Newsletter - Mon 13 May, 2024
By David Grantham
Hopefully you were able to enjoy something of the sunshine over the weekend.
The main article in this issue looks at the question of who might run the borough council, in light of the Conservatives’ lack of a majority.
Incidentally, this issue doesn’t have any paywalled items. That’s been the case with recent issues (including the election results coverage (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)), so that everyone is able to read things during election periods.
If you’re a paying reader, then thank you. Future issues will again have at least a temporary paywall on items that have taken me more than, say, a couple of hours’ work. And only paying readers receive the newsletters by email.
Revamped children’s day unit opens
Ribbon cutting - picture via SASH from video here (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)
A transformed Children’s Day Procedures Unit has been unveiled at East Surrey Hospital.
The project, which began in March, was made possible after Redhill-based company SkinSense donated £12,000 to SASH Charity, which supports the work of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS trust.
The unit, which cares for young patients having day surgery and elective procedures, was re-purposed to help create a dedicated area for paediatrics last November.
Thanks to the donation from SkinSense, it is now a more welcoming, vibrant and child-friendly environment.
The opening event took place on Friday (10 May), and included a tour of the new facilities as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony during which the trust’s Chief Executive Angela Stevenson thanked SkinSense CEO Abi Cleeve for the donation.
Stevenson said: “The transformation of the Children’s Day Procedures Unit will help ensure our youngest patients get the treatment they need in the right environment for their care needs.
“We are incredibly grateful to Abi for her support and generosity in helping to make this space the best it can be for all those who come through our doors. It’s also a brilliant example of the work our charity does with donors and those in our community every day to improve the lives and experiences of our patients and those that work with them.”
SASH Charity helps raise funds to enable the NHS trust to go over and above NHS provision.
Greenery: Surrey County Council says more than 510,000 new trees have been planted across the county since an initiative began in 2019. The figures are the result of the council’s own efforts and work with residents, community groups, charities and others. The authority says that things are on track to meet the goal of planting 1.2 million trees by 2030, meaning one for every resident. More information, including how to get involved, is on the project website (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).
Sentenced: A 33-year-old Croydon man who kicked over a shopper in his 80s in Redhill town centre last October was jailed for three years at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm. The victim needed to be taken to hospital by ambulance where he was found to have broken ribs. Police say the assailant gave no reasons in interview as to why he chose to pick on the man. More details from the police here (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).
Festivals: As previously reported, the coming weeks see two beer festivals in Reigate town centre, and in June there’ll be an arts festival taking in many town venues. Details on the (free-to-read) What’s On page (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).
Motorway: the M25 reopened on Sunday evening, seven hours ahead of schedule, after work on the A10/M25 interchange project closed junctions 9 to 10 over the weekend. National Highways says (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) 72 beams were lifted for a bridge, some weighing over 40 tonnes each. A new gantry has also been installed across the motorway.
Conservatives look set to continue to run borough council
The Conservatives are outnumbered on Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, but it looks as though they’ll continue to be in charge, given the way the numbers stack up and the fact that the Residents group plan to remain neutral on who should run the authority.
Following this month’s elections and recent developments, the 45-member council is now made up of 19 Conservatives, 13 Greens, 7 Residents, 4 Lib Dems and 2 Labour.
Those figures reflect two events last week: first, Zelanie Cooper, a former Conservative who stood and won as an independent in the recent elections has joined the Residents group, and secondly another independent, Sam Walsh, has rejoined the Conservative group, his former home.
The leader of the council is currently Conservative Cllr Richard Biggs, who last May was elected by councillors (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) for a four year term, in line with the council’s constitution (Öffnet in neuem Fenster). He in turn appoints the council’s executive committee; they too are all Conservatives.
Reigateuk understands from a number of people that the Green, Liberal Democrat and Labour parties have had tentative inter-party discussions on changing the leadership, given that the Conservatives do not have a majority.
However, the maths of the council’s make-up means that any motion to change the leadership would need the support of at least some of the seven-member Residents group - and they look set to adopt a neutral position.
Leader of the Residents, Cllr Nick Harrison, told reigateuk on Friday: “The new council has 19 Conservatives, and there’s a total of 19 Green, Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors. The Residents Association group has 7 councillors.
“We will not be seeking to sign up with any other group. We stood for election on the basis that party politics is best kept out of local government, so it would be illogical to join up with any of the political parties.
“The Residents Association has a focus on supporting residents and making sure the council follows sensible policies, aiming to get best value for money. This we will do.
“On the basis of the arithmetic, I don’t anticipate there will be a challenge to Richard Biggs remaining as leader of the council."
He added: “In the unlikely event of a vote on a change of council leader we would abstain – we would rather vote on the policies, issues and programmes.”
The Residents’ group comprises three Nork Residents Association (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) councillors (in Nork ward), three Tattenham & Preston Residents Association (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) councillors (Tattenham Corner & Preston ward), and now Zelanie Cooper (Lower Kingswood, Tadworth and Walton).
The first council meeting after the elections takes place on 23 May.
Surrey weighs up meat-free Mondays in schools
By Emily Dalton, Local Democracy Reporter
Meat-free and plant-based options could be mandated across Surrey schools every Monday according to new council guidance. Only some Surrey schools currently participate in a form of ‘meat-free Monday’ so the new food strategy would expand its remit.
The new policy forms part of the Surrey Healthy Schools initiative, which aims to address food insecurity, reduce climate impact of the local food system and support the local population to keep a healthy weight by improving the accessibility and affordability of nutritious food.
Speaking at a Surrey County Council (SCC) meeting on April 29, Cllr Marisa Heath (Conservative/Englefield Green) said: “I don’t think meat-free Mondays is too much to ask for one day a week. We’re still giving six days a week for people to make other choices so I don’t think it is draconian or heavy handed.”
Council officers said the preferred menu would prioritise fruit, vegetables and legumes- rather than processed, plant-based meat alternatives. Only schools signed up to the Surrey Healthy Schools will be part of the initiative, including all SCC public schools and some private schools.
Framing the programme as being to “educate and not dictate”, Cllr Mark Nuti (Conservative/ Chertsey) said the policy is empowering individuals and families to make informed and healthy food choices.
The committee discussed the importance of sustainable and locally sourced farming, as well as cutting meat to decrease carbon emissions and environmental resources. It was noted that ‘plant-based’ food was not always “nutritional”, but that children needed fibre from fruit and vegetables.
The new strategy aims to increase children’s nutrition and combat obesity, as well as increasing sustainability and environmentally conscious eating. Around 1,210 of 9,355 Year 6 pupils measured in Surrey were classed as obese or severely obese in 2022-23, NHS figures show.
Healthy food, such as fruit and vegetables, are often out of reach for many parents on low incomes who prioritise affordability over nutrition. The amount of vegetables being purchased in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in 50 years, according to The Food Foundation.
“Levelling up is not just about buildings, it’s about people,” Cllr Marisa said. “It’s about their wellbeing, mental and physical, and allowing them to reach their [potential].”
Councillors argued the strategy must be adaptable to children who may suffer with eating disorders, have neurodiversity requirements or medical issues, and not be able to eat (or do not want to eat) plant-based food.
In a heated debate, concerns were raised about the policy going ‘too far’. Cllr Trefor Hogg (Conservative/ Camberley East) said an extension to adults and elderly people with dementia could mean “being confronted with things they just can’t cope with”.
He added that his particular concern was for those in any form of social care who “have had their liberties and freedom restricted to some degree”.
“It’s very very important that they have a full choice. This is particularly important where there are neurodiverse and mental health issues as well. I think we should be very explicit on the subject. I would be very concerned about the adults and the elderly being confronted with things they just can’t cope with.”
Meeting documents (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) stated the eating environment should be inclusive and social as restricting to plant based only options may make some feel excluded.
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