Welcome to the LOSRA Website
As with any other local neighbourhood, the policies and actions which affect the character and future of Lower Sunbury are generally framed and implemented by a combination of local and national government, along with the vested interests and market forces which operate within those frameworks. Lower Sunbury is by no means unique in being under threat from a creaking infrastructure brought about by rapid urban development, the growth of traffic, and other pressures affecting the quality of life and the character of the area.
Working with the local authorities, we see it as the responsibility of residents’ and amenity groups such as LOSRA to address the underlying issues which fundamentally affect their members’ lives, as well as the minutiae of everyday life with which such groups are often concerned.
Please sign up to receive our regular e-bulletins by subscribing via the facility at the top left hand of this page. It goes without saying that, without your continued support we would cease to function so we urge you to join, or renew your membership now Subscriptions (£5 per household) for 2022 are now payable.
Network Rail Iron Bridge Replacement. Impact on traffic in Staines
Before driving to Staines in the coming months, and to avoid disappointment, you should be aware of the forthcoming Iron Bridge replacement.
Network Rail has forwarded the following briefing note
Apps Court - Licensing Application Which May Affect You
This Association is always particularly wary when a controversial application is put before the Council at the start of the Christmas period in the knowledge that the Council will not be open for business until 4th January and will thereafter be dealing with a host of other business distractions accumulated over that period.
The local community, and especially those living close to the riverfront, will remember the event at Apps Court last September and its almost deafening impact on residents.. We have already had some discussions with both Elmbridge (to whom the application is made) and Spelthorne Councils but as with all licensing representations these may only be made by individuals who are, or are likely to be affected.
If you wish to make a representation, time is very tight as it will not be considered after 19th January. The premises licence application is available to view online on Elmbridge Council's licensing web page using the licence number: LN/202000162 - Apps Court Farm, Hurst Road, Walton-on-Thames KT122EG.
Emails may also be addressed to Environmental Health at Spelthorne Council or Licensing at Elmbridge: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New temporary timetable for South Western Railway
SWR are making residents aware that, from Monday 17 January, South Western Railway will be running a new temporary timetable.
The spread of Omicron has necessitated the need for a new timetable, with staff shortages across the SWR network leading to short notice cancellations.
Of particular note to residents, the Shepperton branch will be reducing to an hourly service outside of peak times.
These temporary timetable changes will remain under review going forward. Journey planners will be updated on a week-by-week basis, with updates taking place towards the end of each week.
Details of the temporary timetable can be found on the SWR website
Old King Cole Pantomime Will Go On at the RAC on 20 - 23rd January
An uncertain December progresses into a cautiously optimistic January, but there is some excellent news... THE PANTO WILL GO ON!
The superb, traditional panto, OLD KING COLE, will take place as planned between 20th and 23rd January at Riverside Arts Centre in Sunbury. Tickets are on sale now, and we are poised to deliver a fantastic show!
As things are a bit worrying at the moment, a number of things have been put in place just in case Covid gets in the way. The Riverside Players are offering a Money Back Guarantee...
1) if the Show has to be cancelled because Government action bans performances then you will receive a full refund of the ticket price paid;
2) if you or any of your party have to cancel because of having to isolate due to Covid you will be offered a credit to be used for any event at the Riverside Arts Centre at any time during 2022 or 2023.
Extra measures will also be in place at Riverside to ensure the safety of all members of the audience, cast and crew
Riverside Players look forward to seeing you all there!
Guillermo Hill (Guitar) Joins the Terence Collie Trio, 9th January at the RAC
A night of Latin Jazz with Guillermo Hill on acoustic guitar and the Terence Collie Trio will be performed at the Riverside Arts Centre on Sunday 9th January at 8pm.
Council Services Over Christmas
Christmas information including rubbish and recycling dates may be found here
More...
The Three Simons (Three Tenors) Christmas Special at the RAC, 19th December
In what has now become a Christmas tradition at the Riverside Arts Centre, Mood Indigo Events are putting on a Christmas special performance which this year features the Three Simons (Allen, Bates and Spillett) who will be playing alongside the resident Terence Collie Trio.
Festive mince pies and mulled wine will be served at the interval.
The 60s All Stars Returns to the SCC on Friday, 10th December
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club is the Christmas shindig for which the Club is very fortunate to have been able to book THE 60s ALL STARS, who have always been one of most popular attractions ever since they performed at the Club's very first Music Night more than ten years ago. It’s always great to welcome them back, as the organizer knows we can guarantee a proper rave-up as ever, with a rip-roaring evening of wall-to-wall beat era classics to kick off the Christmas festivities.
Their line-up now comprises Alan Lovell of The Swinging Blue Jeans on guitar and vocals, along with the popular guitarist and singer Robin Bibi, whose CV includes session work with the Pretty Things, Helen Shapiro, Ben E. King, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and others. The band’s new bass player is Peter Oakman– he’s an original member of Joe Brown & The Bruvvers and co-wrote their No. 1 “Picture Of You” and is now with the Swinging Blue Jeans, and on drums as always is Mick Avory, original member of The Kinks.
Friday 10th Dec. is also Save The Children’s Christmas Jumper Day, so wear your Christmas jumper and join in our raffle at £1 a ticket to win a bottle of fizz, with all proceeds being donated to the charity.
Put together a gang of friends and come along for a great party night – the Club very much looks forward to welcoming you there. Admission is £10.00 on the door, payable by cash or card.
Hot food, prepared by the expert chefs from the Club's resident caterers from the food bank charity Surplus To Supper, will be available from 7pm, and the band will be on stage about 9.00pm.
Helping residents through the winter
Spelthorne Council are committed to supporting our most vulnerable households and are providing financial assistance over the winter.
For further information, click here
Better Neighbourhood Grants - Apply to Your Local Councillor
Each year Spelthorne borough councillors are allocated a sum of money which they can use to support activities in their wards. In the last few years each councillor has been allocated £1k, but this year the amount has been increased to £2k, with the additional money having to be spent to support “Green” initiatives. What constitutes a Green initiative is not precisely defined but could be considered to cover anything that will improve the environment.
Your Lower Sunbury councillors would like to hear from you about any new or existing ideas or schemes that you feel could benefit from receiving some of this funding, particularly any that you feel might qualify as a Green initiative. Applying for the scheme is not hard - you just need to provide a short statement of what you want to do and how a grant would help you achieve your aims.
Grants are generally made to community/voluntary organisations and funds must be used to support more than one person who lives or works in the councillor’s ward. If you have a good idea but are not part of a formal group, please ask your councillors as we don’t want bureaucracy to stifle doing the right thing.
Your councillors would love to talk to you about your ideas. We all want to spend every penny wisely and in support of schemes that will benefit the community. In the last year COVID dominated the grants, with schools in particular getting support to help with remote learning. This year we want to cast the net as widely as possible and support ideas that will improve our local environment.
On behalf of the Sunbury East and Lower Sunbury and Halliford councillors
Sunbury East:
Kathy Grant: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Helen Harvey: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ian Harvey (Mayor): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Halliford and Sunbury West:
Sandra Dunn: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tom Fidler: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lawrence Nichols: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Flooding - Council Produces 7 Page Advisory Leaflet
Spelthorne Borough Council understands the many concerns of residents and businesses regarding the impact of flooding in the local area and have produced a 7 page leaflet.
For further details, click here
Council Appeals to Landlords for Help in Housing Afghan Refugees
The Council has released the following press release and we are pleased to reproduce it here:
Following a meeting of the Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee, we have pledged to resettle up to five families under the Government's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme. The Council has been working on securing properties to fulfil the scheme and we are asking for landlords to come forward with property offers for the ARAP scheme.
The properties have to be in Spelthorne, a minimum of 3-bedrooms, close to local amenities and have good transport links.
Cllr Sandra Dunn, Chair of the Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee, says: "We are committed to our pledge to resettle five families and we will be working with various local organisations to provide support to the families for up to three years after their arrival - from help with medical needs and arranging education to setting up bank accounts and finding jobs. If you think you could help with a property in Spelthorne, please do consider signing up to the relocation scheme and help these families build a new life in our borough."
Under the scheme, the Council guarantees to pay landlords directly the full market rent for their property for up to two years.
Other benefits include the following:
- 1 month's rent paid directly in advance
- 5 weeks repair bond
- free tenancy agreements provided (including Right To Rent checks)
- property viewings arranged
- free inventory service provided by a professional company
- tenancy training given to tenants
- a completely free service - no agency fees
Ongoing support for both the landlord and the tenant is available for the duration of the tenancy.
Please contact Samantha King for further details on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01784 446 335.
Do Please Visit Our Stall at the Christmas Market on 9th December
The cancellation of last year's Christmas Market due to the Covid pandemic was a great disappointment and, with it, the missed opportunity to meet new and existing members.
We are therefore very grateful to the Lower Sunbury Business Community for bringing back the market this Christmas.
The Christmas Market will be held on Thursday 9th December from 5pm - 8pm.
As in previous years, LOSRA will have a stall manned by members of our Committee and we would be very pleased to see you there.
"No Rubbish Excuses" says Council
The following notice has been published by the Council and we reproduce it here to alert readers to the proliferation of fly-tipping cowboys who profess to be licensed waste carriers:
"We are reminding householders that you are required to take reasonable steps to check that people removing waste from your premises are authorised to do so.
"On 16 September 2021 Spelthorne Borough Council introduced a £200 fixed penalty notice for households that breach their duty of care in relation to the disposal of household waste. A prosecution could attract a £5,000 fine in the Magistrates Court and an unlimited fine in the Crown Court.
"Reasonable steps to take include:
- asking the waste carrier to provide you with their full address and telephone number
- asking to see their waste carrier licence issued by the Environment Agency
- contacting the Environment Agency directly on 0870 850 6506 and ask for a free instant Waste Carrier Validation Check, alternatively you can check online on the Environment Agency website
