++++ News and views from the Walton South Conservatives: Autumn 2017 ++++ The Walton News This newsletter is The Ashley Park. Good food, good times. Open 11am to midnight, sponsored by Monday to Sunday. Ashley Park Road, Walton, KT12 1JP. Tel: 01932 220196. Council ready for battle to stop Drake Park n Stakes are high as developer Bonnar Allan goes to appeal against Council’s refusal to grant permission LMBRIDGE Borough Council is However, we have recently learned that preparing to defend itself at a plan- SCC and the applicants have agreed miti- Ening appeal brought by the devel- gation measures where there would be an oper which wants to build the Drake Park enhanced buffer zone of 50m and the nearest scheme in Walton. houses would be sited further away from the Bonnar Allan failed to secure planning per- waste site. mission for its proposed 1,024-home ‘garden The County’s Highways department raised village’, on 70 acres off the Molesey Road, in strong objections based on the effect on exist- November last year. ing traffic that an additional one thousand Nineteen councillors, including Walton homes would generate (objections which the South’s Malcolm Howard and Chris Cross Walton Conservatives share). (pictured right at the site), unanimously SCC remains dissatisfied by Bonnar Allan’s rejected it, but the developer has lodged an claims in relation to bus services and im- appeal, which will be heard by a planning provements to Hersham Railway Station. inspector at the Council offices in Esher on Cllr Chris Cross added: “The land should be Tuesday 31 October. It starts at 10am and is kept for farming, leisure or sporting facilities expected to last for up to two weeks. only. The proposed development will have a Malcolm said: “The Council sent a strong severe impact on local infrastructure and traf- signal to Bonnar Allen last November that fic, which already tails back towards Molesey this scheme is not wanted in Walton. There on very busy days and often grinds to a halt.” were four main grounds for our opposition argument.” Subject to appropriate mitigation measures, The appeal will be heard in open proceed- but the strongest of these was, and remains, Bonnar Allan lodged its appeal in May and the Walton News understands that this reason ings at the Civic Centre, Esher, from 10am on the Green Belt. will have been encouraged by two of the rea- has been overcome. 31 October. “This land is highly significant as one of sons for refusal having since been overcome. Surrey County Council (SCC) objected the last remaining green buffers separating Surrey Wildlife Trust and Natural England based on the neighbouring Weylands Treat- n In other news, it was announced that Walton, Hersham and Esher and preventing had ecological concerns at the time of the ment works, due to the adverse effect it the proposed Walton Heathside secondary continuous sprawl from London. I thought decision. However, the land’s SNCI (Site of would have on new residential properties, and free school will be built on open land on the that last year and my opinion hasn’t changed. Nature Conservation Importance) status has the possible restriction to the future operation corner of Waterside Drive and Terrace Road. I know the Council will put forward a strong been reviewed and subsequently removed. of waste treatment. It is due to open in September 2019. Murray’s mum criticises ‘tennis tax’ Hello and THE Council’s decision to start charging for the use of public welcome tennis courts has been criticised ON behalf of by Wimbledon winner Sir Andy Councillor Malcolm Howard Murray’s proud mum. and myself, Councillor Chris Judy Murray tweeted her sup- Cross, I would like to welcome port for a petition opposing the you to another edition of charges, and added: “Public tennis our seasonal newsletter, The courts should be free to access. We Walton News. don’t pay to use swings or feed This issue, like all the others, ducks or picnic on the grass. Don’t counter productive and a barrier is produced, delivered and paid tax tennis.” to sport. Indeed the courts have for by the Local Conservatives The Residents Association politi- been practically deserted since the at no cost to taxpayers. cal parties and Liberal Democrat policy was implemented. As your councillors for Walton coalition which run Elmbridge The coalition hopes to net £26k South, Malcolm and I are here Council introduced the charges a year through charging, which to represent you, so please get despite the results of their survey, is close to the £30k they added to in touch with any issues or which found that 68% would not taxpayers’ costs by when they in- feedback. We hope you will find play tennis if they had to pay. creased their allowances by 12%. it useful to read about some of Keypad entry systems have been On 4 October the Cabinet the local issues we are tackling. fitted at a dozen courts and players member for Leisure dismissed Earlier this year, our must now register online and pay residents’ petitions and staunchly Sports Hub launched in style colleagues Tony Samuels and £5 per hour or £36 for a season. defended the charges. She claimed Rachael Lake were successfully Local Conservatives are opposed ON 14 September, the borough’s organised its annual social event to have “listened to residents” - re-elected as your Surrey to the charges which we see as fantastic new sports Hub was for track and field officials at the but the tennis tax remains. officially opened at Waterside pavilion on 27 October, after prais- County Councillors and I know Drive in Walton, by the Mayor of ing the Hub as the ‘premier Athlet- they will continue to do their Elmbridge, Cllr Rachael Lake. ics facility’ in Surrey.” best for Walton. Thank you for Representatives of Walton & Her- In September, the Planning supporting them. sham and Walton Casuals football Committee of Elmbridge Borough Looking ahead, Cllr Malcolm clubs and Walton Athletics - who Council approved the re-develop- Howard will be defending the will all be based at the new facili- ment of the former Walton & Her- Walton South seat he won in ties - joined dignitaries from around sham FC ground at Stompond Lane 2016, at the next Elmbridge the borough and county. to become 54 homes, a day nursery Borough elections in May 2018. The tape was cut, photographs and associated parking. Malcolm has settled were taken, speeches were made The sale of the site will cover the enthusiastically into Council and a buffet lunch consumed. A borough’s costs incurred in build- life and has served on numerous flagship project of the last Con- ing the Sports Hub. task groups, from Heathrow servative administration, it has been Cllr Chris Cross said: “I have noise to community safety several years in the making, and strongly supported this project from and youth matters. He is a was opened in style. the very beginning, as I could see member of North Area Planning Walton South councillor, Malcolm the advantages for our two football Committee, and was appointed Howard, who is a keen runner, said: clubs, the athletics club and wider by the Conservatives as Shadow “The Sports Hub is already buzzing community. I am delighted with the Cabinet member for Transport. with activity and I am also pleased finished result and I’m confident We are looking forward to next to see that the Surrey County our residents will enjoy the benefits year’s campaign and the chance Athletics Association (SCAA) has of it for many years to come.” to hear from residents. Local issues, local action, local Conservatives | Follow us at @ElmbridgeCons and visit www.esherwalton.com Can we help? Walton County Your local Conservative team Councillor Walton South County Councillor & Mayor, will be pleased to assist you Chris Cross Councillor Malcolm Councillor Tony Rachael Lake Tel: 07545 817246 Howard Samuels Tel: 07903 313125 with any local matters relating Email: ccross@ Tel: 01932 226127 Tel: 07971 663794 Email: r.lake@ to Elmbridge or Surrey County elmbridge.gov. Email: mhoward E: anthony.samuels@ surreycc.gov.uk Councils. We are: uk @elmbridge.gov.uk surreycc.gov.uk

Could you spare an hour or two every few months to help us to deliver the Walton News? If so we’d love to hear from you. Please email us (see above). ‘Longer taxi rank needed at station’ COUNCILLOR Malcolm Howard In September a number of propos- “As such it is proposed to increase has been working to address the als were approved by the ‘Elm- the hours of operation of the zone.” problem of taxis obstructing the bridge Local Committee’ group of Residents will still be able to pavement opposite Walton Station Borough and County Councillors as purchase visitor permits which on weekday evenings. part of a review of Walton parking. will enable them to have visitors He said: “There have been calls for The Controlled Parking Zone throughout the controlled period. stronger enforcement – and I agree. (CPZ) which operates close to Wal- A public consultation is also to To that end Walton South council- ton Station from 8am until noon on be carried out whether to introduce lors have successfully argued for weekdays, will be extended to 6pm, a residents parking permit scheme double yellow lines on the northside as will single yellow line restric- for the Churchfield Road, Esher of Station Avenue. tions. Some parking bays will be Avenue, Rembrandt Way and Win- “However, we need to satisfy the reserved for resident permits holders chester Road area, and residents will demand, from commuters, for taxis only, as part of measures to protect get information from Surrey County to take them home, without forcing those who live local to the station. Council through their letterbox. taxi drivers to park dangerously.” A county spokesperson said: ‘Car club’ spaces are suggested for Surrey County Council has agreed “Residents are finding it difficult to New Zealand Avenue and by Walton that the taxi rank can be extended find a parking space within certain train station. For full details of the but is deliberating whether to make roads of the zone due to commuters proposals and how to respond to the this all day or just peak periods. and visitors to the area being able to public consultation visit: Malcolm favours the latter. park in the bays all day after 10am. https://tinyurl.com/y867jpug Why no by election? Elmbridge administration WALTON Conservatives are disappointed to report that, passes the buck on bins in April, one of our Council- lors - Christine Elmer - chose LMBRIDGE Conservative to resign from the party and Councillors have called joined the Liberal Democrats. Efor an ineffective cabi- Mrs Elmer was elected to net member who presided over Elmbridge Borough Council in months of missed bin collections May 2016, standing on a Con- to do the decent thing and resign. servative manifesto alongside Liberal Democrat Barry Fairbank Malcolm Howard and Chris (pictured right) is Portfolio Holder Cross. for the Environment in the chaotic Many residents of Walton eight-party coalition which runs the Can Birds Eye South who voted Conservative borough council. demolition be in that election, or who cam- It was his job to ensure the smooth paigned to elect Conservative transition to a new waste contractor, averted? councillors, will no doubt be Amey, in June. But the switchover disappointed that they voted proved a disaster, with hundreds of READERS will be aware that for a Conservative candidate residents bombarding the council moves are afoot to redevelop who has chosen to support the with complaints following thou- the former Birds Eye build- Liberal Democrats. sands of missed refuse, recycling, ing in Station Avenue into 375 The appropriate course of food and garden waste collections. At September’s council meeting he was not responsible in any way. homes, retail and parking. action in such circumstances At a meeting of all councillors in Conservative Leader Cllr Tim Oliv- I’m afraid if you want the position The developer, Crest Nichol- would be for a councillor to July, Cllr Fairbank was challenged er tabled a motion of no confidence and the money that goes with the son/A2D argues that demolition submit to a by-election and by the Conservative opposition, in the portfolio holder. job, then you’re accountable.” of the Grade II Listed building, allow the electorate to decide if over his failure to get a grip of the He said: “This is about the failure Cllr Fairbank (pictured above) designed by Sir John Burnet, they should continue repre- situation. Rather than apologise, to deliver a service and the prin- was defended by Cllr Stuart Sell- Tait and Partners and construct- senting another party. Cllr Fairbank repeatedly tried to ciples of responsibility and ac- eck, leader of Lib Dem/RA politi- ed in 1961, is necessary. To date Mrs Elmer has deny any responsibility, shifting the countability.” Tim contrasted the cal parties coalition, who insisted Its argument that building refused to do this. Voters may blame wholly on to the contractor Elmbridge experience with that blame lay with the contractor, not meets criteria allowing for draw their own conclusions. and Joint Waste Solutions (a group of Woking, where Amey achieved his cabinet member. demolition, is being rigorously representing Elmbridge and three its 99.9% service target in the first He added, however, that the coun- scrutinised by Historic England other councils on the joint contract). week of its contract there. cil’s reputation had been damaged. and Elmbridge Council. USEFUL NUMBERS: He insisted “I’m not accountable”. He added: “If another local au- Cllr Fairbank is belatedly having Historic England acknowl- Elmbridge Council’s out of He also admitted he had not thority doing exactly the same thing weekly meetings with the contrac- eges “significant challenges” hours emergency number taken the trouble to meet with the can get an effective service on day tor to get the service back on track. involved in converting the is 01372 466114. Surrey contractor at the height of the crisis, one why can’t we?” He narrowly survived the no confi- building and does “not rule out County Council Social Care despite residents flooding Elm- Conservative deputy leader, Cllr dence vote by 24 to 22, with three the possibility that further work out of hours emergency bridge Council’s switchboard with James Browne, seconded the mo- of his own side voting against him. might yet amount to an excep- number is 01483 517898. complaints. tion saying: “Cllr Fairbank told us tional case for demolition”. No date has been set for a planning application to come Pay more to park in Walton before the planning committee, WITH shop closures in Walton be- of which Walton South council- ing a particular cause for concern, it lors Malcolm Howard and Chris is disappointing to see the Council Cross are both members. taking the short-sighted decision to Cllr Howard said: “If the crite- increase ticket prices at Ashley Park ria for demolition is not satis- car park behind Homebase. fied, I hope the plans can be for The RA/Lib Dem coalition Cabi- retention of the building.” net approved the rise, which will net Should the redevelopment £10 an extra £45k for council coffers, go ahead, it will involve the OFF WITH while also agreeing to spend £37k re-siting and enhancement of the Memorial to Flt Sgt Charles THIS on a barrier at a Weybridge car park. Malcolm and Andrew also In July, Walton Conservatives Sydney RAF, whose Spitfire was proposed that the three hours free shot down over Walton in 1941 VOUCHER Malcolm Howard and Andrew Saturday parking in Walton town Kelly moved a motion to scrap the Cllr Howard and Cty Cllr Tony centre car parks should be perma- Samuels are pictured (above) at increases, but were outvoted by nent, instead of ending next year. the coalition, including the Walton this year’s memorial service on This was also voted down by the Saturday 23 September. Society and Cllr Christine Elmer. coalition. Printed and promoted by Peter Szanto on behalf of Esher & Walton Conservative Association, 3 Bridle Close, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 2JW, and paid for with party funds.