Here are two opportunities to have your say and help shape the decisions made in your area.

Elmbridge's sustainable future: your views matter!

In 2019, Elmbridge Borough Council declared a climate emergency and made the pledge to be a carbon neutral organisation by 2030. We also set an ambitious goal: to become a carbon neutral borough by 2050. We have climate change plans in place to support our vision of a thriving and sustainable Elmbridge, but we need your input to help shape the plans for 2050.

A climate change survey is now open until Sunday 2 March to gather your views on our climate change priorities for the borough. Your feedback is crucial as it will feed into our Climate Change Citizens’ Panel process which will soon begin. The panel will work on turning your suggestions and ideas into actionable steps.

The survey focuses on:

• Clean energy

• Clean air

• The 5 Rs (refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle)

• Biodiversity (natural environment)

• Sustainability champions in our communities

• Sustainability in business

Take part in our survey: In the survey, you will be able to share your views on each of these topics and tell us which you think are the most important. The Climate Change Citizens’ Panel will use your feedback to shape climate change recommendations to feed into the development of the 2050 borough plan.Your feedback is important. Your opinions and contributions will not only enhance your community’s life, it will also positively impact our environment and preserve it for future generations.

Take the survey here.

Surrey County Council are consulting residents about their revised proposals for the trees on Walton High Street. Please see the note below from WOT Trees:

Following a successful 2023 campaign, by over 260 local people, opposing Surrey County Council’s proposals to replace the six trees in Walton High Street with planters, the Council has revised its proposals and is seeking views from members of the public on these. The revised proposals include the retention of the two mature trees (outside Boots) and replacing the four ‘semi-felled’ ones (outside the Heart) with saplings.

WOT Trees are delighted that the (Cafe Nero) zebra crossing and two trees outside Boots will remain, and a 20-mph zone introduced in the High Street

 WOT Trees oppose the felling of the four trees outside the entrance to the Heart:

- The trees are growing and just need pruning and maintenance in order to develop fully

- The felling, boring out of roots and replacement with saplings will be costly and disruptive

- Concerns that new saplings won’t be regularly watered (for a necessary 3-years) 

Please take part in the latest Surrey County Council consultation, tell them what you think by 14th February:

Add your voice to the consultation here                                                                                                

Or in writing: 

Surrey County Council Highways Dept, Merrow Complex, Merrow Lane, Surrey GU4 7BQ

You can get in touch with ‘WOT Trees’ via: wottrees@gmail.com