

Traffic Update MALDEN ROAD, WORCESTER PARK Jun Station Approach Manhole Cover and Sewer Collapse – A deep pothole has appeared at this junction. The area has been made safe with barriers and a lane closure on the approach to the junction from New Malden whilst investigatory works were carried out. Our initial investigations led to the discovery of large amounts of water underground and Thames Water were called in to survey the area. They have discovered that a sewer pipe has broken and this will be repaired along with the rebuilding of the chamber. They will be on site to undertake these repairs form 10:00 on Thursday 18th July when they will be erecting 4-way lights at this junction. The repairs and the reinstatement of the road and its wearing surface is planned to be completed by Sunday 21st July 2013 and the road is anticipated to be fully open before the morning rush hour on Monday 22nd July 2013. Congestion at this busy intersection is expected throughout the week and into weekend. Apologies for the inconvenience these emergency works may have caused you.

Lee Rigby

On Friday the 12th July at the New Malden Memorial there will be a short service at 11.00am to coincide with the Service in Bury.
The New Malden Royal British Legion will lay a wreath to  show that they are thinking of the   Family of Lee at this time.

Residents Meeting

Attended a residents meeting last night, a really worthwhile night with residents putting over points of concern.
It's meeting like this that enable us to understand more fully the needs of the local community and to take them forward.
Today I will be attending the Guildhall to meet with officers about issues that residents have asked me to check on (not only from last night)
Tomorrow Wednesday (7.30 pm) I will be Chairing the Planning Committee at Richard Challoner School Manor Drive North, 7 Planning application, and  information Items.
Remember this is a public meeting and all can attend, but must be registered to speak on planning application (law of the Land )
Information items are, enforcement, where buildings have been constructed without permission or whereby changes to permitted plans without permission have taken place.
We can instruct the enforcement team and the legal department to take action.
We also have an item on current enforcement actions
An items on Crossrail , Amendments to planning laws, Consultation on item to go to DCC.
So a long night ahead with hopefully ten Councillors in attendance. allowing two hours for the planning applications the meeting should be finished around  10.00/10.30 PM  
You can find the full Agenda on the RBK Website look up Committees and click on the committees you wish to check on.

Armed Forces Day

Today the 29th June, I will be attending the Memorial at New Malden High Street 12.00 noon.
Along with other residents we will pay our respects to all those who have made the ultimate  sacrifice not only during WW2, but all the other small wars since then. You may recall the HRH Princess Ann unveiled a plaque in 2008 at Westminster Abby in memory of the 16000 Service men and women who lost their lives since the War, that number increases year on year.
Look forward to meeting you at the Memorial today.

NHS

The NHS is one of the few winners from Osborne's wide-ranging statement. The Department of Health's headline resource budget will rise from £108.34bn in 2014-15 to £110.37bn, up £2.1bn – a real-terms increase of just 0.1% – in line with the pledge in the 2010 Conservative manifesto and post-election coalition agreement to give the NHS real-terms year on year increases.

The Department of Health's (DH) capital budget for health infrastructure will also rise from £4.65bn to £4.74bn. Details of what that will be spent on will come onThursday when Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, explains where £100bn of infrastructure spending will be going.

The most significant move, though, is the creation of what the DH calls "a £3.8bn pooled health and social care budget... to make sure everyone gets a properly joined up service so they get the care they need from whoever is best placed to deliver, whether that's the NHS or the local authority".

The result should be to drive forward the integration of health and social care in England, a move its many champions sometimes call "the Holy Grail" of health policy; Osborne called it "historic". It should reduce pressure on the NHS by ensuring that those needing help from either service seamlessly receive either kind of support, at or near their homes, to keep them healthier. That should reduce A&E attendances, admissions to hospital and length of stay, especially among the growing frail, elderly population. Unsustainable rising demand on the NHS means the move is long overdue.

Significantly, £3bn of the £3.8bn will come from the DH – £2bn extra – and £800m from theDepartment of Communities and Local Government. But £2bn more of DH funding for social care is also £2bn less for the NHS.

Traffic in Kingston warning

OFFENCES TRANSFERRED FROM THE POLICE TO THE ROYAL BOROUGH FROM 1 JULY 2013

• Failing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign • Failing to comply with a sign indicating a prohibited turn • Failing to comply with a give way to oncoming vehicles sign • Failing to comply with a no entry sign

• Failing to comply with a sign indicating a prohibition on certain types of vehicle • Failing to comply with a sign indicating a restriction on vehicles entering a

pedestrian zone • Failing to comply with a sign indicating a restriction on vehicles entering and waiting

in a pedestrian zone • Failing to comply with a sign indicating a prohibition on certain types of vehicles eg • motor vehicles, motor vehicles except solo motorcycles, solo motor cycles, goods

vehicles exceeding max gross weight indicated • Using a route restricted to certain vehicles • Stopping in a restricted area outside a school • Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited

New street lights and Pavements

The new street lighting in Blakes Lane  are now operational , with repositioned light poles the lights will now brighten up areas that were below the required standard and make it safer for all.
The relaid pavement is also a big improvement .
I will be checking other areas to ensure that safety issues are dealt with..

Shock

The former Leader of the Council was arrested on the 11^th June on suspicion of possessing indecent images of Children. He has since been released on bail until August, pending a Police investigation.

Leader of the Conservative Opposition on Kingston Council Cllr Howard Jones said 

“This has come as a tremendous shock after the recent scandal surrounding the Children’s Safeguarding issue – a person who has been entrusted for years by the people of Kingston and the Liberal Democrat Party that he led, with the most important community leadership role has had to step down quite rightly whilst this serious and very nasty allegation is investigated by the police.” 
Bye -Election in Beverly Ward 25th July

New Council Powers

OFFENCES TRANSFERRED FROM THE POLICE TO THE ROYAL BOROUGH FROM 1 JULY 2013

• Failing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign • Failing to comply with a sign indicating a prohibited turn • Failing to comply with a give way to oncoming vehicles sign • Failing to comply with a no entry sign

• Failing to comply with a sign indicating a prohibition on certain types of vehicle • Failing to comply with a sign indicating a restriction on vehicles entering a

pedestrian zone • Failing to comply with a sign indicating a restriction on vehicles entering and waiting

in a pedestrian zone • Failing to comply with a sign indicating a prohibition on certain types of vehicles eg • motor vehicles, motor vehicles except solo motorcycles, solo motor cycles, goods

vehicles exceeding max gross weight indicated • Using a route restricted to certain vehicles • Stopping in a restricted area outside a school • Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited

Calling all mums

Gemma Gallant

Are you a mum looking to return to work after a career break or considering a career change?

Come along to the Careers4mums Jobs Fair, where you can meet recruiters or consider working from home opportunities.

The fair is being held on Tuesday 25 June from 9:30am until 1:30pm at Maple Works, 73 Maple Road, Surbiton KT6 4AG. 

Get your free ticket at www.careers4mums.eventbrite.com 

Don't forget to bring your CV!

Career Fair for Mums and Women

careers4mums.eventbrite.com

Career fair for Mums and Women Tuesday,March 26, 2013 from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM (GMT) Are you a mum looking to return to work after a career break or considering a career change?If so, Careers4mums Job fairs is the place where you can meet recruiters and consider work from home opportunities in one…

Support HMF in Surrey

SURREY COUNTY CIRCULAR JUNE 2013 

FORTHCOMING EVENTS JUNE 2013

Information on two major forthcoming events was unfortunately omitted from the June County Circular. They are:

1. Choral Mattins at Guildford Cathedral on 23 June
2. Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (Headley Court) March Through Dorking 28 June

Choral Mattins Guildford Cathedral

A Special Annual Mattins Service is to be held at Guildford Cathedral on Sunday 23 June 2013 at 11.15 for 11.30 hours to mark Armed Forces Week in Surrey and to recognise the contribution of the Armed Forces and our Service Charities. The service will be in the presence of Dame Sarah Goad DCVO JP, Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey and will be attended by County Dignitaries, Serving and Ex-Serving Members of the Armed Forces, Cadets, Veterans and Royal British Legion Standard Bearers.                             Dress: Lounge Suits or Equivalent.

Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) March Through Dorking

On Friday 28 June 2013, as part of Armed Forces Week, DMRC personnel will march through Dorking. The March will be preceded by a Thanksgiving Service in St Martin’s Church, Dorking at 12.30pm. After the Service, personnel will form up and march along the High Street towards Dorking Halls. The Salute and Inspection will be undertaken by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey. The event finishes outside the Pippbrook offices of Mole Valley District Council.

Surrey RBL Branches

Branch Chairmen and Secretaries are urged to give the widest publicity to these events and to encourage their members to support them. The presence of Legion Standard Bearers at both events is highly desirable, co-ordinated by Mr Tom Milne, Surrey RBL Parade Marshal.   

Thank you.

Local Road Works

05/06/2013

Dear Sir /Madam,

Carriageway Resurfacing – Malden Road A2043 Blakes Lane to Idmiston Road  

                                              New Malden    

        

I am writing to inform you that the council will be commencing works in Malden Road on the 10^th June 2013.The works will be carried out in two stages, the first stage will be to excavate at a number of locations on the Malden Road identified as problematic. These works will be between 9:00 and 17:00hrs with traffic lights in operation, and are planned to be completed within one month. 

The second stage will be to resurface Malden Road using “Superlex” a product used in a number of areas within the Borough with positive feedback from residents in relation to noise reduction. 

 The resurfacing works are planned to commence on the 10^th July 2013 and should be complete by 23^rd July 2013.The work will be carried out at night between 20:00 and 05:00hrs. In order to keep noise to a minimum, no breaking out operation will be carried out after 23:30hrs.       

If these dates change the Supplier, EM (Enterprisemouchel), will amend the variable message system and the advanced warning boards on site.

I apologise for any inconvenience these works may cause and hope this letter is clear, but if you have any queries or require further information please telephone our Customer Contact Centre on 020 8547 5002.

Yours faithfully,  

Martin Findlay

Works Officer

Labour in complete chaos

Responding to the confusion surrounding Labour’s policy on child benefit, Sajid Javid, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, commented:

‘Labour’s economic policy is now crumbling. They are in complete chaos as their empty opposition is exposed. How can people believe anything they now say? It's clear Ed Miliband is too weak to stick to his promises.

‘If Labour want to be taken seriously, they need to come clean and admit that they spent too much and borrowed too much. Unless they do this, they will always be seen as the same old Labour Party – ducking the difficult challenges and offering the same answers that got us into this mess: more borrowing, more spending, more debt.’

Looking after your Money

At a recent Senior Staff Panel meeting, Councillor Howard Jones, Leader of the Conservative Group in Kingston, demanded to know why a substantial raise in salary for 2 senior staff members, in the new positions they were appointed to, should be held in private with no public participation. 

Councillor Jones said “We’re looking at a rise in salary for two senior members; one in excess of £97,000 – £107,000 per annum and one at £140,000+ per annum, which were not open to scrutiny and were decided by a closed in-house panel.

“The Chief Executive is paid over £240,000 a year and the remuneration packages for senior staff exceed what is appropriate in this day and age, when so many are getting by on fixed or reduced salaries and continue to pay the highest Council Tax rate in London, together with some of the heaviest utility bills in the country.”

Kingston Conservatives pledge to reduce higher levels of pay within Kingston Council.

Malden and Coombe Agenda items 19th June 2013

Neighbourhood Budget outturn Report

Neighbourhood Grants

Presburg Road / Thetford Road Petition

TFL Safety Camera Replacement Project

Street Lighting and illuminated sign Policy (statement Consultation)

Participatory Needs Assessment

Location of moving Traffic contraventions

LIP, Annual Spending Submission (2014 2015)

New Malden Town Centre Strategy

Proposals foe introducing residents Scrutiny

Urgent items authorised by the chair.

This Week

I have four meetings this week,
A pre Agenda meeting at 4.30 to 6.00 pm at he Guildhall on Tuesday
Followed by a meeting on Equality Seminar at 7.30 to 9.30 pm at the Guildhall.
RA meeting on Thursday.
Saturday I will be around the Ward with  a residents survey form, asking what you as residents think we should be concentrating on.

Traffic

MOTSPUR PARK, NEW MALDEN

Whole length

RBK

Carriageway resurfacing

28-May-13

31-May-13

Night-time Rolling Closures

Police in Action

Five men charged with burglary after New Malden arrests

8:00am Saturday 25th May 2013 in News

Five men have been charged with burglary after they were arrested by police in New Malden on Thursday afternoon.

John Ballingall, 28, Dean Jackson, 25, Stuart Holman, 25, Edmundas Danielkus, 20, and Daniel O'Brien, 27, all from Middlesex, were charged by Kingston police yesterday afternoon at the custody suites in Sutton police station.

The men were arrested near St James' Close in New Malden after police officers flooded the area.

They are set to appear at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court this morning.

Traffic update

Please see below the travel updates for the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, the weekend commencing 24/05/2013 courtesy of Kingston Council, should you have any queries please contact: 020 8547 5000.

LOCATION

DATES OF DISRUPTION

TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS

Richmond Road, junction with Osborne Road

28th May - 2nd June

Two way temporary traffic lights on Richmond Road and closure of Osborne Road (local diversion via Thorpe Rd and Windsor Rd)

Cromwell Road, bus garage to Queen Elizabeth Road

28th May - 30th May

Inside lane restrictions. Temporary bus stops in inside lane during bus garage closure.

Wood Street opposite Junction of Down Hall Road, outside Bentalls

8th March - 30th June

Lane closures (off peak)

Ewell Road, junction with Red Lion Road

28th May - 31st May

Two way lights (24 hours)

Tolworth Broadway

18th March - 6th September

Public realm improvements

USEFUL CONTACTS Southern Gas: Mains replacements - 0845 026 0015 Thames Water Leaks - 0800 714 614 Southern Gas Network Escapes - 0800 111 999 Tfl (traffic signal problems) - 0845 606 1005 Kingston Police - dial 101 RBK Emergency out of hours - 0208 547 5800 RBK Network Management Team - nrswateam

Visits

Normally Councillors will visit all of the Ward  checking to see that the Council have fulfilled their obligations , Parks, lighting , pot holes , Pavenments , fly tipping, disabled issues, tree Problems , dog  mess, Schools , nursery places, Senior citizens rights , Planning ,the list seem at times endless .
When we are contacted we will ensure that the right officers are informed , then feed back the information to residents and follow up any complaints to ensure that the Council policies are implemented .
Apart from the above Cllrs attended on average around three evening meetings per week and sometimes more during the day such as business meetings, Pre agenda meetings , Group Meetings .
There are Planning meetings , neibourhood meetings and so on.
We then visit residents at their request and put out survay questionnaires so that we know what your requirements are .
Our contact details are on the RBK Webb site, so if you have an issue please contact us.
We don't knock on doors asking if you have a problem but we are available should you do.

Malden Park

The new Pathway around Manor Park is nearly finished and two new Park benches put in Place.
The flower beds are blooming and volunteers have been busy cleaning out the pond.
With the new sports activity equipment the park is taking on a new life for residents.
Just consider how it was a few years back, the Hall was in a dilapidated state the the ground was run down and looking sorry for itself.
So how was it turned around ? Well, when we took control of the MCNC we your local Conservative councillors pledged ourselves to put right the years of neglect by the ruling Lib Dem MCNC.
 We arranged for a trust to take over the Hall and money was found to restore the Hall and modernise the inside.
We then with the Parks department put together a plan to see if we could get green flag status, the first year we where unsuccessful.
The independent judges made several suggestions  on things that needed to be addressed.
Funding was tight but we managed to find enough to do the work.
The following year we again applied and this time were successful.
But the story does not stop there for each year we have to reapply for the Flag.
This year once more we retained it.
 Your Councillors will never take their eye off the ball like the Lib Dems .
We will do our best to retain that Flag knowing that by doing so we will have a Green Space fit for us all to enjoy and our Children to play.