Hersham Residents Association Blog

Why not join us – 16th January 7.30 Watermans Arms function room – for a meeting focusing on affordable housing in Hersham.

Meeting to be held at 7.30pm on 16th January 2020 at the Watermans Arms, Hersham

Please note that because of the Homes for Hersham presentation there probably be insufficient time to cover all matters.

Agenda

1. Apologies

2. Welcome to Steve Bicknell

3. Presentation of Homes for Hersham initiative

4. Approval of the minutes of meeting held on 5th November 2019.

5. Review of Christmas in Hersham and Christmas in Hersham in 2020

6. Matters arising

7. Planning related matters and applications
1. Planning committee
2. Recently registered planning applications – recent important applications to be advised
3. New Local Plan consultation.
Please see options on www.elmbridge.gov.uk/localplan
4. Development contributions SPD
5. Elmbridge Parking SPD

8. Treasurer’s report

9. Any other business

10. Date of next meeting

A word copy of the agenda is available here if you want a print friendly version: HRA Agenda for 16 02 2020
All welcome – you don’t need to be a member to join in with any of our public meetings – but if you did what to join and / or add yourself to our mailing list, that would be great! See: http://www.hershamresidents.info/blog/?page_id=1301

Thanks to all involved in the Christmas in Hersham event, and thanks to those who attended; if you missed it this year year, please look out for it during the 2020 Christmas period – we will be doing it again, but we hope making it even better.

Note from our chairman follows:

Dear all

We had an excellent evening turning on the Christmas tree lights, singing carols and retiring to the Watermans for mulled wine, mince pies and sausage rolls.

During the day we had a stand outside Waitrose asking for donations to win the prize of a hamper donated by Waitrose. The winning ticket was drawn in the Watermans and was won by Janet, one of the Twig singers. We raised the amazing amount of £412.68 which will be donated to the Walton & Hersham Food Bank. The people of Hersham were most generous some even just giving and not wanting to be in the draw for the hamper.

Our thanks to: Mary & John Sheldon, Pam & Tony of the Watermans, the Twig singers, the Rev Jackie Richardson, Hi-Vis-Hands who put up the tree and Beaches funfair who donated the tree, Waitrose and everyone who contributed.

We will be presenting a cheque to the Walton & Hersham Food Bank

Kind regards

Bill

William Cowap
HRA chairman

All welcome, see Flyer for 14/ 12 /2019

The Mayor will switch on the Christmas lights then there will be some carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies at the Watermans. All are welcome to this traditional community event. The raffle, with proceeds to the Hersham food bank, will be drawn during the evening. More details to follow – but for the moment please note the date and time!

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 19th November @ 7.30 at The Watermans (function room) to discuss the Christmas event to be held 14th December. This will include an update and to tackle any outstanding items. All welcome (HRA members and non members) to attend listen and contribute ideas and perhaps assist if you are able.

Please see the Agenda for the next HRA meeting at 7:30 at the Watermans Arms Function Room – all welcome.

One of the things we will be discussing, and would like your feedback on, are the arrangements for the HRA community Christmas in Hersham event on the 14th of December.

We hope to see you at the meeting on the 5th (next Tuesday).

HRA meeting
The HRA held a very useful meeting on 24th September 2019 ñ- A few key extracts from the meeting are reported below in no particular order:
Dates mentioned during the meeting:
Date of next HRA meeting was agreed as 5th November – at the Watermans Arms Function Room as normal, all welcome please mark this in your diaries.
The date of the Christmas in Hersham gathering was re-confirmed as 14th December
A quiz to be run by the HVS on Friday 25th October to raise money for Elmbridge Mencap (at the Day Centre)was highlighted
It was noted that Remembrance Sunday falls on the 10th of November this year, and the HRA as normal will be be laying a wreath on behalf of Hersham residents.
Other Hersham news:
Village hall reopening – it was reported that there had been some recent debate about this amongst Elmbridge elected members and issues had been raised about cost etc, it was agreed that our committee should try and find out more about the current situation and then comment as required.
Although we have over 1000 Twitter followers, it was agreed that the HRA could do more to raise their profile on social media. As part of this, it was agreed that at a new Facebook page should be established and promoted with fresh passwords that would potentially allow several volunteers to help manage and promote it.
There was a discussion about social events and it was agreed that the 14th of December Christmas Hersham gathering will need careful thought and organisational planning very soon – any volunteers who would like to assist would be welcome (plse email info@hershamresidents.info)
Various other possible events were raised for discussion / any updates including a dog show and the possibility of a Hersham Carnival; more consideration was needed to decide whether either of these might be viable
The local plan consultation was discussed.
Whilst the undesirability of unbalanced development across the UK leading to continued ‘overbuilding’ in the South East was highlighted, the necessity for some more homes in Elmbridge and the reality of government targets were also recognised.
Alongside the need to provide new homes – the crucial need for the necessary supporting infrastructure was also highlighted.
It was recognised there could be advantages of larger developments which Incorporated infrastructure at the planning stage; and disadvantages of small-scale piecemeal infill type development which woud alter existing residential densities – but perhaps not be accompanied by the necessary infrastructure.
For these (above) reasons, the committee were most drawn to option 3 of the consultation proposals. It was agreed the HRA would respond to the consultation to reflect these (initial) views.
There was discussion about the River Mole Sluce Gate improvement scheme, which it was understood has now been dropped; the committee was pleased with this news
Hersham Riverside was briefly discussed and it was noted that a leaflet on this subject with input from Elmbridge is still pending

HERSHAM VILLAGE SOCIETY are holding a PUBLIC MEETING on Friday 20th SEPTEMBER 2019 at the Hersham Community Centre, Burhill Road, Hersham : Followed by a short talk on Hersham History (especially for new comers) Hersham Councillors will be in attendance to update you on Elmbridge and Surrey matters. Doors open 6.30 p.m. Meeting commences at 7.15 p.m. Refreshments All welcome to attend, ask questions or raise matters of concern to Hersham. You may send questions to office@hershamvillagesociety.org.uk

The Hersham Community Centre is opposite Piglets Play Centre where you may park, we are just across the road.

The agenda for our next meeting on 24th September 7:30 at the Watermans Arms Function Room is available here – all are welcome (whether or not you are a current member of the HRA) to hear the discussion and contribute if you wish.

The agenda is flexible, so if there is something that you would like to raise please let us know mailto:info@hershamresidents.info and come along to the meeting.

As a keen supporter of Friends of Hersham Library – the HRA would encourage people to attend this event and help support your local library. See poster for more details which can be downloaded here: –

FHL Poster_31st August 2019
The event is free, and there will be an art exhibition in the garden.