Bookhams Residents’ Association

A or Village Council for Bookham? No Thanks! What you need to consider when casting your vote in the MVDC referendum on May 4th. In this special edition of the Bookhams Residents’ Association Newsletter, which is being circulated to all households in Bookham, we provide residents with the important information they need to consider when casting their vote in the District Council referendum to be held on the 4th May. We also report on the BRA Petition against a Village Council which so many of you have supported. Other News It’s not just about the referendum of course. There is a lot of village news as well. There is the AGM to be held on 18th May which all members are invited to attend; reports from the village on environment; infrastructure; recreation and community.

Spring 2017

www.bookhamresidents.org.uk Founded 1926 Registered Company No. 10053863 Tel: 0300 030 9890 Bookhams Residents’ Association Newsletter: Spring 2017

The Bookhams Residents’ THE BOOKHAMS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Association Newsletter is published Company Limited by Guarantee - Number 10053863 twice a year in the Spring and Autumn and is distributed by a team To: All Members of volunteers to all BRA membership households. This is the formal notice of the Annual General Meeting to be held at the Old Barn Hall, Church Road, Bookham on Thursday If you have any comments on the th Newsletter or any additional reports 18 May 2017 at 7.30pm. you would like to see, please e-mail: AGENDA [email protected] 1. Welcome, Introduction and apologies Or call: 0300 030 9890 2. Minutes of the 89th Annual General Meeting 2016 Calls are charged at a standard land line rate from either a land line or 2.1 Accuracy mobile. 2.2 Matters Arising Or visit our web site: 3. Chairman’s Report: Report on the activities of the Association during 2016 www.bookhamresidents.org.uk 4. Treasurer’s Report: To receive the Accounts for the Financial Year ending December 2016 5. Election of Directors

Contents 5.1 To note any resignations from the Board AGM 2 5.2 To re-elect Michael Agius who retired by rotation under Article 55 and who offers himself for re-election Chairman’s Message 3 5.3 To ratify the appointment of David Smith, who was appointed under May 4th Elections 3 Article 56 5.4 To elect new Directors Wildlife Trust 4 6 Election of Officers of the Company Bookham Trees 4 6.1 Election of Chairman History of BRA Tree Wardens 4 6.2 Election of Vice Chairman Friends of 5 6.3 Election of Treasurer

Christmas Lights 6 7. Appointment of Independent Examiner for 2017

BRA Under Attack! 6 8. Determination of Membership Subscription

BRA Petition Against a Village 9. Any Other Business 6 Council 10. Guest Speaker: Nick Gray – Deputy Chief Executive, Mole Valley District Council A Village Council for Bookham— 7 Some Known “Unknowns” If you would like to nominate a Director for the Board of Directors please advise me, John Howarth, no later than 27th April 2017 in writing to the Registered Office address The Grange 8 or by email to [email protected]. If you are unable to attend the meeting and you would like to appoint a proxy to vote at the meeting please advise me no later than Bookham Vanguard 8 8th May 2017.

SPACE Celebrates its 5th If you would like to present Motions for Discussion please advise Andrew Freeman 9 th birthday (Administration Director) no later than 4 May 2017 at Hylands, Crabtree Close, Bookham, KT23 4PQ or by email to: [email protected] Bookham Youth & Community 9 Centre Those attending who are not members may join at the door. Subscription is £3 per annum. Drainage 10 Please note that there will be wine and soft drinks available after the guest speaker. Roads 11 John Howarth Company Secretary Great British Spring Clean 12 Email: [email protected] Company Number: 10053863 Registered Office: 16 Road, , Surrey KT23 4LX

2 Keep in contact on line at bookhamresidents.org.uk or 24 hour telephone line: 0300 030 9890

that were governed locally by Urban CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE District Councils, never went down the MAY 4TH ELECTIONS & Peter Seaward - Chairman parish council route when these UDC’s REFERENDA were reorganised. So, , After what seems a long winter I trust a On May 4th we will have the opportunity , Ewell and , do sunny spring will have arrived by the to vote on three subjects: not have parish councils, but other time this reaches your doorstep. Districts in Surrey do.  A Surrey County Council Councillor Elsewhere in the newsletter, you can see Well over 125,000 people locally exist how we have been working over the past  Bookham Neighbourhood without the need for a third layer of local six months and I do hope that all of you Development Plan (See Bookham government. All have Residents see us as not simply a small pressure Vanguard article on Page 8) Associations just like Bookham and group but as group of villagers who want collect the same level of subscriptions to continue putting their time into doing  A Local Advisory Poll on whether we (less than £3 per household per annum). worthwhile actions for the benefit of in Bookham want a Parish Council everyone. These range from picking up Bookham has effective and strong village (also known as a Village Council). over 150 bags of litter since we started organisations: The Bookham Community To help secure additional the monthly litter pick last March, to Association (BCA), Churches Together, infrastructure funding for Bookham talking to the Commissioner the various youth and sports bodies all we would encourage all residents about the future of local Policing, run by about 1,000 Bookham volunteers. to vote YES for adoption of the working with others on the Transform Neighbourhood Development Plan. Leatherhead programme and progressing We have seven community buildings key drainage problems through the Flood many of which raised over £750,000 in Please Note: This is entirely Forum. the last few years to upgrade their separate from the Local Advisory facilities without the need to be reliant Poll for or against a Parish Council Other activities include the War on a local tax. for Bookham as discussed in the memorials restoration; helping the Poppy Chairman’s Message and other Day appeal; yet more tree planting; articles in this edition. trying with others to get a sound Urban Tree policy; new benches and notice Please vote “NO” to boards; bulb planting and, with others on key Joint Actions Groups (JAGs), looking the creation of a at problems and seeking solutions for issues at Chrystie Rec and Grove estate. Parish Council on th There are others too. Being a partner May 4 and oppose with Bookham Colts and the Bookham Sports Association in finding money to this unwanted improve and safe guard the Chrystie Rec Pavilion, getting our priorities acted on solution looking for Postal Voting: by attending and working with the MVDC a problem. SCC Local Committee. Residents who are This is far from all we have been doing. Not a bad effort and more than a simple registered to vote The proponents of a Village Council have pressure group. proposed a Community Centre. Why do by post will be On the Parish Council debate the BRA we need another facility which would have campaigned actively, supported by likely cost over a £1,000,000? Where receiving their a unanimous vote at a Road Stewards would it go? The Neighbourhood meeting, to persuade the Village to reject Development Plan (see page 8) states voting slips around this idea. You will have seen, and I trust that the central area of Bookham should 20th April, you supported, our petition to oppose be for 2 and 3 bedroom houses—not a the creation of a Parish Council. Community Centre. Little research or approximately two evidence has been applied to this idea. Parish councils are far from the normal Those with older memories may recall way of dealing with local issues. Only weeks before the poor state of the Barn Hall when it 25% of ’s population has a parish was run by Leatherhead Urban Council or polling day. Please council, most are small and only a few much more recently the now renovated are of a similar size to one that might SPACE building on Dorking Road which ensure you return exist in Bookham. These too were mainly fell into a poor state when under the formed in a different era and had to pick distant management of MVDC until the your voting slip in up village assets. Cranleigh (often quoted local volunteer force got to work. as a model for Bookham) spend nearly all time. their precept (parish tax) on their Village Why change this magnificent volunteer Hall, their tennis courts, grass cutting culture for another layer of bureaucracy and ground maintenance equipment and and yet more tax? The “insignificant” public toilets. Not to mention a healthy cost claimed by the few who are sum on administration. All things done attracted to this idea will amount to an here voluntarily or by MVDC. increase of at least 20% plus of what we already pay MVDC to do these tasks for We, like nearly all other communities us. Not a small amount.

3 Bookhams Residents’ Association Newsletter: Spring 2017

ENVIRONMENT

questions as to how well informed they will be about them. HISTORY OF BRA TREE WARDENS IN BOOKHAM There are three farms on Norbury where livestock is raised and grazed as well as Frances Fancourt a number of properties. Good relations The Tree Warden group was formed in and local knowledge are vital as is having 2012 when Lawrence Hole advertised for an immediate point of contact when new people to join him and form a local there are problems. The Park is widely group. He had been a Tree warden with RESTRUCTURING OF LAND used by dog walkers, ramblers, horse the Tree Council for a number of years, riders and mountain bikes. If you share MANAGEMENT DEPT. BY SWT but was not affiliated with any local our concerns, please do contact the organisation. I was already on the BRA AND ITS EFFECT ON NORBURY Surrey Wildlife Trust headquarters. Planning sub-committee “looking after PARK trees”, having offered myself to Bookham Vision/Vanguard as someone Michael Anderson For more information visit to carry the case for our local trees. They Surreywildlifetrust.org Bookhams Residents’ Association is did not see a role for a tree person so represented on the Liaison [email protected] passed me on to Stan Miles on the BRA Committee, an advisory committee made Planning sub-committee. up of local interest groups such as 01483 795440 Five people responded to Lawrence cyclists, horse riders, ramblers, as well as Surrey Wildlife Trust countryside and residents’ associations Hole's call for more tree wardens, and local and county council members – School Lane including myself. Lawrence's aim was to all those who have an interest in the plant a tree in honour of the Queen's Pirbright management of the Park. Diamond Jubilee under the Tree Council's Big Tree Plant initiative. At the same The committee meets twice a year and time the BRA had suggested the idea of this presents an opportunity for Surrey GU24 0JN planting a tree for each year of the Wildlife Trust executives and countryside Queen's reign. On studying the Tree rangers to report on the activities that Council's Big Tree Plant documentation I have taken place during the previous six BOOKHAM TREES noticed that it was possible to apply for months. As part of this reporting, the whole planting schemes running over 3 Frances Fancourt committee are given a detailed years, and suggested that we plan a 3- presentation by Graham Manning or The BBC Radio 4 recently discussed how year scheme rather than plant just one Andrea Neal, our Norbury Park rangers, trees removed harmful particulates from tree. Hence the idea of planting 40 trees on the seasonal planning and works that the air. An astonishing 50% of emerged. have been carried out, by them and by particulates were removed from the air We offered to carry out the planting on volunteers under their management. from four houses with four silver birch behalf of the BRA, investigated planting trees planted along their verges, The committee were informed in January sites and forwarded our plans to SCC or compared with four similar houses with that SWT were restructuring the land MVDC as appropriate. Our planting no trees along the same stretch of road. management team, and reducing its size methods and aftercare improved after from 16 to 10. There will cease to be The Tree Wardens are passionate about time as we lost quite a few of the earlier dedicated rangers responsible for a the benefits of trees and we plan to keep trees for various reasons. Most have particular site; their place will be taken planting and caring for trees locally to since been replaced, and many more by a centrally located team with the benefit of everyone. have been planted. Once we started specialist roles, for example surveyors, receiving approval from local residents Another 13 trees will soon be planted, liaison officers and volunteer leaders. We and dignitaries alike the ball kept rolling. mostly in The Garstons and Vicarage understand that interviews for these Residents called us asking for trees to be Close – both areas which have lost much positions will take place during March planted in their roads. and decisions made by 20th March. tree cover over the years. We have now planted trees in most Redundancy notices will be served on To add to the winter flowering cherries areas of Bookham and a few in Fetcham those who are not appointed to one of there, we will plant later flowering cherry along Kennel Lane. The 100th tree was the new roles or, of course, if they do varieties, birch and other species. Other planted on a soggy grey day in February not apply. roads to benefit are Gilmais and Hilltop 2016. It is a Prunus Sargentii which was Rise where trees have also been lost. There are concerns at the centralisation specifically requested by the residents of the countryside team and in particular We will also soon be starting another around the Barn Meadow Lane green, at the loss of the extensive and intimate round of verge tree maintenance, where we also planted two other trees. knowledge that rangers have built up of removing stumps and dead trees, and We plan to continue planting their site, in our case in Norbury Park, clearing unsightly areas. but also across the county. The reduction with authority permission especially to three Volunteer leaders to cover the where requested by local residents, keen whole of Surrey’s sites will not only to see their roadside verges improved. stretch them to the limit but raises We care for the trees ourselves but we also rely on residents to help us water

4 Keep in contact on line at bookhamresidents.org.uk or 24 hour telephone line: 0300 030 9890

ENVIRONMENT the trees for 5 years after planting; thus the survival rate for our verge trees is greater than when planted by local authorities without local resident help. Every tree makes a difference to the aesthetics of the environment. Trees absorb CO2, gaseous pollutants and remove airborne particulates from the air; they also moderate heavy rainfall improving areas prone to flooding.

You can see a list of the First 100 Trees that have been planted around Bookham with varieties and locations on the BRA web site. From the home page click on: Infrastructure, Environment & Transport > Trees

Tree Wardens are: Lawrence Hole (Fetcham): 01372 452 769 Jenny Wilson (Bookham): 01372 453573 Frances Fancourt (Bookham): 01372 454000

FRIENDS OF BOOKHAM COMMONS Bookham Commons “Life on the Edge” Project – a great start. Robert Hall 2016 saw the start of the £12,000, three year “Life on the Edge” project where the plan is to clear areas of the Commons which over the years have developed considerable undergrowth, which in turn shuts out light and moisture so little or no grass grows, leaving a diminished bird population, notably the disappearance of the nightingale, woodpecker, owl, cuckoo etc. population. Areas of the Commons bordering the track from the Tunnel car park across to the 100 Pound Bridge at Downside are For more information about the the principal areas of attention. Funds Friends of Bookham Commons raised by the Friends together with a either pick up a leaflet to be found grant from the Surrey Community in a pocket under the Association, have enabled this project to notice boards at the entrances to get underway. Those wishing to know the Commons more are more than welcome to attend [email protected] the ever popular Friends “Spring Buffet www.bookhamcommons.org.uk and Talk evening” at the Barn Hall on May 17th. Those who are interested on joining the Friends should call Robert Hall (453183) or Paul Gallard (459972).

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COMMUNITY

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS OUR VILLAGE; OUR It may seem along time ago since CHOICE; OUR MONEY Christmas but we hope you liked the new Christmas lights in the High Street, BRA UNDER ATTACK! Church Road and Lower Shott. These were supplied by a local Bookham John Howarth—BRA Company company, DCI Lighting, and paid for by Secretary the BRA with funding from MVDC and Most of you will have seen the attacks Bookham Retail And Business on the BRA in various forms – in the Association. local newspaper, on social media, on the BEAM web site. It has been accused of being undemocratic, not representing the views of the village, and publishing misleading and untruthful information. And what is the reason for this you may well ask? It appears the BRA is being vilified for challenging the statements made by those who wish to establish a Village Council. What is undemocratic about making such challenges? In respect of statements the BRA has made, rest assured that they can all be supported by documented evidence. Why did the BRA do it? Firstly it was not convinced that the claims made by the proponents of the Village Council made a coherent, substantial case and prospectus. Secondly it remembered that the Bookham Vision Project reported that the residents of the village did not support the setting up of a Village Council – only BRA PETITION AGAINST A about 5% voted in favour. VILLAGE COUNCIL: RESULTS Clearly the Village Council advocates Les Huett—BRA Publicity think they know better and that the residents gave the wrong answer. During January a team of volunteers (at no cost and we are extremely grateful for The BRA believes the village has their help) distributed a leaflet to 5,000 already given the right answer and households in Bookham advising supports the views of the residents Residents on what they need to consider already expressed in Bookham A BRA member who sadly passed away in the light of the MVDC Village Council Vision. in 2016 donated to the BRA funds to Governance Review and asking Residents provide a bench for the village. The However the actions of the BEAM group to support a petition against the creation bench is in oak and was made at the (Who elected them? Who do they of a Village or Parish Council. In the Norbury Park sawmills and has been represent? Who gave them their space of just two months residents have installed at the top of the High Street. mandate?) who applied for public money been supporting the petition and at the (probably in the autumn of 2014), close of the petition on 13th March the subsequently received £9890 (early in results are: 2015) and have already spent over BCA VILLAGE DAY: £5,000 (BEAM web site), have resulted E-petition: 1028 in the residents of the village having to Paper petition: 664 WHITE ELEPHANT STAND confirm their already given opinion. Saturday 17th June is the BCA Total: 1692 The BRA therefore reminded Village Day and one of the stands residents that they could, and As the petition has reached and passed will be a White Elephant stall. If you should, re-affirm their opinions by the required MVDC threshold of 800 have any bric-a-brac you would like signatures the petition will be included as voting NO in the advisory poll on to donate, please contact Margaret part of the body of evidence to be May 4th. THE BEAM CASE HAS NOT on 01372 454 897. included as part of the Governance BEEN MADE. review. 6 Keep in contact on line at bookhamresidents.org.uk or 24 hour telephone line: 0300 030 9890

COMMUNITY

would be, and how much he or she A VILLAGE COUNCIL FOR BOOKHAM would be paid. In their web site the proponents of the SOME KNOWN “UNKNOWNS” Village Council make the following statement:

“If a local council cannot be John Howarth: Company Secretary—Bookhams Residents Association constructed to be cost effective it should not have one.” “There are known knowns, that is things we know we know. But without, even in draft form, a Prospectus; a Business Plan; or a There are also known unknowns, that is things we know we don’t know.” Budget how can the residents of the village make an informed Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defence, 1975-1977, 2001-2006 judgement as to whether such a Village Council would be cost IT IS KNOWN that there are just According to its latest published accounts effective or not? And we do not under ninety Parish Councils in Surrey, Parish Council spends about 50% have them. mostly in the rural areas in the south of of its income on “salaries & (6) the County. It is fairly easy to estimate administration” . Cranleigh, with a OUR VILLAGE; OUR that only about 25% of Surrey’s much larger tax and hence larger CHOICE; OUR MONEY (4) population live in such “parished” areas. income, spends about 32% . This is not Most are small, with correspondingly unusual. For example (tax With so many small taxes (precepts), and some have (4) £35) spends 48% on “administration” been around for decades. For example UNKNOWNS vote NO to and Witley (tax £57) 62% on “office and Cranleigh Town Council has archives (4) going back to the 1890’s. general expenses” . , which a Village Council. at some time must have used its powers Mole Valley has thirteen parish councils, to borrow money, and has a Band D tax Sources: mostly south of Dorking. Wotton Parish of £58, spends 68% of its income on 1) molevalley.gov.uk has the smallest Band D tax (£10.50) and “administration” and a further 7% on (4) 2) .gov.uk Parish has the largest (£49). “debt charges”! (1) 3) tandridge.gov.uk Elections to Parish Councils take place Normandy (in Guildford Borough) has set every four years, and even then only 4) waverley.gov.uk a Band D tax of £102 for 2017/18. when sufficient candidates put their (2) 5) cpalc.org.uk Effingham’s is £68. names forward to trigger an election. 6) oxted-pc.org.uk The proponents of a Village Council for It is NOT KNOWN what the initial Bookham mention on their web site that precept for Bookham will be since, if a Oxted (in Tandridge) and Cranleigh (in Village Council goes ahead, it would not Waverley) are similar to Bookham in be set until February 2018 when budgets Postal Voting: terms of the number of residents. Oxted are being prepared. (3) has a tax of £10 , Cranleigh has a tax It is NOT KNOWN what the first (4) Residents who are of £54. percentage increase will be since this would not be determined until February registered to vote The use of Band D as a reference point 2019 when budgets are being prepared. can be misleading. For example if the by post will be Band D tax is set at £54, a house It is NOT KNOWN, because of the classified as Band E will have a tax of above uncertainties, how much money – receiving their £66, Band F £78, and Band G £90. Bands after UNKNOWN overhead costs – E (14.3%) F (23.9%) and G (28%) would be available to the Village Council voting slips around account for two thirds of properties in to use. Bookham. It is NOT KNOWN on what projects and 20th April - There is no upper limit to the level at initiatives the money will be spent. approximately two (5) which a Parish Council tax can be set. It is NOT KNOWN how many Village Councillors there will be, since the weeks before Parish Councils have very few statutory number would be set by Mole Valley duties defined in law (e.g. to provide District Council if it decided to establish a polling day. Please allotments, to publish information on a Village Council. web site.) However they all have ensure you return regulatory and administrative It is NOT KNOWN who such Councillors responsibilities that they must follow, and would be, since no potential candidates your voting slip in these generate overhead costs. have yet put their names forward. time. It is NOT KNOWN who the Parish Clerk 7 Bookhams Residents’ Association Newsletter: Spring 2017

COMMUNITY

especially towards the centre of the village b. Protect retail space in the High Street area by protecting shops from change of use Marion Chow c. Protect other business premises and [email protected] local employment Grangecentre.org 01372 455231 d. Protect our local halls and community facilities We have had a great start to the year so e. Retain, as far as possible, the green, far kicking off with the amazing news semi-rural aspect of the village by that we won an award from the Aviva retaining trees and hedges and allowing Community Fund for our “Cooking up a space for off-street parking Storm!” project. The funds will be used to upgrade one of the teaching kitchens f. Point out highways and drainage issues by installing induction hobs, an that should be taken into account when adjustable work station and replacing the development takes place cupboard and drawer doors and g. Support the development of schools refreshing this essential teaching space. and healthcare facilities as the increase At the end of January, we were delighted in population puts these services under to welcome Terry Driscoll and Mark pressure. Secker to our Simply Scones Café where The NDP has been through public they presented us with a cheque for consultation in Bookham throughout its £1700 from Bookham and Horsley formation. MVDC has consulted on it Rotary, as a result of the proceeds from through Mole Valley and it has passed a the fantastic Brunch Event, which took formal planning inspection by an place in November in the Barn Hall - our independent planning examiner. He said grateful thanks to everyone who made CATHRYN HOSSACK about the plan: "it is a VERY GOOD NDP. this donation possible. It reads well, it looks well and it has a Bookham Vanguard Publicity More good news - our wonderful team of very clear and sharp focus on volunteers have been nominated for the What will this mean for Bookham? i. Style, size and type of housing required Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award given to volunteer If the Bookham community votes FOR ii. The retail centre groups across the UK, which is the the Plan in the May referendum: iii. Design and quality of homes to be equivalent of an MBE. The Award 1. Every planning application coming built “recognises groups whose work has forward in Bookham will be subject to the significantly benefitted others and sets policies the NDP contains. The last step before the Neighbourhood the national benchmark for excellence in Development Plan can become part of volunteering by such groups”. 2. Developers will contribute around the planning policy for all development £65,000 per annum to MVDC to be spent applications in Bookham is the The Queen then makes the awards on specifically in Bookham. Referendum on 4th May. The exact advice from the Minister for the Cabinet question that will be asked at the polling Office. The award winners will be 3. The NDP policies are designed to add station is: officially announced on 2nd June. Our to existing National and Mole Valley thanks go to all our volunteers and our Planning Policies to ensure development “Do you want Mole Valley District in Bookham fits our local village needs to: own wonderful, dedicated Volunteer Council to use the neighbourhood Coordinator, Karen Pinchbeck, who a. Focus on the development of smaller development plan for Bookham to help it recruits and looks after the 107 strong two and three bedroom homes, team of volunteers. decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?" Cheque presentation If 50% or more of those voting say YES, from then the plan will be adopted as planning policy. Bookham & Horsley Rotary for Please support YOUR £1700 to The Grange. Village Development Plan and vote “YES” on 4th May You can download the NDP from www.bookhamvanguard.co.uk.

8 Keep in contact on line at bookhamresidents.org.uk or 24 hour telephone line: 0300 030 9890

LEISURE

is down to the small SPACE CELEBRATES ITS 5TH group of volunteers BIRTHDAY! that run the facility and I’d love to hear Trevor Goul-Wheeker from anyone keen to Many children celebrate their birthday at join us to make the South Bookham SPACE, more did in 2016 next five years even than ever before, but in January 2017, more successful.” SPACE celebrated its very own 5th The SPACE team are Birthday. especially seeking South Bookham SPACE was first opened someone to help run by Jacqueline Wilson, the famous marketing activities children’s author, on Saturday 7th January and increase 2012, following an extensive renovation awareness of of the old Boys Club building on the everything that Dorking Road. The refurbishment was SPACE offers the made possible when a small group of local community. local residents got together to form the Anyone interested South Bookham SPACE Ltd. charity, should contact raised an incredible £250,000 in funds Trevor at the e-mail and negotiated a 25 year lease with Mole address below. Valley District Council. Author, Jacqueline Wilson opens SPACE in January 2012 The generous support of the BRA, MVDC, To find details on how to book local charities, businesses, organisations SPACE for a party and all the and individual residents provided these regular activities taking place the Centre during the holidays. Other funds and more since and within six please visit: groups use the facilities on an ad hoc basis. months of the SPACE opening the www.southbookhamspace.org.uk purpose built floodlit Outer SPACE multi- or email: Future of the Centre use games area was also opened ahead of schedule in 2012. [email protected] Discussions involving Bookhams Residents’ Association representative & Since then, SPACE has become a busy BYCA Trustees continue to be held with community centre offering an extensive BOOKHAM YOUTH & COMMUNITY SCC & MVDC to replace the centre, range of indoor activities for all ages; CENTRE which does have a limited life span, with from TinyTalk and Creation a new community facility. The aim of David Cox OBE—Bookham Youth & Station toddler & parent sessions to a this is to have a new building without Association (BYCA) bridge club, martial arts, a wide variety the need to raise funds from the of Pilates classes for all levels of ability, The Centre is managed & run by community. Pole Fitness and Zumba. The outdoor volunteers. floodlit sports area, Outer SPACE, hosts This will take until beyond the current tennis, soccer and netball teams, but Youth at the Centre lease with SCC which expires in 2019. sadly no basketball as yet. However, assurances have been The Bookhams Youth Project is now received that there will be no change The latest addition is The Creation under way and the facilities are being and discussions have started to extend Station, arts & crafts classes to help utilised on a Monday evening and Friday the lease for another period. babies and toddlers develop their afternoon. Attendance by young people imagination by exploring with different has been very encouraging. For other activities such as Pre-School materials and textures, which started in Smarty Pants and Parties for larger January. To help, the Bookhams’ Residents groups please visit our web site as Association provided a grant towards detailed below: Weekends are largely reserved for equipment as did The Anchor private hire and SPACE has proved to be (opposite). an extremely popular venue for www.bookhamyouth.org.uk Children’s parties, with 2016 seeing the Other Youth organisations continue to highest number of children’s parties since use the large amount of space that is Contact our volunteer Booking it opened. available together with the much Manager (Ellen Thomas): improved supplementary facilities. This 01372458019 or email: South Bookham SPACE Chair, Trevor allows the groups using the facility a Goul-Wheeker is delighted with the large degree of flexibility in activities in a [email protected] success of SPACE saying, “The last five spacious environment. & cc [email protected] years has flown by so fast, I can hardly If you feel that you would like to believe it. But I can believe how many It is used by other youth and young give a bit of time to help us local people are taking part in the adult groups such as Disability continue this asset for our multitude of activities going on and how Challengers, Barnardo's and St Nicolas community: contact David on: SPACE has become the ideal venue for Church. All these run Clubs in the 07825 354763 children’s parties in Bookham. Its success evenings and Disability Challengers use

9 Bookhams Residents’ Association Newsletter: Spring 2017

INFRASTRUCTURE

DRAINAGE Michael Agius BRA continues to try and resolve the villages’ many drainage problems through the Bookham Flood Forum, along with SCC Highways (SCC), Thames Water (TW) and the Bookham Flood Action Group. The collapsed and blocked lengths of 150mm diameter surface water drain, previously identified by TW in Street (LBS) between Lower Road and Bennett Farm Place, are programmed to be repaired in the near future. In the same vicinity, SCC have programmed work to clear blockages in several gully connections to TW’s drain. Just north of Bennett Farm Place, TW have recently replaced a length of blocked 150mm drain on the east side of LBS, as shown in the adjacent photo. The 150mm drain increases to 225mm Updating drains in Little Bookham Street diameter north of Childs Hall Road but even here there are a few problem new financial year subject to available Other areas where the BRA continue to areas. As mentioned in the Roads revenue budgets. The Maintenance seek solutions are: Report, all these drainage problems Engineer will continue to work with The need to be resolved before re-surfacing Flood Forum to resolve these issues and  the ditch between the Lower Road of LBS can take place under Project provide updates”. The fact that Recreational Ground and Little Horizon. problems in the area have yet to be Bookham Common, the subject of SCC Highways have carried out further finally resolved is disappointing and BRA riparian responsibilities which are investigations on Lower Road between will continue to put pressure on SCC to currently ignored by most of the East Street and the Squareabout, which complete the work through the Flood residents living in Childs Hall Road have been discussed in great detail in Forum. and Sole Farm Avenue whose recent issues of the Newsletter. Recent properties are adjacent to the ditch. Proposals for drainage improvements at The ditch eventually runs into an work included investigation of a gully the Dorking Road junction with the connection under Lower Road just east under capacity culvert, the cause of access road have been frequent flooding, before outfalling of East Street, including construction of finalised. However, in answer to BRA’s a new manhole where the connection into Bookham Stream at the question to the recent Local Committee, Common. had been broken by utilities running SCC replied “One of the main issues along Lower Road. On the north side of with the construction of the scheme is  the central area of Bookham from Lower Road the recently discovered the need for continued public access to the High Street/East Street to The drain alongside the church wall was Polesden Lacey. Park/Mill Close, where a study is jetted and a blockage located. This has proposed, subject to finding funding. to be investigated further, as do The National Trust have indicated that in order for them not to suffer excessive blockages in a couple of gully  the footpath from Greenacres to The connections under Lower Road west of financial burdens from the restricted Park where the outfall is blocked and East Street. access the works will cause, they have has no adequate outfall. indicated that the scheme needs to be In answer to BRA’s question to the carried out between November and  Kennel Lane/The Glade where there recent Local Committee, SCC replied March. We believe that the scheme “the drainage investigation and repair are root blockages in the main outfall could go ahead at the National Trust’s to Fetcham on Lower Road between East Street and preferred dates of December 2017/ the Squareabout remain on-going, as January 2018 but this, as with all the resources permit, along with other sites schemes is dependent on the finalised in the Bookham area. The work on budget allocated for the Capital Highway Lower Road forms a part of the Drainage Programme in 2017/18”. In These are just a few of the Bookham Flood Forum work and a the meantime the BRA continues to number of investigations and repairs many areas under investigation. If pressurise SCC to carry out very anyone knows of areas that are have been carried out and completed. necessary routine maintenance of gullies Further repairs have also been identified subject to flooding as a result of and soakaways along the whole length drainage blockages, please email from the work completed so far and of Dorking Road. these will need to be carried out in the Michael Agius: [email protected]

10 Keep in contact on line at bookhamresidents.org.uk or 24 hour telephone line: 0300 030 9890

INFRASTRUCTURE

ROADS Michael Agius As previously reported, Surrey County Council (SCC) has developed a five year programme of major road repairs called Project Horizon. This includes Eastwick Drive, which, now that drainage problem areas have been resolved, is scheduled to be resurfaced this year. In addition the following roads are programmed to be resurfaced between now and 2018: Crabtree Lane; Little Bookham Street; Meadow Way/The Copse (Eastwick Drive to The Copse), Willow Vale (The Copse to the end) It should be noted, however, that Little Bookham Street will require considerable investigation and resolution of drainage problems over most of its length, before resurfacing can be carried out. Details are given in the drainage report. Apart from Project Horizon SCC continue to carry out works under their Integrated Transport Maintenance Scheme (ITS) and recently Pine Dean, off Eastwick Road, was resurfaced. Replacement water mains by Sutton & East Surrey Water Company. Under ITS funding design will be carried out this year of schemes to provide kerb BRA’s Supplementary Question at Local of all the road markings at The build outs and crossing ramps at the Committee, SCC have agreed to study Squareabout. It is hoped that the refresh entrances to the Eastwick Schools on the matter but do point out that, even if works can be carried out by the end of Eastwick Drive and Eastwick Park improvements are deemed necessary, this financial year. It should be noted Avenue, in order to control parking and they would have to be prioritised that the delivery of road markings is make safer crossing points. amongst many other similar schemes, in weather dependent as they are best put an ever decreasing amount of funding. down on a dry carriageway surface”. The BRA are still in discussions with SCC for the need for improvements to Rectory Part of the review will hopefully consider With regard to road markings, after Lane, to provide a footway on the east whether limited parking restrictions in many years of lobbying SCC, in side of the road from The Grange south the vicinity of the Rectory Lane/Lower conjunction with Effingham Parish to the A246 and widening of the Road junction would improve safety for Council (EPC), SCC have at long last carriageway to a consistent width. In those crossing the road. imposed parking restrictions, with the answer to BRA’s question to the recent requisite double yellow lines, on Lower Local Committee, SCC said Sutton and East Surrey Water Company Road at the bends between The Vineries “topographical surveys have been carried are currently replacing their mains in and The Howard of Effingham School. out and an initial design has been drawn several roads in Little Bookham and BRA Visibility around the bends has been up for the proposal. However, in order to are keeping a close eye on the dramatically improved, as well as construct this footway, land from outside reinstatement of trenches. Part of the allowing a length for vehicles to pass the highway will need to be purchased problem in this area is that the original and not have to back up, as constantly and currently no funding is available for road construction was concrete which happened in the past. BRA are this. Therefore negotiations have not has subsequently been surfaced with a continuing to lobby EPC and SCC to commenced with landowners. However thin layer of ‘black top’. Reinstatement improve visibility even more, by the scheme remains on the Mole Valley has to be sympathetic to the original grubbing up all vegetation in the verge Integrated Transport (ITS) List for construction. BRA are liaising with SCC’s on the inside of the bends. consideration for future funding”. Streetworks Team to ensure any problems that arise are quickly resolved. Meanwhile Gracewell, the developers of the Preston Cross Care Home, have As a general safety measure BRA have If you have any highways commenced constructing a west side asked SCC Highways to repaint the road problems near you, the best way footway along Rectory Lane from the markings at The Squareabout which to report it is to go to Grange to Lower Road at the instigation have become somewhat faded. This www.surreycc.gov.uk of the BRA. BRA consider that crossing results in certain drivers not realising and ‘Report It’, points in this length, for residents from that all approaches to the junction are or phone 0300 200 1003. the Grange and the new Care Home, as subject to Give Way restrictions. In Please also email Michael Agius on well as all the Bookham children who answer to BRA’s question to the recent [email protected] so that he can walk to and from the Howard on a daily Local Committee, SCC replied that “an keep a record of the problems. basis, should be improved. In answer to order has been placed for the refreshing

11 Bookhams Residents’ Association Newsletter: Spring 2017

COMMUNITY

ABOUT THE BOOKHAMS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Bookhams Residents' Association (BRA) was established in 1926 and aims to represent the views of all who live in Great and Little Bookham on important local issues to the local authorities and other public bodies and is independent of all political parties. On Sunday, 5th March as part of the BRA’s regular monthly Litter Pick we co-ordinated with the Great British Spring Clean campaign. Villagers, The BRA has a membership of 3,000 families and Girl Guides joined in to give the village a good spring clean! households which represents 7,000 Since starting the Litter Pick in March 2016 over 150 bags of rubbish and residents i.e. approximately 60% of recyclables have been collected. Join us on the first Sunday in the month at Bookham's population. By having a 11.00 at Lower Shott. Grabs, high vis tops are provided. strong membership embracing the whole of Bookham the BRA can ensure that members views will be respected, noted and acted upon by the local authorities and others. BRA Membership is £3.00 per annum per household The BRA Newsletter is published twice a year in the Spring and Autumn. In addition to the print edition the BRA website is updated regularly as and when new stories affecting the Bookhams become available. On the web site you can also register to receive occasional emails on BRA activities and village stories throughout the year. There are also a number of regularly updated Notice Boards around the village. www.bookhamresidents.org.uk

If you prefer to speak to the BRA team please call 0300 030 9890 and leave a message and a team member will get back to you.

www.bookhamresidents.org.uk 24 hour telephone line: 0300 030 9890

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