The Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee meeting scheduled for 22 February 2024 was set to discuss the allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funds, community grants, and a planning application for new housing. The committee was also scheduled to review proposals for the Ewell Road cycle route and the planned highway maintenance and street lighting capital programme for 2024/25.

Allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Funds

The committee was scheduled to consider applications for Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding. Six projects were put forward for consideration, seeking a total of £154,990. The available NCIL funds as of 20 October 2023 were £344,540.17. The applications included:

• Surbiton Library Community Hub: Seeking £20,000 to develop Surbiton Library into a community hub, involving reconfiguring a room, installing a confidential pod, updating furniture, and adding power and data sockets. This project aligns with the council's vision for community hubs, aiming to engage, empower, and enable residents, build resilience, reduce social isolation, and improve health and wellbeing.
• Enriching Elmbridge Meadows: Requesting £51,200 to restore the Hogsmill river, an internationally rare chalk stream, through Elmbridge Meadows. The project aims to improve habitats for aquatic wildlife and the community's enjoyment of the river by creating berms, regrading banks, and establishing formal dog access points. This aligns with the Surbiton Community Plan's vision for developing and enhancing open spaces and implementing innovative local projects.
• A Mini History (60th Anniversary): Seeking £22,000 to create a piece of public art celebrating the history of the John Cooper Garage in Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, and to promote Surbiton as a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship. The project aims to mark the 60th anniversary of the Mini Cooper's Monte Carlo Rally win. This project aligns with the Neighbourhood Community Plan's objectives for developing and enhancing open spaces, implementing innovative local projects, and encouraging art and culture.
• Fishponds Pathway Project: Requesting £40,000 to complete a new connecting footpath from the entrance off Hollyfield Road in Fishponds Park, along with a new entrance gate. This project aims to improve accessibility for all users, including wheelchair users and those with limited mobility, and to modernise the park. It supports the Neighbourhood Community Plan's goals for enhancing parks and open spaces and implementing innovative local projects.
• Net Zero Business Outreach in Surbiton and Tolworth: Seeking £1,790 to support small and medium-sized businesses in Surbiton and Tolworth in improving their resilience, saving resources, and moving towards net-zero carbon emissions. The project proposes outreach workshops focusing on waste reduction, energy consumption, and transitioning to low-carbon transport. This aligns with the Neighbourhood Community Plan's objective to identify and implement innovative local projects that benefit businesses and support the climate change emergency agenda.
• All Our Stories: Surbiton: A framework bid for £20,000 to tell an alternative history of Surbiton as part of the Kingston 2025 celebrations, reflecting the borough's diversity. The project aims to bring to light untold stories to create a contemporary and inclusive narrative about heritage, with locations and content to be determined through public engagement. This supports the Neighbourhood Community Plan's aims to encourage community projects promoting art and culture and reinvigorating high streets.

Community Grants Programme

The committee was asked to consider allocations from Councillor Ward Funding. Three requests were put forward:

• The Green, Lenelby Road - Biodiversity Improvements: A request for £10,000 for landscaping and biodiversity improvements at The Green, a council-owned green space in Tolworth Ward. The proposed improvements include new hedgerows, removal of hardstanding, tree planting, new planters, a loggery/bug hotel, bird boxes, and signage.
• Friends of Fishponds - 2024 Voluntary Activities: A request for £500 to support the volunteer activities of the Friends of Fishponds Park. This funding would cover public liability insurance, the installation of signs designed by local pupils, and incidental expenses for volunteer sessions focused on park maintenance and enhancement.
• Fircroft - Man Shed Project: A request for £1,000 to support Fircroft's 'Man Shed' project, a space for men to gather, connect, and work on creative projects. The funding would be used to purchase specialised materials for projects, with the aim of selling items to reinvest proceeds back into the project for sustainable self-funding.

Planning Application

The committee was scheduled to determine a planning application for Hollingsworth Court, Lovelace Gardens, Surbiton, KT6 6SH. The application sought permission for the demolition of existing garages and the erection of one two-bedroom house and two three-bedroom houses, with associated amenity space, refuse/recycling area, and cycle storage. The recommendation was to permit the development subject to planning conditions and the completion of a legal agreement.

Ewell Road Cycle Route Development

The committee was asked to note and comment on proposed designs for the Ewell Road cycle route. This included plans for the unbuilt section between Hollyfield Road and Red Lion Road, proposed changes to the shared use area north of Langley Road, modifications outside Dysart School (including the provision of disabled parking bays and an upgraded zebra crossing), and proposed changes at the Elgar Avenue and Princess Avenue junction to include toucan crossings. These proposals were to be forwarded to the Place Committee for a decision on moving to the next stage of detailed design and implementation.

Planned Highway Maintenance and Street Lighting Capital Programme 2024/25

The committee was consulted on the proposed planned highway maintenance programme for 2024/25. This included a preliminary list of carriageway resurfacing works and footway improvement schemes across the borough, as well as details of the planned street lighting column replacement programme. The committee's comments were to be considered by the Place Committee.

Response to Petitions

A response was scheduled to be provided regarding a petition titled 'Ban Coaches on Thornhill Road and Tolworth Road', initially submitted on 12 December 2023. The response indicated that data collected did not support a ban, considering the level of coach usage to be within acceptable limits. The report also mentioned upcoming discussions on Tolworth Healthy Street options.

Work Programme

The committee's work programme was also scheduled for review, with specific items noted for future meetings, including updates on the Tolworth Area Healthy Streets Scheme, the Browns Road Area Parking Permit Area Review, and community police updates. A petition regarding modal traffic filters on King Charles Road was noted as being deferred to the Place Committee.