Work is beginning on a review of Surrey County Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). Surrey County Council is seeking the views of your council prior to drafting the new ROWIP so that the document reflects local priorities. 

Surrey County Council is responsible for around 2164 miles (3482 km) of public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic across the whole of Surrey County. 

Surrey County Council’s ROWIP is an important strategic policy document, which the council is required by law to have in place. It sets out how Surrey County Council can make sure the public rights of way network meets the needs of the public, now and in the future. The process of reviewing the ROWIP, and the engagement being carried out before the new ROWIP is drafted, will help the council to better understand the needs of Surrey County residents.

A public questionnaire for individual councillors or members of the public is available at https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infrastructure/rowip-public 

The survey will close on 10th March 2024.

Following a court order the scheduled referendum for the Elstead & Weyburn Neighbourhood Plan has been deferred due to an error on a map.  The plan will be amended and a new referendum date will be arranged by Waverley BC.  It is anticipated that the new referendum will take place as quickly as possible.  Once we have a date we will advise residents.  A new drop-in date will be arranged at which residents will be able to ask any questions about the plan.

Elstead Parish Council would like to apologise for the delay in informing residents. This delay has been caused by the incredibly complicated legal process that has had to have been undertaken to pause the referendum. Unfortunately, we have not been legally allowed to say anything publicly on this matter until now despite our very best efforts.

Residents will be able to have their say on the Elstead and Weyburn Neighbourhood plan as the referendum has been set for 29th February 2024. A summary of the plan will be letter dropped to all residents ahead of the referendum.

Two drop in sessions have been scheduled for 22nd February 2023; 1-2pm Elstead Youth Centre and 7-8.30pm venue tbc.  Anyone is welcome to pop in if they have any questions or comments about the NHP.

Elstead & Weyburn Notice of Referendum[1]

https://www.waverley.gov.uk/Services/Council-information/Registering-to-vote-and-elections/Neighbourhood-Planning-Referendums/Elstead-Weyburn-Neighbourhood-Planning-Referendum-Thursday-29-February-2024

English Nature is running some research into how people use heathlands and protected areas. As part of a local nature improvement project called “heathlands connected” English Nature would like to hear your views by answering this survey on how you use the commons – Heathlands Project Surrey Hills (snapsurveys.com). The survey is live until 15th January 2024

James Giles is also trying to put together a community Volunteering day on the 20th of December at Thursley NNR. Full details of this can be read in James’s Natural England article in the village news or alternatively please contact James at james.giles@naturalengland.org.uk

Elstead Parish Council understands that an offer for the purchase of the land at Bonfire Hill has been accepted by the vendor. The purchaser is someone with a long association with the village, who intends to transfer ownership of the land to a charitable trust administered by the Parish Council for the benefit of the local community. The Trust Deed will determine the future use of the land, which is likely to be confined to agriculture, recreation and amenity. The Parish Council has agreed to act as the charity administrator and to manage the land on behalf of the benefactor pending the establishment of the charity. It will take time for the sale to be processed and once there is more information we will update residents accordingly.

Celebrating the Coronation

On Sunday May 7^th, the day after the Coronation, Elstead was proud to offer it’s older residents a Coronation Tea, and the village came together to make sure that a truly excellent time was had by all. The Hall was decorated with flags and bunting, flowers and union jacks, and there was even a cut-out King Charles to greet people!

Nearly all of the 120 seats were filled in the Village Hall with people ready to enjoy an excellent tea prepared by Lynn Smith-White and her lovely team with cakes donated by so many people around the village. We were especially delighted to welcome residents and carers from Bridge House. The Coronation Croodle Choir performed two sets of folk songs from around the four nations, culminating in Jerusalem and the National Anthem. Space in the Hall was so tight that between sets they were confined to the back room – they did however have the same splendid tea!

It was a memorable afternoon, and everyone had a splendid time. There are so many people who made it special – Lynn and her fabulous team, Naseer and Nasir who set out all the tables, all the many people who donated cakes, Wendy Edwards and her Coronation Croodle Choir, Tim Davies who made all the technology and screens work – his “behind the scenes” work is always outstanding – and the Parish Council for funding it from the Jubilee surplus as well as the many people who just mucked in as helpers. Special thanks go to Sarah Krelle who made all the yummy Coronation Quiches, and Peter Krelle who took amazing pictures. 

In case you were worried: good homes were found for the surplus sandwiches and cake, with the special Coronation cricket match and the children’s activity day on Monday benefitting from a second feast!

Following the Coronation tea, on Monday 8th May, children were treated to a range of activities that had been organised at the Thursley Road Rec.  Organisations had come together from St James PTA, The Scouts, The Brownies, Elstead Sharks, Elstead Cricket Club and Ahmadiyya Muslim Association and were led by a small team of volunteers.  The outlook for the weather had not looked good however fortune favours the brave and despite the initial grey clouds the rain stayed away and the sun even shone though by the end of the afternoon.

King Charles had wanted volunteering to be the theme for the Bank Holiday Monday and this was reflected at the children’s event which saw the cricket and football entertainment being ably led by volunteers from school year 10 working towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards and equivalent.
No fun afternoon would be complete without the obligatory bouncy hurdle track and ice cream van and there was of course the chance for children to get their faces painted.  Despite a few sore heads from the night before the pavilion bar kept parents’ thirsts quenched and the paramedics on scene gave children the chance to sit inside a police car and ambulance.   Lots of smiles, traditional fun races … all who attended agreed that it was a lovely afternoon which brought people together to celebrate the coronation.   Sincere thanks go to Elstead Parish Council for financially supporting the event and for all who were able to attend and run an activity without whom this event could not have happened.

Following our annual meeting held on May 22nd, two further councillors were co-opted onto Elstead Parish Council. Both, along with our newly elected councillors were welcomed to the meeting. Elstead Parish Council now comprises; Pat Murphy (chair) Jane Jacobs (Vice Chair and Planning Chair), James Collis, Leif Davidsen, Andy Goundry, Andy Hampshire, Joan Holroyd, Martyn Lass and Richard Muir. David Harmer (SCC) and Gemma Long (WBC) were also in attendance. 
Our huge thanks go to our outgoing councillors; Roger Gardner, John Mathisen, Stefan Reynolds and Diane Snape. Thanks also to Richard Rees who whilst not staying as a councillor has agreed to continue to support the PC. 
The next PC meeting will be on 19th June and to which residents are very welcome to attend.