This
project is financed by the LSC, SEEDA and
the European Social Fund
LOCAL
NEWS SURREY- WIDE NEWS
600 Jobs May Go at Friends Provident
Insurance company Friends Provident is considering selling two of its business units and possibly selling its majority stake in investment arm F&C Asset Management. The radical overhaul designed to save £60m would mean a cut of about 600 jobs. This follows a review of strategy that has been ongoing since a planned merger with rival Resolution collapsed last year. Uncertainty about this, and analysts’ views that the company could be vulnerable to a takeover bid from US private equity firm JC Flowers, has been reflected in recent share price changes. The jobs being cut at Friends Provident will go from its UK and international insurance business by 2009, the company said.
Source: BBC News online, 31st January 2008
Trust Tempts Scottish Nurses South
In a bid to fill vacancies, a Surrey NHS trust has launched an initiative to recruit nurses from Scotland. Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Trust is tempting nurses with pay, transport, and housing offers and sending recruitment specialists to Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Attractions included a high cost of living allowance and affordable flats and studio apartments which could be rented and purchased later. However, the Royal College of Nursing Scotland has said there are over 2000 nursing vacancies in Scotland and Scottish health employers are finding vacancies difficult to fill, as well as facing problems retaining staff.
Source: BBC News online, 6th February 2008
Small Business Optimism in Surrey
In spite of a bleak economic outlook nationally, small businesses in Surrey are staying optimistic. The second NatWest and RBS Small Business Monitor reports that industry in the area remains confident of sales and profit growth for the year ahead. The hotel, restaurant and construction sectors showed the greatest confidence. The timing of the survey makes the message from the study all the more positive as businesses were surveyed in December at a time when some could have been keen to sell up quickly before new tax increases on business sales came into effect.
Source: Surrey Advertiser, 15th February 2008
Search for Unsung Heroes
Surrey County Council is looking for outstanding individuals for their annual Awards for Volunteering. They are asking for nominations of people who give their time to support, encourage, develop or nurture others. Nominated volunteers must volunteer for a Surrey County Council service or one of the many voluntary and community organisations signed up to the Surrey Compact. To nominate someone; please see how to nominate online, call 08456 009 009 or email awardsforvolunteering@surreycc.gov.uk for more information.
Source: Surrey County Council website, 6th February 2008
Prospects Improve for Looked After Children
Surrey County Council’s work to improve the outlook for looked after children is bearing fruit, but more work is planned to narrow the gap with their peers. Last year, 44% of looked after children got five or more GCSEs at A* to G grades, up from 40.3% the previous year and the percentage achieving five or more at A* to C almost doubled from 5.6% to 11.3%. The number of looked after children sitting the exams remained roughly the same compared with last year however at 61%. Surrey County Council’s Executive has confirmed extra funding of £120,000 to further improve opportunities for looked after children, including funding towards the cost of driving lessons, extra hours of tutoring, and an increase in Education Maintenance Allowance.
Source: Surrey County Council, 16th January 2008
21 Surrey Post Offices to Close
Twenty-one post offices across Surrey are marked for closure as part of national plans to shut up to 2,500 branches. A third of the offices that are planned for closure are situated in Mole Valley district making it the worst hit area. Local MP Sir Paul Beresford has expressed concern saying that these planned closures, taken with other recent closures, mean the area will have lost a third of its post offices compared with one fifth nationally. As well as local people, small business owners locally are also worried about the impact on their businesses, especially small stores that rely on their post office counter to draw customers. The six week consultation period on the plans closed in mid March.
Source: Surrey Advertiser Online, 29th January 2008
Job Losses at Military Vehicle Factory
Over 100 jobs are set to be lost at BAE Systems’ Surrey factory and Hampshire HQ after the announcement of plans to move part of its military manufacturing operations overseas. About 1,200 Pinzgauer 1 personal carrier vehicles have been built at BAE Systems’ Guildford factory since the factory opened in 2000. 76 jobs will be lost when production of the all terrain vehicles moves abroad and another 26 jobs are planned to go at the company headquarters in Fareham, Hants. A core team will be retained of about 25 people at the factory to support Pinzgauer fleets in the UK and New Zealand. The company said that current and future workloads and production costs at the Guildford site influenced the decision and the closure plans are part of an ongoing review which started last August when BAE bought Armor Holding. BAE is entering into consultation with employees about their future with the company and said that no staff members would be leaving before April.
Source: Surrey Advertiser Online, 24th January 2008
200 Surrey School Leavers Have No Qualifications
The number of Surrey pupils leaving secondary education with no qualifications is above the national average. The latest Key Stage 4 results show that 1.7% of 15 and 16-year-olds who were not at independent schools left with no GCSEs. However, other figures show that, on average, Surrey pupils are out-performing their peers nationally with 54% across the county achieving five or more A* to C grades including English and maths, well above the national figure of 46.7%.
Source: Surrey Advertiser Online, 11th January 2008
Sports Centre Multi-Million Shortfall
World class sports facilities planned are in the balance because of a funding shortfall.
The University of Surrey planned to start work on the proposed Surrey Centre for Sport in April, but needs to find another £15m before it can start building. It is hoped the £35m project could provide a major centre for Paralympic athletes. The university is also a partner in a joint bid to offer facilities in Guildford for athletes training for the 2012 Olympics. The complex at the university's Manor Park campus would include a 50m swimming pool, eight squash courts, 10 tennis courts and three multi-purpose halls with badminton courts. The university is now appealing for funds and planning a number of fundraising events and sponsored runs to help the project.
Source: Surrey Advertiser Online, 6th February 2008
University of Surrey Applications Buck National Trend
Latest figures from the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), of undergraduate application figures to UK universities shows that applications to the University of Surrey have gone up by 11.7%, compared with a 7.3% decrease nationally. This is the largest increase of any university, excluding FE and specialist colleges and follows a 39.9% increase in applications last year. Changes to UCAS admission procedures this year mean that the figure 11.7% hides a much larger increase compared with last year’s application numbers. Allowing for the new UCAS procedures which mean candidates can only express five instead of six choices, Surrey’s increase would be 28.7% compared with a national increase of 10.3%.
Source: University of Surrey website, 14th February 2008
Lightbox Nominated for £100,000 Art Prize
Woking's Lightbox museum and gallery is in the running for the UK’s largest art prize. Nine other venues including the London Transport Museum and National Army Museum, are nominated for the £100,000 Art Fund Prize which is made for originality, imagination and excellence. Features of the Lightbox highlighted in the nomination are: its use of the community to bring it to life; and its contemporary space and innovative approach to presenting local history with displays of modern art. After visiting the 10 nominated museums, judges will narrow down the list to four in April and the winner will be announced on 22nd May. The other entrants are in London, Liverpool, Bristol, Exeter, Shetland and Orkney. The Lightbox's director, Marilyn Scott, said: "This is the most prestigious arts prize in the country and we are simply delighted to have been nominated. As well as a judges' visit, public opinion is all important if we are to win; so we are looking to the people of Surrey to give us their feedback on their visits and leave comments on The Art Fund Prize website.”
Source: Woking News and Mail, 1st February 2008
Woking Community Awards Scheme
Nominations have opened for Woking Borough Council’s Good Neighbour and Community Awards Scheme 2008. Local people are being invited to put forward names of neighbours who they feel are invaluable to the local community. The annual awards, which have been running for over ten years, recognise people who have made positive contributions to their community and aim to "promote community spirit of the best kind". There are three categories for nominations: Good Neighbour Award; Community Award; and Youth Award for young people up to the age of 21. The deadline for nominations is Friday 25 April 2008. For further information, or a nomination form, contact Julie Northcote, Woking Borough Council's Member Services Officer, on 01483 743053, or email julie.northcote@woking.gov.uk
Source: Woking Borough Council, 4th February 2008
Woking to Lose Local Community Services
Local people in Woking are facing the loss of a number of local community services in the town. Two community post offices in Woking are earmarked for closure, the council plans to close its neighbourhood office in Sheerwater and the visitor information centre in the town is to go. The main post office in Woking is already on course to move to the basement of WH Smith in Commercial Way later this year.
It seems likely that when the Wych Hill post office closes, the shop will also shut down. A six week consultation on the post office closures ended in mid March.
Under the council plans which would save approximately £85,000, the Sheerwater neighbourhood office may be retained for future community use but residents will no longer be able to get council services there such as paying their council tax.
Source: Woking News and Mail, 31st January 2008
Bisley Youngsters Invited to Get Involved
Bisley Parish Council has plans to set up a village youth committee to get young people involved in discussing the issues affecting them, with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour. This follows difficulties with vandalism, including damage to the Millenium Clock and graffiti on playground equipment which has cost hundreds of pounds to repair. The council will be getting in touch with various clubs and organisations, and wants to hear from youngsters about what they want, and what they don’t want, for Bisley village.
Source: Chobham News and Mail, 7th February 2008
Woking Young People Find Out About Democracy
Young people from Woking High School spent the day at Woking Borough Council in February and gained an insight into democracy and what working life is like at a local authority. The youngsters from year 11 and members of the school council met senior members of staff, including the Chief Executive, and in small groups shadowed officers across the organisation. During the day they discussed local issues, found out about many of the different jobs available at the Council and expressed their views about what is happening in the Borough. They also enjoyed discussions on the importance of voting and provided suggestions about how services could be improved for their age group. The event was arranged as part of the pupils' citizenship curriculum and the work will continue throughout the year.
Source: Woking Borough council website, 22nd February 2008
Chobham Business Club Donation to Special Needs Children
A Chobham Business Club lunch raised over £1200 to support children with special needs and help them to lead as normal a life as possible. The fundraising event included an auction with generously donated prizes, and a few well known faces attended including comedian Tom O’Connor and a presenter from 96.4 Eagle Radio. This was the largest amount the Club has raised for any concern. On behalf of the charity Children With Special Needs, its founder Gordon Parris gratefully accepted the funds which he said would go towards a community project which the charity would be choosing shortly.
Source: Review Series, 9th February 2008
BP Sunbury Jobs Under Threat
Staff at oil giant BP’s Sunbury research and technology headquarters are facing possible job cuts as BP attempts to cut costs by 20% following a reduction in profits in 2007. The company is planning to cut 1,200 jobs between its Sunbury and London sites, which could have a major impact on Spelthorne's economy. Spelthorne Chamber of Commerce have expressed concerns about the knock-on effects on businesses in the borough. 5000 staff are currently based at the Chertsey Road Business Park offices, but BP have refused to comment on how many jobs will go at each site.
Source: icStaines, 20th February 2008
Union Anger at Comments by T5 HR Chief
Comments made by Veronica Kumar, the BAA executive in charge of ‘people and change’ at T5, have angered the GMB union. In an interview for Human Resources magazine, Kumar appeared to have indicated that BAA had deliberately marginalised unions in a bid to change working practices at the new terminal. Ed Blissett, GMB's senior organiser, speaking to the Observer newspaper, described the comments as 'extremely unwise’ and ‘inflamatory’ warning that they could spark industrial action. BAA have denied that Kumar made the comments and is demanding a retraction from HR magazine. But the magazine has said it stands by the article. Airline BA has already faced the threat of action by pilots around the time the new terminal is set to open over its plans for a European all business class airline.
Source: UK-airport-news.info, 3rd February 2008
First School Signs up to Safer Schools Award
Matthew Arnold School in Staines is the first secondary school in Spelthorne to sign up to the Surrey Safer Schools Award (SSSA) project. The project aims to make the school environment safer, helping to make school life a positive experience and giving students the best chance to thrive and maximise their potential for learning. Under the scheme, which draws together a wide range of experts including local county and district councils, police and fire and rescue services, community safety and crime reduction are promoted among pupils and staff. BP Sunbury will also be supporting the scheme by hosting training events. For more information contact the communications team on 01784 446297/444260
Source: Spelthorne Borough Council, 4th February 2008
Egham Traders Want New Strategy to Bring in Shoppers
Egham Chamber of Commerce have come up with ideas for a new strategy to turn the town around in 2008. The Chamber says the town needs to be offering something different to neighbouring centres such as Staines and Kingston and have called for a radical makeover. Their suggestions include introducing continental markets, publishing a new restaurant guide and town map, attracting independent businesses in and encouraging Waitrose to build a new supermarket. Chamber Chairman Mark Adams said: "We want to turn Egham into the sort of attractive town that people want to come and visit, not just shop in."
Source: Surrey Herald and News online, 6th February 2008
Youth Centre Reopening a ‘Positive Step’
The reopening of Addlestone Youth Centre in late January has been welcomed by Runnymede’s top police officer who believes it will reduce antisocial behaviour. Inspector Roger Nield said the decision to reopen the centre in Church Road was “a positive step” after the doors were opened again following almost three years of closure. When the centre was closed in 2005 it was seen as a magnet for troublemakers but the Inspector said he was confident that the centre would bring something back to young people who can benefit from adult-supervised meetings. The county council has held meetings with residents to allay fears over antisocial behaviour and Surrey’s youth development officer, Maureen Clark, said that improvements at the centre, good staffing levels and regular visits from the police meant the council was confident that problems would not arise. Young people had an opportunity to see the facilities on offer on an open day before the official opening which included a DJ workshop, sumo wrestling in inflatable suits and a coffee bar. The centre, which will have its own youth committee, plans to offer workshops on graffiti art and music, and a confidential sexual health advice clinic.
Source: icStaines, 23rd January 2008
Kingston Council Plans Job Cuts
Surrey’s neighbouring borough Kingston Council is planning to sell off more of its assets and cut over 100 jobs, and the same time as raising council tax. The council says this will be necessary after what it describes as the ‘worst Government grant settlement in a generation’. Even after taking action to manage funds and assets prudently, about 115 council jobs out of a total of 2,000 (excluding schools) are to go, in addition to the 75 that have been cut in the previous year. The council says that although it wants to protect local people from massive tax increases, the net contribution by government now only makes up 7 percent of its budget and that apparent increases in central government grants have been clawed back through the complexities of the business rate system.
Source: Surrey Comet, 30th January 2008
Duty Free Sell-off
Ferrovial, owner of British airports operator BAA has agreed to sell off World Duty Free, its terminal-based chain of shops. The company bought Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports two years ago but had to borrow heavily to fund the purchase. All three airports are included in the new deal which has yet to be approved by Brussels. The buyer is Milan-based company Autogrill which is controlled by Bennetton and it is understood that the deal gives exclusive rights to run the stores for 12 years.
Source: Daily Telegraph, 10th March 2008
BA to Sponsor London 2012 Olympics
British Airways has signed up to become the airline sponsor of the London 2012 Olympics. Under the deal, which reportedly involves BA paying around £40million for marketing rights, BA will fly British athletes to the Beijing Olympics this year and to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. This makes BA the fourth major commercial partner in the London 2012 Olympics, alongside Lloyds TSB, energy firm EDF and Adidas. As part of the BA deal, the airline has promised to create a travel bursary for athletes, get involved with the 2012 volunteer training programme, and roll out its community projects in west London to the east London areas where the 2012 Games will be staged.
Source: uk-airport-news.info, 5th February 2008
Job Losses at Military Vehicle Factory
Over 100 jobs are set to be lost at BAE Systems’ Surrey factory and Hampshire HQ after the announcement of plans to move part of its military manufacturing operations overseas. About 1,200 Pinzgauer 1 personal carrier vehicles have been built at BAE Systems’ Guildford factory since the factory opened in 2000. 76 jobs will be lost when production of the all terrain vehicles moves abroad and another 26 jobs are planned to go at the company headquarters in Fareham, Hants. A core team will be retained of about 25 people at the factory to support Pinzgauer fleets in the UK and New Zealand. The company said that current and future workloads and production costs at the Guildford site influenced the decision and the closure plans are part of an ongoing review which started last August when BAE bought Armor Holding. BAE is entering into consultation with employees about their future with the company and said that no staff members would be leaving before April.
Source: Surrey Advertiser Online, 24th January 2008
Homes Builder Leaves Reigate
The closure of house builder Charles Church’s South East office in Reigate could lead to the loss of up to 200 jobs. The decision by Persimmon to close the office in London Road, near the railway station, is also being seen as an indication of a downturn in the property market. Charles Church has specialised in small-scale, high value, developments in East Surrey. During the many decades it has been based in Reigate it has also supported many civic and town projects, including being a commercial supporter of the Priory Park restoration. Consultation has begun over the possible job losses and it is understood that some of the jobs will be relocated to the firm’s Camberley office.
Source: icSurrey Online, 30th January 2008
Dorking Youth Coffee Evenings
Every Thursday from 7 to 9pm, Costa Coffee Dorking, in partnership with Surrey Youth Development Service and Mole Valley District Council, provide a youth only evening, specifically for 13-19 year olds. The idea is to provide a safe place for young people to meet and relax, as well as enjoy half price food. Since the sessions began in September 2007, they have proved very popular with over 40 young people attending each evening. A local Surrey County Councillor Allocation has provided funding for the youth evenings which are supported and staffed by Costa staff and youth workers from Surrey’s Youth Development Service.
Source: Mole Valley District Council, 4th February 2008
Relief at Local Vineyard as Threatened Planting Ban Lifted
Denbies Vineyard are relieved that a threatened EU ban on new vineyard plantings has been lifted. Manager Christopher White had feared that the region’s flourishing wine industry would be devastated if the ban went ahead. The winery on the North Downs has soil identical to that in the Champagne region and has a £4.5 million annual turnover. The planting ban is designed to boost competitiveness in light of rising popularity of new world wines, and reduce the wine lake that has resulted from overproduction of poor quality wines. The ban has already been implemented in other parts of Europe and the South East of England was a potential candidate for the ban because of the rapid growth in production. France and Italy have been offered grants in return for reducing production which had not been offered to UK growers.
Source: Surrey Advertiser, 25th January 2008
Harlequin Theatre Debate
In January Redhill’s Harlequin Theatre was packed for a debate on the future of the theatre. Supporters, including actors, dancers and singers of all ages raised questions with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s executive member for leisure and well-being, Tom Stoddart. Councillor Stoddart said the council is committed to funding the Harlequin but was unable to give a promise that the theatre would still exist beyond 2011. Local campaigners who want the theatre to stay had gathered over 10,000 signatures to a petition since its future came into question in June 2007.
Source: ICSurrey Online, 22nd January 2008
Hersham YMCA Objections
Plans to open a YMCA in Hersham have been rejected by Elmbridge’s planning committee. Against the advice of the council’s lawyers, the committee decided that Walton-on-Thames Charity’s plans to close Hylton Lodge as sheltered housing for the elderly and open it as a home for 46 adults aged 18 to 35, did constitute a change of use and therefore needed planning permission. Local residents have campaigned for months against plans for the lodge and, if the full council endorse the committee’s decision, will have the chance to have their objections heard when a planning application is considered.
Source: Your Local Guardian, 16th January 2008
Independently Run State School Looks Forward
Kings College for the Arts and Technology in Guildford is looking at the options for the future after opening nearly ten years ago as the country’s first privately run state school. The school’s contract with the company that manages it, 3Es Enterprises, runs out next year and under consideration is a £26 million plan to create the UK’s first multiplex learning centre. They are already broadening links with Charterhouse School and the University of Surrey. Co-principals Sarah Mackintosh and Graeme Hawkett have said they want the school to remain on the same site and that they intend students will continue to follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) rather than A Levels.
Source: Surrey Advertiser, 15th February 2008
Library Jobs Reorganised
Surrey’s library staff have been asked to re-apply for their jobs under a major re-organisation of the way branch libraries are run. In the light of falling numbers of visitors to libraries, Surrey County Council say the changes are to modernise the way services are offered but that they will not result in any job losses at branches. The council has confirmed that there are enough posts for all existing staff and promised that no staff will be made an unreasonable offer or moved at short notice. Staff may however be offered jobs at neighbouring libraries and transitional arrangements may be needed at some libraries.
Source: Surrey Advertiser, 15th February 2008
Sutton Top Rating
The Audit Commission have announced in the annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) a top rating for Sutton making it one of the highest performing councils in the country after keeping its 4 star status and, for the first time, also being rated as "improving strongly". This is the third year running that Sutton has achieved 4 stars and the first and only outer London borough to be awarded ‘improving strongly’ rating with its 4 stars. Improvements highlighted by the Audit Commission include over two-thirds of Sutton's performance indicators scoring well above national averages.
Source: Sutton Council website, 6th February 2008
Sutton Pathfinder for Disabled Children
Sutton is one of just 21 local authorities chosen to take part in a new initiative under the Government’s Aiming High for Disabled Children programme. Being a pathfinder authority will give Sutton access to short breaks funding which means that the council and its partners will be able to fund more, and better, schemes to allow parents to take a short break from their caring role from April 2008. Only one other London borough, Enfield, is also a pathfinder for this scheme. A government delegation visited Sutton in February to meet families with disabled children and hear about changes to children’s services in the borough. Both Lord Adonis, Children, Schools and Families Minister and John Bercow MP took part in the visit. Mr Bercow is currently conducting a review of services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
Source: Sutton Borough Council website, February 2008
Calling all Handymen
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is launching a new initiative to provide a central resource containing listings of local skilled men and women which residents can consult when they need jobs done at home. The Handyman Referral Scheme will be free to join and handymen with skills in a variety of fields are needed to help build up the listings. Affordable Housing Audit, Age Concern Epsom and Ewell came up with the idea and it has gained wide support from councillors. There is a particular shortage of contractors who can undertake electrical work and issue NICEIC (electrical certificates) and also plumbers both CORGI and non-CORGI registered. To join the listings, handymen need to have been in business for a minimum of two years, a small firm or one person operation and be willing to have a Criminal Records Bureau check. More information is available at http://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk
Source: Surrey Advertiser, 3rd March 2008
Council Tax remains 3rd lowest in Surrey
At an Epsom & Ewell Borough Council meeting, councillors have agreed the 2008/09 budget in which they have achieved a balanced budget, improved some services and still achieved the 3rd lowest council tax in Surrey. The council has promised to progressively lower Council Tax increases over the next four years by a mix of strategies including raising additional income and doing more to increase efficiencies.
In its previous four-year plan, the Council has reduced the use of reserves and starts the new financial year 2008/09 with a balanced budget and no use of its reserves. Amongst the council’s Key Priorities are enhancing the visual appearance of the environment, tackling anti-social behaviour, championing health service improvements, enhancing services for young people, promoting sustainability and tackling the issues of climate change.
Source: Epsom and Ewell Council website, 20th February 2008
Commitment of Local Business to Training and Apprenticeship Recognised
A local Farnham company, Wiltshire and Son, has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to training and apprenticeship. Mr Bob Wiltshire, owner, was presented with a certificate of merit by the Mayor of Waverley, Cllr Maurice Byham. Cllr Byham, said: “Wiltshire and Son have a fantastic record of achievement within training and learning, and this certificate goes some way to showing our huge appreciation for all that they have done.” The SEAT car dealership is a family run business, with three generations working there. The company has a long track record on training, having worked with Waverley Training Services for over 10 years to train their mechanics and customer service staff.
Source: Waverley Borough Council, 7th March 2008
Redundancies at Swallow’s Tiles
Cranleigh’s oldest business, Swallow’s Tiles has been forced to make six redundancies from its workforce of 15 because the company has been losing money. The company has been operating in the village for 148 years and hope to keep the local tradition of handmade tile production alive. A plan to replace the existing facilities with housing to raise funds for an up to date, energy efficient factory elsewhere on the site was blocked when the firm’s planning application was turned down. Stephen Kerr, managing director of Swallow’s Tiles has denied rumours that the business would close but admitted that the rejection of the housing proposals had thrown its future into doubt. Mr Kerr said “We know there is a demand for our tiles and we have got enough clay here for well over 100 years,” he said, explaining that the company had just been contracted to re-roof one of the buildings at Hampton Court.
Source: Surrey Advertiser, 8th February 2008
Waverley Post Offices to Close
The Post Office has announced that two of Waverley’s post offices, at Tilford and Station Hill Farnham, are facing closure as a result of the review of provision in the area. If the proposals are confirmed, the post offices are expected to close in the summer. Councillor David Munro, Waverley portfolio holder for partnerships and community issues says: “Waverley has suffered a number of post office closures in recent years and the current proposals recognise the importance of retaining a network that reflects the rural and urban nature of the Borough. However, I am aware that the proposed closures will have devastating effects on the two communities affected. Waverley is pledged to fight the closures and will join in with local residents, traders and our MP Jeremy Hunt to do all we can to get the proposals withdrawn. We won't take this lying-down."
Source: Waverley Borough Council website, 30th January 2008
Local Food Producers Scheme
The Farnham Local Food Initiative received a warm welcome at an event at Farnham Maltings in February. Organisers of the event had expected around 30 people and were delighted when 140 turned up. The aim of the initiative is to grow food on land, rented or loaned, which will be farmed by members, making available local food with virtually no food miles involved. Around 50 people made a commitment on the spot, offering their skills to working groups that will set up a pilot project. The initiative will run as a cooperative, for the benefit of members. Members would pay a subscription and receive a share of produce. Any surplus could be marketed through local outlets. A skilled person would be employed to produce the desired crops and members could choose to assist as volunteers, perhaps earning credits. A Soil Association representative suggested that they apply for funding from a lottery scheme which aims to support the restoration of infrastructure for local food. He advised that renting 10 acres would cost £2000 to £3000 a year. Suitable plots of land are being investigated.
Source: Farnham Herald, 15th February 2008
Tandridge Council Opposes Closure Plan
Tandridge District Council is opposing Post Office proposals to close the Station Road East post office, as part of a national rationalisation plan to save money. Both of Oxted’s post offices are well used, providing services to two separate areas of Oxted, either side of the railway line. Concerns have been expressed for elderly people living in sheltered housing schemes and other homes on both sides of the town, as well as for business users of the post offices which will face inconvenience, or, in the case of local shops at Station Road East, potential impact on the numbers of shoppers visiting. The Council also doubts whether one post office would be sufficient at busy times. The District Council will be sending a formal response opposing closure.
Source: Tandridge District Council, 30th January 2008
BAA Sells Airport Duty Free Shops
Airports operator BAA has sold off its ‘World Duty Free’ business for £546.6m to Italian firm, Autogrill. The 58 shops, based at airports across the UK, will help to cut the £9bn of debt taken out by Spain’s Ferrovial for its £10bn purchase of BAA 18 months ago. Autogrill is now the world's biggest provider of retail services for travellers, operating 5,200 outlets in more than 1,100 locations. There are World Duty Free shops in BAA's airports at Heathrow; Gatwick; Stansted; Glasgow; Edinburgh; Aberdeen and Southampton.
Source: BBC News, 10th March 2008; Ananova, 10th March 2008
Government Ends Airport Lounge Subsidy
Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, has announced that the subsidy for VIP lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick airports is to be cut from 1st April. The suites, which are mainly used by travelling diplomats, will be run on a commercial basis by airport owner BAA. The change is initially on a 12-month trial basis.
Source: UK Airport News, 4th March 2008
Airport Toll Lane Possibility
Special toll lanes aimed at those travelling from London to Gatwick or Heathrow could be introduced on sections of the M3, M4, M23 and M20 and M25 under plans by Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, to tackle congestion spots on Britain’s motorways. The government has identified 540 miles of motorway where the hard shoulder could be used to create an extra lane. Ministers believe that this additional lane could be used for car-sharing; a blanket toll; a toll for people not carrying passengers in their vehicle; or as a crawler lane for lorries and caravans. Officials plan to use the next 9 months to draw up detailed plans for each motorway, but a toll of around £5 has been suggested.
Source: UK Airport News, 4th March 2008
Olympic Training Camps to Come to the County
Approval has been given for seven sporting venues in the Gatwick Diamond (including Brighton) to be used training camps for national teams from around the world in the weeks and months leading up to the London 2012 Games. The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead; K2 Crawley; East Grinstead Sports Club; Olympos Burgess Hill; Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre; Pavilions in the Park, Horsham; and Brighton’s Yellowave Beach Volleyball venue were all give positive assessments by the British Olympic Association and other relevant UK sporting bodies. These venues will now be included in the ‘Pre-Games Training Camp Guide’ which will be published this summer to help National Olympic Committees to identify suitable facilities and sites for their training camps.
All approved venues in West Sussex will be working together to organise a broad range of community activities inspired by 2012.
Source: West Sussex County Council, 3rd March 2008
UK Ferry Industry Booming
The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) say that new figures show that ferry travel is seeing a revival. Nearly 43 million passenger ferry journeys were taken between British ports and the continent, Ireland, and British islands last year, a rise of 419,000 over 2006. PSA director, Bill Gibbons, says he believes the turn-around is down the ‘ongoing chaos’at airports.
Source: UK Airport News, 4th March 2008
