A Kingston View: Roundup of County Council News

Published on: 14 Sep, 2019
Updated on: 19 Sep, 2019

Cllr Keith Witham

Councillor Keith Witham (Con, Worplesdon) provides a roundup of ongoing Surrey County Council issues.

In this article: creating a greener Surrey, road safety, improving our bus services, Surrey Fire and Rescue update, extending the Blue Badge scheme, the Basingstoke Canal, more homes to enable independent living, celebrating Surrey’s carers, and schools update including SEND advice.

Can you help to create a cleaner, greener Surrey?

Residents are being asked to help shape Surrey’s long-term climate strategy by sharing their views with our county’s Greener Future task force. Community groups are also asked to suggest ideas for creative, innovative and exciting community projects where groups can work together in our Future Design Challenge. Please view the links and try to respond by September 15.

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/surrey-matters/community/could-you-be-part-of-surreys-greener-future

Fewer fatalities on our roads, more road safety training  and local Speed Watch campaigns

Thankfully, there has been a reduction in fatalities on Surrey’s roads. The toll, still tragic, dropped from 36 in 2017 to 27 in 2018 but there is always more to do. From the regular feedback I get from residents local road safety, speeding, and anti-social driving remain prime concerns of residents.

Our county’s Fire and Rescue Service and the police have a safety programme in schools, one called Safe Drive Stay Alive is aimed at new young drivers. See more at  http://www.safedrive.org.uk/

Can you support your local Speed Watch?

In my area of Guildford, all three of our local parish councils, Worplesdon, Normandy and Pirbright, operate Speed Watch schemes, supported by volunteers in conjunction with Surrey Police. If you want to help, please ask your parish council for details.

Improving our bus service. Route 28 increased to hourly.

From September 2, bus route 28 was increased to hourly from every 90 minutes. The county council has been working with bus operators to offer residents improved services. Falcon Buses Route 28 is  Woking, Brookwood, Pirbright, Worplesdon and Guildford. The council stepped in to save the service when the previous operator discontinued it.

Our buses are a lifeline for many residents, so it’s good news this route is being extended.  I am pressing SCC to give a higher priority to supporting more buses.

Surrey Fire and Rescue update

Earlier this year, the county council exempted Surrey Fire and Rescue from making any financial savings in 2019 and allocated an extra £900,000 for new fire engines, recruitment of new staff and their training, and for changing its services.  That investment is now coming to fruition.

In August, 24 new full-time firefighters graduated in the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. The recruits showcased their skills at a passing-out parade after 13 weeks of training. Demonstrations included tackling fire, performing a rescue from a third-floor window and dealing with a road traffic collision before friends, family and supporters. Additional training for more on-call and full-time firefighters is planned.

Congratulations to our new firefighters on their significant achievement in completing this testing and intensive and challenging training. This latest course is part of SCC’s ongoing recruitment drive for more full-time and on-call firefighters.  We are proud of all of our dedicated and highly skilled firefighters who help keep Surrey safe 24/7, 365 days a year, both by responding to emergencies and by helping people prevent emergencies. I wish our newest firefighters a long and happy career.

Extension of the Blue Badge disabled parking scheme.

Recent legislation in to the Blue Badge (disabled parking) scheme has expanded eligibility for the Badges, previously available only for people with physical walking difficulties, to include those with “hidden” disabilities.

The new category covers many disabilities/conditions, but qualification is not automatic. Applications will have to be supported by evidence from relevant professionals to show the criteria have been met. The regulations refer to an applicant when undertaking a journey experiencing “very considerable psychological distress”  or who are at risk of “serious harm” to themselves, or to those supporting them or around them.

For more information on eligibility, or to apply online, please visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/bluebadges   This is the quickest and easiest way to find out information or to apply for a Blue Badge. If you need to speak to someone, call Surrey County Council on 0300 200 1003.

The Basingstoke Canal, a hidden gem

I and other councillors recently examined operation of the Basingstoke Canal, owned jointly by Surrey County Council and Hampshire County Council. We met at the Basingstoke Canal Centre, Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett, Surrey GU16 6DD to see the facilities and meet staff and volunteers. There is a very active Basingstoke Canal Society.

It is a beautiful, fantastic environment for visitors and families and not as well known as it should be.  Do try to visit this real hidden gem. For more information visit www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/basingstokecanal/

More homes to enable older people to live independently

Up to 725 affordable homes specially designed to help older people live independently will be provided within 10 years under plans outlined by the county council. This will also involve expanding the provision of supported housing for people with learning disabilities or autism to help them exercise choice and control over their daily lives.

The new housing schemes will comprise self-contained homes designed to enable vulnerable people to live independently knowing that care and support are on hand.

Residents will enjoy personal privacy and also be able to live in a vibrant and active community, often with such as cafes and hairdressers, knowing care and support are close at hand.

These schemes will provide “homes for life£ for people whose disabilities, frailty, vulnerability or health needs mean ordinary housing won’t let them remain independent but who don’t need to move to residential care.

SCC  intends to continue working closely with our district and borough councils as the plans are developed.

For older people, more extra care housing, homes with support staff on hand, will be created across Surrey.  For people with learning disabilities or autism, provision of independent living schemes will be expanded. These give people support for their individual needs such as help with daily life skills.

A mix of approaches is being considered for providing the new homes, including the county council freeing sites on its own land and striking deals with providers for units in private specialist developments.

Celebrating Surrey’s care workers

Care workers have been recognised for their support and commitment to our residents. They were celebrated at an event held by the SCC Adult Social Care Team held to mark Professional Care Workers Day. Testimonials from care homes and other care providers  highlighted the exceptional dedication of care workers to the vulnerable people they support.

About 22,500 care workers support more than 30,000 county residents, help keeping them safe, well and independent, often enabling them to stay in their homes for longer. Care workers make a positive difference to so many lives and we should thank them for their commitment to Surrey’s residents day in, day out.

There are lots of opportunities in Surrey to start a career in care. Visit the Adult Social Care careers webpage to find out more. https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/jobs/job-sectors/adult-social-care-careers

Schools update and advice on “SEND”

It’s not by chance that in Surrey we have fantastic schools. Parents of 87% of Surrey children have been offered places at their first choice of primary school, and 97% of pupils were given one of their top three preferred schools.

This year, applications for secondary schools increased by 2% to 12,428. Overall, 97.7% (12,141)  of secondary applications were received online this year. Parents who decide online can make this a much simpler exercise. Parents can list up to SIX preferences for secondary schools, in the order they prefer.

– 81.1% (10,080) of parents were offered a place at their first preference school

– 92.1% (11,447) of parents were offered a place at one of their top three preference schools

– 94% (11,688) of parents were been offered a place at one of their six preference schools

This means just 6% (740) of applicants were not offered any of their preferred schools. For those applicants, SCC  offered an alternative school place.  In addition, a further 191 pupils have been offered a place at a mainstream Surrey school under their Education Health and Care Plan.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Share This Post