To all businesses in the ward – Fair Trade
We have just received the attached request from RBK. Could traders in Fair Trade products or businesses or organisations that have a policy of using them please act upon what follows:
“I am writing on behalf of the Kingston Fairtrade Steering Group to seek your help in ensuring that retailers and caterers in your ward that provide Fairtrade products are listed in Kingston Borough’s Fairtrade directory. Fairtrade is a registered trademark which indicates that the product conforms to certain criteria and is certified as Fairtrade by the Fairtrade Foundation. A web based version of the directory can be found on www.kingstonfairtrade.org.uk under “Where to buy Fairtrade products”. This version is updated throughout the year with new outlets. We also produce a paper copy of the directory annually, published during Fairtrade Fortnight in Feb/March. This takes the form of a leaflet listing all the outlets and providing information about Fairtrade matters. We are now beginning to gather information to update this. While the steering group and its volunteers do a sterling job in identifying retailers and caterers that provide Fairtrade we cannot be sure of capturing every outlet eg corner shops, independent cafes etc in all parts of the borough. So we are enlisting the support of a number of people and organisations with local knowledge. We are also interested in updating the details of existing outlets that introduce new Fairtrade products. There are now over 2000 retail and catering products with the Fairtrade mark.
Please tell us of anyone you know who supplies Fairtrade products. You or the businesses themselves can ensure they benefit from being in the Kingston Fairtrade directory by providing information via the Kingston Fairtrade website www.kingstonfairtrade.org.uk website or by contacting me by email or at the address below. The information we need for the directory is name of business, address, and the name of the products they supply. To be sure of being in the paper directory we need the information by the end of November; but the web based directory will be updated throughout the year.
We are also interested in knowing about any local businesses or organisations that make a point of using Fairtrade in their premises eg for visitors or staff.
Frances Smith
Principal Environment Officer
Environment & Sustainability DepartmentRoyal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Guildhall 2
High Street
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EUTel: 020 8547 4758
Fax: 020 8547 5926
Have your say about childcare in Kingston
Press release just in from RBK:-
“Kingston Council has launched its online survey to allow parents and carers in the Royal Borough to have their say on childcare provision.
The survey will allow residents to feedback on whether childcare is affordable and whether they are satisfied with the services available.
This will be used alongside feedback which has been gathered at borough events throughout the summer.The responses received will help shape Kingston Childcare services for children and young people between 0 – 19 years.
OFSTED have rated childcare in the Royal Borough between 2005 and 2007 among the top three London boroughs for providing good and outstanding childcare provision.
Parents and carers should take a moment to complete the online survey between 3 and 28 September 2007 by visiting www.kingston.gov.uk/Childcare_survey. Local libraries throughout the borough have internet access. For further information, to request a paper copy or for a member of staff to help you complete the form
contact the Children’s Information Service on 020 8547 6582.”
Surbiton Planning Sub-committee 12th September
The Surbiton Planning Sub-committee meets tomorrow, 12th September 2007 at Dysart School Ewell Road Surbiton at 7.30 p.m.
Items of interest to Surbiton Hill residents are
- A7 Rear of 22-24 Woodlands Road, building of 4 bdrm house
- A10 93 Ditton Road, details of construction pursuant to conditions on planning permission already granted, and
- A13 The Stables, 1e Southborough Road, replacement of single storey extension with 2 storey extension etc.
Officers’ reports and details of all applications can be found on the RBK website at http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/Published/C00000293/M00005088/$$ADocPackPublic.pdf.
You will need an Adobe reader to access them.
Sunrise appeal dismissed
We have just received confirmation that the appeal by Sunrise Senior Living against refusal of permission to demolish ‘Oakdene’, ‘Cumbrae’ and 1-3 Langley Avenue and build a 70 bed vcare home on the site has been dismissed by the Inspector.
The crucial reason for the dismissal is as follows:-
“(para. 7) In my judgement the overall scale of the building on the appeal site goes well beyond what would complement a reasonably-defined transition zone. Rather, it is excessive in the context of its surroundings and would harm the setting of the Southborough Conservation Area and erode the prevailing character and appearance of the Southborough Area of Lower Residential Density………….”
To read the full decision follow this link http://www.southborough-residents.org.uk/Sunrise%20appeal%20decision%20(7%20September%202007).pdf
Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to achieve this result – including the Planning Officers of RBK!
Green bags scheme IV
It has now been announced that the green jute bags scheme for green garden waste can be used free of further charge until the expiry of the present scheme next August. We will keep you informed of developments as the the new arrangements for waste and recycling evolve.
Meanwhile, residents experiencing problems with collection should contact the Environment Dept. at Guildhall 2 or one of us. Our contact details are on the page ‘About us’ and the Dept. number is on the page ‘useful telephone numbers’.
September advice session
Our monthly advice sessions for residents recommence following the August break.
This month’s session will be on Saturday 15th September between 10.30 a.m. and 12 noon at the Community Centre in School Lane. No appointment is necessary.
Surbiton Forum 