Playground update

Leisure Outdoor

fun

An update on the latest playground makeovers across the Borough. Lightwater Country Park The new playground at Lightwater Country Park opened in November after an £80k makeover. At its new location next to the café, the playground features two multiplay units, pick up sticks climbing frame, activity net, various swings, an agility trail, musical babel drum and a ‘rock ‘n bowl’ roundabout. The winning Wicksteed design was chosen following an extensive consultation held by SHBC last year, followed by a public vote. This playground was refurbished as part of a wider Play Area Improvement Scheme across Surrey Heath, worth £650,000 over three years. Other play areas refurbished so far include Cheylesmore Park, Camberley, Frimley Lodge Park, Briar Avenue, Lightwater and Evergreen Road, Frimley. Old Dean Recreation Ground Following the play area consultation and public vote the winning design by Kompan has been revealed! Check our website and social media channels for more details. Installation work on this fantastic new facility is due to begin later this year. Southcote Park The Parkside Ward Councillors have used some of their Community Infrastructure Levy funds to install three additional pieces of equipment in Southcote Park play area - an activity net, rope swing and surf rider. Playground plans The next playgrounds on the list for a refurbishment are Watchetts Recreation Ground, Camberley, Chobham Road, Frimley and Loman Road, Mytchett. Diabetes Walks The Surrey Heath Diabetes Walks are back at Frimley Lodge Park following a successful pilot. The 12-week programme, coordinated by SHBC in conjunction with Virgin Active, NHS Surrey Heath CCG and Tesco, is designed specifically for people living with Type 2 diabetes and incorporates both guided walks and guest speakers from diabetes experts. The programme of walks will take place every Monday at 10am from 16 March to 15 June. The aim of the programme is to steadily improve health and fitness as well as providing useful and practical information to increase confidence in managing Type 2 diabetes effectively. Spaces on the programme are limited - to book your place please call Craig Alford on 01276 707422 or email craig. alford@surreyheath.gov.uk Lightwater Country Park

Council Financial update

Surrey Heath Borough Council continues to provide vital services for residents despite reduced funding. In December 2019 the Government announced that it would be providing no general grant for Council services delivered by SHBC, continuing the pattern of recent years. This means 100% of the cost of services delivered by the Council is now raised locally through Council Tax, Business Rates, Rents and Charges. Under the current arrangements only 11% of Council Tax and 4% of Business Rates collected locally by SHBC stay with the Council – the remainder goes to Surrey County Council (around 75% of Council Tax) and Surrey Police (around 13% of Council Tax). Over the last 10 years the Council has lost £2.7m in government funding, yet the demand for and range of services provided by the Council has increased. Service cuts have been avoided due to greater efficiency through technology, reductions in staff, collaboration with other councils and organisations, increases in fees and investment in property. Property is budgeted to contribute £1.4m towards services in the coming financial year after all costs such as interest and loan repayments have been taken in to account. The Council’s decision to acquire property also supports regeneration and the local economy. The Council is under a legal duty to deliver a balanced budget, which was presented to Full Council in February. This means that Council Tax has to be increased if cuts are to be avoided. Residents will be asked to pay an additional £5 a year on the SHBC element of the bill for a Band D taxpayer, taking that total to £223.66. This equates to an increase of just under 10p per week. The Council will of course continue to drive efficiencies, work with partners and generate income, to help preserve services that residents value and rely on.

Environment Steve’s

smiling!

The Council’s free Christmas tree recycling scheme collected almost 1,400 real trees this year.

The Council’s Greenspace Team Leader Steve was the face of the campaign to beat last year’s total of 1,200 trees collected, and #MakeSteveSmile. He’s grinning from ear to ear after the target was beaten by nearly 200. The environmentally-friendly scheme offered 15 drop off sites across the Borough from 4-19 January, with the collected trees being turned into wood chippings and used to replenish the paths in recently opened Windlemere SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace). Now in its fourth year, the Christmas tree recycling scheme goes from strength to strength. A huge thank you to everyone who took part by dropping off their tree in this truly green scheme, which has multiple benefits, for residents, our greenspaces and the wider environment. There are plans to run the scheme again in January 2021. For more details on Windlemere SANG, and SANGs in general, go to surreyheath.gov.uk/SANGs

Wonderful wildflowers

News of an extension to last year’s successful wildflower verge scheme This growing season, the Council has established three new wildflower sites across Lightwater and Windlesham, in partnership with Windlesham Parish Council. This is alongside the three original sites in Camberley and Frimley, which received fantastic feedback last year. These low maintenance sites will be sown with a completely UK native flowering seed mix. They are very beneficial to wildlife, providing food for pollinating insects and cover for small mammals, and creating a colourful display over the summer months. This doubling of sites expands the project further across the Borough, and working towards our eventual target of a wildflower site in every ward in Surrey Heath.

KNOW YOUR GARDEN C R E A T I N G B E A U T I F U L G A R D E N S I N F O @ K N O W - Y O U R - G A R D E N . C O M R E B E C C A @ 0 7 7 4 0 1 3 9 3 8 4 D e s i g n P l a n t i n g M a i n t a i n i n g Whether your garden needs a colour injection, regular maintenance, a complete redesign or if you need advice about what plants to keep or how to make the most of them, we can make your garden look amazing. Life Events Group Ltd www.lifeisforlivingshow.co.uk hello@lifeisforlivingshow.co.uk Charity Partner Travel Partner FOLLOW US 16 & 17th May 2020, Sandown Park, Surrey * Exhibition * Informative and Inspiring Talks * Demonstrations * Delicious Samplings * Interactive Workshops * One to One Advice Clinics Join us for a day of discovery at this new lifestyle event where those planning or enjoying their retirement will learn how to achieve their optimum lifestyle. Style, Beauty & Grooming Financial Services and Estate Planning Food & Drink Travel & Leisure Health, Fitness, Wellbeing & Nutrition Lifestyle Services Tickets - £10 per person Register to visit at www.lifeisforlivingshow.co.uk/register Find Your HOPPY PLACE Relax, unwind & taste the weekend Experience an immense 2,500 sq.ft taproom in a brewery with 20 rotating taps to choose from. Head down to the Ascot Brewing Taproom at Unit 4, Lawrence Way, Camberley for an elevated brewery experience. Book a table today! 01276 686696 @ascotbrewing info@ascotbrewing.co.uk

Community Out and

about

Would you or someone you know benefit from our Community Transport Service?

We offer a fully accessible, door-to-door bus service for people unable to access public bus services. Helping people to access services, go to appointments and social activities in Surrey Heath and the neighbouring area, the Community Transport service caters for people with a physical, sensory or learning disability, frailty or mental health problems. We currently help residents aged from 18 to over 100 years old get to where they want to go via our specially adapted minibuses. One regular user is Maud Vickery, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Mrs Vickery still lives at home and the Community Transport service helps her retain her independence.

Maud celebrating her 100th

Her daughter Linda Wildsmith said: “Community Transport means that Mum gets out regularly and sees lots of different friends including those at the Windle Valley Centre and the Saturday Club. Mum is always ready and waiting for the bus as she enjoys these trips so much!” The service operates five days a week, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, giving you the flexibility to travel when and where you want to go. All of our vehicles can carry individuals who travel seated in their wheelchair. Our drivers are fully trained and are able to provide assistance to passengers as required. Carers are able to travel as a companion free of charge.

How to book

Before booking your first journey, sign up to our free membership. To register, complete our online form at the web address below.

Once registered, contact our team on 01276 707655 to book a journey. You can pre-book your journeys a maximum of six days in advance.

The cost of each journey will be calculated when you book and you can pay the driver when you travel. Our journeys are competitively priced.

Health update

The latest news from NHS Surrey Heath Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

Be prepared this Easter

With Easter on its way we’re asking people to plan ahead and order their repeat prescriptions. Running out of medicine has serious consequences for patients’ health and creates additional demand on out-of-hours services. However, be sure to order only the medication you need – unused medication costs the NHS £300m each year. For help and advice with minor ailments, visit the pharmacy. Pharmacists are healthcare experts who give qualified clinical advice. If symptoms suggest it’s more serious they will ensure patients get the help they need. GP surgeries are now open for longer and offer weekend appointments - making it easier for patients to access when needed. For urgent medical help or advice when it’s not a life-threatening situation, call NHS 111. In a medical emergency call 999.

New website for mums-to-be! We are proud to announce the launch of a new website for mums-to-be which will support them from conception to post-birth. The website is the one-stop information hub for expectant families in Surrey Heath and surrounding areas. Here you will find information to help with your choice of where to give birth, as well as how to look after your baby when you bring it home. Check out the new website at frimleyhealthandcare.org.uk/ maternity Creating Healthier Communities NHS Surrey Heath CCG, together with its partners in the Frimley Health and Care Integrated Care System, has launched its Five Year Strategy called “Creating Healthier Communities”. During April and May we are holding public events to share with residents our strategy and how we can work together to help improve the health and wellbeing of the community. For more information and to find out how to get involved, visit our website surreyheathccg.nhs.uk.

Economic development Community action

We are launching the Community Matters Partnership Project (CMPP) in Surrey Heath.

CMPP is an award-winning charitable organisation who partner with businesses to help them to give back to their local communities.

Businesses sign up to CMPP and can then access and network with other like-minded companies to support an array of projects in schools, with charities and community groups. CMPP help companies to be socially responsible and provide the means for them to deliver an exemplary corporate social responsibility with ease and effectiveness. Charities, schools and community groups can apply via the CMPP website to gain support from corporate volunteers through three key focused programs: ■ Community Action Days: A team of corporate volunteers will come to your venue and provide helping hands for a specific project you need help with, from creating an allotment within a school to painting your charity’s venue. ■ Business Ambassadors: Notfor-profit organisations can seek help from a business professional. It might be that your organisation needs some advice on websites, financial

planning, marketing or cyber security, CMPP will try to connect you with a business who can help. ■ Businesses into Education: CMPP support schools by sourcing corporate volunteers from the world of work to go and help with workrelated projects from mock interviews to enterprise days. If you are a local business, big or small, that would like to give back to your community, you can get in touch with CMPP by visiting cmpp.org.uk or email hello@cmpp.org.uk. CMPP fund all of the above community projects through membership fees as companies join and fundraising events they host throughout the year.

Council Council update

Community Governance Review Following a petition requesting the Council to create a new Parish Council for Windlesham, and after consideration of consultation responses, on 26 February the Council agreed to continue to the next stage of the review and to form a working party which will agree the terms of reference and the options to consider for the next stage of review. The working party will include representatives from the various residents associations, the petitioners, all impacted Borough Councillors, representatives from Windlesham Parish Council, and officers. More: surreyheath.gov.uk/consult The latest news from our Democratic Services team

Elections – 7 May 2020

Election of the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner The Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner is elected every four years to oversee the work of the local police force, hold the Chief Constable to account, set the Police and Crime Plan and set the budget. The next election will be held on 7 May 2020. For more information on the election please contact the Local Returning Officer at vote@surreyheath. gov.uk or visit the Electoral Commission website. Information in relation to the candidates will be available in April. By-Elections Following the sad news of the death of Sam Kay, who was both an SHBC Councillor for Bagshot Ward and a Parish Councillor of the Windlesham Parish Council, By-Elections for these vacancies will be held on 7 May 2020. If you are not already registered to vote you can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote A paper form is available from Democratic and Electoral Services at vote@surreyheath. gov.uk or if you don’t have access to the internet, contact the team on 01276 707165. Deadlines □  Register to vote - midnight on Tuesday 21 April 2020. □  Apply for a postal vote/to appoint a proxy – 5pm on Wednesday 22 April 2020.

Community Stand

together

SHBC hosted their first Holocaust Memorial Day event in January. As part of Surrey Heath's commitment to ‘Stand Together’ against hate, challenge prejudice and promote tolerance, a Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration Event was held at Surrey Heath House on 27 January. Members of Surrey Heath Faith Forum including Chair Foad Rahami, and Vice Chair Ray Wicksman joined guests including the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Robin Perry, SHBC Councillors including Support and Safeguarding Portfolio Holder Cllr Josephine Hawkins, Deputy Chief Executive (Interim) Tim Pashen, and Borough Commander Inspector Bob Darkens of Surrey Police at the event. 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and also the 25th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia. The ‘Stand Together’ theme explores how genocidal regimes throughout history have deliberately fractured societies by marginalising certain groups and how these tactics can be challenged by individuals standing together with their neighbours and speaking out against oppression. To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week in February, three of our apprentices went to the launch of the Surrey Apprentice Network. The group has been set up to enable apprentices from across the county to network and share their experiences. You can find out more about our apprenticeship scheme at surreyheath.gov.uk/ apprenticeships Apprentice Network Pride events Following last year's inaugural Pride Flag raising ceremony at Surrey Heath House, the Council reconfirmed its commitment to the Equality Act 2010 at last month's Full Council meeting, and committed to future events and actions supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Along with the Pride Flag raising becoming an annual event, a 'Pride Picnic' is also planned in the Borough. More information on these events will be shared on our social media channels when available.

Caring for elderly relatives at home and abroad

By Annabelle Randell Solicitor - Disputes & Claims Caring for elderly relatives at home and abroad

By Annabelle Randell Solicitor - Disputes & Claims

These days, more and more people are looking after elderly relatives, many will be of sound mind and body, but some will lack mental capacity or could well lose mental capacity in the future. Not all of our relatives live round the corner, the trends of where our families reside has changed a lot over the years. This has seen an increase in the number of family members who own homes, both in the UK and abroad, with many choosing to live out their days outside the UK. The choices our loved ones make can create complications, especially if they haven’t written a Will or appointed Power of Attorney. It often leads to disagreements between family members over the best course of action to take. This is particularly the case if the person being cared for is abroad and there is a dispute over whether the care being provided is appropriate. An individual cannot simply be removed from their country of residence without consideration of a number of legal factors. This was highlighted by the Court of Protection in December 2019, when it considered the case of TD (and another) v KD (and another) [2019] EWCOP 56. TD v KD concerned a man with dementia (QD) who had been living in Spain with his second wife (KD) for over 7 years. KD had been caring for QD in Spain and applied to the Spanish authorities for his legal guardianship. While this application was being considered, QD’s children (TD) had concerns that QD was being inappropriately cared for by KD and, without consulting with KD, decided to remove QD from Spain and take him to England. TD then made an application to the Court of Protection seeking an Order that QD: reside at a care home in England, not return to Spain, and only have supervised contact with KD. KD opposed this application and challenged TD’s ability to remove QD from Spain. In considering whether to deal with TD’s application, the Court of Protection took into account that QD had, prior to losing his mental capacity, made the clear choice to make Spain his permanent home. QD was integrated into the Spanish community and received health care in Spain. QD’s removal to England was achieved “by stealth” and was “wrongful”. TD could instead have notified the police, social services or KD directly. The Court of Protection decided that QD was not habitually resident in England and Wales and it could not deal with TD’s application on that basis. The Court of Protection went on to consider whether the matter was sufficiently “urgent” to allow the court to deal with the application, and decided that it was not. This is because a substantive order was not necessary to avert an immediate threat to life or safety and there was no immediate need for further or other protection. The Court of Protection nevertheless demonstrated a proactive approach and decided that QD could be brought under the protection of England until the authorities in Spain have determined the appropriate next steps. This case highlights the importance of obtaining legal advice before deciding on what to do. To remove a member of your family from their country of residence you need to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to secure their safety. Our Private Client and Dispute Resolution Solicitors are experienced in both, putting the right plans in place before matters arise and dealing with any problems that arise from matters such as Court of Protection, Powers of Attorney, Wills, Estates and more. For more information, speak to a member of our team: Private Wealth Team

info@herrington-carmichael.com Dispute Resolution

drteam@herrington-carmichael.com or call 01276 686222. These days, more and more people are looking after elderly relatives, many will be of sound mind and body, but some will lack mental capacity or could well lose mental capacity in the future. Not all of our relatives live round the corner, the trends of where our families reside has changed a lot over the years. This has seen an increase in the number of family members who own homes, both in the UK and abroad, with many choosing to live out their days outside the UK. The choices our loved ones make can create complications, especially if they haven’t written a Will or appointed Power of Attorney. It often leads to disagreements between family members over the best course of action to take. This is particularly the case if the person being cared for is abroad and there is a dispute over whether the care being provided is appropriate. An individual cannot simply be removed from their country of residence without consideration of a number of legal factors. This was highlighted by the Court of Protection in December 2019, when it considered the case of TD (and another) v KD (and another) [2019] EWCOP 56. TD v KD concerned a man with dementia (QD) who had been living in Spain with his second wife (KD) for over 7 years. KD had been caring for QD in Spain and applied to the Spanish authorities for his legal guardianship. While this application was being considered, QD’s children (TD) had concerns that QD was being inappropriately cared for by KD and, without consulting with KD, decided to remove QD from Spain and take him to England. TD then made an application to the Court of Protection seeking an Order that QD: reside at a care home in England, not return to Spain, and only have supervised contact with KD. KD opposed this application and challenged TD’s ability to remove QD from Spain. In considering whether to deal with TD’s application, the Court of Protection took into account that QD had, prior to losing his mental capacity, made the clear choice to make Spain his permanent home. QD was integrated into the Spanish community and received health care in Spain. QD’s removal to England was achieved “by stealth” and was “wrongful”. TD could instead have notified the police, social services or KD directly. The Court of Protection decided that QD was not habitually resident in England and Wales and it could not deal with TD’s application on that basis. The Court of Protection went on to consider whether the matter was sufficiently “urgent” to allow the court to deal with the application, and decided that it was not. This is because a substantive order was not necessary to avert an immediate threat to life or safety and there was no immediate need for further or other protection. The Court of Protection nevertheless demonstrated a proactive approach and decided that QD could be brought under the protection of England until the authorities in Spain have determined the appropriate next steps. This case highlights the importance of obtaining legal advice before deciding on what to do. To remove a member of your family from their country of residence you need to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to secure their safety. Our Private Client and Dispute Resolution Solicitors are experienced in both, putting the right plans in place before matters arise and dealing with any problems that arise from matters such as Court of Protection, Powers of Attorney, Wills, Estates and more. For more information, speak to a member of our team: Private Wealth Team

info@herrington-carmichael.com Dispute Resolution

drteam@herrington-carmichael.com or call 01276 686222. www.herrington-carmichael.com info@herrington-carmichael.comContact Us