Parish Council Achievements for the Past Six Months
From Claygate
Parish Council
- Took on management and coordination of The Way Forward project from the Claygate Village Association and agreed a governance structure for doing so, with CVA volunteers working with the CPC going forwards/
- Agreed a draft implementation plan for Claygate The Way Forward with Elmbridge Borough Council and started review of a vision and strategy for Claygate to be consulted on with residents in 1Q25.
- Developed the October edition of Claygate Courier, with the CPC and CVA distributing it.
- Cllr Gil Bray took the lead for the CPC, together with Holy Trinity Claygate and the Scouts, to organize the Remembrance Day Parade.
- Remembrance silhouettes explaining Local Hero biographies were sourced by Cllr Hadleigh Moon.
- Grant of over £10k to the Claygate Village Hall Association for equipment.
- Manned the stall at the Claygate Flower & Village Show, talking to Claygate residents about Claygate issues and how we can help.
Environment Committee
- Started a campaign against weeds on the roads; wrote to Surrey County Council CEO about the problem, and presented to other Surrey town and parish councils.
- Approved grant to the CVA for the Claygate Christmas Lights and Tree.
- Claygate Village Sign restored and installed with help from Richard Knight, Clive Thompson and Andy's Gardening Services.
- Cllr Donna Holt started investigation to install a new bench in The Parade, with seats higher than normal for people who are less able to stand up easily.
- Cllr Gil Bray liaised with the residents to organize and pay for the tree surgery necessary for a tree on the Meadow Road island.
- Cllrs organized and participated in the October litter pick which was also attended by many villagers and the Claygate Scouts.
Planning Committee
- Reviewed 70 planning applications.
- Cllr Anthony Sheppard led the CPC response to the government consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework, stressing the importance of preserving the Green Belt.
- Cllr Gil Bray represented Claygate at the Local Plan review with the Planning Inspectorate at EBC; and provided website and social media updates on the topic.
- Objected to 11 Elm Gardens development—application number 2024/1484—following the concerns of residents.
- Met with EBC and followed up on specific planning issues:
- Continued to lobby EBC regarding Claygate's status as a 'local centre'. Now the Local Plan has been found to be unsound by the Inspector, we will ask again for this [designation] to be changed.
- Asked EBC to take forward discussions with PA Housing regarding plans to develop on the site of garages at Holroyd Road and Foxwarren.
- Lobbied EBC regarding objections by the Parish Council to householder applications not being referred to East Area Planning Committee.
