Local Authority

Refuse and recycling collections across Runnymede are still suspended due to the snow and ice.

The services were suspended yesterday (Wednesday January 6) and Runnymede Council has decided that the conditions on the roads are still too bad for collections to resume.

Bosses will monitor the situation over the next few days, and when services do start up again, extra collections will help clear the backlog.

Emergency calls concerning household waste can be made to 0800 096 2028, or emails sent to refuse@runnymede.gov.uk.

There will also be a restricted service at Runnymede's Civic Centre in Addlestone today, and the library is closed all day.

The council has also postponed meetings of its planning committee and corporate management committee this week.

Day centres are open as normal, and a restricted meals on wheels service is also running, but museums and leisure centres have restricted opening hours.

Please contact these centres directly for more information.

Check back here for up-to-date information on services in Runnymede.

Services at Runnymede Council have had to be cut due to the snow sweeping across the borough.

Staffing levels at the authority are down to 70% and some services are having to be temporarily cut while the bad weather is here.

Refuse collections, kerbside recycling and garden waste collections have been suspended, and as has the Dial-a-Ride transport to day centres.

But the meals on wheels service is still running using 4x4 vehicles from the council's depots and day centres are open to provide meals.

A spokeswoman for Runnymede Council said: "Road and weather conditions will be reviewed early Thursday morning, when a decision will be made regarding Thursday's refuse collections.

"Contact will be made with the users of the Dial-a-Ride service when it is resumed.

"The snow is due to get worse so we may have to let some staff who have travelled long distances leave early, so there will be a slightly reduced service from 3pm.

"Due to the current weather conditions and expected minus temperatures tonight, both leisure centres will be closing early tonight (Wednesday January 6) at 6pm."

Council chiefs will assess the services again when they have seen what the weather is like on Thursday January 7.

Ambulance chiefs have declared a major incident in the wake of heavy snowfall across the area.

Patients are being warned to stay away from Accident and Emergency at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, and bosses at South East Coast Ambulance Service are warning people to stay indoors if they can.

Sue Harris, director of operations at SECAM said: "We are prioritising life-threatening calls above all others, and due to the adverse conditions, it is unlikely that we will reach patients with minor injuries and symptoms in worst hit areas.

"We urge people to stay indoors unless it is absolutely necessary. Driving conditions are extremely hazardous and we want to reduce the risk of injury on the roads as much as possible."

ALL employees and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults may be subject to increasingly stringent security checks from 2010.

A report released by Runnymede Borough Council has stated that those who work in teaching, training, care and transport will have to undergo "Enhanced CRB checks."

Nine per cent of Surrey's 16 to 18 year olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEETS) live in Runnymede.

Three wards in Runnymede are in the top 20 wards in Surrey with the highest number of NEETs, they are Chertsey St Ann's, Egham Hythe and Addlestone North.

Addlestone North saw the biggest increase over the last quarter, with an additional seven youngsters who are not in work or education.

Disabled and elderly residents are having to climb 15 storeys by foot after lifts at their block of flats keep breaking down.

People living in Surrey Towers in Garfield Road, Addlestone, have been without a reliable lift service since May this year when a combination of repairs by Runnymede Council and faults, left both lifts out of action.

Residents in the 100-flat building have been forced to struggle up the stairs, or sit and wait for a lift repair man, just to get home.

Rubbish collection will go ahead as normal on Bank Holiday Monday (August 31).

Anyone who normally has their refuse picked up on a Monday should leave their bin at the boundary of their property by 6am as they would usually do.

A new chief executive will be taking over at Runnymede Council next week, six months after his predecessor stepped down.

Tim Williams retired in March, when head of technical services, Peter Sims, temporarily took charge.

And now Paul Turrell has moved from deputy chief executive of Wokingham Council to take over the top job in Runnymede, and to become only the fifth chief executive in the borough's 36 year history.

Potential voters in Runnymede are being reminded by the borough council and the Electoral Commission, to get on the electoral register ahead of the forthcoming general election.

Runnymede Council is sending out registration forms to more than 33,000 households across the borough to make sure the electoral register is up to date and everyone entitled to vote can do so.

Rob Curtis, Runnymede Council's electoral services manager, said: "Our next general election must be held by June 2010, so everyone should take a few minutes to complete the registration form when it arrives.

"Remember you're not automatically entitled to vote just because you pay council tax or have voted before.

"Make sure nothing stops you from having your say on who represents you."

For more information, visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.

A 10-METRE tall wind turbine could be installed at Tesco in Addlestone if Runnymede Council gives the go ahead.

The supermarket giant is seeking planning permission to build the structure in the car park of its Station Road store and if approved, it will be used to partly power the 24-hour shop, to the dismay of neighbours.