News In Brief From Millmead

Published on: 9 Jun, 2016
Updated on: 16 Jun, 2016

Latest news from Guildford Borough Council

New play strategy adopted

Pictured at the launch of the play strategy are council staff and councillors, from left: Amanda Pick, Jonathan Sewell, Charlotte Epps, Jo James, Cllr Iseult Roche, Cllr Richard Billington, Sally Astles, Paul Stacey, and Luke Potts.

The council has adopted a new play strategy for children across the borough, which aims to provide challenging, attractive and accessible play options.

It is aimed to “increase opportunities for children and young people to play in their local communities, and to create balance between their free time, educational activities and formal classes”.

The council is also encouraging adults, particularly parents, to take an active role in the development of local play spaces, and adds: “We want them to be advocates for play, to be supportive by listening to children’s needs, and to enable play to happen.”

The full version of the play strategy 2016-2021 is available at www.guildford.gov.uk/playstrategy.

New car club for Guildford town

In a joint bid, Guildford Borough Council and Surrey County Council have secured funding from the Department for Transport to support and expand the town’s car club service.

In the picture, from left: Richard Peplow, TravelSmart Surrey County Council; Cllr Matt Furniss; Sarah Richardson, Enterprise Car Club; Cllr Caroline Reeves; Rob Crossing, TravelSmart Surrey County Council: Tony Barnard, Enterprise Car Club.

Now there are eight new cars, with a mixture of electric, petrol and plug-in hybrid cars.

Research shows that if you drive less than 6,000 miles per year you can save up to £3,500 annually by being a car club member instead of owning a car.

Residents often use a car club car instead of owning a second car, which can make more on-street parking spaces available.

Cllr Caroline Reeves (Friary & St Nicolas) has welcomed the arrival of more car club vehicles. She said: “I have been a member of the various car clubs we have had, but this is the first time we have had so many in the town which will make them accessible to many more residents.

“Car clubs have been big successes in towns across the country and really reduce the number of cars parked on the streets.

“They definitely save money for residents who don’t need to use a car every day, and when you are a member you can book a car anywhere where there are Enterprise Cars.

Cars are in Ludlow Road (petrol), Poltimore Road (plug-in hybrid), Walnut Tree Close (petrol with electric coming soon), Millmead Terrace (petrol), Martyr Road (petrol), George Road (hybrid), Dapdune Road (electric), and Eagle Road (petrol). Hourly rates from £3.70 which includes fuel, road tax, servicing and more.

Until 30 June, Enterprise Car Club is offering a reduction in membership fees to new members, £10 per year instead of £60, with two hours free drive time. Use the code GFORD16.

More details on the website www.EnterpriseCarClub.co.uk

Seale and Sands now a new neighbourhood area

The Seale and Sands neighbourhood area has been designated by the council.

It follows an application from Seale and Sands Parish Council and a consultation from April 18 to May 15.

Designating this neighbourhood area means that Seale and Sands Parish Council will be able to work with the local community to produce a Neighbourhood Plan and/or a Neighbourhood Development Order. Neighbourhood Plans and Development Orders can help bring forward developments the community needs, and enable the parishes to have a greater say in what development looks like and where it goes.

More information about neighbourhood planning is available on the council’s website at www.guildford.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanninginformation