Local resident submissions to the Elmbridge Borough Council electoral review This PDF document contains submissions local residents with surnames beginning L-R. Some versions of Adobe allow the viewer to move quickly between bookmarks. Hinds, Alex From: Fuller, Heather Sent: 26 March 2015 08:25 To: Hinds, Alex Subject: FW: Elmbridge boundary review -----Original Message----- From: Laurence Lando Sent: 25 March 2015 18:25 To: Reviews@ Subject: Elmbridge boundary review To whom it may concern. Our family has grown up in Hinchley Wood since May 1973. A true community, that has exhibited the quintessential suburban village environment. The area has evolved, but retained the special quality that makes the statement that 'home is where the heart is', in this case Hinchley Wood is our home. I have worked as a dental surgeon for over 42 years and my wife is Chairman of a local activity centre for the elderly. The 'village' has a doctor, dentist, pharmacy, vet, a good choice of local independent shops. We have scouts and many other social groups that identify with Hinchley Wood as their raison d'être. The question has to be asked. We have an identity that many can only dream about, please don't rob us of this precious gift. Dr and Mrs Laurence Lando Sent from my iPad 1 Hinds, Alex From: Fuller, Heather Sent: 23 March 2015 08:33 To: Hinds, Alex Subject: FW: Hinchley Wood Boundary Changes -----Original Message----- From: Gloria Leach Sent: 22 March 2015 13:55 To: Reviews@ Subject: Hinchley Wood Boundary Changes We are people of 87yrs and 74yrs. Over the years Hinchley Wood has developed into a society where people are aware of each other. We are against joining Long Ditton or Weston Green. We want to keep our identity, so that now we may need support or help our councillor will act especially for Hinchley Wood on our behalf. Derrick & Gloria Leach Sent from my iPad 1 Hinds, Alex From: Bernie Levins Sent: 28 March 2015 12:12 To: Reviews@ Subject: Proposals to merge Hinchley Wood ward Importance: High To whoever it may concern, I would like to raise my strong objection to the changes proposed with regard to Hinchley Wood and the proposal to merge it with adjacent wards. Hinchley Wood is a strong, thriving community. We have our own schools, railway station, shops and a church. There is also a wide and diverse range of active community groups. I personally have found that our local councillors have been highly proactive in looking after the community’s interests. They take a genuine and detailed interest in the wellbeing of this ward. Merging Hinchley Wood with either Long Ditton or Westonn Gree would severely undermine the sense of community that has been growing and prospering since the area began to develop in the thirties. Both Long Ditton and Weston Green have their own characteristics which should not be diluted. In this era of ‘big is best’ I genuinely believe that the proposed merger would bring no advantage to the local citizens whatsoever and indeed would be retrograde step. With this in mind I urge you to reconsider these ill‐founded proposals Yours Bernard Levins 1 Hinds, Alex From: Mary-Anne Levins Sent: 28 March 2015 10:27 To: Reviews@ Subject: Elmbridge boundary review Dear Sir/Madam I am writing to you to object to the proposed changes to the boundary demarcating Hinchley Wood. Hinchley Wood is a vibrant community with a heart in the local shops and restaurants, many events on the Memorial square which define it as a community and a local church bwhich a hu for the community. We moved to Hinchley Wood some 14 years ago and were struck by the village and community feel. People in Hinchley Wood work together through the Scouts and the church as well as the local schools to deliver a strong sense of community. There is no natural affiliation to Long Ditton or Weston Green as they hold their own identities. We would like to remain represented by our own Councillors and would propose that Hinchley Wood, Long Ditton and Weston Green should become 3 x 2 Councillor Wards. Yours faithfully, Mary‐Anne Levins 1 Hinds, Alex From: Sent: 28 March 2015 17:33 To: Reviews@ Subject: boundary changes Elmbridge Borough Council Sir I was delighted to read that the boundary changes are to be made to Elmbridge Borough Council resulting in less Councillors. I am very concerned to learn that there is some suggestion that Whiteley Village should be moved into Weybridge. As a resident within Whiteley Village I find this suggestion incomprehensible - all residents here are elderly and Hersham is the natural destination for both shopping and the Day Centre. Many people have no cars and can walk into Hersham and rarely, if ever, go to Weybridge. The geography is such that Weybridge is completely separated from Whiteley Village by Seven Hills Road - I cannot see any prospect of Councillors in Weybridge ever connecting with Whiteley Village, the distance is unrealistic. At the present time we are well-served by our Hersham Councillors and even have a polling station in Whiteley Village. Without it many people would be unable to vote as they have no transport. I trust that you will take note of my concerns. Yours June Libby 1 2 Hinds, Alex From: NORMAN LOVE Sent: 31 March 2015 17:44 To: Hinds, Alex Subject: Hinchley Wood Ward Boundaries Having just returned from holiday I understand I have until today to register my objection to the proposed changes to Ward boundaries. Having read the letters already submitted by St Christopher's & the HWRA I wish to concur with all the comments raised in them & therefore do not support the proposed changes. Norman & Patricia Love 1 Hinds, Alex From: Fuller, Heather Sent: 26 March 2015 09:37 To: Hinds, Alex Subject: FW: Electoral Review of Elmbridge Borough Council From: John Mapplebeck Sent: 26 March 2015 09:09 To: Reviews@ Subject: Electoral Review of Elmbridge Borough Council Sir, I am writing to object to the proposal to merge EBC’s Hinchley Wood ward with either of the contiguous wards of Long Ditton or Weston Green on the basis that such a combination would not reflect the distinct interests and identities of any of these communities. EBC consists of the larger towns of Esher, Walton and Weybridge and several smaller and quite distinct communities such as Hinchey Wood. Through my past community work with the North Surry Mediation Group and Esher CAB I know that Council executives and Councillors are very much aware that priorities can easily be dominated by the interests of the large towns who are represented by many more councillors. The aim of your review has 2 objectives:- - to ensure that each Councillor represents roughly the same number of voters - and that the ward boundaries reflect the interests and identities of the local communities. Hinchley Wood has 2 Councillors for approximately 4,000 residents. This community, built largely in the 1930’s, has always been represented by the HW Residents Association Councillors who have done an amazing job in many ways but 3 fairly recent incidents stand out – denying McDonalds a burger outlet on the A 309; denying Surbiton High School’s proposed sports hall development on ‘greenbelt’ land; coordinating the local support in response to the huge fire at Gibson Court (over 60’s residents home). Without HWRA Councillors to represent the special interests of the HW community I very much doubt that we could have successfully resisted McDonalds and Surbiton High School; in the latter case the EBC Planning Committee passed the plans! Hinchley Wood has a distinct identity – it may be ‘uniform’ in terms of buildings but geographically it has distinct road and rail boundaries and from a community perspective it has different and important social aspects – it has a thriving village centre, church, scout group and other societies. The objectives of the review argue that Councillors should represent an equal number of residents – at ‘2,000 each’ the HWRA Councillors represent more residents than Councillors in other wards. Breaking up Hinchley Wood and/or combining it with Long Ditton or Weston Green would definitely NOT serve the interests of the local residents. Please listen to the community. Yours faithfully 1 John Mapplebeck 2 Hinds, Alex From: John Maughan Sent: 31 March 2015 19:45 To: Reviews@ Subject: Boundary Commission Review - Hinchley Wood To the Review Officer (Elmbridge) I object to Hinchley Wood ward being absorbed into the Weston Green and the Long Ditton wards on the following grounds: 1. The following defining factors make Hinchley Wood a distinct community: a. Best local shopping area for the residents of Hinchley Wood to meet in the village centre b. Memorial Gardens used for holding many local community events e.g. Christmas carols, Remembrance services, Fun Days, Scouts & Guides events etc. c. St Christopher’s Church use as another hub for community events. d. Local coffee shops and restaurant in the village used for celebrations and gatherings e. The primary school where children local to Hinchley Wood first meet in their formative years making lifetime friendships The above well all be lost if combined with Weston Green and the Long Ditton wards 2. The new electoral arrangements will not promote effective and convenient local government because for many years Hinchley Wood has been represented by local councillors who fully understand the needs and aspirations of the Hinchley Wood residents. Regards John Maughan 1 Hinds, Alex From: Sent: 31 March 2015 19:50 To: Reviews@ Subject: Boundary Commission Review - Hinchley Wood To the Review Officer (Elmbridge) I object to Hinchley Wood ward being absorbed into the Weston Green and the Long Ditton wards on the following grounds: 1.