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Hi everyone,
The topics this time are:-
- A3 Weekend Closure 13-16 October 2023
- RHS Wisley Closure – 14 – 15 October 2023
- Ockham Roundabout Closure – 20- 22 October 2023
- “"The NCIL debacle“ - Woking Borough Council’s Sec 114 impact on Pyrford Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL)
- Wildlife Calendar, DVD & nest boxes for sale
- Nature Notes
- A3 FULL WEEKEND CLOSURE - Friday 13 October 9pm to Monday 16 October 5.30am
National Highways is closing the A3 in both directions:
- The A3 will be closed northbound from the B2215/A247 exit at Ripley to the M25 junction 10.
- The A3 will be closed southbound from the M25 junction 10 to the A247 at Burnt Common
Please see the diversion map for details of the diversion.
For more information, please visit National Highways website.
If you have any questions, please contact National Highways either by email at M25j10@nationalhighways.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000 and one of the team will be happy to help.
- RHS WISLEY WEEKEND CLOSURE - Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October
As a result of the A3 closure, RHS Wisley garden and garden centre will be closed on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October and the event Festival of Flavours ( 11 – 15th October is cancelled. (Further details at https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/whats-on/festival-of-flavours
- OCKHAM ROUNDABOUT CLOSURE 20 – 22 OCTOBER
Southern Gas Networks (SGN) is closing the south side of the Ockham roundabout (near Ripley bypass) from 10pm Friday 20 October to 11pm Sunday 22 October impacting entering and leaving the A3. Please check your journey before you travel and avoid the area if you can. For more information visit the SGN website.
- THE NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (NCIL) DEBACLE
You are probably aware of the financial situation of Woking Borough Council (WBC) , culminating in a Section 114 notice being issued on 7th June 2023.
You may not be aware that one of the consequences is that Woking Borough Council (WBC) have spent the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funds received prior to June 7th, amounting to around £1.8M, on their general expenses. This was admitted at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 14th August 2023, by, the then, Section151 Officer.
WBC maintains that they will meet their legal obligations in time and that this is a temporary position and that some of these frozen funds might become available in April 2024.
At the moment, local projects can only be funded by new NCIL received after the 7th of June 2023. The previous balance available was around £50,000. Also, as a result the decision made in April 2023 to support the use of some of the funds to assist a Pyrford Village War Memorial Hall project to the value of just under £10,000 is no longer possible.
As of the 11th of September 2023, in the Pyrford Neighbourhood Area the funds available to uses amounted to zero pounds.
The Forum Committee is very upset at this state of affairs. It seems that all the hard work of many people to get an adopted Neighbourhood Plan which increased the % of NCIL from 15% to 25% has been nullified.
The Forum will still continue its other activities but will continue to express it concerns at every available opportunity.
The Forum was pleased to have Cllr Liam Lyons attend its 11th September Committee Meeting to discuss both the current Core Plan to 2027 and the process for the replacement Woking Core Plan from 2027. The Forum did express forcefully but politely its frustration at the current stalemate on NCIL. Liam did indicate that he had contacted Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities of the United Kingdom, to see whether there was any possible way the frozen NCIL could be realised sooner.
WBC has formally notified the Forum as follows:-
“We would like to inform you that the Council continues to operate the Community Infrastructure Levy scheme and consider applications. However, due to the Council’s financial position, there will be a delay before resuming payments for approved applications until after the 2024/25 budget is agreed in February 2024. The financial position, and the Council being issued with a S114 Notice, has resulted in strict controls being placed on all expenditure across the Council while cash reserves are regenerated.
The Council will ensure that it meets all obligations under S216 of the Planning Act 2008 and Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended).”
Two public statements have also been issued by the portfolio holder Cllr Liam Lyons which can be found under WBC News Items
https://www.woking.gov.uk/news/statement-community-infrastructure-levy-cil-funds dated 7th August and at
https://www.woking.gov.uk/news/update-statement-community-infrastructure-levy-cil dated 5th September.
- PYRFORD FORUM ITEMS FOR SALE
Pyrford Forum has decided to continue its fundraising activities.
There are still a few copies available of the Pyrford Heritage DVD.
The Forum was pleased with the sales of its 2023 Wildlife Calendar, so, it has decided to create a 2024 wildlife calendar. All the pictures of wildlife are taken in the Pyrford Area.
Pyrford Forum has added a new line to its products – nesting boxes. These were launched at the Pyrford Village Show and the poster used that day shows the range available.
Further details are available form info@pyrfordforum.org
- NATURE NOTES – SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
Summer is now officially at an end and the weather starts to change as autumn commences.
There will be plenty of nuts, berries and fruit available for our wildlife but some e.g. acorns and apples can be stored in a cool dry place like a shed or garage to then be put out again in the colder winter months. This could make the difference between life and death for some birds.
Apples are a particular favourite of some of our migratory birds such as Redwings, Fieldfares & Thrushes who bring some welcome colour in the dull winter months, so put some to one side for later.
Things to do
- Prune hedges & Trees as the nesting season is now over.
- If you’ve managed to resist the temptation, then mid-September onwards is the time to mow your wild grassed areas.
- Create a log-pile or two in the garden or better still create a hedgehog hotel for the forthcoming hibernation.
- Clean out any nest-boxes or put-up new ones as some animals will use these to shelter in during inclement weather.
Regards,
Andy Grimshaw
PNF Chairman
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