Chief Executive of Tandridge District Council, Louise Round (left) with the Chairman of Caterham-on-the-Hill Parish Council, Cllr. Sarah Burningham.

On Wednesday 14th May, the Chief Executive of Tandridge District Council attended a Question and Answer session at the Caterham-on-the-Hill Parish Council public meeting, held in the Westway Library.

During the session, Louise explained the council is having to provide services with fewer and fewer services each year. To make sure the funds they have are efficiently spent they are cooperating with Mole Valley and Reigate and Banstead councils over an increasing range of services.

With regard to economic development in Tandridge, Louise said: “The first thing we need to do is look at the existing businesses we have in the area. We need to try and maximise the number of local job opportunities for young people, so they don't have to join the commuters that travel to London each day to work.”

The subject of local planning issues was raised at the meeting and Louise explained that more work is being done in that area, especially with the creation of the Neighbourhood Plan by the CR3 Forum. The research done by the Forum's Steering Group has revealed information that is vital with regard to planning for the future. For example their research has revealed that in Tandridge, the over-65s represent 18% of the population and this figure will rise to 32% by the year 2020. Their studies also highlight the important issues of alcohol dependency and obesity as many boroughs and districts in Surrey feature high in the national rankings. The research will help TDC plan the best way to tackle these issues before they become a more serious problem in Tandridge. Inspired by the work of the CR3 Forum, other parishes in Tandridge are also starting work on their own Neighbourhood Plans.

When the subject of the derelict Rose & Young showroom in Croydon Road, Caterham Valley was raised, Louise said: “The council is following the route of carrying out a Compulsory Purchase Order, but it is not a simple thing to do and to be successful it needs the support of other parties to make sure the site is developed in a suitable way.”

Before the meeting ended, a presentation of a bouquet of flowers was made to Cllr. Sarah Burningham who is stepping down as Chairman of Caterham-on-the-Hill Parish Council. Cllr. Chris Botten will be taking over as the new Chairman.

Cllr. David Gosling presents a bouquet of flowers to Cllr. Sarah Burningham.