One Rule for Them, Another For
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++++++ News and views from your Molesey Conservative team: Autumn 2017 ++++++ The Molesey News Issue 28 Editor: Steve Bax | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.facebook.com/MoleseyNews | Twitter: @MoleseySteve One rule for them, another for us? n Conservatives call for solutions after travellers and rogue boat owners flout the law ESIDENTS were sub- jected to ‘seven days of Rmisery’ in August, when travellers illegally occupied West Molesey Recreation Ground. A low barrier was forcibly removed and around 20 vehicles STEVE SAYS: and caravans moved on to the site HELLO and welcome to the in Walton Road. The park very Autumn Molesey News, your quickly descended into mess and community newsletter produced chaos, as the new arrivals - includ- and delivered by the Molesey ing young children - raced quad Conservatives (at no cost to bikes on the grass with total dis- the taxpayer). I am Steve Bax, regard for the law or the Molesey the editor, and once again we community. have a full edition to keep you After going to the scene, I informed on local matters. contacted Elmbridge Borough Our main article deals with the Council to check its gypsy/traveller traveller incursion at Molesey protocols had been initiated - they Rec. It was depressing to see had been. An officer carried out an the park being trashed before assessment at the Rec on the day residents’ eyes, and I was hor- the caravans arrived. The follow- rified to witness youngsters not ing day they were given a deadline much older than my 10-year-old to leave, which was ignored. They to go on their way without conse- sey slumboat’, which was recently We alerted the EA from the out- tearing up the grass on quad finally departed on 22 August, quence, at the very least a fine? moored at Hampton Court Crescent set, together with residents along bikes – so dangerous – with the a week after arriving, and a day An analogous situation persists and The Riverside for two months, the river and Hurst Park, pressing authorities seemingly powerless. before a court hearing was due to along the Thames towpath, where causing distress to residents there. them over weeks to get action on The absence of our six take place. there are a number of ‘shanty’ We believe it is operating with this abuse of our river. This was Residents Association borough The clean-up bill and court costs boats moored illegally, close to rooms rented out on board, and the successful. We involved our MP, councillors during the crisis amounted to £7,117 (overall, unau- Cherry Orchard Road and Gardens owner has been running the EA Dominic Raab, and at our request was remarked upon on social thorised traveller camps have cost and some unsightly vans (appar- ragged by ignoring instructions to he wrote to the Environment Sec- media, where it fell to the Con- the Elmbridge taxpayer in excess ently connected with the boats) leave and forcing them to take him retary to enlist his help in securing servatives and councillors from of £24,000 this year). parked on the road nearby. West to court. a long-term solution, which should neighbouring areas to pass on We do not begrudge anyone their Molesey Conservative candidate, He moves the boat out of EA involve all Thame-side councils, information from the council. right to a nomadic life, but the rule Paul Wood, and myself (pictured jurisdiction shortly before a hear- the EA, Thames Water, South Molesey Conservatives of- of law must apply equally to all. above) are continuing to press ing and proceedings are dropped. If Western Railways etc. fer an alternative to this tired Would any Molesey resident who the Environment Agency to move a car is parked illegally the owner We are also raising the possibil- monopoly (all our Borough decided to pitch a caravan on the these on and remove partially or is liable to a fine regardless of ity of a transit site in Surrey for Councillors are from the MRA Rec, vandalise a barrier or destroy wholly submerged vessels. whether they move it, but the EA gypsies and travellers, to reduce political party), and we look community grounds be allowed Then there is the so-called ‘Mole- currently has no such powers. unauthorised camps. forward to making the case for change in the run up to the bor- Council turns deaf ear to tennis petition ough elections next May. ELMBRIDGE’S policy of support for an online petition. I will be standing again in the charging residents to access However, petitioners’ hopes were East Molesey ward and I am public tennis courts looks set dashed by RA Leisure Portfolio delighted that my colleague, , to continue, despite a 1,379 Holder, Cllr Janet Turner, who Paul Wood, will contest West signature petition opposing the claimed the charges were a great Molesey. Paul is a former Hu- introduction of charges. success. man Resources director, who The coalition of Residents Asso- There has been over 3,000 has recently retired and has ciation (RA) political parties and bookings and £17,000 raised for the time and skills to devote to the Liberal Democrats which runs council coffers, she said, and went the community. He is extremely the borough, introduced a booking on to argue the petition was actu- hard working and conscientious system to 31 courts in June. ally a plus because it indicated a - just what Molesey needs. It drew widespread criticism groundswell of interest in playing Concerns including from Sir Andy Mur- tennis in Elmbridge. In response to residents’ ray’s mum Judy who branded it “This is really a feather in our concerns about recent inci- a ‘tennis tax’, as she tweeted her cap,” she said. dents of burglary, I have been Molesey gathers to remember fallen speaking to Surrey’s Police and MOLESEY always turns out in The emergency services were Crime Commissioner and also large numbers to honour our praised for closing the Walton Road to Molesey’s Neighbourhood fallen soldiers, and this year’s to ensure safety, and attending to a Watch coordinator - see what Remembrance Sunday event was lady who fainted during the service. they had to say overleaf. no exception. Having called for the fallen of Magical Molesey is nearly Hundreds braved the chill to both world wars to be recognised at upon us with a fantastic line gather at the West Molesey Memo- the memorial, the Molesey News is up of events. I predict it will be rial ahead of the 11am silence. particularly pleased to see the new the best one yet! My colleague, This year’s service marked 99 plinths in place. County Councillor Pete Szanto years since the end of WWI and has assisted with SCC funding was led by Rev Richard Lloyd of St A NEW secondary free school and I arranged with Elmbridge Mary’s Church, the new vicar of St for Molesey and Walton chil- Council for the public toilets to Paul’s, Anne Farmer, and St Peter’s dren will be built on land at stay open throughout the event Church curate Alex Munro, as well junction of Terrace Road and (and pressed Tesco to get their as Bill Maskell of the Molesey Brit- Waterside Drive, Walton. It cashpoint back in service). ish Legion. will be run by ElmWey Learn- Please do get in touch if Paul It was particularly pleasing to ing Trust as a sister school to or I can help with local matters, see so many young people present, Heathside in Weybridge and and have a wonderful Christmas keeping the tradition alive. will open in September 2019. and New Year. See you in 2018! 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 Stay vigilant and help beat the burglars COMMUNITY URGLARY has risen in David instigated a review of NEWS West Molesey by a worry- neighbourhood policing after his Bing 61% compared to this election last year. He introduced a FORMER EastEnders and Love time last year, according to the new model called Policing in Your Actually star Martine McCutch- latest crime figures. Neighbourhood (PiYN) which he eon is to switch on Molesey’s There have been 66 recorded said has been a “major change” for Christmas lights! incidents so far in 2017 and 41 in Surrey Police. She’ll be the guest of honour at 2016. On the East Molesey and He added: “While most crime has this year’s Magical Molesey on Weston Green beat, burglary is been steadily decreasing there has Wednesday 6 December, which down 5% from 43 incidents last been a worrying increase in a small kicks off at 5pm in Walton year to 41 this year. number of categories, notably Road, East Molesey. There will We know from posts on the Mole- burglary. In response, the police also be a children’s treasure sey Facebook page that residents have put extra resources into this hunt, live entertainment and the are concerned about this issue. area and have made a significant first ever Magical Molesey raf- And rightly so: burglary is a vile, number of arrests. Naturally they fle, with prizes donated by local despicable crime which blights our will continue to keep a close eye shops, including a year’s supply community - every one of those on this, as will I.” of Cavan Bakery bread! 107 offences is a personal tragedy Neighbourhood Watch advise your bins out if you’re going away If you would like to find out SPEAKING of baking, congratu- for a local resident or a family.