News from Ockham Parish Council April 2022

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  • Ockham Parish Council will hold our Annual Meeting at All Saints’ on Tuesday 10th May at 8 pm. We have invited an interesting speaker and will be serving wine after the meeting. All welcome.
  • We will shortly be purchasing a vehicle activated speed awareness sign for Old Lane to match the signs we have in Ockham Lane and Ockham Road North. We believe that these signs are helping to reduce the speed of vehicles through our historic village – although we are aware there is still much room for improvement.
  • Old Lane is looking terrible at present with tyre tracks on the verges and a number of overhanging and dead branches. We have raised the matter of the large number of HGVs driving on our weight restricted lanes with the police and are taking this forward with them and with SCC.
  • The climate crisis continues to be an area of focus for the Parish Council and we are interested to hear your thoughts on how we can reduce our carbon footprint in Ockham. Please share your suggestions at our Annual Meeting or send them to our clerk if you are not able to attend.

Please participate in our competition!

  • We would like to update the photo on the home page of our new website https://ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/ to an image that reflects Ockham in the Spring. Please send in your photos to our clerk or to Cllr Simon Waldman at simon.waldman@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk by the end of the month.

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

acorns and oak leaves

Ockham Parish Councillor Vacancy

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Ockham Parish Council currently has a vacancy for a Parish Councillor to be co-opted on to the Parish Council.

As a Councillor you can become a voice for your community and affect real change. Parish Councils are the most local part of the democratic system. We are particularly interested in hearing from you if you have an interest or experience in delivering projects or would like to be involved in highway matters for the Community. Other areas the Parish Council is involved with are on planning matters and climate change. We have secured some funding for an exciting community project and there is an opportunity to be involved from the outset.

To be eligible you need to be:

  • 18 years of age an elector of the parish or
  • Resided or rented in Ockham for the past 12 months or
  • Principal place of work in the parish or
  • Live within three miles of the parish boundary

The Parish Council Meetings are held once a month normally on the first Tuesday of the month in the evening and you would have an opportunity to contribute on matters of local interest on the Agenda. You would also be expected to progress tasks and feedback.

We would be pleased to hear from you if you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor. Please send a brief resume outlining some background information, the skills you can offer and reason for wanting to become a Parish Councillor to clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

If you would like to have a chat with someone about this voluntary role then please include your telephone number and the Chair will be in contact or you may wish to attend a Parish Meeting as an observer.

We are inviting expressions of interest by 8th April 2022.

 

Support for Ukraine

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The situation in Ukraine is upsetting and concerning. Parish councillors’ thoughts and sympathy are with everyone who is affected. Some residents have been in touch asking how they might help the people of Ukraine. We would urge those wishing to help to donate and support the appeals that are being managed by UK charities. We have highlighted one below but there are many other appeals. It is for individuals to decide whom they wish to make donations. Unfortunately, Parish Councils by statute are prevented from making donations directly.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has a Ukraine appeal bringing together 15 leading aid charities. DEC charities are in Ukraine and neighbouring countries meeting the needs of all refugees and displaced people. DEC’s appeal can be found at their website, please click on the following link: https://www.dec.org.uk/how-you-can-help

In addition, the Government’s home for Ukraine schemes been launched and can be found at:

homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk

The Homes for Ukraine scheme will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety, including those with no family ties to the UK. Phase One of the scheme will allow sponsors in the UK to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property.

The webpage enables individuals and organisations to register their interest and receive further information as the scheme is developed. There is an FAQ page at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions

 

 

 

 

 

 

News from Ockham Parish Council – March 2022

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News from Ockham Parish Council – March 2022

  • Parish Council has a new website: https://ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk Minutes and news updates are published regularly and the site also gives contact details for the Parish Councillors.
  • We are delighted to welcome Peter Bevan back to the Parish Council. We are looking for a further Parish Councillor to join us. Please look at our website or contact our clerk: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk for details.
  • Please take a moment to go down to Ockham Playing Field and admire the 7 new oak trees (one for each decade of HM Queen’s reign) and multiple forsythia bushes that were planted recently by Ockham volunteers. These were donated to us by Surrey County Council and although they have a lot of growing to do, they will develop into a splendid lasting legacy of the Platinum Jubilee year.
  • The vehicle activated speed awareness signs in Ockham Lane and Ockham Road North have successfully slowed down traffic driving through our historic village. The Parish Council will shortly be purchasing a third vehicle activated speed awareness sign. We hope this will be equally successful in slowing down the traffic in 40 mph and weight restricted Old Lane.
  • We would like to create a floral tribute for HM Queen Platinum Jubilee. If you are interested in getting involved, we would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact Alyson our Clerk for further details.

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Parish of Ockham – notice of vacancy in office of Parish Councillor

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Notice is hereby given pursuant to rule 5 of The Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England & Wales) Rules 2006, that consequent upon the resignation of Councillor Garry Walton, a casual vacancy exists in the Office of Councillor for the said Parish.

 

If a request for an election to fill the said vacancy signed by ten registered electors of the said Parish is received on or before 3 March 2022 by the Proper Officer of Guildford Borough Council, Millmead House, Millmead, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4BB, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy.  If no such notice is received by the Proper Officer, the vacancy will be filled by the Parish Council by co-option.

 

 

 

Tom Horwood

Proper Officer

 

 

 

Dated: 11 February 2022

 

 

News from Ockham Parish Council February 2022

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  • Taylor Wimpey have an Appeal lodged with the Planning Inspectorate regarding the non-determination of Application 20/P/01708. Via OHRA mailing list, we will share the letter Ockham Parish Council have submitted requesting that the Appeal is dismissed. We will also share some notes about the case so you can write direct if you wish. If you do not receive this information, please contact jamieson@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk  All representations regarding this case must be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by 24th February 2022.
  • The Parish Council are looking for a couple of volunteers to erect one of our new village signs please. The posts are in situ already and the sign, which depicts the unusual 7 lancet window of All Saints’ Ockham, needs to be screwed to the posts. It’s a two person job as the sign is heavy. If you can help, please let our Clerk know – details at the bottom of the page.
  • In February we shared with you that OPC and OHRA had recently met with the Police at the Ockham Bites Carpark. We have had some positive feedback from the Police regarding action they are taking to make the location a safe, clean space for all to enjoy. Please share your observations – good or bad – with us or report them direct – details of how to do this in February’s update.
  • We want to create a Memorial Garden adjacent to the War Memorial and have some funding to do this work. If you would like to get involved with this exciting project, we would be very pleased to hear from you. Contact Alyson our Clerk for further details.
  • Villages Against Wisley New Town have arranged a walk in support of the Green Fields Campaign on Sunday 13th February. Meet at the Ponds Car Park on Old Lane or at Ockham Cricket Club on Ockham Lane at 2 pm. All welcome! Dress accordingly. Mud anticipated!

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

News from Ockham Parish Council January 2022

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  • The Parish Council together with OHRA recently met with the Police at Ockham Bites car park. At our request, the police have agreed to become more actively involved in ‘making the location a safe, clean space for all to enjoy’. Please help by reporting allanti social behaviour you notice on the commons – including litter which is not put safely into the rubbish bins provided. The most efficient way to place a report is online using this link: https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb/report-antisocial-behaviour/report-the-behaviour-of-someone/?lid=0161b8a4-b9ba-48a2-a492-6207836bc4fd

Alternatively, you can report via facebook: please click the message button on the Surrey Police Facebook page.

The more active we all are about reporting anti social behaviour, the more the police will be able to do.

Obviously do not put yourself in danger at any time.

  • Ockham Parish Council have a new website. https://ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk/

Please note the councillors’ new email addresses.

  • Ockham Parish Council are looking for a new parish councillor. For further details please look at the OPC website.
  • GBC are running a consultation – Local Plan: Development Management Policies. OPC will be submitting in due course and you may want to submit a comment yourself: https://guildford.inconsult.uk/LPDMP21/consultationHome
  • Natural England are conducting a boundary review for the AONB. Deadline 31stJanuary 2022. OHRA will be sending out information shortly on behalf of OPC on how you can participate. We would welcome your involvement please.

 

Please contact the Parish Clerk with enquiries

Mrs Alyson Blackwell  – email: clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Anti-social behaviour at Ockham Bites car park

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The Parish Council together with OHRA recently met with the Police at Ockham Bites car park. At our request, the police have agreed to become more actively involved in ‘making the location a safe, clean space for all to enjoy’.  Please help by reporting all anti social behaviour you notice on the commons – including litter which is not put safely into the rubbish bins provided.

The most efficient way to place a report is online using this link: https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb/report-antisocial-behaviour/report-the-behaviour-of-someone/?lid=0161b8a4-b9ba-48a2-a492-6207836bc4fd

Alternatively, you can report via facebook: please click the message button on the Surrey Police Facebook page.

The more active we all are about reporting anti social behaviour, the more the police will be able to do.

Obviously do not put yourself in danger at any time.

William of Ockham

December – news update

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This is a quick summary of what’s been going on with the council…we’ll be providing these updates monthly in future.

  • The Parish Council are actively encouraging Councillor Colin Cross to maintain the pressure on Guildford Borough Council to progress with their review of the Adopted Local Plan. We will keep you advised.
  • Vehicles moving in excess of the 30 mph speed restriction in Ockham are a concern for us all.  The speed awareness signs purchased by the Parish Council earlier this year are an excellent reminder to drivers to slow down.
  • We are liaising with Councillor Colin Cross and Surrey County Council (SCC) about the pavements in Ockham and have asked for these to be cleared of vegetation so they are easier for pedestrians to use safely.
  • Ockham has been offered some young trees by SCC and will be taking delivery of them early in the New Year. If you are interested in helping to plant the trees, please let us know.
  • Many of you will know that the Taylor Wimpey application for a stub road and roundabout (21/P/01582) was refused at Planning Committee earlier this month. We had sent in a detailed objection letter against the application and spoke at the Planning Committee meeting. Guildford Borough Councillors voted unanimously against this proposal.
  • Please take a moment to google Surrey County Council LCWIP (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans) and complete their online form about cycling in and around Ockham. We are aware that local roads are narrow and dangerous for cyclists and so providing feedback will be useful.
pond edged with reeds

Flooding issues in Ockham

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Residents are asked to send any concerns by email about flooding issues in Ockham to clerk@ockhamparishcouncil.gov.uk Photos to show the problem would be helpful in reporting concerns.