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 2024 are now payable.
Councillor Daxa Patel Resigns from Spelthorne Cabinet
Our local Halliford and Sunbury West Ward Councillor, Daxa Patel (pictured), has announced her decision to resign from her position as Cabinet Member for Emergency Planning to concentrate on her duties as Ward Councillor. She will be replaced by Cllr. Colin Davis (pictured).
In a letter to Chief Executive Roberto Tambini, Councillor Patel said "I have found the work as Portfolio Holder for Emergency Planning to be stimulating and rewarding, and very much appreciate the support and encouragement I have received from staff and fellow councillors".
Leader of the Council, Cllr Robert Watts said: "I would like to express my sincere thanks to Cllr Daxa Patel for the strong contribution she has made; particularly her work with the community during last year's flooding. I am pleased to welcome Cllr Colin Davis to the Cabinet. Colin brings a wealth of experience to the Cabinet and I very much look forward to working with him."
He added: "I am taking this opportunity to review the roles of all the Cabinet Members and will announce a change to the portfolio holders' responsibilities shortly."
Little Schnauzer Back on the Mend after Dog Attack
Readers will be pleased to hear that the little schnauzer, which survived an attack by an American bulldog (see article of 3rd February), has now fully recovered. Following a police investigation, the owner has signed a voluntary agreement for his dog to be muzzled when in public. This, it seems, is the least the owner is prepared to do as he has offered no apology; nor has he offered to repay the £400 vet's bill.
Settlement via the small claims court is an option now being considered by the schnauzer's owner.
Additional powers were granted to the police and local authorities in October 2014 under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, designed to give them greater flexibility when dealing with irresponsible dog owners and incidents involving dogs. These powers include acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs), community protection notices (CPNs) and public spaces protection orders (PSPOs).
All are designed to give greater flexibility in tackling irresponsible dog owners and incidents involving dogs. The Act also amended Part 7 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to extend the offence of a dog being “dangerously out of control” to all places, including private property where the dog has the right to be and to make explicit that an attack on an assistance dog is an aggravated (more serious) offence.
Bad Influence to Make Debut Appearance at SCC, 27th February
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club falls on Friday 27th February, when the Club welcomes BAD INFLUENCE for the first time. They have been on the Club's radar for a while since they were recommended by a couple of their regulars but, until now, it has been difficult to pin down a suitable date.
They've been together for a long while, having originally been formed in 1986 by Val Cowell (vocals and guitar) and Richard Hayes (lead & slide guitar), who have been permanent members ever since, and the line-up is completed by Pete Stroud on bass (he was formerly with Peter Green’s Splinter Group and will be familiar to you as bass player with Buddy Whittington) and long-time drummer Harry James (former member of Thunder and Magnum). They play a distinctive brand of up-front blues and rock, blending original material from their albums with interpretations of material from the likes of Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt and Fleetwood Mac—their most recent CD features tracks that they recorded for broadcast on Paul Jones R&B show on Radio 2 – getting a session on that show is itself a considerable accolade.
It will be a fine evening of archetypal Sunbury Music Night rocking blues, and the Club looks forward to seeing you there. There’s plenty of info and some music samples on their web site at www.badinfluence.org.uk
Shepperton Players - Are You Interested?
Are you interested in drama, lighting, directing, sound, costumes, set design and construction, directing, production, photography or props?
Have you recently moved to the area and want to meet new people?
The Shepperton Players, based at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, Sunbury, have the most varied programme of any local group including dramas, comedies, farces, musicals, Shakespeare productions and pantomimes. The Players have around 70 members of all ages. Some are primarily interested in performing, but are happy to turn their hand to all manner of backstage, front of house or technical tasks for productions in which they are not cast. Others are experienced, or chiefly interested in these non-performing roles in the theatre.
If you are interested, find out more by contacting the Membership Secretary, Marion Millinger on 01932 851323 or visit www.sheppertonplayers.org.uk
200 Residents Attend Hazelwood Public Meeting on Green Belt
Spelthorne Council hosted the much awaited public meeting last Tuesday (see article of 19th January) to clarify its position with regard to any potential development on Green Belt land at Kempton Park Race Course.
The meeting, held at the Hazelwood Centre in Green Street, and chaired by Spelthorne Chief Executive, Roberto Tambini, was called after residents expressed concern that the Jockey Club might be planning to develop homes on Kempton Park. Around 200 residents attended and many submitted questions in advance of the meeting.
Cllr Robert Watts, Leader at Spelthorne Council, started the meeting with a statement outlining the Council’s strong commitment to protecting the Green Belt. “We can’t stop developers putting planning applications in,” he said. “But we can be clear about how we will deal with them if they do.” “We have a very clear Green Belt policy and it is backed up by an equally clear government policy.”
The Head of Planning Services, John Brooks, whilst also ruling out the prospect of developing on designated Green Belt, then gave a presentation on the planning context, an overview of what Green Belt means and planning for future needs and associated issues.
Pre-submitted questions about Kempton Park were then addressed and supplementary questions taken.
The panel included planning staff from Spelthorne Council, local councillors, Chair of the Planning Committee and the Cabinet Member for Planning. MP Kwasi Kwarteng also attended and answered questions relating to Sunbury Health Centre during the latter part of the meeting where broader local issues were discussed.
The Campaign Group, Keep Kempton Green (KKG) has also commented on the meeting and its report may be viewed by clicking here: keepkemptongreen.com/2015/02/04/the-new-friend-of- a-friend/
Spelthorne's Sunbury Flood Volunteers - Are You Interested?
Spelthorne’s Sunbury Flood Volunteers was founded on Facebook 10/02/2014 in response to last winter's local flooding. As well as running the local flood resource center at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Green Street, they coordinated much groundwork, including sand-bagging removal of household goods to storage etc.
They have helped over 150 residents and over 70 households with cleaning and removal of slurry from their properties, to filling in 'repair and renew' grants, and moving residents back into their homes. The work is still ongoing and they are currently removing debris from our local waterways
The SSFV Unit has been developing for 12 months to provide initial training to individuals in Module 1 Water Awareness safety. In addition, SSFV have successfully completed level 5 water incident management, a 4 day component for team leaders responsible for management and co-ordination; health and safety; and liaison with other team leaders regarding tasking and welfare.
SSFV’s aim is to provide trained Flood Emergency Responders who will be able to react quickly to a flood emergency and provide support within the affected community. In the recent floods a number of residents were left isolated for more than 7 days even though the flood water wasn't very deep. . Unfortunately, the response available was provided by volunteers who were poorly equipped and untrained for the role they were given. Trained Flood Emergency Responders would have been able to visit the local residents simply to reassure them about the situation and to provide logistical support.
Last winter's floods demonstrate the requirement for properly trained Flood Rescue Responders. The need for more people to be trained around the Country is also evidenced within DEFRA documentation including the Flood Rescue Concept of Operations. Furthermore, the Pitt Review clearly demonstrates the need for Flood Rescue Teams and the benefits that these teams can provide. SSFV will supply free training for volunteers and also improve life skills.
If you are interested in joining SSFV or would like more information on either clean-up or rescue volunteers. please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Alert - Police Investigating Dangerous Dog at Large
On Sunday 1st February, a local resident in The Creek, and the owner of two dogs, has reported a completely unprovoked attack by what appears to be a breed similar to, and of the same colouring, as the American bull dog (pictured).
The dog came hurtling out of its house after the door had been left ajar and set upon both the resident's dogs, flattening the smaller of the two, a docile little schnauzer, before sinking its teeth into the schnauzer's back, thigh and stomach. Thankfully the owner came straight out and, with a lot of effort, managed to pull the dog off.
Had it not been for this intervention the local resident is certain the attack would ultimately have resulted in the death of her little dog.
Local enquiries reveal that this snarling muscular dog has been spotted frequently in the past and is known to have roamed freely in peoples back gardens, the Bathing Station field and on Wheatley's Ait.
The attack has been reported to the police (Crime number 45150008889) and is being investigated. This notice is intended to alert local residents whilst awaiting the outcome of police enquiries.
Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association Announces Spring Coffee Concerts
In what has become a regular calendar feature for the Riverside Arts Centre in Thames Street, The Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Association has great pleasure in announcing its Spring Coffee Concerts Programme. To view, click here
Speed Cameras on M25 Now in Operation
Doubtless of little concern to responsible drivers, it's nevertheless worth noting that speed cameras along the Surrey stretch of the M25 are now being used to enforce speed limits, having only previously been used for traffic management.
The cameras, which are positioned behind the electronic speed signs on overhead gantries, were installed in the 1990s and later upgraded in 2009 enabling them to enforce speed limits.
It is only now that the decision has finally been taken by the Surrey Safety Camera Partnership (comprising Surrey County Council, Surrey Police, the Highways Agency and Her Majesty's Court Service) to bring the enforcement function into immediate effect.
Mayor's Charity Music Night to be Held at Sunbury Cricket Club on 6th February
And now, as they say, for something completely different! On Friday 6th Feb. the Cricket Club has what it hopes will be a special occasion, not perhaps for the virtuoso performances, but because it is promoting a special Music Night in aid of The Mayor of Spelthorne’s charities. Cllr. Suzy Webb, this year’s Mayor of Spelthorne and one of our local Sunbury East councillors is a great supporter of the Music Nights, so we are delighted to present a special night, featuring the Music Club’s ‘house band’, specially named The Chain Gang, for the occasion. The band comprises some of Sunbury’s familiar musical suspects, in aid of the Mayor’s charities for her year in office, which are Parkinson’s UK, Salvation Army Youth Outreach Service and The Purple Angel, which supports dementia sufferers and their carers.
The volunteer band, giving their services free to maximise the income for the charities, comprises Karl Green (Herman’s Hermits and Dave’s Not Here) bass & vocals, Gerry Cook (The Saxons) guitar & vocals, Kevin Welling (Dave’s Not Here) keyboards, guitar & vocals, Ian Saunders (Dave’s Not Here) drums, and Music Night host Paul Watts on vocals & guitar, plus on harmonica, Adam Russel, who has appeared at the Club with Skeleton Crew and The Nashville Teens. The band is called The Chain Gang, in honour of the Mayor’s chain of office, which has no more room for further insignia commemorating its annual incumbents, so is serving its final year before being replaced.
It will be a rousing evening of R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, blues and rock covering quite a few decades, and the Club is sure it will be a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile community event, which we hope you will support, as your entrance money will be a direct donation to the charities. The Mayor and the Club look forward to seeing you there.
Are you planning the perfect Valentine Day meal?
If you’re planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day by going out for a nice dinner, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not the restaurant takes food hygiene seriously. Fortunately, the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme does all that for you.
The Food Standards Agency is urging you to ‘look before you book’ and check the food hygiene rating before deciding where to go for your special date.
The truth is, you can’t tell a restaurant’s hygiene standards by how clean and tidy the staff look or by how romantic the décor and ambience is.
It’s the things you can’t see – like germs spread by bad hygiene practices – that you need to consider. There’s one easy way to set your mind at rest – check the food hygiene rating. This tells you about hygiene standards in restaurants and other food businesses.
It’s really simple to check. Just go online and visit http://ratings.food.gov.uk/authority-search/spelthorne or, if you’re out and about, look for the green and black sticker. If you can’t see one just ask the staff.
The ratings are determined by local authority food safety officers and range from 0 to 5, with a 5 rating meaning very good food hygiene standards.
In Spelthorne, 93% of food businesses are rated as satisfactory, good or very good so there are plenty of places with good food hygiene standards you can choose from. This means you can easily avoid taking your special date to those places not meeting the grade.
Cllr Jean Pinkerton OBE, Cabinet Member for Health said: “When planning your meal out, make sure you check the hygiene ratings online and choose a restaurant that takes food hygiene seriously. This is also an important time for local food businesses as a good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of. Accountability is one of Spelthorne Council’s key values so we are encouraging all food businesses in Spelthorne to display their rating.”
For more information about the scheme visit www.spelthorne.gov.uk/foodhygiene
Patient Surveys at Sunbury Health Centre
Whether you are a frequent or occasional visitor to the Sunbury Health Centre, you may be interested to know that the Centre is running two patient surveys:
‘I want Great Care’ - is a national ongoing NHS survey that is quick and easy to complete, either by a paper form from the Health Centre or online at iwantgreatcare.org.
The other survey is much more detailed and specific to Sunbury Health Centre. It will run for two weeks from Monday 26th January. Forms will be available at the Health Centre during the two weeks or you will be able to complete the survey online through the Sunbury Health Centre website or the linked Patient Participation website. sunburyhealthcentre.co.uk or sunburyhealthcentre-ppg.com
The Patient Participation Group also holds regular ‘Open’ meetings where patients can hear updates from Doctors and staff at the Health Centre followed by a Q&A session. The next meeting is on Monday 9th February from 6.30 - 7.30 at the Centre and is open to all patients of the Practice.
Trustees Wanted for Runnymede & Spelthorne Citizens Advice
Runnymede & Spelthorne Citizens Advice is a charity created to serve the local community, providing advice and information on a wide range of subjects. It deals with 5,500 clients a year and has an annual turnover of £330,000.
They need to recruit four skilled trustees to join their board and are looking for people with strategic vision, independent judgement and a willingness to give time and commitment to being a trustee. They are particularly looking for someone with either finance experience at senior level or in Human Relations/Personnel; or Media Relations.
LOSRA is pleased to bring this advertisement to our readers' attention. For more information, click here
Kempton Park Green Belt - Much Anticipated Public Information Event at Hazelwood, Green Street, 3rd February
The following email from Spelthorne Council has been received by LOSRA and we urge all residents to attend. Please note the 23rd January deadline for the submission of written questions or, simply, to confirm your attendance. (Note, failure to give notice does not preclude attendance).
Spelthorne Borough Council will be hosting a public information event to clarify issues and misunderstandings relating to Kempton Park. You are invited to attend this event. See below for a list of people who have been invited.
The event will be on Tuesday 3 February at the Hazelwood Centre (London Irish), Croysdale Avenue, Green Street, Sunbury TW16 6QU. Doors open 6.15pm for refreshments and there will be displays of information including planning context, with Spelthorne Council staff on hand to answer questions, followed by the event comprising introduction, pre-submitted questions with responses and finally, an opportunity for questions arising from the floor.
This main event will run from 7pm, and is estimated to finish no later than the venue closing time of 10pm. Please ensure your questions are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday 23 January. Please let us know you wish to attend; those with booked places will be given priority for seating on the night. To book, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and contact details. These details will not be publicised or used for any purpose other than arranging bookings for the event. For clarification of any the above details please contact Joanne Jones at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 01784 446421
The Kempton Park information event will be attended by:
Roberto Tambini (Chair) – Chief Executive, Spelthorne Borough Council
Liz Borthwick & Lee O’Neil – Assistant Chief Executives, SBC
John Brooks – Head of Planning, SBC
Heather Morgan – Staines-Upon-Thames Regeneration Manager(Former Head of Planning)
Cllr Robert Watts – Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council
Cllr Alfred Friday – Sunbury East Councillor
Cllr Ian Harvey – Sunbury East Councillor
Cllr Tim Evans – Surrey County Council and Halliford/Sunbury West Councillor
Cllr Sandra Dunn – Halliford/Sunbury West Councillor
Cllr Bernie Spoor – Sunbury Common Councillor
Also invited:
Kwasi Kwarteng, MP for Spelthorne
Other Spelthorne Councillors
Kempton Park Racecourse / Jockey Club
Residents’ Associations: LOSRA; Kempton RA; Batavia RA; Green Street Action Group; Stratton Road
Corner Group; Weir Estate RA
Interest groups: Keep Kempton Green; Lower Sunbury Traders; Model Aircraft Club; Model Railway Club
Plus: All residents in the ward and adjoining areas who might wish to attend.
Regards
Joanne Jones
Community Development Manager
Spelthorne Council
