Heathscene Spring 2022 by Surrey Heath

heathscene spring 2022

Draft Local Plan Recycling update Queen's Jubilee events

9 August 2018 9 August 2018

ASS I ST E D L I V I N G | N u r S I N G ASS I ST E D L I V I N G | N u r S I N G

| |

DEmENTIA CArE DEmENTIA CArE

| |

rESpITE rESpITE

Delivering Delivering peace peace of of mind mind -- the the Signature Signature way way Our award winning care team are on hand 24 hours a day providing care that is responsive to Our award winning care team are on hand 24 hours a day providing care that is responsive to individual preferences and needs. We take pride in going above and beyond for your loved ones. individual preferences and needs. We take pride in going above and beyond for your loved ones.

We encourage and empower residents to live independent lifestyles, providing discreet assistance as and when We encourage and empower to livedressing independent lifestyles, providing assistance as have and when needed. From a little assistanceresidents with washing, and taking medication to discreet those residents who greater needed. From a little assistance with washing, dressing and taking medication to those residents who have needs, all our residents receive the tailored support they need delivered in their own apartment. greater needs, all our residents receive the tailored support they need delivered in their own apartment. “ I would not hesitate to recommend Pembroke House to anyone requiring care, we are truly “ I would not hesitate to recommend House care to anyone requiring care, we are truly grateful for all of Pembroke the high-quality they provide.” grateful for all of the high-quality care they provide.” Review from Andrea L, Daughter of resident (carehome.co.uk) Review from Andrea L, Daughter of resident (carehome.co.uk)

To find out more about how Signature at Pembroke House can provide total peace of Toyou findand outyour moreloved about howplease Signature at Pembroke provide Tony total peace of today. mind for ones, contact our ClientHouse Liaisoncan Managers or David mind for you and your loved ones, please contact our Client Liaison Managers Tony or David today.

01276 861952 | enquiries.camberley@signaturesl.co.uk | signature-care-homes.co.uk 01276 861952 | enquiries.camberley@signaturesl.co.uk | signature-care-homes.co.uk

Chief Executive's message We're almost a quarter of the way through the year already, and are starting to see a brighter picture. People are shopping in our high streets in growing numbers, we’re talking to our neighbours about things other than Covid, and seeing the majority returning to some kind of normality. Unfortunately, it will take longer for some who have been badly affected by health and economic problems to recover, and your Council is doing everything it can to provide support. Surrey Heath Borough Council has launched a new emergency housing service in partnership with the Hope Hub - an important project to help support some of the most vulnerable in our community to get back on their feet. See page 15 for details. The Council is also working hard to support local people through our many grant schemes, the Surrey Heath Lottery, and our excellent community services

partnership - you can read more about these in this issue. One of our top priorities is improving health and quality of life, and we’ve recently adopted a new physical activity strategy. Hot on the heels of the opening of our brand new leisure centre last year, this is a plan covers the whole Borough, including fantastic programmes like our free walks schemes. Find out more on page 9. We are always looking forward and as part of this we will be publishing a new draft Local Plan for consultation. This will help determine the best places for housing, employment and recreation in the Borough and the natural habitats we need to

protect. You have an opportunity to have your say on this vital framework for Surrey Heath’s future - and we want to hear from as many people as possible. Let us know what you think online, in person or at a virtual event. Page 4 has more details. The country will celebrate HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, and we’re looking forward to our residents enjoying plenty of community events across Surrey Heath – page 10 has further information. The Camberley Comedy Festival will also return this summer bigger and better than ever - find out more on page 20! Damian Roberts Chief Executive, SHBC

@surreyheath

Surrey Heath Borough Council

SurreyHeathBC

Cover photo: Bluebells in Camberley. Credit: Michele Sheppard, Windlesham and Camberley Camera Club. Copywriting by Kate Noviss and Joanne Atkinson, Surrey Heath Borough Council. Designed by Russell Jenkins, Surrey Heath Borough Council. Printed by Frontline, Nursery Down House, Knights Garden, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 3JR. Published by Surrey Heath Borough Council, Email heathscene@surreyheath.gov.uk Tel: 01276 707100. If you require this magazine in a different format, please call the communications and engagement team on 01276 707312. Copyright © Surrey Heath Borough Council. Surrey Heath Borough Council does not accept responsibility for the views expressed by advertisers in this magazine, nor does it necessarily endorse products or services advertised. Promote your business with Surrey Heath Borough Council Would you like the opportunity to promote your business to more than 39,000 households and businesses in Surrey Heath? Surrey Heath Borough Council offers advertising space at competitive rates in Heathscene magazine, distributed to every household in the borough. For further information contact Frontline on 01342 312570 or email frontline@frontlinedesigners.co.uk

surreyheath.gov.uk | Heathscene |

Development

SURREY HEATH BOROUGH COUNCIL

L CAL PLAN your views matter Our new Local Plan will help shape the future development of the Borough. Find out how you can share your views on the key issues. What is the Surrey Heath Local Plan? Our Draft Local Plan sets out a vision for how Surrey Heath will develop as a place up to 2038. It aims to protect and enhance our Borough’s attractiveness as a place to live, work, and visit.

The plan looks at our future needs for development up to 2038, and helps to decide where that development will go and what it will look like. The plan sets out planning policies that provide the detailed framework to guide

development once the plan is adopted. These policies would be used by our Borough Councillors and planning officers to help them decide whether planning applications are approved or refused.

How to have your say

We are really keen for as many local people as possible to tell us their views on the draft plan. Our Draft Local Plan consultation allows you to comment on a series of key planning issues for the Borough and the Council’s preferred policy option to address these issues. What you tell us during this consultation will help us to develop the spatial planning and development management policies for Surrey Heath. Find out how to respond to the consultation on our website at surreyheath.gov.uk/draftlocalplan or scan the QR code on the right with a smartphone: There are also details on our website of our planned Draft Local Plan public exhibitions, drop in events and

virtual sessions. You can also call our Contact Centre on 01276 707 100 or email us at planning. consultation@surreyheath.gov.uk to find out more information. If you are not able to visit our website or call our Contact Centre, you can find out more information about the Draft Local Plan consultation at Surrey Heath House. Printed copies of the key consultation documents, including the draft plan, will be available to view at the SHBC office reception area, and at all libraries within the Borough.

| Heathscene | surreyheath.gov.uk/draftlocalplan

SURRE

ATH B OROU L CEA GH C OUNC IL L PLA CON N

SULT ATIO N

surrey hea /draft th.gov.uk localp lan

Development

Key issues in the Local Plan

SURREY HEATH BOROUGH COUNCIL

L CAL PLAN CONSULTATION

The overarching challenge facing planning in our Borough is providing enough additional housing and infrastructure to support our growing population, whilst making sure that our environment is protected and the quality of life of our residents is not compromised.

The Local Plan seeks to do this in the following ways:

Planning for the new homes we need ■ Identifying specific sites for new homes ■ Requiring a proportion of affordable homes on all new housing sites

Infrastructure ■ Making sure that new development contributes to improving our roads, schools, and other community facilities.

■ Planning for the type and mix of homes we need, including for older people ■ Making efficient use of land for new housing.

Environment ■ Protecting the Green Belt from inappropriate development

Enhancing our town centres, retail offering, and economy ■ Focusing new development in Camberley town centre, to ensure it remains competitive and an attractive choice to live, work, and shop. ■ Allowing greater flexibility in how local businesses use their buildings, and the types of businesses that can come forward, to help adapt to a changing economy.

■ Resisting development in areas that are more likely to flood ■ Ensuring developments make improvements to biodiversity in our area ■ Seeking high levels of energy efficiency and to achieve netzero emission development ■ Making sure new development is adapted to the effects of climate change.

Design and Heritage ■ Promoting healthy and sustainable living in our communities through good design ■ Supporting improvements to walking and cycling in our local areas ■ Making sure new development fits in with and improves the unique design and heritage of our different local areas ■ Protects heritage assets in our local areas for future generations.

SURREY HEATH BOROUGH COUNCIL

L CAL PLAN CONSULTATION

Planning for all our futures. surreyheath.gov.uk /draftlocalplan

surreyheath.gov.uk/draftlocalplan | Heathscene |

Tackling

Environment

Climate Change

There are some simple ways you can help protect our local environment and increase biodoversity. Green your garden

No idling please!

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden there are many things you can do to make a difference.

What is engine idling?

As well as homes for all sorts of critters, gardens can help us offset the effects of climate change by: ■

Providing shade

■

Helping reduce flooding

■

Feeding pollinators

■

Enhancing biodiversity

■

Absorbing carbon dioxide.

Engine idling is leaving your vehicle running when stationary.

Create a greener driveway -

Here are some nature friendly actions you can try in your garden:

increasing permeable surfaces

Plant a wide range of plants – a greater variety of plant species with different flowering times will make your garden more resilient to extreme weather conditions and benefit local wildlife.

surface water run-off.

Avoid artificial grass - not only are high levels of energy and oil used to produce it, artificial grass also deprives insects and other ecosystems of a home. As it wears, it sheds small pieces of plastic that pollute the environment.

barrier or boundary.

with grasses and flowers encourage plants and decrease Have a hedge - plant hedges rather than using fences where possible, they are an extremely valuable habitat for wildlife as well as providing a natural Don’t be too tidy – small pockets of ‘overgrowth’ such as longer grass, wildflowers and nettles, or undisturbed piles of cuttings, sticks or logs can make a huge difference to local wildlife.

| Heathscene | surreyheath.gov.uk/sustainablesurreyheath

You might see idling outside school, at a red light, in the morning to heat up a car, or at roadworks or a level crossing.

Simply switch off! Help the environment Idling vehicles emit higher levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and hydrocarbons. This worsens air quality and contributes to climate change. Improve air quality – Idling worsens air quality, which is bad for human health, particularly children as their lungs are still developing. Save money – Idling wastes fuel, more than 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

Lightwater highlights

Community

There’s lots to love about Lightwater Country Park.

Adventure golf arrives Have you visited Lightwater Adventure Golf yet? There’s a fantastic new 18 hole wildlife themed mini golf course for the community to enjoy! Fun features including a train, windmill, bridges and ramps which make up part of the journey through nature – not forgetting an iconic loop-the-loop that is set to be the statement piece of the course. The course is made using

sustainable reclaimed wood where possible. Located in Lightwater Country Park, immediately on the left hand side upon entering the park, the new outdoor activity is suitable for all ages and abilities. Priced at £4.95 per person for 18 holes, Lightwater Adventure Golf is a great value activity that the whole family can enjoy.

Bench of Hope installed at the park Lightwater Country Park has a new attraction – a Bench of Hope. It’s part of an initiative linked to the hit Netflix series After Life, in conjunction with

suicide prevention charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). Just like in After Life, where the touching ‘bench scenes’ featuring Ricky Gervais’s character Tony have become iconic, the hope is that our bench will be a place that people can sit and think, talk and listen in the beautiful surroundings of the park. The bench, overlooking peaceful Hammonds Pond, is inscribed with a quote from After Life ‘Hope is Everything’.

It’s one of 25 benches across the country, commissioned in partnership with CALM, who offer help, advice and information to anyone who is struggling or in crisis. Those who visit the bench will be able to access resources from CALM via a unique QR code with the wording ‘Life can be tough, but there’s always hope. Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is by your side’ - and online by visiting thecalmzone.net/afterlife/

surreyheath.gov.uk/lcp | Heathscene |

Budget

Financial update Surrey Heath Borough Council has set its budget and Council Tax for 2022/23.

As a Council, SHBC has seen a dramatic reduction in income as a direct result of the pandemic and its aftermath, income we rely on to fund local services.

its property estate is continuing to generate income to help fund council services, albeit, not as much as was possible before the pandemic.

At February’s Full Council meeting, a £5 per year increase was agreed on the Borough Councilrelated element of the Council Tax of a Band D property. This equates to just 9.6p per week a rise of just over 2%, less than half the rate of inflation.

This comes at a time when we are also responding to unprecedented levels of demand for local services, particularly from the most vulnerable in our community and those whose lives have been upended by the pandemic. To protect services that local residents rely on most, the Council’s approach is to reduce costs wherever possible, to direct more of our resources into front line service delivery, and find ways to be more productive than ever. This translates into the Council delivering a record level of efficiency and back-office savings for next year while maintaining the services that residents most value. The Council is fortunate that

ensure that the Council moves progressively to a position where it has enough resources to fund all the services that local residents rely on.

This has been a financial lifeline for the Council enabling it to build up its reserves in previous years, and is now helping the Council to meet some of its financial pressures. SHBC’s aim has been to set a prudent budget that balances the need to find savings, maintain priority services, make use of available reserves, and

| Heathscene | surreyheath.gov.uk/counciltax

Under current arrangements only 11% of Council Tax and 5% of Business Rates collected locally by SHBC stays with the Borough Council – the remainder of the Council Tax collected goes to Surrey County Council (74%), Surrey Police (14%) and Parish Councils (1%). Anyone struggling to pay their Council Tax should contact SHBC to discuss the ways in which we can help.

Moving Forward Wellbeing

In January SHBC adopted a new Physical Activity Strategy for the Borough for the next five years.

The new strategy, Moving Forward, has been developed using a range of sources including Sport England and Active Surrey strategies, ‘Active Lives’ data - a Sport England tool providing a comprehensive view of the nation’s activity levels - and a three-phase engagement process with local people and community groups. We are less active than before the pandemic, with 22.3% of surveyed residents undertaking less than 30 minutes of physical activity between May 2020-21, compared with 18.7% in 2019-20. Data also shows inequalities in activity levels between different sections

of our community, including by area, gender, age, ethnicity and health condition. These inequalities have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Moving Forward sets a number of actions to address those inequalities and increase physical activity levels by creating an environment where all Surrey Heath residents, regardless of age, background or circumstances, have the opportunity to participate in physical activity in a way that works for them. The actions in Moving Forward are focused around six key themes:

■ Recover and reinvent ■ Connecting communities ■ Making activity accessible ■ Stronger connections with health and wellbeing ■ Active environments ■ Children and young people. The strategy also aims to build on existing strengths in the Borough including Places Leisure Camberley, a wealth of green spaces, committed volunteers, relationships with partners and learning from previous projects. More details: surreyheath.gov.uk/ movingforward

Walk this way Our Walking for Health scheme is now known as the Surrey Heath Ramblers Wellbeing Walks scheme. The name may have changed but we'll still be offering great free guided walks in some of your favourite parts of the Borough. Walks take place every Wednesday at varying locations, in addition to fortnightly Tuesday walks and occasional weekend walks for more experienced walkers. Our popular diabetes walks have also returned to Frimley Lodge Park every Monday morning at 10am. The free programme includes a walk followed by guest speakers from local services such as the Surrey Diabetic Eye Screening programme and specialist diabetes nurses. More information: surreyheath.gov.uk/walks

surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure | Heathscene |

Queen’s Jubilee Events

CELEBRATING THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE 2022

SURREY HEATH BOROUGH COUNCIL

There’ll be plenty to celebrate in Surrey Heath.

HM Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth – and there are some great events going on in Surrey Heath to mark the occasion!

Dates for your diary ■ 30 April - 12 June The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon Trail, Camberley town centre ■ 2-5 June - Four-day Bank Holiday weekend including: ■ Thursday 2 June – Council officers will light the Community Beacon at Frimley Lodge Park. Charity fundraiser event The Platinum Jubilee Party In the

Park will also take place there. More info: facebook.com/ PlatinumJubileeSurreyHeath ■ Sunday 5 June - Picnic in the Park at London Road Recreation Ground, as part of ‘The Big Jubilee Lunch’. Local people are encouraged to bring a picnic and come together in a family friendly atmosphere to celebrate the Queen’s historic

reign. This free event will include live music and entertainment throughout the afternoon. Want to host your own Big Lunch? Visit the Eden Project website: edenprojectcommunities.com/ the-big-jubilee-lunch More information on all of these events at surreyheath.gov.uk/ surrey-heath's-big-summer-fun

The Queen's Green Canopy

Community Events

We are supporting the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, a unique tree planting project to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

Thinking of organising a Street Party or Community Event for the Jubilee?

We encourage local people to join in too and ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ and enhance our local environment. queensgreencanopy.org

| Heathscene | surreyheath.gov.uk

CELEBRATING THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE 2022

SURREY HEATH BOROUGH COUNCIL

To celebrate safely there will be forms and licenses you will need to apply for. Visit surreyheath.gov.uk/jubilee for more information.

HELP AT HOME

“

It is like having

a friend

come round

to help

Our Home Helps take pride in building relationships with the clients to ensure they feel safe and happy.

Start as a client but end as a friend. Help at Home is your doorway into a world of advice and information for people aged 50+. At Age UK Surrey we provide various services and activities all geared to making older people get the most out of later life. HOUSEWORK SHOPPING COMPANIONSHIP AND MUCH MORE

All our home helps are comprehensively briefed, have access to PPE, maintain social distancing and are security checked.

01483 503414

enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk www.ageuk.org.uk/surrey Charity No: 1036450

1HS0222

NEW RETIREMENT APARTMENTS FOR SALE

Be in by Spring with our 100% Home Exchange promotion*

Save on your bills and move into one of our energy efficient apartments

We understand that moving could be daunting. To make it as hassle free as possible, take advantage of our offer where you can receive up to 100% of your property value*. Churchill can find a guaranteed cash buyer for your property so there’s never been a better time to make the move.

LO D G E M A N AG E R • G U E S T S U ITE FO R FR I E N DS A N D FA M I LY • LI F T • L A N DSC A P E D GA R D E N S • OW N E R S ' LO U N G E

BAGSHOT Wessex Lodge, London Road GU19 5HN Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

CAMBERLEY Stokes Lodge, Park Lane GU15 3FU Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

01276 819227

01276 862439

churchillretirement.co.uk

Visit us and receive a £20 M&S gift card*

*T&C’s apply. Visit our website to find out more.

Wellbeing

Social prescribing Social prescribing is a free service for local people that can support you to improve your overall wellbeing.

What is Social Prescribing? Social Prescribing aims to support individuals to take better control over their health and improve their wellbeing. It’s designed for people with a range of social, emotional or practical needs, who need help navigating their way through the community-based services and organisations available locally. How does it work? We offer personal appointments with one of our Wellbeing Advisers, where you can talk about your concerns and the factors that affect your health. The Wellbeing Adviser will work with you to reach postitive outcomes, by helping to identify and organise assistance through the Council and community, faith and voluntary organisations available locally. What can we help with? Services our Wellbeing Adviser can support you to access include: ■ Support with living independently at home ■ Transport to help with getting out and about ■ Local interest groups and leisure activities ■ Opportunities to socialise e.g. events and social clubs ■ Advice services including benefits, finance and housing ■ Mental or emotional support ■ Support around a disability How to access the service Complete our online form at surreyheath.gov. uk/socialprescribing, call 01276 707253 or email shcp.socialprescribing@nhs.net

Surrey Heath

Social Prescribing success ■ SHBC work in partnership with NHS Frimley CCG, Surrey Heath Primary Care Network, Surrey Heath Community Providers and Citizens Advice Surrey Heath to deliver Social Prescribing (SP) in Surrey Heath. ■ More than three years since its launch in the Borough, the service demonstrates the value of positive partnership working across sectors. ■ SP provides a support function to health professionals, primarily GPs, easing pressure on the health service. Almost 150 new referrals were received between October and December 2021. ■ The service continues to grow and develop – including implementing new software to coordinate the service, and to help measure the impact of SP in improving the wellbeing of residents.

| Heathscene | surreyheath.gov.uk/socialprescribing

Health matters

Health

Knowing where to go for help with your mental and physical health is really important.

Looking after your wellbeing When we’re feeling worried, down or busy caring for others, it’s even more important to look after ourselves. Mental health and wellbeing is important to us all. One in four people will experience problems with their

mental health during their lives.

If you’re experiencing the kind of feelings that make it difficult for you to get on with living your life, it’s important to talk to someone about how you are feeling. There are a range of services available to support people in

Do you need help with your mental health? You can access these free services directly, but you can also talk to your GP about how you're feeling

1:1 support and wellbeing activities • 01276 409415 • communityconnections@catalystsupport.org.uk • Text: 07919 541 424

In a crisis visit instead of Accident and Emergency • Safe Haven, new temporary location, 8 Andover Way, Aldershot, GU11 3RJ • 6pm-11 pm Mon-Fri • 12.30pm-11 pm weekends and bank holidays

Employment support • 01932 910942 • www.richmondfellowship.org.uk

• 0800 915 4644 • Textphone: 18001 0800 915 4644 • SMS text: 07717 989 024

At risk of homelessness and/or unemployed • Visit the portacabin behind Camberley library • 01276 581174 - Leave a voicemail

• Visit the Healthy Surrey website https://www.healthysurrey.org.uk/

Surrey Heath to maintain good mental wellbeing and address any problems as they arise. Visit the mental wellbeing pages of frimleyhealthandcare.org.uk NHS talking therapies, available to all adults, is a confidential service run by fully trained experts. People can refer themselves without seeing a GP first. Talking Therapies can help overcome common issues such as trouble sleeping, low mood and worry - and help you to improve your quality of life. The service can also help you with the emotional impact of living with a long-term condition such as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, as well as link to employment advice services. Visit the Talking Therapies pages of healthysurrey.org.uk for more information.

Think pharmacy first When you or your family are unwell, your local pharmacy is there to help. Community pharmacists are trained medical professionals who can provide free advice on the best treatment for a wide range of illnesses and minor ailments. Local pharmacies can provide expert advice and a fast route to medication for minor ailments like aches and pains, sore throat,

coughs, colds, flu-like symptoms, runny noses, earache and skin rashes. Most pharmacies also have a confidential consulting area for privacy should you need to discuss your condition. Check out our video about using your pharmacy on the NHS Frimley CCG YouTube channel. frimleyhealthandcare.org.uk/livinghere/helping-you-to-stay-well.

frimleyccg.nhs.uk | Heathscene | 13

Grants and support Community

A total of £192,000 has been awarded to local voluntary groups in 2022-23 through our Revenue Grant scheme.

In January, the Executive approved grants to community organisations and charities dedicated to helping people within the Borough:

■ Citizens Advice Surrey Heath (CASH) £80,000

■ The Hope Hub £31,500 ■ Voluntary Support North Surrey (VSNS) £30,000

■ Surrey Heath Age Concern £10,000

■ VSNS - Time to Talk £10,000 ■ Basingstoke Canal Authority £10,000

■ Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership £10,000

■ Camberley Central Job Club £6,000

■ Surrey Heath Sports Council £3,000

■ Catalyst Support £1,500 All grants are subject to Service Level Agreements, to ensure changing local priorities and needs continue to be met. These grants have been funded via the Containment Outbreak Management Fund, and it was

Free food stalls Old Dean Community Group and St Martin's Church run a free food stall every Sunday 12.30-1.30pm in the Youth Centre, Old Dean. A free community breakfast also takes place at St Martin's Church Hall on Sundays from 10am. agreed the same source would be used to meet the Revenue Grant costs of £100,000 of the three ringfenced organisations for 2023/24 - CASH, BCA and BVCP.

Help when you need it More than £121,000 has been issued in Household Support Fund (HSF) payments in Surrey Heath since last November. The HSF was introduced by the Government to help support those who are struggling to pay for food, utility bills and essentials over the winter. There’s still time to apply before the deadline of 31 March. Typical grant payments are £50 for individuals and £80 for families, and you can apply more

| Heathscene | surreyheath.gov.uk/additionalsupport

than once to the fund. You may qualify for help if you live in Surrey Heath and:

■ You are on a low income, or ■ You are in receipt of meanstested benefits eg Universal credit or Pension Credit or

■ Your children receive free school meals or

■ You are struggling to pay your essential household bills. Citizens Advice Surrey Heath are managing the application process. To apply, download an application form from citizensadvicesurreyheath.org.uk, email htc@camberley.cabnet.org. uk or phone 01276 417900.

New start

Housing

Surrey Heath Borough Council and The Hope Hub have opened new short-term accommodation for people needing emergency housing.

The Council is committed to extending our support for those who need our help, and want to deliver that support in a positive way for all the local community.

The Emergency Accommodation Service (EAS), based in a sixbedroom property in Camberley, is an important step in supporting residents, who find themselves homeless, to return to a settled life in the community. The EAS is run and managed by The Hope Hub, an established registered charity working to prevent and end homelessness in Surrey Heath, who are supported by the Council. The new service provides a local base from which homeless individuals can access local services while working with the Council and The Hope Hub to secure a new home. The EAS offers safe overnight accommodation with a hot meal, staff onsite to provide support, and works hand in hand with daily support provided by The Hope Hub in central Camberley. Before being offered a room a full assessment is carried out to ensure that individuals are able to live in a shared environment with other people, are prepared to abide by a set of house rules

(including a curfew) and are willing to work with local services to end their homelessness during their time at the EAS.

greater independence (such as

The support individuals are required to engage with, via The Hope Hub and the Council’s Housing Solutions Team, will help individuals find settled accommodation - this could be through mediation with family, finding a room or flat with a private landlord or moving into longer term supported housing.

These run alongside a number

People are connected with health and social care support services, and have access to training and courses to create

cooking lessons), improve digital skills and access to volunteering and employment opportunities. of programmes that improve people’s confidence, resilience and ability to move on to independent lives. Initial funding for the EAS was secured by SHBC from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. More information about The Hope Hub can be found at www.thehopehub.org.uk

surreyheath.gov.uk | Heathscene | 15

SECURE ACCESS

Unsure which way to turn? Bills mounting up?

TO YOUR COUNCIL TAX ACCOUNT 24/7

Feeling desperate or isolated? Struggling to put food on the table?

We can help. Everyone needs support sometimes. Give us a call and let us help you to access the support you need to get back on your feet.

Citizens Advice Surrey Heath

01276 417900

www.citizensadvicesurreyheath.org.uk

With our new online citizens access portal it’s quick and easy to: ► Check your balance ► Report a change in circumstances ► Manage your direct debits and other payments

Surrey Heath

Surrey Heath Borough Council

01276 707100

To register today visit: surreyheath.gov.uk/counciltax

www.surreyheath.gov.uk

SHBC HELP A5 2022.indd 1

17/02/2022 16:13:20

join the

We’re recruiting HGV drivers in Surrey

team

At Amey, we can offer you sociable working hours and a new starter bonus of £1,500. If you have a HGV licence or would like us to provide one with fully paid training - apply now.

amey.co.uk/ your-career

Inheritance Tax Planning, Inheritance Tax Planning, you should really start planning now! Inheritance Tax Planning, you should really start now! By Charlotte Woods, Partner - Head of Private Wealthplanning & Inheritance you should really start planning now! By Charlotte Woods, Partner - Head of Private Wealth & Inheritance By Charlotte Woods, Partner - Head of Private Wealth & Inheritance

If you have in excess of £325,000 in property or other assets, or you are a couple with more than If you have in excess of £325,000 in property or £650,000, remainsinan issue that If you assets, haveinheritance in or excess oftax £325,000 property or will other you are a couple with more than affect you and your family. With property prices other assets, or you are a couple with more that thanin £650,000, inheritance tax remains an issue will Surrey as high as they tax are, it meansanthat many £650,000, issue thatofwill affect you inheritance and your family.remains With property prices in our clients exceed these levels. affect you and your family. With property prices in Surrey as high as they are, it means that many of Surrey as high as they are, it means that many of our clients exceed these levels. IHT can often be a daunting subject, but it is one that our clients exceed these levels. people often leave the planning of until it is too late for us IHT can often be a daunting subject, but it is one that to help. We areberecognised specialists in inheritance tax IHT canoften often daunting subject, but one that people leavea the planning of until it itisistoo late for us planning and often write articles and guidance with tips people leave the planning of untilinit inheritance is too late for to help.often We are recognised specialists taxus on how you can avoid paying too much. to help. We areoften recognised specialists in inheritance tax planning and write articles and guidance with tips planning and often write articles and guidance with tips on how you can avoid paying too much. How could weavoid helppaying you with Inheritance Tax? on how you can too much. 1. Explain what reliefs exemptions are available to How could we helpand you with Inheritance Tax? you could and how access these. How wetohelp you with Inheritance Tax? 1. Explain what reliefs and exemptions are available to 1.2. Explain what reliefs and exemptions aretax available to Warn you of the traps contained in the legislation you and how to access these. you and how to access these. 3. Warn Help to organise your affairs in a in taxthe efficient manner 2. you of the traps contained tax legislation 2. Warn you of the traps contained in the tax legislation 4. Advise a tax efficient structure for efficient your Willmanner 3. Help toon organise your affairs in a tax 3. Help to organise your affairs in a tax efficient manner 5. Advise When appropriate refer you to third 4. on a tax efficient structure forparty yourinvestment Will 4. advisers Advise onoraliaise tax efficient structure for yourover Willthe with your own advisers 5. When appropriate refer you to third party investment implementation of advice. 5. advisers When appropriate refer youown to third partyover investment or liaise with your advisers the advisers or liaise with your own advisers over the if 6. implementation Advise and assistofinadvice. the implementation of Trusts implementation of advice. they are considered beneficial. 6. Advise and assist in the implementation of Trusts if 6. they Advise assist in the implementation of Trusts if areand considered beneficial. they are considered beneficial.

Inheritance Tax Planning - Top 10 Tips

Taxyou Planning Top 10 Tips Inheritance It’s important make a -Will Inheritance Tax Planning - Top 10 Tips

It’s important you make a Will / Death in Review your Policies / Pensions It’s important you make a Will Service Review Benefits your Policies / Pensions / Death in Review Policiesif/you Pensions / Death in Service Benefits Use Giftyour allowances have excess funds Service Benefits Use Gift allowances if you–have funds Consider Charitable Gifts now excess or in your Will Use Gift allowances if you have excess funds Look Consider Charitable Gifts – now or in your Will at setting up Trusts Consider Charitable Gifts – now or in your Will Look at setting up(Nil Trusts Understand NRB Rate Band), TNRB (Transferable Look at setting up Trusts Nil Rate Band)Band), and RNRB Understand NRB (Nil Rate TNRB Nil Rate Band) (Residence Understand NRB (Nil Rate Band), TNRB (Transferable Nil Rate Band) and RNRB (Transferable NilRate Band)with andfamily, RNRBexecutors (Residence Nil Communication –Rate beBand) open (Residence Nil Rate Band) beneficiaries on your intentions & Communication – be open with family, executors Communication – be open with family, executors & beneficiaries Take advice fromona your STEPintentions qualified advisor & beneficiaries on your intentions Take advice fromexcess a STEP qualified advisor Make gifts from income Take advice from a STEP qualified advisor Makeofgifts excess Last all …from spend it! income Make gifts from excess income Lastcontact of all …our spend it! Wealth Team and book a Please Private Last of all … spend it! FREE 15 Mins chat in March: Please contact our Private Wealth Team and book a Please contact our in Private Wealth Team and book a FREE 15 Mins chat March: T: 01276 686 222 FREE 15 Mins chat in March:

E: HCprivateclient@herrington-carmichael.com T: 01276 686 222 T: 686 222 E: 01276 HCprivateclient@herrington-carmichael.com E: HCprivateclient@herrington-carmichael.com

FREE 15mins chat in March - Book your 15 Mins by quoting ‘Heathscene’.

FREE 15mins chat in March - Book your 15 Mins by quoting ‘Heathscene’. FREE 15mins chat in March - Book your 15 Minsinfo@herrington-carmichael.com by quoting ‘Heathscene’. www.herrington-carmichael.com www.herrington-carmichael.com

info@herrington-carmichael.com

Sustainability

Recycle right The latest on how we can all help to increase how much we recycle.

Last year, Surrey Heath ranked top sixth best recycler in England at 62.9%* but there’s always more to do! Surrey Environment Partnership’s latest campaign launched earlier this month, encouraging residents across Surrey to keep recycling right. There are five key ways to help increase our recycling rates - including using the Surrey Recycles search tool and app, and there’s a waste sorting game to test your knowledge. Recent research from Keep Britain Tidy has highlighted the phenomenon of ‘wish-cycling’ - placing something in a recycling bin with the hopes it will be recycled. The search tool, app and game offer a fun and quick way to avoid contaminating recycling with a non-recyclable item which, in some cases, can spoil the whole truck load of recycling. That results in a big cost to the council and residents, along with damage to the environment. Find out more about recycling right at: surreyep.org.uk *

Defra’s Local Authority league table 2019/20

Garden waste collections Further garden waste collections have been arranged to take place weeks commencing 7 and 14 March, and again on weeks commencing 4 and 11 April. Subscribers have been contacted by letter and email with more details. Visit jointwastesolutions.org for more information.

Fast facts about food waste ■ More than 50,000 tonnes of food waste in Surrey are not being recycled – costing councils £4 million ■ Free weekly collections mean it’s easy to reduce your food waste footprint and help the planet ■ Food waste collected by local crews is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it is broken down to produce biogas, which is collected and used to generate electricity ■ Find out more including top tips on how to reduce your food waste at: surreyep.org.uk.

| Heathscene | surreyheath.gov.uk/rubbish

Economic Development

Supporting jobseekers W RKSHOP THE

FREE CAREERS GUIDANCE AND ADVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Could you be a mentor?

At The Workshop, young people from Surrey Heath aged 18-24 are supported to get work-ready and overcome any barriers that might be holding them back from achieving their employment goals. As part of this, a mentoring programme with a bank of volunteer mentors has been set up. Mentors are matched with a young person for regular meetings, kindly supported

by Mullans on Camberley High Street. A mentor is a person who guides a less experienced person by building trust and modelling positive behaviours. If you would like to support young people in the Borough build confidence and develop skills to get into employment, and can spare an hour per week, please contact lia. rosina@surreyheath.gov.uk

How we are helping connect those looking for work with employers locally.

Following the ongoing success of The Workshop, SHBC is continuing to extend its partnership work with the Department of Work and Pensions, and Job Centre Plus. Throughout 2022 the partnership will bring a series of events aimed at both businesses and those seeking employment. The initial event will promote SWAPs (Sector-Based Work Academy Programme) which helps job seekers access preemployment training for specific sectors, work experience with an employer, and support in finding employment. It also covers Job Centre Plus services offered to businesses, and how employers can access Apprenticeships. Further events will target job seekers in Surrey Heath who need extra support and confidence building to get back into work. Keep an eye on our social media channels for more details, and subscribe to our business e-newsletter via businessinsurreyheath.co.uk

surreyheath.gov.uk/business

| Heathscene | 19

Comedycentral Events

The third Camberley Comedy Festival will take place at the London Road Recreation Ground on Saturday 9 July.

Following sold out events for the last two years, we’re thrilled to announce this year’s Camberley Comedy Festival will be bigger and better than ever. Headliner Phil Wang is joined by Luisa Omielan, Andrew Ryan and MC Laura Lexx for an evening of laughter in the park. Camberley Theatre will once again host the comedy in a beautiful star-lined marquee, and there will be a fully stocked bar and street food available. Tickets are likely to sell quickly for this event – last year’s festival was included in the Guardian’s Cultural Highlights, and praised for its ‘intriguing line up'.

 Check out the stars  Phil Wang

Andrew Ryan

Phil’s appeared at comedy festivals around the world, enjoyed soldout shows, and is a regular on Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, QI, Would I Lie to You? and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Andrew’s quintessentially Irish storytelling abilities and cheeky, friendly demeanour make him a natural stand up.

Luisa Omielan Originally from Farnborough, local girl Luisa's hit show 'What Would Beyonce Do?!' was toured for five years and became a book and a BBC special.

He's a regular MC at comedy clubs across the country and has appeared on TV shows including Live at The Comedy Store for Comedy Central. MC - Laura Lexx As seen on Live At The Apollo, Roast Battle and Hypothetical, Laura was described as 'one of the most delightful performers you're ever likely to see' by GQ. Laura’s book Klopp Actually followed her viral tweets about the Liverpool football manager.

Need to know: Camberley Comedy Festival, London Road Rec, Saturday 9 July, starts 6.00pm, tickets £25, available from camberleytheatre.co.uk and 01276 707600.

BACK AGAIN ON SATURDAY 9

2022

CAMBERLEY CAMBERLEY

COMEDY COMEDY

FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL BAR & FOOD AVAILABLE

JULY 2022