Chairman's Update
Published: 06 July 2023
Windlesham Parish Council Meeting – Tuesday 27th June 2023
Update from the Chair of Council - Councillor Alf Turner
Hi everyone, this is my first update for residents living in Bagshot, Lightwater and Windlesham. Going forward I will give a monthly update of Parish Council activities along with an overview of what is happening both at County and Borough that may affect you as a resident. Hopefully this will give you an interesting insight into what your elected councillors are doing on your behalf.
Whilst there’s a lot of statutory process we have to follow by law, I will endeavour to keep my reports succinct, referring only to the main points of interest. If you have any questions or would like to give feedback, you can reach me, your local Parish Councillor, or Jo Whitfield, our Parish Clerk, using the contacts information at the end of this update.
· New Parish Councillors:
Following an uncontested election for Lightwater Ward on the 4th May 2023, we started the new term of office with 2 vacancies. We are now pleased to welcome Alan Stevens and Derrick Jennings-Evans, who were co-opted at the June meeting.
· News from Surrey County Council:
At the June Parish Council meeting, we heard how Surrey County Council have been working on making it easier and safer to cycle and walk around our 3 villages. County have also done some good work re-surfacing Macdonald Road, near the Briars in Lightwater, and Bagshot High Street, as well as repainting the white lines on the M3 Junction 3 roundabout. We have also been informed that the introduction of a 30mph limit through Bagshot is expected in the not-too-distant future.
Residents may or may not be aware that recently Surrey County Council resumed responsibility for maintaining the grass verges around the villages. Previously Surrey Heath Borough Council had fulfilled this function. Your Parish Councillors have noted residents’ concerns about the reduced cutting schedules and the issues arising from that and will continue to raise with your County Councillors.
For the full report please use this link - County Reports
· News from Surrey Heath Borough Council:
Your Borough Councillors updated us about some of the changes at Surrey Heath Borough Council since the elections. The new Bagshot and North Windlesham Ward Councillors want to review the 2019 boundary change which resulted in part of Windlesham Village (Snows Ride area) being moved to the Bagshot Ward at a Borough level. Separately, provision for young people in Lightwater has been identified as a priority. This gap in provision was identified as part of a Parish Council consultation held earlier in the year. It is also a priority for the Lightwater Parish Councillors who initiated the original consultation seeking views on the replacement playground for younger children at Lightwater Recreation Ground, behind All Saints Church.
For the full report please use this link -SHBC Reports
· Village Committees:
We discussed the roles of our 3 Village Committees and how they help our villages with local projects and awards to local organisations. Examples of the great work they are doing are the new Outdoor Gyms and Playground projects in Lightwater and Bagshot. Going forward we are committed to continue working together to improve how we deliver for our communities.
· Windlesham Neighbourhood Plan:
Councillors agreed to renew the current plan which was initially adopted in 2018. The Windlesham Village Committee will take the lead for the Parish on this and report back to the Full Council.
· Greenspace contract:
Unfortunately, you may have noticed that there have been a few issues with the delivery of our greenspace contract. Please be assured that we are working to resolve this matter and will keep you updated.
· Christmas lights and trees
It’s never too early to think about Christmas! We’ve already got a festive lighting contract in place and have now agreed the Christmas tree provision for 2023.
· Grant award
Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue does an amazing job rescuing local wildlife and providing a wild animal hospital. We awarded them £3000 for a veterinary X-ray machine to assist them with their valuable work.
· Next month
Our next Full Parish Council meeting will be on the evening of Tuesday 25th July at St Annes Church in Bagshot. It’s open to the public so do please come along if you want to hear more about our work, and the progress on our Strategic Plan including future projects across the villages.
Full details of the meeting will be on the Windlesham Parish Council Website before the meeting with a link as follows: Home - Windlesham Parish Council (windleshampc.gov.uk)
Contact details:
Bagshot Councillor contact details
Lightwater Councillor contact details
Windlesham Councillor contact details
If you would like to contact Jo Whitfield, Clerk to the Council or visit the office please use the link below to view the office opening hours and contact details:
Contact Us - Windlesham Parish Council (windleshampc.gov.uk)