What’s this about Freedom passes?
An alarmed resident in Berrylands emailed to say that he had been told by a person 
at the door (Lib Dem canvasser?) that ‘the Conservatives would scrap the Freedom Pass’ if they got control of the Council.
He rang to ask if this was true.
It isn’t! The Conservative Group has never even discussed such a policy, let alone come to the conclusion alleged by the canvasser. I suspect a Lib Dem disinformation campaign here. It won’t be the first time they’ve done it.
What is true is the the Labour Government has announced a policy to raise the age of eligibility from 60 to 65, phased over 10 years.
What is also true is that Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg, presumably supported by Ed Davey and the Lib Dem Councillors in Kingston, wanted to raise the age of eligibilty to 65 immediately. So people who are 60 this year wouldn’t get one for another 5 years if the Lib Dems had their way!
I wonder if their canvassers are pointing this out…………
Consultation meeting on new school in Surbiton
There will be a consultation meeting on the proposal to build a new primary school in Surbiton at the Surbiton Masonic Hall, Glenmore House, 6 The Crescent, Surbiton on Monday next, 29th March starting at 7 p.m.
The meeting is open to the public, so, if interested, please attend. Parents with small children and residents of the Oakhill area would be especially well advised to be present if possible.
Bridge works Brighton Road
From RBK Highways
Location Brighton Road, Surbiton
Dates Saturday 20 March 2010 at 11 pm to Sunday 21 March 2010 at 2 pm
Work Essential Rail Bridge Maintenance
Contractor Network Rail
Comment Brighton Road will be closed under the Rail bridge between Victoria Road and Glenbuck Road.
Diversion route Victoria Road, St Marks Hill, Ewell Road and Ditton Road
Surbiton Hospital latest
There was a stakeholder meeting on the future of Surbiton Hospital this afternoon at which the latest developments were outlined.
The intention is to build a structure which will have a smaller footprint than the existing hospital but also much more space because it won’t be single storey. The building will be constructed in such a way as to make it as flexible as possible on the inside, so that changing demands and treatments can be accommodated within the building over its lifetime.
The groups involved in planning contain GPs, dentists and pharmacists, Your Healthcare (NHS Kingston’s service provider), Kingston Hospital, RBK and various voluntary groups and charities like KVA and Age Concern.
Nick Kilby raised a concern that services at the new ‘polyclinic’ should not weaken existing services at Kingston hospital.
Local residents from the Oakhill area and members of the Local Involvement Network (LINk) were well represented and expressed some concern about what other buildings might go on the site besides the polyclinic. There was vocal opposition to the idea of a primary school on the site, one resident raising concerns that this might infringe covenants in force restricting the use of the land to health uses. I pointed out that there was concern that there was in existence a ‘done deal’ between RBK and NHS Kingston on the provision of a school on the site in spite of repeated assurances that this was not so. I received an assurance from Anne Redparth of RBK that this was one site being considered and that there would be full consultation before a planning application was submitted.
There is a period of consultation on the school proposal running from 15th March until 10th May. There will be a public meeting regarding the school on Monday 29th March at 7 p.m. at the Surbiton Masonic Hall, Glenmore House, 6 The Crescent, Surbiton. Full details of the consultation can be found on the RBK website (use the ‘Kingston Council’ link in the right hand column of your screen) and a document outlining proposals and including a questionnaire will be very widely circulated.
Update from the Mayor of London
 Mayor to quadruple Rape Crisis Centres
At an event to mark International Women’s Day, the Mayor announced that three new Rape Crisis Centres will open in London this year, following his pledge to quadruple rape crisis provision in the capital. At the event, the Mayor also launched the final version of The Way Forward, his strategy to end violence against women. Mayor announces £900,000 boost for London’s homeless The Mayor has announced a £900,000 funding boost to help hundreds of the capital’s homeless gain essential skills and get back to work. The Homeless to Work programme, funded by the Mayor through the London Development Agency (LDA), will see outreach teams working directly with homeless in London offering the opportunities to gain skills and training. Bus-related crime in London falls to a six year low Bus-related crime across the capital fell by 18% in the first year of Boris Johnson’s administration, and has fallen by a further 10.5% in a ten month period taking the figures to a six year low. Dedicated to patrolling transport hubs in specified areas, the Mayor introduced 32 transport Hub Teams last year, to increase visibility of policing on the transport network. Mayor launches new fund to increase music education in the capital As part of the Mayor’s ‘Making Music Matter: Music Education Strategy for London 2010-2012′, the Mayor has unveiled plans for a new fund aimed at increasing music education across the capital. |
| Other news |
| Mayor delivers on unprecedented second freeze in City Hall’s share of council tax
1,700 of London’s empty homes brought back to life London secures £17 million funding for UK’s largest electric vehicle charge point network Mayor unveils new bigger, brighter, greener Windrush Square in Brixton Mayor calls road management summit and strengthens capital’s code |
| Events |
| Open Jewish Culture Festival Date: 1-29 March Location: Various across London Summary: The Open Jewish festival aims to showcase the best of Jewish culture in London. St Patrick’s Day London Film Day |
Accident Tolworth Broadway
Just in from RBK Highways:-
UPDATE from CCTV
The Fire Brigade have closed Tolworth Broadway southbound towards the Kingston by Pass A3. Long delays occurring
Original information.
I have just been informed from CCTV that there is a 4 car RTC on Tolworth Broadway just outside of Marks & Spencer’s.
1 Lane is blocked on the near side of the roundabout, congestion should be no more than usual at this time of day.
Update just to keep all informed in case of any build up.
Surbiton Forum 