Claygate Courier—issue 57—October 2025

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SEARCH IS ON FOR BIDDERS TO RUN CENTRE

Many more volunteers will be needed to help run Claygate Centre in Elm Road once its operation has been handed over to a new management community group after Elmbridge Borough Council ceases direct management next year.

Elmbridge will be choosing a new organisation to run the Centre in mid December following a rapid search for a management group. So far, there are three potential bidders to take on a lease of the Centre, one of which involves a group of Claygate residents.

The need to find new management follows extensive consultation work undertaken on behalf of Elmbridge Borough Council this year. One key recommendation was for a Connected Communities strategy under which Elmbridge would cease directly managing all of its community centres and seek community groups to take them over and run them for the benefit of the community under a lease arrangement with Elmbridge. The idea is that this would free up funds to assist a wider section of the community who need support, as well as potentially saving £1m. This policy has been approved by Elmbridge Borough Council.

There have been meetings to clarify the timescale for submitting a bid to take over a community centre lease, as well as to establish Elmbridge's requirements and expectations of a bidder.

There are three potential bidders for Claygate Centre and the Parish Council is keen to support bidders and anyone interested in providing services and activities at the Centre or hiring the venue. The final date for formal submission of a bid is November 14. The tight and challenging deadline is largely a consequence of the forthcoming transition of Surrey into unitary authorities. Elmbridge expects to decide on the winning bidder for the lease in mid-December.

But whoever takes over will need more volunteers than ever. The successful bidder for the lease will inevitably seek to make greater use of the building for a wider section of the community and be dependent on volunteers to help make things happen. The Parish Council will provide updates and announcements on notice boards and social media. Help, thoughts and ideas from all Claygate residents are needed.

In the meantime Claygate Centre remains open for business for members of the public as well as Centre members. The tea bar provides tea, coffee, sandwiches, toasties and cakes at affordable prices, Activities for Centre members, such as chair-based exercises and yoga, and services such as hairdressing and podiatry, remain available. Lunch is still available daily for Centre members with entertainment on Thursday afternoon.

The recent visit of pet therapy animals also proved to be very popular. And the annual Christmas Fayre will take place at the Centre on Thursday November 20 from 10am to noon; everyone is welcome.

John Bamford, Trustee, Friends of Claygate Centre

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Donna Holt, who chairs Claygate Parish Council, highlights the issues that will affect everyone in the village

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support of the Claygate Parish Council, it is truly a privilege to serve this wonderful village and your enthusiasm and assistance in our various initiatives inspire us every day.

I am also pleased to welcome two Parish Councillors John Burns, an expert in highways and transportation, and Stephen Ellis, who brings experience in planning. Both were co opted in August from a field of six applicants and will serve until May 2027, when local elections take place.

Their contributions will strengthen our Environment, Highways and Transport and Planning Committees. Both committees have seen recent successes, including the defeat of the Raleigh Drive planning application and providing advice to Surrey County Council regarding options for transport at Hook Park. More details will be shared by the Committee Chairs in their articles.

I have been engaged in the Local Government Review by drafting the Parish Council's response to the consultation. Additionally, as chair of the only Parish Council in Elmbridge, I have had the honour of representing our Parish on the pilot East Elmbridge Neighbourhood Area Committee planned by Surrey County Council. These area committees are expected to be the link between new Unitary Councils and the local communities they serve. Councillor Michael Collon provides further insights in his article.

For those concerned about the Community Centre, particularly in light of the recent planning approval for housing at the Winning Horse site, I encourage you to read the update from John Bamford of the Friends of the Claygate Centre. The Parish Council is committed to supporting any community members interested in bidding to manage the Centre.

During a recent update with Elmbridge Borough Council, we learned about the consultation regarding Torrington Lodge car park. Architects are exploring four development scenarios: a gym and residential; shops and residential; health centre and residential; housing only. We look forward to collaborating with Elmbridge on this consultation. The Claygate Vision and Action Plan consultation statement, conducted this year, has faced delays but is expected to be presented to the Elmbridge Cabinet and published by the end of the year.

Parents of children at Claygate Primary School may be aware that Hinchley Wood School's admissions policy was reviewed earlier this year. I met Ben Bartlett, former head of the school, and chair of the school's Trust, to advocate for Claygate's interests, as the policy had been disadvantageous to our applicants. Thanks to the efforts of the public, Claygate Primary School, the Parish Council, Elmbridge Councillors, and local MP Monica Harding, we successfully lobbied for the existing admissions policy to remain unchanged.

I also spent a morning with residents and carers from Wingham Court, walking through the village to understand better the transport and accessibility challenges they encounter. This experience highlighted several areas for improvement. I compiled my findings and shared them with Surrey County Councillor Mark Sugden for further action. Tragically, Mark passed away before he could address these issues. I recently connected with our new Surrey representative, Councillor Andy Burton, and we had a productive discussion on advancing some of these initiatives.

A discussion surrounding a proposed 20mph speed limit continues. The Parish Council debated this topic in August and September and proposes a comprehensive consultation by Surrey County Council. We belleve previous surveys have not adequately gauged community support for the 20mph limit. While we acknowledge that a lower speed limit can enhance safety, we also recognise that other measures can also contribute to this goal. In the meantime, some residents are-campaigning for 20mph restrictions on part of Hare Lane. We share concerns regarding safety on Hare Lane, where average speeds are 23-24 mph. However, many issues stem from hazardous junctions and the width of the road rather than excessive speeding.

We have already collaborated with Surrey to widen pathways for pedestrians on Hare Lane and now the Parish Council is exploring ways to improve sight lines at the intersection of Loseberry Road and Hare Lane, where a recent accident occurred. Additionally, we have commissioned a report from the Transport and Parking Group to provide recommendations. We have also asked the County Council about Claygate's position in the Local Street Improvement Plan consultation to ensure a thorough assessment.

And it's important to highlight some of our smaller yet very meaningful projects such as the WI's displaced postbox topper, for which a new home is being created Nick, landlord of the Hare and Hounds, has generously agreed to sponsor this idea, and we hope for a new "monument" on The Green soon. Other initiatives Include the a bench in The Parade and our litter picks. We also participate in events such as "Get Involved Day", the Flower Show, and helping with marshalling at the Christmas Lights switch-on. And so we thank you for your support and engagement in making Claygate a vibrant and welcoming community.

Lastly, I would like to thank Peter Whitehead for all his hard woric in producing this edition of the Courier.