News From Millmead

Published on: 13 Dec, 2018
Updated on: 15 Dec, 2018

Latest news from Guildford Borough Council

£115,168 allocated for parish projects to support local communities

A replacement bus shelter, community swimming pool renovation, CCTV, and new outdoor fitness and play equipment are among the parish projects that will receive funding contributors from the council next year.

The council’s Executive has approved grants for 40 projects from 21 parish councils across the borough.

Project grants contributions towards include: replacement play equipment in Worplesdon, a new adventure playground in Puttenham, a replacement bus shelter in East Horsley, an extended car park in West Clandon, play equipment for Carrington Recreation Ground in Ash, CCTV for Manor Fruit Farm in Normandy, landscaping and new goal posts for sports pitches in Seale and Sands.

Parishes can apply for a maximum of 50% grant aid toward projects and they have two years to complete the work. The percentage is lower for any schemes over £10,000. The funding is subject to final approval when the council’s budget is set in February.

Cllr Nigel Manning, lead councillor for finance and asset management said: “This year to assist smaller projects we lowered the threshold for applications from £500 to £200 and received an unprecedented number of requests. As well as our allocated budget of £90,000 for parish projects we topped up the funding by an extra £25,000 with the Parish Council Urgent Schemes Reserves.”

Councils working together to improve air quality

At its meeting on Wednesday, December 12, the Guildford Joint Committee considered the outline business case to enable the Blackwater Valley partnership to move forward with improving air quality on the A331.

Ahead of the meeting, the chairman of The Guildford Joint Committee, Surrey County Councillor Keith Taylor (Con, Shere), said: “We already work in partnership with Guildford Borough Council on a range of projects, particularly those supporting the county’s role as the highways authority for the borough.

“Making a difference to Surrey’s roads is a key responsibility and this includes improving the air quality on major highways such as the A331. Both councils are members of the Blackwater Valley partnership and will continue to work together as this significant project progresses. The five councils involved aim to introduce measures to reduce the nitrogen dioxide levels on this heavily used local route. The Guildford Joint Committee is also due to consider a report focussing on wider air quality measures across the borough at its March meeting.”

The Blackwater Valley partnership is made up of Guildford, Surrey Heath and Rushmoor Borough Councils along with Surrey and Hampshire County Councils. They have jointly prepared the outline business case (OBC) as they all have an interest in the A331. This work follows a specific government direction to cut nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the UK National Plan published in 2017.

The leader of Guildford Borough Council and vice-chairman of the committee, Cllr Paul Spooner (Con, Ash South & Tongham), said: “Improving air quality in the borough by working with other councils is one of the ways we can tackle the things that matter to our residents and local economy. Our collaboration, as part of the Blackwater Valley partnership, produced the initial feasibility study that led to the proposals for a reduced speed limit of 50mph on one section of the A331 and other measures such as extra signage.

“As well as important joint projects, we are also working on a range of different ways to improve air quality for communities across our borough. This includes publishing our new air quality strategy last year, developing the action plan for Compton’s air quality management area, our ongoing partnership with the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) and the comprehensive network of local monitoring points. Our continued focus on better air quality is another part of making sure Guildford is a great place to live and work.”

It is intended the approved OBC will be submitted to the DEFRA/DfT Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU), who also provided initial funding for the joint project.

Following approval of the OBC by the Secretary of State for the Environment, and agreement to fund the proposed measures, the next step will be public consultation by Hampshire and Surrey County Councils as the relevant highways authorities.

More information on the committee and the report can be found at www.surreycc.gov.uk/guildford

Council adopts West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan

The council has adopted the West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan, following a meeting on December 4 and the successful referendum result on November 22.

The council says that the plan forms part of the development plan for the borough of Guildford and will help to decide the outcome of planning applications within the area.

To see the plan, a statement setting out the reason for this decision, and to find out more about neighbourhood planning in West Horsley, visit www.guildford.gov.uk/westhorsley.

A paper copy of the plan can be seen at the council offices at Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, GU2 4BB during normal office hours. And at Guildford Library’s reference section, 77 North Street, Guildford, GU1 4AL during opening hours, and Horsley library’s reference section, Parade Court, Ockham Road South, East Horsley, KT24 6QR during opening hours.

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