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 2021 are now payable.
Have your say on the introduction of a new Public Space Protection Order
Spelthorne Borough Council is launching a consultation to establish whether residents support the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) prohibiting the possession and use of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in the Borough.
Formerly known as ‘legal highs’, NPS contain one or more chemical substances that produce similar effects to drugs like cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy. It is not currently an offence to be in possession of, or to use, NPS which means that authorities are unable to take any action in Spelthorne unless a PSPO is put in place.
The PSPO would be enforced by Council Officers and the Police, and anyone breaching it could be prosecuted or issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100.
Nitrous Oxide, or ‘laughing gas’, is a well-known example of an NPS and Spelthorne Council receives many complaints from residents concerned about the large quantity of tell-tale silver canisters discarded in the Borough’s streets, parks and open spaces by users of this particular substance.
Cllr Richard Barratt, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: ”Use of NPS appears to be a growing problem in the UK, particularly among young people, and we are very concerned about the negative impacts for the individuals themselves and our local communities which are impacted by associated anti-social behaviour and litter. We are keen to gain residents’ views on the possible introduction of a borough-wide PSPO to help tackle this, and I encourage as many people as possible to take part in our consultation.”
To take part in the consultation which runs from 18 January – 28 February 2021, visit https://spelthorne.inconsult.uk/
Alternatively:
- write to: Communications, Spelthorne Borough Council, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 1XB
- email your comments to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Future of Lendy Memorial in Walled Garden to be Discussed at Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 19th January
To listen, please go to YouTube.com on Tuesday evening and type "spelthorne overview scrutiny" into the search bar at the top. The 19 Jan meeting should appear.
To see our Chairman's submission to the Committee, click here
The story so far has been described by earlier entries on this site dated 17th June, 22nd June and 17th August.
Mobile Testing Centre, Green Street Car Park, 17 - 19th January
Sunday 17 January to Tuesday 19 January
No vehicle access to the carpark will be available during this time.
Anyone with Coronavirus symptoms should self-isolate and get tested now, so we can control the virus and protect each other.
The symptoms of Coronavirus are:
- a high temperature
- a new continuous cough
- or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Anyone who has symptoms can book a test by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or call NHS on 119 to get a test.
Christmas Tree Collections
The Council will be operating free Christmas tree collections from 11-15 January 2021.
Simply remove the base and decorations and leave your tree out with your bins on your usual collection day.
Public Consultation on New Model of Governance for Spelthorne Council
Now that there is no overall majority at the Council it is perhaps inevitable that their model of governance is to be revisited. Residents are invited to participate by completing a simple questionnaire by 14th January at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/currentconsultations
What is a governance model?
A governance model determines how an authority is run. There are three models of local government:
Leader and Cabinet - Spelthorne currently uses this model. This is also the system used in national governance.
Directly elected Mayor and Cabinet - This is the model used in London where the directly elected Mayor forms their cabinet and makes decisions for the area.
Committee System - This is the proposed system for Spelthorne and is used in other local authorities, for instance Maidstone.
Why is it important?
A good governance model provides:
- Accountability- responsibilities and accountability about who does what should be clear, within the Council and to residents
- Credibility - governance should assist good decision making, which involves proper and early scrutiny of policies and proposals
- Transparency - the decision-making process should be open and transparent to councillors, officers and to the public
- Collaboration - decision making should be collaborative across parties and less combative
- Timeliness - decision making should be both quick and effective and, when necessary, allow for urgent decision-making
What is the Council's current model?
Spelthorne Borough Council operates what is known as the Cabinet model of governance. This means that apart from the decisions which legally have to be taken by the Council and are delegated to officers, all other executive decisions are taken by the Cabinet which is made up of between 7-9 councillors selected by the Leader.
What will moving to a Committee model mean?
Under this system councils are divided into politically balanced committees that make the decisions. As such, these councils are not required to have an overview and scrutiny committee, though some do have one or more.
When the consultation closes, the Council will collate all our responses and comments and will take these into account as they further consider, develop and refine the proposed changes. There will be an update at the Council Meeting in February and this will confirm whether an extraordinary Council Meeting should be held in March to finalise and agree the proposed changes.
Vaccination Roll-out; Looking for Volunteer Drivers
The Covid -19 vaccination programme has started and, on the basis of vulnerability, the over 8o’s and over 70’s have priority. Many do not drive and cannot use public transport so it is difficult to get out and about, particularly in January, February and March.
Sunbury Neighbours is a local voluntary group of drivers who take older people and anyone who finds it difficult to get around to appointments at local surgeries and hospitals. Over the coming months, Sunbury Neighbours will be helping those who have priority by driving them to vaccination appointments if they need transport.
If you would like to support the vaccination programme and could spare some time to drive older people to a vaccination centre and then take them home, we would love you to join us. If we contact you with a request and you can’t help, it is fine to say “no”.
The more people who sign up, the more likely it is that we will be able to help someone in our community with a very practical transport problem. And don’t worry, we will not sign you up for evermore – although you would be very welcome to join us! This is a time limited initiative that we are setting up to help in response to the current crisis and the need to ensure that the vaccination programme is successful.
If you would like to help or would like to find out more please contact Sunbury Neighbours on 07956822546.
More...
Cycle/Footbridge Appeal for Funding
Surrey County Council is giving local communities up to £100m over the next five years to spend on projects that improve their local area. A footbridge between Sunbury and Walton has been proposed to be considered for some of this funding.
LOSRA has shown this project has enormous local support. See the banner at the top of the homepage.
Please show your support by voting for this proposal.
Go to following website to vote:
https://yourfundsurreymap.commonplace.is/comments/5fcb90d4d6792d2bf9d72a75
Alternatively, scan the QR code below (simply aim your phone’s camera at square code). Scroll to bottom of page and click AGREE.
The council will take these votes of approval into account when deciding where to spend the money, so every vote counts!
Alan Barnes and the Terence Collie Trio to Appear at the RAC on Sunday 20th December
Alan Barnes is a prolific international performer, composer, arranger, band-leader and touring soloist. He is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone sax, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with a musical expression and collaborative spirit that have few peers.
He joins the Terry Collie trio at the Riverside Arts Centre on 20th December at what promises to be a great night out and which will include mince pies and mulled wine for all!
To see full booking details, click here
Smell, Noise and Light Pollution from the EcoPark - What to do?
Judging by the many posts on social media we are aware that many local people have been affected by the smell, noise and light pollution from the gasifier (euphemism for incinerator) at the Eco Park in Charlton Lane.
Surrey County Council
03456 009 009 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays - normal rates apply)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Online complaint form, click here
Spelthorne Pollution Control (areas cover contaminated land and air quality)
pollution.control@spelthorne.
01784 446251
Spelthorne Residential Team (areas cover noise, housing and public health)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
01784 446251
How to find your local councillor:
The Spelthorne councillors for Halliford and Sunbury West, where the park is located, are:
Sandra Dunn (Liberal Democrats) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tom Fidler (Liberal Democrats) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lawrence Nichols (Liberal Democrats) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To find other councillors:
Spelthorne Borough Council: https://democracy.spelthorne.
Surrey County Council: https://mycouncil.surreycc.
Community Infrastructure Levy - Who Will Benefit?
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a planning charge, introduced by the Planning Act 2008, as a tool for local authorities in England and Wales to help deliver infrastructure to support the development of their area. It came into force on 6 April 2010 through the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010. The Levy is designed to help fund the infrastructure, facilities and services - such as schools or transport improvements (eg, dare we ask, a cycle/footbridge across the Thames at Sunbury?) needed to support new homes and businesses.
It is our understanding that the CIL fund for Spelthorne currently exceeds £5m and is supposed to be under the control, or at least be monitored by, the Surrey/Spelthorne Joint Committee. Our Chairman, Paul Thompson and Tom Fidler, local Councillor and a member of the JC, have asked a number of questions about CIL but have not yet received any useful answers, beyond establishing that any allocation would go on behind closed doors.
We accept that the Covid pandemic has been immensely disruptive to the Council's order of business but will nevertheless continue to press for answers as and when circumstances allow.
Christmas rubbish and recycling dates
In case you have not yet had your copy of the Winter Bulletin from Spelthorne Council, please click here to see the rubbish and recycling dates over the Christmas period.
What Tier 2 Means for Us
Just in case you have missed the latest news:
Spelthorne, and the rest of Surrey as well as London, will be placed into Tier 2, once the national restrictions come to an end on 2 December.
Until Wednesday 2 December, you must:
- stay at home, except for specific purposes.
- avoid meeting people you do not live with, except for specific purposes.
- certain businesses and venues must close.
After the restrictions come to an end, the new rules for Spelthorne will be:
- no mixing of households indoors, apart from support bubbles and a maximum of six outdoors
- bars and pubs must close, unless operating as restaurants. Alcohol can only be served with substantial meals. Last orders at 10pm and must be closed by 11pm
- retail can be open
- entertainment centres, e.g, cinemas, can be open
- personal care, e.g. hairdressers can be open
- we should reduce the number of journeys where possible and avoid travel to tier 3 areas
- overnight stays are permitted with a household or support bubble
- hotels can be open
- if we can work from home, we should do so
- schools, colleges, universities can remain open as well as registered childcare
- we can attend places of worship but cannot interact with anyone outside our household or support bubble
- 15 people can attend weddings, civil partnerships, wedding receptions and wakes; 30 for funerals
- classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but not indoors if there is any interaction with people from different households Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.
- indoor leisure centres are open
Would you like to become a local Covid Champion? If so, see previous story below.
Spelthorne Covid Champions
What is a Covid Champion?
A Covid Champion is a local volunteer who will help residents to stay up to date with the latest advice about COVID-19 to provide a consistency of message to all Spelthorne residents.
Champions will be the first to receive the latest updates and guidance about how to stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic and share the information with families, friends, communities, and workplaces. Champions will help people in Spelthorne to get clear and trustworthy information on how to stay safe and reduce the risk of getting and spreading the infection.
Champions will become part of the Spelthorne Covid Champion Network, providing the opportunity to share issues and ideas with one another and with the council, so we can all listen and adjust to help people stay as safe as possible. Being a Champion is a great way to make a positive impact on your community.
Who are we looking for?
Spelthorne Borough Council are looking to add to our Covid champions network, particularly from community leaders, residents' association members and faith group leaders. We are particularly keen to recruit people who are in direct contact with residents who are in the highest risk groups from COVID-19. This includes older adults, BAME residents and residents living in areas of deprivation.
To enquire further please email; covidchampions@
Download the 
Covid Champions Weekly Briefing [355.5KB]
Government Looks Set to Rebalance Housing Algorithm Following Backlash
Further to the article posted on this site on 10th November....
Proposals for the algorithm used to calculate how many homes should be built in each area will be revised following a political backlash, the government has confirmed #UKhousing
In August, ministers launched a consultation on a new suggested formula for its “standard method” for working out housing need across local authorities.
At the same time, white paper proposals set out the government's long-term ambition to make these figures a binding housebuilding target for councils as part of sweeping reforms to the planning system.
Some senior Conservative MPs slammed the plans, including former prime minister Theresa May, who branded them "mechanistic" and "ill-conceived".
Ms May and others claimed that the new formula would place greater emphasis on development in London and the South East, putting pressure on these regions and undermining ministers’ vision of “levelling up” the Midlands and the North.
Local Government Association analysis found it would mean a 161% rise in housing delivery in the capital and a 66% decrease in Newcastle.
Reports emerged over last weekend claiming that the government will revise its plans for the new algorithm following the revolt.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has now confirmed that the reports are accurate and that it will seek to “rebalance” the formula.
It is expected that the revised formula will shift more weight to development in the Midlands and the North, as well as urban areas where demand for office and retail space has dropped amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick told the House of Commons on Monday: “We are seeing the most substantial change to our city centres and town centres since the Second World War, and that does give us pause for reflection.
“We now need to consider what the opportunities will be for the repurposing of offices as residential and for turning retail into mixed use, and that will, I think, lead us to a different approach to distributing housing numbers across the country.”
Mr Jenrick added that he will make a statement on the revised plans “in the weeks ahead”.
The government has a target to build 300,000 homes a year in England by the mid-2020s.
In 2018/19, the last year for which there are robust figures, around 241,000 homes were delivered following significant increases over the previous three years.
However, development has dropped significantly since the onset of the coronavirus crisis.
