The Greenway

Last night TDC's development control committee voted to allow the building of Social Housing on the Greenway. The site is an under used car park and often the site of minor anti social behaviour and therefore in my mind the devlopment will actually improve things for existing residents.

However not all local residents agreed - they were particulalrly concerned about the impact of the loss of off-street parking and green spaces, a real concern in that part of Hurst Green as many are forced currently to park on roadsides and their verges, and there was a petiton got up opposing the application and an eloquent speech from an objector.

I therefore asked committee members to consider carefully whether the loss of amenity was too much for residents to bear. I am pleased to report that members of the committee gave the matter serious consideration but concluded that the application had merit. I think that this is the right decision - the need for more affordable housing in Tandridge is proved - despite the negative impact on some, but it does unfortunately prove the maxim that you can't please all of the people all of the time.

People are so very good.

On Wednesday my wife and daughters were involved in a car crash. None of them were seriously hurt though my wife got a burn on her arm from the airbag. I am awaiting confirmation from the insurance company but I expect the car to be written off.

The crash happened at about 2.30pm. By 2.40 a passer by had called me on my mobile to let me know what had happend. Co-incidently I was on a train pulling into Oxted at the time and was therefore able to jump in a cab and hotfoot it to the scene of the crash.

When I got there the police and paramedics were on site as were 15 or so passers by. All without exception were so very kind and helpful to us all - my wife and girls were got out of the car by an off duty nurse and her daughter who sat with them until we were taken to East Surrey to be checked out; a number of people offered to drive me where ever we needed to go; one local resident invited me in if I needed to wait. The police and ambulance staff treated us very kindly and professionally as did the staff at East Surrey.

The incident while distressing has really renewed my faith in people. When the chips are down people are there for you. Thank you all

What's the worst that can happen to me as a Councillor?

A bit of verbal abuse from a frustrated resident, a few negative comments on my blog or in an extreme case - and as happened to former Councillor Longhurst - hit over the head with some papers.

In Zimbabwe if I were an MDC councillor I would risk suffering a severe beating, mutilation, torture and death and so would my family. The situation out there is desperate and we need to do something. It is not good enough to sit on the sidelines as the country becomes a fully fledged military dictatorship. The world needs to act and soon.

Policing Update

Last night’s Police Panel was very much focused on the establishment of Neighbourhood watches. Both the Police and local residents who are currently members of one set out how useful these are - you can even save money on your household insurance premium.

There were few specific criminal incidents raised, though people remain concerned about the speed of vehicles going down Mill Lane, especially during the school day and the inappropriate use of that road as a cut through for HGV drivers.

Some incidents of anti-social behaviour were mentioned with Greenway residents the most affected, but there seemed less to report than in previous times.

The Police made clear that if you need to contact them the numbers to use are 0845 125 2222 or in an emergency 999.

A final observation from me is just to note how luck we are in Oxted South with our Police Offices and PCSOs. Their enthusiasm and commitment to their jobs is superb. While resources are never enough – the quality here couldn't be higher.

Home Choice

Council Tenants now have more say in where they can live following the launch of the Council's Home Choice Service. All vacant Council and Housing Association properties are now advertised on a website www.tandridge-homechoice.org.uk.

Only those on the housing register can “bid” for up to three properties, which are advertised each week and this will be the only way to be considered for a tenancy. By bidding they are expressing their interest in a property and want to be considered for the tenancy. Bids are only accepted through the website, or the 24 hour automated bidding line on 0845 270 1908. If more than one person bids for a property, priority will still be given to the applicant with the greatest need and who has been waiting the longest.

While the number of Council and Housing Association properties available are always going to be limited - this new service gives prospective tenants a much better idea of where homes are becoming available in the district and therefore allow them to make an informed decision on whether to consider bidding for other types of properties or areas. Power is being transferred (albeit in a limited way) to those who are actually being impacted which is a positive development for local democracy.

Planning and Environment

Last night saw the first meeting of Planning and Environment Committee in this civic year. There was broad agreement on the issues discussed in what turned out to be a relatively short session covering the proposed changes to the Core Strategy, a review of the performance of the food and health and safety teams and their remits for the forthcoming year. The Committee agreed procedures for street naming and also to set up a working group to propose how we could implement a better system of getting funds from property developers to strengthen Tandridge's infrastructure.

Luck of the Irish

Though it is us who are lucky and it is all down to the Irish. They have ignored the pressure brought down on them to back the EU Constitution and have said no on behalf of all those in Europe who were denied a proper say. It looks like the EU will try to find yet another way around this democratic set-back (and Brown has already pledged to continue with the Parliamentary process for British ratification), but for today we can all celebrate.

David Davis

Shrewd move or Political Balls Up?

I am not sure. I certainly agree with Davis on his position over 42 days detention I think his decision probably undermines the cause, by taking the heat off of Brown. However there is a long tradition of MPs resigning and fighting By-elections -although not one honoured much in recent years.

Zimbabwe

A report in today's Times (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article4116638.ece?&EMC-Bltn=INZA49) makes sickening reading. It is clear that any remaining protection of the 'Rule of Law' is crumbling. The military Junta that back Mugabe's presidency have organized their mobs to ensure that the opposition are all but destroyed ahead of the run-off and the international community just watches and waits. The argument for the West not doing anything is partly based on the need not to look like imperialists flexing their arms over Africa again. This is a valid argument but the need to stop the sheer brutality of the violence of that regime should now outweigh this consideration. Africa has failed to do anything. We need to intervene and to do so soon.

Browns Maastricht Moment?

A majority of 9 bought with the votes of the DUP - 316 to 309. The comparisons with the Major government's victory over rebels 16 years ago are clearly there; Brown is now struggling to exert authority over his party and the Labour rebellion was bigger than that Major faced. However there are differences too - it didn't get as far as a vote of confidence 42 days is unlikely to divide the Labour parties as fundamentally as Europe did to the Conservatives, but most importantly the public broadly support the government on this measure.

Personally I was against, the state is already powerful enough.

Mowing Update

As of last night 'Hurst Green' itself has been mowed, along with at least some of the playing fields off Mill Lane.

Clearly the speed and quality of service on this occasion is unnacceptable. TDC is is working on it.

Leisure and Recreation in Tandridge

I would be very grateful for the views of any Tandridge residents reading this on the Leisure and Recreation Services provided in the district (whether by Tandridge Leisure, Tandridge District Council or who ever else). I am looking for both what is good and bad and any suggestions for improvement.

Please leave a comment under this post or email me via my profile.

Grass is Growing

and not being cut....

Not quite true, but there have been a few problems recently with the cutting of the Playing Fields off Mill Lane and the common ground on and around Hurst Green itself (and elsewhere in the area). These have been compounded by the recent warm/wet weather.

I am assured that the problem is being worked on and the green areas will be looking their best in the near future.

Labour's Gerrymandering

See this report on Conservative Home which demonstrates how this government has channelled funds to Labour's heartlands.

Enough said

Tory questions unveil infestation danger of fortnightly bin collections

According to the Daily Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2059129/Government-cover-up-over-axed-bin-collections.html)Parlaimentary questions tabled by the Conservatives have forced the Government to reveal the findings of a £27,000 study that warned of increased health risks from rats, flies and seagulls if rubbish collections were reduced in frequency. The report found that vermin and insects could be "encouraged into the home environment" as a result of fortnightly collections. (Hat tip to Conservative Home for highlighting this.)

This is yet another reason why Tandridge continues to provide the much valued back-door weekly collection for local residents, despite this being more expensive than a fortnightly curbside scheme. In terms of service delivery this is the biggest gap between us and the Lib Dem Group - who would like to scrap the current arrangments, but going from last months local election results its clear where voters' support lies.