Local Authority

Ahead of the Surrey Youth Games this summer, Elmbridge council is offering free training sessions for any child who lives or goes to school in the borough.

From March, children will be able to take part in a wide variety of sports including badminton, basketball, boccia, girls cricket, football, hockey, judo, netball, squash, swimming, tag rugby and tennis all for free.

These are called 'Give it a Go!' sessions.

Elmbridge borough council wants to know what residents think about their council tax and what it should be spent on.

A meeting is being held on Tuesday, January 19 with chief executive of the council Rob Moran and leader of the council, councillor Roy Taylor to find out exactly what residents think about upcoming services.

The event, which is being held at the civic centre, in High Street, Esher, is invitation only.

To attend, please contact the council on 01372 474391 or by visiting www.elmbridge.gov.uk/taxation/ctax

EMPTY wards at Cobham Cottage Hospital could be turned into a centre for rape victims in nine months time residents and members of The Friends were told on Friday (November 6).

Three vehicles were involved in a collision on the southbound carriageway of the A3 near Cobham, on Monday (November 9) at about 4.10pm.

Elmbridge council is calling all Indiana Jones wannabes for a half term activity session which will look at what archaeologist's do.

The scheme, named Calling Young Diggers, will be held on Wednesday, October 28, at Elmbridge Museum, in Church Street, Weybridge.

Children aged eight to 12 are being invited to get a hands on experience to explore the world of archaeology, between 10am and 3pm at the museum.

There will be a chance to examine trays of Roman, medieval and pre historic objects and take part in a mini dig, as well as cave painting and pot reconstruction.

Elmbridge council is holding a consultation for parents in the borough to find out families views on holiday activities for children.

The consultations will be available to collect from libraries, the Xcel leisure complex, in Waterside Drive, Walton, children's centres, schools and the council's website, at www.elmbridge.gov.uk

The council want to know if families are happy with holiday activities, if there is one holiday scheme provider that children love most and what families do with their free time during the holidays.

Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor James Vickers presented the firefighters at Painshill fire station with a community shield for their recent efforts in putting on an open day.

A community day event was held at the station, in Gavell Road, on Saturday, August 22, which saw over three hundred families visit the station.

On Friday, September 4, Mr Vickers attended the station to present the community shield to station manager, Steve Pointer.

Elmbridge council is looking for feedback from residents and businesses as part of its gambling policy consultation which started on Monday (7) and lasts until Thursday, October 15.

The consultation comes as the council has to renew its gambling policy every three years in support of government objectives.

These include preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, ensuring that it is carried out in a fair and open way and protecting children from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

Starting from Monday (17) commuters will be able to park at Esher and Weybridge train stations without the use of loose change.

Using mobile phone technology, customers will be able to pay for parking by phoning or sending a text message, as part of a year trial put on by Elmbridge council.

Traffic wardens will be linked to the web, and will be sent information on which cars have paid to park, meaning there will be no need for a paper ticket.

Elmbridge council is launching three no cold calling zones on Thursday August 13 at the Claygate Centre for retired people.

The council is inviting residents and businesses to attend the centre in Elm Road, from 11.30am to launch the zones which will cover Claygate, a large part of Hersham and a small section of North West Cobham.

In total the three zones are intended to put off con men by offering added protection and reassurance to the 8500 households that inhabit the areas.