Claygate Courier—issue 54—March 2024
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Pages 1 and 2
EVERY RESIDENT ASKED FOR VIEW OF THE FUTURE
Village Association launches biggest ever survey of people’s opinions in Claygate
The largest ever survey of residents’ opinions is launched by the Claygate Village Association this week, giving everyone “an unprecedented opportunity to have a say about the future of the village”, says Caroline Cartwright, who chairs the CVA.
The CVA exists to preserve and strengthen the character and amenities of Claygate. It has fought off many unwanted developments in the past and responded again last year when Elmbridge Borough Council tried to push through a redevelopment in the heart of the village without local consultation. The resulting campaign was called “Claygate Can Do Better” and Elmbridge backed down in the face of the surge of indignation from residents.
Elmbridge agreed to undertake a wider community engagement exercise and as part of this, the CVA is to survey Claygate’s residents and present the borough council with a thoroughly researched report.
The original campaign group was re-named “Claygate: The Way Forward” and officially launched at an open meeting of more than 200 people in November. More than 90 people signed up to working groups focused on various aspects of the village: shops; parking and transport; housing; recreation; well-being; and the environment. Ideas from these working groups have been incorporated into the village survey questionnaire, which has been designed by local volunteers with expertise in this field.
The results will form an integral part of a report which captures Claygate people’s vision for their village. It will be presented to an open village meeting in late May before submission to Elmbridge and will inform the Borough Council's consultation exercise, to be carried out later in the year.
For ease, the survey is being made accessible by a QR code on this page—and to be displayed around the village. Hold your phone camera over the square and click on the link that shows on the screen. This will take you to the survey. You can also use this link: claygatevillageassociation.org/survey to access the survey. It will also be available via the CVA’s website and social media, and by email if you are signed up. It will take about 10 minutes and there’s a prize on offer for one lucky respondent!
For those who do not have digital access, hard copies of the survey will be available in some Claygate shops, and volunteers will visit the Community Centre and Parade to help people complete it.
“I think a nerve has been touched,” says Steve Wells, a CVA trustee. “Now all can benefit from what feels like a unique initiative in citizen power and influence in Elmbridge.” The CVA is ready to hear your voice. Let it know what you want for Claygate! Scan the QR code to begin.
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NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR COMMUNITY CUP AWARD
Village Association launches biggest ever survey of people’s opinions in Claygate
The Brian Rhodes Community Cup is awarded annually to an individual adjudged to have made an outstanding contribution to the Claygate community in the previous 12 months. Parish Councillors vote by secret ballot on the nominations and the winner is announced at the Annual Village Meeting, which this year will take place on April 11 at Claygate Primary School.
The council is now calling for the people of Claygate to nominate their candidates for this award. To nominate someone, you must live or work in Claygate and you can nominate more than one person.
The nominee must live or work in Claygate and must have given permission for their name to be put forward and publicised.
Nominations, which must include an explanation in no more than 50 words of how the nominee has made an outstanding contribution to the community in Claygate in the past year, should be sent in an email to the Clerk before 5pm on March 27, at clerk@claygateparishcouncil.gov.uk. Please note: sitting Councillors at Parish, Borough and Surrey levels are not eligible for nomination.
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DRAFT LOCAL PLAN
The Elmbridge Draft Local Plan has reached the stage of Examination in Public by the Planning Inspector, which will take place in The Civic Centre in Esher. Claygate Parish Council has been advised that the likelihood of the plan being accepted by the Inspectorate will increase in line with supportive public attendance.
Several dates in April, May and June have been listed and the Planning Committee is asking Elmbridge officers which matters will be considered on each date. We will keep residents informed via our website and Facebook page.
CAR PARK SHOCK SPARKS CO-OPERATION
The proposal for a supermarket on the site of the Torrington Lodge car park has been the most contentious planning issue in our village for a very long time. Claygate Parish Council began monitoring events in November 2022, although at that time Elmbridge Borough Council said it would reveal only the barest outline until commercial confidentially allowed.
Real information only came to light last summer and it quickly became clear that many residents were not happy. The Parish Council held a public meeting on July 21, at which the extent of unhappiness became clear: the Council responded to more than 500 letters of objection and also heavily lobbied Elmbridge Borough Council, asking several times for proper consultation. At the same time, a “Claygate Can Do Better” campaign was created.
In the face of this opposition, Elmbridge said at its Cabinet meeting on September 27 that it had decided to withdraw from negotiations with Kilo Properties Ltd and Marks and Spencer plc. It further undertook to engage in a broad consultation with Claygate residents. Since then, “Claygate Can Do Better” has become “Claygate: The Way Forward” and has also been engaging with Elmbridge. Claygate Parish Council undertook at its meeting last November to work with Claygate: The Way Forward. Both organisations are waiting for the Borough Council to bring forward the details of its proposed consultation.
LAND NORTH OF RALEIGH DRIVE
An outline plan to build up to 60 dwellings on Green Belt land north of Raleigh Drive reached the Planning Committee in May last year and the Parish Council objected, saying that approval would set a very dangerous precedent for other tracts of Green Belt in the village and borough. Elmbridge Borough Council gave four reasons for refusing the application, the first being Green Belt contravention.
The developer has subsequently appealed and the Parish Council has been advised that the more people showing their opposition, the more likely the appeal is to be rejected. The date of appeal hearing will be publicised as soon as it is available. The appeal will be conducted via videoconferencing software, so residents will not be able to attend in person but can be present online.
CROWN HOUSE
Crown House, the office building opposite the Hare and Hounds pub, is awaiting a decision on whether it can be converted into 14 flats, “including two-storey front extension and rooms in the roof space and dormer windows with associated parking and landscaping/amenity space”. The Planning Committee made seven critical comments, which can be seen on both the Parish Council and Elmbridge websites. The Borough Council has yet to issue a decision.
VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT
Councillor Geoff Herbert, who chairs the Planning Committee, is to lead an initiative to update the Village Design Statement. Meetings will be held in the Village Hall’s Committee Room and details will be published when available. To view the current Design Statement, click “Local Plan” on the Parish Council website.
COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE
In January, Councillors Janet Swift and Sue Grose resigned as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee and were replaced by Councillors Geoff Herbert and Gil Bray respectively.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Donna Holt, who chairs Claygate Parish Council, looks back on a turbulent year – but has high hopes for a brighter future
The past year has taken some strange twists and turns: I’ve had a rollercoaster of a Parish Council ride since being elected last May. And what that ride confirms is that Claygate is an incredibly special place, a community where people care and are committed. It needs to be cherished as a place where we should not be frightened of change if it continues to preserve that “specialness”.
The challenge of the Marks and Spencer proposal has dominated: a village meeting was organised by Claygate Parish Council, and Elmbridge Borough Council was encouraged to work more closely with both the Parish Council and Claygate Village Association (CVA) to define a way forward and vision for Claygate. The Parish Council fielded hundreds of emails, consulted with Elmbridge, and challenged all parties concerned. The CVA played a significant role and used its considerable people resources to produce an excellent website and galvanise the help of a large number of residents.
The Parish Council, the CVA, and residents, working together, secured a consultation which kicks off in the spring, with a CVA survey, announced in this newsletter (Pages 1 and 2), informing that discussion. Parish Councillors are collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that it has a positive outcome for Claygate.
I must also address the serious topic of the Elmbridge hearing in November which found that two Parish Councillors bullied Sally Harman, our former clerk. It is a matter of great regret to me that this happened. We have reported it in this edition (see Page 5) as it is an event that has affected both the former clerk and the Parish Council and cannot be ignored or glossed over.
In addition, I respectfully apologise to Sally for all she was subjected to and wish her every good wish in her new role as Chief County Officer at the Surrey Association of Local Councils. I now hope that the Parish Council can put this difficult matter behind us and move forward in a new spirit of collaboration – which I am already beginning to see.
Despite these challenges, we are starting to execute the strategy agreed last September. This includes: a battle against weeds on pavements and roads (see Page 8); consultation (jointly with the CVA) on how we might establish a successful artisan market in the village and other possible monthly events; proper liaison points with all community groups; traffic measures which deter Claygate from becoming a cut-through; a Remembrance project which recognises the contribution of individual soldiers in the World Wars (see Page 14); a flower show stall; and continuing to support a commitment to no Green Belt development.
In addition, we have continued with existing obligations, such as support for Remembrance Day in November, litter clearance (see Page 8), and grants to the community for many diverse projects (see Page 6). I encourage residents to put forward more grant applications for infrastructure projects, as we are benefiting from a contribution of £73,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy (a levy on developments) this year from the Dairy Crest building’s conversion to flats.
The Community Centre remains a big concern to people and is discussed in this edition by a local volunteer (see Page 7). The Parish Council has been lobbying Elmbridge Borough Council and is encouraged by its response, which has included the move of Dementia Services to Claygate, securing another 140 clients, and a stronger place for the Centre as part of the community. We look forward to collaborating with all parties concerned.
It's hard work but my enthusiasm has not waned at all: I am still extremely excited to be a Parish Councillor and honoured that there was a unanimous vote to elect me as an Independent Chair in January. It means the Parish Council can move forward, with politics aside. I feel optimistic for the future and feel we are building a strong team of Councillors who want to work together to make a difference.
VILLAGE MEETING
The annual Village Meeting takes place at Claygate Primary School on April 11 at 7.30pm. All residents are invited to aend and express their views and concerns.
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PARISH CLERK WAS BULLIED, SAYS HEARING
A hearing has ruled that two Claygate Parish Councillors bullied the Parish Clerk, in a case that an experienced independent investigator said was “the most unpleasant” he had worked on.
Sue Grose, who chaired the Parish Council aer last May's elections, and Janet Swift were accused of failing to comply with the Member Code of Conduct. A hearing of the Elmbridge Audit and Standards Sub-Committee (Hearings Panel) on November 15 examined the conduct of the councillors, who have since resigned from the council, and decided it amounted to bullying.
On receipt of the complaint from the Clerk, a Claygate resident, in February 2023, Elmbridge Borough Council appointed the external investigator whose report was referred to the Hearings Panel for determination.
Richard Lingard, the investigator, told the hearing: “This is the 60th or thereabouts investigation that I've carried out. It is also, by a very long way, the most drawn out, most difficult and, it has to be said, the most unpleasant case that I've ever dealt with in 12 years.”
He said the Clerk was subjected to “repeated, unwarranted, disproportionate and very public criticism. She was aggressively questioned and on numerous occasions had her competence, judgment and authority impugned in a most insulting manner.”
He said: “It was more than unpleasant behaviour, it was unprofessional, and conduct unbecoming of two people who occupy very public positions of responsibility as elected representatives.” It was “a very upsetting couple of years” for the clerk, he concluded. She resigned in June last year. The Panel considered, but dismissed, the idea that the clerk might have been oversensitive to the behaviour, saying it felt that this was belittling her ability to cope.
Former Councillors Grose and Swift denied the allegations, challenged the evidence, and called character witnesses on their behalf. They asked the Panel to dismiss the allegations on the grounds that “there was no reason why the Subject Member would want to humiliate or bully the Complainant”.
Chris Sadler, the Elmbridge councillor chairing the Panel, said it considered the investigator’s report to be thorough and objective and concluded that the two had breached the Code of Conduct.
PARISH CLERK WAS BULLIED, SAYS HEARING
A hearing has ruled that two Claygate Parish Councillors bullied the Parish Clerk, in a case that an experienced independent investigator said was “the most unpleasant” he had worked on.
Sue Grose, who chaired the Parish Council aer last May's elections, and Janet Swift were accused of failing to comply with the Member Code of Conduct. A hearing of the Elmbridge Audit and Standards Sub-Committee (Hearings Panel) on November 15 examined the conduct of the councillors, who have since resigned from the council, and decided it amounted to bullying.
On receipt of the complaint from the Clerk, a Claygate resident, in February 2023, Elmbridge Borough Council appointed the external investigator whose report was referred to the Hearings Panel for determination.
Richard Lingard, the investigator, told the hearing: “This is the 60th or thereabouts investigation that I've carried out. It is also, by a very long way, the most drawn out, most difficult and, it has to be said, the most unpleasant case that I've ever dealt with in 12 years.”
He said the Clerk was subjected to “repeated, unwarranted, disproportionate and very public criticism. She was aggressively questioned and on numerous occasions had her competence, judgment and authority impugned in a most insulting manner.”
He said: “It was more than unpleasant behaviour, it was unprofessional, and conduct unbecoming of two people who occupy very public positions of responsibility as elected representatives.” It was “a very upsetting couple of years” for the clerk, he concluded. She resigned in June last year. The Panel considered, but dismissed, the idea that the clerk might have been oversensitive to the behaviour, saying it felt that this was belittling her ability to cope.
Former Councillors Grose and Swift denied the allegations, challenged the evidence, and called character witnesses on their behalf. They asked the Panel to dismiss the allegations on the grounds that “there was no reason why the Subject Member would want to humiliate or bully the Complainant”.
Chris Sadler, the Elmbridge councillor chairing the Panel, said it considered the investigator’s report to be thorough and objective and concluded that the two had breached the Code of Conduct.
