Issue 33 | Summer 2019 COULD YOU BE A COUNCILLOR? We’re looking for enthusiastic The locals who want to stand up for our community and the interests of Molesey to join us as candidates for 2020. No political experience needed. Call Peter Szanto on 07712 587831 Molesey News or email [email protected] Editor: Steve Bax | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.facebook.com/MoleseyNews Molesey braced for more aircraft noise! HOUSANDS more low- He points out that Heathrow’s flying planes could be recent consultation was flawed as Tdirected over Molesey residents were not asked whether under plans being progressed by they supported introducing IPA, STEVE SAYS: Heathrow Airport and opposed only which options they preferred. HELLO and welcome to the by local Conservatives. An Elmbridge Council task group summer Molesey News. I’m Our town is exposed to noise chaired by Cllr Steve Bax this year, Councillor Steve Bax and I from departing planes for the 30% strongly recommended against IPA produce this newsletter on be- of the year when they take off into or altering the westerly preference. half of the Molesey Conserva- an easterly wind. However, when With the strong support of our tives to keep you up to date on winds are light (below 5 knots – local MP Dominic Raab, who has community matters. about 6 miles per hour) aircraft can also written to Heathrow, we are As I write, Molesey is basking take off or land in either direction. calling on airport directors to keep in the sun and we look set for Heathrow is planning to relax their promises (made as part of another hot summer (hopefully its 50-year ‘westerly preference’ their case for a third runway) that not too hot!). We’re about to rules to allow more overflying not feel the need to complain or Community Noise Forum, where overflown communities ‘should not get a new Prime Minister and of Molesey and more misery support their neighbours.” he represents Elmbridge. experience a material increase in I hope whoever wins is able to for our residents who, because In a double-whammy, the airport In his letter to Heathrow’s noise or deterioration air quality’. resolve the Brexit impasse and of concentrated flight paths are is seeking to increase the number director, which you can read in Cllr Szanto adds: “The proposals start to reunite the country. disproportionately affected. of early morning landings by full on the Conservative website for IPA do not meet this pledge. There’s no doubt that public Noise concerns are among the up to 25,000-a-year by having (esherwalton.com), Peter warns: Limits on noise and air quality dissatisfaction with national most common and serious issues planes approach from the south “Elmbridge residents are exposed should be legally prescribed, politicians over Brexit was the regularly raised with your local (over Molesey and other parts of to high levels of noise from independently monitored and dominating factor at our local councillors. Elmbridge) and turn in sharply to departing aircraft during the day enforced, including alternating elections in May. One badly affected East Molesey the airport - an initiative known as and night. IPA would, for the routes to disperse noise over a Across Surrey the Conserva- resident told us: “The distressing Independent Parallel Approaches first time, expose our residents wider geography.” tives lost 45% of their council thing about concentrated flight (IPA). East Molesey County to aircraft noise from low-flying Heathrow’s consultation on seats (in Guildford it was paths is that many residents do not Councillor Peter Szanto is fighting arrivals on westerlies, particularly expansion runs until 13 September 74%!) and in Elmbridge we receive the noise and therefore do these proposals at the Heathrow in the early morning.” at aec.heathrowconsultation.com held six seats and lost three. This resulted in us losing con- trol of the council to a coalition Taxpayers get bill Anti-social order to tackle riverside issues of seven residents associations for bigger Cabinet and the Liberal Democrats. RESIDENTS are frustrated at the Conservatives will keep them CONSERVATIVES proved that lack of Environment Agency (EA) honest from opposition, and on Elmbridge Council could run enforcement against abuses of our a personal note I’ve been ap- efficiently with a lean Cabinet of riverside, and so are we. pointed shadow cabinet mem- seven councillors, during their For too long now, commercial ber for transport, which will be year in control from 2018-19. slum-boats have been moored with- an exciting challenge. But with the coalition of seven out permission at Hurst Park, and I’d like to thank everyone who residents association political now we are seeing the occupants of voted for our Molesey candi- parties and the LibDems back in houseboats in West Molesey fenc- dates Xingang Wang and John charge after the May elections, ing off the public riverbank as their Gould in May. It proved impos- the first thing they did was expand own private gardens. sible to win but they battled the top team to nine - costing tax- Molesey’s Conservative council- courageously against some very payers an extra £12,666 a year. lors, Steve Bax and Peter Szanto, difficult political weather, not This gives the LibDems three continue to meet with residents, of their personal making. seats at the top table. lobby the EA to get a move on, and Cllr James Browne (pictured), press Elmbridge and Surrey to bring Disappointingly our MRA op- In April the then Conservative The problem of boats being ponents, yet again, circulated a who leads the 21-strong Tory their influence to bear. Unfortu- opposition, comments: “It is sad nately, as local councils own very administration at Elmbridge Council moored without permission has offensive ‘eve of poll’ character served planning contravention grown recently due to increased criticism of our East Molesey to see our residents’ money being little of the riverbank we are reliant used to pay for stick- on the EA to take the lead in legal notices to a dozen boats over the enforcement in Kingston and Rich- candidate. He, and we, can- land-grabbing. mond displacing boats into Surrey. vassed residents on issues not ing plasters to hold action, and progress has been slow. a coalition of eight At our urging, MP Dominic Raab The council is considering longer- Further displacement is anticipated smears. Politics at their worst! term solutions. Councillors Bax in years to come as regular mooring We’ll keep working hard for parties together. has written to the EA on 24 occa- “We will put for- sions in the past four years. He said: and Szanto, along with Mr Raab, areas and marinas within London Molesey and will do our best to strongly support the introduction of are developed. win your support next year. ward a positive “It is clear that the existing enforce- alternative in ment powers are inadequate for a Public Spaces Protection Order For more information see I hope you enjoy this edition (PSPO) which is a flexible tool for www.elmbridge.gov.uk/moorings- and have a great summer! the year ahead.” dealing with the level of anti-social behaviour and unlawful activity.” dealing with antisocial behaviour. unauthorised Bigger build at Royal Cambridge site? Blow for Elmbridge THE Royal Cambridge Nurs- A JUDGE has found in favour ing Home is seeking to demolish of objectors and overturned its existing buildings in Hurst the planning permission for Road and replace them with Elmbridge Council’s flagship two larger ones on the site. Xcel Sports Hub at Walton. They wish to provide modern fa- The Council feels the decision cilities for 32 elderly residents, as hinges on a technicality and can well as 60 units for the Sheppard be challenged at an appeal. Trust, a similar charity who are He said: “This is a beautiful old The £18m facilities opened looking to relocate their residents building that sits well on the edge in Waterside Drive in 2017 on from Holland Park. of the Conservation Area. They previously polluted land and are Molesey councillor and planning need new facilities but whether home to athletics and football. sub-committee chair, Steve Bax the scheme proposed is appropri- The sale of Walton and Her- has met with the trustees, their ate is something councillors will sham FC’s former grounds for Thames Ditton architects and also have to weigh up, and we will be housing is expected to cover the with concerned local residents. listening to residents’ views.” cost of building the sports hub.

This newsletter Dish, 3 Bridge Road, East Molesey, KT8 9EU. Tel: 020 8941 1095. is sponsored by We are open from 6am Monday to Sunday so join us for breakfast CARE for our environment is a that charges for DIY wood and still some way to go before overall Executive to account for decisions. ‘Environment key priority for Surrey County roof felt at our recycling centres performance can be regarded as On a personal note, I have Council in the months and years have been suspended. satisfactory. been appointed Chairman of the ahead, particularly in light of The council’s finances are stead- The public consultation on Sur- Elmbridge Local Committee. Its a key priority’ our recent near-unanimous vote ily improving but considerable rey’s Fire and Rescue plans has responsibilities include roads and to declare a climate emergency. challenges remain. Last year’s concluded. The case for change parking. Our roads are gradually Surrey will create an Environ- budget assumed using £25 million following the negative report of improving and the annual park- ment and Climate Change Charter of reserves to help fund services, in Her Majesty’s Inspectorate is over- ing review will assess proposals that will set the framework for fact we achieved a modest surplus whelming. There will be a sharper for tackling commuter parking in ambitious but deliverable policies - Surrey’s Transformation Pro- focus on fire prevention while not residential streets near Hampton and targets. grammes are starting to bear fruit. compromising on incident re- Court Station. As we go forward under a new A joint Ofsted and Care Quality sponse. If you see a dangerous or worry- leadership team headed by former Commission review in March into The Council’s Overview and ing situation across any of Surrey’s Elmbridge Borough Council lead- the Council’s provisions for chil- Scrutiny system has been radically responsibilities from concerns er, Councillor Tim Oliver, we’re dren with special educational needs reformed with the intention to en- regarding children or adults in need also reviewing Surrey’s waste and disabilities showed significant able ‘backbench’ councillors across to potholes or highways, report it at By Dr. Peter Szanto strategy with the aim of boosting improvements in four out of five all parties to play a greater role in www.surreycc.gov.uk/do-it-online/ County Councillor for East Molesey recycling. I’m pleased to report areas since 2016, albeit there is policymaking while holding the report-it-online

Consultation on COMMUNITY new housing plan Fears over flood gate removal ELMBRIDGE has been set LUICE gates which form NEWS ‘ambitious’ housing targets of part of Molesey’s flood ELMBRIDGE Council has achieving 623 new homes in the defences are coming to the S refused permission for a 15m borough every year. end of their working life and will high phone mast in Bridge How we will meet our targets be replaced or removed, the En- Road near the junction with will be set out in the council’s vironment Agency (EA) says. Arnison Road. Councillors new Local Plan. A special meet- Mechanical gates were installed argued it would tower over ing of the new Residents Associa- at the Lower Mole around 40 years Boleyn Court and a better lo- tion and LibDem cabinet will be ago as part of the alleviation and cation was needed. There were held on 24 July to agree options remedial measures which followed 58 letters of objection, mainly for a public consultation. the terrible Molesey flood of 1968. around safety concerns. In 2016/17, when the coalition However, visitors to a public was last in power, the council exhibition at Imber Court in June ROBIN Driscoll, a former script consulted on the release of three were told that the sluice gates are writer for Mr Bean, will give large areas of greenbelt for reaching the end of their working a talk at Molesey Library on housing. There were over 3,650 lives. 24 September, 7pm. He’ll talk objections and residents were Molesey councillors Peter Szanto about his career in TV and new loud and clear: the greenbelt must and Steve Bax attended, and Steve life as a thriller novelist. Tickets be protected. said: “Our concern, and that of are £5 with proceeds to the When Elmbridge Conserva- residents we met, was that the EA safety issues for residents in access- restricting the ability of this channel Friends of Molesey Library. And tives took control of the council should not make any changes that ing boats. It would expose more of to convey flood flows. don’t forget, Fridays are coffee for one year in May 2018, they will weaken our flood defences, the unsightly concrete walls that “Therefore dredging is not and cake morning at Molesey directed officers to develop a new particularly as we are likely to ex- line the river and we might also see required and not the best use of Library and Saturday 11am is Local Plan which preserved the perience more extreme weather.” a proliferation of illegal moorings resources,” the EA has said. Story Time for under-fives. greenbelt. We will be encourag- However, the EA insists that without the gates. n FLOATING pennywort is wide- ing the new administration to ‘maintaining the standard of flood “For all these reasons we think the spread in the channels that form the MOLESEY Care uses volun- follow our lead. protection’ and providing the ‘best better course of action is for the EA Lower Mole. It grows rapidly (up teers to drive elderly or disa- Another public consultation possible scheme for the environ- to replace the gates with modern to 20cm per day) and can push out bled local residents to doctors, will run from 19 August to 30 ment, people and wildlife’ are the alternatives which allow a passage- native plant species, restrict flows hairdressers, shops or other September. It will include the top priority. They say the main pur- way for fish.” and deplete oxygen levels in the appointments. Now in its 30th previous options and two more. pose of gates is to keep river levels The EA will consult Molesey water, killing fish. year, the charity is appealing You will be able to view the high for recreational purposes, and residents on its preferred course of The EA has experimented with for more volunteers. Could information at libraries and the they can be removed safely. action later in the year. lowering the river levels dur- you be a driver or an organ- Civic Centre in Esher, and sign Steve adds: “By returning the riv- n DREDGING is not planned to ing frosty weather to expose the iser? Please call 0208 9411010 up for Local Plan alerts via er to its natural state we would see be carried out as part of this project. pennywort to frost and says it will for more information. consult.elmbridge.gov.uk water levels drop significantly, by The EA said the depth of silt in continue to work with riparian own- COBHAM Free School could around 1.6m, and this could create the Mole is not significant and not ers to address the problem. remain in ‘temporary accom- Advertisement modation’ in Hurst Road, West Molesey, until 2021 at a cost of The truth about car park charges £1m, local MP Dominic Raab KWW: The Law and You told Parliament in March. He ar- Help to Buy – there are pros and cons IT IS disappointing to see the gued the money could be better Molesey Residents Association spent relocating the office ten- demeaning itself by engaging re your kids struggling ants of Munro House, Cobham, in repeated personal attacks on to get on the property where the school is due to go. Councillor Steve Bax. ladder? A Help to Buy A The last two editions of their HURST Meadow car park has equity loan could be a good newsletter have carried damning been resurfaced and extended option but it may not be the articles under the heading ‘Car Park to accommodate up to nine right move for them. Charges Going Up Up Up’ accus- more vehicles. The project KWW is one of the leading ing Steve of promising free parking was delayed by six weeks conveyancers in Surrey and but voting for rises. after the ground was found to we deal with lots of H2B The articles make no mention of be in poorer condition than business. We are happy to what the new charges actually were anticipated, and dog walk- offer you the benefit of our or any context, so we will try to set at 40p until 2021. The 80p hourly ers ignored signs and walked experience in this vital area of the record straight for readers. rate was also frozen for 2019/20 across the concrete while it funding. Car park charges were introduced and only to rise by 10p in 2021. was still curing. A fly-tipping To qualify for H2B, the in 2004, ironically by the MRA and The cost of an all-day ticket rose incident at the refurbished car home in question must be a borrowed. So, if your H2B loan its allies when they ran the council. from £3.50 to £4 but this reflects park is being investigated. was for 20% of the value of These cover overheads like longer charging hours of 8am to new build costing less than HEALTHY Hearties Surrey is a your home when you bought maintenance and the taxes pay- 7pm. Yearly permits were retained £600,000. The buyer provides support group for anyone with it, you must repay 20% of the able for every bay. As government with a 45% discount, and Con- at least a 5% deposit, and the a heart condition and/or their price you sell it for. grants have fallen, the council is servatives also introduced a 70% Government will lend up to family, which meets at St Paul’s increasingly reliant on income from discount for electric vehicles. 20% of the property’s value Help to Buy has its pros and Church in East Molesey on the car parks to fund and maintain Steve and other Tory backbench- (40% in London). The balance cons, and it is important you third Tuesday of each month services. ers won a concession to retain the of the purchase price is consider how suitable the from 2-3pm. Call Angela Hart- This is why, despite Steve fulfill- three hours free parking in Molesey financed with a mortgage from scheme, and any particular ley on 07918788347 for info. an approved lender. property, is for you. Talk to ing his 2012 promise to lobby for on Saturday for six months pending an all-party review. Thankfully that The loan must be repaid us early on, as the scheme free parking (even though he was MOLESEY FC has lost its led to it being retained indefinitely. when the home is sold, or involves some additional steps not elected at that time) it was not planning appeal to build 50 Had Steve joined MRA council- after 25 years if later. The in the conveyancing process. financially viable. flats, a new clubhouse and day lors in opposing this amendment, amount you repay reflects the At last November’s Full Council, nursery at its ground and ad- Read Sarah Trickey’s H2B free Saturday parking would have ratio of the loan to the value the rates were set for 2019-21. jacent land in Grange Close. blog on the KWW website - stopped in January. Please don’t of the property when you first kww.co.uk In contrast to the alarmist MRA The club launched an appeal articles, those changes were mini- be taken in by misleading MRA after being turned down by 70 Walton Road, East Molesey | 020 8979 1131 | www.kww.co.uk mal for Molesey. 30 minutes’ park- attacks. Email us and we will be councillors in November. ing at Walton Road was FROZEN happy to set the record straight. Promoted by Peter Szanto on behalf of Esher & Walton Conservative Association, both of 3 Bridle Close, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 2JW, and printed by DirectColour Ltd, Unit 1&2, Chessington Trade Park, Cox Ln, Chessington, KT9 1TW