Bye-election in Surbiton Hill
We understand that, after just 15 months in office, Cllr. Umesh Parekh has resigned.
This will cause a bye-election in the ward, probably on September 15th, though we have no firm information on this as yet.
So what we have is this: – three new Lib Dem councillors were elected in May 2010, replacing two Conservatives with 12 years service to the ward each and another with four. One of the Lib Dem councillors moved out of the Borough within 12 months of election, but still clings to office. Now another one has resigned 15 months after election.
Was this a good deal for the electors of Surbiton Hill? Was it a good deal for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames?
We think not!
Council ‘strikes lucky’!
To claim that residents of Kingston are receiving ‘value for money’ by the Lib-Dem administration after recording an under spend of just £71k for the final year-end budget (2010/11) fails to demonstrate transparency and the reality of how this council spends tax payers money.
The statement by Cllr Rolson Davies Lib-Dem Executive member for Finance was released despite residents across the borough continuing to pay the highest council tax in London and the second highest in the whole country!
Cllr Howard Jones said: “that the council has been somewhat fortunate to deliver a £71k under spend when £827k alone was saved due to the coalition government’s decision to cease the Build Schools for the Future programme an area that the council had no control over”.
In addition, Cllr Priyen Patel said “a further £206k was saved due to a one-off income of VAT rebates concerning parking fees dating back over 40 years. Taking these two ‘un-budgeted’ events into account the council would of in fact recorded another overspend in excess of £962k!”
This result comes against the backdrop of cuts to adult social care and hikes in fees for the most vulnerable, whilst senior officer’s pay continues to remain ‘excessively’ high in relative terms to the size of the borough.
Whilst yet again more taxpayers money has been pumped into subsidising the Rose Theatre. All this compounded further by hikes to parking charges and business parking which has undoubtedly had a knock on affect on the Council’s income after recording a staggering fall in revenue of over £503k from off-street parking.
Not that any of this affects Cllr. Houston because, as we know, HE LIVES IN ELMBRIDGE.
Local roadworks starting today
from RBK Highways:
- VICTORIA ROAD: The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames will undertake the reconstruction of the carriageway and of the station-side footway, between the junctions of St James Road and St Andrews Road. These works are due to start on the 18th of July.
More info on the Council website: http://www.kingston.gov.uk/information/news_and_events/news.htm?id=117466
Forthcoming events and works affecting local traffic
from RBK Highways:
SURBITON
VICTORIA ROAD: The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames will undertake the reconstruction of the carriageway and of the station-side footway, between the junctions of St James Road and St Andrews Road. These works are due to start on the 18th of July.
LONDON-SURREY CLASSIC
(Olympic Cycling Road Race test event passing through Kingston on Sunday the 14th of August 2011).
In Kingston, the route will go through Kingston Bridge, Horsefair, Wood Street, Clarence Street, Wheatfield Way, Fairfield North, London Road, Kingston Hill and Queens Road.
THIS EVENT WILL CAUSE MAJOR DISRUPTIONS TO KINGSTON’S ROAD NETWORK
For more info, please visit http://www.londonpreparesseries.com/roadcycling/index.html
oneACTS 2012 – playwrights
from the cornerHOUSE, our own community theatre:
oneACTS 2012 – playwrights
Monday, April 16 to Saturday, April 21 2012 at 7.45pm
Have you ever written a short play that deserves to be performed? Or have you always wanted to? If so, the cornerHOUSE annual one act plays festival needs you.
We are looking for people who would like to create a play for the oneACTS 2012, our week-long showcase of original writing which will take place from Monday, April 16 until Saturday, April 21 2012.
Don’t worry if you haven’t attempted anything like this before. You can find all the information you need on our website at www.thecornerhouse.org under oneACTS 2012 – guidance or email oneacts2012@thecornerhouse.org
This will be the eighth year the cornerHOUSE in Douglas Road, Surbiton, has run the festival, which has become a well established and highly respected event in the local arts scene.
The plays need to be short – 15 to 30 minutes long – so if you have an original idea and would like to see it staged, why not have a go?
A number of plays will be selected by a panel of judges out of all those received – and yours may well be the lucky one – and even it isn’t, you will still get feedback to help you with your future writing.
The deadline for submission of plays is Sunday, October 30 2011. After that, directors will be chosen, actors will be cast, and your work will come to life on stage.
Guidance notes on how to submit your plays can be found on our website.
So get your thinking caps on, put fingers to keyboard, and start writing – we are looking forward to reading your play.
Please email your plays to oneacts2012@thecornerhouse.org
Summer activities brochure
from RBK website:-
Summer Activities for Children and Young People in Kingston.
Looking for ideas to keep your family busy during the summer holidays? Look no further – Kingston Families Information Service have compiled a brochure full of brilliant activities for children and young people. Including music, dance, crafts, drama, cookery and a huge variety of sport including the directory of activities for disabled children and young people– there is something for everybody. Many of the activities are free or low cost.
Please click below to download your copy:
Surbiton Forum 