The London Borough of Sutton holds four meetings a year with ward resident associations to put forward proposals, explain current issues and, at the end of the discussion, the ward councillors present vote to accept or reject the recommendations put before them by Council officers. We are in the Carshalton and Clockhouse Ward.
In no particular order of importance the following emerged:
Banstead Road Yulefest (Friday 4th December)
There is to be a Banstead Road Yulefest on Friday 4th December from 4 to 8 pm. Looks like fun, look out for more publicity and we’ll update the website with more details as we get them.
Traffic Survey – at last !
A sum of £2000 was voted to undertake a survey of traffic flow and safety on Orchard Hill, with QMPRA to be actively involved. More on this as it progresses. Any views on solutions, such as a one way system on Damson Way and Diamond Jubilee Way between the school and Kenny drive roundabouts, please use the contact us form on the website.
Carol Singing – Any volunteers ?
It is hoped to arrange carol singing on the new play area with a mix of pupils from Stanley Park High School and residents. Please watch the website for more information and if you are interested please let us know on the contact us page.
Council Budget Update
The efforts to save £40 million from the London Borough of Sutton annual budget are still under discussion. This is a government imposed cut and means the Council will have to almost halve expenditure from 5 years ago. You will have seen the publicity about theatres and garden waste collection, but these are only scratching the service. The problem cannot be resolved by increasing Council Tax – in order to finance the shortfall CT would have to increase by 80%, which is obviously not feasible, and anyway the government will only allow an increase of about 2% per annum. If you want to make suggestions or voice an opinion go to the LBS website at http://www.suttonsfuture.org
CCTV Parking ‘Smart’ Cars !
The CCTV cars which have given many of us penalty tickets are still operational. There is legislation before Parliament to outlaw them but this has not yet been passed.
Mental Health Facilities
There was a presentation on Mental Health facilities. It was emphasised that most care is now in the community and a chilling statistic was given that in our lifetimes I in 4 of us would have some sort of mental health problem. The plans under consideration will mean the number of Mental Health inpatient facilities, shared by six councils, will reduce from three to two. Springfield will be modernised and reduced in size, with a sell off of a lot of land, the other is Tolworth.
That’s all for this update, more to come later on the road use survey and Christmas Events
Regards,
Bernard