Author Archives: Gill Smith
Weybridge Winter Head of River Race
Jan 19 th Organised by Weybridge Rowing Club, this is a timed race from the top of Desborough Island to Walton for up to 200 crews in two divisions: 1030 and 1300. Watch from the towpath and enjoy refreshments at the club’s gazebo at Cowey Sale.
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photo thanks to Cllr Christine Elmer
Churchfield Allotments – May 2018
In May 2018, allotment holders and residents in roads adjacent to the Churchfield Allotments were informed by the Weybridge Charity, who own the allotments, that the charity is proposing to sell some 5% of the allotment land for development.
Reasons given for this by the charity are: that it is under increasing pressure to meet the needs of Weybridge residents who face hardship. Additionally, the charity is seeking to invest some of the monies raised in improving the amenities for the remaining 4 hectares of allotments so that the site “may be used more effectively and attract new, long-term tenants” The proposed improvements to the allotments include:
- Bringing new areas under cultivation
- Allowing a proper toilet to be built
- Creating a communal area
The charity is proposing to assign new allotments and to compensate those allotment holders who will be directly affected.
About the Weybridge Charity
The Weybridge Charity’s sole charitable objective is ‘the relief of persons resident in the area of benefit (Weybridge KT13 postal district) who are in need, hardship or distress.’
The charity has nine trustees, six of whom must be appointed by Elmbridge Borough Council, with the remaining three being appointed by the borough appointed trustees.
The background to these arrangements and the history of the Charity can be found at http://weybridgecharity.org.uk/about-us
A new way to see your GP
A new service has just started for people registered with doctors in Weybridge and Walton, and it’s great. It’s a GP consultation on your smart phone. North West Surrey Commissioning Group has just introduced this free service, which of course we pay for through taxes.
To use the service, just download the app (you need a smart phone and photo ID to register) and request an appointment. I found this fairly easy, unlike some computer/phone things!
Sameday appointment
I got an appointment for later that same evening.
Five minutes before the appointment time I received a reminder on the phone. Then at the appointed time, a clear video picture of the doctor came on the phone, and in the corner I saw myself, so could see what the doctor saw. We had a friendly professional chat.
Any location, speedy outcomes
The GP I spoke with was in central London (I asked) but had access to my Weybridge medical records. When my description of symptoms wasn’t clear, she gently questioned me. The end result was she prescribed a medicine. The prescription was sent by the GP, electronically, to my usual pharmacy, and the doctor explained she would write the consultation up on my GP notes.
Later the same evening, I got a confirming message in the inbox of the app saying that the prescription had been issued.
Next day, 9am, the drug was waiting for me at my local pharmacy.
Just out of interest I popped into my surgery and asked the receptionist for the next non urgent appointment. It was in ten days time .
Weybridge Registry Office, possible closure?
The registry office in Oatlands Drive may be closed and sold, with its functions moved to the upper floor of the library. This is to try to make better use of the library building and bring more footfall to Weybridge town centre. The other option is to leave it as it is. There are now 83 locations in Surrey where you can get married, so use of the present site for marriages has fallen. Any decision will be considered in February/March at the Surrey County Council cabinet meeting which is open to the public. We wonder if posing for photos on the library steps will have quite the same look at ones taken in the gardens of the registry office in Oatlands Drive. What do you think about this? Let us know.
Sir Vince Cable talks to local Lib Dems
Christine Elmer, Lib Dem Councillor for Walton South and Chris Elmer, Lib Dem candidate for Walton South in May 2018
Vince Cable with Vicki Macleod, candidate for Weybridge Lib Dems in Elmbridge council elections in May 2018.
On 30th November Vince Cable, leader of the Liberal Democrats, spoke to a packed village hall in Claygate. His message was clear, Brexit is a disaster, the government is in turmoil and divided, and three great problems are in the way of a successful ‘divorce’ of Britain from Europe.
Sir Vince Cable expressed much concern over how “the loss of European nurses and doctors in Kingston Hospital and other critical services impacts patient care negatively”. This is just one of the many consequences of Brexit.
Hospitality industries are beginning to suffer from lack of workforce, agriculture cannot get seasonal workers, universities are losing European students, research grants are being denied to our scientists and the list keeps growing.
According to Cable, it’s understandable why businesses in the City and beyond are preparing to relocate. Uncertainty caused by Brexit is bad for business as it makes future planning difficult and discourages much needed investment in skills and new enterprise. This feeds the downward cycle of low wages, low productivity, and poor economic performance.
Vince Cable spoke at the Liberal Exchange hosted by Elmbridge Liberal Democrats and outlined the serious challenges Britain faces in “tortuously complex Brexit talks”. He also explained why the Liberal Democrats are advocating the people’s right to choose between staying in the EU on current terms or accepting the deal negotiated by the government. “This will be the first referendum based on facts, not on fiction and fraudulent promises”, Cable argued.
The keen audience kept Sir Vince on his feet for the best part of two hours with questions ranging from a variety of Brexit issues to the government’s ongoing austerity measures, funding of higher education, apprenticeships and further education plus more. Disappointingly for Cable the current Tory government is “destroying the successful apprenticeship scheme with the ill-advised new levy”. In this context Cable emphasised the need for ‘non-tribal’ thinking in solving the country’s problems, although sadly “tribalism is rife in British politics and hampers progress”.
Sir Vince talked about Brexit’s debilitating effect on many government departments. “Their work has ground to a halt due to lack of resource or political ‘bandwidth’. The whole country suffers as a result.” “Yet there is much work to be done quite apart from Brexit to eradicate the plight of social exclusion, generational divisions, regional inequality and re-empowering local government. This is the agenda for us Liberal Democrats,” Vince Cable concluded.
Jaska Alanko, Liberal Democrat with Sir Vince
Vince Cable with Barry Fairbank, Lib Dem Councillor for Long Ditton
Grants for business
Elmbridge borough has grants to aid businesses via the Elmbridge Civic Improvement Fund. Weybridge is the biggest claimer for funds in Elmbridge. The aim is to support the growth of the local economy. Funding can help you business with:
- Shop fronts and signage
- marketing and promotion
- town centre events
- streetscape improvements
- learning, skills and training
Contact 01932 474 216, email business@elmbridge.gov.uk or click here.
Renew Library books by phone
Just call 0300 200 1001 and follow the instructions you hear!
Changes in Recyling Regulations
Recycling centres are currently free to Surrey residents using a car, for household and for non-household waste. The centre recycle over 30 different types of household waste materials.
However from 4 December there will be no free daily allowance for householders of chargeable non-household waste such as rubble, plasterboard and soil.
According to the SCC information, the following charges will apply for:
- Tyres from cars, motorcycles and all other motorised vehicles (including non-motorised vehicles and trailers pulled by a motorised vehicle): £5 per tyre or part tyre.
- Waste from construction, alteration or repair of your home and garden including:
- Breeze blocks, bricks, rubble, soil, stones, ceramic bathroom fittings, tiles: £4 per bag or part bag of this waste (Bags no bigger than 50cm x 77cm)
- Concrete fence post, ceramic bath, cistern, paving slab: £4 per item
- Plasterboard: £4 per bag or part bag or per sheet of this waste (Bags no bigger than 50cm x 77cm and sheets no bigger than 120cm x 240cm). From 4 December 2017 the cost per sheet of plasterboard will increase to £12.
If these materials are loose, a charge of £50 will apply per car load.
Additionally, if you are bringing household waste in either a van, pick-up or trailer you will need to obtain a van permit before your visit.
From 8 January if you need to dispose of non-household waste (such as from DIY projects) in a van, it can only be accepted at the larger recycling centres – this includes the one at Shepperton.
Full information can be found on the SCC site
Take the Alcohol test
For free personalized advice about alcohol click here. It takes just two minutes to answer confidential questions about your drinking. The website also tells you how to get support locally.