ABC Caterham Blog

2011-10-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Stop Press. November 10th 2011

November 25th at Soper Hall.

Meet Caterham Business is primarily a Business to Business exhibition, now in its 5th year, and is designed to help local businesses network with other local businesses. It is also open to members of the public.

BT & Surrey Superfast Broadband will be there to provide information on plans and for you to register interest.

Caterham, Chaldon & Whyteleafe team up under Localism Bill, to become a "Front Runner" to create a Neighbourhood Plan, under the Govt's new Localism proposals.

ABC and others are key partners with the parishes of Caterham Hill, Caterham Valley, Chaldon Village Council and Whyteleafe Village Council in a bid submitted with Tandridge District Council's support to the Communities and Local Government Department (CLG). We hope to hear the result by mid December. Groups will then begin to tackle a consultation locally, leading to a Neighbourhood Plan, which should be the subject of a local referendum. If passed it will have to be taken into account in local development and is expected to cover not only housing but services, infrastructure and the local economy.

A mini-roundabout will be created over the nights of 16/17 & 18th November at the bottom of Church Hill. This is the last phase of the town's "Shabby to Smart" exercise. It will help traffic make a right turn into Harestone Valley Road, from Church Hill. Sponsors include Caterham School. Additional funds provided by Surrey CC Highways and through councillor support at a key local committee. ( Sally Marks & Others)

Tandridge District Council voted to select the Soper Hall Community Centre bid at full council meeting on 21st July. Well done Graham Tapley and the whole team.

( http://twitter.com/CaterhamABC) ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/CaterhamABC/148584348532239)

Soper Hall - A Big Society bid

A bid to retain the Soper Hall for Community use was accepted by Tandridge District Council

Discussions are underway to agree the transfer with Tandridge Council.

Several partner organisations have signalled interest as key users of the building. The image above is based on a proposed enhancement to the building, to provide additional space. Several new potential users have come forward since we began canvassing for support, which further strengthened the bid. Local business owner David Gold helped guarantee funding for the project.

This major initiative was began just over two years ago, when Tandridge District Council originally considered sale of the Soper Hall, in Harestone Valley Road. ABC secured an opportunity to make a case for the transfer of the building to the community and a group was formed, now called the Soper Hall Community Centre Ltd, which has bid to take it over. With the publication of the Government’s Localism Bill, providing communities the right to buy within the concept of "Big Society" (subject to a viable business plan), we have our fingers crossed that this exciting community scheme will proceed.

The Soper Hall was originally built after many donations from the people of Caterham and has had various uses, including the Caterham & Warlingham Urban District Council, until the formation of Tandridge District Council. It is available for hire and other local purposes today. The new government policies supported its retention for community use

ABC as an existing community body has teamed with the Soper Hall Group to strengthen the case and several of our directors now serve on its board.

Discussions with Surrey County Council are under way over the potential to relocate the Valley Library to an enhanced Soper Hall. This exciting opportunity to consolidate community facilities under one roof, near to both of the Valley's supermarkets and 3 hr parking, should help make the centre a thriving place.

Hoping footfall throughout the town and for community groups will benefit.

Victory for local group ( Pic thanks to Kevin Black)

New Mini Roundabout in progress

ABC's project has now led to an approved scheme for a mini roundabout in Station Avenue to help traffic flow for Harestone Valley Road and Stafford Road, with Station Avenue and Church Hill. Feasibility studies were completed this year, via Surrey Highways, plus consultation with local groups. It will allowing right turns into Harestone Valley Road, from traffic coming down Church Hill and avoiding the present trip past the Station and back the other side. There will be night closures and diversions for Nov 16/17 & 18th while the road surface is removed, resurfaced and new lighting & signs installed. Preparation to kerbs and road alignment has already occurred.

The Square completed as part of "Shabby to Smart"

The S2S ( Shabby to Smart) initiative involved a range of street furniture and other items, in key areas of both Hill and Valley. Bins, planters, signs, railings & seats have been replaced or refurbished. The exercise is the result of a team working on details with different groups for the last three years. Final painting of some remaining items will happen this spring. The team working on this includes residents, businesses, plus Officers and Councillors from the Tandridge District & Caterham Hill and Valley Parish Councils.

We regret that Nigel Wilkinson, who was a key member of our team, passed away recently after a short illness. Our sympathies and good wishes go to his family.

The second part of this exercise has been the upgrade, working closely with Surrey County Council Highways department, for The Square in the Valley.

Overall we have:
- reduced clutter, to make the area visually more appealing
- fewer railings and greater visibility
- the installation of new planters; and
other measures to make the area more attractive

Join ABC at just £5 per year and be a part of this influential group for Caterham.

The ABC volunteer organisation became a more formal legal entity, in order to bid for and receive grants for Caterham. It is now "The Caterham Community Partnership Ltd" and continues ABC's work and use of the ABC title. A board of twelve directors has been formed, 10 of whom are residents, local business people, or representatives of other community organisations. The other two directors are Councillors; Sally Marks from Surrey and Michael Cooper from Tandridge. A larger management committee, involves up to 20 people from many aspects of life in Caterham, including representation from both Hill and Valley Parishes. The third AGM will be held on February 6th 2012 at the Soper Hall, when directors are elected to serve on its board and latest news provided on all projects.

Throughout the community we have received much support and help, including that from many councillors in parish, district and county councils and significant assistance from officers. It's already been a partnership and that is the intended style going forward too.

A vote of thanks too for all the press help we have had, from Julia at The Caterham Independent particularly but also from the County Border News, Caterham Link, Caterham Mirror and Advertiser and the Tandridge Chronicle.

Join on-line by completing the form here. A confirmation and an invoice will be sent to you. The fee is £5 although more is welcome!

Shop Smart - Caterham's local shopping and business loyalty scheme with Caterham Business Partnership.

Involves over 60 shops and businesses and over 2,000 local people as members.

The scheme offers members a range of loyalty incentives to shop or trade locally. Any Caterham Business may now register on the site with their details and participate in the overall loyalty scheme. It includes a town web site providing information on all the shops and their offers.

Caterham Business Partnership including Andrew Browne, Marc Hansen, Vivien Shiplee, Peter Groom and Chris Windridge lead the project. Anyone interested to join as a retailer, business or service provider should contact windc@mac.com. The scheme has sparked interest from places outside Caterham wishing to host similar initiatives. Part of the SEEDA funding (£10,000), will be available to help with the web site, communications and to create some marketing and business development sessions for participating organisations.

Six local retailer's will participate in individual consultancy from Metamorphosis, a retail consultancy specialising in helping independent retailers. A grant scheme via Skills South East, helps fund the cost if you are quick! In March we will be starting a seminar programme too, open to local businesses, based on a range of topics to help retail and independent businesses.

A Caterham leaflet was distributed in Caterham and surrounding places in the Spring. Entries were included for all shops & businesses who participate.

A Shoppers Passport is coming, with a large cash prize. Details soon.

Sign up via Shop Smart's site and make sure you have a membership card. (Also available from "Apply Here" points.)

The Caterham Festival and other events in 2011

The third Caterham Festival took place between end of May and into early July. It came from an idea from our original ABC exercise and one we are happy to continue to support with others. Andy Parr chairs this group, helped by Barbara Brunsdon and many others. This group is independently funded and managed. Andy Parr has also become a director of the Caterham Community Partnership Ltd.

This year had over 100 separate events, with over 25,000 people involved and included a Street Party, Music (DeFest), Food Market, Open Caterham, Art, Drama, Several races and events with a Sports theme and who knows what the Festival group will introduce next year?

Last year's Arctic December thwarted ideas for artificial snow in the Valley, for the Saturdays before Christmas. The idea is proposed again for 2011.

Youth. Surrey CC's Youth scheme "Street" opened in 8 Godstone Road in Mid 2010 and other projects are active. We are interested in any ideas to help youth groups to help provide information on what's on locally for younger people, plus work experience and volunteer opportunities.

Meet Caterham Business. Graham Tapley launched these events starting in 2006, after the ABC exercise highlighted a need to help local businesses to make contacts and increase their visibility locally. Around 50 local businesses stage a one day local event to promote their businesses, which is open to local people and businesses to attend. The next event is Nov 25th 2011 in the Soper Hall.

Old Rose & Young derelict garage in Croydon Rd
We are involved in keeping pressure on for redevelopment of the old Rose & Young Site, including CPO action if a case should become feasible.

New projects always under review, plus general contact
If you have expertise or a particular interest do please make contact via the chair, Chris Windridge. email:caterhamabc@mac.com

2010-02-01T04:52:00.000-08:00

Stop Press

Plans unveiled for The Square as part of "Shabby to Smart"
Membership of The Caterham Community Partnership opens for £5 year. ( Ex ABC). Come and join us.
£200,000 plus of grants secured to improve Valley and Hill shopping areas
Shop Smart Expands - Our local shopping and business loyalty scheme with Caterham Business Partnership
New projects include ideas for Soper Hall, plus old Rose and Young site.
ARC reopens in February. Congratulations to them!

Caterham secures £210,000 for projects, via Surrey Rural Towns Partnership & SEEDA.

"Shabby to Smart" begins.
The S2S ( Shabby to Smart) initiative involves a range of street furniture and other items, in key areas of both Hill and Valley. Bins, planters, signs, railings & seats are part of the programme and will be replaced or refurbished. The exercise is the result of a team working on details with different groups for the last two years. This part of the scheme is beginning in the first quarter of 2010 and some railings are already being repainted. The team working on this includes residents, businesses, plus Officers and Councillors from the Tandridge District & Caterham Hill and Valley Parish Councils. Pamela Cosgrove and Nigel Wilkinson are leading this group, supported by Scott Coughlan at Tandridge DC.

A second part of this exercise is a pilot scheme, working closely with Surrey County Council Highways department, for an upgrade around The Square in the Valley. This will involve:

the removal of some of the railings
the installation of new planters; and
other measures to make the area more attractive

The ABC volunteer organisation became a more formal legal entity, in order to bid for and receive grants for Caterham. It is now "The Caterham Community Partnership Ltd" and will continue ABC's work and retain use of the ABC title. A board of ten directors has been formed, 8 of whom are residents, local business people, or representatives of other community organisations. The other two directors are Councillors; Sally Marks from Surrey and Michael Cooper from Tandridge. A larger management committee, involves up to 20 people from many aspects of life in Caterham, including representation from both Hill and Valley Parishes. The AGM is in March and will includes reelection of all directors to serve on its board. This presents an opportunity for new people, not only to join but to become one of the directors. Existing directors are eligible for re-election too.

Festive Snow brought to Valley Centre on Dec 5th & 12th.

Caterham Valley Business Partnership brought "Early" snow to Caterham using some film set snow machines, to bring a festive touch to shopping on two Saturdays prior to Christmas. Contact Andrew Browne for further detail and the machines are available for other events at reasonable cost.

Youth initiatives. A new scheme will open in 8 Godstone Road shortly and other projects are active. A youth section to open on these pages soon.

The second Caterham Festival is on its way for this summer, an idea which was spun out from our original healthcheck exercise as ABC and one we are happy to continue to support with others. Andy Parr chairs this group, helped by Barbara Brunsdon and many others. This group is independently funded and managed. Andy Parr has also become a director of the Caterham Community Partnership Ltd.

The ARC reopens. Congratulations to Dick Moran and his team for overcoming the various obstacles. It reopens on Feburary 13th. A fund raising Sinatra lunch is on Sun 21st Febuary.

Shop Smart is expanding to include other businesses. Contact Chris Windridge for further detail.

New projects under review.
Teams have been formed to look at ideas and gather background information for two projects, i.e. the Soper Hall and the old Rose & Young building. It's too early to release information, however if you have expertise or a particular interest do please make contact via the chair, Chris Windridge. email:caterhamabc@mac.com

General contact point: caterhamabc@mac.com

Chairman's report from April 2009

Chris Windridge

ABC is near the end of the first phase of its life, so I thought I would take a few moments to summarise what we have achieved and what is planned to happen next. ABC has been in existence for three years now and you might wonder what if anything, will happen as a result.

Status April 2009:

Quantified the views of and reached 2,000 people.

Background research to support people's views and issues raised was completed.

Volunteer sessions completed to identify the major issues and ideas.

Raised funds from The Lottery, DEFRA(SCA), AMT Market Town Awards, Parishes & Round Table. (£10,000)

Completed and achieved preliminary SEEDA approval for £90,000 and matched funding of £45,000 each from Surrey County Council and Tandridge District Council, for ABC's chosen main project "Shabby to Smart".

Identified additional £15,000 from Caterham Valley Parish Council and £10,000 from Caterham Hill Council towards town improvement projects.

Secured an additional £5,000 from SEEDA for economic development initiatives.

Pursuing £5,000 Grass Roots funding for the Caterham Community Partnership, the successor to ABC, from government grant source.

Instrumental in getting a CCTV study carried out to identify the cause of local flooding in Croydon Road. Follow up work to the drainage in the Mt Pleasant Road/Croydon Rd area now appears to have solved the problem.

Identified some key action areas to pursue:

* Make the town a more attractive place to live. work, shop and visit - Shabby to Smart and major contributions from Random Greenway, a local architect.

This is in progress, supported well by the County, District and Parish Councils. This area is complex and includes things that can and should be done soon for the benefit of the town in the present economic situation and other medium and longer term items. Such a forward looking plan for the town was written into the objectives of the healthcheck from the very beginning. The key to success is getting elements of the forward plan accepted by the various statutory groups and working with them towards delivery. We have had excellent help from the Chief Exec at Tandridge and all his staff, including Vince Sharp and Scott Coughlan in particular.

* Help the different parts of the town and its local groups integrate better and develop a more vibrant place - A successful Caterham Festival took place in the summer of 2009 and a repeat event, with some new innovations, is being planned for 2010.

* Help the business community to be a successful element of the Town, for the benefit of jobs, services and the local community - Two exhibitions, a Shop Local campaign starting up and potential to develop a wider business partnership covering Valley & Hill, for a stronger Caterham.

* Stop the erosion of facilities and reinvest to scale with the extra development affecting the town, whether for youth or the community. The youth facility and Community Hub became Surrey initiatives. We should now consider how best to work with SCC to make the Youth element a success and any role for ABC. So far as an idea for a Community Hub is concerned ( Multi-purpose community facility) we seem to be back to the beginning. ABC may be able to participate and progress this but it is very disappointing that no solution could be found between County and District Councils.

A way to help fund local projects is being tried elsewhere in Surrey and the South East, using 'Section 106 agreements'. These are where planning permissions require building developers to contribute to local community facilities. We advocate this on all development, involving one or more new dwellings to help local funding. This is notwithstanding the present sharp slowdown in the housing market - Indeed, now is the time to introduce such measures, so that when recovery occurs some funding will flow, even if at lower levels than may have been possible before. It's been introduced in neighbouring Surrey Districts and other counties in the South East.

* Creating a successor Town Partnership - A legal structure has taken longer than expected, needing further time to gain local commitment. However a blend of how other towns have set up similar organisations is now ready to implement. Will will need some funding going forwards. A "Grass roots" grant from Government may be available.

What's Next

I hope ABC continues, for it has served a useful purpose. While the volunteers may not be elected, provided they represent a wide spread of the town this is a worthwhile endeavour and it injects new ideas and energy into taking the town forward.

In any future Town Partnership, there should continue to be a wide group able to participate from time to time. The ABC volunteers and all those who have expressed an interest in what ABC is doing, to my mind are the potential members. The numbers involved so far are between 100 and 150, including all those now active in one area or another of what ABC has begun. If the town partnership is effective, more people will join and it will provide opportunities to contribute to local improvements and "Have our say". Its actually the aim of Government to support this kind of group in communities. Throughout the healthcheck project we have had great help and advice from Margaret Morton at Surrey Community Action.

Should the proposed loyalty card flourish, we may have an opportunity to offer membership of the Caterham Partnership to all card holders and vice versa. That may could embrace a substantial number of people.

Each of the projects has a separate section on the web site and you can get up to date information from these pages and links. Congratulations to all the volunteers and thanks for your hard work that has gone into all the above ideas.

Quite what it will take to regenerate and revitalise the northern end of Croydon Rd near the old Rose & Young garage is on ongoing saga. The activities we are pushing ahead with for uplifting the shopping centre and making Caterham a more visible local shopping destination with a loyalty scheme will assist, we hope, in tipping the balance in favour of Caterham as a choice for investment and the "Right" sort of development for the town soon.

Regards

Chris Windridge
Chair
ABC A Better Caterham project.

2009-12-02T04:10:00.001-08:00

WINTER 2009 Newsletter

Stop Press

Early snow forecast for Dec 5th, 12th & 19th in Valley
£200,000 plus of grants secured to improve Valley & Hill shopping areas
Shop Smart - A local shopping and business loyalty scheme launched with Caterham Business Partnership
ABC transitioned to The Caterham Partnership Ltd, eligible to bid for funds towards local improvements.
Caterham one of 4 towns winning an award in South East Region competition
New project list under review, including ideas for Soper Hall and old Rose & Young site
Membership of new Caterham Partnership will be opened shortly, to public, organisations and businesses.

Snow Forecast in Valley Centre on Dec 5th, 12 & 19th

Caterham Valley Business Partnership will bring snow to Caterham, thanks to an imaginative idea from Hythe in Hampshire, who used some film set snow machines, to bring a festive touch to shopping on the three Saturdays prior to Christmas. The snow is forecast from 11.00am to about 15.00pm each Saturday and will be launched by Peter Ainsworth. A test was held on the Hill, at the switching on of the Christmas lights under the cedar tree near Buxtons, on Saturday 28th November. Contact Andrew Browne for further detail and Andy Parr if you would like to help as a Snow Meister.(General Contact via caterhamabc@mac.com)

Caterham secures £210,000 for projects, via Surrey Rural Towns Partnership & SEEDA. The exercise called "Shabby to Smart", begins early in the New Year.
The S2S ( Shabby to Smart) initiative will involve a range of street furniture and other items, in key areas of both Hill and Valley. Bins, planters, signs, railings & seats are part of the programme and will be replaced or refurbished. The exercise is the result of a team working on details with different groups for the last two years. This part of the scheme will begin early in the New Year and some railings are already being repainted. The team working on this includes residents, businesses, plus Officers and Councillors from the Tandridge District & Caterham Hill and Valley Parish Councils. Pamela Cosgrove and Nigel Wilkinson are leading this group, supported by Scott Coughlan at Tandridge DC.

A second part of this exercise is a pilot scheme, working closely with Surrey County Council Highways department, for an upgrade around The Square in the Valley. This will involve:

the removal of some of the railings
the installation of new planters; and
other measures to make the area more attractive

The scheme will make the focal point of the Valley less cluttered whilst maintaining a high level of public safety. Details are planned to be exhibited in the two Caterham libraries in February and the work is scheduled to take place from the middle of next year. Random Greenway(Architects), is assisting the Partnership and Surrey Highways with this project.

Shop Smart launched. This is a local loyalty scheme, now involving 45 shops and over 1,500 local people as members. It includes a new town web site providing information on all the shops and their offers.
The Caterham Business Partnership and ABC Chair Chris Windridge, have worked to launch the scheme, which offers members a range of loyalty incentives to shop or trade locally. The first part of the scheme was to get shops in any of the various locations around the town, plus membership up and running, which has been successfully achieved. A second part of the initiative will now be opened up for any Caterham Business to be registered on the site with their details and participate in the overall loyalty scheme.

Andrew Browne, Marc Hansen and Chris Windridge have taken the lead with an expanding group. Peter Ainsworth is very supportive. Anyone interested to join as a retailer, business or service provider should contact windc@mac.com. The scheme has sparked interest from places outside Caterham wishing to host similar initiatives. Part of the new SEEDA funding (£10,000), will be available to help with the web site, communications and to offer a training programme to participating businesses.

Some good news - we now have fewer empty shops than at any time over the last two years. Latest shops to open include The Treasure Chest in the Valley and Amazing Glazing ( a pottery and craft shop) in Westway. Cafe Nero will open in Godstone Road soon and a new ladies fashion shop will operate from the new building opposite The Valley Pub.

ABC becomes The Caterham Partnership Ltd

The ABC volunteer organisation became a more formal legal entity, in order to bid for and receive grants to help in the above projects. It is now "The Caterham Community Partnership Ltd" and will continue ABC's work and retain use of the ABC title. A board of nine directors has been formed, 7 of whom are residents , local business people, or representatives of other community organisations. The other two directors are Councillors; Sally Marks from Surrey and Michael Cooper from Tandridge. A larger management committee, involves up to 20 people from many aspects of life in Caterham, including representation from both Hill and Valley Parishes. An AGM will be held in the new year including an election of directors to serve on a new board. This will present an opportunity for new people to join although existing directors will be eligible for re-election too.

Throughout the whole process we have received much support and help from many councillors in parish, district and county councils and significant assistance from officers. It's already been a partnership and that is the intended style going forward too.

A vote of thanks too for all the press help we have had, from Julia at The Caterham Independent particularly but also from the County Border News, Caterham Link, Caterham Mirror and Advertiser.

Other News.
Caterham won an award in a South East Regional Towns competition in July. Last year a group of us visited Storrington, to look at their street improvements; hear of their experiences with forming a legal partnership; working with Councils in various ways and to visit a community "Hub" project, where they had taken over a local building to provide a variety of services. This low cost town to town exercise was seen as a good example for other towns to follow.

There is success to report on two youth initiatives. One from Surrey, which is reported via the Caterham Advertiser here. A new scheme will open in Godstone Road shortly

The other, a successful application to the Youth Opportunities Scheme and Youth Opportunities Capital Fund, from a local group of young people, who are now working with the Community Centre on the Hill.

The first Caterham Festival was held this summer, an idea which was spun out from our original healthcheck exercise as ABC and one we are happy to support with others. Andy Parr now chairs this group, helped by Barbara Brunsdon and many others. This group is independently funded and managed. Andy Parr has also become a director of the Caterham Community Partnership Ltd.

Meet Caterham Business Exhibition had a successful third event in October, led by Graham Tapley. This year it became the Meet Tandridge Business Exhibition with 100 exhibitors.

New project list under review.
Teams have been formed to look at ideas and gather background information for two projects, i.e. the Soper Hall and the old Rose & Young building. It's too early to release information, however if you have expertise or a particular interest do please make contact via the chair, Chris Windridge. email:caterhamabc@mac.com

General contact point: caterhamabc@mac.com

Chairman's report from April 2009

What's Next

Regards

Chris Windridge
Chair
ABC A Better Caterham project.

2009-04-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

April 2009 Newsletter

Stop Press

St Catherine's Hospice to open day care centre in Foxon Lane during May.
Work begins to improve Croydon Road drainage.
The Co-op to open in the old Woolworths site.
ABC to transition to a Caterham Partnership, eligible to bid for funds towards local improvements.

Shop Smart, Shop Local Caterham

ABC and Caterham Valley Business Partnership are working on a local shopping initiative called "Shop Smart, Shop Local" for launch shortly, covering the whole of Caterham. Andrew Browne, Marc Hansen, Graham Tapley and Chris Windridge are taking the lead with an expanding group. Peter Ainsworth is very supportive and we had an initial meeting on this topic in the Miller Centre. Anyone interested to join as a retailer or service provider please contact info@meetcaterhambusiness.co.uk or click here.

Youth News

There is success to report on two youth initiatives. One from Surrey, which is reported via the Caterham Advertiser here.

The other, a successful application to the Youth Opportunities Scheme and Youth Opportunities Capital Fund, from a local group of young people. Details soon.

Shabby to Smart facelift
Detailed Planning is under way for a face lift to the Valley & Hill shopping areas, nicknamed "Shabby to Smart". Longer term plans are also under discussion for " A Future Caterham". Funding in excess of of £200,000 has been raised for the initial projects. Work is planned in both Hill and Valley shopping areas, which will hopefully provide the whole town with worthwhile improvements. Many people are involved, including both local parishes, Tandridge District and Surrey County Councils. The leaders of these volunteer teams are Pamela Cosgrove, Nigel Wilkinson and Gifford Wright. Random Greenway has provided invaluable assistance as has Scott Coughlan at Tandridge.

Caterham Festival

A Caterham Festival is being held for the first time this summer, an idea from the ABC Healthcheck and one we are happy to sponsor with others. Festival Link here . Party in the Park , the Miller Centre , ARC and Caterham Carnival are joining in along with many other groups too. Andy Parr is chairing this group, helped by Barbara Brunsdon and many others. This group is seeking independent funding from ABC.

Business

Meet Caterham Business Exhibition had a successful second event last October, where 400 people attended and over 40 local businesses exhibited, led by Graham Tapley.

ABC becomes Caterham Partnership

The ABC volunteer organisation will transition to a more formal legal entity, in order to bid for and receive grants to help in the above projects. It will become "The Caterham Community Partnership" and continue ABC's work.

Throughout the whole process we have received much support and help from many councillors in parish, district and county councils and significant assistance from officers. Its already been a partnership and that is the intended style going forward too.

A vote of thanks too for all the press help we have had, from Julia at The Caterham Independent particularly but also from the County Border News, Caterham Link, Caterham Mirror and Advertiser.

Chairman's report:

Chris Windridge

ABC is near the end of the first phase of its life, so I thought I would take a few moments to summarise what we have achieved and what is planned to happen next. ABC has been in existence for three years now and you might wonder what if anything, will happen as a result.

Status April 2009:

Quantified the views of and reached 2,000 people.

Background Research to support people's views and issues raised was completed.

Volunteer sessions completed to identify the major issues and ideas.

Raised funds from The Lottery, DEFRA(SCA), AMT Market Town Awards, Parishes & Round Table. (£10,000)

Completed and achieved preliminary SEEDA approval for £90,000 and matched funding of £45,000 each from Surrey County Council and Tandridge District Council, for ABC's chosen main project "Shabby to Smart".

Identified additional £15,000 from Caterham Valley Parish Council and £10,000 from Caterham Hill Council towards town improvement projects.

Pursuing £5,000 Grass Roots funding for Caterham Partnership, the successor to ABC, from government grant source.

Instrumental in getting a CCTV study carried out to identify the cause of local flooding in Croydon Road. Work has begun to improve the drainage in the Mt Pleasant Road/Croydon Rd area.

Identified some key action areas to pursue:

* Make the town a more attractive place to live. work, shop and visit - Shabby to Smart and major contributions from Random Greenway, a local architect.

In progress. Supported well by Tandridge. This area is complex and includes things that can and should be done soon for the benefit of the town in the present economic situation and other medium and longer term items. Such a forward looking plan for the town was written into the objectives of the healthcheck from the very beginning. The key to success is getting elements of the forward plan accepted by the various statutory groups and working with them towards delivery. We have had excellent help from the Chief Exec at Tandridge and all his staff, including Vince Sharp in particular.

* Help the different parts of the town and its local groups integrate better and develop a more vibrant place - The Festival: Set up and on its way

* Help the business community to be a successful element of the Town, for the benefit of jobs, services and the local community - Two exhibitions, a Shop Local campaign starting up and potential to develop a wider business partnership covering Valley & Hill, for a stronger Caterham.

* Stop the erosion of facilities and reinvest to scale with the extra development affecting the town, whether for youth or the community. Youth facility and Community Hub, became a Surrey initiative. We should now consider how best to work with SCC to make the Youth element a success and any role for ABC. So far as an idea for a Community Hub is concerned ( Multi-purpose community facility) we seem to be back to the beginning. ABC may be able to participate and progress this but it is very disappointing that no solution could be found between County and District Councils.

A way to help fund local projects is being tried elsewhere in Surrey and the South East. It has been known as a S106 agreement, where new building development occurs. We advocate this on all development, involving one or more new dwellings to help local funding. Notwithstanding the present sharp slowdown - actually now is the time to introduce, so that when recovery occurs some funding will flow, even if at lower levels than may have been possible before. Its been introduced in neighbouring Surrey Districts and other counties in the South East.

* Creating a successor Town Partnership - A legal structure has taken more time than expected, needing further time to gain local commitment. However a blend of how other towns have set up similar organisations is now ready to implement. Will need some funding going forwards. A "Grass roots" grant from Government may be available.

What's Next

I hope ABC continues, for it has served a useful purpose. While the volunteers may not be elected, provided they represent a wide spread of the town this is a worthwhile endeavour and it injects new ideas and energy into taking the town forward.

In any future Town Partnership, there should continue to be a wide group able to participate from time to time. The ABC volunteers and all those who have expressed an interest in what ABC is doing, to my mind are the potential members. The numbers involved so far are between 100 and 150, including all those now active in one area or another of what ABC has begun. If the town partnership is effective, more people will join and it will provide opportunities to contribute to local improvements and "Have our say". Its actually the aim of Government to support this kind of group in communities. Throughout the healthcheck project we have had great help and advice from Margaret Morton at Surrey Community Action.

Should the loyalty card that is proposed take off, we may have an opportunity to offer all those who join the loyalty scheme, membership of the Caterham Partnership and vice versa. That may end up a substantial number of people.

Quite what it will take to regenerate and revitalise the northern end of Croydon Rd near the old Rose & Young garage is on ongoing saga. It is joined by Woolworths as an empty building. (See stop press) The activities we are pushing ahead with for uplifting the shopping centre and making Caterham a more visible local shopping destination with a loyalty scheme will assist, we hope, in tipping the balance in favour of Caterham as a choice for investment and the "Right" sort of development for the town soon.

See you all at Festival and apply for your Caterham Loyalty card when it is launched!

Regards

Chris Windridge
Chair
ABC A Better Caterham project.

2008-05-31T18:10:00.000-07:00

STOP PRESS

ABC Newsletter May08

Click here to download latest news.

See us at Carnival!

ABC Releases Interim report 21st February 2008

The report identifies the major issues from the survey and discussions with over 1,600 adults and 400 younger people.

Several areas are highlighted for improvement and projects to tackle them are proposed.

Initial project teams are being formed for "Shabby to Smart" to help improve shopping areas and "Community Facilities" to work with Tandridge & Surrey County Councils on a variety of schemes.

Volunteers can still play a major role in creating more detailed bids for funding and to see the ideas into action.

The report was published in February and distributed to all households in the area via County Border News or the Caterham Independent.

You can read it or download it here, or it is also available in the libraries, in Stafford Road and Westway.

Additional more detailed information is also available for download at the same site. ( Password is "public")

ABC File a detailed report on findings and recommendations.

ABC Snapshot the collection of facts we gathered on people, cars, transport, business, development, health, schools, environment, social & community.

Now joined by the May Newsletter.

or by post on request.

Click on the pictures above to download the interim report, or read it below.

Kind regards
Chris Windridge
Chairman ABC

A Reminder: What is a town Healthcheck?

It is a tried and tested process that has already taken place in over 300 towns nationwide. Having completed the healthcheck, Caterham is now eligible to bid for a number of external grants, including funding from the SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) Small Rural Towns Programme.

Already in Surrey over £400,000 has been secured to transform the centre of Cranleigh, £150,000 to improve Beacon Hill, Haslemere and over £220,000 to improve access in and around Leatherhead.

We named our project "ABC - A Better Caterham" which began in March 2006 and has involved over 70 volunteers to date, plus local councillors, officers and some experienced helpers, all of whom have energetically supported the exercise.

The first step was to seek feedback from the local community about what people think of Caterham and what could be done to improve it. We surpassed our goal of 2,000 completed survey forms (representing 10% of the population) which contained more than 4,000 additional comments. Furthermore, our presence at various locations attracted over 1,000 visitors. This helped us to record people’s opinions through many interviews and discussions that took place. The unexpectedly high volume of information meant that people's feedback took longer than expected to analyse.

The purpose of this report is to tell you about ABC's findings and outline the next steps.

We have compiled statistics to demonstrate how, over the last decade, increases in population, new dwellings and car ownership have been greater in Caterham than elsewhere in East Surrey. Such pressures place increasing strain on the town's infrastructure, so Caterham has some unique challenges to face. Information we collected on this is being published in a separate ABC file, together with other background details.

Overall, respondents thought our local area is an 'above average' place to live, with the quality of the environment being rated quite highly. Other factors scored closer to average, with business the lowest, scoring below par.

All the survey data has now been analysed under 5 main headings and a summary of where you place certain items in terms of importance has been created:-

Environment
-You said "Retain local landscape and character"

Retention of the Green Belt was people's main priority, followed by initiatives to improve the Valley Town Centre and action to transform the blighted Rose & Young site.

Respondents were concerned that too much 'garden grabbing', for chaotic in-fill developments is proceeding without the necessary improvements to local infrastructure. Current levels of development are seen to be damaging the area's character.

There is also a desire for more facilities to enable greener lifestyles, such as enhanced plastic recycling, better maintenance of open spaces; and the protection of wildlife in smaller wooded areas.

Social & Community

-You said "Improve youth and other community facilities"

Personal safety rated as the highest priority with a desire for more visible policing.

A clear message is that Caterham needs a stronger overall local voice so that views and wishes of the residents and businesses are listened to on a whole range of topics.

Some residents suggested that other more favoured towns receive investment to the
detriment of Caterham and that local housing developments are not benefiting the community.

Concerns focused on the capacity of GP practices to serve the expanding population and the need for better youth and leisure facilities, given growing numbers of young people in the town. Most people accept that Caterham is well served by the provision of retirement homes, although more extra care
services for the frail elderly will be needed in the future.

Secondary School choices and performance are also causing concern.

Transport & Access

-You said "Improve traffic flow & parking"

Public Transport emerged as the most important issue under this heading with many comments about bus services, routes and frequency. Next was congestion followed by ease of travel. Parking was also high up on the list, whether for shopping, commuting or finding a space outside your home. Suggestions were made both for and against the use of one-way systems to ease trouble spots.

Given the growth in car ownership,many respondents identified the need to increase parking provision for new homes to two spaces per household.

Transport overall received the most individual comments.

Town Centers & High Streets

-You said "Enhance the town's appearance from Shabby to Smart"

There was a lot of emphasis on the Valley Town Centre, perceived as less attractive than, say, Oxted or Reigate. 60% of respondents supported the pursuit of ambitious redevelopment plans (subject to due process )
As far as the Hill is concerned, the survey identified an overwhelming desire to smarten up the Raglan Precinct, Westway and the Coulsdon Road area near the Barracks development.

Business & Economy

-You said "Attract new business & choice"

Many factors came together here, but extending the range of shops/facilities and improving the town's image emerged as predominant needs. Measures to encourage new businesses into the area also rated as a key priority.

Many perceive Caterham as shabby and badly in need of a makeover, with survey returns making frequent reference to sites that blight the area. Over 85% of respondents supported action on specific sites and an upgrade to the shopping areas.

In summary ABC has identified the following six objectives for future action:

• Retain local landscape and character
• Improve youth and other community facilities
• Improve traffic flow and parking
• Enhance the town's appearance from "shabby" to "smart"
• Attract new businesses
• Maintain the impetus generated by the Healthcheck

Many potential initiatives have been identified to achieve these objectives over varying timescales from immediate to long term. Some discussion has already begun with partners, including Tandridge District and Surrey County Councils, about how to progress these ideas. While not all may be feasible as currently conceived, we hope they will serve as signposts for the kind of improvements that the people of Caterham want to see.

Stop press: Surrey CC have agreed to fund an interim youth facility on the adult education site, while a review takes place of needs for community facilities. We welcome the decision to provide a youth facility but nevertheless remained concerned that reinvestment in Caterham of a substantial share of sales of Local Authority assets occurs. In today's carbon concious age, community facilities on a local basis are clearly preferred to remote ones with poor transport links and associated cost and resource use.

So, where we are now?

At this stage, the project can be compared to a giant jigsaw where the accompanying picture is still blurred and lacking much of the detail and where some of the pieces are currently missing. However, it is worth pointing out that there is tremendous support among local volunteers and statutory authorities to complete this difficult puzzle and to succeed in achieving our goal of "A Better Caterham".

Here is a Summary of the initiatives that ABC recommend;

Short-term

• Establish an ABC follow on group to work with statutory agencies in overseeing delivery of Healthcheck projects.
• An overall " Shabby to Smart" initiative for the Valley & Hill shopping areas as first steps to improvement.
• Extend parking restrictions, enforce more vigorously, and free up existing parking spaces for commuters, traders and other users.
• Youth - safeguard existing facilities; lobby for a new Council run outlet; and establish a Youth Council. (See stop press)
• Encourage new businesses to come to Caterham and influence the expansion of existing enterprises.
• Pursue initiatives to enable the town's infrastructure to withstand the pressures of new residential housing developments and use
• ABC findings and local people's input to influence future planning guidelines.
• Enhance open spaces and promote eco friendly policies.
• Assist in promoting Neighbourhood Policing activities to the
community.

Medium-term

• Encourage development of the Rose & Young site to regenerate the north end of the Valley.
• Establish a Farmers' Market.
• Ensure community input regarding the provision of local education services.
• Monitor the capacity of doctors' surgeries via an annual survey.
• Celebrate Caterham's character (signs, heritage trail, website & Festival).
• Achieve cleaner streets & open spaces (incl. coordinated collection of trade refuse).
• Seek a review of storm water and sewer systems.
• Review bus / train services (links to Oxted, E.S. Hospital and between Hill/Valley)
• Identify schemes to relieve traffic congestion in the Valley and Westway and consider options to provide new parking for commuters and shoppers

Longer term

• Consider options to redevelop Caterham Valley with enhanced public space, improved retail area, additional car parking and better traffic flow.
• Provide a new purpose built community centre that could accommodate a variety of functions such as a museum, library, cinema, community hall, cultural events and youth services.
• Consider options to enhance the Raglan area on the Hill.
• Work with Schools to reduce the number of cars used to transport pupils.

What happens next…..how can you help?

Now that we have a vision for the future of Caterham it will be exciting to see at least some of the ideas put into practice. Initially, we will work closely with the relevant authorities and pursue funding from SEEDA to achieve as many short / medium term goals as possible.

However, we are aware that some of our ideas could take a long time to implement and, in some cases, may be very difficult to achieve. The viability of the more complex proposals will need to be assessed by the relevant public bodies. If deemed practicable and financially viable, more detailed work can begin to see how the bigger projects can best be achieved.

During the next few weeks, it is particularly important that we attract more volunteers to help with the work ahead. There would be plenty for new ABC members to do and this is an exciting time for additional people to become involved. Please make contact if you would like to find out more about how you can help. Full details are provided below.

The first two projects we are forming teams on are "Shabby to Smart" and "Community Facilities"

If you are interested in working with ABC on any of the ideas, contact;

Post: ABC Project, C\O Tandridge Voluntary Services, Soper Hall,
Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YN

Email: caterhamabc@mac.com

Summary information collected by the ABC team is available at our
Web site and includes:
• Survey
• Background facts. "The ABC File" - Coming soon.
• ABC Heritage collection. Pictures & articles - Coming soon.

Website: www.Caterhamabc.org.uk

Thanks to: All the volunteers, residents, local businesses,
organisations and services, Council staff, Councillors and other
advisers, who have contributed their time , knowledge and ideas.

Copies of the interim report and the more detailed background report will be available from the Libraries on the Hill and in the Valley.

Click Register to add yourself to our eMail or Mailing list.

How to help us

Volunteer to take part in one of the study groups. We need individuals to participate in the groups and be responsible for developing proposals and seeing them through to implementation.

Click Helpers for information on where you can help.

2008-01-04T02:44:00.000-08:00

ABC Releases Interim report 4th January 2008

The report identifies the major issues from the survey and discussions with over 1,600 adults and 400 younger people.

Several areas are highlighted for improvement and projects to tackle them are proposed.

Volunteers can still play a major role in creating more detailed bids for funding and to see the ideas into action.

The report will be pubished in January and distributed to all households in the area, in the meantime you can read it or download it here.

Additional more detailed information is also being prepared and will be available for download, or by post on request.

Click on the picture above to download the interim report, or read it below.

Kind regards
Chris Windridge
Chairman ABC

A Reminder: What is a town Healthcheck?

If you are interested in working with ABC on any of the ideas, contact;

Post: ABC Project, C\O Tandridge Voluntary Services, Soper Hall,
Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YN

Email: abccaterham@mac.com

Summary information collected by the ABC team is available at our
Web site and includes:
• Survey
• Background facts. "The ABC File" - Coming soon.
• ABC Heritage collection. Pictures & articles - Coming soon.

Website: www.Caterhamabc.org.uk

Thanks to: All the volunteers, residents, local businesses, organisations and services, Council staff, Councillors and other advisers, who have contributed their time , knowledge and ideas.

Copies of the interim report and the more detailed background report will be available from the Libraries on the Hill and in the Valley.

Click Register to add yourself to our eMail or Mailing list.

Click Helpers for information on where you can help.

2007-06-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

June 9th.....
Fencing Kenley Perimeter
Info, questions & links
on proposals to restrict access.
Register or send eMails
from ABC site
with subject Kenley.
Petition submitted with over 330 names.
Why Fence Kenley NOW?

Click Kenley pic below for info &
BBC Breakfast Radio download.

ABC at Caterham Carnival. June 9th.

ABC Survey meets goal of 2,000......First results published.

You can still add your views if you want, via these links.

"Have your say Now"

Click Here to take our Up to 11 survey, or you are at a Primary School.

Click Here to take our Up to 18 survey, or you are at a Secondary School.

Click Here for the adult/parent survey, or if you are over 18

Click Here for the Kenley link where you can register for the petition.

Its purpose is to help us discover the main issues about living in Caterham. We are near our target of reaching 10% of all those who live here.

Did you miss the ABC Shop or the Tour?. Take a virtual tour of the ABC Shop or Caterham itself by clicking on the highlighted text. (Courtesy of Graham Tapley)

Click ABC Schools for our schools news site.

Stop Press 9th June :

ABC A Better Caterham

What did you say and what did we discover?

I am delighted to tell you over 2,000 people, including 1,600 adults and 400 students completed the ABC survey. Many people provided valuable comments and we are now analyzing these. In fact, over 3,300 comments were received, so this will take some time to digest – however a preliminary scan is quite revealing. Many thanks to you all and our ABC volunteers.

The chart shows overall Caterham. You rated our local area as above average for a place to live, with Environment being rated quite highly. Other areas are closer to average, with Business being the lowest score.

In each sector we are looking at scores and comments, plus background facts we have collected, to make recommendations for the future.

Its already clear there is very strong support for keeping the character of the area and we have a lot of evidence thanks to you, to use in making recommendations to Tandridge District Council. Overall planning including the level of residential development scored highest as an area of importance, along with Caterham Valley Town Centre including Rose & Young in the Environment sector, plus Greener lifestyles as another very important area. We will make recommendations in these areas. Caterham has absorbed a population increase greater than adding an area like Whyteleafe since 1991, according to our estimates. This scale of increase is having undesirable and unanticipated side effects in many people’s view.

Transport. We believe there are 50% more vehicles in the area than in 1991, from Census data and more recent estimates. Yet there are few facilities to cope with this. The Transport team will work through your input and identify ideas to put forward. Public Transport was actually shown as the top issue within Transport, especially bus services, with congestion and parking whether for residents, shoppers, commuters, the school run, or business close behind.

Social & Community. As our population has grown, facilities are coming under major pressure. Hidden in an extra 20% population figure between 1991 and now, is an estimated rise of near 30% in the 10 to 17 school age population. At the same time, we have lost the youth facility in the Valley without a replacement and Skaterham has funding problems on the Hill. Many comments were about the need to act here. Other issues are getting places at schools and the lack of a local sixth form, except via independent schools.

For older residents the number of new retirement homes influences demand on health facilities. While Public Safety (Police), Schools and Health are the most important within this overall area, it’s Sport & Leisure and Youth Facilities we can probably do more about at a local level. We intend to look at ideas in these areas closely, together with anything to help the community develop a range of facilities for different needs, whether for Arts & Music, or the many local groups.

Lastly is Business, where the most important areas are to help improve the choice and standard of local shops and facilities, the image of the main centres and new business to be successful. We are looking at all feedback and information to do with the Town Centres and will report as soon as we can on what we believe are the best options for the future. Linked to this over 90% of you were in favour of a cosmetic improvement to the Town Centres, 85% in favour of action on individual sites such as Rose & Young and around 60% for considering more comprehensive schemes. We believe it must be time for action now and your responses provide overwhelming evidence of community support.

Its going to take time to do justice to the number and scope of the comments you made and any volunteers are very welcome.

For extra detail check this site from time to time: http://www.caterhamabc.org.uk

Our next steps are to produce recommendations based on your input and the facts we have collected. We hope to complete this by mid year.

Kind regards
Chris Windridge
Chairman ABC

What we said at the start of the ABC project in 2006

Welcome to ABC Caterham's web site and the "ABC Blog " to keep you in touch with what is happening.

So far Caterham is one of just 6 Surrey towns this year taking part in an iniative called a health check, which involves the people in a Town deciding on what's good and bad about the area and making recommendations for the future. The exercise will cover Caterham on the Hill and Caterham Valley and links with neighbouring areas such as Chaldon, Whyteleafe, Warlingham, Woldingham, Kenley, Coulsdon, Bletchingley and Godstone.

The idea is that local people participate on a voluntary basis to look at different aspects of living and working here and its "our" view, of what should happen in the short term and longer term to improve the area.

We have support from the council and councillors but its a community project and we have decided to call it ABC - A Better Caterham". We need volunteers to help with various parts of the study and we are looking at the things that affect us all like, Environment, Social & Community facilities & services, Transport & Access and Business & the Local Economy and the Town Centre(s)

A steering group formed from the volunteers, supporting councils and councillors are managing the overall exercise and I have become chairman. As a result of participating in the scheme Caterham will become eligible for some grants via SEEDA (South East England Development Agency).

Other towns completing Health-checks have gained support for a variety of improvements, ranging from small immediate schemes for community facilities, traffic & parking changes, environmental and clean up campaigns to significant town centre schemes.

The first thing we have done is find some volunteers to help us, obtain some background facts on Caterham and the surrounding area and discover what you believe are the most important issues. We currently have about 50 volunteers so its quite a large project. Our volunteers come from all parts of the area and different walks of life. More people to help are always welcome.

Areas we are looking at in detail include Environment, Social & Community, Transport & Access and the Economy & Business of the Town and its surrounding areas. We can all point to what could be improved and the question is what should have the highest short and longer-term priorities. We are now asking for everyone’s response on issues that have been identified. Help is welcome in all areas.

Issues we need feedback on include:

Whether housing developments are a positive move in Caterham and if not how might further development be better placed?

How could the roads be improved to increase traffic flow or we solve parking problems ?

How could Caterham be improved in terms of environmental issues?

What is needed to boost the local economy and ideas for the town centres.

Should more be done for the elderly or youth?

We really do need local people to help us with the project. If you have views and wish to put these across and become involved with others who care and want to shape the future of Caterham then please contact:

ABC Caterham, Bronzeoak House,
Stafford Road, Caterham, CR3 6JG

Or eMail caterhamABC@mac.com

Or visit the drop in centre at 11 Church walk, next to Morrisons.

Our Web Page & the Survey

This is our main web page so you can reach us via the internet as well as by mail and you can also leave telephone messages. Details are in the Contact us section.

The web page has a link to an anonymous pilot survey which would be very helpful if you would complete. It will let you tell us what you think is important about several local issues and also to highlight areas for the project to look at in more detail. We are asking for your opinions on the most important issues and based on these we will create a report with suggestions for tackling these in both the short and longer term. At this point we also hope to be able to bid for SEEDA funds for some of these.

This web page can be reached via:
http://www.caterhamabc.org.uk

It contains a link to the survey.You can also pick up and drop off a copy of the survey from anywhere displaying our posters, or in Chirch Walk.

The drop in centre shows the issues that are emerging and asks for your ideas on potential solutions.

How to contact us

Email: caterhamABC@mac.com
Address: ABC, Bronzeoak House, Stafford Rd, Caterham, CR3 6JG
Phone: 01883 332614 (Messages)
Web: http://www.caterhamabc.org.uk
Drop in: 11 Church Walk

Click Register to add yourself to our eMail or Mailing list and take part in our £100 draw.

How to help us

Volunteer to take part in one of the study groups as well as take the survey. We need individuals to participate in the groups and for Environment and Business we also need to identify someone to lead these teams.

Click Helpers for information on where you can help.

Stop Press

See above

Don't forget to take the survey and "Tell us How"

Volunteer groups have several sessions planned and if you want to join in contact us as above.

ABC Caterham Blog

Stop Press

WINTER 2009 Newsletter

Stop Press

Early snow forecast for Dec 5th, 12th & 19th in Valley

£200,000 plus of grants secured to improve Valley & Hill shopping areas

Shop Smart - A local shopping and business loyalty scheme launched with Caterham Business Partnership

ABC transitioned to The Caterham Partnership Ltd, eligible to bid for funds towards local improvements.

Caterham one of 4 towns winning an award in South East Region competition

New project list under review, including ideas for Soper Hall and old Rose & Young site

Membership of new Caterham Partnership will be opened shortly, to public, organisations and businesses.