Hersham InTouchNews from your local Hersham Conservatives

Editor: Councillor John O’Reilly | Email: [email protected] | Web: http://www.esherwalton.com

Truly a summer Elmbridge council tax frozen to remember THE Olympics and Diamond Jubilee will be a once in a life- time experience for Hersham. We’ll see the Road Cycling again! For five years in six! Race on July 28-29 and the Time Trials on August 1. DESPITE 4% inflation and having to find The Time Trial event actu- over £1.2 million in savings, we are pleased ally goes through Hersham to announce that the Elmbridge Borough passing through the village Council component of the Council Tax will be green and out onto Burwood frozen for next year. Road so there should be great This means that since the Conservatives opportunities to see the race. formed the Administration in 2006, there has There will be restrictions been no increase in the Council Tax for no fewer of access for the Time Trial, than five years out of six. which will affect residents get- We are one of only nine other Councils in ting in and out of roads along England and Wales to have achieved such an the route of the race. outstanding result. And what’s more, there have Please look at the GoSurrey been no reductions in the Council’s services, nor website, http://www.gosurrey. have we needed to increase charges within our info/cycling/ for up to date control for the fourth time in six years. Over the information. Residents living last 6 years, the Council has managed over £6 along the route will receive million in budget reductions. further information from Sur- Elmbridge also won high praise from the Dis- rey and Elmbridge councils. trict Auditor who confirmed that the Council is And Hersham library is to among the country’s top performing authorities. become a tourist information point during London 2012. Investment We are sure our village will In presenting the budget to the Council on Feb- come together and enjoy ruary 22nd, Leader of the Council and Hersham participating in this exciting Councillor, John O’Reilly, commented: “Fur- event and commemorate it for thermore, and unlike many other authorities, we future generations. have protected all the Voluntary Sector Grants And talking of celebrations, yet again, amounting to a continuing investment why not organise a street of over £400,000.” party to celebrate Her Maj- Pointing to the Council’s continuing commit- esty’s 60 years as our Queen? ment to help, support and nurture Elmbridge’s Hersham Councillor John flourishing community and voluntary sector, O’Reilly said: “Elmbridge had Cllr O’Reilly referred to the £300,000 allocated record numbers of street par- directly for this purpose through the creation of ties for the Royal wedding last an Olympic Legacy Fund and a Diamond Jubilee protecting our superb community and other year and we hope that again Fund specifically directed at the voluntary sector services. our communities will celebrate on a one-off basis to make a reality of projects Speaking to In Touch after the meeting, Cllr. this momentous event. It’s the that will benefit our residents. O’Reilly added: “The Council Tax freeze is par- perfect opportunity to meet up He concluded by saying: “The aim of this ticularly welcome for those Hersham residents, with neighbours, friends and budget can be encapsulated in six words: ‘pro- including many in Whiteley Village, who have family and have fun come rain tecting our residents’ and ‘strengthening our to rely on their pensions and where every penny or shine. And there are tips on community’.” matters.” the EBC website to help you Your Conservative Councillors are always on Pictured above: The annual Residents’ plan a great street party.” your side and particularly in these difficult times. Council Tax presentation at the Civic Centre Visit http://www.elmbridge. We are relentless in demanding value for on January 23 which drew over 90 people. gov.uk/elmbridge/sparty.htm money, doing things ever more efficiently, but Right, Cllr. O’Reilly addresses the audience. Work to begin on Hersham Rail Bridge Help us support our local Hersham shops RESIDENTS will know, in April April 11th. some vital reconstruction work will Your Hersham Borough Council- be carried out to Hersham Railway lors have confirmation from Net- Bridge in Molesey Road. work Rail that they will at the same Network Rail plan a partial re- time re-paint the bridge, remove the placement of the railway bridge at barbed wire and other debris from it, Hersham station which means the and generally smarten up the bridge. road will close between Walton Park The Network Rail 24-Hour Hel- and Broad Close from April 1st until pline number is 08457 11 41 41.

We are really fortunate in hav- Max Clifford doing the switch. notices in the shops when you ing the Hersham Green Centre Many families came to enjoy the support your local traders. and the surrounding shops at mince pies and roasted chestnuts. In the words of Cllrs. Ruth the centre of our village. The centre’s traders are now Mitchell and Simon Desborough: It is important that we do every- busy arranging some fun on "The Hersham Green Shopping thing to maintain these in dif- Easter Saturday (April 7). We Centre and surrounding shops are ficult times. Your councillors are hear that the Easter Bunny will be at the heart of our community working with the shopkeepers, to there from 10am till noon and a and their ongoing survival is vital enhance the appearance and vis- free ‘Children’s Easter Egg Hunt’ for all the residents of Hersham. ibility of the centre to ensure that will take place, with chocolate “That is why we are working this remains a success. eggs as prizes. closely with the traders to pro- The first event was the Christ- And more events are in the mote and enhance the benefits of mas Lighting Switch On, with pipeline. So keep a look out for shopping in our unique village." COMMUNITY Margaret’s View Surrey County Councillor for NEWS Hersham, Margaret Hicks, gives her round-up of the news. AT THE last police panel meeting residents prioritised RESIDENTS will see speeding in Queens Road, that the Highway Molesey Road, Burwood Road, Team has been busy Mayfield Road and Esher installing the road Road. And also inconsiderate markings agreed parking around West Grove, within this year’s Claremont Close, Belgrave budget. Also road surface improve- Close, Thrupps Lane and Ha- ments have been completed includ- vers Avenue. ing Back Green and the roundabout Come and meet your neigh- Westcar Lane/West Grove. bourhood team and share your Meanwhile Surrey is to elect a views and vote on your prior- Police and Crime Commissioner ity. The next Hersham Panel on November 15 to be the inter- meeting will take place on Parkview opens face between the public and the Wednesday 21st March 2012, Tree-mendous effort Mr Mayor! PARKVIEW - the new apartment Police. Supporting the Commis- 7.30pm at St Peter’s Church block in Queens Road has been sioner will be a Panel made up of Hall, in Burwood Road. formally opened by the Mayor, a nominee from each Borough, a Hersham Councillor John Shel- County Council nominee and two THE recent decision by Sur- don, accompanied by the Mayor- independent residents. rey CC to deal with the parking ess, Councillor Mary Sheldon. St. Peter’s Church will celebrate problems in West Grove and After cutting the ribbon, Cllr. 125 years in May. At the patronal Clarence Road have not met with Sheldon said “Like every resident week-end, June 29 –July 1 there unanimous approval, especially to whom I have spoken, I admire will be a Hersham family picnic by residents living along West and approve of this fine build- on Vaux Mead open to all and a Grove between Clarence Road ing for occupying so fittingly its Flower Festival within the church. and Belgrave Close. important position overlooking Following the magnificent com- There have been some le- the Green and the Conservation munity campaign, I am delighted gitimate concerns raised by Area. that Hersham Library will not be residents in this section of the “I congratulate all concerned included in discussions that might road at the proposed solution, with the project, the architect, have seen the facility partly run by and we are hoping that these will the developer, and the market- volunteers. The people of Her- be reflected in the final outcome ing agents Castle Wildish, for sham really value this facility that to this longstanding problem. enhancing our village centre”. attracts readers of all ages. IN CORONATION Recreation Latest Hersham planning applications Ground there are four excel- 303 Molesey Road - an application for 33 apartments and 6 terraced lent tennis courts - free to use AN UPDATE from the Worship- houses was recently refused by the Planning sub-Committee. The de- and no need to book. the girls and boys soon filled the ful Mayor of Elmbridge, Her- veloper has lodged an appeal and a decision by the Planning Inspector- Your Councillors fought hard lower branches, but the higher ones sham Councillor John Sheldon. ate is expected to be made in the next 2-3 months. to keep these courts and have were out of reach. Until, that is, ‘When I promised to accompany Hylton Lodge, Queens Road - as many residents will have noticed them resurfaced. Also you a friendly builder from the newly Burhill School children to the Shanly Homes have now started work on this development comprising may be interested in the new completed development Parkview Christmas tree on Hersham Green, I 33 houses and 9 apartments. Demolition work is nearly complete. Elmbridge Tennis League open saved the day by bringing a steplad- forgot how tall it was! 39 Charlton Avenue - following a further refusal for 3 houses on the to adults of all standards – it’s der, which I climbed, then attached The mission was to decorate it site of this property, the applicant's appeal was dismissed by the Plan- not too late to sign up. the decorations handed up to me. with the pictures they had drawn of ning Inspectorate. See http://www.elmbridge. Mission successfully accom- a robin, which is both the School’s gov.uk/leisure/sports/TFF.htm plished - but not one I would symbol and that of our village. for more details. recommend whilst wearing the Gathering round in the snow, Mayor’s robes!’ CHILDREN can enjoy a variety of fun, low-cost activities during the Easter school break with the Farewell Derek Denyer, and thank you Shout! Holiday programme run- ON FEBRUARY 27 a packed St councillor for 20 years and a ning from Monday 2 April to Fri- Peter’s Church bade farewell to most distinguished Mayor of our day 13th April. Look on the EBC Derek Denyer, a Hersham South Borough, who had passed away website for more details. last month. Nothing was ever too much YOUR Hersham councillors trouble for Derek in helping others have been active in promot- and solving problems; his warmth, ing the ‘Community Connect’ generosity and kindness touched so scheme, introduced this year. many people. He was a Councillor We have obtained grants for who got things done for his com- our local police team to as- munity. sist in their Police on Wheels He will be sorely missed and Hersham Youth Club reaches milestone the huge attendance at his funeral scheme, which helps them HERSHAM Youth Club is 10 have benefitted from the influ- service demonstrated the affection reach every part of Hersham years old this year ! ence of this club, and applaud the of his legion of friends. by bike instead of having to Celebrations were held recently work the Youth Leaders and the Our thoughts are with Derek’s walk everywhere. with a visit from the Mayor and volunteers do. widow Olga and her family. And the swimming pool at Mayoress, John and Mary Shel- Cllr Ian Donaldson remarked: Whiteley Village will be the don, together with other founders “The Hersham Youth Club goes venue for a series of ‘Aquacise’ and supporters of this outstanding from strength to strength and I therapy classes available to all. independent youth club. salute everyone involved in mak- Cllr. Mary Sheldon said: “We Your Hersham councillors are ing it the premier youth facility in would like to thank everyone proud that so many young people the whole of Surrey.” who made suggestions on how we might use the Community Connect funding. This is a great example of where spend- ing a little goes a long way”.

YOUR Councillors have enjoyed meeting residents at our regu- lar Saturday morning surgeries at the Hersham Centre for the Community. If you have any issues you would like to discuss, just drop in at our next session on Sat 31 March. No appointment is necessary and they will be available from 10.30 till noon. A private room is available for anything you wish to discuss in confidence.

In Touch Hersham, Spring 2012, promoted by John Caton, of 3 Bridle Close, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2JW on behalf of Esher and Walton Conservative Association.