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One of the most important jobs of a local councillor is dealing with planning applications. It’s therefore useful for residents to have some basic information about the process.

Planning takes place within a tight legal framework. This means that the members of the planning committee have to act in a totally fair and scrupulous fashion and not indicate any preference for or against an application until the night of the relevant sitting of the planning committee, when all the evidence has been considered. Many residents want their councillors to express an early view for or against an application, but to do so would invalidate their participation in the decision making.

It also has to be appreciated that the decision of the planning committee is subject to possible appeal to a Government Inspector. If it appears likely that a refusal by the planning committee could lead to a successful appeal, it makes far more sense to secure modifications to the proposal, or to secure conditions to the planning approval which can benefit local residents.

A large number of decisions, usually non-contentious, are made by officers on delegated authority, but councillors are advised of all applications and are frequently involved in discussions where there is any element of contentiousness. The officers themselves are highly experienced with 60% of the department having Masters Degrees in Town Planning.

At the end of the day, the job of a councillor is to listen to all the opinions expressed by local residents and the advice tendered by officers and to make a judgement as to what the right decision should be in the best interests of local residents.

Gaenor Circus
Borough Councillor for Kingswood with Burgh Heath

www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk

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SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

The last year has been one of gradual achievement by Surrey County Council, which was endorsed by the Audit Commission awarding a “good” assessment for the third year running. There have however been many challenges, the main one being to provide efficient services within the budget constraints. The budget for 2005/2006 has been set and is the lowest Council Tax rise in a decade with an increase of less than 60p per household per week, which is a (County) Council Tax rise of 3.5%. A Policy and Productivity Review of all services is being undertaken in order to decide the strategic direction for the next County Council, following the County Council Elections on 5th May 2005, as well as to find financial and efficiency savings.

BUS SERVICES

There is one piece of good news about a new bus service called Buses4U, which will begin operating in the area on weekday and Saturday evenings between 18:30 up and until 23:00 from the end of February. It is a demand responsive service, which means that you have to telephone the Travel Centre between 08:00 and 17:00 Monday to Saturday on 01737-815518, text 07714-854082 or e-mail: buses47@tandridge.gov.uk. The areas served are Burgh Heath, Hooley, Kingswood, Lower Kingswood, Mogador, Mugswell, Netherne-on-the-Hill, Tadworth and Walton-on-the-Hill. During the rest of day, the existing bus services and community transport facilities (Dial-a-Ride) will still be available, as well as the new Sunday service run by Sunrise Travel, which runs from Banstead to Epsom. Leaflets about the new service called Buses4U should be delivered to every house during February.

KINGSWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL

A second piece of good news is that there will be a 20 mph speed limit imposed outside Kingswood Primary School in Buckland Road as part of the pilot scheme for four primary schools in the Reigate & Banstead area. A speed survey was undertaken outside the school to measure the speed of the traffic, which indicated that half the drivers were exceeding 30mph. A programme of implementing 20 mph outside all the other schools will be developed when funding is available. Meanwhile, Lower Kingswood is benefiting as one of the pilot areas. Let’s hope it proves to be successful in helping to keep our children safe.

COUNCILLORS’ SURGERY

It was pleasing that so many local residents came to the recent Saturday morning surgery for the Councillors arranged by the Lower Kingswood Residents Association. All the matters brought to my attention have been passed on to the relevant County Council officers. Some requests have already been agreed to and action will be taken quite quickly, whilst some complaints or problems will take longer to solve. Matters ranged from wide variety of issues but were mostly were highway problems. All those people who asked for a response will have heard from me by letter or telephone or from the appropriate highway officer. Please contact me if there are additional problems.

Diana Bowes
Surrey County Councillor for Banstead South

www.surreycc.gov.uk

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POLICE MATTERS

I would have to say the thing that has really come to our notice recently, is people ringing-in about the behaviour of the youths that use the youth bus on a Monday night. Behaviour such as: kicking fences, running over peoples’ gardens, and using foul language. Our Youth Police Community Support Officer Paula Rynne has met with the organisers, and asked them make the youths aware how their behaviour is affecting the local community. I know that Paula and Alan Hornet our other beat officer, have now patrolled around the area the past two weeks and have reported that things have been very quiet. I hope this is a result of a combination of a visible police presence and the youths taking some responsibility for themselves. We are also aware that the centre in the middle of the playing field has continually had problems with broken glass and alcohol containers. If anyone knows where they are purchasing the alcohol if you could let us know and we can then liaise with Trading Standards.

Other than that, please continue to be aware of any bogus callers to your address, particularly in the guise of a gas or electricity meter readers. If you have a caller to your address that you do not know, it is an idea to first check your back door is locked; this prevents anyone coming in whilst you are distracted at the front. Always ask for ID and always verify ID if you are to let anyone into your house. You can verify the identity of the caller by using the number for the company from your yellow pages (or utility bill), not the number they might offer you. If you do any of the above to a genuine caller they will not mind at all, so do not feel pressured or embarrassed to make them wait.

In an emergency always ring 999; for all other matters ring 0845-125-2222.

PC2785 Louise Bowen

www.surrey.police.uk

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