Template:Courier-MAR-24-4

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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Donna Holt, who chairs Claygate Parish Council, looks back on a turbulent year – but has high hopes for a brighter future

The past year has taken some strange twists and turns: I’ve had a rollercoaster of a Parish Council ride since being elected last May. And what that ride confirms is that Claygate is an incredibly special place, a community where people care and are committed. It needs to be cherished as a place where we should not be frightened of change if it continues to preserve that “specialness”.

The challenge of the Marks and Spencer proposal has dominated: a village mee􀀛ng was organised by Claygate Parish Council, and Elmbridge Borough Council was encouraged to work more closely with both the Parish Council and Claygate Village Association (CVA) to define a way forward and vision for Claygate. The Parish Council fielded hundreds of emails, consulted with Elmbridge, and challenged all parties concerned. The CVA played a significant role and used its considerable people resources to produce an excellent website and galvanise the help of a large number of residents.

The Parish Council, the CVA, and residents, working together, secured a consultation which kicks off in the spring, with a CVA survey, announced in this newsletter (Pages 1 and 2), informing that discussion. Parish Councillors are collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that it has a positive outcome for Claygate.

I must also address the serious topic of the Elmbridge hearing in November which found that two Parish Councillors bullied Sally Harman, our former clerk. It is a ma􀀩er of great regret to me that this happened. We have reported it in this edition (see Page 5) as it is an event that has affected both the former clerk and the Parish Council and cannot be ignored or glossed over.

In addition, I respectfully apologise to Sally for all she was subjected to and wish her every good wish in her new role as Chief County Officer at the Surrey Association of Local Councils. I now hope that the Parish Council can put

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