Runnymede Voice - Runnymede Borough Council

your community your community
Sustainable Communities Strategy
After public consultation in the summer, the
Council has adopted the new Sustainable
Communities Strategy that explains the key
themes the Council will pursue over the next fve
years and how the Council will go about meeting
its objectives. There are four key priorities:
A voice for Runnymede: listening to your look at how we can target help to the less well
views and refecting changes in service provision off building solid communities for the future.
or representation to meet your wishes Revitalisation: we will work hard to improve
An environment to be proud of: we will look our shopping, housing and leisure offer in
at improving the look of our town centres and our town centres and work with residents to
villages, keeping the streets clean and safe, improve the look and feel of our villages.
encouraging more recycling and providing you A lot of the detail will be contained in
with high quality leisure facilities supporting strategies such as the Local Plan
Healthy and vibrant communities: we are and the Housing Strategy but for a guide to our
blessed with low unemployment, a diverse proposals you will fnd key information in the
economy and a borough which has a large Sustainable Communities Strategy.
amount of open space. But some of our We welcome your comments on how best to
communities need a helping hand. With partners consult you on our future. Do feel free to e-mail
such as the County Council and GPs, we will chief.executive@runnymede.gov.uk
Outcome of Housing Strategy consultation
The draft Housing Strategy was approved at the Housing Committee
on 6 June 2012 and a period of consultation followed. Residents and
the Council’s partners, including voluntary agencies and organisations
were asked for their comments and feedback.
A summary of the draft Housing Strategy was sent to all of the
Council’s partners, local groups and voluntary agencies. It was also
advertised in our Council’s e-newsletter, on the Council website and
on Eagle Radio.
Pinefelds, Addlestone
The majority of respondents agreed with the need to provide more
affordable housing but, of those that did not, they linked this to the
protection of the Green Belt, using Brownfeld sites frst, using empty homes together with
comments relating to the fnancial cost of providing new affordable housing.
There were several comments about supported housing. These were from providers and
support agencies of supported housing who suggested that the target for supported housing
should be increased.
The Housing Committee considered responses and recommended any changes before the fnal
approval of the Runnymede Housing Strategy 2012 to 2017 was agreed by the Committee on 5
September 2012 and can be found on our website. If you would like a hard copy please call Jo
Best on 01932 425802 and we will send you a copy.
Magna Carta visitors’ centre Local plan consultation
Proposals for a Magna Carta visitors’ centre have The fnal stages of the consultation
been discussed at Runnymede Borough and Surrey
County councils. Runnymede’s Corporate Management
Committee agreed to progress the project until the end
of the planning application stage, subject to terms being
agreed with Surrey. This followed a decision by Surrey’s
Cabinet to contribute £5 million to the project, subject to
a watertight business case being established and match
funding being raised by Runnymede Council.
Surrey’s decision was subsequently “called in” for
review by the council’s Communities Select Committee,
which voted for the project to be reconsidered. Surrey’s
Cabinet will therefore reconsider whether it will continue
to support the project at a future meeting.
on the Local Plan should be early in
the New Year.
This will set out the Council’s
framework for development, and
underpin growth in the Borough
to 2026 and will represent the
fnal stages of the Plan before it is
formally submitted to the
Secretary of State for consideration.
We hope to adopt the Plan in 2014.
For further information please
phone Richard Ford on 01932
425278.
Runnymede Voice visit www.runnymede.gov.uk
Keeping safe at Christmas
Santa is not the only one who is out
and about at this time of year!
The festive season is a busy time for all of us,
including criminals. A high percentage of crime
is opportunist in nature so please spend a few
moments to consider what you are doing and
minimize the risks to you and your family.
• Doors and windows - ensure all doors and
windows are locked and alarms set when you
leave the house
• Presents - presents should be kept out of view,
both at home and whilst out shopping.
• Car keys, handbags and wallets - never leave
these in view downstairs at night.
• The vacant appearance - consider using
automatic lights, cancel automatic deliveries
such as papers, milk and veg boxes if you are
going away for a few weeks or even overnight.
Ask friends or neighbours to keep an eye on
the house and report anything unusual.
• Opening your door to strangers - only open
your door after identifying the caller, and
remember to stop, chain, check every time, and
remember not to be pressurized to make quick
decisions.
• Bicycles - lock all bicycles and mark them with
your postcode and house number, give security
items as additional presents or ask other
relatives to buy them.
• Large amounts of cash at home
- do not keep large amounts of
cash at home.
• Car keys - never leave the keys
in the ignition, even for a short period of time,
defrosting the car or on garage forecourts/
outside the newsagents.
• Sat Navs and laptops - always take these
valuables with you.
• Parking - always park in a well-lit area, or ask
someone to walk back to your car
with you.
• Watch your alcohol intake - if you enjoy a drink,
prearrange to have a lift home, or organise a
taxi, consider sharing with friends to reduce the
cost.
• Prebook taxis - this time of year is very busy,
don’t fnd yourself tempted to use unlicensed
cabs.
• Never leave your drink unattended - drinks can
be spiked at any time, any where. If you have
any reason to suspect this has happened go to
A & E immediately, do not accept help or a lift
from a stranger.
• Watch your bag/ coat - keep your money/cards
with you at all times, don’t leave coats and
bags draped over chairs.
But most of all we wish you a joyous festive
season and a safe and secure 2013.
Council to change how it allocates homes
Following consultation with existing applicants and other agencies, changes to the allocations policy
were approved at the November meeting of the Housing Committee.
Chairman of the Housing Committee, Cllr John Furey said: “With over 3,000 applicants registered
and less than 150 vacancies each year, the Council will never have enough homes for all those who
apply to us, so it is all the more important that every letting is made to those who deserve it most. The
Government has given local authorities the opportunity to give additional help to hard working, local
families, and the Council is pleased to be able to make these changes to the allocations policy.”
The main changes are:
• Applicants with no local connection to Runnymede will no longer be able to register for housing.
• Increasing the local connection time criteria for residency in the borough.
• Exclude applicants who owe money to RBC and other landlords.
• Make 25% of vacancies available exclusively for working households.
• Prevent applicants who earn in excess of £50,000pa from registering.
• Lower priority for homeless applicants to prevent being ‘fast-tracked’ into council housing.
• Taking a tougher line against applicants involved in or perpetrators of anti-social behaviour.
The revised policy is retrospective and therefore current applicants will
be subject to the changes in 2013 when it is implemented.
The Council will remain a member of the Choice Based Lettings partnership with Elmbridge and
Spelthorne Councils, Elmbridge Housing Trust and A2Dominion Housing Group.
Visit www.searchmoves.co.uk for more information.
The Localism Act 2011 gives Local Authorities the power to discharge the statutory duty it has towards
homeless households by securing homes in the private sector for a minimum of 12 months, and where
appropriate offer deposits or rent guarantee bonds.
For more information about housing, please call 01932 425831 e-mail housingadvice@runnymede.gov.uk
12 13
issue no.17 Winter 2012/ Spring 2013